Chapter 148: Xie Yingying's Presence Vanishes

Seeing that her scheme had failed, Shen Ruru completely snapped. She glared at Bai Shengyun, her expression twisted to the point of grotesquerie. The force of the palm strike from moments ago had sent her flying, and the sheer agony of it left her struggling to crawl up from the floor.

"Bai Shengyun, why? Do you truly loathe me that much?" Her face contorted, bordering on a state of demonic obsession. In the room, Bai Shengyun watched her, his deep, inscrutable eyes stirring a sense of dread within her.

Perhaps clinging to a sliver of hope, Shen Ruru scrambled toward him, but the moment she reached out, Bai Shengyun cut her off.

"We are merely fellow disciples. Where would such affections come from?"

Bai Shengyun’s brows were tightly knit, his entire demeanor radiating an unapproachable coldness. His high-coiled hair and detached gaze served as a constant reminder that there was no possibility between them.

This look stung Shen Ruru. Memories of the past flooded her mind, fueling her resentment. Why? Why could Xie Yingying have everything?!

She concentrated spiritual power at her fingertips like a small, flickering flame, imagining her actions were unseen. A cold smirk played on her lips; if she could not have him, she would destroy him.

Faced with her sudden stillness, Bai Shengyun was momentarily puzzled. He watched her motionless form, confused but unwilling to engage. Just as he turned to leave, Shen Ruru called out to him.

"Shengyun..." Tears had welled in her eyes, her glistening gaze filled with deep longing. Though her hair was disheveled, it lent her a chaotic, tragic beauty that might have moved any other man.

But Bai Shengyun was no ordinary man. He felt only an intense loathing for her; he despised the lengths to which she would go to possess him.

Shen Ruru took a few steps toward him, her hand suspended in the air. "Shengyun, have you truly never loved me?"

"Never." Bai Shengyun’s reply was merciless. It was the final blow to her last glimmer of hope. Suddenly, she lunged from her kneeling position. They were already close, and as she extended her hand, the gathered spiritual energy was poised to strike his face.

Fortunately, Bai Shengyun’s reflexes were sharp. He caught her hand, leaving Shen Ruru stunned. She had masked her intent so well—why had it failed? Her arm went limp, her hand dropping weakly to her side.

Shen Ruru slumped to the floor, tears streaming down her cheeks, soaking her face. "Why, Bai Shengyun? What do I lack compared to that Xie Yingying!!!" This was the last of her strength.

Bai Shengyun remained silent.

This tacit admission was the ultimate answer, the final straw that shattered her sanity. She pulled out her magical artifact and charged at him.

"No, Bai Shengyun, I refuse to accept this!!!" Her face was twisted, wet with tears, her heart consumed by bitterness. Annoyed, Bai Shengyun struck her with a single palm.

"We are fellow disciples, Shen Ruru. Do not force me to disregard our shared history." His tone was indifferent, yet that strike sent her crashing to the ground, unable to rise again.

Shen Ruru coughed up blood, rendered speechless.

The room returned to silence. The location was desolate to begin with, and it had been difficult enough for Bai Shengyun and Bai Qirui to find such a place. Seeing Shen Ruru still present only added to his irritation.

However, it was for the best; with the room now quiet, those keeping watch outside had also settled down.

"Hey, no more noise," they whispered.

"Shut up. Tell the Third to check for arrays. What if they set up a soundproofing barrier?"

The suggestion made sense. A man who looked like a child went to investigate. Finding nothing and seeing that Bai Shengyun did not emerge, they let their guard down and sat off to the side to chat.

It was well past midnight; they assumed no one would be coming, and their vigilance waned.

In the room, Bai Shengyun realized this. He extended his spiritual perception to scan the surroundings. Though he could not clearly see their expressions, he could sense their states perfectly. Noticing their drowsiness, he produced a handful of sleep-inducing insects and scattered them.

Since Bai Shengyun hadn't stepped out, their suspicions had already faded. Stung by the insects, the watchers soon drifted off to sleep.

With a heavy thud, one of them collapsed. Sensing they were all unconscious, Bai Shengyun channeled his energy again.

"Phew, finally some peace," he sighed.

A faint light flickered. Bai Shengyun activated an array, shifting places with his diversionary spirit clone. His other substitute was still in the Peach Blossom Wonderland, and though the vessel remained the same, the light in its eyes vanished instantly.

To the average person, the difference was imperceptible—enough to fool the small fries outside.

It was perfect, save for its inability to speak.

After swapping places, he returned to the Peach Blossom Wonderland. It was already deep into the night; he had thought the outside world was dark, but the darkness in the Peach Blossom Wonderland was absurd—utterly pitch-black.

"Alright, everyone is here. We can go," Bai Qirui said, relieved to see the real Bai Shengyun arrive. He assumed everything was handled and prepared to depart.

Suddenly, a strange sensation welled up from the depths of his heart.

The two men exchanged glances. A familiar aura grew stronger—it was Xie Yingying.

Perhaps Bai Shengyun did not even realize it, but the moment he caught wind of her, his entire spirit surged with energy.

Before they could fully grasp what was happening, they set off. A few who realized what was happening followed suit, and soon, the two men tracked the source.

Bai Shengyun did not know why, but he felt an inexplicable lightness, as if a weight had been lifted from his chest.

"Shengyun, don't rush. Let's confirm if it's really her."

"It is. Her aura is unique; I could not be mistaken."

Despite his confidence, when they reached the source of the aura, Xie Yingying was nowhere to be found.

The fruitless effort left a hollow sense of disappointment. Bai Shengyun sighed.

Bai Qirui patted him on the shoulder. "It’s alright. We will find her again."

In truth, neither of them believed it. When they first entered, the mist had separated them, and only Xie Yingying had gone missing. They couldn't help but suspect foul play.