Chapter 309: Breaking the Formation, A Strange Sight on the Peak
The girl who appeared before Cheng Yishi was none other than her younger sister… Cheng Xinyin, whom she had personally killed.
“Why are you so surprised to see me, Sister?”
Cheng Xinyin touched her lips, a seductive and sinister smile appearing on her face: “Could it be that seeing your younger sister, whom you personally killed, reappear before you, stirs up a mix of emotions in your heart, even some fear and regret?”
“Why… why are you here?!”
Cheng Yishi’s face darkened, and she shouted coldly: “You should be dead!”
“That question… is interesting.”
But facing her aggressive questioning, Cheng Xinyin just smiled casually and playfully: “Do you know where this is, Sister?”
“You…”
“This is a mysterious place that can reflect the deepest scars hidden within one’s heart, the ones they are most unwilling to face. This technique is most effective against those who are aggressive and malicious.”
Cheng Xinyin skipped and danced around lightly, chuckling: “If the newcomer fears men, then this place will create illusions of men surrounding them. If they fear loneliness, then they will be thrown into a silent and dark void, experiencing decades or even centuries of silence…
Then what is it that you fear the most, Sister Yishi, deep down in your heart?”
The young woman looked sideways, her lively eyes filled with mockery and ridicule.
Cheng Yishi gripped her battle-axe tightly, her face turning even grimmer.
“Since you won’t say it, Sister, I’ll say it for you~”
Cheng Xinyin chuckled, covering her mouth: “You colluded with outsiders to harm your family, even betraying your own kin, killing your own father. Facing your younger sister’s pleas for help, you could still swing your axe, cleaving your trusting sister in two…
Sister, you truly have a cruel heart and a vicious mind!”
“…”
Cheng Yishi remained silent, lowering her head.
But Cheng Xinyin didn’t stop, continuing to taunt her: “Although I did some bad things when I was alive, I never harmed you, Sister. Even if you hated me, you shouldn’t have been the one to deliver the final blow…
In the end, you’re just a lunatic who killed her own father and sister, a vicious murderer covered in blood. You should go to hell with me!”
“Sister, how can you still face the world?”
Cheng Xinyin quietly walked up to her, crossing her arms and sneering: “Do you think that if you and Lin Tianlu don’t say anything, no one will know about your heinous crime, that everyone will think you’re a virtuous wife and a good older sister?”
Cheng Yishi raised her head again, her voice hoarse: “What… what are you trying to say?”
“You should be dead.”
Cheng Xinyin grinned sinisterly: “If you don’t kill yourself and atone for your sins, how can you still face the world?
You’ve betrayed the trust and admiration of your younger sisters, and you have no right to be Lin Tianlu’s wife. He’s a renowned scholar, if others knew he was with a vicious woman like you, do you think he could still face the world? Do you think he could bear the accusations and condemnation?”
As she berated her, she sneered:
“In the end, you’re just a selfish and vicious woman, clinging to life. But do you really think that after your death, there would be no one more suitable to be Lin Tianlu’s wife?
Mao Ruoyu is more gentle and virtuous than you, a perfect wife. Yun Yue is more considerate, gentle, sexy, and alluring than you. Even Hua Shuya, who is currently at the Zhengyang Prince’s Mansion, is more righteous and heroic than you. Any of them are more suitable than you! If you had died earlier, their lives would have been much happier!”
“…”
Cheng Yishi’s face gradually became expressionless, her eyes vacant, her grip on the battle-axe loosening.
Seeing that her spirit was broken, the smile on Cheng Xinyin’s face became even more sinister and arrogant. A cold light flashed in her sleeve, and a sharp dagger materialized, shooting out like lightning, like a venomous snake, aiming for her throat and heart.
Clang!
The sturdy axe handle suddenly blocked the dagger, sparks flying from the impact.
Cheng Xinyin’s pupils constricted slightly, the sinister smile on her face freezing. Before she could even react, the dagger was knocked out of her hand.
“This is my chance!”
Cheng Yishi’s expression turned serious as she swung her battle-axe, cleaving the figure in two!
Pfft!
Blood spurted out like a geyser, and Cheng Xinyin stumbled backward, her face filled with shock and disbelief.
“H-How… how is this possible?!
You clearly felt the most guilt and unease towards me, even losing sleep at night, constantly waking up from nightmares, why now—”
“I do feel pain and guilt over this fight between sisters.”
Cheng Yishi casually wiped the blood from her face, her expression calm and composed, without a trace of panic.
She shook the blood off her battle-axe and said in a deep voice: “But that doesn’t mean I regret my actions.
Even if Cheng Xinyin were truly resurrected, my attitude wouldn’t change in the slightest. She harmed too many people, she deserved to die. Dying by my axe was a merciful end.”
‘Cheng Xinyin’s’ face turned pale as she stumbled backward: “Y-You lunatic, you’re truly insane! To even kill your own sister—”
“Do you think you can make me break down and surrender with just a few words?”
Cheng Yishi raised her cold battle-axe, her gaze sharp and unwavering: “Xinyin is already dead, even if your imitation is perfect, you’re just a phantom from the past. As a dead person, you should return to dust.”
As soon as she finished speaking, she lunged forward, her axe falling heavily!
Cheng Xinyin only had time to scream before she was cleaved in two.
And the splattering crimson blood dispersed into illusory smoke mid-air, clearly a fabrication.
“Hu—”
Cheng Yishi breathed a sigh of relief, her brows slightly furrowed as she looked around the still dark and strange environment.
This place was truly bizarre, actually “resurrecting” her long-dead younger sister.
If it weren’t for Tianlu’s constant guidance these past few months, and the warmth and happiness of their marriage, she might have wavered and fallen for this phantom’s tricks.
“But, what is the purpose of this—”
Crack!
A cracking sound suddenly echoed around her.
Cheng Yishi’s heart skipped a beat, and she instinctively looked towards the sound, surprised to see cobweb-like cracks appearing not far behind her, rapidly spreading.
Until they completely shattered and collapsed!
She quickly raised her hand to block the chilling wind.
“Hu! I’ve finally figured it out.”
A familiar voice echoed almost simultaneously, making Cheng Yishi’s face light up with joy: “Husband!”
Lin Tianlu stood outside the large opening, smiling as he reached out towards her.
Cheng Yishi felt a gentle aura enveloping her body and was quickly pulled out of the strange, dark space, falling into a familiar embrace.
The surroundings transformed back into the snowy mountain, the temperature dropping sharply.
“It seems I arrived just in time?”
“You came just in time, husband.” Cheng Yishi raised her head from his embrace and smiled faintly: “I was just wondering how to escape from this strange place.
But I don’t know what happened just now, why was I suddenly—”
“It’s a long story. According to that mountain spirit, it seems that the phoenix in this mountain intentionally set up a barrier formation to prevent those with Yin energy from approaching the peak. You were all pulled in.”
Lin Tianlu released her from his embrace.
“As for why she set up this formation, it’s probably to prevent demons and ghosts from plotting against Immortal Phoenix Mountain.”
Cheng Yishi was slightly stunned, only then noticing a strange young woman standing not far away. Not only was her face and figure as flawless as jade, but her revealing attire also made her blush slightly.
Why… why was there such a strangely dressed woman in this mountain?
She hadn’t seen her clearly in the snow before being pulled into the formation.
“Wait a moment, Yishi, I’ll pull Ruoyu and the others out.”
Lin Tianlu took a deep breath, assumed a stance, and suddenly punched forward.
Crack, crack, crack!
Cracks appeared and shattered, wind and snow blowing out from within.
Cheng Yishi looked on in surprise, even more impressed by her husband’s abilities.
“This person truly possesses extraordinary power!”
A soft gasp of amazement made her turn to look at the strange young woman. She was surprised to see a look of shock and disbelief on the beautiful woman’s face, as if she couldn’t believe what she had just witnessed.
Cheng Yishi hesitated and whispered: “This… Mountain Spirit Miss, is what my husband did… unusual?”
“This formation originates from ancient times, it’s not something that demons, ghosts, or cultivators of this era can break or interfere with. Even I can’t shake it in the slightest.”
The snow-white woman murmured as if in a daze: “Perhaps, the person the Phoenix Venerable has been waiting for… has truly arrived!”
Cheng Yishi frowned.
Was there some unknown secret hidden within this Immortal Phoenix Mountain?
She tried to ask again, but the snow-white woman remained silent, staring blankly at Lin Tianlu’s back.
…
A moment later.
“Cough, cough, cough!”
Mao Ruoyu coughed, her face and body covered in dust, as she brushed herself off with a helpless expression.
She had suddenly been transported to a vast and endless desert, and before she could react, she had choked on a mouthful of sand.
Although Lin Tianlu had rescued her in time, that brief experience was truly unforgettable.
After hearing his explanation, she couldn’t help but sigh deeply:
“Although I still have lingering fears about the hardships I endured in my childhood, there’s no need to throw me into a desert, husband.”
“It seems you’ve matured quite a bit, madam.”
Cheng Yishi stepped forward to help her brush off the dust, teasing playfully: “Seeing your vulnerability, I thought you would kneel down and cry.”
“Since when have I been so fragile and delicate?”
Mao Ruoyu gave her a look.
But her expression quickly turned serious as she looked back: “Sister Yun and Miss Youluo… were they also pulled into that strange formation like us?”
“Probably.”
Cheng Yishi said in a low voice: “Although we escaped with my husband’s help, that strange formation is still quite astonishing. It can actually create environments based on our thoughts. Judging by the sand and dust on you, it’s not just a simple illusion.”
This kind of technique was far beyond her understanding.
Mao Ruoyu nodded in agreement, her face serious.
Even though she knew many Moon Shadow Secret Techniques, such profound and mysterious methods were still beyond her grasp.
“But with Sister Yun’s state of mind, she should be fine.”
Crack, crack!
As cracks appeared, Lin Tianlu quickly broke through the formation trapping Yun Yue.
“Hu—”
Then, Yun Yue’s figure gracefully emerged from the crack almost simultaneously, landing lightly on the ground and exhaling softly.
“Sister Yun, are you injured?”
“I’m fine.”
Yun Yue smiled faintly: “Although it was sudden, and the environment within the formation targeted our mental weaknesses, it lacked any real killing intent. I could handle it.”
“Now, only Miss Youluo is left.”
Lin Tianlu was about to rescue her when a large number of cracks suddenly appeared not far away.
As debris scattered, Youluo stepped out.
Everyone was surprised, but seeing that she wasn’t injured, only her clothes covered in dust, Lin Tianlu and the others breathed a sigh of relief.
“It’s good that you’re safe, Miss.”
“…I didn’t expect such a strange formation to be hidden in this mountain.”
But the smile on Youluo’s face was gone, and she glanced coldly at the snow-white woman: “Do you know why this happened, Master Lin? If there’s no good reason, I’m quite angry and want to punish this ignorant and reckless spirit.”
Lin Tianlu’s heart stirred, and he immediately noticed the anger in Youluo’s eyes and the faint trace of baleful energy between her eyebrows, clearly, she had experienced something unpleasant in the formation.
Thinking of this, he quickly stepped forward and explained gently.
After hearing the whole story, Youluo’s furrowed brows finally relaxed slightly, and she snorted: “So now you want me to forget about it, as if nothing happened?”
Lin Tianlu smiled wryly: “Although I don’t know what you experienced in the formation, Miss, there’s no need to take your anger out on innocent people. You can vent your anger on the one who set up the formation later.
If you’re truly angry, Miss, you can just hit me a few times, my skin is thick, I won’t feel much pain.”
“…You scholar!”
Youluo was silent for a moment, exhaling softly, and then tapped his chest with her folding fan, a wry smile on her face: “There’s no need to appease me with such clumsy words. I’m not trying to bully you, what’s the point of hitting you? It would only make me feel guilty.”
Lin Tianlu smiled: “At least after hearing my words, you seem to be in a better mood, Miss, that’s enough.”
“Fine.”
Youluo’s anger subsided after being teased, and she looked back at the snow-white woman: “What should we do now? Has this woman agreed to let us continue to the peak?”
Lin Tianlu turned around and bowed towards the snow-white woman: “Miss, I hope you can accommodate us.”
“…You spared my life just now, so I’ll let you pass, consider it even.”
The snow-white woman’s surprised expression faded, and she said indifferently: “But as for what you’ll encounter on the peak, whether you live or die, it depends on your fate.”
Saying this, her figure dispersed into white mist and snow.
Youluo narrowed her eyes and snorted coldly: “She escaped quite quickly.”
Lin Tianlu cupped his hands from afar in gratitude and then waved: “Let’s continue our climb.”
…
After another short while.
Lin Tianlu and his group finally reached the peak of Immortal Phoenix Mountain.
The previously howling wind and snow gradually disappeared, replaced by a scene like a paradise, a peach blossom garden with beautiful scenery. The chilling aura receded, and a gentle and comfortable breeze brushed against their faces.
“There’s… such a beautiful place on this peak?”
“Although there’s the saying ‘a world within a world,’ this place is too…”
Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi were amazed.
Even Yun Yue and Youluo were secretly surprised, they had never seen or heard of such an incredible and strange sight.
“It seems that the villagers of Immortal Phoenix Mountain Village at the foot of the mountain have never truly reached the peak.”
Lin Tianlu glanced around, taking in the scenery.
If they had seen such a paradise on this peak, how could there be no rumors or legends in the village? Or perhaps, it was the mountain spirit, or even the phoenix in this mountain, who had intervened and driven away the villagers who tried to climb the peak.
However—
Lin Tianlu hadn’t taken more than two steps when he frowned slightly.
Because he gradually realized that this peach blossom garden seemed somewhat familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before.
Not only him, but even Mao Ruoyu and Cheng Yishi, who had been marveling at the scenery, couldn’t help but change their expressions, their eyes flickering with surprise.
“This place… looks so familiar!”
“Could it be that you’ve seen this scenery in your dreams?” Youluo waved her folding fan and chuckled softly.
“—No.”
Looking at the stone table in the distance, almost shrouded in mist, Lin Tianlu suddenly said in a low voice: “I think… I really have seen this place in my dreams.”
“Oh?” Youluo exclaimed softly, a look of surprise on her face.
Could her casual remark have actually hit the mark?
