Chapter 2041: Initial Entrapment

The Mist Sea was as quiet and oppressive as usual, but Hua Cai Li's heartstrings were tighter than at any point since entering it.

Her profound energy was greatly depleted, and she was covered in injuries. The gash on her forehead, in particular, looked horrifying against her snow-white skin. Yet she seemed oblivious to it, extending her spiritual perception as far as possible, not daring to relax for a moment.

Her gaze constantly drifted to Yun Che, who had fallen silent, sometimes complex, sometimes bewildered.

Once again, she had been saved by him.

Her entire life, she had grown up pampered by others, long accustomed to being protected. Yet Yun Che, within just half a year, always appeared unexpectedly.

The first time he acted for her, she found it exceptionally interesting and couldn't help but remember him. The second time... it was like a savior descending from heaven during her first ever moment of peril. This time, to prevent her from being hurt, he didn't hesitate to grab the sword with his bare hand, making it impossible for her pure white world, like the sheer dress she wore, not to be stained by the crimson blood flowing from his palm. His protection, filled with peril and brutality, was completely different from the immensely profound and comforting care she had always received. As if in return, she was incredibly tense about her surroundings, fearing any accident that might harm Yun Che.

Above the gray dome, Hua Qing Ying watched Hua Cai Li's current state, furrowing her brow.

She wasn't kept tense for long. In a quarter of an hour, Yun Che opened his eyes. He raised his left hand; the hole in his palm had sealed, but it still looked particularly terrifying.

His movement made Hua Cai Li's gaze snap back immediately. She stepped two paces forward and asked with concern, "Are your injuries alright? It might be best to recover a bit longer."

Yun Che, however, stood up directly and smiled slightly. "Don't worry, my constitution is special. This kind of injury is nothing to me." He looked at Hua Cai Li, and his gaze suddenly faltered slightly. He then said, "Fairy Sister, may I... touch your forehead closely?"

Sensing Hua Cai Li's instant astonishment, he hastily added, "I absolutely do not mean to offend, and I won't actually touch you. I just need to be within half a foot."

His urgent explanation and visibly shifting gaze unconsciously transformed Hua Cai Li's astonishment into a faint smile. She asked curiously, "Why?"

Yun Che didn't explain further, but instead took two steps forward. He simply extended his finger towards the girl's blood-stained forehead, saying, "I promise it will be quick."

"?" Hua Cai Li instinctively stepped back... But before panic could rise in her heart, her attention was completely captured by the white glow appearing before her eyes.

She liked pure white things, such as the misty snow robes she wore, the Li Yun Sword in her hand, and the colorful cloud branches from the Pure Land. But she had never seen white light this pure. So pure it seemed capable of revealing even the slightest speck of impurity in the world.

She stood frozen for a moment, allowing the white glow to approach. The moment the white glow touched her, the pain in her forehead—and indeed, all her surrounding injuries—instantly diminished by more than half. Her five senses felt as if bathed in clear spring water; the murkiness and oppression from the Mist Sea vanished in an instant, replaced by incredible clarity.

Her lips parted slightly, and she remained completely stunned. Her gaze, through the white glow, involuntarily fixed on Yun Che's eyes, which shone like a white night in the reflection.

In the distant space, Hua Qing Ying was first puzzled. Then she suddenly thought of something, her eyes flickering intensely, but immediately, nine-tenths of her expression was denial. As the sense of sanctity brought by the white glow became increasingly clear in her spiritual perception, the shock in her heart began to amplify wildly.

Sanctity, as it existed in the Abyss, was only ever recorded. If one insisted it existed, it was merely a "relative" sanctity. Yet, what was now appearing in Hua Qing Ying's spiritual perception was something that absolutely should not and could not exist: absolute sanctity, absolute purity. Beings were inherently unable to perceive things they had never encountered. Yet, this sense of sanctity was so clear, as if it were an absolute cognition inherent in the supreme laws, beyond evaluation or doubt for any living being.

"Light... Profound... Energy..."

Hua Qing Ying softly uttered the sacred words that should have only existed in ancient records. In her slightly unfocused cyan eyes, she watched the gash on Hua Cai Li's forehead gradually disappear within the white glow at a speed utterly beyond comprehension, until it, along with the bloodstains, completely vanished without a trace.

The white glow dissipated, Yun Che withdrew his finger, and a smile reappeared on his face.

Hua Cai Li raised her hand steadily and touched her forehead. Her fingers met only the feel of smooth jade, with not a trace of injury.

"What... what kind of power is this?" Her beautiful eyes were clearly a little lost. In her mind, the words "Light Profound Energy" hovered. After all, she was a Heaven Folding Divine Maiden and possessed a high level of understanding. Although Light Profound Energy had never appeared in the Abyss world, its characteristics were too distinct in records. Pure white, pristine, and sacred, it possessed the purest and most powerful healing ability in the world, capable even of creating miracles of life.

Yun Che slightly averted his gaze, then calmly said, "It's a special power bestowed upon me by my master, and it's also a secret I must... keep." If this profound energy were revealed and word spread, one could imagine the immense stir it would cause. Without a doubt, unless one was powerful enough not to be easily controlled by others, this was a secret that had to be guarded with all one's might.

"Such an important secret, why would you..."

Yun Che's gaze was gentle, and his lips curved slightly. "My master said that even a drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring. Fairy Sister just saved me from danger; it would be right for me to repay you even with my life, let alone just a secret." His gaze suddenly lowered slightly, and after seemingly hesitating for a while, he forced down his shyness and said, "Actually... there was also a bit of selfishness involved. Although Fairy Sister only showed half her face, you are the most beautiful and perfect... thing I've ever seen in my life. The injury on Fairy Sister's forehead suddenly made me understand why the most regrettable thing in the world isn't a peerless jade shattering, but a flawless white jade being stained. So... I couldn't help but..."

"..." A completely unfamiliar tingling sensation arose in Hua Cai Li's heart. She was utterly at a loss for how to respond.

"Fairy Sister, can you help me keep this secret?" Yun Che asked softly. "My master repeatedly warned me never to reveal this power to others too early. But in front of Fairy Sister... I simply couldn't hold back."

Hua Cai Li was three parts bewildered and seven parts inexplicably flustered. She quickly nodded, "Don't worry, you did this to help me... I will definitely keep this secret for you, and I won't let anyone else know. Moreover," she emphasized, "You've clearly saved me more times; it should be me repaying you."

Yun Che returned her smile and said nothing more. With a grasp of his hand, the Heaven Smiting Devil Slayer Sword flew back to his grasp, and he didn't forget to retrieve the rather large Abyssal Crystal. He gave a slight nod to Hua Cai Li, "Fairy Sister, it was fortunate to meet you in the Mist Sea. I won't disturb your training further. May we meet again if fate allows."

Having said that, he turned around and walked away cleanly, dragging the Heaven Smiting Sword.

"..." Countless words she wanted to say were halted in her heart. The girl could only stare blankly as his figure receded into the distance.

At this moment, Hua Qing Ying's voice suddenly reached her ear:

"Cai Li, find a way to accompany him."

Hua Cai Li's beautiful eyes trembled. Since entering the Mist Sea, this was the first time she had heard Hua Qing Ying's voice. In previous dangerous situations, and even twice today when death was imminent, she had never appeared. This even made Hua Cai Li begin to doubt if she had truly left. This time she finally spoke, but it wasn't to offer guidance or a warning. Instead, it was to ask her to actively accompany a man?

"Aunt?" She tried to voice the question in her mind.

Hua Qing Ying's voice, carrying a chilling sword intent, came through. "This person's progress is exceptionally fast. In just half a year, he grew from the Divine Sovereign Realm to the third level of the Divine Master Realm. His profound energy is also extremely strange, actually defeating a first-level Demigod with the power of the Divine Master Realm. Such a thing has never happened throughout the history of the Abyss. Moreover, as you saw with your own eyes, when he broke through, he displayed five elemental powers. Five elemental powers coexist within him, yet without any sign of chaos. And the white glow he just displayed... that is undoubtedly the Light Profound Energy that has long been lost to the world, as recorded."

Hua Cai Li said, "So, Aunt's meaning is..."

"This child's uniqueness is beyond words," Hua Qing Ying continued. "He must have only recently entered the world; otherwise, he would surely have astonished it already. His origins are definitely far from ordinary. For now, stay close to him, but you don't need to deliberately investigate anything about him... I will observe him myself."

The surprise in Hua Cai Li's beautiful eyes rippled for a long time, like waves stirred by the wind. What surprised her so much was not Hua Qing Ying's evaluation of Yun Che, but rather... her aunt, whom she knew to be utterly indifferent, caring about nothing except her and the sword, was actually going to actively observe a young man she had only recently met?

As if realizing her behavior was too abnormal and urgent, Hua Qing Ying's tone softened, "Cai Li, there's one thing you can rest assured about: this child is definitely not an evil person. All records concerning Light Profound Energy mentioned that the reason it rarely appears in the world is because to wield Light Profound Energy, one must not only have an untainted body but also a soul that is utterly pure and good, admitting no trace of defilement or evil. Since he possesses Light Profound Energy, he must be someone with an extremely pure and kind heart. Meeting as strangers yet repeatedly offering rescue, and not hesitating to gravely injure himself to protect others... His previous actions are undoubtedly consistent with 'pure and good.' Otherwise, I would never allow you to accompany him."

"Understood," Hua Cai Li replied. Since entering the Mist Sea, she had never traveled with anyone. Yet at this moment, faced with her aunt's active request, she felt strangely no repulsion; instead... was it a faint sense of anticipation?

She didn't immediately go after Yun Che. Her beautiful eyes, capable of dimming the endless starry sky, looked up, and she said very seriously, "But Aunt, I promised him I would keep his secret. You..."

"Unnecessary," Hua Qing Ying replied coolly with two words. How could she deign to expose another's secret?

Silently, she stuck out her tongue in the direction her aunt might be. Her slender figure swept up and flew in the direction Yun Che had gone.

Yun Che's pace was neither fast nor slow as he headed towards the outer reaches of the Mist Sea.

"Why did you reveal the Light Profound Energy?" Li Sa asked. Other things, she might just be confused about, but this point, she couldn't understand.

Yun Che slowly replied, "Revealing a secret is a unique form of trust, and guarding it together invisibly draws two people closer, especially if the secret is significant... It would be even better if there wasn't that peeper."

"..." Li Sa still didn't understand, but didn't want to ask further. She warned, "Aren't you worried this secret will be exposed? For you right now, that would be a huge problem."

"The cost of exposure is certainly high, and precisely because of that, the trust gained from willingly revealing it is also significant," Yun Che said unhurriedly. "Of course, the premise is that I trust them enough not to leak it."

Such a confident foundation, how could it not be ruthless? The emotional state Yun Che brought to Li Sa before and after entering the Abyss was worlds apart, as if he were two different people.

"So what do you plan to do next?" Li Sa asked. "You've been trying so hard to get close to Hua Cai Li, yet at the best possible moment just now, you pulled back again?"

"Approaching is one thing, but there's a world of difference between active and passive," Yun Che chuckled. He maintained a steady pace, neither fast nor slow, showing the caution appropriate for the Mist Sea without appearing hesitant. "What I want is for her to actively approach me."

Li Sa was slightly surprised, "Given her status, and with someone protecting her nearby, how can you be so sure she would..."

"Young Master Yun!" A cry came from behind. Penetrating through layers of abyssal mist, it was still so ethereal and delightful to the ear.

"..." Li Sa's voice abruptly stopped.

Yun Che turned, looking at the girl flying towards him like a butterfly flitting through mist. His expression held just the right amount of astonishment and surprise.

The girl landed in front of him, her fair face tinged with a faint blush. She wasn't sure if it was from the nervousness of actively approaching a man for the first time in her life, or from the apprehension of "ulterior motives"... or perhaps some other reason she couldn't quite discern herself. Her jade lips parted slightly; she was about to speak, but then heard the man in front of her say with a surprised expression, "How do you know my surname is Yun?"

"..." Hua Cai Li was instantly speechless, her mind racing with apprehension. She then recalled that in their several encounters, he indeed seemed to have never mentioned his name to her.

The girl's sudden blankness made Yun Che frown. He said, seemingly serious and investigative, "I've been wondering why, in just half a year, I keep running into you from the Lin Abyss Realm to the vast Mist Sea. So, you've been secretly investigating and tracking me?"

Li Sa: "..."

"No, no!" The girl, who had been pampered her entire life, had never experienced such an accusation. Her emotions seemed pricked, and she hurriedly shook her head in denial, "I didn't. How could I possibly..."

"Then how did you know my surname is Yun?" Yun Che asked again. Looking at the girl who was so easily flustered, Yun Che couldn't help but question her true age and experience again. Strange... Even if she was perfectly protected and had little experience, at her age, she shouldn't be like this, right? This shallow disposition, so easily panicked, why does it seem more like a girl of only one or two decades old?

Hua Cai Li quickly explained, "When I was in the Lin Abyss Realm, I already knew your surname was Yun, and your name was Che. And..."

"Oh," Yun Che drew out the sound, his face showing understanding. His gaze also instantly filled with deeper inquiry: "So you found out my background so early. No wonder... And you said you weren't tracking me."

Her explanation completely backfired. Hua Cai Li became even more flustered, only able to shake her head more vigorously, "I really didn't! At that time... at that time..."

"Hahahahaha!" Yun Che burst out laughing at that moment. Hua Cai Li was momentarily dumbfounded by his laughter. "Just kidding, of course I know you weren't," Yun Che said, looking at her. "I just thought about it. The reason you know my name must be... from witnessing the Lin God Assembly during your stay in the Lin Abyss Realm, right? After all, the only thing that could make you willing to stay in the Lin Abyss Realm would be the opening of the Lin God Realm."

Without time to express surprise at his perfectly accurate guess, the girl quickly nodded to affirm her innocence, "Yes! It was then. I really wanted to see the legendary Lin God with my own eyes, so I went to observe the Lin God Assembly, and that's where I learned your name." She immediately added, "And your age."

"As expected," Yun Che said. "However, the Lin God Realm is not accessible to outsiders, so I presume your wish wasn't fulfilled."

Relieved of the "suspicion," Hua Cai Li's expression relaxed. "That's right. So, I left even before the Lin God Assembly ended." After speaking, she secretly thought to herself... He actually deliberately tried to trick me. Aunt said he wasn't a bad person, but he's quite mischievous. She didn't realize that she had never evaluated anyone in her heart like this before.

Confirming that Hua Cai Li was unaware of the "anomaly" in the Lin God Realm, Yun Che's smile didn't fade, and his heart immediately felt relieved.

"Then, Fairy Sister, did you call out to me for something?" he asked.

"Not a command," Hua Cai Li took a step closer, letting out a small sigh of relief internally. Then she blinked her starlike beautiful eyes, and her lips, hidden beneath the misty veil, bloomed into a delicate curve: "The Mist Sea is far more terrifying than I imagined. If it weren't for you today, I might have already... My injuries and profound energy haven't recovered yet, and I don't dare to venture alone again. So, could I invite you to accompany me for a while?"

There were too many small gestures used to conceal her intent, revealing the girl's overly anxious and inexperienced "scheme."