Help! The Villainess Trapped in the Beast World's Drama!
Chapter 864 - 673: True Face
After staying in the Royal Palace for a few days, Shen Tang finally figured out the residence of the newly arrived Young Master.
The man’s personality was indeed quite reclusive. Even though he held a noble status, he chose the most secluded and quiet courtyard to live in. Aside from a few guards, hardly anyone dared to approach.
It’s said that the Family Head intended for him to focus on his cultivation, specifically ordering others not to disturb him.
This Young Master was often behind closed doors, practicing, and hardly anyone ever saw him.
Fortunately, after a few days, Shen Tang finally got the chance.
These days while wandering in the palace, she discovered that someone regularly delivers meals and daily necessities.
At noon today, Shen Tang used her spiritual power to control one of the Beastmen delivering meals.
And she finally saw the Young Master.
He didn’t seem to be cultivating today, just standing by the door, lost in thought, mind adrift.
The man had a tall, upright figure and a cool, refined demeanor. Long silver hair cascaded down his back like mountain-top snow—clean yet distant. He exuded a feeling of detachment as though a mysterious barrier separated him from everyone else, carrying a hint of melancholy.
Regrettably, he still wore a mask.
"Young Master, today’s meals from the kitchen are here. I’m leaving them here."
The attendant lowered his head, his voice respectful.
The Young Master glanced sideways and nodded faintly.
The attendant rubbed his forearm awkwardly and began, "Well... Young Master, the Family Head wanted me to ask if you’re comfortable staying in the palace these days? Is there anything you need?"
Shen Tang tried to ask more through the Beastman’s mouth. But the man had no intention of speaking further; he simply said softly, "No need."
Just those three words, yet his voice was as clear and refreshing as jade clashing, falling into one’s ears so captivatingly.
It sent a subtle thrill through someone’s heart.
Shen Tang couldn’t quite explain her feelings, controlling the Beastman to retreat silently.
Not just his figure and demeanor—even his voice was identical. Shen Tang was almost certain this Young Master was Xue Yinzhou.
When next they sent someone, Shen Tang didn’t remotely control again but directly arranged through the responsible Beastman to take on the task herself.
Unfortunately, her luck wasn’t good. Upon rushing over, the Young Master was already in seclusion, and she saw neither him nor his shadow.
Shen Tang initially intended to probe with spiritual power but suddenly sensed something and glanced in a certain direction.
Unexpectedly, someone else was also watching secretly.
...
No one knew there was a secret chamber beneath the courtyard, precisely where the Young Master was secluded.
The chamber was not large, with a slightly elevated stone platform in the center, atop it sat the silver-haired, dark-clothed man.
Numerous floating Crystal Cores surrounded him, emitting varied faint glows. Energy transformed into threads, slowly injecting into his body.
The Ghost Snake Clan’s superpower is the Devouring Power, unlike the common attributes like metal, wood, water, fire, and earth—it has no fixed attribute itself.
Other Beastmen wanting rapid advancement are best served by absorbing same-attribute Crystal Cores, with many constraints. But the Ghost Snake Clan’s devouring ability lacks attribute constraints, turning most energies into their own use.
Thus, their strength breaks through rapidly, yet absorbing too much chaotic energy also makes them prone to backlash.
These airborne Crystal Cores came from various attributes, among them, even a few overlord level Mutant Beast Crystal Cores.
It was evident the Ghost Snake Clan’s Family Head invested a lot of resources into this Young Master.
That black Evil Ghost Mask lay beside his leg at this moment.
The man finally revealed his true appearance. His features were strikingly cold and exceptional, nose prominent and lips beautifully curved, of a light hue revealing a trace of cool indifference.
The most enchanting were those slender purple eyes, like holding countless stars, yet the gaze icy cold, bone-chillingly fierce.
An infinite silver-gray snake mark adorned his forehead.
If Shen Tang were here, she might soon discover that Xue Yinzhou’s brow held a similar mark, albeit golden. Both marks were alike, differing only in color. This silver-gray one seemed to infuse more sinister, violent energy.
Gradually, black-purple mist began to rise around the Young Master.
This was not the black fog born of Beastman mental agitation but the Ghost Snake Clan’s origin energy. The mist condensed into a long slender black snake, slowly coiling around him, flicking its tongue, entwining ever tighter.
As the black snake was about to consume him, the Young Master reeled, pain marring his face, one hand bracing the ground while the other clutched his face, coughing blood.
He raised his frigid, pale fingers to wipe the bloodstains from his lips; his handsome face exuded frosty hostility, as the energy surrounding him became chaotic.
Seemingly losing control.
Devouring Power is the most enigmatic energy worldwide; mastering it fully isn’t so easy.
Perhaps he was too hasty after all.
The Young Master realigned his energy, striving to calm his body’s turmoil. Suddenly sensing something, he sharply looked upward.
His dark purple eyes filled with dangerous warnings and aggression.
"Pfft,"
At this moment, the spy peering with spiritual power from the roof seemed as if a blade had pierced his recognition sea, screamed wretchedly, then bled from his seven orifices, falling to his death.
Shen Tang watched from not far off, heart pounding, relievedly patting her chest.
Fortunately, she didn’t recklessly use spiritual power for direct observation; it was too perilous.
Had she acted, it might have been her dying.
Nevertheless, she had to admit, regardless if this person was Xue Yinzhou or not, his decisiveness and ruthlessness were unchanged.
Xue Yinzhou by her side was like an entirely compliant little White Snake; to others, he was surely a death deity emerging from Hell.
Shen Tang no longer blindly spied but swiftly split a thread of spiritual power to infiltrate the brain of the freshly deceased Beastman, retrieving his yet undispersed memories.
This was an undercover dispatched by a certain prominent family to understand the new Young Master’s nature. Through these memories, Shen Tang saw the images he’d just witnessed and clearly saw the Young Master’s true appearance.
Aside from the forehead mark differing from Xue Yinzhou, everything else was virtually identical.
Shen Tang decided to test once more.
To ascertain if he truly is Xue Yinzhou.
But how to test?
Shen Tang pondered deeply, eventually retrieving a snake-shaped ring from Space. Silver-white metal in texture, set with fine diamonds, simple yet exquisite.
It was gifted to her by Xue Yinzhou on her previous birthday.
She recalled his first gift was directly plucking a scale for her, making Shen Tang both touched and amused. Later, fearing he’d bestow scales every birthday, she forbade him from doing so again.
Thus one year, on her birthday, Xue Yinzhou had given her this silver snake ring, whether purchased or handmade was unclear but undeniably beautiful.
Remembering past days revived sweet sentiments in Shen Tang’s heart, yet the present reality caused those sweets to transform into thorns, inducing a tingling pain.
She hoped fervently that this time she truly found him.
There was no time to dwell further; during a delivery opportunity, she discreetly placed the ring in a prominent spot.
Ensuring that once he emerged, he would undoubtedly see it.