386: Chapter 386 Xu Ruyu Emerges from Seclusion, Crisis in the Cave

At the entrance of the Illusory Moon Well, two figures had just stepped out from the milky-white illusory mist.

Xu Ruyu stretched lazily and took a deep breath of the fresh air outside.

Having been hidden from the sun for half a month, the sunlight now felt warm and exceptionally comfortable on his body.

He squinted, feeling the warmth of the sun, a satisfied smile playing on his face.

Behind him, Taihao Clan followed, shouting as she walked: "Xiao Yuer, wait for me! I still haven't fully understood that energy feedback Array Pattern from before. Explain it to me again!"

Xu Ruyu looked back at her and laughed: "Senior, we've only just come out. Can't you let me catch my breath?"

Taihao Clan caught up in a few strides and grabbed his sleeve: "What breath? Artifact Refining is more important! Tell me, tell me, what's going on with that Array Pattern? Why add a reflux node there? Wouldn't a straight line be smoother?"

Xu Ruyu shook his head helplessly and was about to explain—suddenly, his body stiffened abruptly!

An extremely faint yet incredibly clear fluctuation came from somewhere within his body!

It was the mark he had left on Xiao Nianyin!

To prevent any accidents, he had left a special energy mark on Xiao Nianyin. This mark was usually in a dormant state and would not have any effect on her.

But once she encountered danger or was harmed, the mark would be triggered, sending him an alarm!

And now, the mark had been triggered!

Moreover, the intensity of the trigger... was extremely violent!

The feeling was like a needle piercing his heart, causing his expression to change instantly!

What did this mean?

It meant that Xiao Nianyin was being harmed!

And it was the kind of harm that could endanger her life!

Xu Ruyu's expression turned as dark as water in an instant, and a cold murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

Taihao Clan was waiting for him to explain the Array Pattern, but seeing his expression change so drastically, she was startled: "Hey, what's wrong with you? Why is your face so ugly? Are you possessed?"

Xu Ruyu didn't answer. He simply closed his eyes and followed the connection of the mark, quickly pinpointing Xiao Nianyin's location.

Southeast direction... about thirty miles away... deep in the forest outside Qixia Valley... in a hidden cave...

He could sense that the mark was vibrating violently, representing Xiao Nianyin's current fear and despair.

Xu Ruyu opened his eyes, a flash of cold murderous intent in them.

"Senior, my Bed-warming maid is in danger."

Taihao Clan was stunned: "Bed-warming maid? Xiao Nianyin?"

Xu Ruyu nodded, said nothing more, and with a flash of his figure, he turned into a streak of light and disappeared from the spot.

Taihao Clan stood there, stunned for a good while, before curling her lip: "Yo, yo, yo, he's already sharing a bed with my Master, yet he's still thinking about his own Bed-warming maid. Men really are no good!"

Saying this, she didn't stop moving. With a flicker of her figure, she chased after him.

"Wait for me! I want to see who is so bold! Daring to touch someone covered by me, Taihao Clan!"

...

Meanwhile, in a hidden cave thirty miles away.

This cave was hidden behind a dense thicket of thorns; the entrance was narrow and completely blocked by several huge boulders.

If one wasn't searching specifically, one would never discover that there was a cave here.

The area around the entrance was overgrown with thorny vines, making the already hidden entrance even harder to detect.

Inside the cave, however, was a different world. It was several dozen zhang in area, with naturally formed stone walls all around, uneven and covered in damp moss.

The ground was scattered with withered branches, fallen leaves, and the bones of unknown animals, and the air was filled with a musty and damp scent.

At this moment, deep in the cave, several torches were inserted into the crevices of the stone walls. The flickering torchlight illuminated the entire space, casting swaying shadows on the stone walls.

Xiao Nianyin was surrounded in the center.

Her hands were tied behind her back with a rough hemp rope. The rope was pulled extremely tight, leaving deep red welts on her fair wrists; the skin had even been chafed, oozing traces of blood.

Her mouth was stuffed with a piece of rag pulled from who knows where, which emitted a foul, musty odor, making her almost gag, yet she couldn't spit it out.

Her hair bun had long since come undone, and that ice-blue long hair, which was usually as smooth as a waterfall, was now disheveled and hanging down, covered in dust, grass clippings, and unknown stains.

Her dress was torn in many places—that was from when she was dragged earlier, slashed by thorns and rocks.

The left sleeve was almost entirely torn off, revealing her entire snow-white arm, which had several bloody scratches from the thorns.

The hem of her skirt was torn from the knee down, revealing her smooth calves, which also had scrapes and bruises.

The buttons on her collar had also popped open, revealing her delicate collarbone and a small patch of snow-white chest.

She sat there in such a wretched state on the cold, damp ground, hands bound, mouth stuffed with cloth, her eyes filled with terror, anger, and despair.

Surrounding her were more than a dozen young disciples of the Taihu Clan.

Leading them was none other than that Senior Brother Zhou, Zhou Jingxing.

He was the legitimate son of the eldest branch of the Zhou Family of the Taihu Clan, quite famous among the younger generation, and usually relied on his family status to act tyrannically, often bullying men and oppressing women.

At this moment, he stood at the very front, arms crossed, looking down at Xiao Nianyin with lecherous light in his eyes.

Beside him stood Mo Ran, arms crossed, with a half-smile on his face, looking like he was watching a good show.

Further back were over a dozen followers; some were full of excitement, some were rubbing their hands in anticipation, and a few slightly timid ones stood behind the crowd, their eyes flickering, yet they didn't leave.

"Senior Brother Zhou," Mo Ran said slowly, his voice echoing in the cave, "This person has been handed over to you. Do with her as you please. I went to great lengths to bring you all here."

Zhou Jingxing looked at him and laughed: "Mo Ran, you are quite generous. Such a great beauty, don't you want a share?"

Mo Ran shook his head, smiling without warmth: "I won't join in the fun. My injuries haven't fully healed yet, and I can't handle the exertion. Senior Brother Zhou, please enjoy yourself; I'll just watch from the side and cheer you on. Besides—"

He paused, lowering his voice: "I have no interest in her. What I am interested in is what reaction Xu Ruyu will have once he finds out about this."