Chapter Seventy-Four: Into the Formation

After smoothly entering the City Lord's Mansion, in the hall, Yao Tian politely said, "Please wait here, Miss. My sister will be here shortly." With that, he left. Yun Chuxue watched his departing figure and saw a familiar figure. She clenched her fists, feeling both angry and resentful. She found a seat and began to savor the tea.

Before long, a delicate voice came from the entrance, "Well, well, if it isn't Sister Xue. Long time no see." As the voice approached, the speaker sat down beside Yun Chuxue.

Yun Chuxue smiled faintly, "Really? How long has it been? Tell me."

"I think it's been about 40 years," the person replied.

"I'm curious, how did you know I came to Di Dong City?" Yun Chuxue's tone was cold, tinged with a hint of murderous intent.

"You've visited Western Cloud City, Huaique City, and Xue Ming City. Your final destination must be Di Dong City. Shouldn't I know?" Yao Wu's tone was equally chilly. They stared at each other for a moment before Yao Wu waved her hand casually. "You've come for revenge, haven't you?"

Yao Wu's tone was casual, indicating that she wasn't afraid of Yun Chuxue.

"Aren't you afraid of me? Speaking so casually?" Yun Chuxue questioned, realizing Yao Wu's intentions.

"Do I need to fear you?" Yao Wu's chilling tone sent shivers down the spine.

Yao Wu continued, "I killed Tang Mingyuan. What can you do about it?"

Yun Chuxue's anger surged, and she lightly placed her hand on the table, instantly shattering it, signaling the imminent battle. The two exchanged blows, with Yun Chuxue gaining a slight advantage, pushing Yao Wu out of the hall. Yun Chuxue followed.

Yao Wu sneered, "Your strength is only at the Mid-Spirit Realm, while I am at the Late-Spirit Realm. Though I may not be as strong as you, how many of you can you fight?"

Yao Wu snapped her fingers, and dozens of black-clad individuals rose from the shadows. Only Spirit Realm experts could fly, and Yun Chuxue quickly assessed that all of them were at the Mid-Spirit Realm. Moreover, their bodies exuded a strong aura of darkness, indicating rapid cultivation through dark methods over the years. It was unlikely for such a remote city to have so many Spirit Realm experts.

"It seems you've gone to great lengths to make me stay," Yun Chuxue remarked.

Yao Wu snorted disdainfully, "I've trained these eighteen Spirit Realm experts to kill you. Since I joined the Holy Sect, we're destined to be enemies."

"The Holy Sect? The Demon Sect is the Demon Sect. Don't tarnish the word 'holy'," Yun Chuxue retorted.

"You're arrogant now, but be prepared to die soon," Yao Wu replied coldly.

At that moment, the eighteen black-clad individuals surrounded Yun Chuxue, forming a formation. Dark energy instantly enveloped Yun Chuxue. At the beginning of the formation, Yun Chuxue attempted to escape, but she suddenly found her mobility greatly reduced. By the time she reached the edge of the formation, it was too late.

A circular black light shield surrounded Yun Chuxue, and as she tried to find a flaw in the formation, she was engulfed by it. Instantly, the scenery before her changed, and she found herself back at the moment when she first entered the Spirit Realm, standing outside a small house.

"What's going on? Isn't this where I used to live?" Yun Chuxue was stunned by the sight.

A familiar voice sounded, "Xiaoxue, what are you doing standing there? Come in and eat." Yun Chuxue's tears welled up as she rushed forward and tightly hugged Xuemeng Yu, her grandmother. Xuemeng Yu looked surprised at the crying Yun Chuxue in her arms, wiping her tears as she asked, "Xiaoxue, what's wrong? Why are you crying?"

"I miss you, Grandma, I really, really miss you," Yun Chuxue choked up, breaking away from Xuemeng Yu's embrace.

Xuemeng Yu took Yun Chuxue's hand and led her into the small house, excitedly exclaiming, "Grandma, there's so much delicious food! I haven't had a meal like this in a long time."

"A long time?" Yun Chuxue felt awkward and quickly replied, "Nothing, nothing. Come on, let's eat."

After the meal, Yun Chuxue kept staring at Xuemeng Yu, causing her grandmother some confusion. "Xiaoxue, something's not right with you today. What happened to you outside?"

Yun Chuxue snapped out of her daze, feeling unsure. "Nothing... nothing happened. I just suddenly missed Grandma and wanted to spend more time with you."

Looking at this familiar face, she felt nostalgic for the days she spent with her grandmother.

At that moment, Xuemeng Yu stood up, and the surroundings began to distort increasingly. Suddenly, the sky turned a deep red, as a gigantic blood hand grabbed Xuemeng Yu and carried her away. Xuemeng Yu's expression remained blank, her eyes vacant.

Yun Chuxue watched in hysterics. "No, no, don't take away my grandma, no!"

The giant blood hand paid no heed to Yun Chuxue's pleas and emotionlessly carried Xuemeng Yu away. Left behind, Yun Chuxue sat there in tears, devastated. "Why did you take away my grandma? Why?" she shouted, wielding her Snow Moon Sword at the crimson sky repeatedly, but to no avail. The blood-red sky remained unresponsive.

Gradually, the sky turned blue, and Yun Chuxue found herself sitting on the grass. A young woman in blue approached her, squatting down to embrace Yun Chuxue and console her. "Xue'er, don't cry. Your grandmother, seeing you like this, will not rest in peace in the heavenly realm."

Listening to the familiar voice, Yun Chuxue looked up, stunned by the familiar face before her.

"What's wrong, Xue'er?"

"N-nothing," Yun Chuxue wiped her tears and slowly stood up, gazing into the distance.

This woman in blue was none other than Yun Chuxue's closest friend from her youth—Shen Xinyue.

"What are you doing here? Aren't you supposed to be dead?" Yun Chuxue's words shook Shen Xinyue's delicate frame.

"Xue'er, why would you say that?" Shen Xinyue didn't understand Yun Chuxue's words. Yun Chuxue held the Skybreaking Spear and a drop of blood fell onto it.

Instantly, the surroundings were enveloped in a mist of blood. "Moon's Lament, Dance of Heavenly Requiem."

A white beam of light shattered the sky, and the illusion collapsed. Yun Chuxue opened her eyes once more, finding herself still in the City Lord's Mansion. She heard Mo Xi's anxious voice.

"Yun Chuxue, Yun Chuxue, are you awake?"

"What happened, Mo Xi?"

"What happened to you just now? After a puff of smoke, you became motionless."

"I was trapped in an illusion. Mo Xi, lend me some of your power."

"This... alright, I understand. I know what you're going to do."

In an instant, Yun Chuxue's strength surged to the peak of the Spirit Realm. Mo Xi reminded her, "If you feel inadequate, leave it to me."

"Okay."

Yun Chuxue shouted loudly to Yao Wu outside the formation, "Yao Wu, I spared you because of our past acquaintance. But you shouldn't have triggered my inner demon. Today, your time is up."

Yao Wu's disdainful voice came in response, "You? Just based on you?"

Then she ordered her people, "Maintain the formation. I'll go meet her."

With that, she charged in.