Li Siyi and the others searched for the Totem Altar together, and after a full day's effort, they finally found one.
After barely defeating the guardian beast statues protecting the Totem Altar, members of the Heavenly Demon Sect suddenly appeared.
What rotten luck.
To make matters worse, it was a powerful titled Heavenly Demon.
Li Siyi and her companions fought back, but the gap in strength was too vast, and their bodies were already exhausted from the earlier battle.
Hu Yirong cast a bewitching spell, plunging everyone into an illusion.
Her greatest pleasure was watching others lose themselves in the illusions she crafted, experiencing what they most desired or most dreaded.
Love, rage, despair, joy...
The group displayed a range of emotions, their postures twisted, their eyes dazed—utterly incapacitated.
Hu Yirong nodded in satisfaction. She’d let them linger a little longer before they perished within the illusion.
Of course, if she found someone particularly interesting, she’d toy with them a bit, using words to provoke stronger emotions, pushing them toward ecstasy or deeper agony.
Yet one person resisted.
"How amusing. I didn’t expect the one holding out to be the weakest among them."
Li Siyi wasn’t the strongest in the group—that would be the injured Golden Core cultivator who had fought the beast statues—yet even they had succumbed to Hu Yirong’s illusion.
Hu Yirong studied Li Siyi, finding her familiar. Then it struck her—this girl was connected to Su Luo.
Though she’d heard the two didn’t get along. Heh.
"Let’s see how long you last."
She intensified the illusion.
Li Siyi struggled desperately, refusing to lose herself.
Hu Yirong grew even more intrigued. For someone so weak to endure this long—her willpower was impressive.
What could someone so young have gone through?
Li Siyi had once conquered her inner demons, forging an unshakable mind.
But Hu Yirong was no amateur either. Her mastery of illusions was peerless.
Under the relentless assault, Li Siyi finally buckled. The gap in power was simply too vast. Still, lasting this long was remarkable.
"Let’s see what visions haunt you."
"Su Luo... Su Luo..." Li Siyi murmured the name repeatedly.
Su Luo?
So she loathes him this much, even calling his name now?
What did Su Luo do to earn such hatred?
Typical of someone who joined the Heavenly Demon Sect—his deeds must be vile.
Perfect. She’d torment Li Siyi, then deliver her to Su Luo.
Watching someone who despised him appear helpless before his eyes—Su Luo would surely revel in that.
Come to think of it, when Hu Yirong last saw Su Luo at the Ultimate Pavilion, she’d sensed something extraordinary about him.
Once just an obscure traitor of the Seven Stars Sword Sect, yet in such a short time, he’d climbed to his current position.
Boundless potential. Best to stay on his good side.
"Su Luo... Su Luo..."
"Do you hate Su Luo that much? Tell me—I’m listening."
Hu Yirong wasn’t in a hurry. She’d take it step by step, unraveling the truth behind their relationship.
Her voice was honeyed, laced with enchantment, impossible for ordinary minds to resist. Truth would spill forth unbidden.
"Su Luo... love..."
??
What? That can’t be right.
"Say that again."
"Su Luo, love."
No mistake. Then where had she misjudged?
Wait—had she misunderstood from the start?
Drawing on years of manipulating hearts, Hu Yirong’s mind raced through countless possibilities.
The more she pondered, the more excited she grew, as if a tantalizing secret beckoned.
Speak, faster!
Yet Li Siyi only repeated the same words.
Hu Yirong’s patience frayed.
"What’s your relationship with Su Luo?"
"What was Su Luo like in the Seven Stars Sword Sect?"
"What happened between you two?"
"Why do you love him? How did he treat you?"
But no matter how she pressed, Li Siyi only echoed the same phrase.
Bizarre. Under her illusion, the truth should pour out.
Such formidable willpower. She’d underestimated her.
Again—amplify the spell.
The answer was within reach. No way she’d quit now. Hu Yirong’s curiosity burned.
If she could uncover a weakness of Su Luo’s, she’d gain the upper hand in future dealings.
But then—Li Siyi’s eyes cleared. She broke free of the illusion.
Without hesitation, Li Siyi thrust her sword at Hu Yirong.
Hu Yirong dodged effortlessly. Such feeble strength couldn’t touch her.
Her illusions weren’t her only strength—she was no slouch in combat either, at least on par with cultivators of her tier.
After evading, she didn’t counterattack but instead asked,
"I’m growing more fascinated by you. To break free like this—tell me, what’s your connection to Su Luo? I’m quite close to him myself, you know."
Li Siyi remembered her time under the illusion, but now, one question consumed her: "What’s your relationship with Su Luo?"
"I asked you first."
"Then pry it out of me if you can."
"Even if you won’t talk, I’ll tell you this—Su Luo and I are quite intimate in the Heavenly Demon Sect," Hu Yirong teased, testing Li Siyi’s reaction.
"Hahaha."
"What’s so funny?"
"Su Luo has better taste."
"Sharp tongue."
Hu Yirong seethed. The retort itself wasn’t cutting, but the sheer certainty in Li Siyi’s voice made it sting.
Infuriating!
With a swipe of her claw, five crimson blades shot toward Li Siyi.
Li Siyi blocked with her sword, but the force sent her reeling.
Hu Yirong didn’t let up, her arms a blur of motion.
A storm of strikes engulfed Li Siyi.
She parried frantically, yet even so, some attacks slipped through.
Her sword shattered. Li Siyi drew a rusted blade instead.
Though corroded, it was indestructible, easing her defense slightly.
This sword—she’d acquired it long ago at an auction in Autumn Wind City.
Su Luo had called it an Immortal Sword, but it had never regained its former glory. It held no power, only unyielding durability.
Yet even with it, she was only buying time.
Hu Yirong’s overwhelming strength left Li Siyi no opening to counter.
If only I were stronger, Li Siyi thought, this wouldn’t be happening.
Soon, battered and bleeding, she fell. Hu Yirong had defeated her with ease.