Ethereal World: Vicious Cannon Fodder's Immortality Road - Chapter 820

Chapter 820: The Abyssal Throne Ruins
“I can’t let her confront that risk alone,” Tai Hua Lei murmured, his brow creased with worry.

“She can’t shield you,” Yao responded gravely.

“I’ll give my life to protect her!” Tai Hua Lei declared, his voice brimming with determination.

“What good is sacrificing yourself for her? What she truly needs is to rescue her master, not your protection,” Yao’s words fell like a chilling waterfall over him.

Tai Hua Lei clenched his fists tightly.

“I know you’ve grown considerably stronger. But I’d rather you stay here and continue your training,” Shenlian Yingyue stated firmly, her gaze steady on Tai Hua Lei.

“I will follow you to the ends of the earth! I can be of help!” Tai Hua Lei insisted, his resolve unwavering.

“This is my journey, and it doesn’t involve you.” She had to harshly quench his fervor, realizing that he was intent on accompanying her into danger.

“You saved me once; how can I turn my back on that?” He shook his head adamantly.

“That was then. We are merely strangers now. You don’t owe me anything.”

“So I’m just a stranger to you?” His voice was rough, edged with pain.

“Yes! You have a promising path ahead of you; don’t waste it on following me. I need no followers. Thank you for your loyalty, but this is goodbye.” She knew her words would wound him, but she had to be firm. Closing her eyes, when she opened them, the warmth had vanished.

Yao raised an eyebrow, observing her. Beneath her softness lay a steely determination.

Tai Hua Lei’s heart shattered. He could hardly comprehend that all his devotion had culminated in rejection.

Before he could utter another word, she redirected her gaze to Yao, “I know he wants me to leave the palace. Can you assist me in getting out?”

“Of course,” Yao replied, his mission accomplished. He had intervened to prevent Tai Hua Lei from following her and to escort her out of the grand palace.

—————-

She wandered through the streets like a lost soul, her heart a hollow void. She felt the weight of having hurt someone yet again. But now was not the time for self-reproach.

Yao lingered close behind her. She chose to ignore him. It seemed Shen Xian had anticipated Tai Hua Lei’s potential pursuit, sending Yao along to keep an eye on her. Unable to shake him off, she diverted her thoughts elsewhere.

From the fragments of information gathered from her brother and Xiao Yun, she discovered that to access the entrance of the Abyssal Throne Ruins, she would need to traverse the territory of the royal demon clan, a region deemed forbidden.

However, she possessed no concrete knowledge of its exact location.

“Head south first, and after navigating through the myriad mountains, veer eastward. You should find yourself in the dark forest. Once you catch a whiff of ancient blood, you’ll know you’re close,” Yao seemed to deliberately provide her with directions to the forbidden land.

Shenlian Yingyue asked with hesitation, “Could you point me to the southern direction?”

Yao stared at her blankly: “…..”

—————-

After an exhausting journey spanning seven days and nights without a moment’s rest, they finally reached the entrance of the Abyssal Throne Ruins.

Without a moment’s hesitation, she stepped forward into the ominous entrance.

Yao’s lips twitched in disbelief. It was too late to deter her now; she had already crossed the threshold, and soon her silhouette vanished within.

Lost in thought, he was suddenly snapped back to reality as a towering figure rushed past him, intent on following her.

Yao was taken aback when he recognized the identity of the figure.

—————-

[Demon Realm, The Abyssal Throne Ruins]

Once the forbidden zone of a formidable Demon Realm, the Abyssal Throne Ruins now lay in desolation, submerged in shadows and decay.

As she crossed the threshold, the sight before her was striking: colossal obsidian pillars, cracked and worn, stood defiantly from the cursed earth, resembling the remnants of a colossal, long-extinct beast.

The air was thick with the acrid scent of ancient blood, the echoes of wailing souls reverberated through the fractured halls, sending icy shivers down her spine.

Countless pools of black ichor bubbled ominously at the periphery of the ruins—vestiges of demonic rituals long consigned to oblivion.

Swirling vortices of malevolent energy pulsed with a dark luminescence, threatening to engulf any intruder in their depths. Those unfortunate enough to fall into these pools and whirlpools would have their very bones erased from existence.

As she ventured deeper into the ruins, an ever-pressing weight bore down upon her, challengingly testing even the strongest cultivator’s resolve.

Now she comprehended why this place was so heavily avoided. Just then, she turned quickly, her senses heightened, ready for confrontation.

“Tai Hua Lei?” Her surprise was palpable upon recognizing her uninvited follower.

In mere moments, Tai Hua Lei’s previously neat robe had become tattered and disheveled, and he wore an expression of embarrassment, as if he had just clawed his way out of the earth.

“Didn’t I tell you not to follow me?” Feeling speechless, she hurried towards him, quick yet cautious.

Both of them responded swiftly, shielding one another as they dodged a barrage of swirling vortexes that suddenly appeared beside them. These vortexes moved with an intensity that rivaled lightning.

“I didn’t follow you; I just lost my way.” A day passed, and they were catching their breath as they realized the vortexes had finally ceased their chaotic dance. Tai Hua Lei’s casual reply barely registered as he avoided her gaze.

Shenlian Yingyue’s lips twitched in amusement. What a ridiculous excuse—who was he fooling? Seeking refuge, she settled down and pulled out two spiritual juices.

Tai Hua Lei gratefully took the spiritual juice from her palm.

Xiao Yun and Xiao Qiu emerged cautiously to survey their environment before returning to her side, excitedly offering her food and drink.

Zhiyi was in seclusion, aiming for ascension, so Xiao Yun and Xiao Qiu were entrusted with her care in his absence.

Meanwhile, Shenlian Yinzhu and Jun Mu Yang appeared to be diligently preparing something for her, having stayed holed up in their rooms for quite some time.

“Please don’t banish me, Idol. You can scold me, beat me, or use me as you wish, but kicking me out of your life is a no-go.” Tai Hua Lei clung to her sleeve with the pitiful demeanor of an abandoned puppy. Yet beneath that forlorn exterior, there was an unmistakable glint of determination and stubbornness in his eyes.

He had gone to great lengths to deceive the demons that Shen Xian had dispatched to stop him from sneaking away after her, and now, he had finally caught up. Stealing a glance at Xiao Yun and Xiao Qiu, he noted they didn’t exactly resemble ordinary pets.

Xiao Yun and Xiao Qiu exchanged exasperated looks at his antics.

“I’m not into self-punishment, and you can just call me by my name.” Realizing the futility of stopping him, she sighed in resignation.

Since he was here, she might as well make the best of it. Gently, she stroked Xiao Yun’s fur and ruffled Xiao Qiu’s head, grateful for their thoughtful delivery from the Ethereal Small World as she watched her surroundings with cautions.