The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 192: I Am Pissed

I Am Pissed . . .

In the midst of the chaotic battle, a sword descended like a raging storm, a relentless tempest unleashed by someone harboring an intense animosity toward Cha-Eun Xiao. The blade was propelled with such formidable force that even if it initially targeted Su Ye-Yue, it seemed destined to pierce through her and reach the very heart of Cha-Eun Xiao.

As he observed the imminent danger, Cha-Eun Xiao couldn't help but acknowledge the gravity of the situation. He realized that their lives hung by a precarious thread, bound together by an inevitable fate.

"Today, it seems we are fated to meet our end together," Cha-Eun Xiao murmured, his gaze fixed on Su Ye-Yue. "You, my dear, impulsive girl… Why do you persist in these futile yet poignant acts? You were well aware of the futility of returning, yet here you stand before me, courting death. Are you merely determined to meet your end before I do? You are a silly girl."

Tears welled up in his eyes, his heart warmed by the memory of this reckless girl. The echo of Su Ye-Yue's declaration reverberated in his mind: "Today, I am your wife." It was a vow that underscored their commitment to one another—to live and die as partners.

However, as the sword hurtled toward Su Ye-Yue's chest, three Tianyuan cultivators leaped into action, desperately attempting to intercept the deadly strike and rescue the girl. Yet their efforts proved futile, as Su Ye-Yue's impending demise cast a shadow of remorse over the men. They had never anticipated such an unexpected twist while orchestrating this dire situation; it seemed that destiny had thrown them an unexpected curveball.

However, was this truly an inevitable outcome? In a world devoid of absolutes, there was always room for change.

Suddenly, amid the impending tragedy, a voice urgently cried out, "Halt!"

A deafening boom resonated through the air, freezing not just the moment but the entire world itself. Time seemed to come to a standstill, and the wind ceased its ceaseless howling in the sky. The people, the surroundings, and even the sword suspended in mid-air were all locked in a state of immobility.

The mountains, the sky, the clouds, and the wind—all halted in their tracks.

And so did the sword.

The blade, once hurtling toward Su Ye-Yue's chest with lethal intent, hung motionless in the air, defying gravity.

In the next instant, a fair and delicate hand extended from the stillness. It reached out, gripped the sword firmly, and with a decisive swing, shattered it into fragments that rained down upon the earth.

Despite the eerie silence enveloping the scene, the onlookers bore witness to the extraordinary spectacle that had unfolded before them. While it might not be uncommon for a powerful individual to vanquish a flying sword mid-flight, the manner in which it occurred was nothing short of astonishing and terrifying.

A voice, tinged with both severity and gentleness, resonated through the stillness. It was the voice of a woman—a voice that defied expectations.

"I have toiled so diligently to find myself a disciple, and yet you nearly allowed her to meet her end before my very eyes. How dare you, you fools. How dare you," the voice chided.

Although stern, it held a touch of compassion.

In the sky, it was as though a glass pane had shattered into countless pieces, causing the very fabric of space to rupture. A sudden rift appeared, only to seamlessly return to its former state as if nothing had transpired.

Gradually, the world resumed its motion, releasing those ensnared in the frozen moment. Amidst the shock and terror that rippled through the crowd, including Cha-Eun Xiao himself, their collective gaze remained fixed on what lay ahead—a future shrouded in uncertainty and intrigue.

Cha-Eun Xiao observed as a mysterious woman approached Su Ye-Yue, seemingly materializing out of thin air. Her presence was like the gentle parting of a door curtain, a transition from the confines of a house into the open embrace of nature. Her demeanor was anything but common, striking the assassins with the realization that she was a cultivator of extraordinary prowess, though the extent of her strength remained shrouded in uncertainty.

Within the depths of his being, Cha-Eun Xiao possessed an innate understanding. He knew that, even in the prime of his previous life, he could never have hoped to rival the woman's power. The chasm between their abilities was insurmountable; he was unequivocally outmatched.

In truth, she surpassed even the formidable ninth level of the Grade of Daoyuan. Her cultivation level transcended the boundaries of the Qing-Yun Realm by a significant margin. A startling thought crossed Cha-Eun Xiao's mind: Could this woman hail from the Grand World?

With her arrival, the ice-covered mountain underwent a transformation, as though the arrival of spring had caused a profusion of blossoms. Despite the persistent frost, a sense of warmth permeated the frigid surroundings, and vivid clouds gathered in the sky. The woman exuded an air of dominion over the entire world. Beneath her feet, a patch of colorful clouds seemed to cradle her, rendering her impervious to the touch of this realm's atmosphere.

Cha-Eun Xiao's mind raced with questions. Who was this formidable woman, and from whence did she draw her boundless vigor? The enigma surrounding her identity left him baffled and intrigued. His limited knowledge of the Grand World only added to his confusion, as he struggled to grasp the true essence of her presence.

One of the Tianyuan cultivators among the assassins, gripped by fear and caution, mustered the courage to inquire, "Who are you? And why have you intruded upon our affairs?"

The woman offered no immediate response. Instead, she continued to scrutinize Su Ye-Yue with an unyielding gaze, thoroughly examining every nuance of her being. Sensing the woman's intense scrutiny, Su Ye-Yue, trembling with fear, sought refuge by leaning closer to Cha-Eun Xiao. She hesitantly implored, "Who... Who are you? What is it that you seek?"

After a prolonged silence, the woman finally displayed a semblance of satisfaction. With a serene countenance, she remarked, "Impressive. You cherish love and relationships, possess a pure heart and an unspoiled spirit. You are astute and beautiful... Indeed, you are the one I require."

Clearing his throat, Cha-Eun Xiao demanded, "Who are you, and what do you desire from my fiancée?"

"She is your fiancée?" The woman's brow furrowed, and she cast a brief, scrutinizing glance in Cha-Eun Xiao's direction. Until that moment, she had chosen to disregard both the assassins and Cha-Eun Xiao, showing no interest until the word 'fiancée' hung in the air.

A single, fleeting glance exchanged between Cha-Eun Xiao and the enigmatic woman sent shivers of apprehension down his spine. Suppressing his unease, he maintained a facade of composure and inquired, "So she is. What of it?"

The woman responded with an inscrutable smile. "If you wish to avoid an untimely demise, I suggest you reconsider your choice. You are undeserving of her."

In response to this affront, Su Ye-Yue, momentarily forgetting her fear, retorted indignantly, "Nonsense! I am going to be his wife!"

The woman regarded Su Ye-Yue with a sense of disappointment, as if addressing an ignorant child. Her tone gentled as she explained, "You fail to comprehend. He is not worthy of you. He falls far short of the necessary qualifications."

With a casual wave of her hand, she gestured toward the assassins and inquired, "Are these individuals your adversaries?"

Su Ye-Yue, her anger still smoldering, replied, "They are vile individuals. Unable to confront my father directly, they resorted to these underhanded schemes to capture me and threaten him."

The woman sighed. "They represent the most loathsome breed of people, those I despise most in this world."

After a brief pause, she continued, "In that case, allow me to deal with these miscreants on your behalf, as a small token to commemorate our first encounter."

Puzzled, Su Ye-Yue asked, "Deal with them? But who are you, and why are you offering to help us?"

The woman's smile softened as she replied, "I am your master, and you are my disciple."

Utterly bewildered, Su Ye-Yue struggled to make sense of this revelation. Thoughts raced through her mind, each more perplexing than the last. "Master? When did I become your disciple? Why can't I remember any of this?"

One of the Tianyuan cultivators among the assassins, spurred by anger and indignation, interjected, "Who are you? Do you even know who you're dealing with? You've invited grave trouble by meddling in our affairs. Allow me to enlighten you; we are from the Chaotic Stone House..."

At this mention, the woman's countenance shifted, revealing a trace of emotion as she responded, "I never anticipated there would be anyone audacious enough in this world to threaten me. That, my dear, is a rarity."

Without turning her head, she casually extended her pale hand, casting a nonchalant gesture toward the assassins.

In an instant, the entire space seemed to freeze again. However, this time, not everyone found themselves ensnared within its icy grip. Cha-Eun Xiao and Su Ye-Yue remained unaffected, retaining their freedom of movement, while the assassins were rendered utterly immobile.

They stood motionless, unable to so much as blink.

The woman addressed Su Ye-Yue with gentle reassurance, "Fear not, my dear. Close your eyes. There is no need for you to witness such a gruesome spectacle."

Perplexed, Su Ye-Yue inquired, "What do you mean?"

The woman shook her head, her smile unwavering. Extending her hand, she uttered a single word, "Crush."

A resounding impact followed—space shattered once more. However, this time, it disintegrated along with those trapped within. The assassins, who moments earlier had been standing tall, were reduced to lifeless, boneless masses scattered upon the ground.

Over eighty individuals, once formidable adversaries, now lay like crimson tapestries silently unfurled across the earth, their lives extinguished in the blink of an eye.