"Then paint it out..."
What should have been a forceful declaration was slightly shaky due to nervousness, making it sound rather odd, the domineering statement more like a plea. The dancers closer by trembled with laughter, their steps faltering.
My face flushed, not from anger at others, but at myself. Though I had been afraid when I first entered, I had done so boldly, relying on the courage in my heart.
Now, finding myself unable to break the illusion and recalling my master's first lesson, a thought of retreat had entered my mind. How could this be?
If I allowed myself to be timid and harbored thoughts of backing down this time, I would recall this moment whenever I faced danger in the future. This was a grave taboo in the Yin arts. No matter what, I had to overcome this hurdle, even if it meant death.
With my decision made, I became more confident. Though the flush hadn't completely faded from my face, I straightened my back, adopting an air of unshakeable confidence, and said, "I don't know your purpose in capturing my friend and luring me here. I only want my friend to be safe. As for this insignificant life of mine, you can take it whenever you wish. If I so much as frown, I would be betraying all I've learned in divination." My voice was not loud at first, but as I spoke, I felt a surge of immense power welling up from my chest, compelling me to shout.
Simultaneously, the Xuan Yang True Qi within me circulated rapidly with the surge of my breath, like tiny mice the size of thumbs, galloping through the meridians. After completing a full cycle, it all returned to the Qi Sea.
All of this happened incredibly fast. It wasn't until the Xuan Yang True Qi returned to the Qi Sea that I reacted. I quickly performed an internal scan of my body. Upon learning the result, I was unsure whether to laugh or cry.
I never would have imagined that my Xuan Yang True Qi would break through at this moment, reaching the final stage of the initial phase of 'Peering.' With consolidation, I could step into the middle phase of 'Peering' at any time.
The mysterious person seated in the main seat was equally dumbfounded. My body's changes had not escaped his notice. He paused for a moment, then burst into laughter.
"In my life, I've encountered countless people, friends and enemies alike, the strong and the weak. But I've never met anyone like you, who can break through their own limitations without even knowing friend from foe. I wouldn't say you're unrivaled, but you're certainly unprecedented.
Since you face danger with courage, I won't make things difficult for you. I'll offer you three cups of wine. Only one of them is harmless. If you choose correctly and drink it, I will let you and her leave." With that, he clapped his hands twice. The dancers all withdrew, and the two maids who had led the way earlier, supporting Yue'er, emerged from a hidden door.
Yue'er's face was deathly pale, her hands bound behind her back. Upon seeing me, she eagerly tried to speak, but a piece of white cloth stuffed in her mouth only allowed her to emit muffled sounds.
"Yue'er, you..." As I spoke, I prepared to step forward and untie her bonds. But after taking just one step, I saw Yue'er shaking her head frantically, her eyes filled with anxious terror.
This was the first time I had seen fear in her eyes. I instinctively stopped, taking half a step back. Before I could regain my balance, I felt a gust of cold air brush past me.
The light gauze curtains fluttering before me were instantly shredded, falling to the ground. A narrow, shallow trench appeared on the stone-paved floor, extending before me.
Following the direction of the cold wind, I saw the mysterious person in the main seat retracting his hand. There was no doubt that the attack had come from him. Had I not understood Yue'er's meaning, or hesitated for a moment, I would now be two pieces of dead meat.
Anger surged within me, but I was helpless against this mysterious individual. His silent move alone was something I could not resist, so I suppressed my rage and asked, "What exactly do you want?"
"I want to play a game with you."
"Play a game?"
"That's right, a game. You are a Yin Diviner, skilled in warding off misfortune and inviting fortune. I want to see if you truly possess this ability." As he finished speaking, three maids, one in front and one behind, approached me with trays.
On the trays were three crystal-clear wine cups, each containing liquid of a different color. Some emitted a faint fragrance, others a foul odor, and one even gave off wisps of green smoke, clearly indicating extreme toxicity.
I looked at the mysterious person for an explanation.
"You have three cups of wine before you. Only one of them is not poisonous. If you choose the one without poison, you can leave here with her."
Damn it... I had mentally cursed this perverted individual's entire lineage, going back eighteen generations. What kind of test was this? I was indeed a Yin Diviner, but not a wine connoisseur! Besides, avoiding misfortune wasn't done like this; this had nothing to do with Yin divination.
Just as I was about to protest, the maids produced an hourglass, its fine sand rapidly falling.
"Before the sand in the hourglass runs out, you must make your choice, or else... hmph."
Watching the sand flow quickly, I lost the will to even curse. I had no idea how the hourglass was made, but it flowed incredibly fast. I estimated it would take less than five minutes.
The three maids stood before me like stone statues, their bodies ramrod straight. It was obvious they were not alive. At this point, I had no energy to study them.
The first cup contained a jade-green liquid, crystal clear. Under the firelight, it shimmered with a dazzling hue and emitted a faint fragrance. This cup was definitely not poisonous. Su Dan Novel Network.
I reached out to pick it up but stopped. The mysterious person had said one of the three cups was poisoned, and it was unlikely he would make it so easy for me to choose. If that were the case, wouldn't he be too foolish?
I glanced in the direction of the mysterious person, only able to see his eyes occasionally flashing in the darkness. I couldn't see anything else.
After a moment's thought, I withdrew my hand and turned my gaze to the second cup. This liquid was a vibrant red, resembling red wine but a hundred times more brilliant. Under the firelight, it possessed a seductive crimson hue, like fresh blood just poured into a bowl, and emitted the characteristic腥味 (xīngwèi -腥味, fishy/bloody smell) of blood.
Pinching my nose, I shook my head and looked at the last cup. It was served in a green porcelain cup, and the wine itself was a ghastly green, occasionally bubbling. Visible wisps of green smoke rose from the broken bubbles.
How was I supposed to choose? The first cup looked the most normal, but how could this mysterious person be so kind as to miss the most likely cup for poison?
As the fine sand in the hourglass dwindled, beads of sweat formed on my forehead, and my mind was in turmoil. One moment I wanted to choose the seemingly normal first cup, the next I was drawn to the red one. While my emotions were in a state of flux, the mysterious person spoke again, saying time was running out and I should choose quickly. If I were you, I'd choose the first cup.
The first cup? Was he really that kind? I cursed him inwardly with disdain and then said, "I have made my choice."
"Which cup do you choose?"
"This cup..."