Chapter 112: Betrayed by Someone

The Luo River is not far from my hometown. I used to come here often with my Second Uncle to help people with various tasks, so I am quite familiar with the area. Yet, I had never heard of anything called the Luoshui Temple.

We asked many people near the Luo River, but we found no trace of this so-called Luoshui Temple.

Wan'er stood by the river, looking at the small mountain to the south. She blinked and said, "This mountain seems to be the same one, so why is the temple nowhere to be found?"

I smiled. "Little sister, two thousand years! Do you have any idea what two thousand years means? It means twenty generations of people living to be a hundred; it is truly enough time for seas to dry up and rocks to crumble! It’s a miracle enough of the mountain is even left."

"No, we must go up the mountain and look." Wan'er took my hand and led me toward the slopes. I hesitated. "Wan'er, the weather like this is bad for your health! Can we wait for the sun to cool down a bit before we go up?" I was genuinely worried about her; the sun's energy was currently too intense, which was detrimental to her condition.

"It’s fine. With the triple protection, other than not eating or sleeping, I’m basically the same as a living person." Wan'er giggled and pulled me toward the summit.

We spent half a day roaming the mountain, but apart from rocks and trees, we found nothing—not even a remnant of a foundation for the Luoshui Temple.

Failing to find the temple meant failing to find the Luoshui Ring, which left Wan'er deeply saddened. I felt a sense of defeat as well. My priority had to be growing stronger in a short time; otherwise, I would never be able to defeat Xing Yun and his subordinates. If I couldn't beat them, everything else was just empty talk.

"Brother, I’m sorry! I... I can't help you," Wan'er said, pouting, looking truly heartbroken.

"Wan'er, don't say that. This isn't your fault. I believe everything will be alright." I held her close, moved by the disappointment in her eyes.

Li Danian was dead, and Wei Qi was nowhere to be found. With no other options, I decided to consult Duan Sandao, Wei Qi's master. Perhaps he could offer a strategy, or at the very least, news of Wei Qi.

The journey was long, but I didn't care. I summoned the Purple Gold Colt, and soon Wan'er and I arrived at Duan Sandao’s residence. He was shocked to see us and hurriedly ushered us inside.

"Dachuan, why are you here?" Duan Sandao asked, clearly surprised. Then he added, "The Yin-Yang world has labeled you and Wei Qi as outcasts, claiming you are the Underworld King’s confidants and the vanguard for his invasion of the human realm."

I was stunned. Damn it, Xing Yun was taking things too far. How did I become the vanguard for an invasion? It was true that the Underworld King was my uncle, but he had no intention of attacking the human world!

"Master, have you seen Seventh Uncle?" This was my primary purpose for coming.

Duan Sandao shook his head, saying he hadn't seen Wei Qi and had been looking for him himself. He then asked if I truly had ties to the Underworld. Since he was Wei Qi's master, I decided not to hide anything and carefully explained my relationship with the Underworld King. I told him that Wei Qi had witnessed everything firsthand and could vouch for me. I insisted that my Second Uncle had no intention of invading the human world.

Duan Sandao looked grave. He had never imagined that my Second Uncle had become the ruler of the Underworld.

I recounted what I had seen and heard at Dinglin Temple. Hearing this, Duan Sandao hurriedly covered my mouth. "Dachuan, you cannot say such things. Walls have ears. Xing Yun’s influence is too great; even if he stays at Dinglin Temple, his power is immense."

I whispered, asking if there was any way to increase my cultivation in a short time so I could avenge Li Danian and rescue Wang Ying, which would also help me find Wei Qi faster.

Duan Sandao shook his head, saying it was difficult. No technique could be mastered overnight; it required long-term dedication. After some thought, he pulled a book titled *Supreme Yang Art* from a chest, saying that practicing it for ten years would grant a tenfold increase in power. Although I felt it wouldn't solve my immediate crisis, I accepted it. I could no longer rely on external forces; I had to become strong myself.

After chatting for a while, Duan Sandao asked if I wanted to stay, offering to arrange a room. I sensed he was hinting for us to leave, so I said I had urgent business and had to return. As he walked us to the door, he whispered, "If you want to deal with Xing Yun, you could seek help from the power of the Underworld!"

I had a sudden realization. Of course! My Second Uncle’s power was peerless; even the Palm Thunder couldn't harm him. Why hadn't I asked him for help? Perhaps he had a way.

I felt excited by the idea, but also conflicted. If I used Underworld techniques to deal with Xing Yun, wouldn't I be proving that I was in league with them? That would be bad for both me and my uncle.

I left Duan Sandao’s home feeling dejected. I was disappointed; it seemed impossible to become strong quickly. If I followed the *Supreme Yang Art*, I would be old by the time I mastered it, and Wang Ying might not even recognize me.

"Wan'er, am I just useless?" I asked while riding the Purple Gold Colt, drifting through the sky.

"Brother, don't be like that. Let's think of another way. I think Duan Sandao made a good point. You could borrow your Second Uncle’s power—even if you don't use his ghost soldiers, you could learn his techniques. If he teaches you, you could handle Xing Yun," Wan'er said softly, turning her head as she sat in front of me.

I was torn. Using my uncle’s strength to save Wang Ying would certainly work, but the consequences would be severe. Xing Yun would have even more evidence against me. If I wasn't colluding with the Underworld, why would I know their techniques? It would only fuel the conflict between the two realms, which was exactly what Xing Yun wanted.

But I had no other choice. For Wang Ying, I would risk it all.

"Wan'er, let's go to Mount Fulai and find the gateway to the Underworld," I said, holding her waist firmly.

"Brother, no matter what you do, I support you. As long as you are happy," she replied, kissing my cheek.

I patted the colt's back. "Buddy, take us to the mountainside of Fulai."

The colt soared, and within minutes, we arrived at Mount Fulai. Under the night sky, the mountain remained the same. Standing in the woods, I saw only dim shadows and had no idea where the gateway was.

"Wan'er, help me find the barrier." I remembered she had helped me reach the Purple Kingdom before.

"I’ll try, but I can't promise anything." Wan'er focused, her hands trembling as tiny blue stars appeared between them. Yet, no mirror-like barrier appeared.

"Brother, I... I can't open it. My power isn't strong enough, or perhaps the barrier has been sealed." She stopped, looking disappointed.

This reminded me of what my Second Uncle had said before I left—that he would be sealing the barrier for a while. It seemed it was true. I put my arm around her shoulder. "Don't be sad, little sister. It's okay. Heaven always leaves a way; if we can't open this barrier, we'll find another method."

Just then, the sound of a crowd erupted from the south. A group of people surrounded us—dozens of them, carrying torches and lanterns. Aside from monks, there were ghost soldiers. At the front stood Zhao Laosao and Yueyue.

Zhao Laosao had lost an arm, and Yueyue’s face was a pale, ghastly grey. Her eyes were piercing and cold; she was no longer the frail little girl I once knew.

"Zhao Laosao, I cut off your arm last night, and today you come to throw your life away?" I felt frustrated. How did they arrive so quickly? Had Duan Sandao leaked our location?

Thinking about it, it had to be him. No one else knew we were coming here, and it was his suggestion that we look for the barrier. What a scoundrel! How could someone as upright and sincere as Wei Qi have such a master?

"Wang Dachuan, yesterday was yesterday, and today is today. Watch as I capture you, eat your heart, and drink your blood!" Zhao Laosao shook his body, and his hunched form suddenly straightened. A layer of grey energy shield wrapped around him—similar to what my Second Uncle used in the Underworld. Though smaller, the aura was unmistakably the same.