Into the Net (Part 2)

"Trap."

Gong Qi immediately responded to Snake Tongue. The thought he thrust forth carried a hint of mockery, yet its target was subtle. "I thought there was collusion from within and without, but it seems I overthought it. That 'lord' of yours made you believe you could return to Ban City and achieve Soul-Flesh Unification. Right up until the end, he gave you a sliver of hope and thoroughly deceived you... And precisely because of that, he deceived me as well. Especially with my mentality thrown into Imbalance by the contrast, making a hasty judgment amid the upheaval and losing my head for once. Heh heh, quite the design."

In this dreadful situation, Gong Qi displayed his seasoned cunning. He kept his composure well enough, at least maintaining an unhurried bearing before Snake Tongue. He slowly drifted closer and looked at Snake Tongue, who lay within Veil of Silence's wrapping like a bead of light, yet more fragile than a bubble.

"I never would have imagined that beneath the boundless clouds, there was such a place. No wonder I was plotted against. But what about you, Snake Tongue? Your spirit body is already dispersing beyond your control, and you have to rely on Veil of Silence just to hold on and resist. It seems that 'lord' of yours never thought much of you. In the end, you were merely bait. Once the big fish had taken the hook, you were of no further use..."

Gong Qi's thoughts were blades, his words piercing the heart. Snake Tongue's bead of "light" flickered and swelled in response, seeming on the verge of shattering. Her spirit body had been grievously wounded before, and her mental will had suffered a blow as well. Coupled with the ravages of this hostile environment, she was already close