Chapter 82: In the Palm of One’s Hand

Indeed, all of Shen Baiyu’s actions just now were methods devised to counter the Yian Myriad Dragon Armor—not for mere display. The soul is the most fragile aspect of any cultivator, regardless of how profound their cultivation may be. There are no exceptions.

In truth, Shen Baiyu had no need for such elaborate measures; she possessed far swifter, more direct ways to deal with Yian. However, each of those methods was meant to kill. If it were in the past, she wouldn’t have minded—after all, Yian had repeatedly opposed her, and it would have been only reasonable to teach him a harsh lesson.

But now, knowing Yian’s extraordinary origins, she was much more cautious. Though she feared no trouble, she was not reckless; the world is filled with powerful figures, and a single misstep could spell disaster for the Silver Fox clan.

They were down to the last bloodline, herself alone. Any mistake, any provocation of a formidable enemy, could bring ruin. If she could act cleanly, leaving no trace, it might be acceptable—but she dared not risk leaving evidence. Thus, she settled for a lesser approach: merely to defeat him, dispatch him swiftly, then take Miu Shihai and the Silver Fox clan far away, to a place untouched by worldly strife, where peace reigned.

Yet, after she finished her spell, she found Yian as composed as ever, as though he faced no more than a trivial matter. Shen Baiyu frowned, visibly displeased, and applied greater force, thinking, “Let’s see if you can keep smiling.”

The crystalline lights swirling in the air converged to a single point, sweeping toward Yian with the speed of a blade, sharp and relentless. But in the next instant, the composure on Shen Baiyu’s face was quickly replaced by a look of shock.

“This is impossible…”

Stunned, she found herself confronted by yet another surprise from Yian. If the first attack could be explained by a defensive artifact, then what of this? Such inexplicable events were entirely new to her.

She blinked her exquisite phoenix eyes, pondering the mysteries Yian had brought her, caught in a web of confusion and frustration.

Not only that, Shen Baiyu even began to doubt herself. Had her spell failed?

Yian watched her thoughtful expression—especially those bewildered eyes—and found this fearsome demoness unexpectedly endearing.

“There are eight moves left,” Yian said with a smile.

“Young Master Yian, you have always kept your abilities hidden, but today you reveal such power—it has truly opened my eyes,” Shen Baiyu said suddenly.

By now, she had lost any interest in completing their previous wager. Given Yian’s display, insisting on finishing the eight moves would only invite humiliation. More than victory, she now cared to understand how he had dispelled her spell.

“Miss Shen, you flatter me. Thank you for showing restraint,” Yian replied.

Shen Baiyu looked at him with gratitude. His words were clearly offering her a way out, sparing her further embarrassment.

After all, for someone in the Day Wanderer realm to lose to a Return to Origin cultivator was shameful.

“Don’t belittle yourself. A loss is a loss, but with your skills, few could ever harm you. Sometimes, external objects are a mark of strength,” Shen Baiyu said, her gaze growing somber. She sighed at her own reputation—now at the mercy of a younger man.

Yian laughed awkwardly and did not refute her. What worried him was that he had revealed the existence of the Myriad Dragon Armor. Whether this would bring fortune or calamity, he could not tell. He hoped she had not grasped its true intricacies.

But relying on hope alone was unwise. He would need other plans. The principle that “a jade in one’s possession invites trouble” remains eternal; wherever there are people, there will be greed. Without the power to protect what one owns, it can become not a treasure but a harbinger of doom.

“Miss Shen, now can you finally unravel the mystery?” Yian asked curiously.

He truly believed Shen Baiyu bore no malice toward Miu Shihai; otherwise, she would not have gone to such lengths to find him. At the very least, they were not enemies—she had countless chances to kill him from the moment they met.

So, Shen Baiyu’s true purpose was now clear.

Shen Baiyu nodded lightly, filled with resignation.

She saw through it now—this young man had laid a trap from the start, waiting for her to step in. But things had come to this, and words would not change it. She would never give up on Miu Shihai; besides, with just a day, she could make him change his mind.

As for forcibly taking him, it was not impossible, but beneath her dignity. Though she was of the demon race, she held her own principles and pride.

If she abandoned her standards, one day she too would become one of those evil creatures who stopped at nothing for their own gain. It is easy to move from frugality to luxury, but hard to return; the same holds true here.

If she ever crossed that line, it would be impossible to remain untainted. Once in the abyss, there is only abyss before and behind. Faced with tempting interests, how many can truly stand firm, guarding the line in their hearts?

Thus, only by never touching the abyss can one prevent future calamity.

“Rather than my affairs, I’m more curious about how you managed to break my spell,” Shen Baiyu countered, choosing not to answer him directly.

“It was nothing, really—just a few talismans,” Yian replied, offering the excuse he had prepared in advance.

Whether she believed him was her concern; his only was what he chose to say. If he hesitated, it would only confirm he possessed a great treasure. But by steering the conversation elsewhere, giving her a mix of truth and falsehood, perhaps he would achieve a better result.

“Young Master Yian, don’t insult my intelligence. What talisman in the world could possess such miraculous power? If you won’t say, so be it—but don’t use such feeble excuses to dismiss me,” Shen Baiyu said, expressing her strong doubts.