Rebirth in Against the Gods with The Ultimate System

Cang Yue swiftly maneuvered through the dense forest, her small frame gliding past familiar landmarks that Xueli had shown her during their bonding sessions. Despite their age difference, Cang Yue had earned Xueli's trust, enough for Xueli to reveal her favorite hideaway—a place where they could escape from the world, a place Xueli had shared with everyone at some point, but Cang Yue seemed to frequent most. It was a spot that held the power to calm Xueli when she was distraught, and she had often sought solace there when tears threatened to overcome her.

As Cang Yue arrived at the secret location, she relied on her haki, a sixth sense honed by her experiences, to confirm her hunch. Hidden behind a tree, she discovered Xueli sitting on a rocky outcrop amid a sea of grass, her face buried in her knees, the sound of her sobs echoing through the serene setting.

With caution, Cang Yue ascended the rocks and paused a short distance from the tree. She removed the bamboo from her mouth and softly called out, "Xueli?"

A quivering voice responded from behind the tree, filled with a mixture of pain and anger, "Go away! You wanted to leave me too, didn't you? I hate all of you!"

Cang Yue's heart ached at the anguish in Xueli's words. She pleaded gently, "Xueli, please don't say that."

"Why does everyone want to leave me?" Xueli's voice trembled amidst her sobs. "First Papa and Mama, and now, Onii-chan and Yue-Neechan. Why? Why does everyone hate me so much?"

Cang Yue felt the weight of Xueli's emotions, and she moved closer, her voice tender and soothing. "No one hates you, Xueli. Your big brother Yun loves you, and I care for you deeply. Mama loves you too, and don't forget Retsu and Mio-chan—they love you as well."

Xueli slowly stood up, leaning against the tree for support. Sensing an opportunity to console her, Cang Yue approached and enveloped the younger girl in a warm embrace. Xueli's tears continued to flow, but she welcomed the comforting presence.

Cang Yue's Nezuko form was the perfect size to hold Xueli. With gentle affection in her voice, she whispered, "Xueli, you're old enough to understand this. We have responsibilities in the outside world. We didn't leave because we hate you; we left because there are important matters we must attend to."

Xueli's voice wavered as she pleaded, "Why can't I come with you? Please, take me and Mama with you."

Cang Yue continued to stroke Xueli's hair as she explained, "Xueli, this is your home—the place where you've grown up. It's the safest place for you and Mama. If you both were to leave, there are dangerous people out there who would harm you. Your big brother made this decision to protect you, and this is where you should stay."

Xueli's tearful protest faltered for a moment as she processed the truth. This hidden refuge was their sanctuary, their safe haven. It was where they could grow stronger as cultivators in the future. Until then, it was the only place they could truly call home.

Cang Yue gently reminded her, "The outside world is fraught with dangers, Xueli. While your big brother and Onee-chan can protect you, we're not the strongest. Stronger adversaries will emerge, and they could hurt you and Mama. Your big brother would never forgive himself if anything happened to you. Do you understand now?"

Xueli nodded, her tears beginning to subside. In the warmth of her sister's embrace, she found some comfort in knowing that their separation was an act of love and protection, not abandonment.

Xueli nodded, her tears beginning to subside. In the comforting embrace of her protector, she found solace in the understanding that their parting was motivated by love and the need to shield her from harm. She wiped her tears and spoke softly, "I am sorry for not telling you earlier. Your Onii-chan probably will feel most sad if he left his favorite bunny here."

A glimmer of a smile tugged at the corners of Cang Yue's lips as she replied, "But... but I don't want Onii-chan and you to leave," Xueli protested, her voice trembling with the fear of abandonment.

Cang Yue spoke with a soothing tone, "We must, Xueli... And we're sorry. One day, when we've finished our tasks, we'll come back here."

"Promise?" Xueli looked at her with hopeful eyes.

"Hnn... pinky swear?" Cang Yue suggested, lifting her pinky finger. It was a tradition they had learned from Yun Che, a solemn oath among children. It might have been a simple gesture, but it carried great significance to them. Xueli's smile returned, and she eagerly sealed the promise with a pinky swear.

Yet, her smile faded as quickly as it had appeared. Regret weighed on her heart as she recalled the unkind words she had hurled at him. "Onee-chan... I said mean things to Onii-chan... I want to say sorry to him."

Cang Yue reassured her, "Your Onii-chan will never hate you. He loves you deeply."

"But..." Xueli hesitated, weighed down by guilt for expressing her anger and frustration towards Yun Che.

"Then, let's go," Cang Yue gently encouraged her. "You can apologize to him when we get home. He's been worried about you. I'll be right there with you."

Xueli nodded in agreement, taking Cang Yue's small hand. She wiped away her lingering tears with her sleeve, revealing a radiant smile once more. She longed to express her remorse to Yun Che for her hurtful words. While she couldn't stop them from leaving, she wanted to be there when he departed. Her mother had once assured her that Onii-chan would never abandon them without a good reason. 

A sudden cold and gruff voice pierced the forest's tranquility, sending shivers down Cang Yue's spine. She swiftly pulled Xueli behind her, her instincts on high alert. She had chosen an unfortunate time to seal her cultivation; right now, she was no different from a vulnerable thirteen-year-old mortal. Devoid of her martial prowess, she couldn't summon her swords or employ any of her combat arts.

Leather-clad men, their bodies sculpted with muscles and armed with iron-clad weaponry, encircled the siblings. Cang Yue recognized them immediately—these were the mountain bandits that Yun Che had confronted during her initial encounter with Yuyun. Those same men had once attempted to ambush Xueli's grandmother, only to be swiftly defeated.

These bandits had been closely monitoring the Lin Manor for days, waiting for the smallest slip-up. To their surprise, Xueli had ventured into the forest alone, presenting an unexpected opportunity. Separated from her mother and the formidable protectors, she was now accompanied only by Cang Yue.

"Haha… what have we here? Today is our lucky day, boys. Two little birds have wandered into our forest—one of them is the prized bird our mistress desires," one of the bandits leered with a suggestive tone, eyeing Cang Yue. Despite her thirteen-year-old appearance, her figure was developing, and her youthful beauty couldn't be denied. The bandits couldn't help but cast covetous glances her way.

"Back away from us," Cang Yue warned, her voice laced with determination.

"Boss, that's Lin Xin's daughter—the one the Huan Mistress wants us to capture and deliver to the estate," one of the bandits informed their leader.

"Ah, I see. We'll be richly rewarded for this, you know how much this girl is worth to her. We've waited a long time for this opportunity," the bandit leader responded. His scouts had observed Xueli fleeing into the forest and had pursued, hoping for a chance to enter the manor without alerting its formidable protectors.

Cang Yue was puzzled by the situation, but now wasn't the time to reflect on her carelessness. She firmly grasped Xueli's hand and shouted, "Xueli, run!"

"Where do you think you're going?" More bandits blocked her escape, and to her shock, one of them on a giant boar seized Xueli and placed her in front of him.

"Onee-chan!!! Save me!!" Little Xueli cried out before being clutched tightly to prevent her from escaping.

Witnessing this unfolding nightmare, the bandit captain issued orders, "Take her to the hideout…"

The rider nodded and offered Xueli a false smile. "Kid, your grandmother will be thrilled to see you again." With that, he spurred his boar into action, leaving Cang Yue helplessly watching as they disappeared into the distance.

Terrified and desperate, Xueli continued to cry out, "No!! No!! I don't want to!! Yue-nee-chan!!!" Her pleas grew fainter as the rider distanced himself from them.

"Xueli…!!!" Cang Yue attempted to give chase, but the bandit captain and his cronies effectively blocked her path, closing in like a predatory trap.

"Oh, no, little girl... our contracts are with that girl, not you. You have the body of a young woman—a well-developed one at that. I promised myself I wouldn't lay a finger on children, but you… you look utterly delectable," the captain leered, his intentions darkening.

Cang Yue's heart raced with terror as she tried to escape, but the circle of bandits tightened around her, trapping her with no way out. The man who had abducted Xueli was now out of reach, and she was torn between pursuing him and confronting the menacing men closing in around her. 

"Yuyun... please, restore my strength!" Cang Yue pleaded internally, her determination burning brighter than ever in the face of these ruthless bandits.

"Hold on..." Yuyun complied, granting Cang Yue her first-level Earth Profound Realm cultivation. However, Yuyun warned her that this hasty restoration would prolong her body's transformation process. But with Xueli kidnapped and the recent events, Cang Yue couldn't afford to wait any longer. She had trained with Yun Che only recently, and now, she needed every ounce of power to rescue her sister.

With her strength partially returned, she couldn't rely on the Moon Energy inside her yet, as she hadn't mastered it as a strength enhancement. Until her body transformation was complete, she'd have to make do with her Earth Profound Realm power—a formidable force in its own right. It was more than enough to take on these weak bandits.

Cang Yue summoned Wadou Ichimonji into her hands, a sword that she could sustain in her thirteen-year-old Nezuko form. Though it had once belonged to someone else, she had made it her own.

The bandits were taken aback as she summoned her sword seemingly out of thin air. To them, it was as if the moon world had become her personal armory.

"Did she just conjure a sword out of nowhere?" the bandits wondered, baffled by her abilities.

"Kid, how did you do that?" the leader of the bandits demanded an answer, but Cang Yue had no intention of engaging in conversation.

With a swift and determined motion, she lunged at her adversaries, her sword a gleaming extension of her resolve. The fight resumed, and Cang Yue was ready to unleash her restored strength upon the bandits who had dared to threaten her family.

Cang Yue ignored the leader's threat as she stood on the bandits. As she faced off against the encroaching bandits, her heart pounded with a mix of fear and determination. She had been caught in a perilous situation with no easy way out. Ten burly bandits, armed with crude weapons, encircled her, their eyes gleaming with ill intent. But Cang Yue was not one to back down from a fight, even in her temporarily weakened state.

The forest around them seemed to hold its breath as tension hung in the air. The bandit captain, leering with a twisted desire, took a step closer, his companions inching forward in unison.

With a swift and fluid motion, Cang Yue unsheathed her Wadou Ichimonji, the blade gleaming in the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves above. The sword, an extension of her very being, felt familiar and comforting in her hand.

Suddenly, everything changed in an instant. Cang Yue's haki, a heightened awareness she had honed over years of rigorous training, kicked in, sharpening her senses to a razor's edge. She glided through the forest with a near-mystical grace, her footsteps making barely a whisper on the forest floor.

She knew she had to rely on all her strength to outmaneuver the non-cultivators, but her determination burned stronger than ever.

The bandits hesitated, momentarily taken aback by her sheer presence. But Cang Yue wasted no time. With lightning speed, she lunged forward, her katana a blur of silver in the air.

The first bandit to close in felt the deadly kiss of Cang Yue's blade. With a swift and precise strike, her katana sliced through his rusty weapon as if it were mere paper. The blade continued its merciless path, cutting deep into the bandit's chest. He crumpled to the forest floor, a gurgled cry escaping his lips, as his lifeblood stained the ground crimson.

Cang Yue's resolve was unshakable. The well-being of these bandits mattered little to her now, especially after they had dared to kidnap Xueli. As Yun Che had once warned, anyone who so much as touched a strand of her hair would meet a grim fate, and she was determined to make good on that promise.

Cang Yue flowed seamlessly from one opponent to the next, her movements a dance of death. Her katana cut through leather armor, flesh, and bone with frightening precision. Each strike was calculated, each step deliberate.

She parried a swinging club with her katana, deflecting it effortlessly before delivering a precise strike to the bandit's throat. He clutched at his neck, gasping for air, before collapsing.

The bandits, realizing the dire situation they were in, attempted to overwhelm her with their numbers. But Cang Yue's agility and speed were unmatched. She darted between them, her katana finding its mark each time.

Another bandit fell with a cry of pain, clutching his wounded arm. Cang Yue's blade moved like a blur, a deadly dance of flashing steel. She sidestepped a clumsy attack, gracefully evading a flailing mace, and dispatched yet another foe.

Her movements were a beautiful and deadly spectacle, a testament to her skill and determination. With every swing of her katana, she cut down another bandit, their cries and pleas for mercy falling on deaf ears.

In a matter of minutes, the once-confident bandits lay defeated, their bodies scattered across the forest floor. Cang Yue stood in the midst of the fallen, her katana stained with their blood but her spirit unbroken.

She had taken down ten bandits with her katana, a testament to her unwavering resolve and formidable combat prowess. As the forest regained its composure, the only sounds that remained were the gentle rustling of leaves and the faint, satisfied breaths of the young warrior.

Despite the dire situation and the overwhelming strength of the bandits, Cang Yue refused to yield. She had to find a way out of this predicament, not just for her sake, but to rescue Xueli as well.

As she swung her katana with her Earth Profound Realm strike, expecting to shatter the bandit's weapon, she was shocked when her attack was effortlessly parried. The bandit's strength matched her own, and they were locked in a fierce battle.

"This can't be... How are they this strong?" Cang Yue's mind raced as she grappled with the impossible situation. She knew that cultivators were barred from entering the Earth Profound Realm, yet these bandits exhibited the same strength and aura.

The bandit leader gloated, mentioning special pills from their mistress that had granted them this unnatural power. Cang Yue couldn't help but wonder if the old witch behind all of this was the same person who had orchestrated Xueli's kidnapping. If they had access to a power-boosting substance, it was a deadly advantage.

With no other options, Cang Yue steeled herself to face these enhanced bandits, even though she was untrained in using her Nezuko body for combat. She had to treat them as formidable opponents, as they deflected her sword with ease.

In a desperate attempt to break free, she lunged at the bandit leader, but her attack was met with brute force. Her katana was sent flying into the air, embedding itself in the ground. She felt trapped, powerless against these foes.

The leader seized the opportunity to restrain her, his arm wrapped tightly around her neck. Cang Yue struggled to break free, but her mortal strength was no match for his muscular grip.

"You're quite the beauty," he leered, his intentions sinister. "I'll raise you as my personal plaything. You're beautiful now, but just imagine how exquisite you'll be when you're fully grown." The leader's words dripped with a disturbing desire as he envisioned the girl growing into a catastrophic beauty under his control.

In a desperate bid for freedom, Cang Yue bit down hard on the leader's hand, eliciting a painful roar from him. Yet, her defiance came at a cost, as he flung her to the ground with tremendous force.

Pain coursed through her body, but she fought to stay conscious. Her bones may have remained intact, but the pain was excruciating. She had to endure it for Xueli's sake.

"Little Yue, are you okay?" Yuyun's voice echoed in her mind, but Cang Yue could only manage a weak response amid her agony.

"Yuyun... it hurts," Cang Yue gasped weakly, her voice quivering in agony. But before she could say more, the leader subjected her to another merciless assault. A brutal kick to her stomach sent her hurtling through the air, crashing into the rock formation beneath the tree.

The impact reverberated through her body, sending waves of searing pain coursing through her. Although her body had been enhanced, it was still in its early stages of development. The focus had been on elevating her cultivation, rather than strengthening her bones, muscles, skin, and meridians. Yuyun had explained that it would take six months to achieve full body cultivation before she could begin honing her physical strength.

Despite her injuries, her bones and muscles held firm, a testament to the progress she had made. But that didn't make the pain any less excruciating. Cang Yue struggled to regain her composure, her determination unwavering as she plotted her next move in this desperate battle.

The leader, still nursing his bitten hand, growled menacingly. He recognized the resemblance between Cang Yue and a girl who often accompanied Yun Che, the boy who had caused trouble for their group. A cruel smile spread across his face as he considered the rewards they would receive for capturing her.

"Give it up, brat," another bandit sneered. "Our leader is fearsome. You won't pass out until you've tasted his 'big wood.'"

Cang Yue found herself in dire straits, battered and trapped, facing an enemy with an unnatural and terrifying strength. She knew she had to come up with a plan, find a way to break free, and devise a strategy to rescue Xueli before these ruthless bandits could cause any more harm.

Summoning every ounce of her inner strength, Cang Yue struggled to rise to her feet. The Wadou Ichimonji remained embedded in the ground, and calling forth Shusui or Shisui seemed futile in her current predicament. Her legs trembled as shadows began to form behind her bangs, her voice low and resolute as she growled, "Give her back..."

The bandit leader, driven by his sinister desires, continued to advance towards her, oblivious to the subtle changes in her pink eyes.

"I said… Give…. Her…. Back..!" Cang Yue's pink pupils remained enigmatic, but she was unaware of the extraordinary power she was beginning to unleash. A thin aura radiated from her, causing the surroundings to distort and weigh heavily upon them all. The men who had ridden their boars suddenly found themselves violently thrown off, their mounts going into a frenzy.

"Boss, what is happening?!?" they shouted in panic as their boars acted as if they had encountered some unspeakable horror. The madness persisted for a brief moment before the boars suddenly collapsed to the ground, unconscious. The bandits themselves remained oblivious to this bizarre turn of events. Meanwhile, Cang Yue grappled with an overwhelming mental fatigue that threatened to pull her into unconsciousness.

"I can't pass out... Xueli... still..." Cang Yue struggled to stand once more but stumbled and fell, her determination to protect Xueli driving her to keep fighting. "Is this how it ends... violated by these people? What just happened... I don't understand... Yun Che... please... save me..."

The bandit leader, infuriated and desperate for answers, tightened his grip around her throat.

"Arrghh..." Cang Yue could only let out a weak cry in response, her vision blurring.

"What did you do?!? Tell me!!" The leader demanded an explanation, his fingers digging into her neck. But before he could act further, a swift and brutal sound cut through the air.

*SLASH

The leader's eyes widened in terror as he turned to look at his own arm, severed cleanly from his body. The pain had been so sudden and intense that he hadn't even realized his arm was gone. His horrified gaze then shifted to the girl he had been choking, who was now in the arms of another man.

Yun Che.

However, the once composed and calm expression that Yun Che wore in the pictures scattered throughout the bandits' hideout had given way to something far more menacing. It was an expression that not even death could escape. The bandit leader knew that he was utterly doomed, for the man who had severed his arm was now consumed by rage.

............…..

Some time had passed, and Yun Che couldn't shake off his growing concern for Cang Yue and the others. They had been gone for nearly an hour, and the forest held an eerie silence that was deeply unsettling. While he trusted in his own judgment and had told Lin Xin to stay behind, her motherly instincts were in turmoil, compelling her to search for Cang Yue and Xueli herself. Retsu and Mio were also visibly worried, and they attempted to console Lin Xin.

"Damn, where could she be…" Yun Che muttered to himself, his brows furrowing with anxiety. He was not only worried about Xueli but also about Cang Yue. As much as he had faith in her abilities, her long absence and the situation's unpredictability gnawed at him.

"Yun Che…. If she's not back in another hour, I'm going after her," Lin Xin declared with unwavering determination. She respected Yun Che's strength, but when it came to her child, her resolve knew no bounds.

"No, please stay here... We'll go and find them," Yun Che tried to dissuade her, but Lin Xin remained resolute.

"*Sigh.... Fine.... But make sure…." Yun Che reluctantly agreed, realizing that he couldn't dissuade her from this decision. Lin Xin was not just any woman; she was a mother, and her maternal instincts demanded action.

As they prepared to set out, Yun Che suddenly felt a familiar energy, faint but unmistakable. His heart skipped a beat as he recognized the aura.

"Cang Yue… she's… Oh no," Yun Che's eyes widened in alarm. The energy he sensed was not reassuring; it carried an air of distress and instability.

"Danna-sama...!!" Mio exclaimed with concern.

"Yuu-kun… this energy… Little Yue...!" Retsu added, sharing Yun Che's apprehension.

"Xin'er... please, stay here... We'll take care of this," Yun Che implored, trying to reassure Lin Xin.

"No… I said I am coming," Lin Xin insisted firmly. Her fears for her daughter and the mysterious situation demanded her presence.

"Please... trust us. If she's in trouble, we'll save her," Yun Che reassured her once more before he, Retsu, and Mio took to the air, disappearing from Lin Xin's view.

Left behind, Lin Xin knew that something was amiss. Her instincts had been right all along. She couldn't sit idly by while her daughter's safety was in question. Yun Che may have saved her, but he wasn't her husband. Her actions were not governed by his orders. She could sense the urgency of the situation, and as a mother, she had to do whatever it took to protect her child when she was in danger.

Lin Xin's gaze fell upon the table, where she spotted a familiar object – the golden orb, the Apple of Eden, which Yun Che had used on the Moon Empress's island. Determination filled her heart as she made her decision. Yun Che may reprimand her later for her recklessness, but a mother's duty was clear – to safeguard her child at all costs.

"Kon, please take me to wherever they are…" Lin Xin implored the guardian, Kon.

"But... he told you to stay put... I wouldn't worry as much if he were the one going alone," Kon hesitated, reluctant to defy Yun Che's orders. However, Lin Xin's persistence wore down his resolve.

"Please... I can't help but worry about Xueli. He can scold me later, but please take me there," Lin Xin pleaded, and Kon relented.

"*Sigh..... you and him are so alike. He'll roast my ass later, but I hope you can cover for me. I'd rather not be roasted alive by him and his ladies," Kon grumbled with a resigned sigh.

"I will, and I promise," Lin Xin assured him, her determination unwavering as she clutched the Apple of Eden in her hand. She had made her choice, and nothing would stand in her way when it came to protecting her daughter.

........

"Little Yue.... Just hold on… just a little longer…." Yun Che's voice resounded in his mind as he executed rapid flash steps, hurtling toward Cang Yue's location. His girls followed closely behind him, their faces etched with worry. As they arrived at the scene, their concern deepened upon seeing Cang Yue in her Nezuko mode, being choked by the bandit captain. She hung limply, not resisting, succumbing to the overwhelming mental fatigue that threatened to steal her consciousness.

The sight of Cang Yue in such dire straits fueled Yun Che's anger. He couldn't contain the fury that swelled within him.

"You bastards…" Yun Che muttered through gritted teeth, his eyes narrowing with wrath. In the blink of an eye, he appeared before the captain, his hand transformed into a haki blade, crackling with power.

*SLASH!!

"AHHRRGHH!!!" The captain's agonized scream pierced the air as Yun Che severed the arm that had been choking Cang Yue. There was no mercy in Yun Che's eyes as he took swift, decisive action. He then cradled Cang Yue in a bridal carry, gently lowering her to the ground. Her eyes fluttered open, a faint smile gracing her lips as she beheld her savior.

"Little Yue..." Yun Che murmured, brushing her bangs aside. Cang Yue was barely conscious, her strength utterly depleted.

"Yun Che… Took you so long…" she whispered weakly, struggling to stay awake.

"Yeah...sorry, we're late..." Yun Che replied, momentarily setting aside his anger. However, his keen senses detected a thin Haoshoku No Haki emanating from Cang Yue. It seemed she had awakened this extraordinary power, but there were more pressing matters at hand. Retsu and Mio, wearing expressions of unbridled fury, joined Yun Che from behind. Their collective aura of anger forced the bandits to retreat, while the captain's agonized screams were completely ignored.

Cang Yue spoke, her voice trembling as she shed a tear. "Yun Che… I don't know what happened just now… but I am too tired... They captured her... Yun Che… they captured Xueli... I am sorry… I couldn't save her…"

"Don't worry. We'll get her back," Yun Che assured her gently, his hand tenderly caressing her head. His senses told him that these bandits possessed the auras of Earth Profound Realm cultivators. It was perplexing, as cultivators should not have been able to reach this realm. The bandits' strength far exceeded what should have been possible, and it was no wonder that Cang Yue had been pushed to her limits. 

"Yun Che… they said that… they ate something from Xueli's grandmother… They easily bested me… they have Earth Profound Realm's strength… I thought I was stronger…." Cang Yue's voice quivered as tears welled up in her eyes. She had received gifts from Yun Che, undergone rigorous training, and dedicated herself to honing her skills. However, it had all proven insufficient against these bandits who had somehow gained Earth Profound Realm strength through foul means. Her sword strikes had found their mark, but the bandit leader's peak Earth Profound power had overwhelmed her. To compound her misery, an enigmatic mental fatigue had pushed her to the brink.

"So, she's behind all of this…." Yun Che clenched his fists, his anger simmering beneath the surface. He couldn't fathom how the old witch had managed to imbue these bandits with the power of the Earth Profound Realm. It was a perilous alchemical feat that posed a grave threat to their world. How had she accomplished this sinister transformation?

"I am counting on you…." Cang Yue's voice grew faint as she finally succumbed to the overwhelming mental strain, slipping into unconsciousness. Yun Che cradled her delicate form gently, his heart heavy with concern and anger. Her unconsciousness was a testament to the mental ordeal she had endured. In response, he flared his killing intent, silently vowing vengeance against the bandits who had harmed her.

With anger burning in his eyes, Yun Che flared his killing intent toward the bandits. The stage was set for a confrontation, and he was ready to unleash his wrath upon those who had harmed his loved ones. The bandits had unknowingly provoked a force of nature, and they would soon face the consequences of their actions.

As Cang Yue's strength waned, her eyes fluttering closed, she murmured, "I am counting on you, Yun Che." Her little form went limp in his arms, succumbing to the relentless mental assault on her mind.

Holding her closely, Yun Che could feel a simmering rage within him. "They will pay," he vowed silently, the aura around him growing colder and more menacing, promising retribution for those who dared harm his kin.

"You bastard!!! You cut my arm!!… you cut my arm!!… I am going to make you suffer…!!" The bandit leader's enraged shouts pierced the air, and his men readied themselves for battle.

"Girls…. Little Yue mentioned that these people used some pills to enhance their strength. They are no longer protected from our non-cultivator killing rule. Do as you see fit, but bring that one-armed scoundrel to me," Yun Che commanded. With Xueli missing and Cang Yue injured, mercy was not an option.

"Hai… Yuu-kun… Danna-sama…" Both Retsu and Mio nodded solemnly as they drew their supreme swords. They had never contemplated using these weapons against non-cultivators, but the bandits' newfound strength compelled them to act. As they unsheathed their swords, Retsu's Kitetsu exuded an overwhelming bloodlust, causing some of the bandits to lose their composure, as if they were confronting the Grim Reaper himself. Meanwhile, Mio's aura distorted the space around her sword, and her sadistic grin foretold the imminent doom awaiting their enemies.

The bandits were paralyzed by the overwhelming malice emanating from the women. Fear clutched at their hearts as they witnessed their comrades fall, one after another, to a power they couldn't comprehend. The bandit leader, desperate to regain control of the situation, shouted, "What are you all standing there for?!? Kill them!!"

"We have the power of those pills… They won't go down eas—" The bandit's words were abruptly cut short as he clutched his throat in agonizing pain. Blood streamed from beneath his fingers, and an almost invisible line had appeared beneath his neck. Before anyone could react, his head tumbled to the ground, followed by his lifeless body. Panic spread among the remaining bandits as one of them erupted into flames, another lost his head, and the final two met a similar fate.

The bandit leader's voice trembled with disbelief as he stared at the two women before him. Despite their deceptively calm demeanor, these women had unleashed a horrifying display of power that had claimed the lives of four of his comrades. Unbeknownst to the bandits, the two women had secretly harnessed their formidable abilities.

Retsu, her gaze unyielding, manipulated the scorching heat of the sun itself, wielding it as a weapon. She directed its fiery wrath with deadly precision, engulfing an unfortunate bandit in searing flames. His agonized screams pierced the air, a stark reminder of the merciless forces they now faced.

By her side, Mio's powers were no less terrifying. She transformed the very air into an arsenal of invisible blades, each capable of ending a life with a single, swift stroke. These blades were as silent and swift as death itself, affording their victims no chance for defense or escape.

These men had crossed a perilous line by inflicting harm upon Cang Yue, and the consequences had swiftly materialized before them. The women they had underestimated were fierce protectors of their family, and they would extend no mercy to those who dared to threaten their loved ones. The message was chillingly clear: anyone who dared to harm their family would face a reckoning as unyielding as the grim reaper itself.

"How… but we have the high ground!!" The other men suddenly lost their confidence as their bravado from their newfound strength plummeted.

"Kill them!! Kill them!!" The one-armed leader's desperate cries fell on deaf ears as Mio and Retsu sprang into action. They remained eerily expressionless, drawing their gleaming swords and embarking on a brutal killing spree. Despite the bandits' Earth Profound Realm strength, they proved utterly defenseless against the deadly precision of the women.

"Arghh!!... Help me!!" The bandits pleaded in terror, but their pleas were cut short as they were either yanked closer by Retsu's mysterious power and then slashed by Mio or simply pulled into Mio's spatial portal and subsequently hacked by Retsu. Each life extinguished by their merciless blades added to the eerie atmosphere of vengeance that hung in the air.

The remaining bandits, recognizing the direness of their situation, attempted to organize themselves into groups and surround Mio and Retsu. However, Mio's seemingly innocent smile took on a sinister twist, sending shivers down their spines. Before they could react, a violent slash tore through their ranks.

SLASH!!!

The bandits who had stood a few feet away were sliced clean through, their bodies falling apart before they could even process what had happened. Mio's formidable abilities, blending spatial manipulation, Air bending, and a touch of Haki, allowed her to twist the very fabric of space to deliver devastating long-range slashes. It was a lethal skill that left the remaining bandits in horrified disbelief.

"Fufufufufu… where did you think you're going?" Both Mio and Retsu now stood before the bandit leader, blocking his path as he tried to flee once more.

"We surrender!!" The bandit leader attempted to reason, desperation creeping into his voice. But Retsu and Mio were unwavering in their resolve, their determination to avenge Cang Yue's suffering burning brightly.

"No loose ends, Mio-chan," Retsu murmured to her partner, and without hesitation, Mio unleashed her relentless pursuit, vanishing into the forest to hunt down the remaining fleeing bandits.

Retsu remained behind, her eyes fixed on the trembling bandit leader. He, who had once exuded an air of authority and menace, was now left isolated and defenseless as the other lady pursued his comrades.

As both women completed their grim task, Yun Che gently placed Cang Yue's fainted body on the ground and slowly approached the bandit leader, his eyes hidden beneath his bangs. The leader, realizing the dire fate that awaited him, trembled in fear as the embodiment of vengeance drew near.

"I'll tell you everything. Just please spare me," the leader of the bandits pleaded, his voice trembling with fear as he faced the two formidable individuals before him. "Please… please… don't kill me… The mistress, she ordered us… She wanted the brat. Our hideout is on that mountain over there. She supplied us with these pills to overpower you. She said she needed the girl for a ritual."

"Ritual? What kind of ritual?" Yun Che inquired, his curiosity piqued. However, the bandit leader could only shake his head, claiming ignorance. "We don't know. We just kidnapped her and didn't ask questions."

"Thank you," Yun Che responded with an indifferent tone, his promise to spare the bandit leader swiftly broken as he pulled Cang Yue's sword, Wadou Ichimonji, from the ground and slashed the leader's body from left shoulder to stomach.

"Guarkk… Why?" the leader managed to choke out, his life ebbing away as he lay in a pool of his own blood.

"Foolishness." Yun Che's voice was chillingly calm as he delivered the final blow, leaving the bandit leader to expire in his own blood. The battleground had now transformed into a gruesome scene of violence and vengeance. Retsu and Mio's attacks were infused with a deadly energy that vaporized the hapless bandits.

Mio returned through her spatial portal, wearing a satisfied smile that indicated she had hunted down every last one of the mountain bandits. Yun Che, carrying the fainted Cang Yue in his arms, approached his two fiancées.

"They took Xueli to that old witch for some sort of ritual, but they went through the hideout," Yun Che explained.

"Ritual?" Mio wondered aloud.

"I don't know, but it must be something significant. Otherwise, she wouldn't need Xueli. Something strange is happening here," Yun Che replied with a hint of concern.

"What are we going to do, Yuu-kun?" Retsu asked, her brow furrowed as they tried to determine the whereabouts of the missing girl.

"We'll go to that cave and ask those bandits nicely. We need to find Xueli, and I'll bring Little Yue along," Yun Che declared, his determination unwavering.

"Little Yue!" Lin Xin exclaimed when she saw the fainted Cang Yue in Yun Che's arms. She expected to be scolded for coming here without permission.

"Xin'er," Yun Che addressed her with a sigh. Kon had brought Lin Xin here along with the Apple of Eden, despite Yun Che's instructions not to.

"She convinced me, man. You know I can't refuse beautiful women. Please don't kill me," Kon pleaded, groveling in fear of Mio and Retsu's wrath. His excuse wasn't entirely untrue; he was easily swayed by attractive women. The others couldn't help but sigh; they knew Kon well enough to understand his weaknesses. Lin Xin must have coaxed him into bringing her along.

"Please don't blame Kon. I wanted to be here. Where is Xueli?" Lin Xin inquired, concern and worry etched across her face as she had not seen her child except for the fainted Cang Yue, leading her to assume the worst.

"They have her. That old witch orchestrated the kidnapping with the bandits. They must have been waiting for days for her to venture outside the barrier," Yun Che explained.

"Xueli…" Lin Xin's eyes widened as she wondered why her despised mother-in-law would want the child she hated so much. Something was amiss.

With a guilty expression, Yun Che spoke, "Xin'er… I'm sorry. If I didn't upset her, this wouldn't have—"

Lin Xin placed her finger on his lips and offered a reassuring smile. "It's okay. Let's just bring her back. You'll protect us, right?"

"Always," Yun Che replied with unwavering determination, and Lin Xin's smile grew warmer. Getting agitated wouldn't bring Xueli back; all they had to do was confront her enigmatic mother-in-law and get her daughter back.

"Then let's bring her back. She's waiting for you," Lin Xin encouraged.

"Danna-sama, let's get Xueli back," Mio declared with unwavering determination, her eyes reflecting her readiness to rescue Xueli from her grandmother's clutches.

"Yuu-kun, let's go," Retsu chimed in, her resolve just as strong as her partner's. They were fully prepared for the upcoming mission.

"I would've told you to stay, but I know how stubborn you are," Yun Che remarked to Lin Xin, who felt a tinge of embarrassment at her impulsive decision to join them. He gently handed Cang Yue's unconscious form to Lin Xin, assuring her, "Please look after Little Yue. She exhausted herself trying to protect Xueli. She's fine, just tired."

With that, he took the Apple of Eden before initiating communication with the system. "System, Apple access. Activate security countermeasures."

----------------------------

[Access granted.]

[Activating Illusion Protection Function.]

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The system responded by activating the Illusion Protection Function within the Apple. This feature enabled the Apple to create illusions based on Yun Che's current level to safeguard the user. However, the more potent the illusion, the fewer he could summon at once. Considering the bandits were likely at the Earth Profound Realm, Yun Che conjured illusions ranging from level 50 to level 60, allowing him to deploy around 10 golden phantoms to protect Lin Xin while she cared for Cang Yue.

Returning the Apple to her, Yun Che explained, "Xin'er, if you wish to come with us, then you'll need the Apple to protect yourself. I've activated part of its powers to keep you safe in case the situation calls for it."

Summoning Cang Yue's loyal companion, Little White the white eagle, Yun Che gestured for Lin Xin to join him on the eagle's back, carefully placing Cang Yue alongside her. Mio, Retsu, and Kon soared through the air, keeping pace with the majestic bird. With everyone ready, they embarked on their journey toward the bandits' hidden lair, their determination to rescue Xueli burning brightly.

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"Boss, I brought her," the bandit on a boar announced triumphantly, presenting Xueli, who was tightly bound and gagged with cloth. The young girl struggled vigorously against her restraints, her eyes wide with fear and determination.

The leader examined Xueli with a sinister smirk. "Good, use the hidden tunnel to reach the Huan Family's location swiftly." He pointed to a long tunnel that snaked through the earth, a secret passageway they had used for their nefarious activities. It was the same route they used to smuggle the pills they needed.

"The tunnel?" the bandit inquired.

"Why do you think we were able to acquire those pills?" the leader replied with a sly grin. He handed the bandit a map that displayed a network of underground passages leading to the city. These tunnels were the key to accessing the floating city from the mainland, and the bandits had used them for various illicit purposes.

The bandit nodded in understanding but voiced a warning, concern evident in his voice. "Boss, those guardians of hers will undoubtedly come after us. I fear our team leader won't survive their pursuit."

The leader inside the cave nodded gravely. "We'll hold them off. The mistress provided us with pills to enhance our strength. If all else fails, we will ensure that you are not followed. Go! Deliver the child to the mistress."

"Men! Prepare to defend the tunnel while I prepare a little surprise for our uninvited guests," he ordered. The bandits immediately set to work, making their ominous preparations to confront the impending threat.