Chapter 49:Return to black Wind Gorge

The depths of Blackwind Gorge swallowed light and sound, the air thick with oppressive yin energy that prickled Cheng Mo’s skin. Her Golden Core aura pulsed subtly, Frost Silence humming in her dantian, ready to spring forth. Beside her, Wan Qing glided gracefully, her zither cradled in her arms, its faint hum weaving through the mist. Her timing’s too perfect, Cheng Mo thought, her divine sense sharp. Liu Qingxu’s curse, Wan Qing’s presence—this isn’t coincidence. The gorge’s unnatural aura screamed trap, and Qing Wan’s safety weighed heavily. I won’t let her fall.

On the east side, Chu Yi led Lin Xiaoxi through jagged rocks, his sword drawn, his Foundation Building Late Stage aura cloaked. “Stay close, Xiaoxi,” he whispered, scanning for threats. Lin Xiaoxi clutched her wooden sword, her Refining Qi Fifth Layer aura trembling but resolute. “Big Brother Chu, is Teacher in danger?” she asked, her voice small. Chu Yi’s jaw tightened. “Master’s strong, but this place… it’s wrong. Keep your senses sharp.” A faint pulse of yin energy stirred nearby, and he signaled her to stay low, his eyes narrowing. Something’s watching.

To the west, Qing Wan’s sword light carved through the mist, her Silent Annihilation Sword Intent a chilling beacon. The curse’s lingering taint from her previous mission gnawed at her, amplifying her anger. Shu Yue’s here, playing hero again. Her dao heart teetered, Foundation Building Late Stage within reach but unstable. I don’t need her. Yet the memory of Frost Silence’s protective glow in the gorge years ago flickered, unbidden. A low growl echoed, and a shadow moved—a yin beast, Golden Core strength, its eyes locked on her. She smirked, her sword rising. Good. A fight to clear my head.

At the gorge’s bottom, Cheng Mo and Wan Qing descended into a cavern where the yin energy was thickest. Jagged crystals pulsed with dark light, their energy unnatural. “This isn’t natural,” Cheng Mo said, her voice low. “It’s been summoned.” Wan Qing’s fingers brushed her zither, her smile soft but unreadable. “Elder Luyue’s perception is keen. Perhaps a formation?” Her tone was helpful, but her eyes glinted. Cheng Mo’s grip on Frost Silence tightened. She’s testing me. Her divine sense swept the cavern, catching a hidden array’s pulse—Liu Qingxu’s handiwork. A trap to destabilize Qing Wan.

A sudden tremor shook the gorge, and Chu Yi’s jade slip flared in Cheng Mo’s hand: “Yin beasts attacking east side. Xiaoxi’s safe, but hurry!” Simultaneously, Qing Wan’s aura spiked westward, her sword intent clashing with a beast’s roar. Cheng Mo’s heart raced. They’re splitting us. She turned to Wan Qing. “Stay here, guard the array. I’m going to Qing Wan.” Wan Qing’s smile faltered, but she nodded. “Of course, Elder. Be swift.” As Cheng Mo’s sword light shot westward, Wan Qing’s fingers plucked a sharp note, her zither amplifying the array’s yin energy. Let’s see how you handle this, Luyue.

Qing Wan battled the yin beast, her strikes precise but reckless, the curse’s influence pushing her toward collapse. Blood streaked her robes, but her eyes burned. I’ll end this. The beast lunged, and she stumbled, her aura wavering. Cheng Mo arrived, Frost Silence slashing a radiant arc, forcing the beast back. “Qing Wan, fall back!” she shouted. Qing Wan’s glare was venomous. “I don’t need your help!” But the curse flared, clouding her vision, and the beast’s claws grazed her.

Cheng Mo moved between them, her Golden Core aura surging, Frost Silence weaving a barrier of icy intent. “You’re not alone,” she said, her voice steady but soft. Qing Wan froze, her sword trembling, the curse’s grip loosening under Shu Yue’s presence. The beast roared, but Chu Yi’s signal came again: “East side clear, heading west!” Lin Xiaoxi’s small voice echoed through the slip: “Teacher, save Second Sister!” Cheng Mo’s resolve hardened. I will.

As they fought, Wan Qing’s zither hummed in the cavern, her notes subtly guiding the yin energy to destabilize the array further. Luyue’s distracted, Qing Wan’s breaking. She sensed Liu Qingxu’s second curse activating, targeting Shu Yue’s aura. Perfect chaos. But a faint flicker in her heart—admiration for Shu Yue’s strength—wavered her focus. No. This is my path.

Back at Canglan, Liu Qingxu smiled as her spy reported the gorge’s chaos. “Luyue’s exposed, Qing Wan’s faltering. The trials will finish them.” She prepared her council speech, ready to dismantle Jinghong Peak. But in the gorge, Cheng Mo’s sword light blazed, her heart set on saving Qing Wan, unaware of the second curse creeping to

ward her.