Ji Qingyan breathed a sigh of relief. Sure enough, in front of Ji Yun, neither his older brother nor even the entire Yaoyun Peak held as much importance as Yuan Shu.
Only when Yuan Shu was mentioned would he obediently listen to a few words!
“My people have already uncovered several important clues, but following them won’t be easy.”
“This time, with something happening at Yaoyun Peak, the demons hiding in the shadows should make a move.”
“Your spirit crane carries the bloodline of an immortal beast and is sensitive to demonic aura. Perhaps it can locate the hidden demon.”
Ji Qingyan finished in one breath, then turned his eyes toward Ji Yun’s profile.
Ji Yun gave a cold snort, deeply dissatisfied. “I knew you’d find some thankless task to dump on me!”
Ji Qingyan found it amusing, but still had to placate him.
“If Yaoyun Peak remains safe, Yuan Shu will be happy. Wouldn’t that make you happy too? On the other hand, if something happens to Yaoyun Peak and Yuan Shu becomes unhappy, do you think you’ll enjoy the consequences?”
Ji Yun: “...You just love bringing Shushu into everything!”
“So, are you going or not?”
“Of course I’m going!”
Ji Yun answered without hesitation.
He had to hurry. Then, while the Grand Elder was willing to let him leave, he could rush off to find Yuan Shu!
He hadn’t seen Yuan Shu in so long. He missed her terribly!
…
The Death Demon Forest, in a secluded mountain cave.
The temporary base of the Earth Demon Fiend clan had been established there.
Mo Yi was stationed there with Elder Qiu’s divine sense, along with ten Earth Demon Fiend elders, all of them white-haired and bearded.
“The demons have already detonated the Scarlet Sun Flame’s energy for the first time. At most three days from now, the defensive barrier around Luoxian Sect’s Yaoyun Peak will certainly break.”
“When that happens, the Scarlet Sun Flame’s energy will erupt, and the fire element will run rampant. It will be the perfect opportunity to open the Gate of Heaven.”
“As for that Earth Demon Fiend, if we can’t find him, then forget it. Once the Gate of Heaven opens, I have my own way of forcing him to reveal himself!”
“When the time comes, even if he doesn’t want to appear, he won’t have a choice!”
“Mo Yi, make sure everything is arranged on your end. We must be the first to enter the alternate dimension!”
“Yes.” Mo Yi respectfully cupped his fists.
Elder Qiu’s gaze once again fell upon the ten elderly elders, and his tone turned solemn.
“The ten of you are all inheritors of the Witch God’s legacy and enjoy the Witch God’s protection. When the time comes, the task of opening the Gate of Heaven will be entrusted to you.”
“Yes. We shall obey the Witch God’s command!”
…
At the same time, at the foot of Luoxian Sect’s mountain.
A group of hurriedly arriving cultivators looked up. Seeing the black smoke rising from Yaoyun Peak in the distance, their expressions shifted.
“So Luoxian Sect really has run into trouble. No wonder that fellow Qu Qing was actually willing to let me set foot inside Luoxian Sect. He isn’t even worried that I’ll pluck the swords in the Sword Tomb bald!”
Immortal Venerable Jianming stroked the snow-white goatee on his chin and grinned.
“This time, after entering Luoxian Sect, I’ll have to make Qu Qing pay dearly!”
“Fengyun, the Scarlet Sun Flame at Yaoyun Peak is incredibly pure. Your master will use it to treat your injuries and see whether it can neutralize the Cangming Ice Soul inside your body.”
Beside him, Mu Fengyun stood tall and graceful, his expression somewhat helpless. Still, he could not bear to reject his master’s good intentions, so he cupped his fists and answered, “Yes.”
The Scarlet Sun Flame was Luoxian Sect’s guardian spiritual flame. How could it be so easily given to someone else?
Even if his master had come to help this time, he probably still wouldn’t be able to obtain it.
In truth, Mu Fengyun already had a way to neutralize the Cangming Ice Soul inside his body. It was just that… certain matters had delayed him, and he had been unable to put the plan into action in time.
Thinking of that method naturally brought Yuan Shu to mind.
The woman who had once saved him in a cave outside the city.
She was also a disciple of Luoxian Sect.
Since he was following his master up the mountain this time, he should be able to see her, right?
After Yuan Shu and Long Yunhui had left the Mu residence that day, he had gone to search the Scripture Pavilion and found records of physiques naturally endowed with spiritual flames.
Mu Fengyun did not know how Yuan Shu had absorbed the spiritual flame into her body, but he knew it must have been incredibly difficult.
If he proposed becoming cultivation partners with her…
Would she be willing?
Mu Fengyun felt somewhat nervous.
But then he remembered how, in his room that day, Yuan Shu had pushed him down and run her hands all over him.
The things that could be done with their clothes off, they had not done. But everything that could be done with their clothes on, they had done.
Yuan Shu was close to him and indulgent toward him.
She must like him too, right?
With that thought, Mu Fengyun’s heart settled once more.
He secretly made up his mind: if Yuan Shu agreed, he would devote the entire power of the Mu residence—and all of his own power—to treating her well!
Mu Fengyun’s emotions surged. Just then, Immortal Venerable Jianming called for him, and he quickly called back in acknowledgment before hurrying to catch up with the group.
…
“Late-stage Void Refinement—at the great perfection realm?”
Inside the dim mountain cave, Yuan Shu lay against Helan Ying’s chest, one palm pressed against his dantian as a thread of spiritual power seeped out to examine him carefully.
A moment later, she raised her brows, her tone tinged with surprise.
This man’s cultivation had advanced so quickly!
“What? Great perfection of the Void Refinement Realm? He’s already at the great perfection stage?”
Helan Zhao, who was standing nearby, widened his eyes in disbelief.
Although he had heard long ago that Helan Ying had entered the Void Refinement Realm, he had assumed that Helan Ying had only just broken through.
How could he have imagined that Helan Ying had already advanced to the great perfection stage in such a short time?
“Since you already know I’m no longer the Helan Ying of the past, what are you so surprised about?”
Helan Ying chuckled softly. He gently tightened his arm around Yuan Shu’s waist and lightly kissed the corner of her lips.
“It’s all thanks to Big Sister. If it weren’t for you, I couldn’t have cultivated so quickly!”
During this period, whenever Yuan Shu had free time, he would entangle himself with her tirelessly.
At first, Helan Zhao had tried to stop them from the side, but when he saw that Yuan Shu was enjoying herself just as much, he had given up.
However, when the power of dual cultivation circulated, only Yuan Shu and Helan Ying benefited from it. The one who gained the most was Helan Ying.
All Helan Zhao could do was satisfy his cravings.
At those words, Helan Zhao glared indignantly at Helan Ying. But Yuan Shu reached out, hooked an arm around his neck, and pulled him over before kissing his lips.
“Once your dragon aura completes its cycle, I’ll use the power of dual cultivation to help you increase your strength too.”
“Shushu, you really are the best to me!”
Helan Zhao was deeply moved. He blinked his beautiful dark eyes, then immediately wrapped his arms around her waist and kissed her back.
Helan Ying, who was beside them, gave a light scoff and said nothing.
Only after the two of them parted with their breathing slightly ragged did he continue, “Helan Zhao, things may become chaotic soon. Stay by Big Sister’s side, and make sure you protect her.”
“Isn’t that obvious? Do you really need to tell me?” Helan Zhao replied with an unhappy cold snort.
The woman he had chosen as his wife—how could he fail to protect her properly?
Helan Ying glanced at him. Unusually, he did not argue. Instead, he looked toward Yuan Shu and reminded her, “Protect yourself.”
Everyone had heard the explosions coming from Yaoyun Peak. Over the past two days, the fire element spreading from that direction seemed capable of setting the surrounding trees ablaze.
The temperature around the cave was terrifyingly high!
Even without Helan Ying’s reminder, Yuan Shu knew that the time had probably come.
“It’s not easy for an Earth Demon Fiend to be reborn even once, Helan Ying. With bedroom skills as exceptional as yours, don’t go dying on me just like that.”
Yuan Shu chuckled lightly and leaned close to his ear, blowing a soft breath against it.
“Otherwise, I’ll be heartbroken!”
Her suggestive and explicit words slipped into his ear, immediately making Helan Ying’s body tense after days of indulging himself.
“Big Sister…”
Yuan Shu did not answer. She merely smiled, pulled a lock of hair from his temple around one finger, and spoke leisurely.
“Helan Ying, let’s do it one more time. I’ll send you straight into the Integration Realm!”
