Nightfall, the Law Enforcement Hall dungeon.
Su Lingxi took out some spirit stones and pills, asking the two senior brothers on guard to do her a favor.
Seeing how sensible she was and how deeply she cared for her fellow disciple, the two senior brothers waved their hands and let her in.
Su Lingxi walked quickly into the holding cell and immediately spotted Ji Yunzhao, who was slumped against the wall, looking utterly dispirited.
His hair was unkempt, his face was dirty, and he was covered in mud and filth. He looked completely wretched.
Yet, his fists were clenched tightly, clearly holding onto some unresolved resentment.
"Fifth Senior Brother?"
As soon as Su Lingxi spoke, she drew Ji Yunzhao's gaze.
"Junior Sister!"
Seeing her, Ji Yunzhao's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly scrambled over in joy.
The two held each other's hands through the iron bars.
Looking heartbroken, Su Lingxi reached out to smooth the messy hair at his temples.
"Fifth Senior Brother, I'm sorry. It's my fault for dragging you down and making you suffer."
"Junior Sister, what does this have to do with you? It's all that wretched woman Yuan Shu's fault!"
"She was the one who wouldn't let go of those trivial magical artifacts and spirit stones, which is why I ended up in prison!"
"When I get back, I definitely won't let her off!"
Ji Yunzhao spoke viciously, but seeing Su Lingxi's red-rimmed eyes, his heart almost melted.
"Don't cry, Junior Sister. I'll be fine. Although the forbidden Death Demon Forest is dangerous, your senior brother isn't completely unprepared."
He reached out to wipe her face. "Don't worry, I will definitely break through to the Golden Core stage. When that happens, I'll beg Master to let me return."
"Master is soft-hearted and will surely let me back! I will be back very soon!"
"When the time comes, I will definitely kill her!"
"I believe in you, Senior Brother. You can definitely do it!" Su Lingxi wiped the tears from her face, looking at Ji Yunzhao with admiration.
The two of them exchanged sweet and heartfelt words for a good while before reluctantly parting.
Once out of the Law Enforcement Hall, Su Lingxi immediately wiped her face completely dry of tears.
She cursed angrily, disappointed in his incompetence, "Idiot! He didn't even know when someone planted a Recording Stone on him."
After cursing, Su Lingxi thought of Yuan Shu again.
She didn't understand why someone she used to manipulate so easily was now causing her to hit a wall time and time again.
Could a person really suddenly become smart?
No, she absolutely could not let Yuan Shu have her way!
Third Senior Brother was the smartest. He definitely wouldn't be like Shu Linyuan, having his soul casually snatched away by Yuan Shu!
Coincidentally, she had found out some news a few days ago that could be put to good use!
Once this matter succeeded, Third Senior Brother would surely look at her in a new light. When that happened, wouldn't his affection for her skyrocket?
A hint of coldness flashed across Su Lingxi's eyes. She scoffed and walked quickly into the night.
...
"Hey, why are you still sleeping? Get up!"
Early the next morning, several disciples guarding the cells swung iron chains, banging them against the cell doors.
The noisy and sharp clanging woke up the groggy Ji Yunzhao.
Ji Yunzhao was startled and stood up reflexively.
The cell door was opened, and several disciples filed in, placing shackles on his hands and feet.
Ji Yunzhao's expression changed slightly. "Senior Brothers, where are we going?"
"Where? Heh... we're sending you to the forbidden Death Demon Forest. Did you think we were inviting you to breakfast? Hurry up, don't dawdle!"
The leading disciple impatiently shook the chain in his hand and frowned.
So that was it?
How could it be so fast?
Ji Yunzhao frowned but didn't dare to ask more. He could only let the disciples escort him out of the cell.
The Death Demon Forest was deep within the forbidden area, but there was a teleportation array leading there from this side.
It saved quite a bit of time.
After walking in the woods for about half an hour, they entered the edge of the Death Demon Forest.
The color of the surrounding trees had slowly changed from their previous verdant green to a dark purple.
Beneath their feet was a thick layer of humus; stepping on it felt soft and greasy, like stepping in mud.
There was a bizarre, foul aura in the air, stagnating like thick ink.
Breathing it into the lungs brought a putrid, viscous sensation that instinctively made one feel uncomfortable.
The surrounding trees grew incredibly tall, their tops out of sight. Their thick trunks blotted out the sky and the sun.
Ji Yunzhao looked up at the gray sky above and instinctively swallowed hard.
This place was truly unfit for human habitation!
But thinking of his Junior Sister, he forced himself to cheer up.
He had to break through to the Golden Core stage as soon as possible, win Master's approval, and return to Qingyun Peak at the earliest!
"Alright, we'll only escort you this far. Follow the signs ahead, and you'll eventually see a small wooden cabin."
"That is where you will be stationed for the next hundred years."
The leading disciple pointed the way and then removed the shackles from his hands and feet.
He waved his hand, signaling him to move forward.
Ji Yunzhao took a deep breath, cupped his hands in farewell to his fellow disciples, and then turned to walk into the forest.
Master had once said that his cultivation talent was no worse than Eldest Senior Brother's; he was just still young.
Given a little time, he would definitely grow stronger.
Moreover, he would soar higher than anyone else.
He would definitely be able to return!
Thinking this, Ji Yunzhao quickened his pace and walked forward.
A wind suddenly picked up in the forest, swirling the surrounding mist and making it hover among the trees.
Gradually, the mist grew heavier, and visibility slowly dropped.
He walked in the direction the mist was blowing from for a while. Suddenly, a strange sound of wind pierced the air.
Ji Yunzhao's heart leaped, and he instinctively dodged to the side.
"Swish!"
A cold silver light slashed his arm, and blood immediately flowed out.
Ji Yunzhao's heart pounded, his expression changing drastically. "Who is it?"
"Fifth Senior Brother, your reaction speed is quite fast. To think you could actually dodge a sneak attack like that?"
A light chuckle, accompanied by a familiar voice, came from behind him.
Startled, Ji Yunzhao hurriedly turned around and saw Yuan Shu slowly approaching from the mist.
"It's you!"
"Yuan Shu, what is the meaning of stopping me here?" Ji Yunzhao was bewildered.
Was it Yuan Shu who had just sneak-attacked him?
What did she want?
"What, isn't it obvious? Fifth Senior Brother, I'm here for revenge."
Yuan Shu spoke with a faint smile, "You released the demonic beasts from the Demonic Beast Cliff and drove them to attack me. This debt must be settled."
"Making you guard the forbidden area for a hundred years is far too light a punishment!"
"Yuan Shu, are you joking? Just you? Seeking revenge against me?" Hearing this, Ji Yunzhao laughed, his eyes full of disdain.
If he remembered correctly, Yuan Shu was only in the Qi Condensation stage, right?
While he was a genuine Foundation Establishment cultivator, and already at the late stage of Foundation Establishment at that.
Let alone one Yuan Shu, even ten of her couldn't possibly be his match!
"I originally wanted to wait until I returned to seek revenge against you. But now, since you've delivered yourself to my door, don't blame me for being merciless!"
A sinister smile appeared on Ji Yunzhao's face.
This Death Demon Forest was desolate and untraveled, truly a perfect place for murder and burying a corpse!
Yuan Shu had truly picked out an excellent feng shui spot for her own grave!
