Chapter 301

The Sacred Maiden of Yaochi exclaimed in surprise, not expecting that Xu Xiuer had also mastered the Way of Void.

The Void Chains are one of the iconic external manifestations of the Way of Void. Every cultivator who comprehends the Way of Void is capable of using the Void Chains.

Xiao Minghuang had used this technique more than once before.

"This is not a true Void Chain, but a manifestation of the Destiny Divine Ability. It possesses its form and power, but its essence is entirely different."

Xiao Minghuang head slightly and explained.

"Destiny Divine Ability?"

The Sacred Maiden of Yaochi was slightly taken aback. She had only heard of this kind of supernatural power before, but had never seen it with her own eyes. Today, she had truly broadened her horizons.

In the sky, the Witch was bound by void chains, struggling incessantly but unable to move, her entire being gloomy and seemingly extremely unwilling.

"The void chains conjured by the Destiny Divine Ability are something you simply cannot break free from."

Xu Xiuer's lips curled into a mocking smile as she slowly walked to the Witch's side, disdainfully saying, "You Southern Wilderness demons only know how to kill to cultivate. Your cultivation level must have come from eating human flesh and drinking human blood. How could you possibly understand the profound and subtle supernatural powers of our Zhongtian Dongji Orthodox Sects?"

The Witch was tightly bound by countless chains, her features indistinct, and she remained silent.

Xu Xiuer has always deeply hated evil spirits.

Her father, Prince Xu Jingwei of King Wu'an, was harmed by evil spirits. Although he was later saved and recovered by Xiao Minghuang, his cultivation never improved throughout his life.

Therefore, she wanted nothing less than to kill any evil spirit!

But with His Highness present, she wouldn't act on her own.

Immediately, Xu Xiuer raised her hand and gently waved it, causing the chains to form a ball and land not far from Xiao Minghuang.

"Your Highness, I have fulfilled my mission and captured the Witch!"

Xu Xiuer's pretty face was full of excitement as she announced the good news.

392. How are you doing?

"Well done!"

Xiao Minghuang nodded and praised.

Then, she took out a dull-colored hourglass from her sleeve and handed it to Xu Xiuer.

"I'll give this to you now, since it's the perfect opportunity."

Xu Xiuer looked closely and realized that it was the golden hourglass from the Immortal Palace, but its color was dull and it had lost its power.

Even so, it is still a rare treasure.

No one can say for sure; perhaps it won't be long before this thing is restored, and then it will become a powerful magic weapon.

"Thank you, Your Highness."

Xu Xiuer happily accepted it.

Then, Xiao Minghuang stepped forward and walked to the locked-up Witch.

As the chains slowly came off, the Witch's appearance was revealed before her.

The Witch had a beautiful and delicate appearance, with fair and smooth skin. Perhaps because she had just gone through a fierce battle, her pretty face was pale, with an unnatural blush on it.

However, the moment Xiao Minghuang saw her, he was immediately startled.

"You--!"

She gasped in surprise, her beautiful eyes widening.

Xu Xiuer also exclaimed in shock, her face filled with horror.

His eyes widened as he stared at the Witch was bound by iron chains in front of him.

The Witch's appearance was exactly the same as Luo Qianhua's!

"You are... Alliance Leader Luo?"

The Sacred Maiden of Yaochi couldn't help but ask.

The Witch looked up, ignoring the Sacred Maiden of Yaochi, and stared at Xiao Minghuang. Her eyes narrowed slightly, and a smile, whether self-mockery or indifference, curled at the corner of her lips.

"I didn't expect to see you again so soon."

Xiao Minghuang sighed softly.

"Now that I'm in your hands, I have nothing more to say. Kill me or torture me, it's all up to you!"

The Witch twisted her wrist, her gaze calm, with an expression of resignation to her fate.

Xu Xiuer walked over and carefully examined the Witch, seemingly able to see right through her. After a moment, she slowly spoke, "You are indeed Luo Qianhua, but you have two different destinies. Can you explain how that is?"

Why should I explain to you!

The Witch turned her head away and said coldly.

Seeing that she had no intention of cooperating or being honest, Xu Xiuer leaned close to Xiao Minghuang's ear and whispered, "Your Highness, I suspect that Alliance Leader Luo has been possessed by Witch, but her true spirit has not yet been completely devoured by the Witch. We should take this opportunity to destroy the Witch's true spirit and rescue Alliance Leader Luo!"

This is indeed the most likely scenario under normal circumstances.

However, Xiao Minghuang shook her head.

"That's not the case. There are some inside stories you don't know."

Then, she looked at the Witch and said softly, "Let's go, let's talk alone."

His tone was calm and gentle.

After saying this, Xiao Minghuang turned and left.

The Witch hesitated for a moment, then followed Xiao Minghuang.

"This is...?"

After the two left, Xu Xiuer frowned deeply, as if she had sensed something.

Lin Wanqiu knew nothing of what had happened in the Immortal Palace. After a moment's thought, she asked, "Why do I feel that Your Highness's attitude towards the Witch is quite unusual?"

"Previously, in a secret realm, we triggered a magical artifact. Your Highness and Alliance Leader Luo traveled through time and space to another dimension, where they must have experienced some extraordinary events."

Xu Xiuer explained briefly.

"However, this doesn't explain why Alliance Leader Luo suddenly became a demon." She frowned, her expression suddenly changing to a solemn one. "Unless, she was originally a demon, and after traveling through time, Your Highness experienced this, and then some other things happened..."

"That's possible." Lin Wanqiu turned her gaze to Xiao Minghuang and the Witch, who were gradually disappearing into the distance, and murmured.

After walking for a while, Xiao Minghuang stopped by a small lake. The lake water was emerald green, crystal clear, and looked like jade, emitting a faint fragrance.

Xiao Minghuang turned around, gazing at the Witch who had followed her. Her gaze softened, and she said softly, "Xiao Rui, how have you been these past years?"

"Of course I'm doing great!"

The Witch answered calmly, her tone indifferent, seemingly unmoved.

However, her slightly trembling legs completely betrayed her.

"Yeah?"

Xiao Minghuang sighed softly and walked slowly toward her.

As she approached, the Witch was immediately on high alert. For every step the former took, the Witch retreated, until she leaned against a large tree, finally with nowhere to escape.

"Princess Xiao, please have some self-respect. I am not your elder sister, and we have no relation whatsoever!"

The Witch gritted her teeth and said in a deep voice.

"I've been very worried about you all these years."

Xiao Minghuang spoke softly, as if reminiscing about the past.

That experience of traveling through time and space truly happened. After she returned to this time and space, it became a distant memory, and every time she recalled it, she felt a sense of regret.

The interweaving of time and space does have an impact on reality; both she and Luo Qianrui have had their past altered because of her actions.

However, Luo Qianrui did not enter the Holy Academy to cultivate peacefully as she had hoped. Instead, she was still abducted to the Southern Wilderness along the trajectory of the past.

But Luo Qianrui knew nothing of Xiao Minghuang's predicament and helplessness.

All she knew was that this omnipotent immortal had rescued her, only to abandon her without a second thought. He had promised to guide her in her cultivation and heal her mother, but he went back on his word and never returned!

When she was kidnapped by the demon again, she called out to the fairy sister countless times, but there was no response, as if it was just a beautiful dream and the time had come to wake her up.

During her years in the Southern Wilderness, she endured all kinds of pain and torment, and even nearly perished. Only after going through countless hardships did she gradually gain the trust of the Supreme Lord Hehuan and survive.

She didn't hate him, she just couldn't understand why he had lied to her.

"You don't need to worry about me, we have nothing to do with each other!"

The Witch said coldly, her voice trembling.

"I've wronged you all these years," Xiao Minghuang sighed softly.

Upon hearing this, Luo Qianrui's delicate body trembled slightly.

She lowered her head and remained silent.

"Can you tell me about your life over the years?"

Xiao Minghuang walked to her side and reached out to stroke her head.

Luo Qianrui's body stiffened abruptly.

She suddenly raised her head, stared blankly at Xiao Minghuang, and then lowered her head again.

At that moment, a strange feeling of bitterness welled up in her heart.

After a while...

She whispered, "It's not good at all..."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Minghuang smiled warmly, gently stroked her long, soft hair, pulled her into his arms, and whispered, "Then tell me, what's wrong?"

Her words caused Luo Qianrui to tremble slightly, and her cheeks flushed.

"Fairy Sister..."

Luo Qianrui bit her lip, her pearly teeth sinking into her bright red lips, her voice choked with emotion, as if she found it difficult to speak.

393. Changing one's tune

"You know, for the past ten years or so, I've been in the Southern Wilderness..."

She sobbed softly.

Xiao Minghuang didn't say much, just held her quietly, letting his tears soak his clothes and moisten her cold skin.

This is what she owes Luo Qianrui; it's the price she pays for breaking her promise.

After a long while, once the woman in his arms had calmed down a bit, Xiao Minghuang said softly, "Let me accompany you for a stroll around the area."

"Hmm..." Luo Qianrui nodded, broke free from Xiao Minghuang's embrace, took her hand, and strolled among the green hills and clear waters.

During this time, Luo Qianrui slowly recounted her past.

It turns out that after Xiao Minghuang left, they did not bury Madam Luo, but waited for her to return.

However, the entire Luo family waited for many days, but she did not return. It was not until after the seventh day after her Madam Luo, when her body began to emit an unpleasant odor, that the deceased was laid to rest under the supervision of the steward.

Afterwards, the two sisters planned to go to the Holy Academy that Xiao Minghuang had mentioned, hoping to meet her there.

On the very day they were about to set off, a stranger came to the Luo residence, claiming to be an elder of the Holy Academy, to guide the Luo Sisters into the Holy Academy for cultivation.

They had already planned to go to the Holy Academy, and now that an elder was there to guide them, it was perfect, so they decided to set off immediately.

But shortly after they set off, a terrible accident occurred.

An old witch suddenly appeared out of nowhere and tried to kidnap the two sisters. The Holy Academy Elder was no match for the old witch and was killed in a single encounter.

Fortunately, at the critical moment, another mysterious cultivator intervened and repelled the old hag.

Before the mysterious cultivator could make a move, she had already been captured by the old hag. In the end, the mysterious expert only took her, while her sister Luo Qianhua, was fortunately not captured.

What followed were years of hardship in the southern wilderness.

Luo Qianrui's voice trembled, and her beautiful eyes were filled with fear.