TDU Chapter 352
Chapter 352 The Bound One
“You don’t object to the killing of {Earthly Branches}?” Yun Yao asked, surprised by the answer. “Aren't you {Adhernet} supposed to protect this place?”
“Correct…” Yan Zhichun nodded. “But wagering lives against Terrestrial-grade {Earthly Branches} is quite an intriguing game. I won’t interfere; feel free to proceed as you wish.”
Yun Yao narrowed her eyes, contemplating for a moment before sighing. “I won’t comment on your views. As you said, I’ve already triggered my {Reverberation}, so even if you truly intend to kill me, it makes no difference.”
A flicker of disappointment passed through Chu Tianqiu’s eyes. He forced a bitter smile and released Yun Yao’s hand. “Very well, Yun Yao, you may leave.”
Yun Yao grabbed the head of {Terrestrial Snake} with one hand and took Tian Tian’s hand with the other. “Tian Tian, do you want to come with me?”
Tian Tian blinked, looking around at everyone in the room. Truth be told, she didn’t know any of these people. Now that the only familiar person, Yun Yao, was leaving, where could she possibly go?
It seemed drifting was her fate.
Tian Tian had long realised there was no place in this world where she could live peacefully, neither in the real world nor in {End Point}. These past few days had been too comfortable; perhaps it was time to end it.
After thinking for a while, she answered, “Yun Yao, I… will go with you. There’s no place here for me.”
Yun Yao nodded, then glanced around at the others in the classroom and asked, “Is there anyone else who wishes to leave with me?”
Having witnessed the day’s farce, no one could respond immediately. Although Chu Tianqiu’s behavior was peculiar, Yun Yao’s decision seemed even more extreme.
No matter what had transpired, Chu Tianqiu had fully demonstrated his qualifications as a leader: he could slay {Terrestrial-grade Earthly Branches}, wield an unfathomable {Reverberation}, and provide sustenance for everyone.
Under such circumstances, Yun Yao’s sudden announcement to withdraw felt somewhat inappropriate. After all, she was not just an ordinary {Participant} but also one of the deputy leaders of {Passage to Heaven}.
When a deputy leader seeks to lead others away, it typically signals the dissolution of the organization. Considering this, no one spoke up.
After waiting in silence and receiving no response, Yun Yao nodded. “Very well,” she continued. “I will find like-minded companions. Until we meet again.”
With a lonely grip on the head of {Terrestrial Snake}, Yun Yao was about to step out the door when a voice suddenly echoed from the corner of the room.
“Yun Yao jie...”
Yun Yao halted, slowly turning to face the tanned young woman.
“I... want to go with you too...” Li Xiangling said quietly.
“Li Xiangling...?” Yun Yao had never expected that the only one to support her in this room would be a woman she barely knew. Though they had known each other in {Passage to Heaven} for some time, Yun Yao had never partook in any game with her. She only knew Li Xiangling was quiet, with an unremarkable {Reverberation} ability.
“Are you sure?”
“I’m sure.” Li Xiangling nodded firmly. “On the night {Passage to Heaven} was invaded, I fought alongside Qiao ge until the very end. I understand better than anyone how tragic that night was. Staying here will only make me keep reliving that nightmare...”
Though Li Xiangling didn’t reveal everything, Yun Yao still nodded in acknowledgment—after all, outside the window lay a pile of Li Xiangling’s corpses.
That night, she had witnessed the entire {Passage to Heaven} slaughtered to the last soul. She had held on until the very end, or rather… she had never even managed to die.
Was all this chaos caused by Chu Tianqiu’s {replication}?
“You’re welcome to come with me, Xiao Li,” Yun Yao said, reaching out to grasp Li Xiangling’s hand—only to be abruptly stopped by Chu Tianqiu.
His tone was icy as he said, “Yun Yao, you and Tian Tian may leave, but Li Xiangling cannot.”
Those few words left both Yun Yao and Li Xiangling dumbstuck.
“What…?” Yun Yao frowned. “Whether Li Xiangling stays or leaves should be her own choice, shouldn’t it?”
“No,” Chu Tianqiu shook his head. “Anyone in {Passage to Heaven} may come and go as they please, except for Li Xiangling.”
Everyone in the room turned their eyes toward them.
Yan Zhichun smiled, smoothing back her hair, sensing that this {Passage to Heaven} journey might reveal a wealth of information.
Li Xiangling furrowed her brows, confusion clear on her face. “Huh? I–I can’t leave? Why? My ability isn’t that important…”
“Your ability is crucial,” Chu Tianqiu said slowly, rising to his feet. “Yun Yao, if you try to take Li Xiangling away, I will disregard all past ties and stop you at any cost.”
“What?” Yun Yao knit her brows. “Chu Tianqiu, what secrets are you still withholding?”
“Since it’s my {secret}, you can be certain it won’t be revealed now any more than before.” Madness flickered again in Chu Tianqiu’s eyes as he looked at Yun Yao. “Li Xiangling must remain. Should she disintegrate into nothingness, her final trace must fade before my eyes.”
The atmosphere in the room turned tense. Chu Tianqiu was clearly agitated, revealing a side none had ever seen before.
It seemed Yun Yao’s withdrawal didn’t affect him much, but the name {Li Xiangling} crossed a line.
Why?
Before anyone could react, Chu Tianqiu turned to the young man behind him and commanded, “Kim Wonhun, take Li Xiangling away.”
“Understood, ge.”
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the sound of distant bells rang out. Everyone’s eyes darted around, only to see Kim Wonhun close his eyes and vanish from behind Chu Tianqiu.
Yun Yao reacted instantly, shouting, “Watch out!” but before the words had even fully left her mouth, Kim Wonhun had already appeared behind Li Xiangling, preparing to twist her arm backward.
His movement was strange, unlike in movies, there was no flash of light, no visible trace; it was as if he had always stood right behind Li Xiangling, simply reaching out to grab her arm now.
Li Xiangling felt the grip on her right hand and immediately narrowed her eyes. With a swift twist in midair, she broke free from the wristlock, then extended her leg, delivering a powerful kick to Kim Wonhun’s chest.
Kim Wonhun had never sparred Li Xiangling before and hadn’t expected such skill from a young woman he’d underestimated. He hastily raised both hands to block the strike at his chest.
The force of the kick was tremendous, pushing Kim Wonhun back several steps.
“Though I don’t know what’s going on...” Li Xiangling slowly spread her hands apart and took a fighting stance, “if you think you can make me submit through force... you’re seriously underestimating me.”
TL Note: Wooooo gogo Kungfu gal! Also, I was wrong, I thought Xiao Chu cared, but it was all fake…
Oh and here’s what I’m thinking Kim was about to do (wristlock) before Li broke away:
Also, the ‘It seemed drifting was her fate.’ phrase seems hella familiar—I think Tian Tian thought something similar in an earlier chapter, but I can't find anything… Anyone who knows, plz helppp, really don’t wanna go check all 300 chapters ｡°(°¯᷄◠¯᷅°)°｡
