Chapter no.10 The Caged Bird

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In the vast expanse of the St. Ancestral Mountain range, beams of sunlight found their way through the cracks and crevices of the towering peaks, casting their warm glow into the shadowy canyons below. Though early summer had graced other lands, here on the mountainside adjacent to the valley, remnants of winter's snow stubbornly clung to the ground. This part of the world seemed to hold onto the cold a bit longer than the rest.

Every so often, a distant roar echoed, breaking the serene atmosphere. These sounds weren't of any ordinary creature but were the calls of mighty beasts, reminders of the dangers that lurked nearby.

At the heart of the valley stood a testament to human resilience: a grand city. Its majestic buildings and bustling streets told stories of generations who had called this place home. But what made this city unique was its isolation. The vast St. Ancestral Mountains shielded it, acting as a formidable barrier between the city and the world beyond—a world that had long been claimed by these very beasts.

The tales passed down through generations spoke of a time when humanity had not just survived but thrived. Legends spoke of countless brave warriors and mystical Demon Spiritualists who, in their prime, established vast empires that stretched across the continent. However, these empires, these symbols of human achievement, had met their doom, leaving only whispers of their past grandeur.

But this city, nestled discreetly amidst the mountains, was a beacon of survival. Its location kept it hidden from the darkest times that had befallen the world outside. Of course, living here wasn't without its challenges. The city had faced its share of threats, particularly from the formidable Snow Wind Beasts that roamed the St. Ancestral Mountains. But with each challenge, the city's spirit never wavered. It rose from the ashes, rebuilt, and stood firm time and time again. Its walls, a patchwork of repairs from countless battles, stood as an enduring testament to its will to survive.

People named this city Glory City, a fitting title. For the residents, it wasn't just a place to live—it was a symbol, a beacon of hope, shining brightly for all of humanity

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To many, Glory City was paradise, the last hope for humanity but for one woman.

Glory city was a cage that trapped her in.

Xiao Ning'er often found herself questioning the fairness of life.

Why is life so unfair?

What sin did I commit?

What did I do to deserve this fate?

These questions haunted her, echoing in the depths of her soul, reflecting the turmoil that had defined her existence.

Born into the Winged Dragon Family, one of Glory City's seven noble families, Xiao Ning'er was a symbol of prestige and potential. Her green soul realm marked her as a genius, a prodigy in a family that held great expectations. To outsiders, her life seemed enviable, but Xiao Ning'er knew the truth. Her life was nothing short of a living hell.

The Winged Dragon Family had seen better days. They had fallen victim to a cunning trap laid by the Sacred Family, which led to the loss of 80% of their wealth. In a desperate bid to survive, her family had no choice but to forge a political alliance through marriage with the Sacred Family. Xiao Ning'er, the unfortunate pawn in this game of power, was to be married off to Shen Fei, a man infamous for his debauchery and cruelty.

Xiao Ning'er desperately sought an escape. She understood the harsh reality of Glory City, where the strong led and the weak followed. If she could showcase her talent and strength, perhaps she could free herself from this impending marriage. But fate had other plans. Just when she needed her strength the most, a mysterious illness struck her down.

Night after night, excruciating pain wracked her body. Her legs burned like fire, while the rest of her body felt deathly cold. Bruises appeared, spreading across her skin, bringing unbearable agony. For two years, she endured, pushing her cultivation to the silver rank, only for the illness to intensify, destroying her cultivation and confining her to a hospital bed.

Physicians had called her survival a miracle, but to Xiao Ning'er, it felt more like a curse. Bedridden and without the strength to cultivate, she saw her life narrowing down to a single path – a life bound to Shen Fei. The thought filled her with dread and despair. She imagined a life of misery and suppression, a toy in the hands of a man she loathed.

It was a fate worse than death.

She would rather kill herself than become his plaything.

Yet, death itself was a concept that terrified her.

Despite her bold claims, the idea of ending her own life sent shivers down her spine. She yearned for freedom, for a life away from the chains that bound her – the expectations, the marriage, the suffering.

So, in a moment of desperation and courage, Xiao Ning'er made a decision that would change her life forever.

She decided to run away.

To leave behind everything – her family, her status, and even Glory City itself. She chose the Devil's Forest as her destination, a place known for its treacherous, ever-shifting landscape that made it a labyrinth with no escape.

As she ventured into the depths of the Devil's Forest, she felt a sense of liberation. Despite losing her cultivation and battling her illness, she still possessed the strength of a silver rank fighter. Her body, tempered by countless potions, refused to give in. She knew the road ahead would be fraught with challenges, but she embraced them willingly. For the first time in her life, she felt free – free from the expectations of her family, free from the looming shadow of a loveless marriage, and free to chart her own course.

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Xiao Ning'er's heart pounded in her chest as she darted through the Devil's Forest, the roars of the Abyssal Fire wolves echoing ominously behind her.

Known for hunting in packs, these demon beasts, although only 5-star Bronze rank, were formidable in numbers.

Their howls sent shivers down her spine, a stark reminder of the danger hot on her heels.

She knew she couldn't face them head-on, not with her current condition.

Her illness had weakened her, sapping her strength when she needed it most.

"Think, Ning'er, think!" she chided herself as she sprinted, weaving through the dense trees.

Xiao Ning'er tried every trick she knew to evade them. She zigzagged between the ancient trunks, hoping to confuse their pursuit, but the wolves were relentless. Their snarls grew louder, closer, each passing second a reminder of her perilous situation. "I can't let them catch me," she thought, panic beginning to set in.

In a desperate attempt, she climbed a tree, her breaths coming in ragged gasps. She perched silently among the leaves, her heart thumping against her ribcage. "Maybe they'll pass by," she hoped, trying to still her trembling body.

But luck wasn't on her side. The wolves circled the tree, their glowing eyes peering into the darkness. They knew she was there, and they were waiting.

"Great, trapped in a tree by a pack of wolves. How much worse can this get?" she thought, frustration and fear mingling in her mind.

As minutes stretched into an eternity, Xiao Ning'er's mind raced. She couldn't stay up in the tree forever.

"I need a plan, a way out of this," she mused, trying to calm her racing thoughts.

Her gaze fell upon a nearby vine.

"Maybe I can use that to swing to another tree, like in those adventure stories," she thought. It was a long shot, but it was better than waiting to be torn apart.

Gathering every ounce of courage, Xiao Ning'er grabbed the vine. "Here goes nothing," she whispered to herself. With a deep breath, she leaped, swinging towards another tree. For a moment, she felt a glimmer of hope.

But as she landed, her illness betrayed her. Pain shot through her arms, and she stumbled, her vision blurring. The wolves, seizing the opportunity, lunged forward. "No, not like this," she thought, desperation gripping her.

In that moment, Xiao Ning'er felt a strange sense of clarity. Her fear, her frustration, everything seemed to fade, leaving only a fierce will to live.

"I won't go down without a fight," she resolved, standing her ground despite the agony racking her body.

As Xiao Ning'er faced the pack of Abyssal Fire wolves, her body wracked with pain, she drew her sword with a grim determination. The wolves, sensing her weakness, bore down on her, their eyes glowing menacingly in the dim forest light. Just as the situation seemed hopeless, something unexpected happened.

Without warning, a complex magic circle materialized beneath the wolves. In an instant, stone spears erupted from the ground, impaling the entire wolf pack. The scene was as sudden as it was brutal, leaving Xiao Ning'er stunned.

However, her relief was short-lived. Almost immediately, similar magic circles appeared around her, binding her wrists, neck, and legs with invisible restraints. She struggled, but it was futile; the magical bonds held her firmly in place.

Panic set in as Xiao Ning'er realized she was trapped, unable to move or defend herself. Her eyes darted around, searching for her captor, when she heard a rustling from the bushes. A figure emerged, a boy about her age.

He was an unusual sight, clad in an assortment of clothing made from different demon beasts. His eyes were sharp and piercing, like a sword ready to strike. But it wasn't just his appearance that caught Xiao Ning'er off guard; it was the aura he exuded.

He didn't seem to possess the aura of a cultivator; Xiao Ning'er could sense no traces of cultivation from him. Yet, there was something compelling about him, an intangible pressure that surrounded him. His eyes held a blend of curiosity and detachment, as if he viewed the world as a vast learning experience, a textbook to be studied and understood. There was kindness in his gaze, but also a coldness, a distance that suggested he saw the world differently than most.

The boy regarded Xiao Ning'er for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then, without a word, he looked up and snapped his fingers. In an instant, everything went dark.

Xiao Ning'er's mind raced, trying to make sense of the situation.

Who was this boy? Why had he saved her from the wolves, only to capture her himself?

And what did he plan to do with her?

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[ Author Note:

Hey everyone!

I've noticed some of you might be a bit confused with the latest developments in the story, so let's clear things up with a quick breakdown of the new information:

1. First Timeline Situation: We're currently in the first timeline, the one *before* Nie Li travels back in time. In this timeline, Xiao Ning'er has fled to the Devil's Forest instead of being healed by Nie Li.

2. One Year Until Glory City's Destruction:

There's a ticking clock in our story - Glory City is set to be destroyed in one year from now.

3. Temporal Book's Location:The Temporal Demon Spirit Book is still out there in the Divine Continent. This means Zhu has a chance to find and use it.

4. Dark Guild's Moves: The Dark Guild has already infiltrated the Ten Millennium Spatial Array and secured the Nightmare Demon Pot.