Chapter 352: Those Who Cannot Leave

"You don't object to killing the Shengxiao?" This answer was somewhat beyond Yunyao's expectation. "Aren't you Jidao supposed to protect this place?"

"Yes..." Yanzhichun nodded. "But gambling to death on a Diji Shengxiao is a very interesting game. I won't interfere—you may do as you please."

After hearing this, Yunyao narrowed her eyes and thought for a moment before sighing. "I won't judge your ideas, just as you said. I've already Huiying-ed, so even if you really want to kill me, it doesn't matter."

Upon hearing this, Chutianqiu's eyes flashed with a hint of disappointment, and he smiled bitterly as he released his hold on Yunyao's hand. He nodded and said, "Very well, Yunyao, go ahead."

Yunyao listened, then grabbed the head of the earth snake with one hand and took Tiantian's hand with the other. "Tiantian, do you want to come with me?"

Tiantian looked around at the people in the room, somewhat stunned. Truth be told, she didn't know any of them well, and now the only familiar face, Yunyao, was leaving. Where could she go?

It seemed wandering was her destiny.

Tiantian had a premonition in her heart that there was no place in this world where she could live in peace, whether in the real world or the Zhongyan Zhidi. The past few days had been too comfortable, and it was time for it to end.

After pondering for a while, she spoke up. "Yunyao, I... I'll go with you. There's no room for me here."

Yunyao nodded, then scanned the room and asked, "Does anyone else want to come with me?"

No one in the room responded immediately after witnessing the day's drama. Although Chutianqiu's behavior was odd, Yunyao's actions seemed even more extreme to them.

No matter what major events had occurred, Chutianqiu had fully demonstrated his qualities as a leader at that moment. He could kill a Diji Shengxiao, unleash the mysterious Huiying, and provide food for everyone.

In this situation, Yunyao's sudden announcement of leaving felt inappropriate, especially since she wasn't just an ordinary participant—she was one of the deputy leaders of Tiantangkou.

When a deputy leader of an organization decides to take people and leave, it essentially signals the organization's collapse. After weighing everything, no one spoke up.

Seeing no response after a while, Yunyao nodded.

"Very well," she said. "I'll find like-minded companions eventually. Farewell, everyone."

As Yunyao turned to leave the room, holding the earth snake's head with a sense of loneliness, a voice suddenly rang out from the corner.

"Yunyao jie..."

Yunyao stopped and slowly turned back to look at the dark-skinned girl.

"I... I want to go with you too..." Lixiangling said quietly.

"Lixiangling...?"

Yunyao never expected that in this room, the only one to support her would be a girl she didn't know well. Although they had known each other for a long time in Tiantangkou, they had never participated in any games together. She only knew that Lixiangling was quiet and her Huiying ability wasn't outstanding.

"Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." Lixiangling nodded. "Tiantangkou was invaded that night, and Qiaoge and I fought until the very end. I understand the horror of that night better than anyone. If I stay here, I'll just keep reliving it..."

Although Lixiangling didn't explain everything fully, Yunyao still nodded, remembering the pile of Lixiangling's bodies outside the window.

That night, she had witnessed the entire Tiantangkou being slaughtered. Lixiangling had held out until the last moment—or perhaps... she couldn't even die.

Was all of this Chutianqiu's Fuzhi at work?

"It's fine, Xiao Li, come with me." Yunyao reached out to take Lixiangling's hand, but Chutianqiu suddenly blocked her.

In a cold tone, he said, "Yunyao, you and Tiantian can go, but Lixiangling cannot."

This single sentence left both Yunyao and Lixiangling looking puzzled.

"What...?" Yunyao frowned. "Whether Lixiangling stays or goes should be up to her, right?"

"No." Chutianqiu shook his head. "Anyone in Tiantangkou can come and go as they please, but not Lixiangling."

Everyone in the room turned to watch the two of them, while Yanzhichun smiled and smoothed his hair, sensing that this Tiantangkou trip might reveal a lot of information.

Lixiangling asked, looking confused, "Ah? I... I can't go? Why? My... my ability isn't that important..."

"Your ability is crucial." Chutianqiu slowly stood up. "Yunyao, if you try to take Lixiangling, I'll disregard all past ties and stop you at any cost."

"What...?" Yunyao furrowed her brow. "Chutianqiu, what exactly are you hiding that you haven't told us?"

"Since it's something I've hidden, I didn't say it before, and I won't say it now." Chutianqiu's gaze toward Yunyao turned frenzied again. "Lixiangling absolutely cannot leave. Even if she turns to dust, it has to happen right in front of me."

The atmosphere in the room grew tense, with Chutianqiu clearly annoyed—a state no one had seen before.

It seemed Yunyao's departure didn't affect him much, but the name "Lixiangling" was his absolute boundary.

Why was that?

While everyone hesitated, Chutianqiu turned to the young man behind him and said, "Jinyuanxun, take Lixiangling away."

"Got it, bro."

As soon as he finished speaking, a bell rang from afar. Everyone looked over to see Jinyuanxun close his eyes, then vanish from behind Chutianqiu like a ghost.

Yunyao reacted instantly, shouting, "Watch out!" But before the words were out, Jinyuanxun had already appeared behind Lixiangling, about to grab her joint.

His movement was strangely seamless—no glow like in movies, no visible trajectory. It was as if he'd always been standing behind her, simply reaching out to seize her arm.

Lixiangling felt her right hand being grabbed and immediately turned cold. She spun in mid-air, breaking free from the joint lock in an instant, then kicked toward Jinyuanxun's chest.

Jinyuanxun had never fought Lixiangling before and hadn't expected this seemingly unassuming girl to be so skilled. He quickly raised both hands to block the kick in front of his chest.

The force was tremendous, sending him staggering back several steps.

"Even though I don't know what's going on..." Lixiangling slowly spread her hands into a fighting stance, "if you think you can make me submit by force... you're underestimating me."