Dance Of The Phoenix
142. Can't Run

The illusion barrier of Linghun Palace was not far away anymore. There was a fluctuation in energy that Bai Youzhe felt as she approached the illusion barrier that was on the edge of the city.

The illusion barrier of Linghun Palace was vast and encompassed the entire area of the palace, like a fortress. It was so big, so big that it went through the forest. However, the barrier was not visible to the naked eye.

The energy fluctuation Bai Youzhe felt was like an open limiting feeling. However, it was only fleeting and vague. Maybe it's on the other side of the barrier, not in the city.

He indicated each side of the barrier used soul force to figure out Gu Yuena's position out. The soul force in Bai Youzhe's hand appeared like a swarm of black energy, encompassing the illusion barrier carefully to search for the rest of Gu Yuena's breath that should have been left behind.

He wasn't quite sure if Gu Yuena had really come out yet. But at the very least, he could tell his tracks when Gu Yuena came out of the palace.

But it seems like everything can't go smoothly. When the mark he made was completed, some roots from the ground sticking out in large size attacked him. The roots have a large number like octopus tentacles. Big like a giant and stuck out a terrible pointed tip.

If a person is exposed to the tip of the root, that person will be poisoned and die instantly. Bai Youzhe was not so surprised. He stepped back when the root attacked, then blocked the attack using hellfire.

Weak roots against fire. However, this one root was unusual. When viewed, it had some magic marks on the root layer which was the source of its power. It was a guardian plant monster from the Underworld!

The root was raging like something crazy when the hellfire stuck. Wind vortexes are formed due to uncontrolled root movements, accompanied by ground shocks and cracks due to the emergence of other roots from the ground.

The size is too big. Bai Youzhe floated in the air to find out how big the roots were and discovered that almost one city was home to that guardian monster. Under the city's soil, there were moving roots resulting in a huge shock.

It was unexpected that Linghun Palace kept such a monster under the city. Even if the empire knew about it, they could only take precautions to keep the roots from enlarging to other cities. After all, no one dared to fight the guardian monsters.

The root guardian monster had lived for thousands of years. It was stronger than the snake in the stomach of the demonic mountain range that Bai Youzhe had kicked like a puppy. Even so, it was not something that bothered Bai Youzhe.

What was troublesome for him was the casualties that had fallen on the city due to the movement of the root monsters. The earthquake caused the building to collapse. Many people are hit. Not to mention, the root was sticking out like a tentacle and occasionally snatched the citizens.

Saving that many people was troublesome if it did not have people following. So, Bai Youzhe chose to get rid of her mastermind alone in order to stop the chaos.

The dragon aura that Bai Youzhe had caused the roots to target her. Bai Youzhe parried, then used the hellfire to suppress that huge root until it was buried back underground.

When the set of roots was buried by Bai Youzhe's hellfire, the other roots were pulled down as they slumped. In order to maintain position, some roots grabbed whatever it could take to hold on top including taking on people running around.

The situation is getting worse.

Bai Youzhe returned to the city, then cut off the many roots that stuck out in the various regions so as not to continue to hold on to the top. There were many who were saved, but there were also those who escaped and went underground with the root monster. The roots don't give up. It eats up a lot of blood and nutrients until the soil dries up, making it bigger and growing upward very quickly.

There was a soul force controlling the monster when Bai Youzhe cut off some roots. That soul force shrank from the root body, fusing back with the other soul force around the intact root. It keeps him growing.

The soul force embedded in the roots, should be controlled by someone. Bai Youzhe had a speculation.

He took out one of his swords, then took it off far enough to pierce through the roots in no time. His sword continued to float in the air until it stuck in a place.

The only pagoda building that was spared from the root attack.

Bai Youzhe appeared near her piercing sword, then looked towards the all-black figure standing looking at the 'city crowd' from the pagoda balcony.

The position is on the top floor of the pagoda, right on a fairly large and sturdy terrace. Bai Youzhe kept her sword back as the all-black figure turned towards her.

"Last we met was in the belly of the mountain. That's been a while." Yang Xinyuan looked at Bai Youzhe with a look of provocation.

It was only fitting that the root monster that came from the Underworld was here. Its fire-resistant nature was also enough to make Bai Youzhe bother. If it is not from the hell region, it is impossible for the root to be fire-resistant. So it turned out to be true, Yang Xinyuan was in control of it.

Previously Bai Youzhe saw Yang Xinyuan's presence, but ignored her for being too lazy to fight. He also did not want to get involved in trivial matters and just focused on finding Gu Yuena. Who would have thought, the pet guard monster Yang Xinyuan would act out and be controlled by him.

Yang Xinyuan buried the roots back into the ground so that the city was safe again. Just leaving a mess and a big hole in the ground.

"You came to pick someone up?" Yang Xinyuan acted calmly while looking towards the chaotic city.

Bai Youzhe replied flatly, "You planted a guard monster under the city, did Linghun Palace know about it?" He shifted the topic.

"Linghun Palace doesn't have time to pay attention to such a small thing" Yang Xinyuan said. "The Tianshuang Palace King seemed to care deeply. I'm surprised you care about other people's lives."

"It's up to you to see it." Bai Youzhe replied lazily. He's lazy to talk to people like this, better get out of here.

However, before Bai Youzhe actually left, Yang Xinyuan said, "When you stopped Gu Yuena from collecting more blood, what were you thinking back then?"

Bai Youzhe looked at it, "Why should I tell?"

"If Gu Yuena refused your invitation, would you let her go or kill her?" Yang Xinyuan asked again. Bai Yozuhe had responsibility on her back, unable to ignore the lives of her people. Gu Yuena messed up the Underworld, smearing it with blood. Bai Youzhe couldn't possibly not be angry.

"I know Gu Yuena quite well. Which at the time was not him."

"Oh? How far?" Yang Xinyuan smiled obliquely. "I just thought that Gu Yuena was very similar to me. Since childhood, his life has never been peaceful. He became a murderer at a young age, even very fond of blood cultivation without looking at the age and situation of the opponent. In his eyes, all were enemies. He even wants to kill you."

"Then before he kills me, he will definitely kill you first. You know the hate." Bai Youzhe responded lightly. Yang Xinyuan deliberately provoked him, he would provoke back.

"I don't deny it." Yang Xinyuan shook her shoulders and leaned back. "I don't need it like you need it. After all, I am the real dragon. I don't need a phoenix like you."

"Unfortunately, a dragon like me should lead you dragon race. You are among my people who are disputing." Bai Youzhe used a sarcastic tone in her speech accompanied by a cynical smile. Deadly smile of death.

Yang Xinyuan was actually annoyed. He cursed inwardly at the foolish dragons, then said, "You are indeed the leader of the race. But one day that position will change. When the phoenix leaves you, your life is threatened." Then he thought of something. "I thought that you were with Gu Yuena just to keep your life."

"really? I think you're just a pretentious guy who knows everything." Bai Youzhe grunted. He was eager to hit that person, but it would only result in unnecessary fighting. Gu Yuena is more important.

"You think that it's all love, but it's actually an obsession. Gu Yuena shouldn't be in the wrong place. Her place was in Linghun Palace as a princess for her ambition, not in a hypocritical place full of obsession."

Yang Xinyuan used soul force to hold Bai Youzhe back. The strength of the soul could not be held back, so it hit Bai Youzhe's arm and pulled her away.

Bai Youzhe grunted. "You forgot something." He drew the soul force, then absorbed it into the body. He showed a slanted smile, then turned the attack back towards Yang Xinyuan. Suddenly, the air around him darkened.

Yang Xinyuan avoided it. "It turns out you managed to fuse three soul stones." He tilted his head. "You managed to snatch it from Gu Yuena. You're right to use it."

"I must thank you for delivering two soul stones at once." Bai Youzhe withdrew her strength so that everything returned to normal. Back then he had indeed made use of Gu Yuena, and traded her for magic essence. After all, Gu Yuena had also agreed to the transaction.

Although in the end Gu Yuena regretted it and he snatched the third stone in a cunning way.

Back then they were still enemies, it was only natural for Bai Youzhe to take advantage of them. But now, Bai Youzhe only wanted to protect her and continue by her side, regardless of what love or obsession was. There is no need to explain it to that person in detail. There is nothing to explain between them.

"Bai Youzhe, you won't get what you want." Yang Xinyuan was just about to launch another attack. He was very upset, while his patience was as thin as a tissue. The conversation had only been to buy time and to make Bai Youzhe act implicitly, but it turned out that the man was much calmer and underestimated her.

He's angry!

However, before Bai Youzhe received the attack, Yang Xinyuan retracted her power when a magic message came to her. The message came from the direction of the Palace.

He closed his eyes for a moment, then opened his eyes with a surprised look. That black iris was directed at Bai Youzhe with deep killing intent, but could not utter it.

"Unfortunately, we can't 'talk' any longer. I'll wait for the next meeting." Yang Xinyuan went in the form of a bunch of mist. The speed is very fast.

Bai Youzhe who was left alone just looked on with a cold face. He regained his strength, then left from the top floor of the pagoda.

Yang Xinyuan suddenly just went towards Linghun Palace. So sudden, until can not delay even if only temporarily.

What does this have to do with Gu Yuena?

"Sin." Gu Yuena's breathing felt very weak. He darted away towards the direction where Gu Yuena came out of the barrier.

It was a wilderness behind a mountain.

...ΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩΩ...

Gu Yuena opened her eyes. The first thing he saw was the embers from some smoldering furnaces around him. Looking at all sides, the atmosphere of the country was darker and gloomy.

His forehead wrinkled. This is the altar room.

His gaze showed surprise when he saw a figure lying several meters in front of him. The man dressed all in black with a face as pale as a corpse and was extremely cold. Gu Yuena walked over. There were tears in his eyes, before he finally felt his legs tighten.

Again like this.

Gu Yuena went to avoid this. He left so as not to see what made him sad. He didn't want to know this, but someone forced him to look.

"Dad ...." Gu Yuena felt her feelings fall deeply. His father was the one who supported him the most, loved him the most, and wanted to see him happy. Gu Yuena could not bear the situation that was repeated. He feels a return to the past, but with greater guilt.

It caused his death.

"Aren't you sorry?" Li Hua's voice was clearly heard from behind. The woman stopped behind Gu Yuena, then ducked down to whisper something, "However you run away from reality, I will still show it. It's the fruit of what you're planting."

Destroying the blood-eating pearls. Gu Yuena regretted it. He obeyed what Gu Ying said to refuse. He shouldn't have destroyed it!

"I'm guilty." Gu Yuena said in a low tone. His eyes were blank looking at the floor below him.

"You're guilty, then you have to fix it" Li Hua whispered.

"Did he really leave?" ask Gu Yuena.

"As long as the demon bone exists, he won't leave. Collect more blood, he'll come back to life."

Gu Yuena was silent. If it was like this, it would be tantamount to torturing Gu Ying to live depending on the lives of others.

He looked at Li Hua. The two red irises were met with two types of gazes. Gu Yuena looked at him with hatred and disgust.

"Are you not guilty too? He'll live, but you'll kill him again and again."

Gu Yuena's low-pitched speech made Li Hua's emotions even more unstable. He clenched his fists, then laughed blankly until his echo sounded.

"Why did I kill him? I love her." Li Hua looked at Gu Yuena with great demands.

"You give him life, then he'll die in a certain time. It's the same as killing him, then bringing him back to life and feeling the torment of a lifetime. Death is the best way." Gu Yuena said emotionlessly. His gaze was blank, so it looked heartless.

"You're wrong. Life is everything, you can do anything with life." Li Hua confirmed his words.

"Then, we're on a different path." Gu Yuena chuckled, "My mother is on the path of life, while I am on the path of death. I'm not that good at bringing to life the dead. It was a sad misery."

Li Hua was getting angry. It was free for him to bring Gu Yuena here, if in the end he had to listen to the same sentence. Gu Ying and Gu Yuena were similar. They are true father and son.

"You think I need you so much?" Li Hua pressed Gu Yuena's jaw firmly, but the woman just stared at him flatly. Li Hua said, "I need you to kill, not revive. But you don't know how to say thank you. There are so many people in this Palace, I still have people who are more useful than you!"

"Just do what you want." Gu Yuena replied expressionlessly. He remained empty while saying something indifferent, as if all this had nothing to do with him.

"Good." Li Hua took off his grip violently, then took a few steps back. He opened the door, then revealed the figure of Yang Xinyuan present behind the door.

Yang Xinyuan looked at the chaotic Gu Yuena with a surprised look. While Gu Yuena only took a quick glance, then returned empty.

"My disciple, aren't you going to do what I ask?" Li Hua looked at him with an evil smile.

"Teacher ...." Yang Xinyuan wanted to ask about Gu Yuena's matter, but it felt very heavy.

"From now on, Gu Yuena was not the Princess of Linghun Palace. You, Yang Xinyuan, will take his place and collect 1000 blood for the palace."

The new Xinyuan came in surprised. He looked towards Gu Yuena who did not seem to care, then felt strange. Other than that flat and empty face, there was a slight raised smile on Gu Yuena's lips. Or just his feelings?

Replacing Gu Yuena's position, it meant that Yang Xinyuan became the second prince. That's not an easy thing. We have to collect 1000 blood. Although Yang Xinyuan was created for it, Yang Xinyuan felt that Gu Yuena had absolutely no regrets and would become their enemy. That would be very troublesome.

"You made everything smooth, Mother." Gu Yuena slightly smiled. He laughed a little, but only briefly, before his body disappeared.

When she opened her eyes, Gu Yuena returned to the wilderness right on the edge of the rushing river.

His view was blurry, different from before. He woke up, then looked around while rubbing his eyes to clear again. His head hurt so much that it grimaced in pain.

Tonight was still very cold, and Gu Yuena shivered in the cold. His body condition deteriorated.

Previously, his soul was drawn by Li Hua to witness what Gu Yuena did not want to see. Now, his father is really dead.

Perhaps Yang Xinyuan could collect another 1000 blood and Li Hua would raise him. Gu Yuena would also definitely be drawn to witness the next death. If necessary, Li Hua would pull him into the ruinous days of Yuansu Palace. It was mental torture.

Gu Yuena let out a bitter laugh while covering her face that was now soaked in tears. He was alone, mentally tormented and experiencing deep sadness. Whoever protected her, even Bai Youzhe, Gu Yuena would still see all those deaths. Li Hua had marked his soul so that it could be withdrawn at any time. He can't run.

Moreover, Gu Yuena's gaze was interrupted. If he was truly blind, then everything would be over if Li Hua still continued to torment him. He can only see the death of his loved ones through a drawn soul, not see the world.

Gu Yuena could not hold back the grief in her heart anymore. He looked down at the river and cried out in tears. He hates this feeling. The feeling of pain in the chest to make his stomach churn with increased emotions.

Staying in the same place, Gu Yuena returned empty for some time. He no longer cried, but leaned under a tree while looking at the river water. His sight looked very tired.

It had only been a few minutes, but Gu Yuena was already unable to do anything due to feelings of despair. Is he just dead?

Actually, what's he coming back to life for? Was this a punishment for him who had done bad in his previous life? Gu Yuena was bloodthirsty. He had killed so many people and had fun on top of the suffering of others. He enjoys a world full of blood and participates in it.

All these blows were punishment for him. The mother who tortured him and hated him, the father who left in a miserable state, everyone by his side who left in a tragic way and all the betrayals experienced. Gu Yuena hates this life, hating it even more than her past life.

Everything he planned always worked, including today. However, the price paid is very expensive.

When Gu Yuena tried to calm herself down in the silence of the forest, she felt someone approaching. His gaze in an instant turned into alertness and unsheathed his knife to endure.

Linghun Palace was indeed not going to let him go that easily.

Just when Gu Yuena who was sitting under the tree felt the figure getting closer, she immediately stood up and raised her knife to stab the person brutally.

However, unexpected things happen. His hand was held in the air by a palm so cold. Gu Yuena was stunned for a moment by those pair of blue eyes, then felt her body become weak and tired.

"Youzhe." Gu Yuena took off her knife just like that until it fell off. For some reason, seeing his presence felt a great relief.

Bai Youzhe caught Gu Yuena's limp body, hugging her tightly.

"Sorry, I'm late." Bai Youzhe could feel a sense of despair in Gu Yuena. While Gu Yuena did not say anything.

There must have been something big going on at Linghun Palace.