When they saw Chu Qiqi, she was lying atop a stone, writhing in pain.

　　Yi Chen, A Qiang, and Qing Nianli rushed forward to help her. Chu Qiqi looked at them in terror, struggling to stand but lacking the strength.

　　“Leave quickly,” she said. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

　　“Qiqi, what’s wrong? What happened?” A Qiang asked anxiously.

　　Chu Qiqi clenched her teeth, forcing herself to remain calm. “I… I’m being controlled by an evil force. I can’t control myself. I don’t want to hurt anyone—please, go!”

　　Suddenly, her expression changed. Her eyes took on a bewitching allure, her voice turning soft and seductive. “Oh? Why haven’t you left yet? Do you want to stay and keep me company?”

　　Yi Chen said calmly, “Chu Qiqi, you’re under the control of an evil power. We must help you break free.”

　　She laughed lightly, her voice like silver bells. “Yes, I am controlled—but it has also made me more beautiful and stronger. Don’t you want to try it?”

　　As she spoke, she began to unleash her bewitching arts. Her body swayed like a supple water serpent, every movement filled with temptation. Her eyes burned like twin flames, searing into Yi Chen and A Qiang’s hearts. She bit her lip, cast seductive glances, and let out faint, teasing breaths.

　　“Look into my eyes…”

　　Yi Chen and A Qiang unconsciously did so.

　　Qing Nianli’s face turned pale. “Don’t look at her eyes!” she shouted.

　　Too late. A flash of white light filled their vision, and they were dragged into a bizarre illusion.

　　Without hesitation, Qing Nianli raised her hand and summoned her natal treasure, the SnowWhite Sword. Pure as fresh snow, it radiated sacred light. In a flash, she lunged forward and clashed fiercely with Chu Qiqi.

　　During the exchange, Qing Nianli was shocked to discover that Chu Qiqi’s cultivation had already reached the Mahayana realm. Qing Nianli herself, nurtured since childhood with vast resources, had only reached this level at her age—how could Chu Qiqi, once an ordinary mortal woman, possess such power?

　　As she fought, Qing Nianli pondered the force controlling Chu Qiqi—what it was, and how it could cause such drastic change in so short a time. There had to be a hidden secret, a deeper conspiracy.

　　Meanwhile, Yi Chen and A Qiang found the world around them shift into a dreamlike illusion, clouds swirling as countless Chu Qiqis danced before them, each alluring beyond measure. They drew closer, laughing softly, tempting them.

　　Yi Chen struggled to stay conscious, but the seduction was overwhelming. A Qiang fought desperately, yet felt himself sinking deeper.

　　Outside, Qing Nianli desperately tried to wake them, but to no avail. She knew she had to shatter the illusion quickly.

　　While battling Qing Nianli, Chu Qiqi suddenly cast a secret art that struck directly at Qing Nianli’s mind. Instantly, painful memories surged forth—her father’s cold departure, her mother’s tearful despair—causing her movements to falter.

　　“Ha! Little sister, look at your pitiful past,” Chu Qiqi laughed, intensifying the spell.

　　Qing Nianli was dragged into her own inner demon, trembling, tears welling in her eyes as despair closed in.

　　Chu Qiqi waved her hand, and images of Yi Chen and A Qiang appeared, surrounded by countless Chu Qiqis. “See? This is the nature of men. Even your beloved is no exception.”

　　“No… impossible… Yi Chen wouldn’t…” Qing Nianli murmured, though the scene felt terrifyingly real.

　　She forced herself to resist, vowing to break free, to save them, and to defeat her own inner demon.

　　Within the illusion, Yi Chen protected A Qiang behind him, driving his sword into the ground to form a blue barrier. When A Qiang tried to move forward, Yi Chen struck him unconscious to keep him safe.

　　The countless Chu Qiqis whispered seductively, but Yi Chen remained unmoved. This only fueled Chu Qiqi’s desire to conquer him, for she knew he was a Nascent Deity cultivator and still pure—draining him would be immensely nourishing.

　　As the barrier weakened, Chu Qiqi lunged at Yi Chen. At the same time, Qing Nianli fought desperately outside, watching Yi Chen with mounting fear.

　　Yi Chen finally struck back within the illusion. After several exchanges, Chu Qiqi suddenly transformed—into Qing Nianli herself.

　　Yi Chen froze, shock and confusion flooding him.

　　The illusionary “Qing Nianli” asked softly, “Yi Chen… do you like me? Do you want me?”

　　Outside, Qing Nianli stood stunned, emotions surging—shock, anger, fear.

　　The false Qing Nianli slowly began to undo her clothes. “If you want me, I can give you everything…”