161. Ling Qingzhu Was Trapped (Extra Story 1)

Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace, Zhuqing Courtyard.

Within the small courtyard, a graceful figure sat cross-legged in the air atop a green lotus.

A thin veil covered her face,
yet it failed to hide her breathtaking beauty.

She was none other than the most outstanding female disciple of the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace in the past century—
Ling Qingzhu!

She had just withdrawn from her cultivation state.

“Knock, knock…”

A knocking sound echoed from the door.

Ling Qingzhu's clear, melodious voice rang out in the courtyard:
“Come in.”

The door creaked open.

A lively figure, resembling a carefree bird in the forest, stepped in with cheerful strides.

The visitor called out as she ran:
“ Sister Qingzhu, another letter for you.”

To everyone's surprise, the visitor looked almost identical to Ling Qingzhu!

If there was any difference, it would be their personalities, which were slightly distinct.

The visitor was Ling Qingzhu’s younger sister,
Ling Qingyi.

However, her cultivation talent was nowhere near her sister’s—she was at least ten levels below!

Thus, she had only been at the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace for less than a month.

Years ago, during Ling Qingzhu’s wedding to Chen Xuan, Ling Qingyi had been unable to attend due to her prolonged cultivation outside.

Nevertheless, she had long admired her famous brother-in-law.

Although she knew of Chen Xuan, he had never actually met her in person.

“Who’s it from?”

Ling Qingzhu’s voice was gentle, yet carried a hint of aloofness that kept people at a distance.

Ling Qingyi didn’t take it personally.

Instead, she handed over the letter, saying,
“Who else? It’s Huangpu Jing from the Great Yan Dynasty.”

“I’ve already told them I’m not going,” Ling Qingzhu said, her delicate brows slightly furrowed.

Recently, the Huangpu family had been persistently inviting her to participate in an exploration of an ancient tomb, claiming it might contain a divine artifact called the Nirvana Heart, which could greatly aid her cultivation.

When the first invitation arrived, Ling Qingzhu had refused without hesitation.

Yet within just ten days, the Huangpu family had sent several more letters, leaving her quite annoyed.

Ling Qingyi shrugged helplessly.
“There’s nothing we can do. They’re relatives, after all.”

“Reply to them for me. Decline again,” Ling Qingzhu said curtly, heading back into her room.

Hearing this, Ling Qingyi’s expression shifted slightly, and she quickly followed.

“Sister, the Huangpu family helped us in the past. Isn’t it a bit ungrateful to keep refusing them?”

Years ago, when their family faced difficulties, the Huangpu family had extended a helping hand.

To repay the favor, after entering the Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace, Ling Qingzhu had provided them with numerous resources.

Ling Qingzhu’s voice turned cold.
“I’ve already repaid that favor.”

Hearing this, Ling Qingyi stomped her foot in frustration.
“Sister! Why won’t you listen to reason?”

“Then you go. I won’t.”

Unwilling to give up, Ling Qingyi tried again.
“Think about it—this time, they mentioned in the letter that the ancient tomb might contain the Nirvana Heart, which could greatly help you break through to the Nirvana Realm!”

“No need,” Ling Qingzhu said, refusing again without a second thought.

Ling Qingyi, undeterred, pressed on.
“Think of it as a training experience! Besides, they said it’s not dangerous. Are you afraid?”

“Afraid? The strongest person in the Great Yan Dynasty is only at the First Nirvana Realm. What do I have to fear?”

“Well then, there’s no problem! Just go. You have nothing to lose.”

“But…”

Ling Qingzhu was about to say something when Ling Qingyi abruptly interrupted her:
"If you keep acting like this, who will help us in the future if we run into trouble?"

"This..."

Ling Qingzhu hesitated, seemingly ready to agree. However, she recalled how, not long ago, Chen Xuan, while in seclusion, had repeatedly warned her not to go to the Great Yan Dynasty.

She shook her head resolutely. "Let’s wait until Junior Brother Chen comes out of seclusion."

"Brother Chen this, Brother Chen that! Is he all you care about? I’m your biological sister! Do you think I’d harm you?" Ling Qingyi retorted angrily.

Looking at her furious younger sister, Ling Qingzhu felt that something was off. Yet, she couldn't pinpoint exactly what it was.

Seeing that her attempts to persuade Ling Qingzhu were failing, Ling Qingyi tried various arguments and continued pestering her, all for one purpose—
to convince Ling Qingzhu to go to the Great Yan Dynasty!

In the end, Ling Qingzhu had no choice but to agree.

However, knowing that Shen Qing might not approve, she decided to leave quietly.

Initially, she planned to bring a Nirvana Realm expert with her, but Ling Qingyi assured her that there was no danger. The two of them set out alone.


---

Leaving Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace, they headed straight for the Great Yan Dynasty.

On the way, Ling Qingzhu couldn't shake the feeling that her younger sister was acting strangely.

Unable to hold back, she asked, "Qingyi, are you hiding something from me?"

"No... absolutely not! How could I?" Ling Qingyi’s expression became slightly unnatural, and she shook her head vigorously.

In the depths of her eyes, a faint black light rippled ominously.

Ling Qingzhu, suspecting nothing, continued on her way.

After traveling for a while, a sudden black flash streaked across the sky, forming a bizarre barrier around them.

This barrier isolated all energy and signals—they couldn't sense the outside world, nor could anyone outside sense them.

A sinister and terrifying aura filled the air.

"Sister, what’s happening? I’m scared," Ling Qingyi whimpered as she hid behind Ling Qingzhu.

Her words expressed fear, but the slight smirk on her lips told a different story.

Ling Qingzhu, with her back to Ling Qingyi, didn’t notice. She instinctively shielded her sister. "Don’t be afraid. I’m here."

"Mm," Ling Qingyi responded softly.

Ling Qingzhu attempted to crush a jade talisman to send out a signal, but to no avail—it failed to transmit anything.

Taking a deep breath, Ling Qingzhu called out calmly:
"I am Ling Qingzhu, a disciple of Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace. I apologize if I have unintentionally offended you. Please forgive me."

"Offended? Ling Qingzhu, you are exactly who we’re looking for!"

In the sky, black mist gathered, forming a humanoid figure. His entire body was pitch black, with strange golden markings on his face. Behind him stretched a pair of exaggeratedly large wings.

The figure, shrouded in dark mist, resembled a demonic wraith straight out of hell.

"You’re looking for me? Do we know each other?" Ling Qingzhu asked in astonishment.

"Kehehe, I’m here to borrow something from you!"

"Borrow what?"

"Time!"

"?"

As Ling Qingzhu stared in confusion, the shadowy figure waved a hand, releasing a terrifying black mist that turned into chains, binding her tightly.

No matter how much she struggled, it was useless!

"Qingyi, run!" Ling Qingzhu shouted, turning her head toward her sister.

But Ling Qingyi remained unnervingly calm. "No need to run, Sister."

"Step aside. Let me finish her off with one strike!" The shadowy figure pushed Ling Qingyi aside, dark energy surging from his body as he prepared to strike.

"Eight Devil General, stop! If you kill her, our entire plan will fail!"

"What do you mean?"

"She has a spiritual imprint left in Nine Heavens Supreme Purity Palace. If she dies, they’ll know immediately!"

Ling Qingyi’s words made Ling Qingzhu’s eyes widen in disbelief.

"You... Qingyi, you and him..."

"Sister, don’t blame me. You’re too exceptional—I had no choice but to do this!"