Chapter 558 - 565: Battle

Driven by different motives, the two fought with escalating ferocity, nearly tearing the entire Water Prison apart.

The prisoners grew more and more agitated, desperately trying to find a way to break free.

...

Meanwhile, the Fox Demon and Liu Lan Yi had finally reached the pre-arranged location.

It was a well-hidden cave, nestled in a hollow halfway up a cliff. Not only was it difficult to spot, but it was also surrounded by arrays.

As the transport rune burned to ash, Liu Lan Yi noticed another spent talisman inside the cave.

She furrowed her brow. ’I’ve never heard of Wan Ning dabbling in the talismanic Tao. She must have spent a fortune on such a precious talisman!’

’And now, she used it to save me...’

’Most importantly, Wan Ning is still facing that Great Demon, Gong Ye. I don’t know how she’s faring.’

Liu Lan Yi was extremely anxious. She paced restlessly around the cave, unable to calm her nerves.

The Fox Demon, in contrast, seemed much calmer.

"You have to trust Wan Ning. She’s incredibly capable!"

She sat down on the floor, picked up a piece of fruit, and began to eat it with a loud CRUNCH CRUNCH.

She didn’t seem worried in the slightest.

Liu Lan Yi paused for a moment but still couldn’t relax.

No matter what, Song Wanning would always be a child in her eyes.

She could only pray for Song Wanning to escape Gong Ye quickly and rendezvous with them soon.

...

「Time passed quickly.」

Back in the Water Prison, both Song Wanning and Gong Ye were now injured.

Both of them were now fighting with raw anger, trading wild punches without any semblance of proper technique.

As a result, their faces were cut and swollen, and their bodies were covered in black and blue bruises. They looked utterly wretched.

Gong Ye spat out a mouthful of clotted blood. The corner of his mouth throbbed with a burning pain.

’This woman has no honor! She’s only aiming for my face, and her attacks are viciously cunning.’

But as the fight dragged on, his killing intent gradually subsided, replaced by a growing admiration for Song Wanning.

It was simple: she was both beautiful and powerful.

Ever since arriving in this world, he had focused solely on his cultivation. Women were merely tools for sating his lust, to be used and discarded. He had never genuinely cared for any of them.

’But now,’ he suddenly thought, ’if I could find an outstanding cultivation partner like Song Wanning, it would definitely help my future path!’

’She possesses such strength at such a young age. Her ascension to the Immortal Realm is a sure thing. When that time comes, she could be a great asset to me...’

’And if I meet someone better later on... I can just kick her to the curb.’

At this thought, a sharp glint flashed in Gong Ye’s eyes, and his expression shifted considerably.

Song Wanning, of course, noticed the change in him and was suddenly covered in goosebumps.

Especially when he suddenly flashed a smile at her. Paired with his bruised and swollen face, the sight was simply ghastly.

’He can’t possibly think he looks handsome right now, can he?’

The corner of Song Wanning’s mouth twitched as she swung her fist straight at his face.

’This bastard is definitely plotting something!’

BAM—

Gong Ye took the punch head-on. The blow left him dizzy, and the smile on his face froze.

He grabbed Song Wanning’s hand, glaring furiously at this woman who didn’t know what was good for her.

But before he could speak, Song Wanning’s other fist came swinging toward him.

Gong Ye’s heart leaped, and he hurriedly released her hand and backed away.

"You—"

He was furious. ’I already showed her my goodwill, yet this woman still attacks me, unable to tell friend from foe!’

"’You’ what? Don’t you give me that look. I’m not the least bit interested in you!"

"Why don’t you take a piss and look at your own reflection? Even a stray dog is more likable than you!"

Song Wanning didn’t want to waste any more time. She had fought enough and vented her anger.

If she had to endure Gong Ye’s slimy gaze any longer, she was afraid she’d vomit up last night’s dinner.

With that said, she attacked Gong Ye again.

This time, however, she took him by surprise, coating her fist in the Red Lotus Karmic Fire.

Gong Ye hadn’t expected Song Wanning to resort to trickery. Caught off guard, he was instantly engulfed by the Red Lotus Karmic Fire.

The moment it touched him, Gong Ye felt a sharp, stabbing pain deep within his Divine Soul, and he stumbled backward in shock.

But that was only the beginning. An excruciating, endless pain drilled into him.

Gong Ye had taken countless lives, and his karmic debt was far greater than that of the other Mahayana cultivators. As a result, the pain he felt was far more intense.

He struggled desperately to break free, but the Red Lotus Karmic Fire was powerful and clung to him relentlessly.

To shed the Red Lotus Karmic Fire now, Gong Ye’s Divine Soul would have to be powerful enough to suppress it...

Song Wanning didn’t miss this opportunity. Without a second thought, she swung her sword at Gong Ye.

All the power from her inner world was drawn out and channeled into that single strike.

Even so, Gong Ye effortlessly shattered the sword light, proving to Song Wanning with his raw power that he was on a different level from ordinary Mahayana cultivators.

When her attack failed, Song Wanning knew. ’It seems fate doesn’t want him dead today!’

So, she didn’t press the attack and immediately changed her objective.

She didn’t know how long the Red Lotus Karmic Fire would hold him. In this limited time, she had to make every second count.

So, right in front of Gong Ye’s eyes, she went over to the prisoners and began pulling out the bone nails one by one.

’The enemy of my enemy is my friend, at least for now.’

’Besides, Gong Ye will be busy rounding up all the prisoners, which will take some of the pressure off me.’

With this in mind, she released nearly every prisoner in the Water Prison.

When Gong Ye saw this, he was so furious he felt like his lungs would explode.

Both shocked and enraged, he began to struggle frantically against the Red Lotus Karmic Fire.

The other Demon Cultivators also panicked. They tried to capture the prisoners but were blocked by the Golden Small Sword and its companions, their faces flushing red with anxiety.

The prisoners quickly broke free. After thanking Song Wanning, they all scrambled out of the Water Prison.

Song Wanning also wasted no time and charged out of the Water Prison.

"Stop—"

Gong Ye bellowed, but he still couldn’t break free from the Red Lotus Karmic Fire. He was so overcome with rage that he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

But by then, Song Wanning was already out of the Water Prison.

She didn’t immediately retract the Red Lotus Karmic Fire, wanting to put some distance between them first.

As for the Golden Small Sword and its companions, they would naturally know to follow her.

Song Wanning pushed her speed to its absolute limit, her figure a blur as she weaved through the Hundred Demons Palace.

By now, everyone in the Hundred Demons Palace knew something was wrong and was surging toward the commotion.

Seeing the escaped prisoners and Song Wanning, they all rushed forward to capture them.

Song Wanning didn’t hold back, unleashing lethal attacks and cutting down anyone who came at her.

Blood sprayed everywhere as she cut a path through the crowd, flying toward the exit of the Hundred Demons Palace.

In an instant, the entire Hundred Demons Palace descended into chaos.

It was a complete madhouse.

Back in the Water Prison, Gong Ye was on the verge of exploding with rage.

Fueled by his boundless fury, he finally managed to violently break free of the Red Lotus Karmic Fire.

"Damn you—"

He roared in fury, and with a flash, his figure shot out of the prison.