Three Days Later

Inside the Zhi Dao Hall of Ziyun Peak, Sect Leader Mu He was once again filled with fury.

"Look at this, just look at this! His own disciple was abducted by a Devilish Cultivator, yet he's leisurely fishing on Wanyue Peak. He chose the disciple himself, and at a time like this, if he doesn't go to the rescue, who does he expect to go!" Sect Leader Mu He slammed his large palm onto the armrest of his chair. Fortunately, the chair was sturdy enough not to shatter.

Song Li held a scroll of scripture, his brow slightly furrowed. He had also received the intelligence belatedly and immediately headed to the Zhi Dao Hall. Upon arrival, he witnessed this scene and, after inquiring, realized that Sect Leader Mu He had received the news first and gone to Wanyue Peak to discuss a strategy with Elder Xu Xu. However, Elder Xu Xu had clearly known for a long time yet remained indifferent, only offering a light smile and a single sentence.

"Let her play outside for a few days; she will return on her own afterward."

Sect Leader Mu He was instantly filled with frustration and lost his temper upon returning. If Elder Xu Xu put it that way, did it mean that devilish woman wouldn't take Yun Nian's life? Or did he believe his disciple had the ability to escape from a Nascent Soul Stage Devilish Cultivator on her own?

To speak of it as if she were out on an excursion—that was a devilish woman from the Hehuan Sect!

Seeing Sect Leader Mu He being provoked by Elder Xu Xu again, Song Li spoke slowly, "Elder Xu Xu's reputation precedes him; presumably, Qi Rou wouldn't dare do anything to Yun Nian."

"I know that much," Sect Leader Mu He's brow remained tightly knit, "but one must always fear the 'what if.' If Yun Nian really doesn't return, what should be done then?"

The scroll of scripture in Song Li's hand trembled slightly.

"I have already dispatched people to search for Yun Nian's traces. There is no need for the Sect Leader to worry. I imagine that once the people from my Law Enforcement Hall show up at her door, Qi Rou won't dare refuse to release her," Song Li continued.

"This is truly ridiculous!" Sect Leader Mu He's expression darkened again. "I never favored that Yun Nian in the first place, yet he insisted on taking her into the sect. Now that such a thing has happened, he hasn't said a single word. This Master-disciple bond is truly a joke!"

Huan Yuan Valley

Yun Nian lay leisurely amidst the flowers, looking up at the various butterflies flying to and fro, her eyes filled with confusion.

Qi Rou was sitting nearby Cultivating, but she couldn't calm her mind no matter what. Suddenly opening her eyes, she couldn't help but look at Yun Nian and say, "It's already been three days. Why hasn't your Master come to save you?"

She had intercepted the Daoist Flying Boat in such a high-profile manner precisely so the news would reach Elder Xu Xu's ears as soon as possible. It couldn't be that the message hadn't arrived.

Yun Nian had her legs crossed, rotating her ankle in the air as a pastime, and spoke lazily, "Maybe his Flying Sword broke again, and he's coming by Flying Boat."

"He really doesn't care about your safety." Qi Rou looked at Yun Nian, a flash of killing intent suddenly appearing in her eyes.

Hearing this, Yun Nian's ankle stopped moving. She glanced at Qi Rou and then said with a calm face, "It's fine as long as I'm alive. If I die, a grudge will be formed regardless. Besides, you let all those Cultivators on the Flying Boat go; why can't you let go of a small fry like me at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer?"

"What does Elder Xu Xu take me for?" Qi Rou's emotions became increasingly agitated. "Does he really think I don't dare to become his enemy?!"

Watching the killing intent rising from around her, Yun Nian pursed her lips, closed her eyes, and said slowly, "Don't be impulsive."

Just as the words fell, her long blade was controlled by Qi Rou and held against her own neck.

Yun Nian opened one eye to look at Qi Rou, who was now fully enveloped in Demonic Qi, and hurriedly said, "Wait a bit longer."

Qi Rou narrowed her eyes and then said, "I want you to personally send him a distress talisman. Five days at most. If he still hasn't come to save you after five days, don't even think about living."

Yun Nian bit her lip.

Qi Rou truly didn't know how many sound transmission talismans she had sent to Elder Xu Xu over these past few days, yet that old man still hadn't come. It seemed she would have to rely on herself this time; she had to find a way to escape from this Huan Yuan Valley.

Thus, Yun Nian first tried to stabilize her, saying, "Put the blade away first, and I'll send it right now."

Meeting Yun Nian's gaze, Qi Rou narrowed her eyes. "What kind of tricks are you thinking of?"

"The Saintess is a Nascent Soul powerhouse whose Divine Sense covers the entire Huan Yuan Valley. How would I dare have any tricks?" Yun Nian replied.

Once the words were spoken, Qi Rou finally tossed the long blade aside and turned to walk back.

Yun Nian turned her head to look. In the center of Huan Yuan Valley was a pavilion, which was where she and Qi Rou had been staying these past few days. It had to be said, her ability to find such a place and meticulously set up various bewildering and illusory formations showed she indeed had some skill.

Just as a perplexed Qi Rou returned to the pavilion, intending to take some Medicinal Pills to calm her mind and meditate for cultivation, she saw a yellow talisman leisurely land on the table in the center. Qi Rou's eyes flickered as she turned toward the yellow talisman.

Qi Rou walked over and opened the yellow talisman. She saw two rows of words written in a vigorous and powerful hand. Upon seeing these words, Qi Rou's face suddenly turned pale.

"If you harm a single hair of hers, I will surely bring the three-foot Shattering Star to Hehuan and slaughter your entire sect. May you take care of yourself."

Her fingertips trembled violently, and the yellow talisman fell to the ground, turning into ash on its own. However, the words from just now were branded into Qi Rou's heart.

"Zixiao Sword Immortal..." Qi Rou was suddenly struck by panic. "How long has it been since the shattering star sword was unsheathed? To think he would make such a decision for this disciple..."

After calming down, Qi Rou's gaze couldn't help but drift through the window toward the young girl lying leisurely among the flowers.

Why would such an ordinary girl be favored by him?

Meanwhile, Yun Nian, who was outside contemplating life, had no idea what had just happened. After getting up, she slowly stretched and then picked up the long blade from the ground to begin practicing.

Shifting her gaze from Yun Nian to the ashes on the floor, Qi Rou couldn't help but grit her teeth.

This time, she had truly invited an ancestor upon herself.

Xi Estate

"Young Master, our branch sent news saying they once saw traces of the Hehuan Sect Saintess near Huan Yuan Valley, followed by a Daoist girl with a bone age of twelve. It is very likely to be Yun Nian. I wonder if we should notify them to keep an eye out..." The Xi Family butler said as he brought the wanghen blade to Xi Mo.

As the words fell, the light in Xi Mo's eyes moved imperceptibly, and he immediately snorted coldly, "Her matters are for others to manage; there is no need to report to me."

"Yes."

The butler hurriedly nodded in agreement. Just as he was about to turn and leave, Xi Mo's voice rang out again.

"Wait," Xi Mo looked down at the wanghen blade in his hand. "Where is Huan Yuan Valley?"

"Huan Yuan Valley is located between the City of the Dead and Qinglu City. It has always been occupied by the Hehuan Sect Saintess, Qi Rou. It contains countless bewildering and illusory formations arranged by Qi Rou; once someone enters, no one can come out," the butler explained.