Liang Yifei furrowed his brow slightly, a trace of confusion passing through his eyes as he pondered Mi Ling's earlier words. His silence did not go unnoticed, and Mi Ling's lips curved faintly as she observed his reaction.
"It seems like your knowledge is somewhat lacking," she remarked, her tone carrying a hint of superiority. "But I suppose it's not something that an ordinary person would be expected to know."
Liang Yifei did not respond immediately, as if her words held no weight over him. A faint smile appeared on his lips instead, subtle and unreadable.
With a simple snap of his fingers, the atmosphere shifted.
Cracks began to tear through the space within the secret realm, spreading rapidly in all directions. The air trembled violently as the void fractures widened, their presence drawing in surrounding energy and creating a suffocating pressure that shook the ground beneath them.
Each crack expanded like a devouring maw, pulling everything toward it as the tremors intensified. The entire realm seemed on the verge of collapse, as though it could be swallowed whole at any moment.
Mi Ling's expression changed instantly.
Her hands moved without hesitation, forming one intricate seal after another with practiced precision. As each seal was completed, a Dao rune materialized and shot toward the nearest crack.
The moment the runes made contact, the chaotic energy pouring from the cracks began to dissipate. The violent pressure weakened, stabilizing slightly under her intervention.
But as she turned her attention back—
Her pupils shrank.
Liang Yifei was gone.
The Peacock was gone as well.
For a brief moment, Mi Ling stood frozen before her expression darkened. She immediately extended her divine sense, scanning every corner of the realm.
Nothing.
Not even a trace remained.
"How did he…?" she murmured, her thoughts racing as realization dawned.
A flicker of anger surfaced within her as she clenched her fist slightly. "He's cunning, I'll give him that."
She scanned the surroundings again, unwilling to accept it so easily. Yet no matter how thoroughly she searched, there was nothing.
It was as if he had vanished entirely.
Then—
Her gaze shifted back to the void cracks.
They were expanding again.
The runes she had summoned began to weaken, their power fading as the cracks slowly regained strength. A faint tremor ran through the ground once more.
Mi Ling's expression turned serious.
"If I don't deal with this now…"
Taking a steady breath, she focused all her energy and began suppressing the cracks one by one. Each movement required careful control, as even the slightest mistake could destabilize the entire realm.
Time passed slowly.
The strain accumulated with each sealed crack, her energy steadily draining as she pushed forward without pause.
After what felt like hours, the final crack finally closed.
The trembling subsided.
The secret realm stabilized once more.
Mi Ling exhaled heavily, exhaustion settling into her body. Yet even as she stood there, her thoughts remained fixed on Liang Yifei.
"So he possesses the ability to manipulate the void…" she muttered softly. "That's how he escaped from the cave back then."
A faint chill passed through her eyes.
"Perhaps I really underestimated him."
Her gaze hardened slightly.
"Nevertheless… I won't let him slip away again."
Before she could think further, movement at the edge of the realm caught her attention.
Two figures stepped forward from the shadows.
Bai Shuan and Li Yan.
"Mi Ling, what happened here?" Bai Shuan asked, his brows slightly furrowed.
Li Yan quickly followed, concern evident in her voice. "We were worried about you. You've been gone for a while, and we finished revising the plan without you. What happened?"
Mi Ling took a slow breath, calming herself before responding. "There was an accident in the secret realm."
Her tone remained steady as she continued, "But there's nothing to worry about. I took care of it."
Bai Shuan and Li Yan exchanged a brief glance, relief appearing on their faces.
"What was it?" Bai Shuan asked.
Mi Ling paused for a moment before answering.
"It was just a minor disturbance," she said. "I took care of it."
Neither of them pressed further.
They trusted her judgment.
"Let's get back to the plan," Mi Ling said, shifting the conversation. "We have a lot of work to do."
They both nodded in agreement, turning their attention back to their objectives.
Yet even as they spoke, Mi Ling's mind remained unsettled.
"With his ability to manipulate the void… finding him won't be easy," she thought.
A faint certainty lingered beneath that unease.
"He'll come to me."
"His goal was never the Peacock… it was information."
---
At the same time, far from the secret realm, Liang Yifei and the Peacock appeared within a grand hall.
The space was vast and elegantly decorated, its marble floors reflecting the golden light that streamed in through tall windows. The walls were adorned with intricate paintings of landscapes and mythical beasts, giving the entire hall an air of quiet grandeur.
The Peacock flapped its wings anxiously, its movements erratic as it struggled to understand its sudden change in surroundings. Soft cries escaped it, filled with confusion and distress.
Liang Yifei stepped forward calmly.
The Peacock recoiled instantly, sensing his presence.
"Stay still," he said. "I won't hurt you."
His voice remained steady as he reached out, placing his hand gently on its feathers. A stream of energy flowed from him into the bird's body.
At first, the Peacock resisted.
Then—
Its movements slowed.
The tension faded from its body as it gradually relaxed, its agitation replaced by a quiet stillness.
At that moment, another presence entered the hall.
Yang Wu stepped forward, his eyes widening slightly as he noticed the Peacock.
"I had no idea you were a bird lover," he said with a chuckle.
Liang Yifei turned to him, his expression calm. "Yang Wu, I'm entrusting you with the care of this Peacock. Keep its existence a secret, and make sure it is well-fed and comfortable."
Yang Wu's demeanor shifted instantly, understanding the seriousness of the task. "Do not worry, master. I'll make sure it's looked after."
He bowed slightly as he spoke.
Liang Yifei gave a brief nod before turning away.
Without another word, he left the hall.
Walking through the corridor, his steps remained steady, his thoughts already moving ahead.
At the end of the hallway, he pushed open a pair of ornate doors.
A vast library revealed itself before him.
Shelves filled with ancient books and scrolls stretched across the room, carrying the weight of countless years. Before the invasion, he had moved everything here, instructing Yang Wu to gather as many valuable texts as possible.
Liang Yifei stepped inside.
He took a seat at a large desk, spreading out several scrolls before him. The faint scent of aged parchment filled the air as he began to read.
Time passed quietly.
Hour after hour slipped by as he immersed himself completely in the records before him. His focus never wavered, driven by a clear purpose.
Gradually, the light outside dimmed.
The sun sank below the horizon, leaving behind a soft glow that filtered through the windows.
At last, Liang Yifei lifted his gaze.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
"I found it."
He stood up slowly, stretching his limbs before casting one final glance at the room.
Then, without hesitation, he turned and walked out into the night.