Chapter 1197: Dawn

They never expected the slap in the face to come so quickly.

Just moments ago, they were boasting about how formidable the formation around this place was, claiming that Yi Feng would never be able to enter. Yet, in the very next second, Yi Feng simply pushed the door open and walked in.

This blatant disregard for the formation left them questioning whether the formation was even real. However, the fluctuations emanating from the pagoda constantly reminded them that the formation was indeed still in place.

It just couldn’t stop Yi Feng.

...

Inside the pagoda.

The hall was filled with numerous weapons, all of them heavenly-grade divine artifacts. Their faint glows illuminated the surroundings, and if anyone else had been present, they would have been awestruck, marveling at the profound heritage of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

There was a time when Lu Shuyao had also yearned for this pagoda, taking pride in the legacy of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion.

But now.

She finally had the chance to sit alone within it, yet all that remained was loneliness and despair...

In just a few days.

This young lady of the Lu family had first lost her chance to compete for the position of Pavilion Master, and with it, her former status and glory vanished. Now, she had been reduced to a "Heavenly Maiden," destined to become a servant to the Heavenly Dragon Mermaid Clan.

The contrast between her past and present circumstances was like falling from the clouds into the mud.

Such a drastic change in life was almost unimaginable.

Her former pride was gone, and now she sat alone in the treasure pavilion, her eyes filled with shame and resentment.

She was the young lady of the Lu family, once a goddess admired by thousands!

Yet now, she found herself in a situation where no one would answer her cries for help.

A wave of sorrow washed over her, and tears glistened in Lu Shuyao's eyes.

In the silent pagoda, she was cut off from the world, left to await her fate. Only endless loneliness and despair spread around her, slowly devouring the remnants of her unwillingness...

From the moment she entered the pagoda in anguish to this moment of desolate despair.

No one knew of Lu Shuyao's loneliness and humiliation.

Even if this was her fate, she refused to submit!

The thought of those repulsive mermaids, who would soon lord over her and humiliate her, was unbearable.

The glory and splendor of the past were now like fleeting clouds.

Only the endless loneliness remained.

In just half a day, it felt like an eternity.

Tears silently slid down her delicate face.

The stubborn Lu Shuyao had completely given up. A flash of light appeared in her hand, and a delicate dagger materialized.

Gazing at the cold gleam of the dagger, Lu Shuyao forced a bitter smile.

"I never thought that in the end, only this faint light would bring me comfort. The admiration and reverence of the world were just an illusion. The talented and brilliant individuals on the island are nothing more than slaves to the Heavenly Dragon Mermaid Clan."

"Haha, hahaha..."

Lu Shuyao laughed until tears streamed down her face, finally seeing through everything.

Even if she had achieved her dream of becoming the Pavilion Master of the Ten Thousand Treasures Pavilion, even if she had gained immense power in the future, she would still be under the control of the Heavenly Dragon Mermaid Clan, living without dignity!

Her once unrealistic fantasies of freedom were now completely shattered.

Such is life.

Only by personally experiencing the darkness of despair can one realize how unrealistic the dawn of hope truly is. The might of the Heavenly Dragon Mermaid Clan is something no one dares to challenge.

This darkness that has shrouded the East Sea for tens of thousands of years will continue endlessly.

"There is no dawn, only a dream..."

As her laughter faded.

Lu Shuyao gripped the dagger with both hands, slowly raising it in the air, pointing it at her heart. She closed her eyes, her face serene.

Just as she was about to plunge the dagger and end this life she no longer cared for...

At that very moment.

The tightly sealed door suddenly burst open with a loud bang.

Standing in the doorway was a figure, bathed in a radiant light like the morning sun. His tall, jade-like silhouette seemed almost unreal, yet under the sunlight behind him, he appeared incredibly majestic.

Lu Shuyao was so startled that she nearly dropped the dagger. She looked up in shock.

To her astonishment, the person who had arrived was Yi Feng!

Her face was filled with disbelief.

This terrifying gentleman who had once helped Lu Xinlan—why was he here?

What was he doing here?

Didn't he know about the rules set by the so-called Third Prince?

Lu Shuyao's mind was in chaos.

She could never have anticipated that Yi Feng would appear before her.

However, as she was still trying to make sense of it, Yi Feng stepped forward steadily.

He grabbed her delicate hand.

"Come with me."

Three simple words, yet they resonated like a tolling bell!

Lu Shuyao's heart trembled violently. Her beautiful eyes widened, and her delicate body shook as she stared intently at the young man in white before her.

Her heart, which had been as lifeless as ashes, suddenly ignited with a glimmer of hope. Her eyes widened like saucers as she looked at Yi Feng!

This gentleman.

Had he come to save her?

This was even more unbelievable than a dream!

Why would he do this?

Didn't he know the consequences?

But as she looked into Yi Feng's pure and determined eyes, tears immediately streamed down Lu Shuyao's face.

It seemed he really had come to save her!

Though she didn't know the reason, Yi Feng's appearance was like the rising of a dawn.

Even if it was just a sliver of hope, she didn't want to miss it.

Gritting her teeth, she stood up and tightly grasped Yi Feng's hand.

She could clearly feel that his hand was warm and strong, giving her a sense of strength and security she had never known before.

She was like a drifting piece of duckweed, suddenly pulled out of the water.