A flicker of despair crossed Bai Yiran's eyes. She no longer had the strength to resist. This time, there was no way to escape. Very well.
Even if she died, this man would not have it easy. Bai Yiran braced herself, channeling her final surge of spiritual power. She was preparing to self-destruct.
Yang Yun was momentarily stunned. Had this woman gone mad? A primordial soul self-detonation meant complete destruction of body and soul. Did she have to be so decisive?
However, a trace of anticipation stirred in Yang Yun's heart. If Bai Yiran self-destructed, the energy would be lost. The demonic markings could not absorb it!
This could at least be a solution.
Bai Yiran gritted her teeth. She could no longer endure this humiliating game. Even if she did not enter reincarnation, she would fight this bastard to the end. The moment the vine-like markings reached her, Bai Yiran's spiritual energy surged to its peak.
"Self-detonation?" the demonic soul sneered. "It will do nothing!"
Once caught in the demonic vines, there was no way she could self-destruct. Indeed, the instant the demonic vine touched Bai Yiran's body, her raging spiritual energy was forcibly stabilized.
Bai Yiran's pupils widened.
This man…
He was absorbing her primordial energy!
Her primordial soul was being forcibly dragged along.
"No!" Bai Yiran screamed in despair.
If this continued…
Her body and soul would still be annihilated. If only she had self-destructed at the very beginning, before being caught! Then, at least her spiritual energy would return to the world that gave her life, rather than being plundered.
The demonic soul cackled within Yang Yun's mind. This was the most powerful being it had absorbed since the demonic markings reached maturity. After absorbing Bai Yiran, the markings would improve further.
The next target…
Would be Ji Wusi.
Then Di Xiao.
Then countless other human cultivators. If that were not enough, it would go to the Boundless Sea, to the Southern Lan Continent. It would use the energy of all life in this world to break the spatial barrier!
"Ha…ha?"
The demonic markings laughed, then suddenly froze. In front of Bai Yiran, a red vortex appeared. Bai Yiran, who should have been tightly bound by the demonic vines, Suddenly vanished into the vortex, leaving no trace behind.
"What is this?!" the demonic soul shouted.
It had tracked Bai Yiran for so long, and just as it was about to feast, the prey had slipped away? The demonic soul could not accept this!
Yang Yun stared at the empty snowfield and exhaled in relief. He said slowly, "The prey's aura disappeared once before. Perhaps this is her survival technique."
"Impossible," the demonic soul said coldly.
Bai Yiran's despair was real. If she had such a technique, why not use it earlier?
"Wait here!" the demonic soul said coldly. "The last time she disappeared, she returned shortly after. This time should be no different."
There were many prey in this world, But prey at Bai Yiran's level were extremely rare.
Yang Yun could not resist. He could only sit quietly, waiting. He silently prayed. No matter what Bai Yiran's situation was, this time… she must not return.
-
In the pure white space,
Bai Yiran looked around, uncertain.
This was…
The trial space?
The last time she had been transported here, it was this place.
Back then, nine paths had appeared before her.
Now, only four paths were clearly visible.
The remaining five were shrouded in mist.
Among the four clear paths, only the first path glimmered with golden light. The other three had dimmed completely.
Bai Yiran's heart tightened.
Yun Jin had passed, so the path shone golden.
The other three…
Including the third path Bai Yiran had chosen…
All represented failure?
Most likely.
In just over two months, three people had already been eliminated.
Knowing she was not the only one eliminated in the first round, Bai Yiran strangely felt a flicker of relief.
Crack, crack.
Something moved in Bai Yiran's heart. She glanced sharply toward the source of the sound.
Then,
She saw an Automaton walking toward her.
Bai Yiran struggled to stand.
The Automaton's eyes rotated and it said slowly, "Bai Yiran, your assessment has ended. Originally, you were eliminated."
Bai Yiran replied respectfully, "Yes."
"But," the Automaton continued, "I have still saved your life."
Bai Yiran's gaze shifted slightly.
She had already suspected when she saw the red vortex.
Now, it was confirmed.
Bai Yiran said respectfully, "Thank you, Senior, for saving me."
The Automaton shook its head. "I am not the one who saved you."
Bai Yiran's heart jolted. "Then…"
"Someone requested me to save you," the Automaton said. "I received their payment before acting."
Someone requested it?
Who would help her like this?
And they paid a reward?
For the trial space Senior to act, the payment must be considerable. Bai Yiran's expression became complicated. She had incurred a life debt.
"Senior," Bai Yiran said after a pause, "was the one who requested… Yun Jin?"
Only nine of them were here. The other two had been eliminated. Only Yun Jin had passed. She alone could have seen the Automaton and issued the request.
The Automaton confirmed this. A talisman appeared in its hand.
"This is for you, from her," the Automaton said, waving its hand as a bronze gate appeared. "Open this gate, and you will arrive at Luoyun Mountain in the Qingxiao region. Use this talisman, and it will take you to a place. She wants you to wait for her there."
The Automaton paused, then added, "Whether to use the talisman is up to you. She does not force you. She saved you, but not for your sake."
"Saved you… But not for your sake."
Bai Yiran gritted her teeth. She did not believe there were people in this world willing to pay a great price to save a stranger after one brief encounter.
Yun Jin saved her.
It was probably related to that mysterious man.
But whatever the reason,
She had been saved. It was a fact.
Bai Yiran would not be ungrateful.
Whatever Yun Jin desired,
Even if it demanded her life,
She would accept it.
Bai Yiran said solemnly, "I will use the talisman and wait at the designated place."
"Please convey to her: a life debt is repaid with my life," Bai Yiran said resolutely.
Yun Jin had saved her for a purpose.
But now that she had received this grace,
She could only be guided by it.
A flicker of despair passed through Bai Yiran's heart.
She would likely be restrained from now on, and the Dao seemed beyond reach.
Very well. This was probably her fate.
Bai Yiran, with the air of one prepared to die, opened the bronze gate.
The Automaton tilted its head and vanished instantly.