The Legend of the Princess' Counterattack

Chapter 719 Law Fragments

Above the heavens, the winds and clouds were treacherous, as if a grand conspiracy between heaven and earth was quietly unfolding. Yun Yao and Chu Mochen, a couple who had endured countless hardships in the world of cultivation but remained closely united, stood side by side, their sleeves rustling in the wind. Their eyes shone with determination and resolve, as if nothing in the world could stop them from moving forward.

Not long ago, a letter burning with immortal fire from the Jade Void Palace in the celestial realm arrived like a bolt from the blue, shattering their brief peace. The letter mentioned the whereabouts of the Holy Maiden Youyue and hinted at a shocking secret hidden behind Yun Yao's life. All of this was closely linked to a mysterious and crucial "Fragment of the Law." In pursuit of this potentially life-altering artifact, the two journeyed tirelessly to the Wanbao Pavilion, the largest and most mysterious abode in the world of cultivation. Legend has it that there lies the "Heavenly Compass," capable of locating fluctuations in the Laws. It stands as a beacon of hope in this chaotic world of cultivation, guiding them on the path to truth and redemption.

The Wanbao Pavilion, like a towering behemoth, lies dormant between heaven and earth, emanating an ancient and mysterious aura. Its carved beams and painted rafters, shimmering with runes, each pattern telling a legendary tale of bygone days. Before the pavilion, a throng of cultivators crisscrossed, some bearing precious treasures in the hope of acquiring their desired possessions, while others eagerly entered, eager to find the opportunity that would propel them to a new level. However, upon entering the pavilion, Yun Yao and Chu Mochen, before they could even glance around for the legendary compass, suddenly an invisible yet rock-hard barrier arose, trapping them.

In an instant, the entire space seemed to freeze, and the air grew oppressive. Yun Yao's eyes flashed, and she quickly stood back to back with Chu Mochen, scanning the surroundings warily. Just then, a sinister laugh drifted from the depths of the pavilion: "Want to borrow the compass? Trade it for the 'Mysterious Ice Lotus Heart'." The voice echoed through the pavilion, tinged with a hint of playfulness and greed.

Yun Yao's brows furrowed slightly, thinking to herself, "This Wanbao Pavilion Master is so blatantly challenging me. There must be something fishy going on." Without a sound, she quietly formed a hand seal, a stream of spiritual energy flowing through her fingertips like a thread, trying to detect the flaws in the barrier and the master's true strength. A moment later, she was horrified. The master was shrouded in demonic energy, emitting an aura identical to that of the Holy Maiden Youyue.

"Chen, this Pavilion Master is probably the incarnation of Saint Youyue." Yun Yao lowered her voice and transmitted a message to Chu Mochen.

Chu Mochen nodded slightly, the long sword in his hand humming, ready to strike. He said in a deep voice: "Be careful. This Wanbao Pavilion may be hiding a secret. Today we must not only seize the compass, but also uncover the conspiracy behind it."

Yun Yao's gaze blazed as she surveyed her surroundings. Suddenly, an idea struck her, recalling the "Mirror Flower, Water Moon Lamp" she'd obtained after navigating the perils of the Taixu Secret Realm. That seemingly ordinary artifact, in reality, held the power of a wondrous illusion. Perhaps it held the key to breaking through this impasse. With a flick of her delicate hand, the exquisite "Mirror Flower, Water Moon Lamp" appeared in her palm. Without hesitation, she hurled it to the ground.

A crisp "crash" sounded, as if a phantom barrier had been broken. In an instant, the entire Wanbao Pavilion was transformed into a scene of light and shadow, and the once dazzling display of treasures was transformed into a dark and eerie scene. Countless faces, distorted in pain, appeared faintly on the surrounding walls. Upon closer inspection, the souls of countless cultivators were trapped within. Their eyes were filled with despair and pleading, and their mouths opened and closed, as if in silent cries.

The Pavilion Master, who had been hiding in the shadows, now revealed his true form. He was gaunt, his eyes sunken, and a rancid stench emanated from his body. It was obvious that he had been eroded by the evil spirit for a long time, becoming a terrifying half-human, half-demon.

"Hmph, I didn't expect you could see through my illusion!" The Pavilion Master roared in anger and shame, raising his hand and a demonic black light flashed, like a poisonous snake choosing its prey, and rushed straight towards Yun Yao and the others.

Chu Mochen snorted coldly, and swung his sword. A dazzling sword energy instantly cut through the evil spirit. He glared at him and said, "You evil accomplice to the evil, today is the day you die!" After that, he flashed and rushed forward like a ghost. His sword moves were sharp, and each move was aimed at the leader's harm.

Yun Yao was also busy, activating the Lotus Heart Technique. Silver light gathered in her palm, transforming into runes that echoed with Chu Mochen's, forming a spiritual light curtain that was both offensive and defensive. With the close coordination of the two, the Pavilion Master gradually lost his opponent, and the demonic energy on his body became increasingly chaotic.

"You... you think you can defeat me like this?" The Pavilion Master's eyes widened, his face filled with resentment. Suddenly, he burst into maniacal laughter, his laughter revealing a hint of determination. "Although I die, the plan of Saint Lady Youyue will never be thwarted! She is collecting 'half-immortal souls'. Once successful, she will be able to ascend to the 'quasi-emperor' realm through 'forbidden techniques'. By then, the entire cultivation world will become her plaything!"

Yun Yao and Chu Mochen were both shocked upon hearing this. They knew that if Saint Youyue succeeded, the world of cultivation would be plunged into irreparable ruin, and countless lives would be ravaged.

At this moment, the lotus seal on Yun Yao's chest felt hot, and the system's urgent prompt sounded in her sea of consciousness: "The fragments of the Law of Killing have been detected in the northwest direction, three thousand miles away!"

The two exchanged glances, and as if by telepathy, they simultaneously retracted their attacks. Chu Mochen grabbed Yun Yao's hand and said, "There's no time to lose, let's go! We can't let Saint Youyue get there first!"

Yun Yao nodded slightly, and the two of them soared into the air on their swords, transforming into two streams of light, speeding off towards the northwest. However, they hadn't noticed that in the chaotic Wanbao Pavilion, Xiao Cui quietly crouched down and took the "Half-Immortal Jade Slip" left by the Pavilion Master. A complex look flashed in her eyes, seemingly confused, yet concealing a certain determination. Then, she quickly followed Yun Yao and the others...

The wind whistled in their ears, and Yun Yao and Chu Mochen were consumed by anxiety. The flying swords beneath their feet seemed to sense their masters' eagerness, blazing with light as they streaked across the sky. Along the way, mountains and rivers receded like a revolving lantern, but they had no leisure to appreciate the scenery. Their minds were filled with the unknown challenges they faced and the fragments of laws that would determine the fate of the cultivation world.

Soon, a wasteland perpetually shrouded in blood mist came into view. This was the bloody wasteland, the ancient battlefield where the great war between the Divine Court and the demonic cultivators took place a thousand years ago. The moment they stepped into the wasteland, a strong stench of blood and decay assaulted their faces, carrying with it the horror and sorrow of that horrific war a thousand years ago. Yun Yao couldn't help but frown, channeling her spiritual energy to form a protective barrier around her to ward off the pungent odor.

As soon as they landed, the shrill cries of the wronged souls flooded into their ears like a tidal wave, sending chills down their spines. Suddenly, a strange red light shone on the ground. As if driven by some sinister force, the scattered bones began to writhe, entwining themselves, and in the blink of an eye, they transformed into giant blood-red pythons. These pythons, their maws gaping and tongues spitting, clung to Yun Yao and the others, carrying endless resentment and a furious aura as they coiled around their ankles.

"These are fighting spirits corrupted by the evil spirit." Chu Mochen saw this, his expression solemn. The long sword in his hand flashed with light, and with a loud shout, he swung the sword and slashed out a dazzling golden light. Wherever the golden light reached, the giant pythons roared in pain, but their offensive did not weaken in the slightest, but became more fierce.

"Yao'er, use the Lotus Heart Technique to purify them!" Chu Mochen turned to look at Yun Yao, his eyes full of trust and expectation.

Yun Yao took a deep breath, gathering her consciousness. Silver lotus petals quickly formed from her fingertips. She gently parted her red lips and chanted the "Rebirth Mantra." Her clear voice seemed to pierce the blood-mist-shrouded wasteland, carrying a sense of compassion and power. As the mantra flowed, the silver lotus petals shone brightly, transforming into tiny, star-like glints that enveloped the giant python. Illuminated by this light, the python's body gradually trembled, and the fury in its eyes gradually faded, replaced by a sense of relief and peace. A moment later, they dissolved into points of light and dissipated between heaven and earth.

After the giant python dissipated, a blood-red altar, suspended deep within the wasteland, gradually emerged. The altar was a crimson crimson, as if wrought from endless blood. Runes flickered across its surface, exuding an ancient and sinister aura. In the center of the altar, a shimmering red fragment hovered, its presence distorting the surrounding space as if imbued with the power to annihilate the universe—the very fragment of the Law of Slaughter they had so desperately sought!

"Finally found it!" A flash of surprise crossed Yun Yao's eyes, but it was gone in an instant, replaced by a deeper sense of vigilance. She knew that obtaining such a heaven-defying item would be extremely difficult.

The two approached the altar cautiously. Just as they were about to touch it, something strange happened. Illusions surged like a surging tide, instantly engulfing them. Yun Yao's eyes flashed, and she found herself clad in the magnificent attire of a princess, crowned with a phoenix and adorned with swaying pearls and jade. She sat atop a magnificent hall, receiving the homage of the crowd. Meanwhile, Chu Mochen, dressed in plain clothes, knelt at her feet, his eyes filled with pain and struggle.

"This is the temptation of the Law of Killing, using the most desired scene to shake the mind." Chu Mochen's voice seemed to come from the distant sky, penetrating through layers of illusions and reaching Yun Yao's ears. "Yao'er, remember, our goal is to stand shoulder to shoulder, not to look down on all living beings."

Yun Yao's heart trembled. She knew full well that this seemingly beautiful scene was actually a deadly trap. She bit her lip lightly, and a sharp pain instantly dispelled the illusion. Her eyes were determined, and she activated the Lotus Heart Technique to its fullest potential, transforming it into a sharp arrow of light that shot towards the core of the altar without hesitation.

The moment the arrow of light struck the fragment, it suddenly trembled violently, as if stimulated. Then, with a snap, it shattered into a million pieces. Each fragment, like a mirror, reflected a different future for Yun Yao: she would become the Immortal Emperor, wearing a crown and overlooking the Three Realms, but her eyes were filled with loneliness and indifference; she would fall into the devil's way, surrounded by demonic energy, her face ferocious, she slaughtered people wantonly, her hands stained with blood; she would be shattered, her body dissipating into tiny wisps of light, as if she had never existed in this world...

Yun Yao looked at these shocking scenes and felt a panic in her heart, but when her eyes fell on Chu Mochen, who was always standing by her side and never leaving her, a firm strength surged from the bottom of her heart.

The timely reminder from the system sounded in his mind: "The host possesses the 'Lotus Heart Origin' and can fuse any law fragments!"

Yun Yao gritted her teeth, her heart hardened. She opened her palms, resolutely letting the fragments pierce her flesh. Instantly, excruciating pain washed over her like a tidal wave. Her mind was a whirlwind, filled with the sounds of countless battles and roars, threatening to consume her sanity. But she gritted her teeth, enduring the pain, her gaze fixed on Chu Mochen. He approached without hesitation, using his powerful spiritual power to shield her from the backlash of the laws. He held her hand tightly, offering her endless strength and support.

"In the name of the Lotus Heart, I slay all evil!" Yun Yao shouted, a resounding cry like thunder across the blood-red wasteland. The silver lotus and the golden Lotus Heart Lock resonated, their light intertwining, instantly forming a dazzling "Yin and Yang Law Domain." Enveloped by this domain, all the shattered fragments seemed to be drawn by some powerful force, slowly reuniting and transforming into a blood-red lotus petal. With endless majesty and mystery, it slowly embedded itself between her brows.

At that moment, the altar collapsed with a thunderous bang, sending up clouds of dust. A staircase leading underground appeared amidst the ruins. From the depths of the staircase, the creepy laughter of Saint Youyue rang out: "You've arrived just in time! My 'Half-Immortal Fusion Formation' is in need of the spirits of two Saint Sons and Saint Daughters!"

Yun Yao and Chu Mochen exchanged a glance, their eyes devoid of fear, revealing instead a resolute determination to face death head-on. They clutched each other's hands tightly, and step by step, they descended into the unknown and perilous underground, as if heading for a fateful duel, a duel that would determine the future of the entire cultivation world...

Upon entering the underground chamber, a strong, rancid stench mixed with a pungent, demonic aura assaulted the air, nearly making one nauseous. Inside, the Holy Maiden Youyue sat cross-legged at the center of a formation composed of semi-immortal skeletons. Her body had become translucent, as if it could dissipate at any moment. Behind her, twelve semi-immortal phantoms emerged, emitting a powerful and eerie aura.

Yun Yao's gaze narrowed, sensing the situation carefully, and she was horrified. These phantoms were actually the twelve elders of the Divine Court. They had once been the pillars of the Divine Court, but now they had been corrupted by the evil spirit and reduced to puppets of the Holy Maiden Youyue. It was truly heartbreaking.

"Chu Mochen, look at these elders. They were the ones who loved you the most back then." Saint Youyue smiled sinisterly and raised her hand to pinch the neck of an elder's shadow, as if showing off her trophy. "Now, their souls are in my hands - tell me, should I save them or your little lover?"

Chu Mochen's muscles tensed, his eyes blazing with rage, his fists clenched until his knuckles turned white. He wished he could rush forward and tear Youyue Saint into pieces. But he knew that impulsive action would only make the situation worse.

Yun Yao suddenly noticed a faint trace of a lotus mark between the brows of these phantoms. A sudden realization struck her, and she instantly realized these elders had clearly been planted under the Imperius Curse. Without a sound, she quietly merged the fragments of the "Mirror Flower, Water Moon Lamp" into the Law Domain. With her exquisite control of the power of the Law, she created twelve false souls that mirrored the elders' spirits.

When Saint Youyue, full of calculations, cast the Imperius Curse into the false soul, Yun Yao seized the opportunity and unhesitatingly activated the Law of Backlash. In an instant, the light of the blood-red lotus petals, like a flash of angry lightning, flowed back into Saint Youyue's body along the curse mark.

“Ah!” Saint Youyue let out a shrill scream, her face twisted in agony. The half-immortal phantoms, sensing the loosening of the curse, broke free from her control, kneeling before Chu Mochen and shouting in unison, “Your Highness, Holy Son, save us!”

"Yao'er, use the Lotus Heart Lock to purify the curse!" Chu Mochen seized this fleeting opportunity and injected the origin of the Divine Court into Yun Yao's body without reservation.

Yun Yao took a deep breath, concentrating her mind. Her fingertips swept across each shadow, and the golden lotus petals shimmered with sacred light. Wherever they touched, the evil spirits melted away like snow under the warm spring sun. After a moment, the elders' minds finally regained clarity, and their eyes regained their former wisdom and majesty.

Seeing this, Saint Youyue was enraged, a glint of madness flashing in her eyes. She desperately detonated the center of the formation, and in an instant, the chamber shook violently and began to collapse.

"No, let's go!" Chu Mochen shouted, hugged Yun Yao, performed the teleportation technique, and appeared on the ground in the blink of an eye.

As soon as they landed, Chu Mochen noticed Yun Yao's breathing was extremely weak. Her face was as pale as paper, her forehead was covered with sweat, and her body was trembling slightly. The violent recoil just now had severely damaged her soul and almost exhausted all her strength.

"Yao'er, how are you?" Chu Mochen was extremely anxious and hugged Yun Yao tightly in his arms, his voice filled with deep worry and self-blame.

Yun Yao forced a smile and whispered softly, "I'm fine... just a little tired..." Although she said this, her voice was so weak that it was almost inaudible.

Chu Mochen said no more. He carefully picked up Yun Yao and transformed into a stream of light, dashing towards their temporary resting place. At this moment, he had only one thought in mind: no matter the cost, Yun Yao must recover as soon as possible. Because they still had a longer and more difficult road to go, and the ultimate showdown that would determine the survival of the cultivation world was already at hand...