Chapter 152: Let the Dogs Fight
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Yu Zhi Yi had long been aware of the existence of other mystical arts practitioners in the world. She also knew that some were unwilling to endure the long and tedious cultivation process and would resort to sideways paths to aid their training.
These evil cultivators were often formidable. Even those of the same level of cultivation as them would find it easy to fall victim to their tricks, sometimes even losing their lives.
Take, for instance, the evil cultivator who had set up the Hundred-Dreams Trap. Though his strength was not on par with Yu Zhi Yi’s, he had still managed to lure her into his formation.
If this were a formation of the righteous path, Yu Zhi Yi would have noticed it.
However, formations crafted by evil cultivators came in countless varieties. Even someone like her would find it difficult to detect them at first glance.
Had this formation been used to target another mystical arts practitioner, the outcome would have likely been a swift success for the opponent.
But, unfortunately for them, their target was her.
Her gaze turned cold as she looked in a certain direction, a faint smirk playing on her lips.
Formations are deeply tied to their creators; when a formation is broken, the one who set it up suffers a backlash as well.
…
Meanwhile, in a lavish mansion on the outskirts of the city, a plain-looking man was enjoying himself. Women surrounded him, one massaging his shoulders, another tending to his legs, while yet another fed him wine. The scene was reminiscent of a hedonistic paradise.
The man reveled in the indulgence, alternating between pinching one woman’s cheek and teasing another with his words, thoroughly enjoying his debauchery.
Across from him sat a middle-aged man dressed as a commoner, speaking in a low, nervous voice. “Master, are you sure this will work?”
Despite his attempt to maintain a normal tone, a sharpness in his voice betrayed his unease.
The so-called master cast a disdainful glance at the middle-aged man. His eyes briefly flicked to the man’s legs before he replied indifferently, “A mere rogue with no sect or backing, no matter how talented, is no match for this master.”
“The Hundred-Dreams Trap cannot be broken, not even by a peak Qi Refining Stage cultivator. At best, she might make it to the higher-level dreamscapes.”
He sneered. “If she perishes in the earlier dreamscapes, it would be a stroke of luck for her—she would only experience fear, leaving her soul intact. But if she were to die in the advanced dreamscapes, even her soul would be annihilated.”
Each advanced dreamscape he had crafted ensured not just death but complete obliteration of the soul.
The middle-aged man heaved a sigh of relief. “Then I… then we can rest easy. Don’t worry, once this is done, the master will not go unrewarded by my lord.”
“Hmph, just make sure to prepare more women for me.” The master’s gaze flitted to the women around him, a look of thinly veiled disgust in his eyes. “And remember, I want virgins!”
The formation flags he used for the Hundred-Dreams Trap needed to be nourished by the virgin’s essence to unleash their full power and grow increasingly potent.
Suddenly, the master’s body stiffened as if an unseen hand had seized him by the throat. His eyes widened in shock, and his pupils bulged.
Without warning, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
The middle-aged man and the women recoiled in terror. The women scattered like frightened birds, while the middle-aged man hesitated, unsure whether to approach.
Before he could decide, the master collapsed to the floor, writhing in agony. His anguished screams filled the room.
What followed was horrifying—his face began to change.
Initially appearing to be in his thirties or forties, his skin rapidly wrinkled, aging him to what seemed like eighty or ninety years old in mere moments.
And this was just the beginning.
Though a man in his eighties might still look human, the transformation did not stop there. The color, texture, and vitality drained from his face entirely, leaving behind nothing but dried, leathery skin.
By now, he resembled a skeleton draped in skin, an utterly ghastly sight.
“Aaaahhh!! A ghost!”
The women screamed in terror as they bolted out of the room.
Even the middle-aged man stood frozen, his eyes widened in fear.
At last, the master’s form ceased to transform, and his wild thrashing came to an end. Gasping for air, he lay sprawled on the ground. He attempted to rise, but his gaze inadvertently landed on his own hand.
His eyes bulged in disbelief. Trembling, his hand reached up to touch his face.
“No! No! My face!” he cried out in anguish.
“My cultivation!”
Suddenly, his eyes darted upward, locking onto the middle-aged man with a glare filled with venom. “Go back and tell your mistress this: you deceived me about the true strength of the opponent. Because of your lies, I have suffered a severe drop in cultivation. This debt, I will settle! Tell her to wash her neck and wait!”
…
Yu Zhi Yi’s lips curled into a faint smile.
She had not only shattered the Hundred-Dreams Trap but also used the connection through the opposing party’s aura to remotely destroy their cultivation.
By now, that person’s strength had already fallen to the Mortal Realm.
He could no longer stir up any significant trouble.
In truth, she could have ended his life outright.
After all, the Hundred-Dreams Trap was a sinister formation that required the blood of virgins to nourish and enhance its power.
For it to have reached such a formidable state, the Evil Cultivator must have harmed no less than eight hundred to a thousand innocent women.
Such scum deserved nothing less than death.
However, Yu Zhi Yi had chosen to spare him, for now.
She could already deduce who had spent a fortune to hire the Evil Cultivator.
This time, not only had he failed, but he had also lost a hundred years’ worth of cultivation. His prized formation flags had been destroyed as well. Undoubtedly, his hatred would surge.
Since he had suffered such a colossal defeat at her hands, he wouldn’t dare to plot against her again. His fury would naturally redirect to the one who orchestrated this debacle.
She relished the thought of watching them tear each other apart.
And if he underestimated her resolve for vengeance and dared to come after her again…
Heh.
He was nothing more than a stray dog.
Not long after Yu Zhi Yi returned to the Breeze Pavilion, Du Zi Heng came to visit.
Although today’s ordeal hadn’t posed a real threat to her, nor had she sustained any injuries, Li Rou had been thoroughly frightened. By the time they returned, her complexion was deathly pale, and she was utterly dazed.
The steward, noticing Li Rou’s state, immediately reported the matter to Du Zi Heng.
“Are you alright?” he asked, concern evident in his tone.
Yu Zhi Yi shook her head. “I’m fine.”
Du Zi Heng studied her closely. Her calm demeanor and unscathed appearance puzzled him. “The steward mentioned that Li Rou seemed terrified. Did something happen on the way back?”
Yu Zhi Yi didn’t hide the truth. “Someone hired an Evil Cultivator to target us. Li Rou was indeed frightened.”
Du Zi Heng’s face darkened. “An Evil Cultivator? Are we talking about that kind of person?”
Yu Zhi Yi nodded. “Yes.”
His expression grew even graver. Though he lacked deep knowledge of Evil Cultivators, he understood well enough how dangerous and depraved they were.
“Coincidentally, the young master of Heavenly Domain Manor will be arriving soon. I’ll ask him to help apprehend this Evil Cultivator.”
Yu Zhi Yi paused, her gaze turning peculiar. “The young master of Heavenly Domain Manor?”
Her eyes glimmered with intrigue.
In her previous life, this very young master had become one of You Bing Yue’s admirers. Later, when Du Zi Heng held the position of Chancellor, he had even used his influence to launch a military campaign against Heavenly Domain Manor out of jealousy.
Today was the day this young master would fall for You Bing Yue at first sight.
And if her calculations were correct, something amusing was bound to happen later.
Unaware of her thoughts, Du Zi Heng elaborated, “Young Master Li is an old friend of mine. Years ago, during my travels, I stayed at Heavenly Domain Manor for a while.”
He seemed to recall something. “Tomorrow night, I’m hosting a gathering here with some friends. Would you like to join us, Zhi Yi?”
Yu Zhi Yi raised an eyebrow. “Will Miss You be attending?”