Ye Wen, utterly drained from the recent battle, had only managed to recoup some of his true qi through his swift recovery rate, but all of it had been expended on Nangong Tinghai. Seeing a figure suddenly burst forth and rush toward Nangong Tinghai's back, Ye Wen rallied his remaining strength.

He first reached out, grabbed Nangong Tinghai's shoulder, flung him aside, and immediately followed with a palm strike aimed directly at the assailant. He fully expected that this maneuver would momentarily startle the attacker, allowing him to use the momentum of the strike to retreat and then engage in a protracted fight.

Unexpectedly, just as his palm shot out, the figure shifted their technique, twisting slightly, and that single finger thrust directly toward him, as if they had already anticipated this exact turn of events. “Shen Yuqing?” Palm met finger, and the soft, insidious energy surged through his relatively thin true qi on his palm, pouring into his meridians.

The chilling coldness made his entire body ache, his arm stiffened slightly, and for that split second, he was utterly unable to move. At the same moment, Ye Wen finally saw clearly who the attacker was: the Saintess of the Demonic Cult, Shen Yuqing.

No wonder she had been hiding in the room without him detecting her; her movement technique (Qinggong) was so swift it was almost impossible to react to. “Sect Leader Ye, we meet again!” With those words, she flexed her finger, releasing a fresh burst of energy and driving it deeper into Ye Wen’s body.

Ye Wen felt a prickling numbness shoot through his arm’s meridians. Following that, the soft, insidious force entered his body, sealing several major acupoints throughout him, rendering him instantly incapable of circulating his power.

“Hmm? Sect Leader Ye, your power has improved again.

A pity that no matter how strong your power is now, it's useless!” With a casual wave, a ribbon flew out from her flowing sleeve, immediately coiling around Ye Wen like a spirit snake, binding him tightly. His power already sealed, his limbs were now constrained too, leaving him incapable of even twitching.

“Release Senior Brother!” “Release Master!” “Release the Sect Leader!” While everyone was still reeling from the shock of such a rapid turn of events, they immediately cried out, their hands moving just as quickly, unleashing every technique they possessed. In an instant, the area before the small hut erupted with flashing sword light, crisscrossing bursts of energy, the clear, bright music of the Green Lotus flashing past, and countless spirit-snake-like ribbons surging toward Shen Yuqing.

“I taught you this technique. Did you think it would work on me?” Shen Yuqing retracted her right hand, and the ribbon snapped back.

She used the momentum to pull Ye Wen closer to her side, pressed her palm onto his shoulder, and expelled a hidden surge of strength. This action pinned Ye Wen down even more securely.

Simultaneously, her left fingertips darted out rapidly, momentarily creating countless afterimages. As these finger shadows appeared, the scattered sword qi, ribbons, and lotus blossoms in the air all vanished into nothingness.

Shen Yuqing then hoisted herself up and leaped into the mid-air in an instant. “I am taking your Sect Leader Ye.

Don’t worry; you will all follow him down soon enough!” With a delicate laugh, she vanished without a trace. By the time Ning Ruxue’s dozen streaks of jade-green sword qi sliced down from above, they hadn't even grazed her afterimage.

“Senior Brother Ghost…” Watching her Senior Brother captured helplessly, Ning Ruxue was both anxious and furious, blaming herself for failing to protect him when he was too weak to resist the formidable foe. Remembering her Senior Brother’s multiple clashes with Shen Yuqing and the deep-seated enmity between them and the Demonic Cult, she knew being captured meant certain peril; her brother was surely facing a desperate situation.

She turned to see Junior Brother Xu still immersed in meditation, healing his internal injuries. Though he had witnessed everything, he was at a crucial juncture in his cultivation; stopping now would undo all his progress.

Although Huang Rongrong was equally worried about Ye Wen’s safety, she too couldn't disengage, only casting anxious glances toward Ning Ruxue. The others realized that with Ye Wen gone, they had lost their leader.

They stood silent, frozen in place. “Cough, cough!

Miss Hua has given chase; she will surely leave clues along the way. We must follow quickly, and we can still save Sect Leader Ye!” A weak, strained voice broke the silence.

Only then did the group notice Nangong Tinghai, who had been flung aside by Ye Wen at the start. This master from the Nangong family lay there in a sorry state, but although his speech was weak, he was no longer unable to speak as before.

Nangong Tinghai’s words also made them realize that Hua Yi was also gone. She must have given chase when Shen Yuqing left, but everyone had been focused on Shen Yuqing and hadn't noticed Hua Yi’s departure.

“Miss Hua used the ribbon to bind Sect Leader Ye’s ankle. When Shen Yuqing abducted him, she took Hua Yi along as well…” Because he remained on the ground, Nangong Tinghai had seen clearly.

Once he explained, everyone understood the sequence of events. They also realized the terrifying speed of Shen Yuqing’s Qinggong; dragging two people, yet none of them could discern how or where she disappeared.

“Everyone search around! See if Hua Yi left anything behind that points the way!” The group scattered, searching meticulously.

Soon, someone shouted, “Martial Aunt, there’s an earring here…” Ning Ruxue went to look. Far from the small hut, she saw an earring—the one Ye Wen had selected from a pile of gifts given by the capital's noble disciples and presented to Hua Yi.

“This way is correct. We must pursue immediately!” She looked back to see Xu Xian still cultivating.

She immediately commanded the seven disciples: “You few remain here!” She left them to look after Xu Xian. Furthermore, several people had been injured during the brief skirmish, and the heavily wounded Nangong Feng and Nangong Tinghai were in no condition to press forward; it was best for them to find a secluded spot to recuperate.

After giving instructions, Ning Ruxue led the remaining Shu Mountain disciples and the Jade Cave Sect disciples onward. Huang Rongrong and Nangong Huang stayed behind.

Once the main group had moved far away, Nangong Tinghai spoke, “We shouldn’t stay here; we are too conspicuous. Let’s find a quiet place!” He gasped again.

Although his internal injuries and underlying issues were mostly addressed, he hadn't fully recovered, and the potent poison was only suppressed, not dispersed, leaving his physical condition quite poor. Several Nangong family disciples carried Nangong Tinghai and Nangong Feng to settle them in a small grove nearby.

When they went to call the Shu Mountain disciples, they had to remain there guarding Xu Xian, who was immobilized. “This is fine too.

If we separate, one visible and one hidden, we can still look out for each other!” With that, he closed his eyes, focusing on circulation. He wanted to test whether he could resolve that lingering poison with his own power.

After all, he was a figure of standing in the martial world; he retained a certain pride. Though his power had been exchanged with Nangong Feng, his foundation was far superior to Feng’s.

Moreover, the power exchange had only swapped the true qi they possessed at that moment. If their true qi attributes hadn't been compatible—one refined in cold, yin energy, the other in scorching, yang energy—the swap would have instantly killed them both.

As for Nangong Feng, though severely injured, the most critical issue had been the poison. Now transferred to Nangong Tinghai, the immediate danger was gone; once the Demonic Cult was destroyed, he could recuperate and be hale and hearty again.

But if the Demonic Cult wasn't destroyed… “If that happens, none of the righteous heroes will survive. Healing or not will matter little.” He, too, was cultivating intensely so he could recover his fighting strength as quickly as possible!

Nangong Huang was in much better condition; he had only been struck by a massive force, and not directly, so he had already recovered about eighty percent after a short rest. He stayed mainly to look after his father.

As for Xu Xian… he couldn't move because, besides the lingering poison, the external pressure during his recent joint practice with Huang Rongrong had caused the last hidden gateway within his body to subtly loosen. Xu Xian knew his current level of power was enough to keep him alive through the massive battle, but it was severely insufficient for taking any meaningful action.

“If I could reach the Xiantian Perfection realm, I could offer Senior Brother much more help!” This thought, coupled with the immediate setback he suffered upon engaging the enemy, ignited a desire for self-validation in the proud and talented Scholar Xu. “I have toiled in bitter cultivation for over a decade, mastering many divine techniques, yet I was defeated in a single move.

I have indeed lived too comfortably under protection!” Shen Yuqing turned to look at Hua Yi and chuckled: “You walked right into my trap. But that’s fine; this girl still has some use!” She then glanced at Ye Wen, whom she held, and mocked him again: “My disciple seems to care deeply for you, valuing you immensely.

Well, Sect Leader Ye has already consumed my disciple completely. I wonder how you found the flavor?” Ye Wen opened his mouth to curse: “Shen the Runner, what skills do you have besides running around?

You didn't even dare fight me when my true qi was depleted, turning tail and fleeing. Is that how you became the Saintess of the Demonic Cult?” Shen Yuqing’s eyes narrowed.

Ye Wen felt a sharp sense of danger emanating from between them. Just as he expected Shen Yuqing to do something cruel, he heard her let out a few cold laughs and casually say, “No matter what you say, this little thief is captured by this Madam.

The victor is king, the loser is a bandit. As the Sect Leader of Shu Mountain, which produced two great talents, Sect Leader Ye surely understands the meaning of that saying!” She then looked down at the ribbon wrapped around Ye Wen’s ankle, noting Hua Yi being dragged behind by it: “Moreover, your Shu Mountain Sect seems to have many rare treasures.

My Cold Yin Finger failed to shatter this ribbon; it must be a fine item. I happen to be in need of a suitable weapon.” “Good disciple, not only did you return to your Master, but you brought a gift too!

Master is truly delighted!” Then she added, “It’s a pity your virginity has been taken, or it would have been even better!” She then glanced at Ye Wen in her hand: “But that will suffice. This Sect Leader Ye possesses an abundance of Yang energy, something this Madam rarely encounters in life.

By absorbing all his Yang essence today, my power will increase significantly. Then, who in the world could be my match?” “Damn it, the old hag wants to drain me!” Hearing Shen Yuqing’s words, Ye Wen finally understood why she hadn't slaughtered the Shu Mountain group earlier but had instead captured him and fled immediately.

It turned out she wanted to consume him first to boost her power before leisurely dealing with the Shu Mountain disciples. In Shen Yuqing’s eyes, few of the Shu Mountain members were a match for her anyway; once her power increased further, dealing with them would be as simple as lifting a hand.

He looked at Shen Yuqing. Although he couldn't tell her age, her appearance and figure were unparalleled in the current era.

If this kind of romantic encounter were offered, many men would fight tooth and nail to volunteer—but those men definitely did not include Ye Wen. With a slight tremor, Shen Yuqing stopped her movement, carelessly tossing Ye Wen to the ground.

She then turned to face the panting Hua Yi: “Although you were dragged, keeping pace with this Madam is no small feat. Your skill seems to have improved greatly!” Shen Yuqing had initially assumed Hua Yi had only recovered to her former level of skill.

Now, it seemed her guess was wildly off; the speed at which this disciple, whom she once disregarded, had improved astonished her. However, the woman wasn't considering anything else, instead looking back and forth between Ye Wen and Hua Yi: “I hear the Shu Mountain arts are orthodox Daoist divine techniques.

I suppose your sect does not lack dual cultivation methods involving the Daoist path! Who would have thought, my good disciple, that you would ultimately end up walking the same path as your Master!” Ye Wen struggled twice, but his limbs were bound, leaving him like a cocoon.

He wriggled a few times but couldn't rise, forced to lie on the ground and shout, “She is not the same as you!” However, his shout lacked any force and sounded rather comical. Shen Yuqing glanced at him and chuckled lightly: “How are they different?

In the end, it all comes down to using men to aid one’s own cultivation.” She then eyed Hua Yi a few more times, noticing a blush hidden in the corner of Hua Yi’s eyes and a slight change in the curve of her waist while standing compared to before. Recalling Hua Yi’s fluid movements earlier, she saw an indefinable grace that surpassed her past self.

Shen Yuqing assessed Ye Wen with amusement: “I didn't expect Sect Leader Ye to be such an expert in this area; you've taught my disciple quite well! This Madam is curious to try it herself!” Hearing this, Ye Wen felt a sudden chill, and goosebumps erupted along his back, as if he had been instantly plunged into an ice cellar.

“Unfortunately, there isn't much time! And besides…” Shen Yuqing sneered, “This Madam hasn't used that method since achieving mastery.

I have no intention of making an exception for you today!” With that, she channeled power into her palm. Ye Wen vaguely saw a hazy color appear in the center of Shen Yuqing's palm—partially blue, partially purple, an extremely eerie yet strangely alluring color that drew the eye.

Before he could look longer, the palm struck directly toward the vital spot below Ye Wen’s abdomen. Ye Wen felt nothing yet, but Hua Yi’s expression drastically changed.

Ye Wen did not recognize the move, but she was intimately familiar with it. The anomaly in Shen Yuqing’s palm was the same as when she had absorbed Hua Yi’s pure Yin energy that day.

The only difference was that it wasn't as pronounced then. If she hadn't remembered the events of that day so vividly, she might not have recognized it so quickly.

“Master, dodge!” She pulled hard, instantly tightening the ribbon around Ye Wen’s ankle, attempting to yank him in front of her. Unfortunately, despite her tug, Ye Wen didn't budge at all.

Looking up, she saw that Shen Yuqing had somehow placed her right foot onto the ribbon. Hua Yi’s ribbon was instantly pinned down as if by a massive stone, rendered immovable.

Seeing the ribbon ineffective, Hua Yi immediately lunged forward, simultaneously twisting her wrists to summon two short blades. These short swords could be used for close combat or tied to the end of the ribbon for sword-dancing flourishes.

However, since her ribbon techniques were largely derived from Shen Yuqing’s teaching, engaging in a fight using those skills against her master was unwise. It would be better to use a technique Shen Yuqing didn't know.

Indeed, Hua Yi’s sudden lunge surprised Shen Yuqing: “Hmm? In a few years, you managed to learn close-quarters combat!” Dodging swiftly left and right with quick footwork, Shen Yuqing easily evaded Hua Yi’s rapid series of attacks.

As she saw the trajectory of Hua Yi’s blades, she reached out her jade-like finger and lightly tapped the tip of one sword. Hua Yi felt the blade instantly become heavy and impossible to hold; the short sword flew out of her grasp.

“A pity. You haven't studied martial arts for long, and you lack foundation.

You can’t execute the subtle intricacies of these moves. What use are these three-legged-cat sword skills against me?” Unexpectedly, before she finished speaking, she felt a sensation of sluggishness throughout her body, as if she had suddenly plunged into a mire.

Not only her movement but also the circulation of true qi within her briefly paused. “A Qi Field?” Shen Yuqing, being highly experienced, recognized the situation immediately.

Her previously relaxed expression finally showed a trace of solemnity. She had remained outwardly calm because she assumed Hua Yi’s rapid power recovery was due to her continuing to practice the Profound Yin Qi she had taught her initially.

This was because the Demonic Heaven Technique and the Profound Yin Qi had surface similarities and looked hard to distinguish. Only when Hua Yi manifested the Demonic Heaven Qi Field did she realize Hua Yi was cultivating an entirely different, much deeper internal art, not the Profound Yin Qi.

For that moment of hesitation, Shen Yuqing’s movement stalled. However, the disarmed short sword did not fall; instead, it sharply turned and stabbed toward Shen Yuqing’s vital waist area from below and to the left.

Shen Yuqing’s mastery was too high, and the Qi Field only held her momentarily before dissipating, allowing her to easily dodge this potentially fatal thrust. At this moment, she clearly saw that the ribbon was actually tied to the hilt of the short sword, which had been hidden in Hua Yi’s sleeve, thus escaping her notice earlier.

“It seems you taught my disciple quite a few things! Didn’t Sect Leader Ye constantly claim she was merely your maid?

How could you impart such profound martial arts?” “My maid is the best, so what she learns and uses must also be the best! Does it concern you?” With that, a mist surged around him, and he violently erupted with sword qi, shredding the ribbon binding his body: “Also, you should worry about yourself!” After lying there for so long, Ye Wen had already recovered a significant amount of true qi.

As for the energy sealing his major acupoints, he easily shattered it—the Violet Qi of Innate Perfection made dealing with such tricks effortless. Seeing Ye Wen break free of her restriction and leap up, and noticing the sword qi he unleashed was not something someone whose true qi was depleted could produce, Shen Yuqing was greatly surprised: “How did you recover your power so quickly and break my seals?” “…Hmph!

Hmph!” Ye Wen stood beside Hua Yi, smiling proudly: “I’m not telling you!”