In Yunjing, at the Temple of the Matchmaker, perhaps it wasn't spring, for far fewer people frequented the shrine. Yet, even these few young, unmarried women were entirely consumed by discussions of Duke Zhenguo, Ye Jingyu, and his unresisted flight.

But unlike the common folk, these maidens could not bring themselves to believe that Ye Jingyu had truly fled without a fight. In their hearts, Ye Jingyu remained the finest, the most exceptional man; how could such a man abandon the field? He hadn't taken a single step back even when facing the War God Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan! How could he possibly desert now?

These maidens held simple beliefs; once fixed on an idea, it was incredibly difficult to shift, especially recalling the magnificent ceremony when Ye Jingyu married Princess Yongle—a spectacle etched into their memories forever.

Several girls chattered animatedly about Ye Jingyu, their words laced more with confusion than gossip: why had the Duke of Ye suddenly vanished?

Meanwhile, beneath the old scholar tree, the fortune-telling elder sat quietly, utterly undisturbed by the voices of the girls around him. Standing beside him was a handsome, youthful man—Zhuge Yishi, recently granted the title Marquis Wending.

“Grandfather, he has already left Yunjing City. Is there truly no way you can find to save him?” Ignoring the nearby girls, Zhuge Yishi spoke in a hushed tone to the elder before him.

“There is no way. This is his trial to endure; it is up to him how he resolves it.” The elder’s face remained placid, as if he hadn't truly heard a word Zhuge Yishi spoke.

“Grandfather…” Zhuge Yishi grew anxious.

“Neither you nor I can stop this matter. You should return obediently and await the imminent start of the Douhun Great War. Perhaps he will be fine, and you will meet your sister then,” the elder sighed softly.

Hearing this, Zhuge Yishi’s refined features flickered with helplessness. Perhaps all he could do now was wait…

Outside Yunjing City, five hundred kilometers away, two men and one woman walked slowly through a mountain forest. Trailing behind them was a strange beast, entirely black with horns protruding from its head. On the beast’s back lay a small creature, pure white and shaped like a ram.

This party was, naturally, Ye Jingyu, Liang Xiaoke, and his Blood Corpse.

Looking at Gongsun Lu, whose neck still bore faint kiss marks, Ye Jingyu sighed heavily. “Aiya, Brother, can’t you just settle down for a bit? We haven't been gone long, and you’re already losing control?”

“Heh heh, what do you know? This is what they call seizing joy when fortune smiles upon you. Moreover, every time I unite with her, the Azure Wood Qi within her body flows continuously into mine, merging with my Death Qi and greatly increasing my power. Why wouldn’t I indulge in something that brings both pleasure and a boost in strength?” Liang Xiaoke wore a triumphant smile. Although intimate relations with his Blood Corpse lacked some conventional passion, Gongsun Lu possessed the Azure Dragon power. Driven by this power, the Azure Wood Qi within her was nearly inexhaustible. Not only did her skin show no signs of decay, but it was becoming smoother and more supple than that of ordinary women—how could Liang Xiaoke not be delighted?

“Sigh…” Ye Jingyu exhaled deeply.

It was at that moment that an immensely vast aura began rapidly approaching them. The expressions on both Ye Jingyu’s and Liang Xiaoke’s faces changed instantly.

“How can his speed be this fast?” Liang Xiaoke exclaimed in shock.

“It seems his strength is at least at the Heavenly Martial God level. Brother, we are about to face a real fight,” Ye Jingyu said calmly, raising an eyebrow.

“Heh heh… a fight, a real fight,” Liang Xiaoke cackled, two fangs protruding from the corners of his mouth. His face held no trace of fear, only excitement, as if what approached was not a battle for life or death, but a mere skirmish.

Ye Jingyu also looked up at the sky. Without the need to exert any imposing aura, he felt a divine sense lock onto him firmly. Immediately after, he saw a figure cloaked in red rapidly approaching, arriving before them within mere breaths.

With a rather pale face and sunken eyes, this man was far uglier than Fang Jiuyou they had previously encountered. If Liang Xiaoke stood next to him, people would mistake the newcomer for the actual zombie. Coupled with his blood-red robes, the man exuded a chilling aura.

And he seemed to revel in this coldness, his gaze toward Ye Jingyu and the others dripping with sinister intent.

However, the moment this man appeared, both Ye Jingyu and Liang Xiaoke’s spirits heightened to their absolute peak. They understood that this man before them would be the strongest opponent they had ever faced, and they hadn't even managed to lay any traps beforehand. At this level, any further scheming would only hasten their demise. This was the true meaning behind Ye Jingyu’s talk of a real battle—a fight between life and death.

Fang Zhuguo also stared at Ye Jingyu and Liang Xiaoke, even casting a glance at Gongsun Lu beside Liang Xiaoke. Although his eyes were cold, there was no hint of killing intent, as if he hadn't come specifically to hunt Ye Jingyu.

A brief silence descended upon the scene. The three stood still, yet the surrounding trees could not withstand the immense pressure emanating from them, beginning to splinter. Even the solid rocks strained under this invisible energy.

“Pfft…” After a few breaths, Ye Jingyu and Liang Xiaoke both staggered back a step, spitting out mouthfuls of blood, having clearly been injured in this silent contest of wills.

“Heh heh, an unexpected sight, truly unexpected. In this place devoid of profound cultivation techniques or supreme spirit elixirs, without any external influence, you have reached this level. It is truly surprising. But what surprises me even more is finding a zombie here, and one that commands a Blood Corpse as a servant. Truly unexpected. You… you know Daoist arts, don’t you?” Fang Zhuguo suddenly spoke, his gaze fixed on Liang Xiaoke.

Upon hearing the words ‘Daoist arts,’ Ye Jingyu and the other exchanged a look filled with shock. It seemed they had not only mastered advanced genetic technology but had genuinely grasped Daoist traditions passed down from antiquity…