Dashing Student Chapter 1450 - 1443: A Narrow Escape, Part 2

Yun Ying was utterly petrified, unable to utter a sound. The individuals before her were now unrecognizable. In that moment, Chen Nan’s strained expression flashed in her thoughts.

Could it possibly be true, everything Chen Nan had claimed?

"It is now time for you to repay us. Move!"

Guo Qing, anticipating Yun Ying’s compliance, moved to seize her. The former gentleness vanished, replaced by an impatient urgency.

Qiao Que, Mei Gui, and the others followed his lead. They appeared utterly unconcerned by Yun Ying’s clear distress, their eyes glinting with avarice.

The group proceeded directly towards the rear of Moon River Valley: the Three Mountains Forbidden Land.

Whether due to the strict prohibition of entry, the presence of formidable restrictions, or the unfortunate encounters of disciples venturing near the restricted zone,

the Three Mountains Forbidden Land was a name whispered with dread among Moon River Valley disciples, a place virtually no one dared approach.

Now, with the Elders and the Sect Leader assembling before this forbidden area, and Yun Ying in tow, it seemed as though something ancient lay dormant within, awaiting their arrival.

Guo Qing produced a token, channeling mana into it. The token flared with light, causing the protective array surrounding the forbidden area to instantly collapse.

The procession entered the forbidden grounds unimpeded. With each step deeper, Yun Ying felt an intensifying cold, an invasive chill that seemed to seep into her very bones.

"Master, what precisely do you intend to do?"

Within the desolate expanse of the Three Mountains Forbidden Land, Yun Ying began to resist, her fear escalating into panic. Even with her prior naivety, she understood that something was gravely wrong.

However, Guo Qing’s grip was like tempered steel, holding her fast, rendering any escape impossible.

A look of fervent excitement transformed Guo Qing’s features, his eyes blazing as he emitted a low chuckle. "What are we doing? We are here to collect your repayment, naturally. Did you truly believe our affection over these years was baseless?"

"It is precisely because you are of use to us!"

Yun Ying’s heart plummeted as if struck by the most vile revelation. Tears streamed down her face. "No, that cannot be. It isn't true, is it?"

"Master, you must be jesting with me, surely?"

Guo Qing let out a cold snort, his expression utterly devoid of mirth. "Who has the time or inclination to jest with you? If not for your unique Taiyin Body, why would we have bothered indulging you all this time?"

"Taiyin Body?" This was the first Yun Ying had heard of her distinct constitution, yet she grasped that it was precisely this rare physique that had elevated her to the esteemed position of Moon River Valley’s cherished junior sister.

As they arrived at a colossal mountain at the heart of the Three Mountains, the very fabric of space before them began to contort violently, coalescing threads of unseen darkness.

In an instant, a formless, pitch-black humanoid entity materialized in the air, exuding an unnerving aura.

"Has it been achieved?" the shadow-like entity inquired, its voice devoid of any discernible gender.

Guo Qing bowed his head in deference. "It is done. Considerable effort was expended to cultivate her to the Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm, fulfilling Lord Taiyin’s specific requirements."

The entity addressed as Taiyin nodded slowly, a sense of satisfaction emanating from it. "Though the realm is merely superficial and her potential largely expended, all I require is a vessel."

"Your devoted service over these years shall not go unrewarded. Once I inhabit this body, I shall harness the Power of Taiyin to elevate each of you to the Nascent Soul Realm."

Guo Qing and the others’ eyes suddenly ignited with renewed fervor, their faces breaking into smiles. "Thank you, Lord Taiyin!"

Upon hearing this exchange, Yun Ying began to piece together the grim reality. Guo Qing and his cohort’s purported kindness was not genuine but a calculated act driven by her Taiyin Body. Furthermore, this very physique had been groomed as an offering for the malevolent entity before her, intending to usurp her form.

"No, you cannot do this!"

Yun Ying cried out, desperately writhing, her thoughts racing to Chen Nan, who had twice attempted to reveal the truth. Yet, she had rejected his words, even uttering cruelties towards him.

The memory filled her with profound regret, and fresh tears erupted from her eyes.

Taiyin gazed down upon Yun Ying, speaking with measured cadence. "While I shall claim your body, it was through my design that you experienced a century of life unburdened; you ought to find contentment in this."

"Had you not possessed the Taiyin Body, your path would not have led you to Moon River Valley. Instead, you would have shared the same grim fate as your parents, perishing at the hands of other cultivators."

These words struck Yun Ying with the force of a physical blow, leaving her frozen in shock. She then whirled to face Guo Qing, her voice trembling. "Did you kill my parents?"

Guo Qing’s response was chillingly indifferent. "Indeed. They refused to yield you to me. You cannot fathom the difficulty in locating a Taiyin Body."

Yun Ying collapsed into heartbroken sobs, the crushing realization dawning that she had fundamentally misjudged good and evil, placing her trust in the wicked. The individual she had once revered as a master was now revealed as her sworn enemy.

The world, in that moment, struck her as a cruel and deceptive illusion, with the sole exception being... Chen Nan.

Witnessing her descent into tears, Guo Qing offered no solace, instead choosing to escalate her distress. "We had no intention of keeping you; our plan was to directly employ the Secret Technique and Elixir Pills to propel you to the Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm."

"After all, Lord Taiyin's power is immense, and even the Fifth Layer of the Golden Core Realm can barely withstand it, yet he tasked us with laying a foundation for you."

"Who could have foreseen you being so inadequate, taking a century to cultivate to the Golden Core Realm. It's fortunate that Lord Taiyin grew impatient and permitted us to utilize Elixir Pills."

"So that's how it was," Yun Ying, her tears flowing freely, shot a glare at Guo Qing before biting him fiercely.

Guo Qing's expression remained utterly unaffected. Yun Ying's bite, or even a sword strike, would not inflict harm upon him given her current strength. Since Yun Ying was soon to cease existing, he didn't mind allowing her this momentary release.

"Very well, let us commence," Taiyin's unwillingness to tolerate further delay was evident as it coldly commanded.

Guo Qing nodded repeatedly, produced a rope from his storage bag, secured Yun Ying with it, and laid her flat upon the ground.

"My dear disciple, cease your resistance. Becoming Lord Taiyin's vessel is a profound fortune. Perhaps he can even grant your aspiration to become a Female Knight."

The mention of "Female Knight" caused Yun Ying to involuntarily recall Chen Nan, realizing that Guo Qing's earlier pronouncements were likely fabrications. A person who risked grave danger to reveal the truth, thereby enabling her escape, could hardly be deemed malicious.

"Chen Nan... I miss you." A solitary tear traced a path down her cheek.

Taiyin descended slowly, hovering above Yun Ying, before gradually lowering itself. Its form seemed to liquefy, melting into Yun Ying's body.

Yun Ying experienced only an icy chill permeating her being, as if it were freezing her from the inside out, causing her consciousness to grow numb. Her entire world appeared to be succumbing to an encroaching darkness.

At that precise moment, a surge of power approached with astonishing speed from a distance. It cleaved through the very fabric of space like a bolt of lightning, moving far too swiftly for Guo Qing and the others to even register.

"Vile creature, keep your distance from my Female Knight!" The voice boomed like thunder, accompanied by a forceful kick that sent Taiyin sprawling like a wounded prawn deep into the mountain, its amorphous black mass meeting the earth with a resounding crash, kicking up a cloud of dust.

Yun Ying's eyes widened in disbelief as she gazed upon the figure who had appeared beside her like a divine weapon. Tears began to stream down her face uncontrollably, as if a dam had broken.

"Chen Nan!" The heartfelt cry jolted Guo Qing and his companions back to a semblance of awareness.

"Insolent brat, you court death!" Mei Gui surged forward, channeling profound mana into the earth. A multitude of thorny vines erupted and lunged aggressively towards Chen Nan, swiftly ensnaring him.

"Heh, you doddering old fools ganging up on a mere youth, how utterly lacking in shame!" Chen Nan scoffed coldly. His body convulsed, and the vines binding him snapped instantly. His aura erupted outwards without restraint.

His cultivation was unmistakably confirmed as the Early Stage of the Sixth Layer of the Golden Core Realm!