Wang Yulan's Mind Goes Blank

In a secret chamber of a certain hideout.

Buzz!

Wang Yulan opened her palm, revealing a glowing flower flickering in her grasp.

She clenched her eyes shut, beads of cold sweat forming on her forehead.

The next second—

As if she had glimpsed something terrifying—

Snap!

The flower withered and dissipated.

Cough!

A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of Wang Yulan’s lips. She opened her eyes, her gaze filled with panic. “This is bad… it seems a monster is heading straight for us.”

The ability she had just used was an innate technique derived from her Flower God’s Aura, allowing her to scatter pollen and sense everything in the surroundings.

Just moments ago, she had detected an overwhelmingly powerful presence rapidly approaching their hidden chamber.

Had… they been discovered?

But how? The Peach Blossom Concealment Art should have masked their presence, and on top of that, this place was doubly shielded by the Peach Blossom Grand Formation. There was no way they should have been found!

Was it just a coincidence?

Tao Ying, of course, knew exactly who was coming. She cast an indifferent glance at Wang Yulan before schooling her expression into one of concern. Stepping forward, she handed the other woman a handkerchief. “Yulan, are you alright?”

“Don’t use the Flower God’s Aura anymore. It’s far too dangerous here now.”

The emergence of the forbidden land had tainted everything in the Peach Blossom Society with the corrupt miasma of the Nether Prison.

Flowers that were once commonplace had mutated into man-eating monsters. Aside from the two of them hiding in this chamber, nearly all the other members had perished.

“Thank you, Tao Ying… but…”

Wang Yulan clutched the handkerchief tightly, her mind flashing back to the moment when Xiao Lin had killed her mother—her mother, impaled through the chest, while Xiao Lin walked away without facing any consequences.

Over time, Wang Yulan had learned Xiao Lin’s true identity.

Now she understood why he wielded such unchecked power in Jianghai.

Because he was…

The heir of the Dragon King Palace!!

Such a formidable enemy… even Gu Yan had been unable to touch him.

Speaking of Gu Yan…

A trace of melancholy flickered in Wang Yulan’s eyes.

Even though Gu Yan had clearly rejected her in the past…

She still couldn’t forget him.

After becoming a martial artist, she had secretly infiltrated Jianghai Hospital and discovered…

That the person who had covered her mother’s massive medical expenses back then was none other than Gu Yan.

Yet he had never breathed a word of it.

Not about her hospitalization, not about the exorbitant medical fees he had paid for her mother.

Even after her mother’s murder, he had used his connections to gather information on Xiao Lin for her.

Gu Yan… had always been helping her.

But…

She knew there was no future for them.

Because Gu Yan was already married—to Leng Qingqiu of the Leng Family.

Back when her mother was still alive, she had heard of this genius young woman.

Who would have thought…

No—she couldn’t afford to dwell on this now.

Wang Yulan wiped the blood from her lips with the handkerchief.

Her gaze hardened as she sensed…

The monster was closing in.

But even so…

She had to survive.

She would grow stronger—strong enough to take revenge on Xiao Lin!

Seeking reassurance, she turned to Tao Ying and spoke firmly, “Tao Ying, we must survive this!”

Hearing this, Tao Ying feigned surprise before mirroring her resolve. “You’re right! With the Peach Blossom Concealment Art, as long as we endure, we’ll find a way out!”

“Yes!”

Wang Yulan nodded, then glanced around. “Tao Ying, you rest first. I’ll reinforce the formation.”

“Alright.”

Once Tao Ying replied, she watched Wang Yulan’s back with icy detachment.

A mocking glint flickered in her eyes.

How naive…

She tilted her head slightly, her expression tinged with pity.

The only reason you’ve made it this far is because the master allowed it.

Face reality, you pitiful fool.

Her fingers twitched imperceptibly.

Hum!

The formations concealing their presence… vanished without a trace.

At the same moment—

BOOM!!!

The chamber trembled violently as debris rained down, as though some immense force was crushing it from all sides.

Tao Ying’s face paled. “Yulan, the formations have been—Ghk!!”

Before she could finish—Shunk!

A sickening sound of flesh being pierced cut her off.

“Hmph. You hid well.”

“For mere insects, you put up quite the effort.”

A distorted, multi-layered voice laced with mockery echoed through the chamber.

!!!

Wang Yulan’s expression twisted in horror as she whirled around—

Only to freeze in place at the sight before her.

“Tao… Ying…?”

Her mind went blank.

Staring numbly at Tao Ying’s body, impaled through the chest by a razor-sharp claw, blood gushing from her mouth…

Behind her stood a shadowy figure exuding an aura of pure dread.

Realizing Wang Yulan was no match, Tao Ying forced out her final words—

“Run… now…”

Then—Thud!

Her lifeless body was callously tossed aside by the Nether King version of Gu Yan.

“Next… it’s your turn.”

“Bearer of the Flower God’s Aura.”

Gu Yan’s tone was eerily calm, as though killing Tao Ying had been nothing more than swatting a fly.

But Wang Yulan didn’t hear him.

Her eyes remained fixed on Tao Ying’s corpse.

A deafening roar filled her ears—

Her thoughts… shattered into silence.

Again…

I’ve let someone die right in front of me… again…