The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 373: Danger

Danger . . .

"So, if he orchestrated all of this tonight, he wouldn't have sought my aid. He would have preferred to be caught between the two major sects."

"It would have only been an uncomfortable situation for a brief period, but my intervention will have enduring repercussions for all."

"There must be someone else masterminding this plot for him."

Master Bai spoke casually, "Now, I'm quite intrigued by the individual offering him advice."

He turned to Wan-Er and calmly stated, "Find this person."

Wan-Er curved her lips into a smile and replied, "As you wish!"

Master Bai nodded and shifted the topic. He felt assured that the person would not escape, given Wan-Er's promise to find them.

He spoke lightly, "Seven days have passed, and two and a half remain. They only commenced their movements tonight. I set the stage, and they promptly disrupted it before creating a new scenario for me to dismantle..."

"What a delightful game. Let me derive enjoyment from playing with them."

A smile graced his lips. "A good opponent is needed for games. The stronger they are, the sweeter the victory."

"Stirring up chaos, seizing the world—it's the most captivating game."

"I relish it. I hope they allow me to savor the game this time."

Master Bai's demeanor was calm yet slightly mischievous as he continued, "Feng Zhiling and the individual advising him make a remarkable team. They managed to break the deadlock and transform it into an opportunity. Impressive. Perhaps this game will provide me with... greater satisfaction."

"I hope Feng Monarch can prove pleasing to you. The adversaries you encountered previously were so uninteresting that I prefer not to dwell on them," Wan-Er remarked with a smile.

Master Bai nodded and inquired, "Why hasn't Xiu-Er returned yet? She should have been back when things took a chaotic turn last night."

Wan-Er smiled and replied, "Xiu-Er should return in three days. I mentioned it the day before yesterday. It seems that you were so engrossed in the game that you may have forgotten."

Master Bai shook his head and explained, "You misunderstand me. Xiu-Er possesses a different personality from yours. You are gentle and compassionate, yet you carry out missions with unwavering determination and execute them coldly. You adhere strictly to the plan and complete your tasks on the designated day. Xiu-Er, on the other hand, allows some flexibility."

"That's why she will undoubtedly arrive early. She consistently returns before her intended date. The mission assigned to her this time shouldn't have taken her this long. Even if she had to traverse the entirety of the Land of Han-Yang, it shouldn't have consumed so much time. There must be something extraordinary at play."

He furrowed his brow and expressed concern, "If Xiu-Er doesn't return before noon, you should go search for her yourself. I sense that something truly dreadful may have occurred. It has to be something quite sinister..."

Wan-Er's concern was evident. She inquired, "But in the Land of Han-Yang, who possesses the ability to meddle with the Xiu of Heavens? Even if someone has the capability, would they dare to do so?"

Master Bai offered no immediate reply.

He lowered his head, and a few errant strands of hair fluttered in the morning breeze.

Then, suddenly, he raised his gaze. There was a flicker of worry in his eyes.

"Don't wait until noon. Do it now. Retrieve the Fortune Map of Mountain and Rivers."

Master Bai had reversed his decision.

Wan-Er was taken aback. [Did Master just say that? Is he entrusting me with the Fortune Map of Mountain and Rivers? Is Xiu-Er in grave danger?]

"I'll depart at once."

"Hmm."

Master Bai lowered his head again.

Wan-Er didn't hesitate. In the blink of an eye, she soared into the sky. In mere moments, she vanished, moving at a speed so swift that even lightning couldn't keep pace.

Within seconds, she was gone.

Xiu-Er shouldn't be in immediate danger. Even if she encountered a remarkably powerful individual, she had the ability to escape. Regardless of her adversary, she could elude them, for her power exceeded the limitations of this realm. No one in this realm could genuinely threaten Xiu-Er.

However, Master Bai, Wan-Er, and Xiu-Er adhered to certain restrictions. They were not to casually cast aside these restraints. If they did, and employed their full power within this realm, they would incur the nine extreme punishments—a fate tantamount to a death sentence.

They would have to grapple with that on their own.

Wan-Er felt anxious at this moment.

She hoped Xiu-Er remained unharmed.

While she was aware that nobody posed a true threat to Xiu-Er, her apprehension stemmed from the possibility of Xiu-Er discarding the restraints. Were she to do so, she could annihilate anyone with a mere flick of her finger. However, this action would inevitably trigger the nine extreme punishments, amounting to a death sentence.

Removing the restraint was tantamount to self-destruction.

Master Bai rarely erred in his assessments.

Xiu-Er had wrapped up her tasks and begun her journey back days before the deadline.

Soon, she would reunite with her master.

Anticipating this moment, Xiu-Er felt joy and eagerness. [When Master lays eyes on me, will he be happy and pleasantly surprised?]

However, the instant her gaze fell upon the silhouette of Chen-Xing City, a shiver coursed through her. It wasn't the usual chill that one might associate with an ice mountain. Xiu-Er was unconcerned with mere coldness; what truly unsettled her was the distinct undercurrent within the cold qi emanating from the ice mountain.

Contained within that chilling mist was an unmistakable aura—an unrelenting presence that seemed to pierce through the very marrow of her bones, an unwavering force that sought her out and strove to ensnare her.

Xiu-Er, as she descended from the heavens, couldn't help but cast her gaze downward. Amidst the expanse of white snow and ice, there stood a solitary figure, garbed in alabaster robes with jet-black hair cascading like an obsidian waterfall. This figure exuded an otherworldly purity and immaculateness, akin to a celestial being descended from the moon itself.

It stood resolute upon the ice mountain, eyes fixed intently upon her.

And she knew, beyond any shadow of a doubt, that escape was impossible when ensnared by such an entity.

Xiu-Er didn't deliberate for long; she made a swift descent from the skies..