Chapter 277: Turning the Tables, Entering the Game

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“Here’s your final chance: will you go in willingly, or should I throw you in myself?”

In the dimly lit space, the flickering flames cast eerie shadows on the face of Ghost Hag, making her wrinkled and mottled skin appear even more sinister.

Yu Zhao stood up, shaking off the chains around her. “I don’t want to choose either.”

“You don’t have a choice,” Ghost Hag sneered, mocking her naivety.

“Then why don’t you choose?” Yu Zhao countered calmly.

“I’d certainly pick the second option…” Ghost Hag’s casual tone abruptly stiffened.

She turned her head stiffly and saw Yu Zhao standing behind her, unharmed, with no trace of the restraints. Her eyes widened in shock. If Yu Zhao was there, then the person she had just spoken to…

Clang!

The sound of chains hitting the ground sent chills up Ghost Hag’s spine. Looking back, there was no Yu Zhao at all—only a mere incarnation.

Reacting instinctively, Ghost Hag stepped back, trying to put some distance between them. But as soon as she mobilized her spiritual energy, a wave of intense dizziness overwhelmed her. Her limbs went numb, her face contorted, and she found herself completely immobilized.

“What… what is happening to me?” she stammered, her voice trembling with panic.

By now, Ghost Hag realized she had fallen into Yu Zhao’s trap. Yu Zhao hadn’t been captured—she had followed them voluntarily.

Ghost Hag’s guess was correct.

From the moment Ghost Hag proposed the exchange, Yu Zhao had pieced together her intentions. Having destroyed Ghost Hag’s long-laid plans, Yu Zhao knew the hag must harbor a grudge, likely having devised a method to torment her. So, Yu Zhao decided to turn the tables and walk into the trap willingly.

When Ghost Hag unleashed a thick cloud of black smoke, a faint wisp of smoke had already risen from the inconspicuous Lotus Incense Burner hanging from Yu Zhao’s waist. By the time Ghost Hag shackled her in chains and reveled in her supposed triumph, the real Yu Zhao had already hidden herself in the shadows of the cave.

Her earlier silence had been a deliberate ploy to lull Ghost Hag into letting her guard down, allowing Yu Zhao to glean more information.

As the reality of her predicament dawned on Ghost Hag, her body trembled uncontrollably, unsure whether from rage or fear.

“You’ve already made your choice earlier. I’ll respect your decision,” Yu Zhao said, her tone cold and indifferent—the typical demeanor of a disciplined sect disciple.

But now, Ghost Hag felt none of the jealousy or resentment she once harbored toward Yu Zhao—only pure, unadulterated terror. She tried to beg for mercy, but all that came out was the sound of her teeth chattering.

Yu Zhao tilted her head, slightly surprised. She had been experimenting with a new incense made from the petals of the Ice and Fire Ghost Orchid, a plant she had cultivated during her idle days at Green Hill Mountain. It was her first time using it, and its overpowering effects far exceeded her expectations.

Thanks to the cave’s sealed environment, cluttered with miscellaneous items that masked the incense’s distinct aroma, Ghost Hag never noticed her vulnerability. Her arrogance and lack of caution had ultimately led to her downfall.

Yu Zhao stripped Ghost Hag of her storage ring and other trinkets before throwing her into the bubbling furnace.

“Ahhhhhh!”

Piercing screams filled the cavern, accompanied by the grisly sound of flesh dissolving. The air thickened with a nauseating stench of blood.

Yu Zhao calmly used her spiritual energy to gather the scattered remains in the cave—fur, bones—and threw them into the furnace. As the pitiful cries faded, she closed the furnace lid.

The following day, Yu Zhao sealed the furnace and destroyed the cave before consulting a map she had found in Ghost Hag’s storage space. Comparing her current location, she discovered she was only two days away from the Dragon Pool Mountain Range.

Without hesitation, she transformed into a streak of light, heading straight for the mountains.

…

Three hours later, Yu Zhao encountered a Nascent Soul-level black panther.

Its sleek fur shimmered like satin, and its elegant, powerful physique radiated explosive strength. Yu Zhao couldn’t help but admire it. “What a stunning panther!”

“Yu Zhao?” the panther spoke, tilting its head curiously.

Yu Zhao blinked, recalling the panther from the recent gathering. At the time, it had been with Hua Tu.

“Yes, it’s me,” she replied.

“Thank goodness! Are you alright? Bai Mei has been searching everywhere for you.”

“I’m fine,” Yu Zhao reassured.

“That’s great to hear! I’ll alert the others immediately,” the panther said, blowing into a bamboo whistle.

During the wait, Yu Zhao learned the panther’s name was Wu Na, a member of the black panther tribe from Great King Mountain. Among the young beasts nearly abducted during the recent incident were some of her kin, which made her particularly grateful to Yu Zhao. She had even volunteered to join the search team.

Before long, Bai Mei, Hua Tu, and the others arrived. Bai Mei visibly relaxed upon seeing Yu Zhao unharmed. Given Yu Zhao’s unique identity, any mishap in the demonic beast territory could lead to major complications for their tribe.

“You don’t know how much those little foxes from the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan cried after you disappeared!”

“Exactly! Look at my back—those cubs yanked my fur bald!” Hua Tu complained, crouching to show Yu Zhao the damage.

Yu Zhao glanced at the patchy fur and smirked. “Hmph, kind of ugly. Wu Na is much more appealing.”

Amused, Hua Tu rolled his eyes, while Wu Na preened smugly.

…

Back at the Dragon Pool Mountain Range, a group of small foxes, led by Little You, dashed toward Yu Zhao as soon as she landed, crying and clinging to her.

Yu Zhao quickly became a walking display stand, covered in fluffy little foxes. “Yu Zhao, I was so scared! I thought I’d never see you again!” Little You wailed from her shoulder, sobbing into her face.

As the other foxes joined in, their sharp cries filled the air. Yu Zhao laughed, gently patting their heads. “Well, my dried fish didn’t go to waste.”

Seeing how shaken everyone was by the unexpected ordeal, the festivities were soon called off. Even the old monkey in charge, still shaken, announced the event’s conclusion, urging everyone to collect their belongings.

But none of the beasts stepped forward. Instead, they exchanged silent looks and reached a unanimous decision.

While Yu Zhao was still soothing the foxes, Bai Mei approached. “Yu Zhao, they’ve decided to gift all the items to you as thanks for saving the young ones.”

Bai Mei had braced herself for Yu Zhao’s refusal, preparing persuasive arguments. To her surprise, Yu Zhao simply nodded and accepted everything without hesitation.

“Thanks,” Yu Zhao said plainly, leaving Bai Mei momentarily speechless.

With a faint smile, Bai Mei thought, Yu Zhao truly is special—completely different from any cultivator I’ve ever met. No wonder the clan leader holds her in such high regard.

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