The spiritual senses of Tribulation-Transcending cultivators extended over vast distances.
When Tao Shanren detected Lin Fengyuanâs spiritual energy signature, he was overjoyed.
Looking down, he saw Lin Fengyuan, still masked, standing at the entrance of a mountain cave with an unfamiliar young man.
Without any hesitation, Tao Shanren led the other six demonic cultivators down swiftly.@@novelbin@@
He approached Lin Fengyuan and respectfully cupped his hands. âJunior Tao Shanren of Zhuoxin Temple, paying respects to Senior!â
âSo, youâre Tao Shanren.â
Lin Fengyuanâs raspy voice echoed once again.
Indeed, her successful escape from Demon Suppression Mountain had been greatly facilitated by Tao Shanren.
If Tao Shanren hadnât used his illusions to mask the signs of her breaking the seal, the five sacred lands might have taken action much sooner.
As a result, Lin Fengyuan held a reasonably favorable impression of him, though his current bedraggled appearance was hardly fitting for a sect leader.
Noticing her gaze, Tao Shanren hurriedly explained, âThere was a slight⦠mishap. We were ambushed by righteous path experts, which is why we look somewhat disheveled. Why donât you follow us back to Zhuoxin Temple to rest, Senior? I can also update you on whatâs happened over the past thirty thousand years to help you better understand the state of Central Continent.â
Lin Fengyuan seemed intrigued.
After all, the three millennia of confinement had left her body and spirit severely weakened. Taking time to recuperate would help her recover.
Moreover, she was curious about the worldâs changes after so many years.
After a momentâs thought, she agreed, and then invited Ye Yu to join her.
Ye Yu frowned slightly. By now, he was almost certain that Lin Fengyuan was his golden opportunity. If he didnât follow along, the situation could easily change, and Lin Fengyuan might realize he wasnât who she believed him to beâa descendant of the Ye family.
For the sake of this opportunity, Ye Yu decided to go along with them.
Besides, with his early Tribulation-Transcending Realm cultivation, he figured that as long as he kept a low profile, he could likely escape even from within a demonic sect if needed.
Tao Shanrenâs expression turned curious. Wasnât Lin Fengyuan only recently released after thirty thousand years of confinement?
Then who was this man with her?
He looked unfamiliar and seemed to be at the Golden Core stage at most.
How could someone with such low cultivation attract Lin Fengyuanâs attention?
Since his last attempt at hiding his cultivation had been exposed by Hong Luan, Ye Yu had decided it would be better to reveal just a bit of his cultivation. So, he kept his aura at the Golden Core level, which would seem modest and unremarkable to others.
Tao Shanren hesitated before asking, âAnd you, fellow cultivator, areâ¦?â
Ye Yu responded quickly, âYe Yu, from the Ye family!â
He emphasized âYe familyâ for Lin Fengyuanâs sake.
But he didnât expect the seven demonic cultivators to react with shock, their faces paling as they asked in unison, âYouâre Ye Yu?â
Ye Yu was bewildered by their reaction.
What was going on?
In Central Continent, Ye Yu was hardly a renowned figure.
So why were these demonic cultivators so taken aback?
Even Lin Fengyuan turned to look at him with newfound interest.
She recalled that Ye Yu was not only a descendant of the Ye family but also the Saint Son of Qingyun Sect.
An unexpected combination indeed.
The Ye family joining a sect?
It seemed the past thirty thousand years had indeed brought significant change.
At this point, one of the more outspoken demonic cultivators exclaimed, âThatâs right, I remember now! Someone mentioned that Senior Lin Fengyuan had taken Ye Yu with her. So he really is Ye Yu!â
Hearing this, the other demonic cultivatorsâ eyes grew red.
Ye Yu, prepared for battle, found himself completely confused once again.
What was going on?
Were they about to attack him?
Why did they all look so aggrieved?
Puzzled, Ye Yu asked, âWhatâs wrong with you all?â
A middle-aged demonic cultivator with tattered robes and a singed head stepped forward and asked in a trembling voice, âDo you⦠have four partners? One wears imperial robes, one is the leader of Guiyuan Sect, another is a snake demon, and the last one speaks with a soft voice, right?â
Imperial robes, Guiyuan Sect, snake demon⦠these unmistakable descriptions immediately made Ye Yu realize who he was talking about.
Li Ruowang, Yun Cimu, and Gan Zhi Zui, right?
And the one with the soft voice must be Bu Lingfei.
Curious, Ye Yu asked, âHow do you know that?â
Hearing this, some of the demonic cultivators looked utterly devastated.
Even Tao Shanren, usually known for his ruthless demeanor, turned away to wipe a tear from the corner of his eye.
Honestly, if it hadnât been for those four women, the five sacred land leaders would have been wiped out, and his grand plan would have succeeded.
The other demonic cultivators started recounting the tragic events of earlier, expressing their anger and frustration like widows mourning a thirty-year-old tragedy.
Ye Yu was stunned.
Werenât Li Ruowang, Yun Cimu, and Bu Lingfei in Guiyuan Sect?
How had they ended up at Qingyun Sect?
And Gan Zhi Zui⦠had she really traveled all the way from the Southern Barbarian Continent?
It was obvious they had come looking for him.
Who would have thought theyâd end up saving Old Man Luo Ze by chance?
What an incredible coincidence.
Tao Shanren waved his hand. âQuiet! Weâll talk about this later. Senior, Ye Yu, please, this way!â
With a nod, Lin Fengyuan and Ye Yu followed him toward Zhuoxin Temple.
None of them noticed the cold gleam in Tao Shanrenâs eyes.
He knew Ye Yuâs identity as the Saint Son of Qingyun Sect. After all, Zhou Qifan had previously sent him intelligence.
âThe Saint Sons and Saint Daughters of the five sacred lands would be entering Demon Suppression Mountain to eliminate Lin Fengyuan.â
Ye Yu had walked out of Demon Suppression Mountain, and as a member of Qingyun Sect, his identity was unmistakable.
So why would Tao Shanren still invite him to Zhuoxin Temple, even knowing this?
There were two reasons.
First, there was no plausible connection between Lin Fengyuan and the Saint Son of Qingyun Sect. If they were together now, there must be another relationship between them. It was even possible that Ye Yu was a spy for the demonic path.
Second, even if Ye Yu was truly the Saint Son of Qingyun Sect, what of it?
As a mere Golden Core cultivator, Tao Shanren could suppress him with ease. There was no threat.
The only concern was Ye Yuâs four partners.
Those women were incredibly strong.
But with risk came reward.
If Ye Yu could somehow join the demonic path alongside Lin Fengyuan, it would bring them four powerful Tribulation-Transcending cultivators.
That would be a massive boon for the demonic path.