Chapter 99
The Five Elements Energy fluctuation Yu Sui brought when closing in made Wenyang Hui suddenly snap back to awareness.
Shock was evident in his eyes. Seeing Yu Sui's fingers transform into claws attacking his throat, his body reacted quickly, striking first to block the move.
Yu Sui's assault didn't stop, her fingertips flowing with golden Five Elements Energy. Both had Five Elements Energy protecting their bodies. When fists and feet clashed, each other's martial arts strengths and weaknesses were exposed.
Wenyang Hui reacted quickly and controlled Five Elements Energy more precisely than Yu Sui.
In the Special-Grade Military Formation: Asura Hell, Yu Sui had fought from Eighth Realm evil spirits to Ninth Realm evil spirits. Her swordsmanship and physical abilities were both enhanced through battles with the formation's evil spirits.
Every move of the Military Formation evil spirits was a killing move. Yu Sui's reaction speed, honed in extreme environments, prevented her from being like a true First Realm practitioner with no power to resist when facing a Ninth Realm practitioner like Wenyang Hui.
The Military Formation evil spirits in Asura Hell could be considered half-teachers who taught Yu Sui blade and sword martial arts.
Now Yu Sui was using the evil spirits' attack techniques against Wenyang Hui, indirectly confirming her guess: the blade and sword martial arts recorded by Heavenly Eye, she couldn't forget and learned quickly.
Wenyang Hui blocked Yu Sui's assault with his fist, surprised by the speed of her techniques. He inexplicably felt pressure from Military School martial arts emanating from Yu Sui, his brow furrowing deeper.
But since Nangong Sui wanted to fight with martial arts, he couldn't refuse. If he couldn't even defeat a First Realm disciple's martial arts, Wenyang Hui would look down on himself.
When Wenyang Hui blocked the head attack with his fist again, his opponent used the technique of "striking the snake and following the stick," moving along his arm to his neck. As her fingertips left red marks on his skin, Wenyang Hui tilted his head back while transforming his fist into a palm to strike Yu Sui back. But she had already retreated using Wind-Riding Techniques.
Yu Sui's Third Layer Soul Control used Heavenly Eye, compensating for Divine Mechanism Arts' shortcomings. Wenyang Hui was completely unaware, thinking Yu Sui's repeated evasion of his attacks was because her martial arts were better than expected.
Wenyang Hui felt a burning pain on his neck and couldn't help touching it, looking grimly at Yu Sui who had returned to her original position.
When Brother Gu talked about his days in Qingyang, he inevitably mentioned Yu Sui's existence.
Wenyang Hui had heard Brother Gu mention his study days at the National Academy, where they taught archery and swordsmanship. Even ordinary people without Nine Schools Arts would be more formidable than average after learning these skills.
Brother Gu would also praise Yu Sui for putting effort into archery classes, making her very skilled. After all, archery and swordsmanship were taught by her three brothers together, and Yu Sui had studied seriously at the National Academy.
Saying Nangong Manor's princess was foolish and weak was compared to those geniuses at the National Academy, not compared to ordinary people.
Wenyang Hui didn't like studying those physically demanding activities, preferring to solve problems with Mechanism Arts and Nine Schools Arts.
He believed that except for Military School disciples, practicing martial arts was just an excuse to compensate for insufficient Nine Schools Arts talent.
"You're more capable than I expected," Wenyang Hui said coldly. "It seems you've learned quite a lot in these months at Taiyi."
"I'm quite curious what gives you the courage to kill me," Yu Sui said, hands tucked in her sleeves, her gaze lightly pointing at Wenyang Hui. "Not to mention whether this would affect your relationship with Brother Gu, you can't explain it to my Master either."
"Why would I kill you?" Wenyang Hui sneered. "I only need to cripple your Five Elements Light Core, making you an ordinary person again, or expel you from Taiyi Academy."
"Do you have that authority?" Yu Sui also smiled. "Although the Wenyang Family is an important Mechanism Family to Taiyi and the six kingdoms outside, within the Wenyang Family, you're not the most important one."
She watched Wenyang Hui's expression gradually turn grim again, speaking gently but like soft needles piercing Wenyang Hui's heart: "Though my talent is insufficient, I'm the Nangong Manor's only heir. What about you? Among the three Wenyang Family heads, you're just one of the more noble Young Masters."
Yu Sui didn't really want to fight Wenyang Hui.
This was Mechanism Island, where Wenyang Hui held home field advantage. Though he was arrogant, he wasn't a useless waste without real strength. Plus his must-fight-to-the-death style, if he truly lost his sanity and went crazy, he wouldn't consider consequences but would kill first and talk later.
Yu Sui had tried summoning Master, and indeed there was no response.
Wenyang Hui appearing here tonight must have prepared his trap in advance to block Saint Chang Gen. His target wasn't her but Mei Liangyu.
"You want to pressure me with Nangong Manor?" Wenyang Hui asked.
"I don't think you can afford to offend Nangong Manor. Not to mention distant matters, just recently, if my Master knew you killed his disciple, he wouldn't do nothing." Yu Sui glanced toward Ancient Tower. "Even if your father helps tonight, or even if your father personally kills my Senior Brother, Master will know afterward, and you won't survive."
Saint Chang Gen's level of care for Mei Liangyu, perhaps Wenyang Hui understood better than her.
Killing Yu Sui might not anger Saint Chang Gen, but killing Mei Liangyu was different.
"You're right. If Mei Liangyu died, it would indeed be difficult to handle the aftermath," Wenyang Hui laughed. "But don't think your Master is invincible. Ghost Way School's divine consciousness sounds powerful, but it has weaknesses too. Since current Mechanism Arts can block him from entering the island, there are ways to trap him somewhere and prevent his leaving. Think carefully, why would Saint Chang Gen, so powerful, be trapped in Ghost Way Saint Hall for so long?"
"Let me tell you, your Master may not care about Mei Liangyu as much as you think."
Wenyang Hui sneered coldly. Seeing Yu Sui's slightly surprised expression, he regained the initiative and looked at her leisurely: "Saint Chang Gen's power is fixed with his body's dissolution, but Mechanism Arts in this world continues progressing. When he brought this bastard Mei Liangyu to Taiyi, he barely managed him the first two years, instead throwing him to Mechanism Island to be raised."
Bastard?
Yu Sui raised her eyebrows slightly. This was the first time she'd heard someone call Mei Liangyu that.
"Mei Liangyu relies on Saint Chang Gen's indulgence, acting willfully and breaking rules, offending countless people. He always thinks he's invincible, that everyone else is trash except himself. Such an arrogant person, just killing him outright would indeed be boring."
Wenyang Hui stared at Yu Sui, his eyes and brows tinged with amusement, speaking in a ghostly tone: "I'll spare Saint Chang Gen's disciple's life, making him wish he were dead. Cripple his light core, then cripple his hands and feet. Let's see what he'll use to compete with me afterward."
Yu Sui listened with little interest. In the end, it was because Wenyang Hui couldn't compare.
It seemed she didn't need to say much more. This guy had already gone crazy.
"Since you want to kill my Senior Brother, why not go yourself?" Yu Sui asked. "Don't you even have the courage to watch the scene?"
Wenyang Hui continued staring at her: "Isn't it you who's blocking my path?"
Yu Sui stepped aside: "You can go now."
Wenyang Hui sneered: "You were working so hard to curry favor with Mei Liangyu, but now you're giving up on him so readily?"
Yu Sui also smiled: "What else would you suggest?"
Wenyang Hui's gaze scrutinized her: "You think I'll let you leave and report back to Saint Chang Gen?"
Yu Sui sighed softly: "Since you say my Master can't come, why fear me reporting back? Unless you're still afraid of my Master coming?"
Wenyang Hui walked forward. With each step, the Five Elements Energy he released increased: "Taiyi doesn't have only one Saint, won't have only one Saint, and doesn't necessarily need Saints, but will definitely need our Mechanism Family."
Yu Sui rolled her eyes, estimating the distance between them, speaking gently: "Go ahead, I can wait here too."
"We still have accounts to settle," Wenyang Hui flashed to Yu Sui's front and attacked actively. "You don't think eliminating me in Dragon Slaying Cave just ends like that?"
Three golden talismans flew from his sleeves, surrounding Yu Sui.
Taoist School's most famous Nine Schools Arts were of two types: thunder techniques and talismans. Thunder techniques were the strongest attack skills, talismans the strongest support skills, capable of both offense and defense.
Three Wind Thunder Talismans shook wildly, golden light bursting along the drawn lines, forming barriers to trap Yu Sui. Golden thunder lines flew out with crackling sounds, killing toward Yu Sui.
Wenyang Hui again crushed the Demon Spirit Illusion Pearl between his fingers, casting illusions on Yu Sui.
The moment the corridor reflected in Yu Sui's eyes began twisting, she had already reacted. The light blue thunder snakes of Eight Trigrams Living Arts met the wind and thunder summoned by Taoist talismans. The two forces collided, and the explosive impact sent Yu Sui flying back.
Yu Sui was forced to use Wind-Riding Techniques to retreat toward the sea. Her eyes flickered. Seeing Wenyang Hui was serious about fighting, she decided to fight where there were more people, making a big commotion. Mechanism Island had more than just the Wenyang Family, and the Wenyang Family wouldn't all want to be enemies with Saint Chang Gen, letting Wenyang Hui kill freely.
"Illusions don't work on you. Interesting." The Wind Thunder Talismans Wenyang Hui summoned flew to Yu Sui's side again, surrounding her. Wind and thunder sounds rose again, not giving Yu Sui a chance to counterattack, forcing her to retreat further.
Wenyang Hui followed closely behind. Looking at Yu Sui who landed on the sand, he extended his hand. In his palm floated a crystal-clear nine-sided die, each face marked with red numbers and seasonal names.
This clearly wasn't a good thing.
Yu Sui didn't want to give Wenyang Hui a chance to use it and flashed forward using Wind-Riding Techniques.
Wenyang Hui appreciated her attacking approach. Just as he was about to change the terrain, he noticed the power flowing in Yu Sui's eyes and with a half-smile, used Wind-Riding Techniques to retreat, flicking out a purple talisman with two fingers to stand before him.
The purple Illuminating Talisman made sharp sounds, summoning Taoist School's Illuminating Divine General.
Golden lines materialized the General's form, standing before Wenyang Hui facing Yu Sui, about two meters tall. It seemed human yet not human, with majestic eyes and lightning flashing around its body. Holding thunder hammers in both hands, it struck fiercely, purifying spirits and cleansing souls, making Wenyang Hui's spirit clear and driving away all evils.
Yu Sui suddenly stopped, lightly raising her head to look at the Illuminating Divine General.
Wenyang Hui and Yu Sui were very close, with different lightning flashing between them. He smiled: "Ghost Way School Heavenly Mechanism Arts: Soul Capture, is that the Heavenly Mechanism Arts you obtained at Dragon Head Ye Pool? What a coincidence. Originally this move was prepared for your Senior Brother, but unexpectedly I'm using it on you."
The lofty Divine General's gaze fixed on Yu Sui. The oppressive feeling of being looked down upon from above made Yu Sui feel her own insignificance. Her Soul Capture had just activated when it was shattered by the Illuminating Divine General's thunder strike.
Wenyang Hui tossed the transparent nine-sided die upward. Yu Sui distanced herself, not planning to fight him here.
"You can't escape," Wenyang Hui smiled.
As Yu Sui tried to retreat toward Ancient Tower, heaven and earth inverted before her eyes. Looking back instantly, the black night and blue sea became flying snow everywhere, with black ground extending into the distance. Ahead, snow-capped mountains stood majestically, their peaks alternating black and white, covered with hazy golden gauze under brilliant sunlight.
Wenyang Hui seemed to remain motionless, the Illuminating Divine General still standing before him, preventing Yu Sui from using Soul Capture on him.
Seeing the sun-lit snow mountains reflected in Yu Sui's eyes, Wenyang Hui looked somewhat proud as he raised his chin: "Though I don't know how you broke the Demon Spirit Illusion Pearl, what's before you now isn't illusion. This is underground on Mechanism Island, the second layer of Mechanism Island."
Yu Sui squinted at the suspended sun above.
Mechanism-made sun was an extreme manifestation of Mechanism Arts mastery.
In the second layer of Mechanism Island, Wenyang Hui could kill Yu Sui effortlessly. She posed no threat to him. Currently unhurried, he said: "Mei Liangyu is on the other side of the snow mountain. If you run there now, you might have a chance to see him one last time."
Yu Sui said calmly: "He'll come see me himself."
Wenyang Hui heard an unexpected answer and was somewhat surprised, but he just smiled indifferently: "Since you won't go, then you don't need to go."
The nine-sided die in his palm slowly rotated. Wenyang Hui extended his other hand, lightly pressing on a certain number: "Let me see how many hits you can take from the strongest killing weapon built by the four great Mechanism Families: Golden Crow Red Arrow."
The number Wenyang Hui pressed was one.
In his view, one arrow was sufficient.
Before Wenyang Hui finished speaking, Yu Sui had already mobilized all Five Elements Energy in her body for protection. But when Wenyang Hui's hand touched the nine-sided die, the Golden Crow Red Arrow had already been released.
Yu Sui thought it would shoot from the suspended sun above, but failed to see the Golden Crow reflected on the ground behind her. Without any warning, danger suddenly descended. The golden long bird dragged an arrow-feather-like long tail, its clear and pleasant cry bringing unavoidable killing intent.
The Golden Crow Red Arrow was unstoppable, penetrating Yu Sui's chest from the front at a speed too fast for even Heavenly Eye to react, crushing all her protective power the instant it launched. Like a heavenly arrow, the Golden Crow's massive impact force blasted cracks in the ground, sending Yu Sui flying to be pinned dead beneath the snow mountain.
The Five Elements Light Core condensing her Five Elements Energy made a crisp shattering sound. Under severe pain, Yu Sui had no time to react before briefly falling unconscious.
The Golden Crow Red Arrow's cry made Mei Liangyu, who was confronting Lord Sui on the other side of the snow mountain, frown and look back.
Yu Sui's chest was stained with large patches of blood, her breathing weak. In the depths of her consciousness, Strange Fire had a black dot approaching from far away.
Wenyang Hui flashed to beneath the snow mountain, satisfied with Yu Sui's near-death state after losing her Five Elements Light Core.
Mechanism Island's strongest killing weapon, the Golden Crow Red Arrow, a lethal weapon that even Saints couldn't avoid, couldn't possibly fail to kill a mere First Realm practitioner.
Wenyang Hui used the Golden Crow Red Arrow for two reasons: showing off and caution.
Since Yu Sui could break illusions, who knew what else she was hiding? To be safe, he directly used the strongest weapon that couldn't possibly fail.
Wenyang Hui even wanted to drag Yu Sui to see Mei Liangyu, but then thought, why should he let them have a final meeting?
Better to go make Mei Liangyu beg me humbly.
Though Wenyang Hui didn't think Mei Liangyu cared that much about Yu Sui, the thought still seemed appealing, so he didn't bring Yu Sui along.
Thinking about soon being able to torment Mei Liangyu, his eyes couldn't suppress some excitement.
Wenyang Hui wasn't afraid at all.
This trip included Uncle Lord Sui. Even if discovered by father, uncle would help, mother would help too, and father...
I'm his biological son. What is Mei Liangyu?
No matter how much father favors Mei Liangyu, he couldn't kill his own son, could he?
Wenyang Hui used Wind-Riding Techniques to head toward the other side of the snow mountain.
……
Below the mountain, the bitter north wind blew Yu Sui's body ever colder as blood flowed to the ground, seeping into the black earth.
Strange Fire flickered. The Fire Spirit Orb connected to other World Destroyers. Yu Sui heard that voice again:
"Aren't you dying a bit too quickly?" The man's tone was poor, gloomy. "If it's slow slicing again, I really will burn this world for you to see."
The androgynous voice then said: "Already feeling the pain."
Xue Mushi, who had been lying in bed preparing to sleep, suddenly sat up, grabbing his Wind-Listening Ruler to send Yu Sui a message.
Yu Sui frowned tightly, unable to open her eyes. Hearing this familiar yet strange voice, her heart trembled.
Was she dying?
Yu Sui could feel her life force draining. The fear and oppression the Golden Crow Red Arrow brought hadn't completely dissipated. That feeling of having no power to resist against such overwhelming force was etched into her bones.
"What the hell is this?" A new youth raged, his angry shout like a blow to Yu Sui's head, making her consciousness clearer.
The man laughed coldly: "Ha! Another fool."
The violent youth cursed unceremoniously: "You're the fucking fool. I'm already exhausted being targeted by Strange Fire, and now what the hell is this?"
Xue Mushi heard these voices and counted them, his eyelid twitching. This time the one dying was... Nangong Sui?
"Don't argue first," the androgynous voice said. "When a World Destroyer dies, Fire Spirit Orb death resonance occurs."
The youth said angrily: "This Strange Fire is so fancy! Who's dying? Who are you all? How did you die? I just fought someone and saved my life without dying. Why are you dying? You're not allowed to die!"
The carefree man was amused: "You all carry Strange Fire and dare to wander outside. Can't you learn from me and honestly stay in deep mountains and forests?"
Xue Mushi had just gotten out of bed to open the door when he felt severe chest pain and collapsed to his knees, unable to bear it. His Wind-Listening Ruler fell to the ground with a crisp sound.
His back grew cold, his expression slightly stunned, unable to believe it.
In Yu Sui's chaotic consciousness, the World Destroyers' discussion voices came and went. In her daze, she saw scenes of her life in Qingyang: coming from Luo Mountain to Qingyang's imperial capital, she had lived here for eighteen years.
Lady Su and Nangong Ming had once bent down to speak to her in childhood, but after she was tested as an ordinary person, she had to look up at them both.
Scenes of her brothers arguing with Brother Gu flashed by rapidly. In every night tormented by Strange Fire and unable to sleep, she counted the rocks, flowers, and grass in the manor, gazing blankly at the night scenery outside her window.
Seeing Zhongli Que with the same hairstyle as herself at the Zhongli family banquet.
Zhongli Que saying "I will protect you too" by the pond.
Escaping with Zhongli Que from boring banquets by climbing walls.
Throwing gold leaves into Old Yan's begging bowl.
Watching Brother Gu leave Qingyang for Taiyi.
Nangong Ming telling her to bring the Di Su Balance Scale to Taiyi.
They say people see their life flash before their eyes before death. Yu Sui thought that must be now.
She watched from her birth to death. The shortest yet deepest memory was from an hour ago: Mei Liangyu's lonely figure standing by the sea and the moment he turned to walk toward her.
In Yu Sui and Mei Liangyu's conversation, noticing Senior Brother wouldn't reveal Strange Fire news, she briefly felt her own luck.
She had been unlucky since being born into this world.
Now she was finally becoming lucky, but had to die now?
Why?
Why should she die just when she felt she was becoming lucky?
Yu Sui's fingertip moved slightly. Using her last strength, she mobilized all light cores that could be generated within the day. Except for the two light cores she left on Wenyang Hui, the remaining hundreds quickly fused in Strange Fire, recongealing into new Five Elements Light Cores.
Five Elements Energy spread to her limbs and bones, trying to stop the draining life force.
Yu Sui could feel being "watched."
The gaze from Heavenly Eye.
"This pain is in the chest, probably shattered light core," the carefree man analyzed. "No need for another finishing blow, it's certain death. Pretty quick. Congratulations, newcomer. Your first death resonance experience won't be too painful."
The violent youth said: "My whole body is in deadly pain right now."
The androgynous voice: "You won't stay silent until death, will you?"
The World Destroyers' consciousness briefly quieted, then they heard a gentle female voice say: "I won't die."
The fatal chest wound pain was gradually disappearing.
Xue Mushi covered his chest with his hand, looking down. Sweat slid along his jawline as he sighed with relief, yet remained confused.
Golden Five Elements Energy ignited around Yu Sui. Heavenly Eye watched her wound, stopping the Five Elements Energy drain.
In the bitter wind and flying snow, the figure standing up from beneath the snow mountain seemed extremely small, yet she stood tenaciously in the wind and snow. Though swaying precariously, she stood firmly.
Yu Sui looked up at the suspended sun in the wind and snow. Her blood-stained lips moved slightly as she softly repeated: "I won't die, and neither will you."
In the wilderness mountains north of Xuangu Continent, a white-robed man carrying a medicine basket and crouching by a medicinal field paused his herb-gathering, his expression thoughtful.
By a rural stream, a man holding a sword looked up toward the distance.
A girl emerging from the river called out "Father" to him.
A youth who had fallen beneath a mountain cliff, covered in wounds, lay on the ground looking up at the stars and paused.