Chapter 51:Exploration

Cheng Mo’s sword light tore through the yin-soaked mist of Blackwind Gorge, her Golden Core aura surging as she sped toward Qing Wan’s position. Frost Silence pulsed in her hand, its icy intent a lifeline amid her rising panic. She’s in danger—again. The cursed array’s dark energy, laced with Liu Qingxu’s malice, thrummed in her senses. This trap was meant to break her. The second curse, unnoticed, gnawed at her strength, but her focus was singular: I won’t fail her. Behind her, Wan Qing followed, her zither’s notes probing the gorge’s energies, her smile masking a deeper intent. Luyue’s desperation is my leverage.

In the west, Qing Wan faced a swarm of shadowy yin beasts, their movements eerily precise, guided by the array’s purple runes. Her Silent Annihilation Sword Intent slashed through one, but her Foundation Building Late Stage aura flickered, the curse’s whispers amplifying her pain. She’s here to prove I’m weak. Shu Yue’s ice-blue sword strike echoed in her mind, a mix of awe and resentment. She doesn’t trust me. A beast’s claw grazed her, drawing blood, and the curse flared, clouding her vision. You’re nothing. She gritted her teeth, her sword flashing defiantly. I’ll show her.

Cheng Mo landed, Frost Silence cleaving two beasts in a single arc. “Qing Wan!” she shouted, her voice raw with urgency. Qing Wan’s eyes met hers, a storm of anger and hurt. “I don’t need you!” she snapped, her sword striking another beast. But the array’s runes pulsed, and she staggered, the curse tightening its grip. Cheng Mo stepped forward, her aura flaring to suppress the curse’s influence. “You’re fighting more than beasts,” she said, her tone steady but pleading. “This is Liu Qingxu’s trap. Let me help.”

Qing Wan’s sword trembled, her voice bitter. “Help? Like when you abandoned me?” The words cut deeper than any blade, and Cheng Mo flinched, but she held her ground, parrying a beast’s lunge. “I left to protect you from my enemies. I was wrong.” Her eyes locked on Qing Wan’s, raw with guilt. “I’m here now.” For a moment, Qing Wan’s rage wavered, a flicker of the trust they once shared. The curse surged again, and she lunged—not at the beasts, but at Cheng Mo, her sword intent wild.

Cheng Mo deflected the strike, Frost Silence gentle but firm, pinning Qing Wan’s blade. “Fight the curse, not me,” she whispered, her hand grazing Qing Wan’s wrist. The touch was grounding, and Qing Wan froze, tears welling despite her defiance. The beasts closed in, but Wan Qing’s zither sang, a sharp note dispersing them temporarily. “Elder, focus on the array,” she said, her voice soft but calculated. Push them together, and I’ll bind Luyue. Her notes subtly strengthened the array, keeping the pressure on.

On the east side, Chu Yi and Lin Xiaoxi reached the stone seam’s warm light, revealing a jade talisman pulsing with pure energy. “This counters the array,” Chu Yi said, his Foundation Building aura probing it. Lin Xiaoxi’s eyes shone. “Big Brother Chu, it’ll save Teacher and Second Sister!” A low growl interrupted, and yin beasts emerged, drawn to the talisman. Chu Yi slashed through one, shielding Lin Xiaoxi. “Stay close—we’re heading west.” Lin Xiaoxi nodded, her Refining Qi aura flaring with resolve. “I’ll protect them too!”

At Canglan, Liu Qingxu’s spy reported: Shu Yue’s strength was exposed, Qing Wan was breaking, and the array was active. “Perfect,” she murmured, her fingers tracing a third jade slip, a failsafe to amplify both curses during the sect trials. “Jinghong Peak will crumble.” But Elder Yuheng’s team was closing in, their Golden Core auras cutting through the gorge’s outskirts, unnoticed by Liu Qingxu.

In the west, Cheng Mo and Qing Wan fought side by side, their swords moving in sync despite Qing Wan’s resistance. The talisman’s light, now in Chu Yi’s hand as he arrived, flared, purging the curse’s hold on Qing Wan. Her aura stabilized, and she met Cheng Mo’s gaze, her voice barely audible. “Why… do you care?” Cheng Mo’s heart ached. “Because you’re my family.” The array pulsed violently, but Chu Yi tossed the talisman to Cheng Mo, who crushed it into the runes, shattering the array’s core. The yin energy dissipated, and the beasts retreated.

Wan Qing’s zither fell silent, her plan disrupted. They’re stronger together. Her eyes flickered with frustration—and a hint of respect. “Well done, Elder,” she said, her smile tight. Qing Wan pulled away, her voice cold but softer. “This doesn’t fix us.” Cheng Mo nodded, her eyes steady. “I know. But I’ll keep trying.” As Yuheng’s team arrived, securing the gorge, the second curse stirred in Cheng Mo, unnoticed, setting the stage for th

e trials.