Stellar Transformation-Chapter 410 - 13 episodes 30 - s Soul
The night gradually fell, and five Imperial Guards formed a line walking toward the "Liu Yuan Illusion Array," among them were Qin Yu and Hei Yu.
The Liu Yuan Illusion Array was also an extremely potent illusion array, personally set up by the Eighth Level Demon Emperor Ao Ku. With Qin Yu’s strength, he could not forcibly break it; to save Bai Xin, they could only rely on disguising themselves as Imperial Guards to enter.
Hei Yu’s gaze was fixed on the black pillar at the very center of the Liu Yuan Illusion Array, where a person was bound.
"Sister Bai Xin," Hei Yu’s heart trembled.
Even if her disheveled hair covered her face and the dust made Bai Xin look like a beggar, from far away, Hei Yu, with a single glance, recognized her as the Sister Bai Xin who had cared for him greatly in the past.
"Little Black, keep a natural expression, what are you gawking at?" Qin Yu’s voice sounded in Hei Yu’s mind.
Hei Yu suddenly came to his senses.
"Little Black, that lovestruck look just now can easily make others suspicious," Qin Yu transmitted, seeing Little Black look like that, he could totally understand, but there was no room for any mistakes at the moment; being discovered would mean they’d have to fight their way out.
But even if they had to fight, they’d at least enter the formation first, otherwise how could they rescue her?
"Listen up, everyone." The leader of the group spoke loudly, "We are about to enter the Liu Yuan Illusion Array; the formation changes every hour, and each time the passages are different. Although we’ve stood guard many times, never be careless when entering the array. If you accidentally get caught in the array, you all know the consequences."
Immediately, a chorus of affirming shouts followed.
The Liu Yuan Illusion Array occupied a rather large area, and at its very center, where Bai Xin was bound, there were five Imperial Guards encircling the black stone pillar as they stood guard.
Seeing this scene, Qin Yu felt somewhat puzzled, "To guard Bai Xin, why must the Imperial Guards enter the interior of the large formation? Are they worried someone will break the formation and appear inside?"
Qin Yu guessed right, and that indeed was one reason for such an arrangement; after all, there were many extraordinary people in the world, who knew if Qin Yu and his brothers were skilled in formation? However, Qin Yu was unaware that there was another, more important reason for this arrangement.
"Alright, it’s time." The leader spoke to Qin Yu and the others, "I’ll first inform everyone of the paths for this hour and the next using Demon Recognition, make sure not to step wrong."
Then, the leader transmitted the paths of the "Liu Yuan Illusion Array" to the group.
Qin Yu and Hei Yu exchanged a glance, a hint of a smile appeared in their eyes, then under the leader’s guidance, the five of them moved cautiously along the safe path toward the core of the ’Liu Yuan Illusion Array’, while the five guards on duty, seeing Qin Yu and the rest approaching, also showed a hint of a smile.
"Little Black, we are quite lucky; Ao Ku hasn’t even bothered to check with his Demon Recognition until now," Qin Yu felt quite relaxed.
At this moment, even if Ao Ku discovered them, Qin Yu was confident he could rescue Bai Xin in an instant and rush out via the path. Even if surrounded by Peng Demon Emperor Zong Yan and others, he could enter the Jiang Lan Realm to peacefully cultivate.
While Qin Yu was curious about exploring the realms of immortals and demons, what he desired even more was to rapidly increase his strength to see Li’er sooner.
"That Ao Ku probably isn’t that diligent." Hei Yu transmitted, his gaze involuntarily peeking at Bai Xin in the distance a few times. Seeing Hei Yu like this, Qin Yu felt somewhat helpless, but he didn’t really mind.
These three Imperial Guards—and two impostors—were slowly making their way toward the core safe area.
Qin Yu and the group finally passed through the ’Liu Yuan Illusion Array’ and reached the central core safe area.
"Hey, you finally arrived. Okay, us brothers will take a rest now," said the leader of the five guards who had been on watch, smiling. Then the five of them contentedly left the Liu Yuan Illusion Array in sequence.
Qin Yu and his group casually arranged themselves in sequence, forming a large circle around the black pillar at the center.
******
Bai Xin’s eyes were misty with tears.
"Little Yu, little sister, this is all I can do for you," Bai Xin murmured to herself, her mind flashing back to the day she was captured by Ao Ku and brought back to the Imperial City, then summoned by Peng Demon Emperor Zong Yan.
In a vast hall, Peng Demon Emperor Zong Yan’s body was entirely enveloped in gold, while Bai Xin knelt below him, and Ao Ku stood respectfully by the side.
"You are Bai Xin?" That sharp voice seemed to pierce through her soul, causing Bai Xin’s entire body to tremble.
Bai Xin, kneeling on the ground, looked up but couldn’t clearly see the Peng Demon Emperor’s face; she only saw those cold, merciless eyes.
"I am asking you, why don’t you answer?" Peng Demon Emperor’s tone was slightly raised.
"I am Bai Xin," she responded in a low, slightly hoarse voice.
Shrouded in gold, Peng Demon Emperor indifferently said, "Bai Xin, you must understand your current situation. Your soul and Nascent Soul are completely restricted; you cannot even commit suicide. I have decided to bind you to the black stone pillar atop Yellow Lion Mountain to lure the Hei Yu brothers here."
"You... despicable!" Bai Xin glared angrily at Peng Demon Emperor, yet she felt as though he was miles away, the distance between them too great.
"Now, I would like to make a deal with you." Peng Demon Emperor’s voice was calm, seemingly unangered.
Bai Xin angrily turned her head aside, refusing to look at Peng Demon Emperor.
"Bai Xin, whether or not you cooperate, you still can’t commit suicide or escape. I can still bind you atop the stone pillar on Yellow Lion Mountain. You should guess that the Hei Yu brothers will come to your rescue. Then, I can still kill the Hei Yu brothers. But now, the deal I offer you, I can give you a small benefit," said Peng Demon Emperor, his voice carrying a hint of amusement.
"A benefit?" Bai Xin’s heart stirred, and she looked up at Peng Demon Emperor.
At this moment, Bai Xin’s life was not her own, completely controlled by the other party. Did she even qualify to negotiate? 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦
"I just want you as my Spiritual Beast, and I can promise you... I absolutely will not kill Hei Yu and Bai Ling. How about that?" Peng Demon Emperor’s voice was enticing.
Bai Xin’s heart shuddered.
To be Peng Demon Emperor’s Spiritual Beast? Could it save her sister and Little Yu?
Bai Xin lifted her head, her clear gaze meeting Peng Demon Emperor’s, squinting her eyes yet unable to clearly see his face. "Peng Demon Emperor, do you think I, a mere woman, am so easily deceived? You’ve gone to such lengths, wasn’t it to kill Little Yu? How come now, you say you won’t kill him. I haven’t thought that being your Spiritual Beast would be of much benefit to you."
"No, I only said I will not kill Hei Yu and Bai Ling. Hei Yu’s eldest brother, Qin Yu, however, I do intend to kill. He is indeed my actual target... As for always chasing Hei Yu, it is also because of Qin Yu," Peng Demon Emperor calmly explained.
Bai Xin suddenly realized.
Her Bai Family, including Hei Yu, had always wondered why Peng Demon Emperor was after Hei Yu, as Hei Yu had no grievances with Peng Demon Emperor. Now she understood, Peng Demon Emperor wanted to kill Hei Yu because of Hei Yu’s elder brother, ’Qin Yu’.
"Bai Xin, do you agree?" Peng Demon Emperor asked plainly.
Bai Xin was deep in thought.
The Peng Demon Emperor Zong Yan added, "Even if you do not agree, you will still be bound at the summit of Yellow Lion Mountain, unable to save Qin Yu and the others. However, if you become my Spiritual Beast, you can not only save Hei Yu and Bai Ling, but I can also kill Qin Yu. Isn’t that the best of both worlds? Aren’t you... afraid of becoming my Spiritual Beast and being tormented by me?"
"Death, why would I fear death?"
Bai Xin, holding her head high, looked towards the Peng Demon Emperor Zong Yan atop the hall, "Peng Demon Emperor, I agree to become your Spiritual Beast, but you must personally vow not to kill Hei Yu and Bai Ling."
Bai Xin figured it out that even if she did not agree, she would be useless by herself. If she agreed... she could at least save the lives of Hei Yu and Bai Ling. Although she did not understand why the Peng Demon Emperor absolutely wanted her to become his Spiritual Beast, Bai Xin, who did not care even if her soul dispersed, cared for nothing else.
As for the true target the Peng Demon Emperor intended to kill — Hei Yu’s big brother ’Qin Yu’... Bai Xin felt only a twinge of guilt.
"Alright, I agree,"
The Peng Demon Emperor agreed quickly.
"I, Peng Demon Emperor Zong Yan, hereby swear that as long as Bai Xin becomes my Spiritual Beast, I, Peng Demon Emperor Zong Yan, will absolutely not kill Hei Yu and Bai Ling! Should I break this oath, may my soul disperse!" The Peng Demon Emperor’s voice was firm, and Bai Xin’s face lit up with a smile at every word.
"Come on." Bai Xin let down her guard and closed her eyes.
A Spiritual Beast Ring flew out of the Peng Demon Emperor’s hand, hovering over Bai Xin’s head, then melding and permeating into her brain, finally merging as one with her soul.
The transaction between Bai Xin and the Peng Demon Emperor was successful.
Bai Xin was taken away, leaving only Ao Ku and the Peng Demon Emperor in the great hall. Ao Ku looked at the Peng Demon Emperor with confusion and respectfully asked, "Your Majesty, isn’t your real intention to kill Hei Yu? Then Qin Yu has nothing to do with you."
"It’s just a trick to deceive Bai Xin," the Peng Demon Emperor said indifferently.
"Then the oath Your Majesty just made..." Ao Ku looked towards the Peng Demon Emperor.
The Peng Demon Emperor turned and left the hall, a indifferent voice echoing within, "I only swore that I would not kill Hei Yu and Bai Ling, but did I say you couldn’t?"
Ao Ku suddenly understood.
...
Bai Xin was in a dazed and confused state.
"Death, when will I finally die?" Bai Xin yearned for death, "How wonderful it would be if I could see Little Yu one more time before I die."
Back when Hei Yu first joined the Bai Family, both sisters Bai Xin and Bai Ling fell for this junior. Especially when Hei Yu demonstrated extraordinary talent and his cultivation increased at an astonishing pace, both sisters were smitten by Little Black.
But when Bai Xin saw Bai Ling and Hei Yu together, she hid her feelings deep within her heart and never spoke of them again.
"Sister Bai Xin!"
An ethereal voice suddenly rang in Bai Xin’s mind, a voice so familiar, having been heard countless times during her time with the Bai Family.
"Am I dreaming?" Bai Xin’s lips curled into a bitter smile.
"Sister Bai Xin, it’s me, Little Yu. I’ve come to save you." The voice resounded again in her mind, and Bai Xin suddenly woke up, her eyes gleaming as she looked straight ahead, seeing only an ordinary Imperial Guard whose eyes, however, were all too familiar.
"Little Black, is that you?" Bai Xin got excited, wanting to send a message through her spiritual communication, but her soul was restricted. She couldn’t use spiritual communication and had to rely on her throat to speak.
Qin Yu, noticing this scene, also smiled subtly and sent a message, "Little Black, don’t say more. Delay could lead to trouble. Let’s start the rescue immediately." Qin Yu felt secretly relieved that so far, Ao Ku hadn’t used Demon Recognition to scan them.
"Understood, Big Brother." Hei Yu was happy in this moment.
"Sister Bai Xin, my big brother and I have come to rescue you, just hang on a little longer." After speaking, Hei Yu exchanged glances with Qin Yu, and the two of them prepared to instantly kill the other three Imperial Guards.
When Bai Xin spoke to Hei Yu for the first time, her heart was stirred, and she had not yet grasped the magnitude of the crisis.
However, in this moment, she was startled awake.
"Whoosh!"
A gust of wind arose as Qin Yu’s hands, sharp as blades, plunged into the abdomens of two men, directly crushing their Nascent Souls, while Hei Yu also exhibited astonishing speed, taking down another Imperial Guard with just one move.
With her cultivation restricted and her soul bound, Bai Xin could only rely on her voice.
"Little Yu..." A hoarse voice sounded.
Having not eaten or drunk for so long, Bai Xin hadn’t died, but her throat had long since dried out. Yet at this moment, she struggled to speak, her parched throat producing a raspy sound.
Qin Yu and Hei Yu instinctively looked towards the source of the sound.
"Move quickly, now, go!" Bai Xin frantically uttered those few words.
"Don’t worry." Hei Yu, swift as lightning, used one hand like a knife to sever the ropes binding Bai Xin, looking excitedly at her, "Sister Bai Xin, you will suffer no more, I promise!"
Bai Xin’s face filled with urgency, "The Peng Demon Emperor, he’s coming..." her raspy voice uttered.
Others might not know, but Bai Xin was very aware. Now that she had become the Peng Demon Emperor’s Spiritual Beast, her thoughts were probably crystal clear to the Peng Demon Emperor. She guessed that he had been aware from the moment Hei Yu started communicating with her.
"It’s alright, they haven’t discovered us yet," Hei Yu communicated, "Sister Bai Xin, stay quiet."
"Let’s go." Qin Yu glanced at Hei Yu, "Quick!"
As Qin Yu and the other moved as swiftly as lightning, intending to take a familiar safe route, the Liu Yuan Illusion Array suddenly spun rapidly, altering continuously.
"Hei Yu, this time you will surely die."
Several figures emerged in midair, coldly watching Qin Yu and Hei Yu, the foremost among them being Peng Demon Emperor Zong Yan.
(End of the first Chapter today!)
