Chapter 169: Chapter 168: The Adventurous Date (II)
Yun Che and Retsu arrived at the location pointed out by the system, their steps cautious as they approached the mountain side. The journey had taken them far from the bustling streets of the Imperial City, into the quiet solitude of the snowy wilderness. Yet, they pressed forward, their determination unwavering.
As they neared the sect's location from high above, the air grew colder, but both Yun Che and Retsu were unfazed by the biting chill. Their bodies, honed by years of training and adaptation, were accustomed to such conditions. They took cover behind a large rock, their eyes scanning the landscape below.
The sect sprawled along the mountainside, its structures rising like sentinels against the snowy terrain. Four towering structures stood out, each one likely housing different sect functions. But it was the main hall, set slightly apart from the rest, that caught their attention. It was the heart of the sect, the nexus of its power and influence.
Guards paced along the towering walls, their vigilant gaze sweeping the snowy landscape below. But to Yun Che and Retsu, these guards were nothing more than mere obstacles in their path.
As they observed the layout of the main sect, nestled against the rugged mountainside, a suspicion dawned upon them. The main structures seemed too small, too inconspicuous, to house the full extent of the sect's power. It was clear to both Yun Che and Retsu that the true heart of the sect lay hidden within the depths of the mountain itself.
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[Ding…. Destroy the Yin Devourer Sect by any means necessary.]
[Optional Objective: Rescue the prisoners on the lowest level.]
[Optional Objective: Find Ling Ming]
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"Finding the prisoners is proving to be quite the challenge," Yun Che muttered under his breath, his gaze fixed on the imposing main sect entrance. The realization that there was only one way in and out of the small sect tightened the knot of difficulty around his plans. Extracting the prisoners would require finesse and strategy, unless he could uncover an alternative entrance hidden beneath the snowy mountainside.
A spark of inspiration flickered in Yun Che's mind as he observed the thick blanket of snow covering the terrain. "I have an idea," he announced, his voice carrying determination. "We need to split up. Retsu, prepare Minazuki while I disguise myself and infiltrate the sect to locate the prisoners."
Handing Retsu a bag of seemingly ordinary marbles, Yun Che instructed, "Drop these marbles on the snowy mountain peak as you make your preparations."
Perplexed, Retsu examined the marbles. "What are these for?" she asked, unable to discern anything special about them.
Yun Che grinned mysteriously. "Consider them insurance for our plan. And take this," he added, passing her a carefully crafted detonator switch. "Once I give you the signal, press the red and green buttons simultaneously, then the main button. That will activate the spell."
Retsu inspected the device, noting its intricate design. "What does it do?" she inquired, her curiosity piqued.
"It's a surprise for later," Yun Che replied cryptically, his eyes glinting with anticipation. "Be prepared to act when I provoke the sect master and the grand sect master. I'll handle one, but I'll need your help with the other."
"Hai!" Retsu nodded.
"Yosh… Now, to disguise myself…" Yun Che opens the disguise feature before started designing the character he wished to use. Then, an idea pops up but he was quite unsure. "I could thought of one or two that match the description but I am not sure I can play the character right."
Pondering for a moment, then he just nodded. "Nah, let's go along with it. It's not like anyone would know."
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"Halt…" The gate guardians held out their hands as a figure approached, clad in the distinctive robes of the sect. The man's appearance was striking, with dark-toned skin, a muscular physique, and an unusual contrast of white hair and a goatee. Tattoos adorned his body, with the kanji for "iron" on his right shoulder and a bull's horn on his left cheek. But it was his peculiar manner of speech that caught the guardians off guard.
"Yo, yo, yo! What's up, my dudes? I'm here to join the party, looking for some fine ladies to groove with, you dig?" The man rapped with an awkward cadence, causing the guardians to exchange bemused glances.
Internally cringing at his own performance, Yun Che, disguised as the enigmatic figure, thought, "Man, that was a lame rap."
The guardians struggled to contain their laughter before one managed to ask, "And what might your name be?"
"Ore-sama, the rap god. But you can just call me Killer Bee, yo!" Yun Che improvised, hoping his disguise would pass muster despite his lack of rap prowess.
With a mixture of amusement and bewilderment, the guardians waved him through. "Right, you can enter. Just try not to cause any trouble," they chuckled, still shaking their heads at the bizarre encounter.
"That sure bought it," Yun Che thought to himself with a mixture of relief and amusement as he shed the disguise of the eccentric Killer Bee, and he couldn't help but cringe at the memory of his feeble attempt at rap.
"Why couldn't I have been better at rapping?" he mused inwardly, lamenting his lack of talent in that particular art form. But necessity dictated his actions, and if blending in as Killer Bee was what it took to achieve his goal, then so be it.
He could've used the Apple of Eden but he passed it on to Retsu, her invisibility cloak provided by the artifact ensuring her stealth as she planted the marbles on the mountainside. Meanwhile, Yun Che pressed forward, relying on the system's mapping feature to navigate the intricate layout of the sect's inner sanctum. Looking around, he wondered internally "This place is really a fortress."
"What did I miss?" Jasmine's voice suddenly chimed in, her doll-sized soul form materializing on Yun Che's shoulder.
"Jasmine?" Yun Che's surprise was evident in his tone.
"I thought you two went on a date, so I didn't want to disturb you at all. I've been focused on mastering Eagle Scent," Jasmine explained, her dedication to honing her skills evident even in her diminutive form.
"Yeah, well, plans changed. There's been a bit of a situation," Yun Che replied, struggling to condense the chaos of their current predicament into a coherent explanation. "It's about some tanned dudes and kidnapped women... Something like a side quest initiated by the system."
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Jasmine sighed, her expression serious. "So, what's the plan?"
"We're blowing this place sky high," Yun Che declared with determination. "Retsu is planting modified marbles in the other halls while I focus on the main sect, trying to uncover how they're exploiting women for cultivation."
Jasmine nodded, recognizing the necessity of their drastic measures. As Yun Che moved through the inner sanctum, strategically scattering the modified marbles in hidden locations, Jasmine pondered their next move.
"You plan to use a heavy kido on this place?" she inquired, referencing Yun Che's previous utilization of massive thunder strikes.
"Not this time," Yun Che replied cryptically, pulling out a seemingly ordinary marble to show Jasmine. "I've fashioned something up during my free time for this occasion."
Intrigued, Jasmine examined the marble, her curiosity piqued as Yun Che prepared to unveil his latest creation.
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[Explosive Heaven's Marble]
[This small size marble is a marble capable of detonating a C5 number of explosives. Derived from the Heaven Decimating Orbs, these marbles didn't contain any poisons but have enough explosive power to destroy everything within a three-kilometer radius. It can be used as a throwable object and can be detonated with a detonator.]
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"This small thing is a..." Jasmine trailed off, her expression shifting to one of shock as she stared at the marble-sized object in Yun Che's hand.
"A bomb? Yup," Yun Che confirmed with a nonchalant grin, causing Jasmine's eyes to widen in disbelief. She knew Yun Che was capable of creating powerful explosives, but the idea of him carrying hundreds of miniature bombs capable of decimating a small town was beyond her expectations. She remembered hearing about bombs in his previous world that could obliterate entire cities, even produce mushroom clouds that could wipe out nations and unleash unbearable sickness upon the land. It was a level of destructive power that Jasmine had barred him from creating, fearing the consequences.
"How many did you carry?" Jasmine inquired, her voice tinged with concern.
"About hundreds of them. I made them available for purchase in the shop and spent almost five thousand points for 500 marbles. I gave a hundred to Retsu so she could plant them in the other halls and on the mountain peak," Yun Che explained casually, as if discussing the weather.
"How did you plant them?" Jasmine pressed, still struggling to comprehend the ease with which Yun Che wielded such devastating weaponry.
"Toss it?" Yun Che suggested, tossing a marble with enough explosive power to demolish a quarter of a house without a second thought.
Jasmine sighed deeply, her frustration evident. She would never understand how Yun Che could treat powerful innovations like these as if they were mere trinkets. But in the end, she knew there was no changing him. He was a disciple with access to profound treasures, otherworldly powers, and knowledge beyond comprehension. He alone was a walking apocalypse, yet she was grateful he wasn't the vengeful man the original Yun Che was supposed to be.
As Jasmine pondered Yun Che's nature, he too was grappling with questions of his own. Observing the despicable men around him, he noticed a common trait among them—dark and tanned skin, with few possessing features akin to a normal man but all bearing the unmistakable darkness of their complexion. The prevalence of blonde hair also struck him as peculiar, contrasting sharply with their darkened skin.
"These men are all dark and tanned. None of them have clear skin. Is it compulsory or something?" Yun Che voiced his query aloud, his curiosity piqued by the peculiar uniformity among the sect's members.
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[Ding…. Replying to the host, these people used women's Yin Energy to cultivate but it had side effects. Men can't cultivate Yin Energy from women, so they just absorb it from them. It gave them cultivation boost but darkens their skin and blonde their hair due to incompatibility. You can say these men once have clear skin but after contaminated themselves with this cultivation art, they only responded towards lust. Women naturally generates Yin Energy to have a skin that dark, these men must've used them repeatedly.]
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"No wonder those men back in Cyan Town had similar dark skin tones. I haven't really paid attention much," Yun Che mused, his thoughts drifting back to the events of Cyan Town as they made their way through the hidden passages leading into the mountain.
As they descended the stairs, Yun Che's astonishment grew with each step. The underground sect revealed itself to be a sprawling complex, with structures meticulously built into the cavernous expanse beneath the mountain. A gaping hole above let in slivers of daylight, casting eerie shadows across the underground town.
"Wow... they've really built something remarkable here," Yun Che remarked, torn between awe and apprehension at the sight before him. But there was no time to linger in admiration. His focus shifted to the task at hand: finding the imprisoned women and locating Ling Ming.
As Yun Che navigated the labyrinthine hallways, he couldn't shake the sense of dread that hung heavy in the air. Activating Eagle Scent crossed his mind, but he hesitated, mindful of the potential dangers lurking within the tainted aura of these dark-skinned men. It wasn't the smell he feared, but the contaminated energy they had absorbed from their victims.
Disguised as Killer Bee, Yun Che moved stealthily through the corridors, his senses attuned to any signs of distress or captivity. It didn't take long for him to detect the presence of frightened women, their anguished cries echoing through the stone halls. Locked in cages like prized possessions, they awaited their grim fate, destined to be consumed as the main course during the midnight feast.
With the knowledge that time was of the essence, Yun Che steeled himself for the task ahead. He had to act swiftly and decisively to save these innocent souls before the darkness of night descended and their Yin Energy reached its peak.
Looking closer, Yun Che realized that these imprisoned women weren't just ordinary captives. They were treasures, described by the system as potential geniuses in cultivation, each radiating an extraordinary amount of Yin Energy. Their beauty was not just skin deep; it was a reflection of their inherent power, capable of boosting their cultivation to unprecedented heights. It was a twisted fantasy, imagining the hundreds of these women held captive within the sect, exploited for their extraordinary gifts.
Passing by a dimly lit room, Yun Che's ears caught the sound of a desperate whimper. "Please... Please... just leave me be..."
Approaching cautiously, he witnessed a scene of horror unfolding before him. A dark-skinned man, muscular and imposing, was advancing menacingly toward a terrified woman, his intentions clear. Without hesitation, Yun Che intervened, his dagger flashing as he held it to the man's throat.
"Yo, you scum... Treating a woman like you treat a flower, huh? Whee..." Yun Che's voice dripped with contempt as he delivered his warning.
Startled, the dark man demanded, "Who are you?!"
In response, Yun Che's blade found its mark, silencing the man forever as he crumpled to the ground, a pool of blood spreading beneath him. The woman, initially on the verge of screaming, was silenced by Yun Che's gesture, his finger pressed to his lips in a silent command for her to remain quiet.
As their eyes met, Yun Che saw the fear and uncertainty in the woman's gaze, but also a glimmer of hope. Despite her beauty, she had been subjected to unimaginable horrors, her essence tainted by the vile intentions of her captors.
"I won't hurt you," Yun Che assured her, his voice softened as he spoke in his Killer Bee persona. The woman hesitated, wary of his words, having heard similar promises from the men who had imprisoned her. But there was something different about this stranger, something in his eyes that spoke of genuine compassion and resolve.
Yun Che nodded, his focus shifting to the urgent task of concealing the fallen man's body and erasing any traces of blood. The woman watched him warily, half-expecting him to turn on her next, but to her surprise, he made no move to harm her. It was as if her beauty held no sway over him, an anomaly in a world where her allure had often been her greatest curse.
As Yun Che finished disposing of the evidence, he turned his attention back to the woman, his gaze lingering on her face. There was something about her that tugged at his memory, a familiarity that he couldn't quite place.
"You look familiar," he remarked, his voice laced with curiosity.
The woman met his gaze, her expression guarded yet intrigued. Before she could respond, Yun Che activated a system scan, his suspicions confirmed as her features matched those of his intended target—the optional objective he had been tasked with.
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[Ding… Optional Objective Complete – Rescue Ling Ming.]
[New Optional Objective Received – Bring her back to her family.]
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"You're Ling Ming, right?" Yun Che's question caused Ling Ming to widen her eyes in surprise. No one had asked about her name before in this dark, twisted place.
"Yes... who are you?" she asked, her curiosity piqued by the sudden attention.
Yun Che, temporarily shedding his disguise, revealed his true appearance, hoping to put Ling Ming at ease as he delivered his message. "Your little sister sent me to find you. Your mother has been worried sick."
The beauty of Ling Ming's features contorted with emotion as tears welled up in her eyes. The thought of her family, her sister Ning'er and her mother, waiting anxiously for her return filled her with a mixture of relief and guilt. "Ning'er... Is she safe?" she choked out, her voice trembling with emotion.
"Both her and your mother are fine," Yun Che reassured her gently, his voice a soothing balm to her troubled soul.
Ling Ming's tears flowed freely now, cascading down her cheeks as she released the pent-up anguish and fear that had consumed her during her captivity. "Thank heavens... I thought I was going to die in this hellhole without knowing that they're safe."
Yun Che's heart ached for her as he listened to her story. "How long have you been in here?" he asked, gently coaxing her to share her pain.
"I was kidnapped a week ago," Ling Ming began, her voice trembling with raw emotion. "I had stormed out of my house, disappointed with my little sister. But then I was caught in a beautiful scent, and before I knew it, I had lost myself. Next thing I knew, I was assaulted against my will. They discovered I have high amounts of Yin Energy, so they brought me here. Here I am, all dressed up, just getting ready to be assaulted again and again."
Nodding in understanding, Yun Che pressed further, his heart heavy with the weight of her suffering. "Where are the others kept?"
"In the basement, in the prison section deep within the sect," Ling Ming revealed, her voice filled with a mixture of despair and determination. "The place is heavily guarded."
With this crucial information in hand, Yun Che knew what he had to do. These women were being groomed to be assaulted night after night, their Yin Energy at its peak during those dark hours. He had to act swiftly to rescue them and bring an end to the atrocities of this vile sect.
"I have plans to rescue your comrades, but I need you to pretend to be my prisoner," Yun Che explained earnestly, approaching Ling Ming with a determined look in his eyes. "I will pretend to escort you back to the prison section, and together, we can rescue the other girls before we bring this place apart."
Ling Ming hesitated, uncertainty flickering in her eyes as she grappled with the idea of putting her trust in a stranger. "You're going to destroy this place?" she questioned, her voice laced with doubt. It seemed almost impossible for one man to take down such a fortress, but if Yun Che had managed to infiltrate this sect, he must have a plan.
Yun Che knelt before her, his gaze unwavering as he spoke. "It depends on you. I came here on your sister's behalf, but I didn't wish to rescue only you. I wish to rescue as many of those poor girls as I can."
Ling Ming considered his words carefully, weighing the risks and the potential for salvation. "This place is a fortress. One way in and out," she cautioned, voicing her doubts.
"We'll get to that later. For now, I am going to save as many as I can," Yun Che assured her, determination burning bright in his eyes.
With a nod of acceptance, Ling Ming made her decision. "Then, I'll lead you to the other girls."
Yun Che nodded in gratitude before assuming his Killer Bee disguise once more. With practiced efficiency, he tied up Ling Ming's hands, their cooperation sealed as they prepared to embark on their daring rescue mission.
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Deep within the confines of the sect's palace, an unsettling scene unfolded as an old man emerged from a room surrounded by unconscious, disrobed women. Flexing his muscles in the aftermath of a successful cultivation, he exuded an aura of power and satisfaction. His triumph was short-lived, however, as the door swung open to reveal a middle-aged man clad in robes similar to the sect disciples, yet adorned with the insignia of the highest-ranking figure within the sect—the sect master himself.
"Congratulations, Grand Sect Master. It appears you have achieved a breakthrough," the sect master commented, acknowledging the old man's newfound strength.
Rising from the pile of women, the grand sect master spoke with determination, "The power of a Seventh Level Emperor Profound Realm. Finally, I can confront Gong Yuxian with my full strength."
Both men understood the significance of Gong Yuxian's formidable prowess as a Fourth Level Emperor Profound Realm cultivator. With the grand sect master surpassing her strength, they were now poised to initiate a full-scale war against the Frozen Cloud Asgard, their long-standing targets as a sect full of genius women are ripe for the taking.
"Once the men finish their cultivation, we will prepare our attack formation and seek out the Frozen Cloud Asgard," the sect master declared, his voice laced with anticipation.
Turning to the grand sect master, he inquired, "And what of you, Tian'er?"
"My cultivation is at the half-step Emperor Profound Realm. With just a bit more effort, I will break through into the Emperor Profound Realm. My Blood Arts will prove more than capable of handling those pesky Fairy Guardians," Tian'er replied confidently, his eyes gleaming with ambition.
"I will personally confront their Asgard Mistress. Their women will serve as our grand cultivation catalysts. The Yin Devourer Sect will rise to prominence, supplanting the Frozen Cloud Asgard as the preeminent sect," the grand sect master declared, his voice resolute with conviction.
With plans set in motion, the sect master issued his final command, "Prepare the men for war. They will revel in the opportunity to unleash their full might upon our enemies."
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Yun Che led Ling Ming, his captive, deeper into the Yin Devourer Sect, his senses alert to the oppressive atmosphere that hung heavy in the air. According to Ling Ming, they were heading towards the infamous Hall of Beauties—a place where hundreds of women were imprisoned and forced to beautify themselves under the threat of death.
The sheer magnitude of the situation struck Yun Che as he whistled in disbelief. More than seven hundred beautiful women, their lives hanging by a thread, subjected to the whims of their captors based solely on their perceived beauty.
Ling Ming revealed the grim truth of life in the Hall of Beauties—where those deemed less beautiful were condemned to death, their essence harvested to feed the insatiable hunger of their captors. Yet, amidst the despair, Ling Ming spoke of solidarity among the women, a sisterhood forged in defiance of their oppressors. Despite the harsh treatment they endured, they stood united, willing to protect each other at any cost.
Yun Che listened intently, his heart heavy with the weight of their suffering. Even those elevated to positions of favor suffered, their newfound status a double-edged sword that only heightened their vulnerability. In this place, where women were deemed lower than dirt, no position offered true safety.
As they passed by the guarding disciples, Yun Che maintained his composure, his Sharingan activated to ensure their passage remained undetected. Ling Ming watched in awe as the guard fell into a trance under the power of Yun Che's illusion, her fear mingling with a newfound sense of trust in this enigmatic man.
With the guard under his control, Yun Che issued a command, his voice carrying the weight of authority. The guard, obedient to his will, led them towards the Beauty Hall, his movements guided by Yun Che's unwavering gaze. Ling Ming, shaken by the ease with which Yun Che manipulated their surroundings, could only watch in astonishment.
As they neared their destination, Yun Che remarked on the lack of guards, prompting Ling Ming to offer an explanation. The absence of security personnel could only mean one thing—the grand sect master's impending speech, a summons that had drawn away the sect's defenses, leaving their path to the Beauty Hall unguarded.
As Yun Che and Ling Ming approached the Hall of Beauties, the air grew heavy with the weight of their grim reality. Ling Ming's words painted a bleak picture of countless failed escape attempts, each ending in punishment and further suffering for those who dared to defy their captors. The resilience of these women, facing such relentless torment day after day, stirred a deep anger within Yun Che.
Upon entering the hall, Yun Che's eyes widened in astonishment at the sight before him. Despite their captivity, the women exuded an aura of ethereal beauty, their grooming meticulous and their appearances immaculate. Yet, beneath the facade of glamour, Yun Che sensed the pervasive aura of despair that hung heavy in the air.
These women, trapped in luxurious surroundings, were mere pawns in a twisted game, groomed only to be summoned at the whim of their captors and subjected to unspeakable horrors night after night. Their beauty, once a source of pride, had become a curse, a symbol of their perpetual suffering.
"Ling Ming!" A voice called out, drawing Yun Che's attention, but the warmth in the woman's tone quickly turned to fear upon seeing Yun Che's alternate persona. The women recoiled in terror, their eyes pleading for mercy, their voices trembling with desperation.
"Please stay away from us. Please, no more..." One of the beauties pleaded, her arms extended protectively towards the others. Yun Che's heart ached at the sight, the anguish and fear etched upon their faces serving as a stark reminder of the cruelty they endured.
Despite the apparent comfort of their surroundings, Yun Che knew that none of these women were truly at peace. Their lives were a cycle of grooming and assault, a relentless nightmare from which there seemed to be no escape.
In an effort to ease their fears, Yun Che released Ling Ming and attempted to inject a bit of levity into the somber atmosphere. Adopting a playful tone, he attempted to lighten the mood, though his efforts were met with confusion and uncertainty.
"Yo, pretty ladies... I'm not here to save you. I'm here to be your hero. Whee..." Yun Che's words rang out, but the response from the women was one of apprehension rather than relief. Despite his intentions, Yun Che knew that gaining their trust would be no easy task.
"... The women looked at him with a mixture of surprise and suspicion, their eyes narrowing as they tried to discern his intentions. Sensing their hesitation, he decided to dispel their doubts by shedding his current disguise, revealing his true form – that of a strikingly handsome young man.
"Perhaps this will ease your worries," he said softly, hoping to reassure them.
As the beauties beheld his true appearance, their eyes widened in admiration. He was undeniably more attractive than any member of the sect they had encountered before. Yet, despite their initial attraction, a wave of fear and mistrust washed over them, triggered by the traumas they had endured.
"Stay away from us!" one of the women shouted, her voice trembling with fear.
"Sisters, he is not one of them. He's here to help us," Ling Ming interjected, attempting to defend him. But her efforts were futile as one of the other women pulled her away from him, voicing her doubts.
"How can we be sure he's any different from the rest?" she questioned, her voice tinged with skepticism. Ling Ming, too, found herself wrestling with doubts, her past traumas casting a shadow of suspicion over the stranger before them.
Yun Che raised his hand in a gesture of peace, his eyes pleading with them to trust him. "I swear, I mean you no harm. I'm here to dismantle this sect and rescue you all from its grasp."
"Lies! You're just like all the others," another woman retorted bitterly, her faith in men shattered by years of abuse and exploitation.
Yun Che's heart sank at their distrust, understanding the weight of their skepticism. How could he, a lone man, convince them that he posed no threat, especially when they had been conditioned to see all men as predators?
Yun Che let out a silent sigh, his thoughts a tumultuous whirlwind as Jasmine kept a vigilant watch. These women, he realized, had endured horrors beyond comprehension, leaving them unable to trust any man, no matter his intentions. With a heavy heart, he resolved to abandon pretense and speak bluntly.
"Look," he began, his voice devoid of its usual warmth, "I didn't come here seeking your gratitude or affection. Ling Ming's sister sent me to find her, and Ling Ming insisted on rescuing all of you. I despise this sect as much as you do. If you'd rather stay here and suffer, that's your choice."
His words hung in the air, laced with a raw honesty that bordered on brutality. But he knew that sometimes, the truth was the only salve for wounds as deep as theirs. Yet, even as he spoke, he harbored a secret plan, knowing that charming them with the Sharingan might be the only way to fulfill his mission. It was a choice between deception and coercion, a necessary evil in his quest to liberate them.
The beauties remained silent, their expressions guarded, their trust battered by countless betrayals. Ling Ming's conviction in his words seemed to sway them, but doubt lingered in the air like a stubborn fog.
"So, what'll it be?" Yun Che pressed, his gaze unwavering. "Will you choose freedom, or will you resign yourselves to this hell?"
The women hesitated, their hearts torn between hope and fear. Ling Ming's faith in him offered a glimmer of reassurance, but their skepticism remained deeply ingrained. Yet, amid the uncertainty, a voice dared to speak, tentative but filled with longing.
"Can we truly be free?" the beauty whispered, her eyes searching his for a shred of certainty. "Can you lead us to safety?"
A surge of determination flooded Yun Che's veins as he met her gaze, his resolve unshakeable. "Of course," he replied, his voice steady with conviction.
"My lord, what is your name?" The beauty's voice cut through the heavy silence, her words tinged with curiosity and a hint of longing. In a place where trust was a rare commodity, the simple act of asking for his name spoke volumes about the flicker of hope he had ignited within them.
Yun Che regarded her for a moment, his expression inscrutable. "Does it matter?" he replied, his tone tinged with a hint of weariness. Yet, despite his reluctance, he sensed an opportunity to shatter the walls of distrust that had been built around these women's hearts. Ling Ming, too, watched him intently, her curiosity piqued by the man who had dared to defy the tyranny of their captors.
The room fell into a tense silence as the beauties awaited his response. Yun Che understood their skepticism, their wariness of a world that had shown them nothing but cruelty. But he also saw this moment as a chance to challenge their perceptions, to show them that not all men were monsters.
"It's Yun Che," he finally conceded, his voice carrying a note of sincerity. "I don't wish to harm any of you. My only goal is to dismantle this vile sect and set you free, to reunite you with your families and comrades once more."
The women exchanged wary glances, uncertainty clouding their features. How could they trust this man, powerful enough to infiltrate their prison yet claiming to be their savior? Ling Ming voiced the question that lingered in all their minds, her voice trembling with concern.
"How are we going to get them out of here?" she asked, gesturing toward the other imprisoned girls huddled together in the beautiful confines of the Hall of Beauty.
Yun Che's gaze flickered to the group of girls, their beauty still evident despite the hardship they had endured. It was a daunting task, but he knew he couldn't turn away from their plight. With a determined glint in his eyes, he turned back to Ling Ming and the others.
Before Yun Che could formulate a plan, the ceiling above them began to melt, cascading molten metal onto the ground and causing the girls to squirm away in terror. Yun Che instinctively raised his guard, ready to face whatever threat may emerge. To his relief, the source of the disturbance revealed itself to be none other than Retsu, clad in her hooded fur coat and utilizing her Kido to drill into the hall underneath the mountain.
"Yuu-kun, I detected you were here, and the rocks here are thin enough for me to drill through them," Retsu explained as she landed gracefully, her presence commanding attention.
"Nice one, Retsu!" Yun Che exclaimed, offering her a thumbs up in appreciation for her timely intervention. He had been contemplating resorting to blowing up the prison, which would inevitably draw the attention of the guards and jeopardize their escape plan.
As Retsu's arrival eased the tension among the girls, Ling Ming's wariness gave way to curiosity. "Lord Yun... this is..."
"This is my companion, Unohana Retsu. She'll be the one to escort you girls to safety," Yun Che introduced Retsu with a reassuring smile, prompting her to bow her head respectfully. Instantly, the girls seemed to relax in her presence, reassured by the presence of another woman amidst their ranks.
"What happened to them?" Retsu's concern was evident as she observed some of the women limping and displaying expressions of pain. Some were even supported by their comrades and some were not able to stand up at all.
"Some of them are heavily injured, especially in their private areas," Ling Ming explained, her voice filled with sympathy for their plight. The women, traumatized by their experiences, recoiled at Retsu's approach, but even seeing her as a fellow woman, they hesitantly allowed her to draw near.
"Please, let me treat you," Retsu implored, her voice gentle yet resolute as she began emergency treatment for the injured girls. To ease things up, she conjured an airborne healing kido – basically filling the air with healing Reaitsu to heal simple wounds but those who have heavy injuries were tended personally by her.
With her expert Kido treatment, Retsu swiftly addressed the injuries in the women's nether regions, providing immediate relief to those in need. Her Kido heals them in an instant as she is already an expert in healing prowess. As word of her healing prowess spread, more girls sought her aid, their trust in her growing with each passing moment. Those with less severe injuries being healed up by Retsu's airborne healing Kido, while those with more serious wounds patiently awaited their turn to be tend by her.
The sect's vile practices had not only imprisoned these women physically but had also robbed them of their ability to bear children, leaving them bereft of their womanhood.
But Retsu was not one to shrink from a challenge. Drawing upon her mastery of Healing Kido, she focused her energies, her Reaitsu cloak enveloping her like a protective shield. With a burst of Reaitsu, she extended her Reaitsu arms all over the Hall, channeling healing energy into the women before her.
Each touch of her Reaitsu brought a glimmer of hope to their eyes, a promise of restoration after years of suffering. But time was of the essence, and Retsu knew she couldn't afford to waste a moment. With practiced efficiency, she worked tirelessly, her Reaitsu arms moving with precision as she infused the women with ancient potions provided by Yun Che.
The Ancient Potions, with their potent healing properties, bolstered Retsu's efforts, restoring her Reaitsu to full power whenever it waned. She even uses it to restore the women's essence and energy. With renewed strength, she pressed on, her determination unwavering as she poured her Reaitsu into each woman, healing their injuries and restoring their womanhood.
As the last woman received the healing touch of Retsu's Reaitsu, a collective sigh of relief echoed through the room. They had been given a second chance, their bodies restored and their spirits renewed.
As Retsu worked tirelessly to restore the women's bodies and spirits, she encountered a formidable obstacle – their Primordial Yin, the essence of their femininity. It was something she couldn't restore.
Meanwhile, Yun Che utilized his system points to purchase winter fur coats for the women, knowing that their comfort and well-being were paramount. As Retsu's treatment successfully healed the injured girls, She provided them with ancient potions to restore their bodies and cleanse them of any lingering debuffs inflicted by the sect's cruelty. Though some of the girls harbored doubts about the potions, their skepticism melted away as they witnessed the miraculous effects firsthand, eagerly imbibing the elixirs.
Retsu activated her Zanpakuto as it turned into a slimy mist before it travels outside the tunnel she drilled.
"My Minazuki's waiting outside. Don't be afraid of her sheer size. Also, you don't have to worry about the cold; her warm body will keep you comfortable," Retsu reassured the girls, her words offering a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness. With Yun Che's assistance, he conjured a ladder for the girls to climb out of the hole Retsu had melted, their rescue now in motion.
As expected, a lot of those girls screamed the moment they saw the giant one-eyed monster, Minazuki but Retsu's word reassured them. Once they made it outside, all of them boarded the colossal monster without the feeling of fear as it was probably the only transportation they had. It was so colossal that it could even carry hundreds of those girls and still has enough space for more.
"Retsu, please escort them out right now. I'll bring those girls from the sect's square. Once they're away, let's start the party," Yun Che instructed, determination flashing in his eyes as he prepared to retrieve the remaining captives who were still put on display outside the prison.
"Hai..." Retsu nodded, her smirk reflecting the shared sentiment of retribution against the sect.
But before they could depart, a voice broke through the tense atmosphere, halting their movements. It was one of the girls, her voice trembling with emotion as she spoke up.
"Wait... The sect master keeps all the hairpins from the women who lost their lives. Please, if you can, please retrieve them so their families will have something to remember them by," she pleaded, her words laden with grief and desperation.
Yun Che's eyes widened in fury, his jaw clenched as he processed the depth of the sect master's depravity. The realization hit him like a sledgehammer—the man had not only treated these women as objects but had callously kept their personal belongings as trophies of his cruelty.
"That bastard," Yun Che muttered, his voice low and venomous. Every fiber of his being screamed for justice, for vengeance against the vile man who had inflicted such suffering upon the innocent.
With a renewed sense of purpose burning within him, Yun Che vowed to make the sect master pay dearly for his sins. This was no longer just a rescue mission as things just got personal. Turning towards Ling Ming who was organizing the girls into getting out of the tunnel, he somehow needed her help after this.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Nora_Danish
Nora_Danish Man, I tend to overwrite sometimes. This is too long so I had to separate it into four parts. Sorry about my previous error in numbering. Fixed it. This is the 168th Chapter.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone