Chapter 6: Ascending from the Abyss — The Wind Unbound
The fierce wind howled through the depths of the abyss, battering the figure of a young woman clad in black.She stood atop the highest boulder on the cliff's edge, the void below so deep and dark that its end could not be seen.
Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply.The flow of qi within her body moved calm and steady—like a great river, silent yet full of hidden power.
"Cloud-Stepping Technique..."
She whispered inwardly, then opened her eyes, their black depths gleaming with unwavering resolve.
One step — the wind beneath her feet stirred.
Two steps — her body grew as light as mist.
Three steps — her form floated above the stone.
Her black robes fluttered in the breeze as she stepped into the air, as though walking on clouds.She soared upward, through the shrouded mist, untethered by any earthly anchor—rising like an eagle unfurling its wings.
The howling winds of the abyss clawed at Yao Ninghe, but could not drag her down.She fused her breathing and spirit into the wind itself, her movements flowing in perfect harmony with the air.
From the very bottom of the abyss, she ascended with grace and power—passing through the towering treetops,through the golden shafts of sunlight breaking through the mist,until at last—her feet touched the solid ground of the upper world once more.
Standing atop the cliff, she looked up at the vast sky.The cold wind brushed her face—but it carried a freedom she had never known before.
Yet she had not come alone.
Without hesitation, she grasped a thick vine that wrapped around a great tree, tying it into several strong knots before lowering it carefully into the abyss.
The rustling of leaves and the creaking of the vine echoed down into the darkness.
"Sister! My lord! Grab the vine—I'll pull you up!"
Her voice rang clear into the abyss.
"You go first, Ningjian,"
Li Feitian urged, tapping Yao Ningjian's arm.
Moments later, the slender hand of Yao Ningjian—the young woman in green—reached up and seized the vine.With her sister's help pulling from above, she climbed steadily.
Soon, her fingers found the rocky ledge.With a final burst of strength, she hauled herself over the edge.
And not long after, Li Feitian—despite his lingering injuries—gritted his teeth and began his ascent.Guided by Yao Ninghe's qi-infused strength, he too returned to the upper world.
The three of them stood once more upon solid ground.
Yao Ninghe cast her gaze skyward, then turned to look at her sister and the young man.They were not the same people who had fallen into the abyss months ago.From this moment forward, their paths would be forever changed.
"Hahahahahaha..."
Suddenly, rough laughter rang out, shattering the stillness.The forest leaves trembled as a band of mountain bandits emerged from the undergrowth, eyes gleaming with greed and lust.
"Hahaha! You really thought you'd escape? I never imagined you would actually survive!"
The leader stepped forward, his scarred face twisted into a mocking grin.He rested a large sword across his shoulder, his eyes glinting with cruel amusement.
"A shame—I thought you'd be dead at the bottom of the abyss by now!"
Dozens of bandits laughed raucously, tightening their encirclement.
Li Feitian, the man who had returned from death, narrowed his eyes.His fists clenched instinctively, warrior instincts flaring.His sharp gaze swept the surroundings.
"Damn it... we just climbed out of hell, and now they're waiting for us?"
Yao Ningjian bit her lip, wary but unshaken.Her hand drifted toward the small vial of medicine tucked at her waist.
"There are too many... we must find a way to escape,"
she whispered.
But Yao Ninghe stood motionless, calm as frozen water.She had not climbed from the abyss only to fall prey once more.
"Escape? There's no need,"
she muttered coldly.
The bandit chief sneered, raising his blade to strike.
But in that instant—Yao Ninghe moved.
Her black cloak billowed as she disappeared from sight, swift as a shadow.Qi flowed through her body, making her lighter than the wind.
This was no escape—This was a counterattack!
The laughter of the bandits was abruptly cut off.
By the time the leader realized something was wrong, a cold, gleaming blade had already touched his throat.
"Huh—"
The tip of the sword pressed lightly against his skin.One slight movement would spill his blood.
He froze, eyes wide with terror, unable even to scream.The blade in his hand trembled uselessly in midair, cold sweat beading on his forehead.
"Did you think I would be your prey again?"
Yao Ninghe's voice was icy, suffused with overwhelming pressure.
Grabbing the bandit leader by the collar, she pulled him in front of her as a living shield.Her beautiful yet razor-sharp eyes swept over the remaining bandits, who dared not approach.
The leader, pale with fear, shouted hoarsely:
"What are you waiting for!? Attack her!"
At his command, the bandits surged forward with weapons raised.
But Yao Ninghe only whispered in the bandit leader's ear:
"Take one more step—and you'll never speak again."
Her blade traced a thin line across his neck, drawing a thin bead of blood.
The leader froze completely, terror rooting him to the spot.
"Stop!! Everyone—stand down! Don't kill me!"
He screamed.
The bandits halted, fury and fear battling within them.
Yao Ninghe smiled coldly.
"Throw down your weapons. Unless you wish to see your leader die in the next breath."
The bandits exchanged desperate glances.The blood trickling from their leader's neck made the decision for them.
Clang! Clang! Clang!One after another, weapons clattered to the ground.
Yao Ninghe let out a soft, mocking laugh, glancing toward her sister and Li Feitian.
"Now... we set the terms."
Li Feitian, inwardly, could not help but reflect—If he were still in his Special Forces body, these bandits would never have dared act so brazenly.But for now, he was grateful for Yao Ninghe's deadly skill.
The forest fell into a tense silence.The bandits stood paralyzed, none daring to move.
Meanwhile, behind them, Yao Ningjian's lips curled into a cold smile.Seizing the moment when all eyes were on her sister, she deftly produced a small blue ceramic vial.
Within it was a colorless, scentless powder—a potent aphrodisiac poison, not lethal, but enough to drive men mad with uncontrollable lust and delirium.
"Did you forget... what you did to the village women you once abused?"
Yao Ningjian said coldly, her eyes flashing.
She released the fine powder into the air like drifting pollen.The bandits inhaled it unwittingly.
"You think the threats of a woman would frighten me?"
one bandit jeered, stepping forward—
—only to stagger suddenly, his face contorted with confusion.
"W-what is this!?"
he gasped, his body trembling, burning from within.
He was not alone.The other bandits began to falter—sweat pouring down their faces, hands shaking, eyes turning bloodshot with mindless frenzy.
The captured leader watched in horror.
"What did you make us breathe!?"
he croaked.
Yao Ningjian smiled sweetly—a smile colder than ice.
"Just a small gift..."
She spoke softly:
"...the very poison you once used to defile others—only now, it is far stronger."
The bandits' eyes widened with terror as the venom took full hold.Madness overtook them—they clawed at themselves, lunged at one another, or, in desperation, hurled themselves off the cliffs.
In mere moments, the bandit camp was destroyed.Only the trembling leader remained, paralyzed by fear.
He looked at Yao Ningjian, his voice quivering:
"A demon... you are a demon!"
She only laughed lightly, her voice sweet yet laced with chilling vengeance.
"Indeed. I am the spirit of all the women you wronged, come to deliver retribution."
Her laughter pierced his heart like a blade.Driven to madness by terror and the poison, the bandit leader flung himself into the abyss—joining his fallen comrades in death.
To be continued...