Chapter 136: The Reason Given by the City Lord

In truth, this was a multiple-choice question with only one possible answer. Regardless of her current predicament or her future plans, Ji Yao had no choice but to follow the instructions of the Master of Wujie City.

Staring at the sand curtain swirling around the Taiji diagram, Ji Yao gritted her teeth. She initiated her "Jinghong" footwork, intending to charge straight into the center. Yet, the moment she drew near, a tremendous resistance blocked her path, preventing her from moving a single inch further.

"Little girl, no cheating allowed! I told you to walk in step by step, not to find a shortcut to slip inside."

Helpless, Ji Yao retreated a few paces, took a deep breath, and slowly approached once more.

The grains of sand flying from the curtain stung her skin, but compared to the agony of the poison coursing through her veins or the heart-wrenching pain she had endured earlier, this was negligible. Ji Yao walked up to the sand curtain without a change in expression and stepped right in.

Though the curtain appeared to be a thin layer—so thin that she could see the Master of Wujie standing in the center—the foot she placed inside felt as if it had stepped into quicksand. Once fully submerged, she was overcome by a heavy sensation, as if she were being swallowed and encased by the grains. She could only imagine what it would be like for a person to walk through it.

Regardless, she had come too far to turn back now. She cast a protective layer of spiritual energy tightly against her skin and plunged her entire body into the sand curtain.

As expected, the pressure on her body surged instantly. It was like being buried in a sand dune, with a suffocating sensation pressing in from all sides. Maintaining the spiritual barrier around her head and switching her body to internal breathing, Ji Yao unleashed a "Sharp Metal Art," hoping to carve a path through the obstructing sand.

It was not that she didn't want to use her sword, but buried in the sand, even with a blade in hand, she could not maneuver it at all. Simple spells were far more practical. Each time she pushed the layers of sand aside, Ji Yao took a laborious step forward. She realized that using spiritual power within the sand curtain consumed far more energy than it did outside.

She had no time to dwell on it. The pressure grew increasingly intense; Ji Yao felt as if sand were continuously raining down from above, accumulating and pressing her body into a hunched, bowed position. She quickened her movements, straining to gain a little more ground with every step.

The pressure continued to mount. Ji Yao had been walking for over a quarter of an hour, yet the path ahead seemed endless. Half of her spiritual energy was already depleted, and still, there was no sign of emerging from the curtain. She knew this was likely a mental illusion cast by her opponent. She could not escape the physical sensations, so the only thing she could do was maintain her focus and persevere until the other party was satisfied.

With her spiritual energy nearly exhausted, Ji Yao stopped using spells to clear the way. Instead, she used the last of her strength to maintain her own barrier while clawing through the sand with her bare hands.

Suddenly, the pressure lifted. Off-balance, Ji Yao nearly toppled forward, but she managed to twist her body and catch herself with her palm, avoiding a face-first encounter with the ground.

Looking up, she saw the sand curtain behind her. It remained as thin as before, and she was now standing in the space between the curtain and the Master of Wujie. She had spent a great deal of time covering just those few steps.

Ignoring the sand clinging to her, Ji Yao bowed to the Master. "Senior, I have fulfilled my promise and walked inside. Please, release my senior brother!"

The Master of Wujie was unhurried. He waved his hand, conjuring a tea table with a pot and cups, and sat down on a meditation cushion, beginning to savor his tea.

"No rush! I said 'after things were settled,' and we haven't even begun to discuss our own business yet."

Ji Yao bit her lower lip, nearly drawing blood. She stared intently at the Master, who was leisurely enjoying the aroma of his tea.

"Why stand so far away? Since you've walked this far, a few more steps shouldn't matter. There is no need to worry about what I might do now; you couldn't possibly escape this circle anyway."

Ji Yao remained silent but complied, walking a few steps closer.

"Yes, that distance is just right. Speak—what is it you wish to know?" The Master set his cup down, propped his head on one arm, and looked at her lazily.

Suppressing her inner turmoil, Ji Yao spoke, "As I said before, a minor character like me, aside from that inexplicable connection you mentioned, has no value to you, Senior."

She did not want to belittle herself, but she truly could not understand why someone of his status and standing would pay any attention to someone as insignificant as her in the Mi Cang Realm.

"No, no, no. The connection you speak of is not as simple as you imagine. Since you have sensed it, have you ever considered venturing into the Qijue Abyss?"

Since the topic had reached this point, Ji Yao realized it was likely true that he had ties to the Qijue Abyss, so she did not hide her thoughts. "I have thought about it, but with my current cultivation, I fear I couldn't even get near it."

"Exactly! That is the reason. You cannot do it, but I can. My initial thought was merely curiosity. If you had no intention of going, I would have sent you to the Qijue Abyss in advance."

His words made Ji Yao’s nerves tighten. She truly believed that had she not answered honestly, he would have tossed her into the abyss without hesitation.

The Master seemed to read her thoughts. He flicked a finger across his teacup, and a single drop of water shot out, striking the center of Ji Yao’s brow with unerring precision. A water-drop-shaped red mark instantly appeared on her forehead.

Before she could react, she felt a warmth at her brow. As she raised her hand to touch it, she sensed that a mark had been imprinted upon her consciousness.

Before Ji Yao could speak, the Master continued, "This mark cannot be removed, even if you change your appearance. But do not worry; it will not harm you. On the contrary, it will protect you from the influence of those who come from the Demon-Sealing Land, despite the poison in your body."

"You know about the poison in my body?" Ji Yao was shocked. "And you know about the situation in the Demon-Sealing Land? Does that mean I can still sense them?"

The Master raised an eyebrow, looking at her with amusement. "Little girl, one should not be too greedy, especially when you have no capital to be greedy with."

Ji Yao had spoken out of sheer shock, but now, pointedly reminded, she calmed down instantly. She truly had no leverage to trade information with him. What she knew was only what he wanted her to know. It did not mean she could ask whatever she pleased, nor that he would necessarily answer. Everything was merely a whim of his own mind.

"My apologies," Ji Yao conceded obediently. "I spoke out of turn."

The Master acted as if he hadn't heard her, moving on. "As for the affairs of the Demon-Sealing Land, I neither participate nor care. I have only one request: when your abilities are sufficient and you have made up your mind to go to the Qijue Abyss, come see me again. As for other matters, we shall see how you perform when the time comes."

"Senior, does this mean my senior brother and I can leave Wujie City now?"

"Things are settled; you are free to go."

The Master rose and waved his large sleeve. The tea table and cushions vanished, and the sand curtain behind him dispersed.

Ji Yao turned around and saw the figure who had been trapped in the sand stumble, propping himself up with his sword and kneeling on one knee. There were spots of bright, stinging red on his body.

"Senior Brother Yun!"