It was impossible for there to be no danger within the Sect Ruins, especially since such a fierce battle had taken place here. Who knew how many sect disciples had died here…
But thinking of her mother possibly not making it through to next year, Yun Suxin threw all her concerns to the back of her mind.
She only had her mother left.
If her mother were to leave her too, she wouldn’t know what meaning life would hold for her anymore.
“I’ll go,” Yun Suxin said with a firm bow to Song Chiyue. “Please tell me the exact location, senior.”
Song Chiyue immediately pulled out a map and drew a circle on it with a pen, then handed the map to Yun Suxin.
“Here, right here. Go ahead.”
She added a reminder: “When I passed by earlier, I noticed that there were Demon Cultivator remains wandering around. You must be careful. If you can’t manage, just retreat and find another way.”
Yun Suxin accepted the map and thanked her before turning to walk through the bronze doors.
Her heart was full of doubts.
This map wasn’t a simple sketch but a detailed one with clear markings. She hadn’t heard that Song Chiyue had already explored the sect ruins, and only mentioned that the ruins were newly discovered… Where did such a detailed map come from?
Could it be that after the battle,
the Holy Maiden dragged her injured body to explore the ruins again?
Yun Suxin kept these doubts to herself, not voicing them out.
But she silently reminded herself.
There was something off about Song Chiyue.
And if Song Chiyue was problematic, then Huikong, who was traveling with her, might also be suspect.
But this world didn’t stop just because something was known to be wrong.
Sometimes, knowingly heading into danger wasn’t foolish.
It was simply a matter of having no other choice.
…
Shortly after Yun Suxin entered.
Just as Song Chiyue was about to follow in, Huikong suddenly gave her a look: “Don’t move, prey has been caught.”
As soon as he spoke—
Boom!
A heavy sword landed five meters away from them.
Once the dust settled, a black-clad female sword cultivator with sharp eyes appeared—none other than Yue Qianchi, who had been rushing over.
Song Chiyue raised her gaze at the newcomer, suppressing her surprise but couldn’t help smiling. It truly was like finding a needle in a haystack; Yue Qianchi had walked right into their trap!
“Song Chiyue! Huikong!”
Facing the Jade Pool Holy Maiden and the Burnt Purification Buddha Son, other sect disciples might be cautious and polite, but Yue Qianchi wouldn’t be, especially now that she was burning with anxiety and anger.
“Where are my three direct disciples from the Sword Pavilion? Tell me!”
Song Chiyue remained silent.
Huikong lifted his gaze and snorted coldly: “Daoist friend Yue, your behavior is quite rude. The array going awry was not our wish. We saw everyone watching us fight the Demon Cultivator remains. Why do you come here with such an accusatory face?”
“Huikong Master, perhaps you should say less.” Song Chiyue looked at Yue Qianchi, her pale face showing regret. “Daoist friend Yue, fortunately, the three direct disciples of the Sword Pavilion formed a sword formation to help us. If not for them, both Master Huikong and I might not have been able to withstand the onslaught of the Demon Cultivator remains. As for their whereabouts…”
“Quickly, speak up.”
Yue Qianchi’s grip on her sword handle creaked, her last bit of rationality holding her back from attacking these two talkative individuals.
“They chased after the Demon Cultivator remains into the ruins to seek revenge. They haven’t come out yet, and we don’t know their current situation.” Song Chiyue sighed.
Yue Qianchi frowned.
If it were any other disciples from the Sword Pavilion, Song Chiyue’s words might have some credibility.
But those three were her closest disciples.
She knew them too well.
Regardless of Xu An’s intelligence or Duan Feng’s calmness, even if Zhen He, known for his steady conduct, were to stay alive under any circumstances, they would never chase after Demon Cultivator remains into the ruins.
Song Chiyue was unaware that her words had already raised Yue Qianchi’s suspicions.
At the time, the scene was chaotic. She never imagined that the three direct disciples could ensure the safe evacuation of all other Sword Pavilion disciples under the attack of four Nascent Soul stage Demon Cultivator remains.
Surely, some would have died?
So, she believed that the claim of the three direct disciples entering the ruins to seek revenge made perfect sense.
“Understood.” Yue Qianchi looked deeply at Song Chiyue and nodded. “Then I will go into the ruins to search for them now.”
“The ruins may be dangerous. My injuries have recovered somewhat. Why don’t I go with Daoist friend Yue?” Song Chiyue stood up and stretched. “I was planning to search for Jade Pool disciples inside anyway.”
Yue Qianchi stared directly at Song Chiyue and glanced at Huikong, then suddenly chuckled: “Isn’t Huikong Master coming along?”
“Poor monk will pass.” Huikong closed his eyes and continued meditating. “My injuries are severe, making movement difficult. I can’t help much.”
“Very well.” Yue Qianchi clenched the ultimate thunderfire talisman given by Li Qingran and picked up her heavy sword, walking toward the bronze door.
Behind her, two steps followed.
Her hands behind her back were constantly signaling to Huikong.
Huikong saw the signals and a sinister smile curled up his lips.
His eyes narrowed, but his mind connected to another vision.
That vision watched a winding procession in the forest.
A female sword cultivator in a pure white dress led the group, frequently encouraging her disciples behind her.
Through the Demon Cultivator remains’ perspective, he could see great fortune and flowing treasure light on this woman, like pearls freshly plucked from water and shining in the sun, dazzling and eye-catching.
Huikong’s eyes glimmered with a faint golden hue.
Who was this person?
To possess both the Sword and Water single Spirit Roots?
Even more terrifying, was she a supreme-grade Danfield?!
He no longer cared about Song Chiyue’s situation.
The most important thing now was to capture this female cultivator.
Such a rare material would surely earn him a reward from the True Person.
…
Li Qingran led the Sword Pavilion disciples toward the Secret Realm entrance.
The scenery and fragments of the ruins in the Secret Realm changed every year, but the entrance location remained constant. Following the Mirror River westward would lead them there.
They were now close to the entrance.
Occasionally, they encountered other sect disciples.
Stopping in front of a rock, Li Qingran felt a strong sense of crisis, almost as if being watched. There was something watching her and the Sword Pavilion disciples.
Ignoring the gaze, she moved from the front of the group to the back, clearly feeling that gaze following her.
She was certain now.
It was aimed primarily at her.
But the Sword Pavilion disciples might be caught in the crossfire.
After the great battle, everyone was exhausted and couldn’t afford any more trouble. She still had energy to fight, especially with the various life-saving items given by her master.
Given this…
Li Qingran suddenly grabbed Tu Xinghe’s sleeve, “Senior Brother, could you take everyone to the entrance first? I remembered that my master asked me to find a spirit herb, and I think I saw it on the way. I’ll go get it now.”
Tu Xinghe hesitated, “Far away?”
“Not very far. Running quickly, it won’t take more than half an hour round trip.” Li Qingran smiled.
“Alright, go ahead… Wait a moment.”
Tu Xinghe stopped Li Qingran and instructed the neighboring senior brothers to gather all their defensive items and hand them to Li Qingran seriously. “Although there’s little danger near the entrance, better safe than sorry. Take these.”
Li Qingran didn’t refuse.
She accepted the talismans, pills, and sword pills with both hands.
She knew that accepting these items would put her fellow disciples at ease.
And what she needed was for them to feel secure.
As long as they safely crossed the final stretch, once the Secret Realm entrance opened and her master guarded outside, they would all be completely safe.
