Chapter 136: Reinforcing the Barrier

The person imprisoned by the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan’s chieftain was none other than Yinyao’s mother, Silver Fox, whom she had been searching for days. Just as Yinyao had initially suspected, her mother had indeed been taken away by the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan.

She couldn’t help but recall the guardian of the spatial talisman she met upon arriving in the Void Continent. He had spoken with her at length, even mentioning her mother and father. Back then, Yinyao had hoped he would tell her who had taken her mother, but because her own strength was insufficient at the time, he chose not to reveal it immediately. Instead, he had given her a little pouch.

Reflecting on that moment, Yinyao wondered where she had put that pouch. Now, surely, she had the power to open it.

Watching the silver-haired woman trapped in the transparent square space, Yinyao’s heart churned with countless emotions. She knew she could not act rashly—Wang was not an opponent she could face in her current state. Her power was still too weak! No wonder the spatial talisman guardian had chosen not to tell her who that person was. He probably understood that if she acted impulsively, it would be like striking a stone with an egg—utterly futile.

“Now that I’ve shown the three of you the person within the barrier, I’m sure you understand the situation. Let’s not waste any time—let’s reinforce the barrier. For some reason, since a few months ago, the woman’s aura has become unstable. Her strength has been increasing, and the barrier has been weakening along with it,” Wang explained kindly, watching the reactions of the three young people.

Without hesitation, Li strode toward one point. Upon closer inspection, it became clear that beneath Li’s position was a point. When Yinyao and the others examined the enclosed space carefully, they realized there was also a point beneath Wang’s position. These must be two of the barrier’s nodes.

Since there were three of them, that meant there were at least three other nodes, which naturally required Yinyao and her companions to take responsibility for them.

Wang continued to explain much more, while Li, as a subordinate, said little. In truth, Li was also one of the nodes. Once designated as a node, one could not leave the place for a long time. Of course, there were exceptions—one being the chieftain Wang himself.

Li had known all this for a long time. It was his duty, so he bore no regrets. Besides, he was not confined here forever; as long as no accidents happened, he could go out occasionally. Though Li was used to freedom, being constrained like this made him uneasy, which was why he remained silent.

Wang kept explaining to Yinyao, Huayin, and Ji Xuanyu as he led them toward three other nodes, carefully watching their every step. Wang’s presence on a node was unmistakable.

On the surface, everything remained calm. The three stood on their respective nodes. From the positions of the five people, it was evident they formed a pentagram, each person occupying one point.

“Next, everyone, please channel your spiritual energy throughout your body and follow my movements,” Wang instructed. He then sat cross-legged on his node, closed his eyes, and slowly moved his hands before him.

All five followed the same motions and rhythm. At this moment, Yinyao and Ji Xuanyu dared not resist nor do anything that might worsen the situation. It was as if the enemy was in plain sight while they remained hidden—an advantageous position. But if broken, it would leave them vulnerable.

Spiritual energy circulated through their bodies, converging slowly into their palms according to their will. Five pairs of hands pressed down toward a distinct mark on the ground, releasing energy that swiftly moved along the mark like nimble serpents.

Endless streams of spiritual energy flowed in, causing the small space inside the barrier to glow with points of white light. Yinyao sneaked a glance and saw that beneath the light lay intricate patterns—these must be the barrier’s key structure. The spiritual energy nourished every corner of the barrier through these patterns, strengthening it.

Yinyao understood that if they continued obediently like this, the barrier would only grow stronger, making it increasingly difficult for her to break it and rescue Silver Fox. No matter what, Yinyao could not remain idle. She had to act; she could not stand by while her own spiritual energy imprisoned her mother.

Silver Fox, long awake, watched the five people outside the barrier. She immediately recognized Yinyao and Ji Xuanyu. Though their appearances were disguised, they had not changed much. A keen observer could discern their true facial contours.

Yinyao’s face was etched deeply in Silver Fox’s heart—how could she not recognize it? As for Ji Xuanyu, she understood him well; after all, she had once left a trace of her aura inside him.

For six years since that day when the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan dragged her from the Desolate Continent to the Void Continent, Yinyao had been imprisoned here by Wang, the clan chieftain. He trapped her within the barrier, isolating her from the world and cutting off all news.

Silver Fox thought: if not for the spiritual physique of the Spirit Fox Clan inside her, Wang would have long since sent her to meet the King of Hell.

Back in the Void Continent, Silver Fox was initially despairing, but then she thought of her husband Qin Mo, whom she had been forced to leave behind. She settled her heart with the hope that one day she would escape, find Qin Mo, and together tear apart the spatial talisman to bring Yinyao from the Desolate Continent to the Void Continent.

Alas, wishes were beautiful, but reality was cruel.

Wang was naturally suspicious. When Silver Fox returned to the Void Continent badly wounded and weakened, he devised ways to torment her further, even taking half her life force so she had no strength to resist, leaving her trapped here.

Barriers were both blessings and curses. Wang, to ensure Silver Fox could not escape, designed the most inescapable barrier. But it had one flaw: those inside could not get out, and those outside could not easily leave.

Fortunately, Silver Fox’s power was no longer what it had been in the Desolate Continent. Upon arrival in the Void Continent, the suppressed power within her slowly revived. As a member of the Void Emperor Realm, she awaited the day she could break through and escape.

Yet, this barrier, personally crafted by Wang and his trusted followers, was not so easily breached. Thus, Silver Fox had no choice but to remain confined within this tiny space. If not for her strength that allowed her to go without food, she would have long since perished.

Silver Fox’s gaze was calm as she watched the five people pouring their spiritual energy into the barrier formation. She smiled softly, laughing aloud—the first time she had laughed in so long.

Even though Wang did not understand why Silver Fox suddenly laughed in silence, he could not let fleeting curiosity disrupt everything. There was no time now, but that did not mean there wouldn’t be later. He would surely uncover why this mysterious woman was laughing.

Hearing Silver Fox’s faint, sorrowful laughter, Yinyao felt a sharp pang in her heart, like a knife twisting inside. This was the so-called bond between mother and daughter. She could feel her mother’s excitement masked by forced composure—and she was no different.

“Mother, wait for me. Your daughter will never stand idly by while you remain captive.”