Chapter 369: Help Me

Ma Chulong's reaction was something not only Ma Chulan couldn't understand, but Su Yan was no exception either.

Just what kind of illusion had he experienced that he couldn't even tell them about?

"Oh, Big Brother, why have you become so indecisive? Since it was all fake, what is there to be embarrassed about?" Ma Chulan had been pestering him about this just now, but he simply refused to budge.

Ma Chulong coughed incessantly, attempting to avoid Ma Chulan's entanglement and the awkward atmosphere.

Su Yan eyed his slightly reddened earlobes suspiciously, having likely guessed something.

Although the people and events in the illusion were manifestations of the evil spirit, they were the things each person most desired to happen. Looking at Ma Chulong's current reaction, it was quite possible that it truly was something he couldn't speak of.

"Lanlan, since your brother refuses to say, then don't ask. Men have their own secrets."

She took the initiative to speak up and relieve Ma Chulong from the situation.

Ma Chulong gave her a grateful look.

However, thinking about everything that had happened in the illusion, facing the real Su Yan now, he truly wished he could slap himself twice.

In this lifetime, Su Yan would only ever be his and the Ma family's best friend; the fact that he had actually harbored thoughts of marrying her and living a life together was nothing short of a profanation of their friendship.

He shook his head vigorously, trying to calm the emotions that were still surging in his heart.

Although Ma Chulan was still very curious, seeing Ma Chulong's resistant manner, she knew she certainly wouldn't be able to get any answers and could only give up.

"Fine, I won't ask."

Ma Chulong breathed a secret sigh of relief, as if he had escaped some great calamity.

The three of them chatted as they walked and soon encountered other exorcists who had also broken through their illusions.

Everyone's expression was completely different.

Some showed the palpitations of a survivor, while others showed a lingering sense of regret.

"It seems this stage is such that everyone who enters is able to successfully break the illusion," Ma Chulong concluded, summarizing the information gathered from the crowd.

"Then what if someone is unable to break the illusion? Does that mean they fail?" Ma Chulan's question made the atmosphere much heavier.

Not everyone could see through an illusion; after all, everyone's desires were different, and there was a high possibility of sinking into the beautiful dream woven by the illusion.

"Then could someone enter the illusion to help those who are trapped get out?" someone in the crowd suggested.

Everyone turned their gaze toward Ma Chulong and Su Yan simultaneously.

After all, these two were the strongest exorcists here, and only they could provide a definitive answer.

Ma Chulong hesitated for a moment before saying, "Theoretically, it is possible. However, the illusion is tailored specifically to each individual exorcist. If an external force forcibly intrudes and causes problems within the illusion, it could very likely cause unknown harm to the exorcist. Therefore, unless it is absolutely necessary, do not do this."

After speaking, he looked at Su Yan, who nodded in agreement with his analysis.

Having heard this, the crowd knew what to do next.

"Those of us who have come out will temporarily split into two groups to continue searching for others. We will regroup here in one hour," Ma Chulong arranged, and then continued to search for the others.

"Su Yan, we've been walking for so long and we still haven't run into those people from the Kong family. And that Kong Yueqing—do you think she actually came in here?" Knowing that Su Yan cared about the situation with the Kong family, Ma Chulan had been paying close attention as well.

Thinking of Kong Yueqing's state from before, even Su Yan's facial muscles tightened slightly.

If she hadn't misseen it, there was something else inside Kong Yueqing's body.

And as an exorcist, it was impossible for Kong Yueqing not to know. Therefore, there was only one explanation for such a situation: Kong Yueqing was doing it of her own free will.

Su Yan was certain that Kong Yueqing would be fine here; at the very least, her life would definitely not be in danger.

Presumably, her disappearance was merely to make her subsequent actions and objectives more convenient.

As for Kong Nian, she had Kong Xiang by her side; even if she encountered a danger she couldn't handle herself, Kong Xiang would certainly protect her.

As for Gan Hua and Kong Yueling, they could only leave it to fate.

"If you encounter Kong Yueqing alone, remember, do not provoke her. It is best to leave immediately. Especially you, Lanlan, you must remember, understood?"

Su Yan felt it was necessary to warn Ma Chulan, as the conflict between her and Kong Yueqing was already quite deep.

The current Kong Yueqing might no longer be someone Ma Chulan could deal with.

"Why?" As expected, Ma Chulan looked puzzled.

She wasn't afraid of that girl; besides, if anyone were to hide, it should be Kong Yueqing hiding from her.

What Su Yan feared most was this exact mindset. Her voice turned serious. "Something has happened to Kong Yueqing. I can't go into detail with you right now. Just do as I say—do not, under any circumstances, engage in any conflict with her alone."

Ma Chulan visibly froze. Although she still couldn't understand, she sensed the gravity of the matter from Su Yan's serious expression.

Ma Chulong frowned deeply, clearly feeling the same way.

"Little Sister, since Su Yan said so, we must be careful."

He knew Su Yan wouldn't joke about such things. Such a solemn warning meant that if they encountered Kong Yueqing alone, they would likely be in danger.

Ma Chulan also set aside her contempt for Kong Yueqing and nodded earnestly.

Seeing that the siblings had listened, Su Yan felt slightly more at ease.

"Help... someone, please help me..."

A weak cry for help from not far away interrupted the trio's conversation. Ma Chulong immediately walked toward the direction of the sound.

Su Yan and Ma Chulan followed closely behind.

When they saw that the person leaning against a tree trunk with severe injuries was actually Kong Yueling, they were somewhat surprised.

As it turned out, one really shouldn't speak ill of others behind their backs; they had just mentioned the Kong family, and they had truly run into someone from it.

Kong Yueling had not expected that the first person she would encounter after breaking out of the illusion would be them.

But she could not care about much right now; if no one helped her bandage her wounds, she would soon die from excessive blood loss.

"Senior Brother Ma, help me..."

She pleaded cautiously, completely uncertain whether Ma Chulong would lend a hand just because it was her.

However, in the next second, Ma Chulong's actions dispelled Kong Yueling's worries.

He knelt halfway in front of Kong Yueling, inspecting her injuries.

"Lanlan, give me the wound salve and bandages."

Ma Chulan curled her lip; although she disliked the Kong family, she still cooperated and handed the items over.

Su Yan stood to the side expressionlessly, her gaze toward Kong Yueling even appearing somewhat cold.

If what the evil spirit said was true, then the Kong family held the grudge of her mother's murder.

She would not do anything to the defenseless Kong Yueling right now, but she also could not find any kindness for the Kong family members again.

(End of Chapter)