Chapter Sixty-Two: Atonement

“Hmph! I knew you demon clans would never behave! With me here today, let’s see who dares harm Yao Ye!”
Yao Ye saw a figure descend from the sky, landing right in front of him. He ran toward the newcomer in delight.
“Elder Fu! It’s you!”
“Who else did you expect?” Elder Fu teased, casting a playful glance at Yao Ye.
Xiong Xiao’s face was dark and gloomy. He realized that killing Yao Ye was now impossible—he might not even escape with his own life.
Another figure landed from above. “Fu Yuxuan! So what if you show up today? You still can’t protect him!”
Elder Fu’s expression grew grim. “Yao Ye, Liu Xin, hurry and run. I’ll hold them off and buy you time!”
Yao Ye knew this was no time for stubbornness. He nodded lightly, grabbed Liu Xin’s hand, and rushed toward the city.
“Chi Lian, even if it costs me my life today, I won’t let you harm Yao Ye by so much as a hair!”
Chi Lian turned to glance at Xiong Xiao. “What are you waiting for? Go after them! When this is over, I’ll see what Xiong Batian has up his sleeve! Hmph!”
Knowing he was in the wrong, Xiong Xiao dared not protest and hurriedly pursued Yao Ye and Liu Xin.
Seeing Xiong Xiao draw closer, Yao Ye suddenly flung Liu Xin’s hand aside.
“Senior Sister, you run ahead. I’ll buy you time!”
Liu Xin shook her head desperately, tears streaming down her face. “I’m sorry, Yao Ye! I colluded with the demon clan—I was wrong! Go now. Your strength is spent. Let me atone for my mistakes!”
Yao Ye saw Liu Xin’s resolve and gently embraced her as she cried.
“Senior Sister, I guessed as much when Xiong Xiao appeared. I don’t blame you. But if we survive this ordeal, I hope you’ll give me an explanation.”

After Yao Ye’s embrace, Liu Xin’s expression cooled. She knew—even if she survived, Yao Ye could never accept her again.
“Hmph, little brat! Facing death, you still indulge in sentimentality. Fine, I’ll send you both on your way together!”
Liu Xin hurried to stand before Yao Ye. “If you want to kill Yao Ye, you’ll have to kill me first!”
Xiong Xiao stared at Liu Xin. “What’s this? You, a demon clan spy, getting soft? If you don’t move, I’ll kill you too! Move aside!”
Liu Xin wiped the tears from her face. “Never! If you have the guts, kill me! I’d like to see how you explain that to the demon clan!”
Xiong Xiao scoffed at Liu Xin. “Explain? Capturing Yao Ye alive is explanation enough! If you die, the demon clan won’t blame me. Let me tell you—the brat carries the Creation Cauldron! Hmph! Now you know. I’m giving you one last chance. Move aside!”
Hearing that the Creation Cauldron was with Yao Ye, Liu Xin turned in shock to look at him.
Yao Ye’s expression grew grim, and he sighed softly. “So you found out after all—the Creation Cauldron is with me.”
Liu Xin drew her weapon, her voice resolute. “Yao Ye, you’re chosen by the Creation Cauldron. Run now—leave this to me!”
Turning to attack Xiong Xiao, Liu Xin charged forward. Seeing her rush toward danger, Yao Ye’s heart twisted with pain.
Watching her back, Yao Ye bit his lip hard, blood trickling down. He turned and sprinted toward the edge of the forest.
“Senior Sister, stay safe!” Yao Ye knew the Creation Cauldron’s importance, and could only flee without looking back.
“Protecting the Creation Cauldron is not just my family’s mission—it’s mine as well.” Thinking of his family, Yao Ye’s heart grew heavy and sorrowful. He quickened his pace, intent on finding help at the academy.
After running barely a hundred meters, Yao Ye stopped. Liu Xin’s body flew toward him and crashed hard at his feet.
Struggling to rise, Liu Xin coughed up a mouthful of blood; her blue dress was stained crimson.
“Senior Sister!” Yao Ye rushed forward, cradling her collapsing form, his fists clenched tight.

“Hmph! You thought you could stop me? If not for your demon clan blood, I’d have killed you already!”
Xiong Xiao flew over, sneering disdainfully.
“Yao Ye, let’s see who’ll protect you now!”
Yao Ye turned to face Xiong Xiao. “I’ll go with you! Let my Senior Sister go, or I’ll end my own life right here. You’ll never use the Creation Cauldron—it chooses its master. Surely you know that!”
Xiong Xiao’s face was dark. “Fine, I agree to your terms. My only target is you.”
Liu Xin shoved Yao Ye aside. “No, Yao Ye! Run! Having the Creation Cauldron is our only hope against the demon clan. Even if I die, you cannot surrender it!”
Taking advantage, Xiong Xiao struck at Yao Ye, intending to cripple him first.
Liu Xin saw his move and, embracing Yao Ye, spun around and shouted,
“Yao Ye, look out!”
Xiong Xiao’s palm landed fiercely on Liu Xin’s back. She smiled bitterly at Yao Ye.
“Yao Ye, I’m sorry. I hope we can be together in our next life.”
“No! Senior Sister!” Yao Ye knelt, holding her fallen body, tears streaming uncontrollably.
“Senior Sister, I’ll join you soon!” He raised his hand, aiming to strike his own head.
Seeing this, Xiong Xiao, afraid Yao Ye might kill himself, subdued him by force and placed a restriction on Yao Ye’s soul. Yao Ye slowly collapsed to the ground.