Chapter Seventy-Seven: Entering to Seek You

A favored son of the Lin clan from the Linfeng Realm, he has achieved Foundation Establishment, yet is still able to enter the secret domain.

Isn’t this cheating?

“It could be the result of a formation, or perhaps he used some other method. In any case, we have no way of knowing what Bai Li Mo was thinking at the time, so we must proceed with caution,” Lin He said, his tone solemn.

“Of course, his cultivation will be suppressed to the peak of Qi Condensation. Still, someone who has reached the Foundation Establishment stage is by no means weak. Besides, he might not be the only one like this. Whatever you do, make sure you don’t die.”

Lin He cast a deep, meaningful glance at Yu Daoyi before turning to leave. Yu Daoyi’s heart thumped uneasily; being stared at by another man was always unsettling.

“Are you really going to cooperate with him?” Yu Yunfan asked, a hint of worry in his brows.

“As he said, there’s no other choice. Following him will let us avoid many pitfalls. I don’t like entrusting my life to others,” the vegetable lying flat on the ground replied with uncharacteristic seriousness, causing everyone to exchange amused glances.

“This Lin He is truly troublesome,” Song Qiuling said, frowning.

“He hides his strength well. We really underestimated him. If not for this incident, it would be best to eliminate the threat early,” Song Tianhan sighed.

“Even if this hadn’t happened, we couldn’t have killed him. Let’s be honest, we do have the ability, but if Lin Tao died by his hand, the Lin family would never let it go. No matter how careful we were, we’d leave traces, and then we’d only be bringing trouble upon ourselves.

“But if Lin He survives, he can maneuver within the family. I believe he has the talent to suppress the matter until it fades away. Unless absolutely necessary, we shouldn’t touch Lin He.

“What’s more, Lin He has powerful backers. We are no match for them. Taking action would only bring suffering upon ourselves,” Yu Daoyi said as he stood, dusted himself off, and stretched, his tone indifferent.

“You mean, the Pavilion of the Crescent Moon?” Song Tianhan asked with a frown.

“That Mister Mo certainly holds a high position in the Pavilion of the Crescent Moon. We should be cautious and avoid making enemies, at least for now. Whether he’s sincere or not, for now, we’re on the same side,” Yu Daoyi nodded.

“Yu Daoyi, what do you plan to do?” Song Tianhan looked at him.

“My brother and I will enter the secret domain together. Uncle Song, if you trust us, wait outside. There will be casualties inside due to the struggle for inheritance, but outside, you can keep everyone safe for a while.”

“I’m not a burden, nor some delicate flower,” Song Qiuling protested angrily, frowning.

“Too much has changed. It won’t be safe within, and we won’t have the strength to look after you!”

“Enough—this isn’t some simple game, nor some play-pretend affair. People will truly die in there,” Yu Daoyi said, his face calm, his tone flat, but everyone could hear his determination.

To Song Qiuling’s surprise, he was refusing her for the first time so directly, leaving no room for negotiation.

“Then let me tell you, I won’t—”

“All right, Brother Daoyi, you must be careful,” Song Cheng interrupted her, smiling at Yu Daoyi and his brother.

“Sis, I trust them, just as I trusted you could escape the Blood Python with the Phoenix Crest,” Song Cheng said, his eyes narrowed into slits but filled with genuine resolve.

Song Tianhan looked at him in surprise—perhaps the recent events in the mountains had truly changed him.

“Song—uh, um, well—” Song Tianhan hesitated for a long time, his eyes wandering as he tried to recall his son’s name, then coughed twice to cover his embarrassment.

“…My name is Song Cheng! I’m your son!” Song Cheng hissed through gritted teeth, keeping his voice low.

“If you don’t return after too long, I’ll go in after you,” Song Qiuling finally said, looking seriously at the people before her.

“Go in? Are you looking for death? Your sixth-level Qi Condensation strength isn’t much to speak of,” Yu Daoyi suddenly spread his hands and laughed.

“I’m going in—to find you.” Song Qiuling stared at him, her cheeks slightly flushed, but her gaze was earnest.

That gaze was intense, a little stubborn, and for the first time, it was he who looked away.

“Relax. I may not be strong, but I have two living Buddhas at home. If they’re not worried, why should I be?” Yu Daoyi glanced in the direction of Greenhill Town, not overly concerned for his own safety, but at this moment, faced with her eyes, he seemed at a loss.

Night fell. Around the campfire—

“Brother Eleven! Tell that old geezer! Tell my beautiful mother! Your good son is about to be forced into the secret domain, and he might die in there! If they have any tricks, now’s the time! I want out!” Yu Daoyi, unable to maintain his composure for more than three seconds, stamped his foot in frustration, trying to step on his own shadow, but the shadow remained unmoved.

“Damn it! If I die, who’s going to—who’s going to deliver their gifts?” Realizing he almost slipped, Yu Daoyi hastily changed his words.

“No response?” Yu Yunfan asked calmly.

“That Brother Yuanfang is utterly unreliable!” Yu Daoyi grumbled.

“Brother, I can go on my own…” Yu Yunfan hesitated for a long while before speaking.

“Never mind, never mind. If they won’t help us brothers, we’ll just have to make our own way once we’re inside,” Yu Daoyi waved him off.

“All right.” At these words, Yu Yunfan fell silent, but then a faint smile appeared on his usually cold face.

Not far away.

“Your brother seems to have changed a lot,” Song Tianhan whispered to Song Qiuling.

“He once said he wouldn’t always be a burden, nor follow behind us forever.” Song Qiuling glanced at Song Cheng, already snoring softly, and smiled.

“He sees things more clearly than you do,” Song Tianhan added after a pause. “At least when it comes to that kid, he’s much calmer than you are.”

“I just… I don’t like owing anyone anything.” Song Qiuling’s cheeks flushed, her voice faltering, but in the firelight, it was hard to tell.

“Is that really all?” Song Tianhan looked at his daughter with a half-smile.

“Of course that’s all, Father, you’re so annoying,” Song Qiuling retorted, casting him a glare before rising and moving aside. Seemingly by accident, her eyes met Yu Daoyi’s across the fire. Warm light played across their faces; their gazes met, as if conveying a message, or perhaps it was only a fleeting glance.

After a long moment, Song Qiuling came to herself, shot Yu Daoyi a fierce look, then quickly turned away, stamping her foot and leaving. The vegetable stood there, dumbfounded and alone, not knowing what had just happened.

A few miles away from the group, in the deep darkness, a shadow was cast onto a giant tree, barely discernible in the absence of light.

“Who sent you?” The shadow spoke, its voice deep and chilling.

Lying opposite the shadow were two men in black, gravely wounded.

“If we tell you, will you let us go?” one of them coughed, speaking haltingly.

“You dared to threaten the young master of the Yu family. Do you think your worthless lives are enough to pay for that?” The shadow’s tone was grim, as if they had committed an unforgivable crime.

“We’re dead either way! Do you think we’re afraid to take you down with us?” the other replied coldly, knowing his life hung by a thread.

“Speak, and you may die quickly. If not, I can make you wish for death.” The shadow’s voice was as cold as Death itself.

“Arrogant!” one of the black-clad men shouted.

“You live only because I allow it. The weak have no right to such arrogance.”

The shadow suddenly stretched and lengthened. In a flash, a black spike formed from shadow pierced one man’s heart, so swift he couldn’t react.

Cultivators are much tougher than ordinary men. As the man began to scream, another tendril of shadow covered his mouth and nose, muffling his cries.

After piercing his heart, the shadow twisted cruelly inside his body. The man’s eyes, barely visible above the shadowed gag, were wide with terror and pain.

“He won’t die, at least not until I tire of my game. I can keep him alive as long as I wish,” the shadow on the tree said coldly. Its head shifted, turning toward the other man. “So, care to try?”

“Shao family… Shao Ping…” Despair and release mingled in the man’s voice as he finally spoke.

With that, the massive shadow surged forward, instantly enveloping both men. Darkness fell; inside, their initial struggles gradually ceased.

A few fireflies flickered on the ground, their faint light revealing no trace of blood, no sign of bodies, nothing at all.

There was neither the scent of blood nor any shadow. Nothing remained, only a silence so deep it was terrifying.

As if nothing had ever happened here.