After lingering in the East Sea waters for a full fortnight, the two Golden Core subordinates finally dared to lure that Vajra Temple Golden Core battle monk out of the Yaksha territory. Ding Wanyan, having received the intelligence early, moved ahead with her contingent to intercept. Coincidentally, members of the Heavenly Sound Palace arrived to reinforce their side. After a fierce exchange, Ding Wanyan, brimming with formidable killing intent, wiped out two of the enemy's Golden Core cultivators. It had to be admitted that cultivating Yin Sha with the Yin Sha physique not only led to astonishingly rapid progress but also multiplied destructive power. Since the nature of Yin Sha itself revolves around the strange, the malevolent, and the ruthless, this only made Ding Wanyan’s executions swift and utterly impossible to guard against. Although her current cultivation was still some distance from the mid-stage Golden Core, she was by no means inferior when facing late-stage Golden Core experts.

Having once again wrought a scene of bloody carnage, Ding Wanyan finally managed to quell some of the agitation churning within her heart and steered her vessel back to the East Sea garrison of the Yin Sha Sect. However, before she could even shed her fatigue and settle in for a few days of rest, an unwelcome visitor she despised above all others arrived unannounced. This individual, however, held a special status; even Ding Wanyan's other master, the Yin Sha Demon Venerable, treated him with a degree of deference, careful not to offend him in the slightest.

This compelled Ding Wanyan to suppress her disgust, force herself to regain composure, and deal with the man.

“Wanyan, I hear you went on another killing spree recently? Truly worthy of the title Blood Asura. Li is full of admiration, full of admiration,” a tall, elegantly dressed young man said, lazily fanning himself. He materialized abruptly in the parlor, the faint spatial ripples betraying his supreme mastery over spatial abilities. His handsome features, coupled with a composed smile, lent him an air of effortless grace that would surely captivate many young women.

“Senior overpraises me,” Ding Wanyan replied, her expression frigid, maintaining a distance of a thousand miles. Outwardly respectful, she continued, “May I ask the purpose of Senior’s visit this time?”

“Heh heh, Wanyan, you needn’t keep calling me Senior,” the young man surnamed Li dismissed with a slight shake of his head. “Li has only experienced a few more years than you; I hardly deserve such an honorific. Why don't you call me by my name, Li Yao? It saves us from being too distant.”

Ding Wanyan inwardly sneered relentlessly. She was no three-year-old girl; of course, she understood exactly what scheme Li Yao was plotting. If it weren't for his status and strength, she would have smacked him dead long ago. Yet, she couldn't afford to completely sever ties with him, so her face grew even colder: “This junior is weary. If Senior has no other urgent matters, this junior must retire.”

Li Yao showed no outward sign of annoyance, maintaining his elegant, easygoing smile. “Since Wanyan insists, then so be it. You’ve worked hard fighting outside these days. Li happens to possess a few Golden Essence Pills. With Wanyan’s talent and current cultivation, it won't take long before you advance to the mid-stage Golden Core. By then, few in the Golden Core realm will be a match for you.”

In his heart, he sneered triumphantly. Having lived for over a century, he had seen every type of woman imaginable. There was no woman he desired that he failed to conquer. He naturally knew that Ding Wanyan was already married to a Foundation Establishment cultivator named Lei—something. To speak nothing of the rumors that Lei Dong had been dead for over a decade, even if he were alive, how could a mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, even if he were now in the Golden Core stage, compare? He could crush him with a single finger.

In truth, Li Yao had traveled a great distance from the Grand Qian Province for a specific mission. That mission was long since completed. However, a few years ago, while paying respects to the Yin Sha Demon Venerable, he had suddenly caught sight of Ding Wanyan, and his heart had been powerfully stirred. This woman possessed a rare combination of peerless looks, temperament, and exceptional aptitude—truly first-rate material. He could hardly believe that such a high-caliber woman could emerge from a minor place like Kang Province.

Initially, Li Yao had merely intended to play around. He was confident that with his Nascent Soul cultivation level, his status as a direct descendant of a powerful faction in Grand Qian, and his outstanding appearance and demeanor, capturing this woman would be effortless. What he never anticipated was that not only did this woman already have a missing husband, but she treated him with utter disdain, radiating coldness and keeping him firmly at bay. This, paradoxically, only ignited Li Yao’s desire for conquest. Since childhood, anything he set his sights on, he had always obtained. Especially concerning women—in Grand Qian Province, countless outstanding women had practically thrown themselves at him.

Yet, after several years of relentless pursuit, he had achieved nothing. On the contrary, Wanyan had grown increasingly disgusted with him. He could read the scorn, revulsion, and indifference plainly in her eyes.

This only fueled his resolve rather than making him give up. However, the failure of his gentle approach was slowly eroding his patience. If all else failed, he would resort to coercion to have her. If she dared refuse these few Golden Essence Pills… Still, deep down, he knew that very few Golden Core cultivators in this world could refuse Golden Essence Pills—items of immense value that possessed an extraordinary effect on raising a Golden Core cultivator’s power. Especially in a small place like Kang Province, the Golden Essence Pill was rumored to trade for ten million spirit stones each, often selling for more than it was worth. Even in Grand Qian Province, the Nine-Gold Pill was an exceptionally rare commodity.

Ding Wanyan didn't spare his Golden Essence Pills even a glance, replying coldly, “Senior, please leave. In this junior’s heart, there is only my husband.”

“But he is already dead.” Li Yao’s smile froze, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. His gaze also turned somewhat chilling, though he decided to make one final appeal: “Is it worth it for you, for a dead man?”

“Don't speak as if my husband is merely missing. Even if he truly is dead, Ding Wanyan’s life will never accommodate another soul,” Ding Wanyan stated with extreme iciness. “Li Yao, this junior must take her leave.” With a slight flicker, Ding Wanyan transformed into a gust of formless, vanishing Sha Wind and disappeared from his sight.

Only the grim-faced Li Yao remained, his expression turning ashen as he muttered to himself, “Ding Wanyan, you forced my hand. Li Yao has never failed to obtain what he desires.”

Almost simultaneously, within the Valley of Blissful Union of the Yin-Yang Harmonious Union Sect in Kang Province.

Qi Feifei, who had been diligently cultivating these past years, had finally reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment realm not long ago. Originally, she had planned to quietly complete her Great Perfection cultivation, sneak away, and wait for Lei Dong’s return. Once they merged, achieving the Golden Core stage would be inevitable. Even if the Sect sought retribution, they would have to confront the Yin Sha Sect. Qi Feifei doubted the Yin Sha Sect would dare do anything severe to Lei Dong, given how highly they valued him.

However, Qi Feifei hadn't expected to run into an overly talkative senior sister when she tried to slip out. As a result, within a short time, everyone in the Harmonious Union Sect knew that Qi Feifei had reached Foundation Establishment Perfection.

In the Harmonious Union Sect, very few cultivators were capable of practicing the Cauldron Technique. And a woman as young, beautiful, and outstanding as Qi Feifei reaching Foundation Establishment Perfection naturally made her a coveted prize—a spiritual elixir—in the eyes of many male cultivators, especially those disciples with decent aptitude who were stuck at the Foundation Establishment peak.

A fierce contest for Qi Feifei’s dual cultivation partner ensued. After several months of maneuvering, the final decision settled upon a junior relative of a Supreme Elder. That junior’s aptitude was passable, but despite consuming copious resources, he had failed several attempts to break through to the Golden Core stage. The Supreme Elder, after exhausting countless connections, wealth, and even employing threats and inducements, finally secured this opportunity for his descendant.

Upon learning the final outcome, Qi Feifei was consumed by shame and fury. Although she had anticipated this result, the fact that the Sect treated her as a mere commodity to be fought over, eventually concluding with her being awarded as a prize, left her deeply resentful. Over the years, the image of Lei Dong had been impossible for Qi Feifei to erase from her mind. Although in the beginning, it was under the duress of mortal danger that she had merged her soul with him and fallen under his control, the deeper her connection with Lei Dong became, the more she recognized his extraordinary nature. Not only was he unparalleled in every aspect of excellence, but more importantly, his dominance, his sheer power, and even the faint, fleeting tenderness he possessed were branded into Qi Feifei's heart like a permanent mark.

Compared to Lei Dong, the disciples of the Valley of Blissful Union were simply not worth mentioning; they were all pale-faced fops, posturing and pretentious.

Through the years, Qi Feifei was more certain than anyone that Lei Dong was not dead, otherwise, she would not still be alive and well. However, the mysterious connection between Lei Dong and her soul had become tenuous over the years, almost indiscernible. This, she figured, was due to the vast distance separating them. Yet, recently, the soul link had begun to clarify slightly. Although this clarity was still weak, it was growing stronger day by day.

It was clear: this was a signal that Lei Dong was on his way back.

For these manifold reasons, Qi Feifei resolved to escape. She had long since planned her escape method, preparing for years.

First, she stealthily sought out a fellow disciple-brother who had lost the competition for her but possessed an equally strong backing. She poured out vague, sorrowful complaints, subtly leading them to vaguely suspect that Qi Feifei’s heart had been set upon them, only to have her handed over to another. She hinted that Qi Feifei would rather die than submit.

Qi Feifei possessed exceptional talent and a deeply ingrained mastery of charm arts. Her greatest advantage was that, unlike other female disciples who had engaged in dual cultivation early on, she had preserved her virginity entirely. Combined with her outstanding attributes, this made her irresistible to many men. After a few exchanges, the senior brother with powerful connections became hot-headed and utterly reckless. Under Qi Feifei’s subtle and suggestive guidance, he was finally steered toward eliminating the official victor. Simultaneously, filled with ecstatic excitement and a feeling of noble satisfaction, he secretly fled the Valley of Blissful Union with Qi Feifei, willing to forsake everything for love.

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