Naturally, Qi Feifei swirled along with him, heading toward the Hengduan Mountain Range. She vaguely sensed that Lei Dong must have returned from that direction. Though she couldn't quite fathom why Lei Dong would be on the other side of the Hengduan Mountains, for that area was an endless stretch of the most dangerous Great Desolation.

Unfortunately, before she could even complete half the journey, trouble struck. The young master she had managed to trick and lead around by the nose finally lost patience and proposed dual cultivation with Qi Feifei, arguing that breaking through the Golden Core stage sooner would make escape easier. Qi Feifei, of course, had no intention of agreeing to such a thing. After several rounds of excuses and delays, the young master grew suspicious.

Qi Feifei knew that if things continued this way, the truth would likely be exposed. So, she feigned agreement, but secretly administered the poisoned wine she had prepared years ago. After poisoning him halfway to death, she mercilessly annihilated his soul and made off with all the wealth he had brought for their elopement.

What she never anticipated, however, was that this young master also possessed an ancestor at the Nascent Soul stage. Naturally, this ancestor had placed an ancient inherited restriction on his beloved descendant. Upon death, this restriction would transmit some of the final things the descendant witnessed back to the killer in a bizarre manner, provided the distance wasn't too great. And the place where Qi Feifei killed the young master was conveniently still within the restriction’s transmission range.

As a result, Qi Feifei's act of murder to silence him was exposed. In their absolute fury, the Joyous Union Sect, besides dispatching pursuers, quickly ascertained the entire sequence of events. They also deduced that Qi Feifei might have a beloved man outside, which was why she committed such a "detestable and outrageous" act of betrayal against the sect.

Further connections were drawn based on the excellent figures Qi Feifei had previously associated with. The name Lei Dong, who had caused a huge stir before disappearing for a long time, soon entered the eyes of the Joyous Union Sect. Few would deny that Lei Dong was a rare talent; it was an undisputed fact that he had overpowered disciples from various factions in the Heart Demon Hall, which only opened once every century. Back then, Qi Feifei seemed to be very close to him. At the time, they assumed it was a temporary alliance, but now, with this incident, people couldn't help but speculate. What exactly happened between Lei Dong and Qi Feifei in the Heart Demon Hall back then?

That detail was now lost to time. Regardless of what transpired between them, Qi Feifei’s current actions were absolutely intolerable to the Yin-Yang Joyous Union Sect, and a large contingent of pursuers was dispatched. In order to capture Qi Feifei alive, no matter what mistakes she made, the spiritual energy she possessed was invaluable. At most, they could use her up and then discard her later.

Qi Feifei was not a three-year-old child, nor an innocent maiden. Having survived and navigated the treacherous environment of a notorious wicked sect like the Joyous Union Sect for so long had honed her into someone remarkably mature. Even without knowing that her murder of the young master had been discovered, she remained exceedingly cautious. Although her direction was still toward the Hengduan Mountain Range, the route she took led first through the territory of Langna Mountain, then to the Celestial Sound Palace, and finally, instead of entering the Heavenly Dao Alliance, she headed directly for the territory of the Vajra Temple.

These were all territories belonging to major Righteous path sects. These territories were vast, and she, Qi Feifei, alone, presented a small target, making covert movement easy. Coupled with her first-rate acting skills and considerable survival ability, she constantly changed her disguise and identity along the way, managing to avoid any major incidents.

However, the pursuers from the Joyous Union Sect found things far less convenient. As a wicked sect, attempting to investigate within the domains of the Righteous path sects was tantamount to delivering themselves up as targets. Furthermore, searching for one person within the vast sea of humanity was like looking for a needle in a haystack.

After repeatedly failing to track Qi Feifei, the Joyous Union Sect was forced to issue a wanted notice, immediately raising the reward to ten million spirit stones. Now, even if the value of the spirit stones wasn't the main concern, the Joyous Union Sect demanded that Qi Feifei pay the price. This move not only stirred the hearts of the wicked path cultivators and rogue cultivators but also caused even those from the Righteous factions to secretly monitor Qi Feifei's whereabouts.

Poor Qi Feifei’s life became difficult as soon as she reached the Vajra Peak territory. Although she hadn't exposed herself yet, continuing like this meant she would eventually be caught. Ten million spirit stones—even Golden Core cultivators would find the temptation unbearable.

Several more months passed, and Qi Feifei’s life was extremely bitter, forcing her to hide and scurry like a rat crossing the street. In one instance where her whereabouts were accidentally exposed, her general location was revealed, despite her escape. The incessant pursuit, the atmosphere of digging three feet into the ground to find her, drove Qi Feifei to wish for death.

Her only spiritual sustenance was the connection with Lei Dong, which seemed to grow clearer in their soul-sense.

One day, Qi Feifei was hiding in the desolate wilderness of a remote mountain when she was cornered at the entrance by two Golden Core cultivators, accompanied by a contingent of Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Qi Feifei attempted to use her charm techniques, but the long period of hiding and fleeing had worn her down considerably; her charm was ineffective. Instead, it drew a chorus of triumphant laughter and lewd, vulgar curses. Just as Qi Feifei was flushing with shame and rage, preparing to fight to the death, a powerful, unparalleled pressure descended from the heavens. In an instant, darkness enveloped the world, demonic energy surged skyward, and within that shroud of demonic energy, a figure in black robes could be vaguely discerned, emitting a chilling, husky snort.

"It's a Heavenly Demon!" The knowledgeable Righteous Golden Core cultivators were struck with paralyzing terror, their hearts shattered, collapsing to the ground without even the thought of escape. The might and ruthlessness of the Heavenly Demon were already legendary, yet they had always scoffed at such things in peacetime. But now, seeing a Heavenly Demon appear before them rendered them utterly helpless, with only one thought echoing in their minds: this is the end.

The Heavenly Demon did not disappoint them. The demonic energy swept out, coalescing from illusion into solid form, transforming into sharp arrows. The Foundation Establishment cultivators were naturally destroyed instantly, body and soul claimed by a single arrow. As for the two Golden Core cultivators, they struggled desperately to evade and counter a few times in the face of death, but ultimately, they could not escape their great calamity.

"Heav-Heavenly Demon respected one," Qi Feifei was also pale with fright, her long, beautiful legs feeling weak, barely able to stand. She had never imagined the Heavenly Demon would appear at such a moment. And they even seemed to have helped her? Were they here to kill her, or to take her in for the bounty? Still, that sum of spirit stones, though considerable, shouldn't warrant the attention of someone like a Heavenly Demon, should it?

"Speak."

The Heavenly Demon retracted her demonic aura, appearing in the air before Qi Feifei with a cold, beautiful face. She swept her gaze over Qi Feifei a few times and then asked directly in her slightly hoarse voice, "Where is Lei Dong?"

Qi Feifei was momentarily stunned. She never expected the Heavenly Demon to be looking for Lei Dong. But she couldn't be certain if Lei Dong was friend or foe to her. Her eyes darted, and she shook her head blankly, "Respected Heavenly Demon, are you referring to Senior Brother Lei Dong of your sect?"

Ah—the moment Qi Feifei finished speaking, her throat felt seized by an invisible force, and as she was slowly lifted into the air, the Heavenly Demon's voice sounded ethereal and traceless, seeming to carry a hint of hatred: "I'll give you one more chance. Where is Lei Dong?"

"B-Before, respected senior." Qi Feifei's complexion began to turn ashen, her lips pale, but she still trembled as she spoke, "Answering, answering respected senior. Junior has no idea." The words were forced out laboriously from her throat.

The Heavenly Demon stared coldly at her face, increasing the pressure by several points until Qi Feifei was nearly strangled to death. Only then did the Heavenly Demon toss her to the ground, saying coldly in anger, "Little girl, this Venerable One clearly knows your relationship with Lei Dong. If you tell me his whereabouts, this Venerable One will spare your life."

"I don't know, I truly don't know."

Qi Feifei had endured enough of this miserable life these past few days. Gritting her teeth, she fiercely cursed back, "Even if this lady knew, I wouldn't tell you, old monster. Just kill this lady; Big Brother Lei will surely avenge me sooner or later."

"He dares?" The Heavenly Demon felt a flash of anger and shame in her heart. She waved her hand casually, flicking Qi Feifei away, and snapped angrily, "Killing you is as easy as crushing an ant for this Venerable One."

Qi Feifei, having been flung away, was pleased rather than alarmed. Based on her years of experience in reading expressions, the Heavenly Demon and Lei Dong seemed to harbor some untold history between them. Yes, yes. Looking at her expression, she resembled a jealous, aggrieved woman. Could it be...? As this thought flashed through Qi Feifei's mind, she was astonished, so much so that she blinked in disbelief. This, this couldn't be? Did Lei Dong actually have such power? To have even ensnared the Heavenly Demon? Tsk tsk, he is quite capable. It wasn't in vain that I, Qi Feifei, longed for this heartless wretch to the point of desperation.

With this possible scenario in mind, Qi Feifei was both surprised and delighted. Having the hope of survival—how could she not be happy? Although Qi Feifei had been reckless just moments before, that was because she believed death was certain. If she could live, who would willingly choose to die? She immediately began flattering the Heavenly Demon with astute observation, subtly implying her dissatisfaction with Ding Wanyan monopolizing Lei Dong.

Qi Feifei was quite skilled in this regard. After a few rounds, she took on the appearance of a resentful, slighted woman, like one who had been used and then discarded. The Heavenly Demon's hostility toward her indeed subsided significantly, replaced by a sense of shared grievance. In truth, for many years, the Heavenly Demon had felt deeply wronged—unrecognized, lacking proper standing, forcing her to swallow her worry and grievance, living out the tragic existence of a hidden lover, a mistress.

They were unaware that on the road back home through the Great Desolation, an unprecedented crisis was brewing. Groups of demon beasts, who normally kept to their own territories and bred peacefully, suddenly became restless and agitated, scattering everywhere. Upon encountering each other, they did not attack but instead behaved as if they had reached a consensus, all rushing toward the same destination.

Demon beasts of varying ranks and species formed small streams of beasts, yet these streams converged like rivers flowing into the sea, uniting into a vast ocean of beasts that charged northward relentlessly, forming a terrifying tide of beasts.