The Formation Collapses

The Flower Clan chieftain had figured out where the problem lay, and Yan Chihuo realized it as well. Yet neither side had the ability or opportunity to stop the formation from collapsing.

The howling grew louder and louder, while the formation's spiritual power became increasingly violent. Suddenly, a scene appeared in the Flower Clan chieftain's mind: a hall within a human settlement, occupied by six men and one woman. The woman was being held captive. She seemed to be herself, yet not herself.

The Flower Clan chieftain abruptly came to her senses. That woman was Hua Ling. Since the three of their souls had completely fused, Hua Ling's memories had become her memories as well. That was why she felt this way.

The six men stood in two groups. One group consisted of three elderly men, while the other consisted of three young men. The young man at the head was Yan Chihuo. With a backhanded grab, he tore open Hua Ling's lapel. This was the scene of Yan Chihuo and Hua Ling's first meeting at Cloud Sun Manor all those years ago.

Scene after scene from the past flashed by. At last, the Flower Clan chieftain understood why Hua Ling hated Yan Chihuo so deeply. Yet just before Hua Ling's death, the image of Yan Chihuo in her eyes suddenly changed, startling the Flower Clan chieftain into a shudder.

The change was inconspicuous, but it immediately reminded her of Lord Thousand Illusions. Back then, Lord Thousand Illusions, like Yan Chihuo, had fled into the Spirit-Devouring Forest and also knew the Innate Seventy-Two Transformations. However, Lord Thousand Illusions had been far stronger than Yan Chihuo was now. Still, beyond the Innate Seventy-Two Transformations, they shared one trait: no matter what happened, they refused to admit defeat and always persisted to