Chapter 3

Chapter 3: Stripped Bare (2)

In the decade since the apocalypse, the sky had always been shrouded in gray, and the earth was perpetually barren and stained with blood. How long had it been since she last beheld such a beautiful sight? Ye Xiyao had even forgotten that the sky could be so blue, that flowers could be so radiant, and that the air could carry a freshness that made one feel alive.

At this moment, Ye Xiyao was moved to tears. Yet, she only closed her eyes gently, drew in several deep breaths of the crisp air, and then started to inspect her wounds.

Upon closer inspection, Ye Xiyao was taken aback.

Her dress was tattered from the whipping, soaked through with scarlet blood that formed a crisscross pattern across her body, a sight that would instill terror with just a glance. Although her face was unseen, she could still feel the painful swelling.

"Hmph, to use such force on an idiot. Truly a gifted one," she muttered.

Ye Xiyao was one to never forgive or forget, and at that moment, she heard voices nearby. Reacting instinctively, she darted into hiding, concealing herself in a secluded corner. As she lifted her head, she saw a group of men approaching from not too far away.

Among them were two figures in particular. One was Shen Ruyu, the eldest son of the Shen family and elder brother to the Shen sisters. The other was none other than the rumored fiancé whom Ye Xiyao was said to have been captivated by at first sight, Prince Xuan, Mo Jinli.

Ye Xiyao held no interest in the eldest son of the Shen family, Shen Rujue. However, Prince Xuan, Mo Jinli, caught her attention more than once.

As the scene unfolded, Mo Jinli was clad in a crescent-white robe embroidered with golden threads depicting a coiling dragon, his waist cinched with a matching silk sash. A dragon-emblazoned headdress held his raven-black hair in perfect order, revealing his chiseled and handsome features. From afar, he indeed appeared dazzlingly extraordinary.

Unfortunately, his arrogance was palpable, permeating his entire demeanor with an air of superiority!

In one glance, Ye Xiyao lost any favorable impression she might have had. Glancing at the still-unconscious Shen sisters, Ye Xiyao's brow twitched. She swiftly picked up a small pebble and tossed it at Shen Yunshuang's head.

Ye Xiyao's aim was impeccable; the pebble didn't crack Shen Yunshuang's skull but startled her awake.

As Shen Yunshuang opened her eyes, still groggy, she soon realized she was lying on the ground and felt a chill. Lowering her head, she let out a sudden shriek:

"Ahh! How... How could this be? How is this possible?"

Shen Yunshuang was both startled and furious. Her commotion roused Shen Feiyan, who lay beside her. Upon seeing the situation clearly, her expression dramatically changed, and she snapped fiercely,

"Shut up! You fool, do you want to attract everyone here?"

Shen Feiyan was on edge, but now she had this idiot dragging her down. With Shen Yunshuang's loud cries, it was inevitable that someone would investigate soon. Shen Feiyan didn't care about the fool's fate, but her own reputation, built over the years, would be ruined!

She, Shen Feiyan, was a prodigious Spirit Master of the fourth tier in the Fire Element; how could she afford to lose her reputation over such a matter?

"Well, what do we do now? What if someone comes along soon?"

"Knowing that, shut up and find some clothes quickly!"

At this moment, Shen Feiyan had no time to ponder the events that just unfolded. She scrambled to her feet, but after searching frantically, they failed to locate any clothing. Meanwhile, Shen Rujue and her companions, who had approached upon hearing the noise, were now just outside the artificial mountain!