HCB Chapter 92 Dai Yao cleverly overcomes obstacles, but her return to the demonic path is hindered.
Chapter 92 Dai Yao cleverly overcomes obstacles, but her return to the demonic path is hindered.
The majestic gates of the Demon Palace slowly opened before Dai Yao, and a familiar demonic aura rushed towards her, giving her a sense of being in another world. She had expected a grand welcome, with gongs and drums, firecrackers, waving red flags, and a sea of people... cough cough, she was dreaming.
Before she could even strike a pose of "returning home in glory," a shrill voice shattered her illusions. "Oh, isn't this our great fairy Dai Yao? You've finally decided to come back?" The speaker was a demonic cultivator in a purple robe named Zi Ling, Dai Yao's old nemesis, a typical late-stage "sour grapes," always looking at everyone with a sour expression.
Several demonic cultivators followed behind Zi Ling, each with a subtle expression, as if Dai Yao were some kind of plague carrier. Dai Yao rolled her eyes inwardly: Here they come, I knew it wouldn't be that easy.
She feigned a frightened little rabbit expression and timidly asked, "Sister Ziling, what's wrong...?" Ziling sneered, "Stop pretending. We all know about the benefits you gained in the Land of Immortal Destiny. Who knows if you've been possessed by some evil spirit? For the safety of the Demon Palace, we need to investigate you!"
Another demonic cultivator chimed in, "That's right, this Land of Immortal Destiny is incredibly sinister. What if you bring back something unclean? Wouldn't we all suffer the consequences?" Dai Yao blinked, her eyes slightly reddening, looking like she was about to cry. "I didn't... I... I just wanted to come back..." She sniffed, saying pitifully, "In the Land of Immortal Destiny, I missed the Demon Palace and everyone every day..."
This sudden "show of weakness" stunned Zi Ling and the others. This was not the script they had expected! According to convention, shouldn't Dai Yao jump up and refute them, and then fight them for three hundred rounds?
Zi Ling looked at Dai Yao suspiciously. Had this girl really been affected by something? Dai Yao continued her "performance": "I'm willing to be investigated. I'll do anything to prove my innocence..."
"Hehe, you said it yourself." Zi Ling's eyes darted around, and a plan formed in her mind. "Then come with me!" Dai Yao lowered her head, but a subtle smile appeared on her lips. Her inner monologue: You little punks, you're still too green to mess with me!
As Dai Yao followed Zi Ling into the depths of the Demon Palace, a suffocating atmosphere enveloped her, and her heart sank.
“Dai Yao, first question…” Zi Ling’s voice echoed in the empty hall, carrying a hint of coldness, “What did you experience in the Land of Immortal Destiny?” Dai Yao pretended to ponder, then answered innocently, “Nothing special, just fighting monsters, leveling up, occasionally picking up some loot, and enjoying the exotic scenery along the way, like… a special forces trip?”
Zi Ling's lips twitched. Was this girl playing a trick on her? "Get to the point!"
“Oh, oh,” Dai Yao nodded, “The point is, I was lucky and found some treasures, and then my strength improved by leaps and bounds, that’s all.” She shrugged, with a “I’m helpless” expression on her face.
Zi Ling and the others exchanged glances; this girl was completely unyielding!
"Then what about the treasure you obtained? Let us examine it." Dai Yao looked troubled. "This... isn't very convenient, is it? After all, it's my personal property. What if it gets damaged? Can you afford to pay for it?"
"You!" Zi Ling was so angry she almost vomited blood. How dare a mere demon cultivator speak to her like that!
Another demonic cultivator couldn't stand it any longer and sneered, "Dai Yao, don't be so stubborn! Do you think you're somewhere where you can act so recklessly?" With that, he drew a long sword and thrust it straight at Dai Yao's face.
Dai Yao dodged the attack with a swift movement, and even remarked, "Oh my god, that scared me to death! Drawing your swords so easily, are all you demonic cultivators this irritable?"
Enraged, the demonic cultivator launched a series of attacks, while Dai Yao, like a nimble butterfly, danced gracefully between the attacks, each dodge perfectly timed, even carrying a hint of provocation.
The surrounding demonic cultivators began to whisper among themselves, feeling that this harassment was a bit excessive. After all, Dai Yao was an important member of the Demon Palace, and the benefits she gained in the Land of Immortal Destiny were also advantageous to the Demon Palace.
"Enough!" Zi Ling shouted sharply to stop the demonic cultivator. She realized that if this continued, it would only increase Dai Yao's popularity among the crowd.
“Dai Yao,” she took a deep breath, trying to suppress her anger, “one last question, how loyal are you to the Demon Palace?”
Dai Yao stopped her "dance" and looked at Zi Ling with a sincere expression: "Heaven and earth bear witness, the sun and moon are my proof, my loyalty to the Demon Palace is more genuine than pearls!" She paused, then added, "Of course, that's on the premise that the Demon Palace also treats me well~"
Just as Zi Ling was about to speak, Dai Yao suddenly raised her hand, and a strange light appeared in her palm... "I think there might be a little misunderstanding between us..." The strange light in Dai Yao's palm grew brighter and brighter, and everyone held their breath and stared, curious about what trick this little girl was going to play this time.
When the light faded, it revealed a simple, ancient bronze mirror about the size of a palm.
Before anyone could ask, Dai Yao feigned panic and shouted, "Oh no! I can't control myself!" Immediately, the bronze mirror shone brightly, enveloping the demonic cultivator who had attacked Dai Yao earlier.
The next second, an astonishing scene unfolded. The demonic cultivator's attack returned along the same path, slamming back into himself!
With a loud bang, he fell to the ground in a sorry state, his mouth full of mud, his once imposing image instantly vanished.
"Pfft—" Someone burst out laughing first, and then the surrounding demonic cultivators could no longer hold back and burst into laughter.
"Hahaha, you brought this on yourself!" "Serves you right! Serves you right for bullying your junior sister!" "Oh my, this is hilarious, that was a real slap in the face!"
The demonic cultivator was filled with shame and indignation. He struggled to his feet, only to find that his whole body ached and he could barely stand. He glared fiercely at Dai Yao, but dared not make any further moves, after all, who knew what other strange functions this eerie bronze mirror might have?
At this moment, Ling Feng strode out, blocking Dai Yao's path, and glared angrily at Zi Ling and the others: "You've gone too far! Junior Sister Dai has made great contributions to the Demon Palace, and this is how you treat a meritorious person?" He was born with a chivalrous spirit and couldn't stand this kind of bullying behavior.
Lingyun also stepped forward timidly and whispered in agreement, "That's right, that's right, Sister Dai Yao didn't do anything wrong..."
Looking at the two who stood up for her, Dai Yao felt a surge of warmth in her heart. She smiled slightly, winked at Ling Feng and Ling Yun, and everything was understood without words.
Zi Ling's face turned ashen; she hadn't expected things to develop to this point.
Just as she was about to reprimand Ling Feng, a deep voice came from afar... "What's going on?"
A middle-aged man dressed in a long black robe, with a dignified face, slowly walked over. He exuded a powerful aura that made people afraid to look him in the eye. It was Xuan Ming, an elder of the Demon Palace.
His gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Dai Yao, his tone completely calm: "You are Dai Yao?"
Dai Yao's heart skipped a beat, but she remained outwardly calm and respectfully bowed, saying, "This disciple is indeed you." She secretly sized up Xuan Ming; this elder was not someone to be trifled with, as he was unpredictable and his strength was unfathomable.
Xuanming looked Dai Yao up and down, a barely perceptible glint of light flashing in his eyes.
"I heard you brought back a priceless treasure?"
"Reporting to the elder, this disciple was fortunate enough to obtain some opportunities," Dai Yao replied modestly, but inwardly she thought to herself: Fortunate? I almost lost my life!
"Hmph, luck?" Zi Ling sneered, saying sarcastically, "I bet she used some underhanded methods! Elder, this little girl is cunning, you mustn't be fooled by her!"
"Zi Ling!" Ling Feng roared, "That's enough! Don't make false accusations!"
"I'm slandering you?" Zi Ling sneered. "How could a mere Qi Refining stage cultivator like her obtain a celestial treasure? It must be..."
"Enough!" Xuanming shouted, interrupting Ziling.
He turned to look at Dai Yao, his tone softening, "Present the immortal treasures you have obtained."
Dai Yao's heart tightened. This old fox really was trying to get something for nothing! But she remained calm on the surface, took out an exquisite jade box from her storage bag, and presented it with both hands: "Elder, this is the immortal treasure that this disciple obtained."
Xuanming took the jade box and slowly opened it. Inside, there lay a bead emitting a faint light.
This bead may look ordinary, but it contains powerful spiritual energy that inspires awe.
“Not bad.” A hint of greed flashed in Xuanming’s eyes, but he quickly regained his composure. “You did a good job. You may leave.”
Dai Yao sneered inwardly, but outwardly she respectfully withdrew.
Back at her residence, Dai Yao immediately set up a protective barrier and sat cross-legged. She closed her eyes, sensing the flow of the mysterious power within her body. This power had become increasingly active since entering the Demon Palace, as if something was drawing it in.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in her mind: "You are very special..."