Trials of the Abyss

Chapter 57: Identity Exposed

On the fifth floor of the Divine Spirit Pagoda in the dark and silent night, strands of Profound Yin energy continued to flow into Ning Yao's sea of consciousness.

Luo Hongyan hovered within her sea of consciousness, growing increasingly defined and radiant as time passed.

Darkness blanketed the outside, but the white pagoda emitted a faint glow from its bone-like walls.

Luo Hongyan stared coldly at the staircase leading to the fifth floor, eyes narrowed. Soon, the figure of the intoxicated Pang Jian emerged, clutching a jar of liquor.

Chuckling, the icy coldness vanished from her eyes and her demeanor eased.

This was Pang Jian's first time drinking alcohol, and he found himself unable to refine the liquor permeating his bloodstream. His mind was muddled and heavy.

Luo Hongyan teased, "What happened? First time drinking?"

Even from within the White Pagoda, Luo Hongyan could hear the voices of Pang Jian, Zhou Qingchen, and the others chatting and drinking around the bonfire.

"Yes," Pang Jian replied, reeking of alcohol as he took a seat. He glanced at the nearby Profound Yin stones and took another gulp of liquor. Suddenly, his gaze sharpened as he asked, "Why help me?'

Luo Hongyan was startled. "What are you talking about?"

Pang Jian answered coldly, "I'm asking you, why did you use the scarlet lotus and Spirit Devils to help me attack Dong Tianze?"

Luo Hongyan's smile faded and a playful glint flickered in her bright eyes. Casually picking up a Profound Yin stone, she asked coolly, "When did you figure it out?"

Pang Jian's face darkened. "I had my suspicions earlier on, but I couldn't confirm them until now. What sealed it for me were the Profound Yin stones. I've cultivated with cracked Profound Yin stones before. I know what happens when the Profound Yin energy inside is drained."

Pointing at the Profound Yin stone closest to Luo Hongyan, he coldly said, "These Profound Yin stones are visibly cracking. That's a clear sign that the Profound Yin energy within them is nearly depleted. The true Ning Yao would never resort to Profound Yin stones for cultivation as it would bring her more harm than good.

"That is, unless you are not Ning Yao!"

Luo Hongyan said nothing.

Pang Jian continued, "After I dove back into Blackwater Pond, the Shadow Specter Sect's Hong Tai vanished without a trace. Considering Ning Yao's capabilities, she shouldn't have been able to escape from Hong Tai. I should've known. You killed Hong Tai and took over Ning Yao's body!"

Luo Hongyan sighed in resignation and admitted, "I killed several of Zhou Qingchen's subordinates using Spirit Devils in the stone pile. That's why I didn't reveal my identity. Inhabiting Ning Yao's body was just a way to ensure that you would continue to lead us through the Solitary Mountain Range.

"Pang Jian, I hope you know that I mean you no harm."

Luo Hongyan's eyebrows knitted, clear eyes brimming with sincerity as she sought to dispel Pang Jian's hostility.

Pang Jian frowned. "Why did you help me kill Dong Tianze?"

When he recalled their seamless coordination, Pang Jian felt she would be a great asset if she became his battle companion.

The disappearance of the enchanting scarlet lotus, followed by the unexpected invasion of the Spirit Devil Luo Meng at the most opportune moment, had thoroughly disrupted Dong Tianze and left him unable to react.

Luo Hongyan's presence and cooperation enabled Pang Jian to capitalize on that fleeting opportunity. He patiently waited for Dong Tianze to exhaust himself by luring him into the Silver Silkworm Net before delivering a decisive blow.

The reason he had urged Zhou Qingchen to descend the white pagoda and concede ownership of the Profound Yin stones was to thank Luo Hongyan for her assistance.

Luo Hongyan had not shown any obvious malice so far. Thus, Pang Jian did not reveal her identity to Zhou Qingchen to avoid provoking his anger and reigniting their conflict.

"I'm helping you because I want to eliminate our common threat," Luo Hongyan said, a hint of amusement dancing in her eyes.

In her heart, she thought, At least this guy recognizes my efforts. Unlike that blockhead Zhou Qingchen.

Outwardly, she continued, "You should understand that if I truly harbored ill intent toward you, not only would you have failed to harm Dong Tianze, but you would've lost your life at the bottom of that deep hole."

After a brief silence, Pang Jian asked curiously, "Why did you join us?"

"I don't have a physical body," she explained. "Moving around in my ethereal form attracts too much attention. Most of the time, I have to remain concealed. Additionally, entities like me, who lack a physical form, face immense threats from Dong Tianze's Ghost's Cry and the Sinister Soul Temple's Divine Spirit Pagoda."

Luo Hongyan approached with a graceful sway in her steps and stood before Pang Jian. Smiling, she said, "Pang Jian, I want to know why so many bones of the Celestial Phoenix have gathered and fallen here. I've chosen you as my partner, and I hope to unravel the secrets of this place together with you."

Pang Jian knitted his brows in contemplation.

He questioned the truthfulness of Luo Hongyan's words and suspected she had ulterior motives.

"Pang Jian, if you're willing to accept me, I'll even offer you this body I inhabit..." With that, she boldly removed her dress, presenting her naked upper body to Pang Jian.

The radiant glow from the white pagoda's walls softly illuminated her snow-white skin, dazzling Pang Jian into lightheadedness.

Softly chuckling, she stepped forward and removed Pang Jian's shirt. Then, standing on her toes, she pressed her upper body against his, closing the gap between them.

Pang Jian looked at her disinterestedly, devoid of previous distractions and restlessness.

"I know you weren't fond of Ning Yao before, but now I can make you like her by using her body," she said with a coy smile as she gazed at Pang Jian, her seductive face was very enticing.

As she said this, a thread of divine sense from her ethereal form silently flew toward the bronze pendant on Pang Jian's chest.

This strand of divine sense wanted to explore the mysteries behind the bronze door. However, just as it was about to come into contact with the bronze pendant, intense heat flared out, causing her strand of divine sense to vanish instantly.

Pang Jian snorted coldly and shoved her away. "Scram!"

Luo Hongyan fell among the shattered Profound Yin stones. Hastily regaining her composure, she pulled up her clothes and covered her porcelain-like upper body. She lowered her head in disappointment and softly asked, "You don't like it?"

"No." With a stern expression on his face, Pang Jian pulled up his own shirt and said coldly, "Regardless of your true intentions, I suggest you leave sooner rather than later. Don't bother us again."

Still seated on the floor, Luo Hongyan pondered deeply. She cast him an earnest look as she softly pleaded, "Pang Jian, somebody hurt me. This led to me losing my physical body and becoming what I am now. I'm not as bad as you think. I hope you can give me a chance. Spend some time with me and see for yourself. I can prove I'm worthy of your trust and capable of being your ally."

However, Pang Jian's voice remained unfeeling as he replied, "I hope you're gone by tomorrow morning."

With that, he leaped out of one of the windows.

"I won't go!" Luo Hongyan screamed.

***

At the bonfire, after Pang Jian left, Zhou Qingchen quietly asked Su Meng about the relationship between Pang Jian and Luo Hongyan.

Despite her grief, Su Meng mustered her strength and replied uncertainly, "It appears Sister Ning has strong affections for Brother Pang, but he seems dissatisfied with her. He's been acting distant toward her."

Zhou Qingchen slapped his thigh in admiration and said, "Pang Jian really has his ways! Ning Yao has always looked down on everyone from the seven major clans, even disregarding her fiance, He Ziren. I heard she was planning to look for someone worthy in the Star River Alliance in the Third World, but Pang Jian seems to have won her affection."

How long had they been separated?

Ning Yao had previously acted cold and indifferent toward Pang Jian, but now unexpectedly harbored affection for him. Zhou Qingchen was beyond impressed and even considered seeking advice from Pang Jian.

"Pang Jian has only just reached the first stage of the Meridian Opening Realm and opened up four of the Eight Extraordinary Meridians. He hasn't delved into the Twelve Principal Meridians surrounding his organs." Han Duping coughed lightly. His tiny eyes gleamed mischievously as he chuckled, "In other words, he still can't use his spiritual power to refine or expel the alcohol in his stomach."

Perplexed, Zhou Qingchen commented casually, "Hmm, it's his first time drinking. Although he holds his alcohol well, he's probably quite drunk by now."

Han Duping winked at Zhou Qingchen. Smiling ambiguously, he said, "He's going to look for Ning Yao all tipsy and in the dead of night...I wonder what will happen between them?"

"Oh!" Zhou Qingchen finally realized what Han Duping had been hinting at.

At that moment, they saw Pang Jian leap out from a fifth-floor window and land with a resounding thud.

The strange materials used to construct the white pagoda glowed faintly in the darkness, illuminating Pang Jian's figure as he stood at the base of the white pagoda. They saw him knit his brows as he adjusted his clothes.

Zhou Qingchen was dumbstruck.

Han Duping clicked his tongue in amazement.

Su Meng appeared lost in thought.

"What're you all looking at?" Pang Jian asked, puzzled at their reactions.

Han Duping chuckled mischievously. "Oh, nothing much. We're all just surprised to see you come out of nowhere like that."

Zhou Qingchen said nothing and merely grinned widely as he gave Pang Jian a thumbs-up.

Worried that Pang Jian would not see his gesture from a distance, he even moved his raised thumb above the bonfire.

Pang Jian was baffled. Shrugging it off, he casually found a patch of grass to sit down and continued sipping the liquor from his jar.