Chapter Ninety-Nine: Secret Technique?

Though it was but a fleeting glimpse, Yinyao had already sensed Lie’s extraordinary nature. Yet, at this moment, there was no time for speculation; the situation was far too pressing. Her sole thought now was to lead Ji Muyu and his two companions to the Cold Spirit Valley—stealthily, without their awareness. If it became too obvious, suspicion would arise, and that was the last thing Yinyao wished to see.

Gu Xinyu engaged in combat with Yin Su early on, all the while heading toward Cold Spirit Valley. Their clash roused the sleeping townsfolk, who poured out of their homes, gazing upward at the figures in the sky. The dazzling display of light stirred excitement and awe among them, but also stunned silence—they had never seen martial arts radiate such luminous energy before. Around those airborne warriors lingered an enigmatic glow that made them all the more inscrutable.

The dark night sky was illuminated as brightly as day by the brilliant skills unleashed, yet the onlookers could only discern vague silhouettes, unable to make out any clear details. As the number of people gathering below grew, Yinyao felt a twinge of helplessness, but it was unavoidable. Was she to drug the entire populace into unconsciousness? That was unnecessary.

Tonight, countless eyes would bear witness to this moment—and what they did not know was that this very night would mark a change of power over the realm.

Yinyao had resolved firmly: Ji Muyu must be eliminated tonight. Without his death, the hatred festering in her heart could not be lifted.

In a few swift teleportations, they were already hovering above Cold Spirit Valley. With their prowess, reaching a destination was no great challenge. Koye and Aishuo followed closely behind. Thanks to their exceptional agility, in just a few breaths they had caught up. Unnoticed by the others, Wan Youxue donned a cloak and trailed them, quickly realizing their destination: Cold Spirit Valley.

That very valley was home to the sole remaining Shenglian—a withering lotus—and Yinyao had activated the Cold Spirit Formation three days prior. This meant tonight was the very night the Shenglian would ripen. Judging by their actions, it was clear Yinyao intended to lure them here deliberately. But why?

As the group processed their location, awareness dawned: they had arrived at an extremely sensitive place—Cold Spirit Valley—the site of the final Shenglian. It was the place Ji Muyu intended to go to once their duel ended.

Ji Muyu stared at the valley with complex emotions stirring within. He knew Yinyao had purposely led them here, but the reason eluded him. Had she forgotten the Shenglian was here? Or did she harbor some other plan, some deeper stratagem? Regardless, Ji Muyu was indifferent. Since they were here, his goal was clear: to seize the Shenglian as quickly as possible.

The biting cold held little discomfort for them, thanks to their non-human constitutions. Still, Cold Spirit Valley’s temperature was unusually frigid; without their unique bodies, they would have long been shivering uncontrollably.

Upon arrival, Yinyao charged straight toward the cliff where she had once battled Yin Su. She spread her arms, bent slightly forward, lifting her head as her fox tails swayed behind her.

Witnessing this, everyone recalled this must be their first time seeing Yinyao in such a pose. Usually, she wielded her whip directly—when had she acquired this alluring grace?

Yinyao was rapidly absorbing the spiritual energy inherent in Cold Spirit Valley. She had brought them all here precisely because, as the valley’s mistress, she could call upon its power, drawing strength from the valley itself.

Yin Su had not forgotten that moment in the past, nor that she could absorb the valley’s spiritual energy to replenish her own potentially depleting power. Using her cultivation technique, she tried to draw in the valley’s energy—but inexplicably, she could not absorb it. The energy swirled around her body but refused to merge within.

Looking at Yinyao, she saw the thick white mist enveloping her—a mist not ordinary but formed from condensed spiritual energy. Suddenly, she understood why they had unknowingly been drawn from the palace to Cold Spirit Valley: this was Yinyao’s calculated plan. Once here, Yinyao’s spiritual power would be limitless, ensuring an effortless victory no matter how long the fight dragged. With abundant energy, she could wield all her skills flawlessly.

Regret flickered in Yin Su’s eyes. She was frustrated with herself for realizing this only now. Had she understood sooner, perhaps she could have persuaded Yinyao to leave the valley.

Ji Muyu’s mind remained mostly fixed on the Shenglian, so he paid little attention to Yinyao, failing to notice her unusual aura—until he found the lotus itself.

Embedded deep within a milky white jade stone in the pond lay the Shenglian. The translucent jade and the solitary lotus were enough to capture his gaze. Looking up, he noticed Yinyao’s odd expression.

Realizing his oversight, Ji Muyu’s heart filled with remorse. He surged forward, merging his dual soul hooks and wielding them like a boomerang. Yet, unexpectedly, the seemingly soft white mist blocked his hooks entirely.

Lie understood: Yinyao was replenishing her spiritual power, transforming the valley’s energy into usable force. This was her scheme—a woman of profound foresight.

After a moment, the mist dissipated, revealing Yinyao’s figure. For some reason, those present sensed a sacred aura encircling her, her eyes blazing brilliantly in the night.

With a sweep of her fox tails, Lie was knocked to the ground, coughing blood. Yinyao sought a swift conclusion—she intended to unveil Lie’s true strength quickly, unwilling to let his hidden prowess linger any longer.

Seeing Yinyao’s move, Ji Xuanyu and Gu Xinyu exchanged nods. They ceased their fights and jointly attacked Lie. They aimed to neutralize this enigmatic and unstable factor first.

Lie was no fool; he discerned their intentions and knew his strength could no longer remain concealed. With a fierce roar, black wings unfurled behind him, his eyes glowing green. His gloves shattered, revealing hands unlike human ones—talons resembling those of a mighty eagle.

Witnessing this, all understood at once: Lie was a bearer of a mysterious power, that of the eagle—a sovereign ruler of the skies. No wonder his might was so formidable. Yet, by comparison, Rin lacked such power, explaining his weakness.

Ji Muyu was startled by Lie’s sudden display. To think such a powerful ally had been hidden so close—he owed gratitude that Lie was an ally, not an enemy, lest a ticking bomb had been placed perilously near.

Yin Su had to admit, compared to Lie, her own concealment was trivial. Lie had hidden his strength for over a decade, requiring immense mental fortitude. Had he been an enemy lurking nearby, she would have perished long ago.

Yet Yinyao smiled at this revelation—finally, the unknown factor had been fully exposed, allowing her to make a clear judgment.

“Xuanyu, you take Lie; Xinyu, continue with Yin Su! I must deal with Ji Muyu! Three against three, one-on-one!” she commanded her companions loudly, ensuring even the others could hear.

Ice Spirit surged as Yinyao confronted Ji Muyu. At once, his merged dual soul hooks separated, one in each hand. With his right hand, he struck Ice Spirit aside, diving forward as his left hook whipped fiercely toward Yinyao.

She flipped backward, guiding Ice Spirit through the air to entangle the incoming hook.

From her left hand, seven strands of silken chains shot toward Ji Muyu’s heart. He tracked the threads keenly and dodged at the last moment. But was it truly that simple?

At his evasion, the seven silk strands suddenly scattered, catching him off guard. Hastily, he summoned his spiritual power to repel them and freed his hooks from Ice Spirit’s grasp.

Seizing the moment, Yinyao hurled Ice Spirit forward, attempting to lash Ji Muyu, while simultaneously launching the seven silken threads—her two-pronged attack aimed to overwhelm.

Ji Muyu moved both hands in unison, hooking Ice Spirit and the threads separately, spinning them to entangle Yinyao’s weapons.

Yinyao tugged to retrieve her arms, but Ji Muyu would not yield. With no other choice, Yinyao detached from the white fox apparition, sacrificing some of her power. Yet the fox’s tail swept fiercely at Ji Muyu—though a mere illusion, it carried potent force.

Surprised by Yinyao’s daring to momentarily separate from their fused strength—knowing how taxing such fusion was—Ji Muyu doubled over, coughing up blood.

Wiping the blood from his mouth, his eyes blazed fiercely as he shouted at Yinyao. Black energy surged violently around him, far more terrifying than before in the palace.

Within the black mist shrouding him, his visage twisted into something fearsome.

Behind a small bamboo hut, a figure cloaked in black watched in horror. She was certain now: Ji Muyu had mastered forbidden arts, perhaps even ingested forbidden elixirs.

Wan Youxue’s crimson eyes fixed on the black-shrouded Ji Muyu above, fear gripping her heart. Helpless, she was at a loss for what to think.