Chapter 109: Subtle Deception

From that day on, Yao Ye was subjected to various forms of torture daily, and the entire dungeon was converted into a torture chamber. Su Yun would sneak in every few days to bring him food. Recalling the first time she had brought him nourishment, Yao Ye remained inwardly vigilant; each time he saw her, he would maintain a stony silence. Thus, the days dragged on.

It was as if Yao Ye had been forgotten by the world, exhausted and tormented every single day. In the beginning, he had once contemplated ending his own life, yet every time he considered giving up, an irrepressible sense of resentment fueled his spirit, allowing him to endure.

Day after day, year after year passed. Whenever the punishments inflicted upon him were too severe, someone would be sent to treat his wounds, and these were the moments when he felt the most relaxed. Today, Yao Ye had suffered particularly grievous injuries. Xiong Batian stared at his mangled, blood-soaked body, his brows knitted in a deep frown. Yao Ye appeared to have lost all vital signs, remaining motionless, save for the occasional spasm that confirmed he was still alive.

His complexion was deathly pale and lackluster, his skin sagging and devoid of elasticity, and his hair had turned a grizzled gray. Dirt was caked deep under his fingernails, and his clothes were reduced to tattered rags that barely covered his frame. The only striking feature left was his eyes—bloodshot yet piercingly bright, possessing an eerie, supernatural allure. At this point, Yao Ye looked like a withered old man; even those who knew him well might not have recognized him. He was waiting for the opportunity his ancestor had spoken of.

Xiong Batian turned and strode out of the dungeon, heading to Su Yun’s quarters. Seeing her there, he felt a surge of dissatisfaction.

"Fairy Su Yun! It has already been two years! How much longer must we wait? That Yao Ye’s eyes are still bright and focused; he doesn't look like a man on the verge of collapse at all!"

Su Yun sipped her tea and gave a coquettish smile, her gaze filled with provocation as she looked at him. "Demon Emperor Xiong, there is no need to be so impatient! We have plenty of time. I have already devised a new method to deal with him."

Seeing her provocative look, Xiong Batian coughed softly and hastily turned his head away, keeping his gaze lowered even as he spoke to her. "And what does the Fairy intend to do?"

Su Yun walked over to his side, draped her arms around his neck, and sat on his lap, her delicate fingers gently lifting his chin. "Why, Demon Emperor? Do you dislike me so much that you refuse to even look at me?"

She leaned against him, blowing warm breath into his ear. Xiong Batian felt a surge of carnal fire rising in his gut, but he remembered the Demon Emperor’s warning not to get too close to Su Yun. Reluctantly, he pushed her away. "Fairy Su Yun, let us stick to business."

Su Yun spun away, leaving his lap. Seeing his reaction, she burst into a dazzling laugh, then gave a light cough. "Demon Emperor Xiong, do not be so anxious. Once Yao Ye recovers from these latest injuries, I will cast an illusion around him. Combined with my cultivation technique, I will shatter his mind in one fell swoop!"

"Very well! I leave it all to you. Do as you see fit." Xiong Batian fled the room in haste. Watching his flustered exit, Su Yun laughed triumphantly.

Neither Su Yun nor Xiong Batian knew that Yao Ye’s ancestor had long ago foreseen all of this and had already made preparations. At that moment, a voice echoed in Yao Ye’s ears.

"Yao Ye! How did you end up like this?"

Hearing the familiar voice, Yao Ye grinned weakly and nodded slightly, though he did not speak. It was Yao Feng. "Yao Ye, I have been busy fusing with the bead and was completely unaware of what was happening outside. However, our ancestor foresaw these events! I just never expected you to be wounded so severely. These scoundrels of the demon race are far too cruel!"

Hearing the concern and indignation in Yao Feng’s voice brought Yao Ye a sense of comfort, but because his cultivation base was entirely depleted, he could not use his divine sense to communicate back.

"Listen to me, Yao Ye. Our ancestor left behind a method for escape, but you must remain calm and wait for the right moment. Wait until after midnight."

Sensing someone approaching, Yao Feng ceased his telepathic transmission. Su Yun entered the dungeon, cast a sidelong glance at Yao Ye, and gave a sinister chuckle. "Cherish your time while it lasts! What comes next will not be nearly as pleasant."

With that, she turned and left. The dungeon fell silent once more. As time passed, the moon hung high in the sky, and the entire demon tribe fell into a deep slumber.

Yao Feng flew out of the Creation Cauldron and swallowed the bead. His appearance began to shift, and within a quarter of an hour, he had transformed into an exact replica of Yao Ye. At this moment, Elder Ding emerged as well. Yao Feng nodded to him, and the old man stared back, bewildered.

"How do you intend to save him?"

"Give me the spatial tablet."

Yao Feng took the tablet and drew the near-death Yao Ye into the space within. Elder Ding looked at the Yao Feng standing before him. "You don't mean to—"

Yao Feng spun around in front of him. "Well? How is it? Do I look the part? Quickly, hide yourself and do your utmost to heal him. I will find a way to get you all out of here!"

Elder Ding nodded and retreated into the spatial tablet. Yao Feng sat cross-legged and closed his eyes in meditation.