"An Lan, are you okay?"
Seeing Ye Yu defeat the even more bizarre Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent within just a few moves, Hu Liena was deeply shocked and quickly stepped forward.
She had seen the strange red mist the serpent released moments ago envelop Ye Yu, and concern filled her voice.
"I'm fine."
Ye Yu gave a faint smile and withdrew the Thunderous Hell Prison Spear back into the Jade Dragon Bracelet.
"Let's rest a bit. We'll continue on afterward."
After a short rest, Ye Yu and Hu Liena resumed their journey along the Hell Road.
Because the exit of theHell Road led to the outside world, the path steadily climbed uphill. After passing through the Ten Headed Fierce Yang Serpent trial, the blood rivers on either side of the path grew increasingly closer to the road, surging with heat that made the surrounding area unbearably hot.
Thanks to the Ice and Fire Tempering, Ye Yu was immune to extreme ice and fire elemental attacks and had gained resistance to both heat and cold. So he was fine.
But for Hu Liena, the oppressive heat was becoming too much. Her fair, alluring face was flushed bright red, and sweat soaked through her clothing, revealing her enticing figure. Her snow-white skin was now tinged pink, and she was gasping for breath with every step.
But more than physical exhaustion or heat, it was the third trial of the Hell Road that was the real test.
The special aura released by the twin blood rivers triggered a person's desire and killing intent.
Hu Liena felt her heart race wildly. Her pupils reddened as her mind became filled with conflicting emotions—rage, killing intent… and desire.
Desire for Ye Yu.
Meanwhile, Ye Yu was largely unaffected.
After all, during his time in the Slaughter City, he had been practicing the Inner Core Technique, which trained and refined one's essence, energy, and spirit.
It allowed his mind to remain tranquil and enter a calm, almost ethereal state. It also cleansed distractions and emotional instability, keeping his heart clear and free from demonic influences.
And this third trial was exactly that—a test of mental corruption.
So Ye Yu didn't even need to rely on spiritual power or willpower to fight off the inner chaos. He was immune.
Still, as they traveled, Ye Yu noticed something wrong with Hu Liena.
Her eyes had turned crimson, her breathing was erratic, fists clenched, and teeth biting her lip. She'd sometimes run with her head down, other times glance at him with a look filled with craving and confusion.
Ye Yu stopped in his tracks and turned to look at her.
But just then, Hu Liena, still struggling internally, ran right into his arms.
"Nana, are you alright?" Ye Yu grabbed her shoulders, frowning.
"An Lan... I-I don't think I can hold on much longer..." Hu Liena's beautiful eyes showed pain and conflict as she panted and struggled to speak.
"I don't know why, but I feel incredibly agitated inside."
"There's an overwhelming urge to kill… and also…"
"I can't take it. You—You should leave me here! Don't worry about me!"
As she spoke, she tried to push him away with her trembling hand.
But Ye Yu simply shook his head. He wasn't about to abandon her.
After all, they had spent nearly a year together in Slaughter City.
"Forgive me!"
Ye Yu struck with a knife-hand to knock her unconscious, then carried her on his back and continued forward.
Hmm! I have to say! Hu Liena's body is quite nice. Carrying her feels surprisingly comfortable!
After knocking her out, Ye Yu became a streak of lightning, dashing at full speed toward the end of the Hell Road.
Soon, he arrived at the final stretch.
There was no more road ahead.
The twin blood rivers had risen to the same height as the path and twisted together at the end, forming a small lake of churning blood, bubbling like lava.
At the cliff's edge ahead, the cavern roof narrowed upward like a volcanic cone, and the exit was sealed by a white barrier of light.
Ye Yu stopped. He didn't plan to exit with Hu Liena just yet.
He still needed to stay here and cultivate.
He would use the immense life force within the blood river to accelerate the materialization of his Blue Silver Jade Tree Martial Soul, helping it awaken intelligence.
If successful, then his cultivation path would become a heavenly road, clear and unobstructed.
Meanwhile, though unconscious, Hu Liena was still locked in mental combat.
The special aura from the blood river was relentlessly provoking her, pulling at her suppressed killing intent and buried emotions.
Typically, it amplified killing intent—especially in those who had lived in the brutal, oppressive environment of Slaughter City.
But Hu Liena had the support of Ye Yu throughout their time together. She had someone to talk to, someone to rely on.
She had eaten proper food and drank clean water, not the tainted meals and Bloody Marys of Slaughter City.
So, unlike in the original canon, her repressed emotions and killing instincts were far less intense.
Thus, the special aura failed to push her entirely into a blood-crazed state.
Instead, another emotion stirred—desire.
Her feelings for Ye Yu began to rise in response to the aura.
And since she didn't want to harm him, she unconsciously amplified her desire to drown out her killing intent.
Eventually, even while unconscious, her desire for Ye Yu overwhelmed the killing intent.
At the exit, Ye Yu gently laid Hu Liena down and waited for her to wake up.
Bored, he pulled out a book to read.
Then suddenly—
Hu Liena's beautiful eyes fluttered open, now glazed with longing and confusion.
She slowly sat up.
"Nana, you're awake," Ye Yu said, closing his book and standing.
But the look in her eyes gave him pause.
Something wasn't right.
Could she still be under the influence of the third trial?
Yet—he didn't feel any killing intent from her.
Before he could think further, Hu Liena dashed forward, bringing with her a whiff of fragrance.
They were very close.
And in the blink of an eye, she threw herself into Ye Yu's arms, lifted her rosy lips to his, and whispered dreamily—
"An Lan… Don't speak—just kiss me."