Chapter 103: Disaster Strikes
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Master Zi Wei earned her position as the leader of the Clear Wind Sect not only because she had followed Shui Qing Yue the longest but also due to her formidable strength.
Stepping forward with her left foot, she reached into the air with her right hand, summoning a black-handled whisk with white bristles.
“Go.”
With a swift motion, she swung the whisk, sending several white beams of light toward Yu Zhao like a sudden downpour.
Yu Zhao pushed Ji Han Zhou aside, erecting a protective spiritual shield with one hand while rapidly forming a seal with the other.
“Flower Substitution Technique!”
Thud! Thud! Thud!
The white beams struck a large boulder, leaving it riddled with holes. Meanwhile, Yu Zhao reappeared a hundred feet away.
Master Zi Wei’s expression darkened, and she let out a cold laugh.
“Let’s see how many times you can escape.”
Her spiritual energy surged, and the white bristles of the black whisk extended rapidly, swarming toward Yu Zhao’s position.
Ji Han Zhou watched nervously from the sidelines. Though he wanted to help, his limited strength rendered him powerless. Clenching his fists, he silently cheered for Yu Zhao.
Even if it meant his death, he vowed never to yield to this vile woman!
Unbeknownst to Yu Zhao, even at this critical moment, Ji Han Zhou was still fixated on protecting his own dignity. Retreating swiftly, Yu Zhao shouted, “Master Zi Wei! Ma Cheng Cai is still waiting for you in the cave! How can you bear to harm him too?”
A flicker of hesitation crossed Master Zi Wei’s eyes, but hatred soon overwhelmed her.
Though Ma Cheng Cai’s strength was lacking, he was obedient and had never defied her. She had been relatively satisfied with him—otherwise, she wouldn’t have assigned him to guard Ji Han Zhou.
Had Yu Zhao not barged into her secret hideout, she wouldn’t have been forced into this desperate situation.
Ma Cheng Cai, if you want to blame someone, blame Yu Zhao for meddling. She’s the real culprit behind your demise!
“Zi Wei, Zi Wei, save me… Zi Wei…”
Suddenly, a familiar voice echoed in her ears.
Master Zi Wei’s pupils contracted in disbelief as she looked toward the cave.
Could it be that Ma Cheng Cai was still alive? How was this possible?
“Zi Wei, I’m in so much pain… Please help me…”
Ma Cheng Cai’s cries grew weaker, yet his tone remained heartfelt, each word a plea for her compassion.
For a moment, Master Zi Wei’s foot hesitated, but she quickly hardened her resolve.
Her priority was to eliminate Yu Zhao.
If Ma Cheng Cai could be saved after Yu Zhao was dealt with, she might consider giving him another chance.
As for now, no matter how sorrowful the cries from the cave became, she remained unmoved.
Yu Zhao silently marveled at Master Zi Wei’s resilience. As expected, she wasn’t someone easily swayed by illusions.
However, this was only the first layer of the Illusion Technique.
Yu Zhao was curious to see how far Master Zi Wei’s willpower could carry her through the subsequent layers.
“Yu Zhao, I told you long ago—you shouldn’t have come!”
In Master Zi Wei’s vision, Yu Zhao hadn’t escaped for long before the whisk’s bristles ensnared her, trapping her in a cage with no way out.
The battle was decided!
Master Zi Wei felt both triumphant and exhilarated.
Years ago, she had been unable to surpass Shui Qing Yue, enduring mockery from her followers. Now, Shui Qing Yue’s closest blood relative was about to die by her hand. It was the ultimate revenge for the humiliation she had suffered.
“Your life is mine!”
Master Zi Wei clasped her palms together, and the cage formed by the whisk’s bristles tightened, leaving no room for escape.
Yet, the expected screams and blood never materialized.
Master Zi Wei froze momentarily before realizing something was wrong. Retracting her whisk, she found its white bristles spotless—no blood, not even dust.
Her expression shifted to one of shock and dread. The figure in the cage wasn’t Yu Zhao.
Where was Yu Zhao?
…
Outside Southern Abyss City
A shadowy figure, clad in black, strolled effortlessly through the skies, seemingly unbothered. His pace was unhurried, yet with every step he took, his figure reappeared a thousand miles away, leaving behind a faint afterimage that lingered in the air. To the distant observer, it appeared as though two identical figures were leaping forward in a relay.
From Southern Abyss City to the Clear Wind Sect, Yu Zhao had spent two arduous days traveling. However, this black-clad man needed no more than the time it takes an incense stick to burn to appear above the Clear Wind Sect.
“Hmm? This place has a new sect?” The man raised an eyebrow, his tone a mix of surprise and disdain. Without hesitation, he unleashed his Divine Sense, a wave of oppressive power that swept across the entire area. His goal was clear—to find the woman who dared leave her mark on the merfolk. He would flay her alive to soothe his rage!
At this moment, the Clear Wind Sect was a picture of peace. Elders and disciples were diligently attending to their respective tasks. But this tranquility shattered in an instant when a massive pressure descended from above. The tiles of the sect’s grounds cracked and splintered under the force.
Many weaker disciples collapsed unconscious, unaware of what had struck them. Those who remained conscious fell to their knees, spitting blood, their faces twisted with terror. The elders who had survived the catastrophe two decades prior paled in despair.
“They’ve returned!” one elder whispered hoarsely.
The Clear Wind Sect was doomed.
The black-clad man furrowed his brows. None of the women here carried the presence he loathed.
“She’s not here?” he muttered, his expression darkening. No, wait—there it was. A faint trace of that despicable aura, indicating that she had left not long ago.
His Divine Sense extended outward. Moments later, his lips curled into a sinister smile.
“Found you.”
Before the words fully left his mouth, his figure disappeared.
The Clear Wind Sect, oblivious to their reprieve, remained gripped by panic. Meanwhile, Yu Zhao, far away, sensed her impending doom. The aura of a Nascent Soul cultivator was overwhelming and unrestrained, its suffocating presence making her heart pound and blood boil in sheer dread.
A chill ran down her spine, and cold sweat drenched her back.
“Run!”
There was no time to spare. Ignoring her clash with Master Zi Wei, she turned into a streak of light, fleeing at full speed.
“Wait for me, Sister!” called Ji Han Zhou, who had no grasp of the danger. Oblivious yet determined, he chased after Yu Zhao, his actions guided by pure instinct.
Yu Zhao nearly exploded with frustration. If she ran alone, the Nascent Soul cultivator would focus solely on her, giving Ji Han Zhou a chance to escape. But with him trailing her like this, even a fool could tell they were allies. The cultivator wouldn’t spare him either.
Grinding her teeth, Yu Zhao racked her brain for a plan. If she kept running blindly, it wouldn’t be long before she was caught. She needed a way to buy some time.
Abruptly, she stopped mid-air and pulled out a Purple Gold Pot from her storage space. Her fingers lingered on it reluctantly, caressing its surface as if saying goodbye. Then, with resolve, she flung it into the distance.
Turning, she grabbed Ji Han Zhou by his collar, hauling him like a stray pup as she resumed her desperate escape.
The fierce winds lashed against her face, but her eyes remained cold and unyielding. She had done her part—if Ji Han Zhou’s luck ran out and he perished during the chase, she would no longer feel responsible.
However, Ji Han Zhou’s misfortune paled in comparison to Master Zi Wei’s. Trapped in the illusion Yu Zhao had cast, she had no idea that Yu Zhao and Ji Han Zhou were already long gone.
The realization struck her only when the terrifying aura of the Nascent Soul cultivator drew nearer, blanketing her in oppressive force. She snapped awake, her body trembling under the pressure.
Looking up, her blood froze in her veins.
“It’s him!”