Chapter 124: The Source of Xuan Yi's Reliance

"Junior Sister (Ji Yao)!" A hand reached out and caught Ji Yao before she could collapse.

Gu Qiu handed Ji Yao over to Ling Ru, who was a step behind, then swung his sword with a fierce, slashing motion. A blast of frost-imbued sword energy, wrapped in icy flames, surged directly toward Xuan Yi, cutting her words short.

In her current state, Xuan Yi remained unperturbed. Black mist billowed, masking her form; wherever the sword energy touched the mist, the area split into distinct, competing bands of black and white. The sword energy was gradually depleted, yet the black mist did not dissipate, continuing to roil in that space.

Gu Qiu sensed that this woman was far stronger than when he had first encountered her. Clearly, this bizarre state, while formidable, simply rendered her immune to his attacks. He had unleashed several strikes, all of which the opponent easily handled while constantly evading to drain his energy. She never once counterattacked, which suggested there was a reason they were unaware of. Ji Yao’s condition seemed dire, and it appeared the enemy was exploiting this to exhaust their spiritual power.

Once again, black auras began to rise from the surroundings, engulfing Gu Qiu and his companions in the mist.

After coughing up blood, Ji Yao struggled to communicate with Situ Jing through her divine sense. "Senior, this poison does not seem simple. I wasn't injured before, so why did the poison in my body flare up just because of a few words from her?"

Situ Jing pondered for a moment. "Perhaps I was careless. Throughout the ages, very few of the Demon race's methods have been passed down or understood by the Immortal Realm. Even if they are known, it is only their outward appearance. These techniques involve such ancient methods, unknown to the modern cultivation world, that I am not entirely certain myself."

Ji Yao felt a wave of genuine panic. She had been obsessively focused on removing this toxin, which acted like a ticking time bomb. If even Situ Jing did not know the cure, could she ever live freely again?

Sensing Ji Yao's distress, Situ Jing’s tone became stern. "You've worked so hard for so long—are you going to give up now?"

"How could I? If I give up now, everything I've done would become a joke." Ji Yao had never considered giving up; who would want to die if they could live? She was merely anxious about the solution.

"I just examined your internal state; it hasn't worsened," Situ Jing explained. "The method I mentioned earlier can still neutralize the toxin. In your current situation, you might even gain unexpected benefits once it is cleared."

"Benefits?" Ji Yao wondered if it meant benefits from the poison itself or the antidote. She believed that refining the Essence of Wood would yield positive results, but she couldn't imagine any such outcome from this toxic curse.

Situ Jing mused, "The person opposite you mentioned a 'summons'—that you should feel the summons, correct?"

"Yes, that is what she said."

"Then try to sense it. Where is this connection pointing?"

Ji Yao clutched her chest, the pain making it impossible to focus; even communicating with Situ Jing took all her strength. After trying for a while, she felt her energy waning, the pain dogging her every step. "Senior, it’s no use. My concentration keeps being broken."

"Very well, this is not the right time. We must find a quieter place as soon as possible." As Situ Jing spoke, Ji Yao felt a tingling sensation enter her meridians. Though the pain remained, she could move again, which brought a visible sigh of relief from Ling Ru, who had been watching her closely.

"Are you alright?" Ling Ru asked, still clearly worried as she watched Ji Yao stand up straight.

Ji Yao gave her a smile and summoned the Heavenly Star Disk. "I'm fine. Let's help Senior Brother; we cannot remain in a stalemate, or we will all be in danger."

Though Ling Ru doubted Ji Yao was fully recovered, she knew the current environment was unsuitable for recuperation. Like Gu Qiu, she had long since realized the enemy's intent, but had held back out of concern for Ji Yao. Seeing that Ji Yao could now control her magical artifacts and seemed capable of holding on, Ling Ru did not hesitate; she gripped her flying sword, ready to strike.

"You and Senior Brother coordinate; I will distract her."

Without waiting for Ling Ru's protest, Ji Yao leaped onto her Snow Dust Sword, the black Heavenly Star Disk glowing brightly in her hand.

"Junior Sister, come back!" Gu Qiu’s pupils constricted as he saw her suddenly soar into the air.

Ling Ru spoke up in time, "Senior Brother Gu, let's not waste Ji Yao's efforts!"

Ji Yao, standing on her sword and holding the Heavenly Star Disk, reached the space above the black mist where Xuan Yi was hidden.

Indeed, Xuan Yi, who had remained silent since Gu Qiu began his attack, finally spoke again upon seeing Ji Yao recklessly approach. "What, no longer hiding behind a man's protection? Are you foolish enough to throw your life away? He will be heartbroken, you know!"

With these words, Xuan Yi revealed her form—though only from Ji Yao's perspective; to Gu Qiu and Ling Ru, she remained invisible.

Ji Yao smiled, ignoring the insinuation. "You didn't come here today for me, did you?"

Xuan Yi sneered, "You aren't worth the effort!"

"You've already found what you were looking for. Why haven't you left?" Ji Yao tapped the Heavenly Star Disk rapidly. "Aren't you afraid you won't be able to leave today?"

"Just with the likes of you?" Xuan Yi laughed until her whole body shook.

"How will you know unless you try? See, I’ve already forced you to show yourself, haven't I?"

As soon as Ji Yao finished speaking, the Heavenly Star Disk began to spin, growing larger and larger, scattering starlight as it whirled. Before Xuan Yi could react, the grand formation Ji Yao had laid out was complete, enveloping the area where all four of them stood.

Only when the Heavenly Star Disk stopped rising did Ji Yao smile confidently. "There. Now it's your turn to try. Let's see if the three of us can keep you here today."

Ji Yao’s fingers flew through the mudras, and the formation began to pulse with power.

"Senior Brother, Ling Ru, enter the formation!" Ji Yao opened two eye-points in the array, pointing them out to her companions. Without a word, Gu Qiu and Ling Ru leaped into position.

Once they entered, the formation split into Yin and Yang—a dual realm of ice and fire. Ling Ru’s fire-attribute sword energy and Gu Qiu’s frost-attribute power were amplified, creating a polar synergy that began to grind down the black mist at the center.

Xuan Yi’s situation took a sharp turn for the worse. Despite her best efforts to dodge the sword energy, her protective black mist was stripped away layer by layer, soon leaving her completely exposed.

Enraged, Xuan Yi shrieked, "You court death!"

She unleashed a torrent of black energy toward Ji Yao, but it was blocked mid-air by a shimmering barrier, unable to advance even an inch.

For the first time, Ji Yao looked at Xuan Yi with a hint of disdain. "Did you really think I would be foolish enough not to account for that?"