Chapter 076: I Didn’t See Anything

Yan Shu remained silent. She was deeply conflicted. From her own perspective, she certainly did not wish to be trapped in this cave, staring into the eyes of this demonic cultivator for hundreds or even thousands of years. More importantly, she was bound to stay by Xiao Jihan’s side, or she would be struck by lightning. Yet if she left, this demonic sister would follow her out.

Though, as someone from the modern world who had read countless novels, she didn’t believe demonic cultivators were necessarily evil by nature, the deeds this woman had committed suggested she was not entirely wicked, yet far from pure-hearted. To be precise, she was someone who walked the line between right and wrong, acting according to her own whims.

Her cultivation was also extremely profound—Xiao Jihan hadn’t even noticed that the so-called cave was an illusion, which spoke volumes. If such a person were to be released, and by Yan Shu’s own hand no less, chaos would surely descend upon the cultivation world.

But the problem was, although this demonic cultivator had used her, she had also given her the Karma Fire Red Lotus as compensation. As someone with a body of pure yin, the greatest threat on her cultivation path was inner demons—her master had warned her of this in all seriousness, and the original Yan Shu herself was the prime example. The Karma Fire Red Lotus might be a mere life-saving or offensive treasure to others, but to her, it meant far more.

Yan Shu was torn. On one hand, she thought the woman wasn’t so bad; though she had used her, she had also offered compensation. After all, anyone imprisoned in a cave for two thousand years would seize any chance to escape. On the other hand, this woman was, after all, a demonic cultivator. Yan Shu, being new to this world and having little understanding of demonic cultivators, feared that releasing her might result in countless innocent deaths.

After much hesitation, Yan Shu ventured cautiously, “Sister, if you could leave, what would you most wish to do?”

The woman snorted coldly. “Naturally, to repay grudges and settle old scores.”

Yan Shu’s anxiety only deepened. She looked toward the void and said, “Perhaps I should just return the Karma Fire Red Lotus to you?”

A soft, mocking laugh instantly followed: “Do you think I am negotiating with you?”

Well, she had overthought it. She truly had no say in the matter. The real choice lay with Xiao Jihan and Yu Wenche. Judging by their previous decisions, the woman would likely be disappointed.

Perhaps this so-called trial of feelings and heart was merely a test to see how much value she held in Yu Wenche and Xiao Jihan’s hearts. Of course, perhaps there was a trace of genuine emotion, especially after learning that Xiao Jihan cultivated the Path of Ruthlessness, but fundamentally, it did not affect the woman’s plan.

What puzzled Yan Shu was where this woman found the confidence, after seeing their choices, to believe that they would take the risk of releasing a great demon to save her.

Before Yan Shu could think further, Xiao Jihan and Yu Wenche arrived.

Curiously, the two had come together. Upon seeing the barrier and the seals at the cave entrance, neither looked surprised. On the contrary, they seemed calm, as if they had already anticipated this.

They were of similar stature, both strikingly handsome—one with a demonic, otherworldly beauty, the other with the noble air of a refined gentleman. Though their appearances and temperaments were different, standing side by side, they seemed… well matched?

Yan Shu hurriedly suppressed the odd thought, walked to the cave entrance, separated by the barrier, and looked at them with some distress. “You’re here?”

Yu Wenche’s face held a trace of gentle warmth as he said softly, “Did you think we wouldn’t come?”

Yan Shu shook her head. “Not exactly. Since you both saw through the illusion and made your choice without hesitation, there must be a reason. Most likely, you realized that choosing the Dragon Abyss Sword was actually the path to survival.”

Yu Wenche nodded. “Even an illusion follows its own logic. When a supposed salvation requires killing the one you wish to save to break the illusion, it suggests that every subsequent choice must also go against expectation.”

Yan Shu, the perpetual academic underachiever, felt she understood a bit. The first time Xiao Jihan killed her without hesitation, she had been shocked and hurt, but after seeing Yu Wenche’s choice, she began to suspect the truth. Though their words about duty and feeling were genuine, sometimes even when you reason things out, your emotions are still bruised. The only reason she wasn’t truly hurt was because she had guessed their choices weren’t born of selfishness.

Yu Wenche looked at her, then awkwardly asked, “Did you… see the illusions we experienced?”

At this, Yan Shu instinctively glanced at Xiao Jihan.

For the first time ever, their eyes met—and, in an unprecedented move, Xiao Jihan was the first to look away.

Somehow, an awkwardness settled over Yan Shu. She quickly shook her head. “No, no, I didn’t see anything.”

If she’d said nothing, it might have been better. Now, even Yu Wenche’s usually gentle and smiling face showed a trace of embarrassment. He looked away, not daring to meet her eyes.

Yan Shu’s toes curled with awkwardness—she wished she could slap herself for blurting out that they’d seen through the illusion and made their choices so decisively.

Wasn’t that just telling them she’d seen everything?

An utterly mortifying scene.

“Have you finished catching up?” The woman's impatient voice rang out.

She hadn’t intended to show herself—she’d planned to wait until they broke the barrier and rescued Yan Shu, then follow them out. But watching these three, each avoiding the others’ gaze and just standing there, she grew irritated.

Openly discussing the clues of the illusion, as if it were nothing of consequence—did they really think she was dead?

She materialized beside Yan Shu, glancing at Xiao Jihan and Yu Wenche outside with a cold snort. “Two impudent brats, you talk big. The only reason you could so easily find the flaws was because I am sealed in this cave and couldn’t be bothered to toy with you, eager as I am to leave!”

That odd sense of competitiveness flared up again.

Yan Shu promptly said, “Sister is absolutely right! Your illusions are unrivaled. If you hadn’t shown mercy, there’s no way they could have broken through!”

At these words, Xiao Jihan and Yu Wenche both looked at her, their expressions a mixture of emotions.

Only the woman seemed pleased, her expression much improved. She turned to Yan Shu and said, “Are you sure you don’t want to become my disciple and cultivate the demonic path? I promise you, if you become my disciple, anything you desire in the Nine Provinces, I can obtain for you.”

Yan Shu quickly shook her head. “Thank you for your generous offer, Sister, but I am a naturally lazy person, lacking great ambition. I would only disappoint your expectations.”

At this, the woman recalled Yan Shu’s apathetic demeanor when first caught in the illusion. She gave a light snort, dismissing the idea of taking her as a disciple, and turned to Xiao Jihan and Yu Wenche. “Outside this cave, the Qian, Li, Xun, Kan, and Kun positions each hold a demon-sealing array. Break these five arrays, and you’ll be able to rescue your precious Yan Shu. Get to it.”