Daring not to dwell on the embarrassing matter any longer, Xia Ningshang turned her head and asked, "How did you find this hiding spot?"
The place was incredibly secluded, a perfect spot to lie low. How had this junior disciple managed to find it so precisely in the darkness?
Yang Kai grinned. "I was wandering around here after you left and discovered it by chance. Who knew it would end up being our lifesaving sanctuary."
"That's our good luck, I suppose." Xia Ningshang sighed.
"Get some rest. Once things calm down, I'll find a way to get us out of here."
Xia Ningshang's expression darkened, and she slowly shook her head. "We can't leave."
"Why not? Where there's a will, there's a way," Yang Kai said with a soft chuckle.
"Because I activated the Nine Yin Eight Lock Array. This entire valley is now sealed by its power. No one can get out before dawn."
Yang Kai suddenly understood. "So you left earlier to set up the array?"
Xia Ningshang gave a slight nod. "It was originally meant to deal with the Nine Yin Essence Condensation Dew, but we were forced to activate it ahead of schedule."
"Those sinister chains were the array's doing?" Yang Kai recalled the scene from moments ago.
"Yes."
"Have they been killed?" Yang Kai's eyes lit up. If all the powerful enemies were dead, then escape would be absolutely possible.
Xia Ningshang shook her head. "No. This array isn't designed for killing. Those people aren't weak, so they definitely won't die. At most, it might take out one or two weaker ones."
"That's still something." Yang Kai felt a twinge of regret.
"However... although they won't be killed, the Yin energy chains invading their bodies will likely seal away the majority of their strength. They won't be able to recover before dawn. Let me see if I can regain some strength before then, and then we can escape together."
Suddenly, Yang Kai fixed his gaze on Xia Ningshang, his eyes filled with a fierce, predatory light. His voice carried a hint of excitement. "You're saying their power will be sealed? How much?"
Xia Ningshang pondered for a moment. "At least sixty or seventy percent. That Zhenyuan Realm expert is probably sealed by about eighty percent."
"Which means they can't use their full strength right now?" Yang Kai's expression became eager and restless.
Xia Ningshang looked at him nervously. "What are you thinking? Even if their strength is sealed, they're not opponents you can handle. Junior Brother, don't do anything rash!"
She had seen through his intentions.
Yang Kai chuckled softly, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "How will we know unless we try? Don't forget, this is a Nine Yin Gathering Place. With their power sealed and having to resist the constant Yin energy drain, they're probably even weaker than you estimated."
"But there are so many of them!" Xia Ningshang grabbed Yang Kai's arm, shaking her head vigorously. "Don't be impulsive!"
Yang Kai gently patted her hand. "Don't worry, I know my limits. If we just keep hiding here, we'll be found eventually. Once we're cornered like turtles in a jar, it's truly game over. Taking the initiative gives us at least a sliver of hope."
"Absolutely not." Xia Ningshang shook her head like a rattle. "I'm your senior sister, and you'll listen to me. If you go out there now, forget about handling those people, the Yin energy in this valley alone will drain all the Yuan Qi from your body."
"Little Senior Sister, if you want to live, don't try to stop me. You saw what kind of person that Long Hui is. You should know what would happen if you fell into his hands."
Xia Ningshang's body trembled violently.