Chapter 327

Li Youyi could not speak, his neck nearly snapped by her grip; he patted her arm while using telepathy to say: "Calm down, you've suffered qi deviation!"

"I am calmer than ever. If I had suffered qi deviation, you would be headless by now." Tears fell from Tang Wanzhou's eyes like beans; she was truly heartbroken.

Li Youyi's face was drenched in her tears, and he said: "Let go first, I can explain everything clearly."

"Fine, for the sake of the feelings we shared over the past year, I should give you a chance to speak before I kill you, so you won't resent me for being heartless." Tang Wanzhou released her grip and sat back, looking dejected.

Li Youyi could finally breathe; he propped himself up and looked at her.

At this moment, she had not a shred of the peerless, elegant demeanor of the Young Master she once was; she looked exactly like a heartbroken woman who had been deceived in love.

Li Youyi knew her memories and emotions were definitely malfunctioning, so without wasting words, he started from the source, carefully asking: "Does the Young Master still remember why you entered the Underground Immortal Mansion?"

"What did you call me?"

Tang Wanzhou laughed self-deprecatingly, her red lips curling, tears in her laughter, then she nodded fiercely: "Good, very good. Truly ruthless enough. It doesn't matter, you won't live much longer anyway!"

Li Youyi felt completely numb. The memories and experiences that had flooded his mind earlier were only partial; he truly did not know what he had called her in her false memories.

Li Youyi tried hard to remain calm: "Answer my previous question first, I can definitely help you recover."

Tang Wanzhou said: "If it weren't to help you find the Spirit Platform Flame Star Stone, why would I have risked entering the Underground Immortal Mansion?"

Li Youyi frowned: "How long have the Young Master and I known each other? And where did we meet?"

"Naturally, we met in the Qiuzhouzhou city! If you ask me such nonsense again, don't blame me for slaying you right now," she said.

Li Youyi said: "Since we have only known each other for a few months, why would someone as wise and rational as you, Young Master, risk helping me? Don't you think this is illogical? The truth is, these memories of yours are all fake; you have had a cultivation mishap, or you encountered unknown dangers on the other side of the spatial teleportation array."

Tang Wanzhou stared at him intently, her eyes full of disbelief, as if she were re-evaluating him: "Li Youyi, how can a person be as shameless as you? Yes, that's right, I have been obsessed with cultivation since I was young and lacked experience; I understand too little of human nature, otherwise I wouldn't have stumbled so badly because of you. But you actually treat me like an idiot?"

Li Youyi saw her emotions spiraling out of control and that she was about to strike again; this strike was clearly meant to kill him.

If he were really killed like this, it would truly be a case of snow falling in June.

Li Youyi's head felt like it was going to explode; he hurriedly pacified her: "No, absolutely not! Let's calm down first, give me another chance to explain."

"You had better cherish every word you say; my patience is limited," Tang Wanzhou said.

Li Youyi decided to change his approach: "There must be a misunderstanding between us. May I ask, Young Master, where did I use you? Where did I deceive you?"

He had to figure out her current state and stabilize her first.

Tang Wanzhou stared at him coldly and retorted: "Don't you know yourself?"

"I don't know."

Li Youyi paused and hurriedly added: "I said, there is a misunderstanding between us. We must resolve this misunderstanding; have you forgotten how much we once trusted each other?"

Tang Wanzhou recalled the past, her gaze becoming soft and sorrowful: "Let me ask you, are you a member of the evil cult?"

"I suppose so!" Li Youyi said.

"Isn't that it then?"

Tang Wanzhou formed a sword finger and said: "You had me gather a large force to enter the Underground Immortal Mansion to help you find the Spirit Platform Flame Star Stone—wasn't that just to lure and deceive me into the evil cult's main altar?"

"I only joined the Divine Cult after arriving at the main altar. Have you forgotten how I encountered the Southern Venerable at the Spark Altar?" Li Youyi said.

Tang Wanzhou's anger flared: "Isn't she your master? Didn't you invite her?"

"I was forced by circumstances to take her as my master later," Li Youyi said.

Tang Wanzhou said: "Full of lies. I will never believe you again. Go to your death; on this day every year, I will definitely burn paper money for you."

"Wait."

Li Youyi shouted, then added: "Fine, if I tricked you into coming to the Divine Cult's main altar, what was the goal? If I were truly a scoundrel, you should be imprisoned in the Divine Prison or already executed by now."

Tang Wanzhou sneered: "You probably wanted to use me up and then hand me over to the evil cult in exchange for massive wealth and resources, right?"

"What did I use you for?" Li Youyi asked.

Tang Wanzhou said: "Using me to go to the Sacred Heart Layer to steal the Bright Star Book for you."

"..."

Li Youyi was completely speechless.

Tang Wanzhou stood up, her posture gradually straightening, as she suppressed her intense emotions and negative feelings: "Nothing to say, right? Because of you, how many of the North Region's proud sons fell into the Divine Prison and died at the Spark Altar. Li Youyi, even if I killed you ten times, you would deserve it."

"I have proof. I have a witness."

Li Youyi's eyes lit up: "Does the Young Master still remember Tuoba Butuo?"

"How could I not know the only successor the Tuoba clan has produced in a hundred years?" Tang Wanzhou said.

"Give me a moment."

Li Youyi walked out of the array's light veil; Tuoba Butuo and Qi Xiao were waiting outside.

Seeing the injury on Li Youyi's neck, the two were extremely worried and hurriedly asked what had happened.

"I can't explain it to you in a moment. Tuoba, come in with me. Old Qi, if the Palace Master and the Venerable return, absolutely do not tell them I am inside this array."

Li Youyi led Tuoba Butuo into the array's light veil.

Tuoba Butuo saw Tang Wanzhou standing by the spatial teleportation array, his eyes full of shock; he immediately knelt on one knee to salute: "Tuoba Butuo pays respects to the Young Master. Young Master, why are you also in the South Clear Palace?"

Tang Wanzhou had already regained the demeanor of the North Region's Young Master, one hand behind her back, her snow-white neck slender, her pride reaching the clouds: "I have always been in the South Clear Palace. Did this fourth Divine Son of the evil cult not tell you?"

Tuoba Butuo looked at Li Youyi, his face full of questions.

He truly could not understand what the situation was.

How did the Young Master enter the Rice Cult's main altar, and why had she been hiding with Brother Youyi for a whole year?

Since the Young Master trusted Brother Youyi so much, why did her tone just now carry such distance and coldness?

Li Youyi said: "The Young Master has had some issues. Tuoba, you tell her why she entered the Underground Immortal Mansion."

Tuoba Butuo was even more bewildered: "We were, of course, exploring the Underground Immortal Mansion. Right, it was for the Bright Star Book on the murals."

Li Youyi looked at Tang Wanzhou.

Tang Wanzhou said in a low voice: "It was my fault. I trusted people too easily and put you all in danger; even Tang Hu died in battle. I will never make such a mistake again in this life."

Tuoba Butuo said: "Who did the Young Master trust wrongly?"

Tang Wanzhou looked at Li Youyi: "He was the one who told me about the mural recording the Bright Star Book. Now that I think about it carefully, he deliberately lured me there back then."

Tuoba Butuo was completely stunned; he had not expected such behind-the-scenes events.

There was not a single young martial cultivator in the North Region who did not view Tang Wanzhou as an idol and a banner, and Tuoba Butuo was naturally no exception. In his heart, Tang Wanzhou was the embodiment of perfection; her talent, courage, wisdom, and breadth of mind were all outstanding.

Therefore, he had complete trust in Tang Wanzhou, even surpassing trust, viewing her words as truth.

Li Youyi said in a low voice: "Tuoba, the Young Master may have suffered qi deviation, and her memories have become disordered. She even believes that I have a very deep relationship with her."

Tuoba Butuo observed Tang Wanzhou carefully but saw no issues, laughing: "Brother Youyi, you and the Young Master are heroes who cherish each other. If there weren't a deep relationship, why would the Young Master hide here with you? This is absolute trust in you!"

Li Youyi said: "The relationship I'm talking about is different from what you're thinking; it's... romantic feelings between a man and a woman."

Tuoba Butuo's eyes nearly fell to the ground; he had never imagined that such a miraculous woman as the Young Master would have romantic feelings for a man; that would definitely shock the entire North Region.

"Absurd, right?" Li Youyi said.

Tuoba Butuo saw Tang Wanzhou standing there calmly without denying it, and the shock in his heart could not be described in words. After a long while, he laughed loudly: "Honestly, if it were any other man, I, Tuoba Butuo, would absolutely not be able to accept it, because no one in the world is worthy of the Young Master. But if it is you, Brother Youyi, I can be calm, because you are both people I sincerely admire."

"Slap!"

Li Youyi patted his silver-colored head: "Be serious. My life depends on you right now. Believe me, she really has a major problem; she only looks normal on the surface."

Tang Wanzhou said calmly: "You go out first, there's nothing for you here anymore!"

"Fine! Young Master, Brother Youyi, you are both the smartest people in the world; if there is a misunderstanding, it can definitely be resolved. I am truly clueless about romantic issues between men and women and really can't help."

Tuoba Butuo hurriedly exited the array's light veil, still feeling dizzy, the shock in his heart unable to subside; he let out a long breath.

Qi Xiao walked over and asked: "What major event happened?"

Tuoba Butuo's thoughts drifted far away: "Your Qi family belongs under the Zuoqiu Sect, right?"

"That's right," Qi Xiao said.

Tuoba Butuo said: "After you go out, find a way to make the Zuoqiu Sect call off the engagement; otherwise, Zuoqiu Hongting will encounter the most terrifying rival of her life. This is perhaps the root of the greatest pain and conflict for the two people inside."

Qi Xiao was completely confused, not knowing what he was talking about.

Inside the array's light veil.

Tang Wanzhou said: "In this life, I originally only pursued the ultimate realm of martial arts and sought to end the chaotic world, letting the world return to peace. Your appearance, although it wounded my state of mind in the short term, time will surely heal all of this, and everything will return to the right track. You think yourself brilliant and clever in your methods, but once I wake up, I have the ability to be ruthless and sever the bonds in my heart."

"Li Youyi, commit suicide!"

Li Youyi sensed that the combat fluctuations had stopped and that Yao Qingxuan might return at any moment; he felt anxious. He secretly pondered whether to use the Dao Ancestor Taiji Fish to see if it might be useful to her.

But with the hatred and killing intent in her heart at this moment, where would she give him the chance to use the Dao Ancestor Taiji Fish?

Moreover, the Dao Ancestor Taiji Fish was the secret he could least afford to expose.

Li Youyi could only change his strategy again: "If you kill me, how will you leave the main altar?"

"That is my business; don't trouble yourself with it," Tang Wanzhou said.

Li Youyi walked toward her: "I know you won't believe anything I say now. But you should at least believe that if the secret of your hiding here is exposed, neither of us will escape death. The battle is over, the Southern Venerable will return at any moment, and perhaps the Spirit Valley Palace Master will also come."

"Right now, the entire main altar is under martial law, all arrays are activated, and the Transcendents might even be participating. If you walk out of the South Clear Palace, you will surely die."

"Only I can help you! I can even take you out of the main altar and back to the surface."

Tang Wanzhou nodded slightly: "Clever, you actually thought of a way to survive. I must warn you, if you are just stalling for time, hoping to hand me over after the Southern Venerable returns, I will definitely drag you to the grave with me before I die."

Time was tight, and there was no other way; after some bargaining, Li Youyi finally compromised and let Tang Wanzhou hide in the Ancestral Field.

She had an intense sense of crisis and was unwilling to enter the Realm Bag; she had to control Li Youyi's life and death, fearing she would fall into his schemes again.

This man had broken her heart.

Li Youyi cleaned up all of Tang Wanzhou's aura and traces in this area, destroyed the spatial teleportation array, and piled all the ruins on top.

He had just exited the array.

Tuoba Butuo, who was guarding outside the South Clear Palace, rushed over to report: "The Venerable has returned!"

"Calm down, don't show any flaws."

Li Youyi walked quickly to meet her, feeling truly exhausted; just because he had taken a piece of Spirit Platform Flame Star Stone from Tang Wanzhou in Qiuzhouzhou city, this disaster was growing larger and larger.

What should he do next?

Begging for monthly votes...

(End of chapter)