Chapter 138: Escape

With her mother’s assurance, Yinyao no longer worried and patiently awaited the seventh day when they would leave together. Even if Silver Fox hadn’t spoken, Yinyao wouldn’t have allowed her to remain in that perilous place. No matter what, if it came to forcing a way out, she would make sure to bring Silver Fox along.

After communicating briefly with Ji Xuanyu through soul transmission, Yinyao felt at ease and focused wholeheartedly on recuperation, determined to use the last few days to break through the plateau in her cultivation. That extra strength might prove crucial.

“That woman is the one you’re looking for, right? She’s the previous generation’s Spirit Maiden, Silver Fox,” Hua Yin’s voice sounded beside her. These past days, Hua Yin’s temperament fluctuated—sometimes composed, sometimes absent-minded—but fortunately, no major incidents occurred. Perhaps his subconscious restrained his errant impulses. He had been quieter lately, no longer chattering incessantly.

“Yes, that’s right,” Yinyao replied without hesitation, trusting Uncle Qiang implicitly.

“What are your plans? If you intend to rescue her, I must warn you that this barrier isn’t an ordinary one. It can only be broken from within, and no matter what, the barrier mustn’t be damaged even slightly. I advise you to proceed with great caution.” Hua Yin’s sincere tone conveyed all he had observed over the past few days.

“Thank you, Hua Yin, but there’s no need to worry. I’ve made thorough preparations. Soon, it will depend on your actions. Of course, I hope you don’t reveal your identity because of me—not yet anyway.” Beyond Uncle Qiang’s affection, Yinyao harbored a certain fondness for Hua Yin.

Hua Yin looked at Yinyao in surprise. He had already prepared himself to reveal his identity and even sacrifice himself for this mission, especially after seeing that the captive was none other than the famed Silver Fox. He hadn’t expected Yinyao to say, “I hope you don’t expose yourself just yet.” A wave of emotion he could only define as gratitude swept through him. He said no more, tacitly agreeing, hoping Yinyao’s words were true and not just a pretext to protect him.

Time slipped by, and in the blink of an eye, the seventh day arrived. If Silver Fox didn’t act soon, she would miss this once-in-a-lifetime chance. Yet she showed no haste, her calm confidence making Yinyao hesitant to interrupt. Since her mother had a plan, she shouldn’t disrupt it.

Silver Fox sat cross-legged, eyes open, surveying her surroundings and estimating the timing. Slowly, she began to channel her cultivation, gathering all her spiritual energy into her hands. Touching the ground, her energy flowed through the earth to the barrier above, rather than launching a direct assault.

With Li watching outside, Silver Fox dared not be reckless. She infused her spiritual power bit by bit into the barrier, stirring the latent energy of the White Fox Clan to break it open.

Yinyao was the first to sense the subtle fluctuations of the White Fox Clan’s spiritual energy. She looked toward the figure within the barrier; her mother was already in motion, fully prepared. It was she who had been worrying unnecessarily.

“Xu, get ready!” Yinyao withdrew the energy from her hands bit by bit, nodding toward Ji Xuanyu.

Receiving her signal, Ji Xuanyu mirrored the action. Their focus was to weaken the barrier’s energy transmission, assisting Silver Fox in breaking through more swiftly and buying more time.

The cracking of the barrier was almost imperceptible, starting from the ground. To mask the energy fluctuations, Silver Fox had to divert some power to conceal the signs. Though this drained her somewhat, it prevented others from noticing, securing precious time. Rather than risk everything at once, she preferred to expend additional effort for a stable opportunity.

The fractures in the barrier grew larger, the energy fluctuations stronger. Silver Fox knew that hiding it any longer was futile. She gradually withdrew one hand’s power and poured it directly into breaking the barrier.

“Hua Yin, have you noticed the energy fluctuations?” Li frowned, sensing the faint disturbances nearby.

Today, the seventh day, was when the energy peaked at its strongest but also briefly dipped to its weakest. If Silver Fox seized this moment, she had nearly a forty percent chance to shatter the barrier using her own strength.

Hua Yin closed his eyes, feeling the surrounding energy. Indeed, there was a disturbance. He suspected it was caused by the imprisoned Silver Fox.

“Yes, I sensed it too,” Hua Yin opened his eyes and nodded to Li.

“And you two?” Li looked toward Yinyao and Ji Xuanyu, wondering if only he and Hua Yin perceived the energy anomaly.

At Li’s voice, Yinyao and Ji Xuanyu opened their eyes and nodded in agreement.

Li’s heart skipped a beat. He hurriedly commanded, “Reinforce the formation! Strengthen the barrier!”

Yinyao followed Li’s instructions but asked, “Brother Li, what’s wrong? Why the sudden urgency? Has something happened?”

Seeing Yinyao’s confused expression and the others’ bewilderment, Li wanted to explain but knew there wasn’t time. “I’ll explain later. Just do as I say quickly, or else we’re doomed!”

The four of them positioned themselves around the barrier, channeling all their power into it. Yinyao made a resolute decision, summoning the White Fox Clan’s spiritual energy into her hands. Seizing this moment of chaos, she struck the barrier.

The barrier shuddered violently, as if it would shatter any second. Inside, Silver Fox sensed her daughter’s daring move and felt conflicted—whether to scold her for disobedience or be moved by her courage.

“Yao’er, wait for me. I’ll be out soon. Wait for me!”

Crash!

From within, the barrier shattered, fragments scattering everywhere. Li stared in disbelief. Despite commanding everyone to reinforce the barrier as fast as possible, why had it broken? And faster than he had imagined.

He looked at the others, their faces equally stunned, eyes wide with disbelief. Their shock and dumbfounded expressions were natural.

Out of Li’s sight, Yinyao and Ji Xuanyu exchanged relieved smiles, breathing easier. Even Hua Yin exhaled deeply, feeling a weight lifted.

“What’s going on?!” A furious voice echoed in the chamber.

Wang stormed in, eyes blazing with anger. Surrounded by the flying shards, his vision blurred; he couldn’t see inside the barrier or where Silver Fox was. The only certainty was that the barrier was gone, and he could no longer imprison Silver Fox.

Like a gust of wind, Silver Fox appeared, carrying a person in one hand and floating before Wang. “Farewell! Wait for me to reclaim everything that’s mine!”

By the time Wang reacted to her words, Silver Fox had vanished from the chamber, taking Yinyao and Ji Xuanyu with her. Only Li and Hua Yin remained, stunned.

“Ah! Silver Fox, you’ll pay for this!” Wang’s furious voice echoed angrily through the dark chamber.

Elsewhere, Silver Fox had safely escaped with Yinyao and Ji Xuanyu, flying directly out of the clan leader’s mansion toward a hidden location.

“Mother, Xu and I won’t hold you back!” Yinyao, still being carried, felt awkward and uncomfortable. Ji Xuanyu shared the same sentiment.

“Mm,” Silver Fox nodded and released her grip.

Yinyao and Ji Xuanyu quickly regained their footing, following closely.

Not far behind, pursuers were closing in. Running forever wasn’t a solution. Yinyao frowned at the tailing figures. “Mother, we have company.”

“I know. Hurry, I’ll take you somewhere.” Silver Fox didn’t slow down, unfazed by the chase. Yinyao and Ji Xuanyu quickened their pace to keep up.

Ahead stood a familiar mansion. Yinyao suddenly realized her mother and Uncle Qiang knew each other, though she wondered why her mother still trusted him so deeply after all this time.

They entered Uncle Qiang’s estate through a hidden path. Silver Fox’s familiarity with the mansion impressed Yinyao, who followed cautiously, frequently glancing back for pursuers. They had already gained some distance, confusing their trackers.

“Yao’er, hurry inside. There’s a secret passage leading directly to the mansion’s hidden chamber. This mansion belonged to an old friend of mine. When it was built, I even gave some advice. Besides the original owner, I probably know this place best,” Silver Fox said calmly, while Yinyao and Ji Xuanyu remained worried.

Hearing this, Yinyao admitted her earlier assumption was wrong. Her mother didn’t just know Uncle Qiang; she was intimately familiar with the house’s layout and unafraid of any traps.

They bent low and stepped into the darkness.