Shi Cangying's blood-stained hand now rested firmly atop Du Xian's head.
Ye Jinghan and Du Xian had been childhood sweethearts, growing up together and cultivating side by side. Their bond ran deep, and long ago each had come to see the other as the missing half of their own life. But the Great Dao remained unfinished — it was not yet the time for marriage.
They had even made a private promise: once both had advanced to the Emperor Realm, Du Xian would formally propose to Ye Hen and ask for his blessing. They were certain that by then, Ye Hen would not refuse.
Yet what Ye Jinghan had never imagined was that before that day could come, her beloved would be killed right before her eyes.
"No, Uncle-Master Shi, please don't!" Ye Jinghan's legs buckled and she sank to her knees, begging desperately.
Shi Cangying's expression remained cold and resolute, unmoved by her pleas. He said evenly, "Dispel the formations, and we'll discuss everything else."
Ye Jinghan's mind went blank with panic. Dispelling the formations would mean laying bare the Thousand Leaves Sect's greatest secret before the enemy, leaving it open for them to explore at will. But if she refused, judging from the savage methods Shi Cangying had just demonstrated, Du Xian would die in an instant.
She had no idea how to choose.
"Yezi, don't listen to him! That old mongrel has gone mad!" Du Xian suddenly roared. "Even if you dispel the formations, they won't let us go! I'll go on ahead — you must live well, and in the next life, I will never fail you!"
As the words left his lips, his Source Power surged violently, reaching a level he could barely control in an instant.
"Hmph!" Shi Cangying let out a cold snort and slapped his palm heavily onto Du Xian's shoulder. The raging Source Power sputtered out immediately, falling back to calm.
Du Xian was stunned. In this situation, he couldn't even self-detonate. He had become nothing more than a fish on the chopping block.
Over on her side, Ye Jinghan had been startled as well. She knew perfectly well what Du Xian had been about to do. When she saw Shi Cangying suppress his cultivation, she actually felt a flicker of gratitude toward the traitor. Had he not intervened in time, Du Xian would have self-detonated right before her eyes — something she was certain she could never have endured.
This turn of events completely shattered Ye Jinghan's psychological defenses. Though she knew full well that dispelling the formations would likely end in nothing good, a sliver of desperate hope still lingered in her heart. Eyes brimming with tears, she looked at Shi Cangying and said, "Uncle-Master, I'll dispel the formations, but... you have to let the others go. They are not from our Thousand Leaves Sect — this matter has nothing to do with them!"
The ones she referred to were, naturally, Chi Yue and the others.
Hearing her words, Ye Hen slowly closed his eyes, knowing that this was truly the end. If Ye Jinghan had simply held her ground, there might have been a slim chance of survival. But once the formations were dispelled, the outcome would surely be wretched.
But now he could not move, could not even speak, and was utterly powerless to stop her.
Du Xian was desperately shaking his head at Ye Jinghan, but to no avail.
Shi Cangying said coldly, "This is not something your uncle-master can decide."
No sooner had he finished than Qiu Ze spoke magnanimously, "Very well. I agree to your terms. Dispel the formations, and that will be that."
"Like anyone would believe you!" Hua Qingsi muttered softly. She knew perfectly well that Qiu Ze was simply spouting empty words — he had absolutely no intention of letting them go.
In the valley, Ye Jinghan wiped her tears and looked at Chi Yue and the others. "Our Thousand Leaves Sect has dragged you into this. Once I dispel the formations, rush out immediately. I'll try to buy you some time."
Hua Qingsi's delicate brows furrowed as she replied, "Miss Ye, come with us."
She understood that Ye Jinghan was being forced into this with no other choice. Her father's and her lover's lives were entirely in the enemy's hands — she naturally couldn't just stand by and watch. So Hua Qingsi bore no ill will toward her.
But... Qiu Ze was still here, and she had absolutely no confidence in leading Chi Yue and the others to safety. If it were just her alone, she might have had a seventy or eighty percent chance. She certainly couldn't defeat Qiu Ze, but escape was still possible.
But Chi Yue and the others were only at the First-Order Dao Source Stage, and Chai Hu was merely at the Third-Order Void King Stage. Fleeing before so many experts was nothing short of a pipe dream.
Hua Qingsi quietly resolved that she would protect Chi Yue and the others no matter what — everything else could wait until Yang Kai emerged.
In response to Hua Qingsi's invitation, Ye Jinghan simply gave a bitter smile and slowly shook her head.
Hua Qingsi knew her mind was made up and could only sigh, saying no more.
"Still not going to act?" Shi Cangying urged impatiently. The massive hand resting on Du Xian's head pulsed with fluctuating Source Power, as though it could take his life at any moment.
Ye Jinghan's slender body trembled. Not daring to delay any further, her hands danced through rapid hand seals.
As the seals flew outward, the various trapping, illusion, and killing formations within the valley were dispelled one layer at a time.
Qiu Ze extended his spiritual sense outward, watching closely. Once he sensed that all the formations in the valley had been fully dispelled, he chuckled and said, "Niece Ye, you know that adapting to the times is the mark of a true hero. Far more wise than your father."
And after dispelling the formations, Ye Jinghan felt a wave of weakness wash over her entire body, as though she had been completely drained. All she could manage was a soft, urgent whisper: "Run!"