novelraw Chapter 430: Requesting the Earth Young Master’s Assistance
Chapter 430: Requesting the Earth Young Master’s Assistance
Yu Zhao accepted the tea cup, sipping lightly, as a fleeting trace of regret flashed across Feng Jiu Si and Huo Shao Yan’s faces.
The cool tea slid down her throat, soothing the burning sensation that had been tormenting her. Yu Zhao cast a grateful glance at Shui Qiu Bai before her gaze finally rested on Huo Shao Yan.
Huo Shao Yan shuddered, incredulous. “You want to go again?”
Blushing but resolute, Yu Zhao nodded without hesitation.
A subtle shift appeared in the gazes of the four people watching her.
Although they had attempted various methods to gain Yu Zhao’s favor, none of them had truly taken her seriously. Up until now, only Feng Jiu Si had asked for her real name or shown any concern for her background.
Who Yu Zhao truly was didn’t matter to them. All they needed to know was that she was the prize in this wager.
But at this moment, the rigid image they had of her suddenly came to life.
Huo Shao Yan paused briefly before grinning. “Alright, as long as you don’t call it quits, I’ll keep going.”
True to his word, Huo Shao Yan persisted.No sooner had Yu Zhao taken a sip of water after being slain by his Flame Blade, he dragged her back into his realm. Over and over, she met her end, nearly a hundred times, until her body and spirit could take no more. Finally, she called for a halt.
“Come on, let’s go again!” Huo Shao Yan, dazed and worn, muttered. He seemed not to register Yu Zhao’s words, mumbling about continuing.
“It’s over,” Shui Qiu Bai interjected.
Huo Shao Yan collapsed forward like a log, and Shui Qiu Bai swiftly caught him.
Lying in Shui Qiu Bai’s arms, Huo Shao Yan’s unfocused eyes regained clarity, and tears silently streamed down his face. “Cousin, I’m so tired… I feel drained…”
Shui Qiu Bai wanted nothing more than to toss him aside, but seeing the genuine sorrow on his face, he restrained himself, though his temple throbbed visibly.
Neither of them noticed Tu Xiao’s curious glance.
Yu Zhao, meanwhile, remained oblivious to their interaction—or even Huo Shao Yan’s tears. Her condition was far worse. While Huo Shao Yan was drained from overexerting his spiritual energy, Yu Zhao’s repeated deaths had damaged her soul and caused her Sea of Consciousness to quake.
Fortunately, she had accumulated a supply of alchemy pills. She retrieved a suitable one and consumed it, closing her eyes to absorb its effects.
“Fairy Liu Yun, after all Huo Shao Yan has done for you, are you not grateful?” Tu Xiao’s sudden outburst shattered Yu Zhao’s meditative state.
Opening her eyes, she looked from Tu Xiao’s livid face to Huo Shao Yan’s disappointed yet embarrassed expression, and then to the unreadable gazes of Feng Jiu Si and Shui Qiu Bai. A faint smile curved her lips.
Her body trembled violently before she coughed up a mouthful of blood.
“Fairy Liu Yun!” Feng Jiu Si exclaimed, torn between reaching out to support her and hesitating for fear of offense.
Wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth, Yu Zhao weakly said, “Young Master Huo, my apologies for neglecting your efforts. Thank you… cough, cough.”
Huo Shao Yan abruptly sat up in Shui Qiu Bai’s arms, awkwardly waving his hands. “Don’t listen to Tu Xiao’s nonsense. It’s nothing. You don’t need to thank me. Just focus on recovering.”
Yu Zhao sincerely expressed her gratitude once more before closing her eyes to rest.
After confirming her breathing had steadied, Huo Shao Yan glared at Tu Xiao. “Tu Xiao, stop meddling in my affairs with Liu Yun! I don’t need you to interfere!”
Having worked so hard to earn Yu Zhao’s gratitude and favor, Tu Xiao’s interference had nearly ruined everything. How could Huo Shao Yan not be furious?
Tu Xiao, livid at being dismissed, fumed. “Fine! Let’s see if you can avoid asking for my help in the future!”
“Don’t worry. I’ll ask anyone but you!” Huo Shao Yan shot back smugly.
Even though he still looked a bit pale, his vibrant spirit shone through, like a spring flower blooming on a cliff’s edge.
Tu Xiao’s heart skipped a beat, and he quickly lowered his head in confusion.
Mistaking Tu Xiao’s reaction for surrender, Huo Shao Yan raised his chin, nearly looking down his nose at him.
Three days and nights later, Yu Zhao, feeling mostly recovered, proposed continuing her insights into Dao Intent. Among the group, only Shui Qiu Bai and Tu Xiao had yet to reveal theirs.
Tu Xiao initially wanted to go last, but Shui Qiu Bai insisted he go first. Fueled by old and new grievances, Tu Xiao complied.
“My Dao is the Array Path—ever-changing and boundless,” Tu Xiao said with a mocking, pitying smile. “Fair warning: escaping from my realm won’t be easy.”
“Young Master Tu, I humbly seek your guidance.” Yu Zhao’s eyes burned with determination.
With a cold snort, Tu Xiao unleashed his Dao Intent.
Yu Zhao’s consciousness plunged into darkness.
Three towering pillars loomed within a silent void, forming a confined triangular space. Outside lay a dense blackness like ink, while the area within the pillars emitted a faint glow.
“What is this…” Yu Zhao cautiously cast a beam of light.
As expected, the light was repelled when it neared the edge of the triangle.
She examined the runes carved on the pillars, her expression turning contemplative. It was a basic trapping array, easily dismantled.
After pondering briefly, she abandoned the brute-force method. Forming intricate seals with her hands, a faint ring of light appeared, gradually solidifying into a glowing halo.
Yu Zhao’s hand movements grew faster, her halo shining brighter with each moment. Finally, she pointed toward the array.
The halo shot forward, colliding with the barrier formed by the three pillars. Ripples spread across its surface like water, intensifying with time.
A few breaths later, with a soft, nearly imperceptible sound, the barrier shattered. The faint glow of the three pillars dimmed instantly.
Once more, the space plunged into darkness.