Once Yan Fang became serious, Zhou Qin lost any chance or hope of victory; after all, sometimes the gap in sheer power cannot be bridged simply by fighting desperately. This cultivator from the Ling Palace Sect was once hailed as the most outstanding female cultivator in the cultivation world in the last hundred years, achieving Foundation Establishment at twelve and reaching the Yang God realm by fourteen.

Her innate talent was the stuff of legend throughout the cultivation world at the time. She and Wang Yuanshan were once considered the most enviable divine couple in the cultivation world, destined to be Dao partners, a harmonious dragon and phoenix union.

The name Yan Fang of the Ling Palace Sect was unparalleled back then, subtly regarded as the future foremost female cultivator in the realm! But no one could have anticipated that Wang Yuanshan would eventually meet Ao Wushuang.

From that moment, the Ling Palace Sect fractured, Wang Yuanshan vanished without a trace, and Yan Fang went into hiding under a false identity for nine years to seek revenge, causing the great renown she once held to gradually fade from memory. At this moment, this former prodigy was intently observing the young woman before her, who had only been cultivating for a month, her eyes filled with shock and hostility.

In Yan Fang’s estimation, although Zi Yuan’s talent was not inferior to her own, Zi Yuan was detached, indifferent to worldly affairs, seeking only immortality. While her future cultivation potential was limitless, she was, after all, her junior martial niece and unlikely to deal a mortal blow against her, thus not posing a significant threat.

Although Li Yundong was a heaven-blessed genius, he alone would surely be unable to sustain their cause; with her striking from the shadows, it would be difficult for him to restore the Fox Zen Sect to prominence. However, Yan Fang had utterly failed to anticipate Zhou Qin’s sudden emergence, whose talent and aptitude in cultivation and combat techniques were utterly stunning!

Most terrifyingly, this girl was the daughter of a powerful magnate, a descendant of high officials! Once she truly matured, with her background and power, she was destined to become a figure to be feared in the cultivation world!

When the strength of cultivation merges with imperial authority, the resulting force is beyond anyone’s imagination! Yan Fang regarded Zhou Qin with a serious and somber gaze, speaking slowly, “Zhou Qin, aside from Zi Yuan, you are the most exceptionally talented female cultivator I have ever seen.

Normally, with the current decline of the cultivation world, the appearance of talent like yours should be a great fortune for our community, but…” Yan Fang took a deep breath, sighing slightly, “But it is a pity… that I must personally kill you! Because you aid the villain!” Zhou Qin sneered, “Do you think you are the only righteous person in this world, and everyone else is evil?

By what right do you assume your actions are correct?” Yan Fang snorted coldly, “I will not waste breath arguing with you. Say whatever final words you have quickly!” Facing such a formidable opponent for the first time, Zhou Qin showed no panic; instead, she stood tall and graceful, gazing at Yan Fang with composure.

Holding the Fire God Whip in one hand and the Scorching Moon in the other, she declared proudly, “Bring whatever you have!” Yan Fang scoffed, “Hmph, do you imagine I would give you a chance to get close? I tell you, at your current level of cultivation, a hundred of you wouldn’t be a match for me!” As her voice faded, a faint, elegant, and ethereal voice drifted from the dense night: “What if you count me?” Hearing that voice, a sharp gleam flashed in Yan Fang’s eyes: “Zi Yuan?” She turned, and indeed, a woman in white robes slowly emerged from the shadows of the night.

The woman wore a long dress, her dark hair piled up like clouds, her figure ethereal as an immortal—it was Zi Yuan. Yan Fang’s voice carried an intimidating chill as she spoke coldly, “Zi Yuan, you are truly determined to oppose me?

Have you ever considered what Senior Brother would think if he knew what you have done?” Zi Yuan looked at Yan Fang with complex emotions, sighing softly, “Martial Aunt, as the saying goes, it is better to reconcile enemies than to make them; I suggest you let this go.” Yan Fang threw her head back and laughed loudly, “More nonsense! You are good in every way, Zi Yuan, just too hesitant!

I tell you, Zi Yuan, the day I expose the grand conspiracy of the Fox Zen Sect, you will know whether I am right or wrong!” Zi Yuan’s face darkened like still water, “Martial Aunt, whether it is a conspiracy is beside the point for now, but what has Zhou Qin done to make you so intent on killing her outright?” Yan Fang spoke sharply, “This woman blurs the lines between right and wrong, good and evil, aiding a villain; she deserves to be struck down by all!” Zi Yuan asked calmly, “Martial Aunt, who exactly is ‘all’? Who is this villain she aids?

And how exactly has she aided him? If you have concrete evidence, I ask that you present it, and I promise not to shield her unfairly!” Yan Fang sneered, “To be a wolf’s accomplice is a grave evil; why would such a thing require concrete evidence!” Zi Yuan sighed softly, “Martial Aunt, this is where you are wrong.

We who cultivate must speak and act with reason. As the saying goes, reason will carry you across the world, but unreason will stop you dead in your tracks.

Martial Aunt, though you are my senior relative in the sect, I must beg your pardon for this lack of courtesy: you cannot touch a single hair on Zhou Qin’s head!” Yan Fang burst into angry laughter, “Good, good, good! I have long wanted to test your skills, Zi Yuan!

I wonder if your techniques have improved! However, to speak arrogantly, I know your divine powers inside and out.

But do you know what divine techniques I have cultivated over these nine years?” Zi Yuan stated calmly, “Earlier, Martial Aunt used the Six Jia Spirit Invocation Talisman to summon a deity to descend. This high-level talisman is clearly a skill of the Maoshan Sect.

I surmise that Martial Aunt’s mastery now encompasses the fundamental tenets of both the Orthodox Unity and Maoshan schools, the two great Daoist sects of the South and North. Even without the Six Harmonies Sword in hand, you are already considered a great cultivator.” Yan Fang snorted, “It’s good that you know.

Do you really think that just because you are here to help, I have no way to deal with you?” Zi Yuan suddenly smiled, “Martial Aunt, do you know why I appeared here?” Yan Fang’s brow furrowed slightly, her gaze sharpening, and she said coldly, “Could this be the arrangement of that brat Li Yundong?” Zi Yuan looked at the Six Harmonies Sword still locked in battle with the two Heavenly Soldiers, and smiled slightly, “Martial Aunt, you have fallen for Li Yundong’s scheme of beating the grass to startle the snake and draw the hidden snake out. The reason he gave the Six Harmonies Sword to Zhou Qin was twofold: first, as self-defense, and second, to lure you out!” Upon hearing this, Yan Fang did not grow angry but instead laughed heartily, “What a fine scheme of beating the grass to startle the snake and draw the hidden snake out!

To use his own primary disciple as bait, that Master certainly lives up to his title!” Seeing Yan Fang attempting to sow discord, Zhou Qin snorted coldly and said, “Master explained this to me long ago. Do you think I didn't know this was dangerous?

Hmph, with a thorn like you lingering by his side, Master cannot rest easy day or night. If only I could remove this thorn, let alone risk my life, I would charge through mountains of knives and seas of fire!” Yan Fang looked at Zhou Qin, momentarily moved.

In that instant, she seemed to see her former self—that infatuated woman willing to risk everything for the one she loved! Yan Fang’s heart churned like an overturned spice jar, feeling both a touch of sympathy for Zhou Qin and a resonance of recalling past events.

Seeing Zhou Qin willing to sacrifice even her life for Li Yundong, attempting to sow discord now would only bring her shame. Understanding this, Yan Fang coldly snorted, abandoning any attempt to provoke further.

She sneered, “So what if I was drawn out by the scheme? What can you three possibly do to me?” Zi Yuan countered, “Martial Aunt, since we went to such painstaking lengths to set this elaborate trap to draw you out, do you truly believe we wouldn't have a foolproof plan?

My Daoist combat skills may not match yours, and even with Zhou Qin, we might still not be a match for you. But… why would you assume that Li Yundong would not appear for something this important?” Yan Fang’s face changed drastically, startled, “That little brat Li Yundong has also arrived?” As soon as she spoke, figures emerged from the dense night behind Zi Yuan, staring fiercely at Yan Fang—it was Li Yundong!

The moment Yan Fang saw Li Yundong, she felt a slight jolt, gritting her teeth, “This little brat really did come!” Zi Yuan wore an expression of absolute confidence, smiling faintly, “Martial Aunt, do you still have any chance of winning now?” Though furious, Yan Fang clearly knew that against Li Yundong alone, victory was fifty-fifty. But if Zi Yuan was added, and next to her was the reckless Zhou Qin, who constantly sought to trade lives with her, then she had absolutely no chance whatsoever!

Furthermore, Yan Fang had been lurking near Li Yundong these past few days, and she was acutely aware of his current cultivation strength! Not to mention anything else, during the opening ceremony for Di San Xian, Li Yundong’s single move, Divine Dragon Plays with Water, was enough to intimidate the True Man of Earth Fire, Zhang Ling.

When she watched from the balcony, even her scalp tingled with shock! The ordinary onlookers in the teahouse at the time couldn't recognize the depth of the technique, but Yan Fang could.

She knew how terrifying it was to achieve such a feat! Facing such a formidable opponent, her own morale waned even before the fight began!

As Yan Fang’s momentum faltered, Zhou Qin keenly noticed it and immediately pressed her attack with a fierce shout, “Yan Fang, hand over the Li Tian Pan Huang Bell and release Ao Wushuang, or today will be your death day!” Yan Fang laughed angrily, “You novice who has barely started cultivating dare to order me around?” She then turned her face towards Zi Yuan, coldly sneering, “Zi Yuan, Zi Yuan, do you really think your little scheme of beating the grass to startle the snake and draw the hidden snake out is so clever?” Zi Yuan replied, “Not brilliant, but effective enough!” Yan Fang sneered, “Do you think I couldn’t see through your petty trick? Handing the Six Harmonies Sword to an un-Foundation-Established brat, and right in front of me!

Did you think I wouldn't see Li Yundong’s game?” Zi Yuan smiled slightly, “Even so, Martial Aunt, you still showed yourself, didn't you? The Six Harmonies Sword is too important to you; even knowing it was a trap, you couldn't resist jumping in!” Yan Fang roared with laughter, “So what if I showed myself?

The world is vast; I come and go as I please, who can stop me! Moreover, if you can use the scheme of beating the grass to startle the snake, can I not turn your plan back on you and employ a stratagem of luring the tiger out of the mountain and feinting the east while attacking the west?” Zi Yuan’s expression changed, “Martial Aunt, what do you mean by that?” Yan Fang smiled triumphantly, “Zi Yuan, you understand nothing!

Compared to the Six Harmonies Sword, Cao Kefei’s life is far more important to me! I can forgo the sword, but she must die!” Zi Yuan couldn't help but show slight anger, “Martial Aunt, Cao Kefei is merely a mortal in the secular world.

Why do you repeatedly target her?” Yan Fang mocked, “A secular mortal? Have you ever seen a secular mortal possessing only one soul and three po spirits?

As far as I know, the grand conspiracy of the Fox Zen Sect is intrinsically linked to Cao Kefei! Hmph, my purpose in coming today to seize the Six Harmonies Sword was not for the sword itself, but to draw you all away from Cao Kefei so I can strike!” Zi Yuan countered, “Martial Aunt, even if you manage to lure us away, we can fly back with you.

At best, we arrive at the same time; how then will you strike?” Yan Fang laughed heartily, “Zi Yuan, you just witnessed me using Maoshan Sect talismanic arts. You have read the classics of cultivation since you were thirteen; surely you know of a spell in the Maoshan talismanic arts called ‘Shrinking the Earth to an Inch’?” With that, Yan Fang swiftly pulled a talisman from her sleeve.

With a sharp shout, she formed a hand seal, and the talisman instantly ignited, emitting a blinding flash of yellow light. The light was so intense that Zhou Qin instinctively shielded her eyes, closing them tightly.

When the yellow light vanished, she opened her eyes only to find the space before her empty; even the two Six Jia Heavenly Soldiers summoned by Yan Fang were gone. Zhou Qin cried out in alarm, “This is bad, Yan Fang has escaped!”