My Enemy Became My Cultivation Companion-Chapter 765 - 481: Save Me (Three in One)_2

Among the shadows of the trees, a blood-stained garment hung—a marker fabricated by Chen Yi.

The mountain's visage was pitch-black, dense foliage overlapping in endless layers, as though enshrouded in a veil of ghostly mist.

As Yin Tingxue advanced step by step, towering ancient trees loomed along the path, their intricate intersections forming an expanse of shadowy gloom.

Yin Tingxue had already reached a place so dark she couldn't see her own hand in front of her face.

Her breathing inevitably quickened; the oppressive darkness swallowed her whole. She scanned her surroundings but found herself alone. Yet, within the oppressive shadows, it felt as though countless pairs of eyes were watching her.

It was as if she had stumbled into some ghostly realm.

Suddenly,

A chilling wind swept through the forest. In the depths of the inky shadows, a face emerged—disheveled hair, wrapped in jet-black bird feathers.

...

Yin Tingxue was taken away.

Chen Yi realized it almost instantly.

"A bit more caution..." Chen Yi muttered to himself.

Nearly an hour had passed since Yin Tingxue's soul separated from her body and was taken by the supernatural entity, Guifei Bird.

The presence of the Guifei Bird had faintly manifested just moments after Yin Tingxue left the inn. After observing from the shadows for quite some time, it finally couldn't resist seizing her.

The natural talent for cultivating the Heavenly Ear Technique was enough to inspire envy in the most prestigious Daoist and Buddhist sects, let alone among monsters.

The golden cord between Chen Yi's fingers vibrated as he traced the Guifei Bird's movements.

Heading south… then towards the third mountain peak, before turning north again, eventually looping to the east...

Chen Yi held the golden cord tightly, focusing intently.

Tap-tap-tap…

Chen Yi turned his head.

Outside the desolate inn, the sound of horse hooves arose from afar, growing closer.

Three horses, one carriage.

The clatter of the wheels crunching fallen leaves echoed as the carriage came to a halt. Chen Yi furrowed his brow and peered out through the window.

Three figures dismounted and approached the carriage. Suddenly, there was a faint sound, followed by the curtain being slowly lifted from within, revealing hair as black as a waterfall—unmistakably familiar to Chen Yi.

Chen Yi's face showed uncertainty and suspicion.

Dong Guifei?!

Why was she here…

...

Yin Tingxue found herself dizzy and disoriented, unsure where she had been taken.

She dared not look down, as the dense forest below appeared as a haze-covered mass far from the ground. She feared that if she lowered her head, she might plummet and shatter completely.

After what felt like ages, the Guifei Bird's pace finally slowed. It carried Yin Tingxue into a foggy valley, the thick mist swirling like the sky being split apart by their descent.

The Guifei Bird landed, folding its midnight wings. A moment later, with a wave of its hand, the feathers transformed into black garments. Its figure blurred and shifted into that of a woman clothed in black, with only a few stray feathers scattered about. Not a trace of its monstrous form lingered.

Yin Tingxue gradually shook off her dizziness and looked ahead.

Before her stood a mansion built along the edge of a crystal-clear stream. Its soaring eaves and azure tiles mingled seamlessly with the forest canopy. The faint lights scattered among intricately carved buildings and dense trees formed a mysterious tapestry. It seemed they had arrived at the mansion's rear entrance. From somewhere along the stone paths came the sound of approaching footsteps, accompanied by the sight of lantern-bearing monsters ascending the mountain.

"Little girl… what's your name?"

A voice, gentle and enchanting, swept past her ears, stirring her very soul. Yin Tingxue suddenly realized the voice carried an inexplicable ability to soothe her Heart Lake.

The Guifei Bird gazed at her directly, its face full of maternal kindness. Yet its ghostly pale complexion and subtly smiling wrinkles evoked an undeniable sense of eeriness.

The little fox remembered Chen Yi's warning: Before he arrived, she must act cautiously and diplomatically in minor matters, but never yield in major ones. Even one response could lead to an entanglement of karma and potentially attract catastrophe.

Yin Tingxue hesitated for a moment before replying, "Yin Tingxue. Who… who are you?"

The Guifei Bird looked at her, drawing out its voice, "Little girl, who do you think I am?"

As its words reached her ears, her Heart Lake churned with rippling waves, echoing the faint sound of two words—"Mother." Her lips trembled, almost betraying her with an impulsive reply.

Smack.

Yin Tingxue covered her ears and resisted, stammering, "You—you're not my mother."

The Guifei Bird's gaze darkened slightly. It scrutinized Yin Tingxue once more. After a while, its expression transformed into an approving squint. Her soul was crystal clear, surpassing even the transcendent seven apertures of perfection. Despite centuries of cultivation, this was the first time the Guifei Bird had encountered such remarkable talent, far superior to the many foster children it had abducted.

The Guifei Bird chuckled softly, "Then tell me, what does your mother look like?"

The core of the Guifei Bird's power lay in its ability to abduct children without leaving a trace, rendering it impossible to guard against. Its method involved leading away their souls while their bodies wandered in a dream-like state. Among its victims were children whose minds had already matured, their souls remaining conscious. With such cases, it aimed to break their mental defenses, making them sincerely believe that the Guifei Bird was their mother. Once they uttered the words, the bond became irreversible. The principle was strikingly similar to the spiritual schemes of yellow weasels seeking titles.

Yin Tingxue felt as if she were facing a dire enemy. She fully recognized the ploy to replace the legitimate with the false.

Chen Yi… when are you coming?

...

"Your Highness, please step down from the carriage."

Though the voice came from outside the dilapidated inn, Third-Rank Martial Artist Chen Yi heard it clearly.

So it really was her…

Why was she here?

Chen Yi wrestled with the baffling thought for a moment before a sudden realization struck him. His hand instinctively moved toward his sword.

If she was here, then where was An Hou…?

Back when they fled the capital, Dong Guifei had refused to follow them out of the royal palace. Despite carrying numerous secrets poised to cost her life, she chose to remain, clearly harboring other motives.

From Dong Gong Ruoshu's fleeting remarks, Chen Yi had deduced that after his departure from the capital, while An Hou had sent Lin Wanxiao back to the Lin Family and loosened her grip on Dong Gong Ruoshu, she had tightened her hold on Dong Guifei—near-constant confinement, day and night.