Within the Five Fingers Peak of the Qingyun Sect, Lin Miaoxue sat cross-legged, gazing into the distance, lost in thought.


    She was perplexed by recent events. Why hadn’t Ye Yu taken the Wugou Sword Heart while she was unconscious? Instead, he had expended great effort to heal her. Such behavior was entirely contrary to the Ye family’s principle of equivalent exchange. What was he thinking? Or did he have other intentions?


    Moreover, she was astonished to encounter that woman here. The one she had once looked up to tens of thousands of years ago—why hadn’t she ascended yet? Instead, she had become an elder of the Qingyun Sect and the master of a peak.@@@@


    Hongluan, what are you thinking? Is it that you can’t ascend, or that you don’t want to?


    Lin Miaoxue felt the second possibility was more likely. With Hongluan’s power, ascending would be an easy task. But why wouldn’t someone choose to become an immortal if they had the chance? Was this world truly worth lingering in?


    Lin Miaoxue sighed. After being sealed for 30,000 years, this world felt profoundly unfamiliar to her. People, too, seemed so different!


    In the next moment, she furrowed her brow slightly, instinctively reaching for her mask. Yet, after some hesitation, she decided against it. Her purpose was clear: she didn’t want to implicate Ye Yu.


    No one would ever guess that Lin Fengyuan was actually a woman. Even Hongluan hadn’t known before. Now, while Hongluan had seen through her true identity, they had made an agreement to keep each other’s secrets. However, others would not be as understanding. If the Qingyun Sect’s leader discovered she was the demonic cultivator Lin Fengyuan, Ye Yu would certainly face severe consequences for bringing her here to recuperate.


    This was something Lin Miaoxue didn’t want to happen. Thus, she chose to reveal her true face, yet the situation still felt peculiar.


    Why were all the visitors women?


    Four beams of light descended on Five Fingers Peak: the Empress of the Daqian Dynasty, Li Ruowang; Gan Zhizui, the Poison Maiden and a great demon; Yun Ciwu, the leader of the Guiyuan Sect; and Bu Lingfei, the master of the Bu family.


    After learning that Ye Yu had been taken by Lin Fengyuan, they had been tirelessly searching for him. Later, Luo Ze contacted Li Ruowang, informing her that Ye Yu had safely escaped Lin Fengyuan’s control and, after returning to the Qingyun Sect, had gone out to retrieve something but would soon be back.


    Yun Ciwu and Bu Lingfei couldn’t help but laugh, finding Yun Roumu’s attitude amusing and endearing.


    Their smiles only deepened Li Ruowang’s annoyance.


    “Laughing? What’s so funny? This woman is trying to steal your husband—how can you find this amusing?”


    Hearing this, Yun Ciwu and Bu Lingfei’s smiles froze.


    Another of Ye Yu’s Dao companions?


    Gan Zhizui’s expression also grew solemn. In her mind, her sister Gan Duoduo sprang up, her voice resolute. “Sister, our competition is only increasing. Hold firm; we cannot give up! Our husband must belong to us alone!”


    “Of course!” Gan Zhizui replied, stepping forward and glaring icily at Yun Roumu.


    “What saintess? You’re just a mere cultivator at the peak of the Core Formation stage. How do you think you can be our husband’s Dao companion? The four of us here are all at the Tribulation Realm or higher. What do you possibly have to compare with us? You’d be better off giving up now.”


    Gan Zhizui shot a wary glance at Lin Miaoxue nearby. She could feel the terrifying power emanating from this woman—so strong that even Gan Zhizui felt a sense of dread. Yet, despite this, she had no intention of retreating. If needed, she’d defeat each one, starting with Yun Roumu.


    Li Ruowang, watching from the side, smirked. The battle had begun, and this fierce demon was right in line with her temperament, blunt and to the point. Perfect!


    Yun Ciwu and Bu Lingfei raised their eyebrows, realizing that, indeed, the four of them standing here were essentially an “F4” of the Tribulation Realm. Such a powerful force would even leave a holy land leader speechless. And yet, here was Yun Roumu, a mere Core Formation stage saintess—how did she think she could compete?


    Yun Roumu clenched her teeth, filled with anger. Yes, her cultivation was a disadvantage, but to surrender now? Impossible!