On the road away from the sect.
"Uncle Chen, are you reluctant to part with your two students?"
Li Qiuyun couldn’t help but ask as she saw Chen Ye remained silent.
Chen Ye shook his head, "The path of cultivation often takes years or decades. What does one month count for?"
"That’s how it is in Uncle Chen’s eyes, but not in Qing Jun and their eyes... For children, every day is long."
Li Qiuyun recalled the teary-eyed looks of the two young girls and couldn’t help but sigh.
Just as the two were walking shoulder to shoulder towards the exit of the mountain gate, they encountered a familiar figure.
The person had a delicate appearance, but those peach blossom eyes slightly furrowed upon seeing Chen Ye beside Li Qiuyun, before changing to a warm smile.
"Junior Sister Li, Steward Chen, you’re heading to Moon Rhinoceros District? If not for Uncle Li telling me, I wouldn’t have known. Hence, I specially came to see you off."
Zhao Qing quickened his pace and approached.
His gaze lingered on Li Qiuyun for a moment before turning to Chen Ye, with a somewhat respectful tone.
"Senior Brother Zhao." Li Qiuyun nodded slightly as a return greeting, her tone still somewhat distant.
Her impression of this Senior Brother Zhao was never good, but her father thought highly of him.
"Taoist Friend Zhao, thank you."
Chen Ye responded with a smile, his expression calm.
How could he not see Zhao Qing’s little thoughts? It was nothing more than wanting to take this opportunity to have a few more words with Li Qiuyun.
Zhao Qing’s gaze shifted again to Li Qiuyun, his tone concerned, "Junior Sister Li, the road to Moon Rhinoceros Lake District is long. As a woman, escorting Steward Chen, you must be extra careful along the way. If you need anything, feel free to message me. I, as your senior brother, will surely..."
Before he could finish, Li Qiuyun slightly furrowed her brows and interrupted, "Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Zhao, but traveling with Uncle Chen, I am secure."
The sound of "Uncle Chen," made Zhao Qing feel more at ease.
His smile became even more sincere, "Steward Chen, with a disciple like Junior Sister Li, who is talented and outstanding, escorting you, I’m sure your journey will be safe and sound. However, Junior Sister Li is still young, with limited experience. If you encounter any difficulties on the road, you can always message me. I have some connections within the sect."
His words, on the surface, were concern for Chen Ye, but in fact, he was hinting to Li Qiuyun that he was more capable than this "Senior Chen."
Chen Ye just smiled faintly, not commenting.
Li Qiuyun was somewhat displeased; how could she not hear the subtle disdain in Zhao Qing’s words?
"Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Zhao,"
Li Qiuyun’s tone turned colder,
"If there’s nothing else, Uncle Chen and I will take our leave first."
Saying this, she tugged on Chen Ye’s sleeve and walked away quickly.
"Junior Sister Li..."
Zhao Qing opened his mouth, looking perplexed.
What was this about?
Junior Sister Li was always impartial, never showing dislike for fellow disciples.
Why today... did she ignore him and just walk away with Chen Ye?
Watching the two walk away side by side, especially Li Qiuyun’s obvious closeness to Chen Ye, a shadow passed through Zhao Qing’s eyes.
She must have been bewitched by Chen Ye; there’s no way Junior Sister Li could dislike him!
"Hmph, just an old man who happened to have some luck. Without Junior Sister Li, he wouldn’t even have the right to speak to me."
"Junior Sister Li is too naive, being deceived by such a person. When the day comes that I’m married to Junior Sister, I’ll make this old guy regret!"
...
Half an hour after Chen Ye’s departure.
Outside the Lingyin Sect, two cultivators quietly appeared.
"Taking action now is also good. I thought we had to wait two months, until he went to the Peach Mountain District to make a move."
The burly woman smirked, watching the figures of Chen Ye and his group disappear into the distance.
"Why didn’t he stay in his good Cave Heaven Blessed Land and went to Moon Rhinoceros Lake now... Truly doesn’t know what ’death’ means!"
The tall man sneered, but seemed a bit impatient,
"Sigh, we’re dragged along. Instead of staying in the spirit land, we must venture out to do murderous deeds."
The burly woman shook her head and said:
"Waiting a few more months, it might not be so easy to kill. Li Qiuyun is at the late-stage Qi Cultivation now, not our match, but once she learns Divine Sense, it’ll be harder to handle. Moreover... Chen Ye himself, his progress cannot be underestimated. A few days ago, he easily subdued a Qi Cultivation Fifth Layer disciple."
"What are you afraid of? You and I are both late-stage Qi Cultivation. Are you worried about that Spirit Plant Cultivator?"
The tall man laughed, the burly woman remained silent.
The two exchanged a few words, changed their clothes, and simultaneously used the Qi Concealment Technique, quietly following.
...
On the official road from Lingyin Sect to Guang’an County,
A spacious carriage ran swiftly and steadily on all four wheels.
The carriage was crafted from sturdy Spirit Wood, with faint runes flowing on its surface.
Inside, the furnishings were not luxurious, yet comfortable.
Soft beast skin cushions cushioned the jolts of the journey, and a small wooden table held a furnace burning Concentrating Spirit incense.
Chen Ye looked around the carriage, then gazed through the window at the rapidly retreating scenery. He couldn’t help but marvel, "Hmm? Taking a carriage?"
It always seemed odd for a cultivator to take a carriage...
"Uncle Chen, did you expect we’d be flying swords?"
Li Qiuyun covered her mouth, chuckling, her eyes curving in a smile.
She patiently explained:
"Even for a Foundation Establishment True Man, traveling alone, unless absolutely necessary, they rarely dare to fly swords for long durations. Firstly, wielding a flying sword at full strength consumes a lot of spiritual power. If caught by a strong enemy during travel, it could result in a precarious situation. Secondly, traveling via sword, soaring high, makes a too-obvious target, easily inviting unnecessary trouble. And thirdly,"
she blinked playfully, "being exposed to wind, sun, and rain is far less comfortable than this carriage."
Chen Ye laughed, indeed realizing the sense in it.
Li Qiuyun saw his expression and added:
"Of course, this carriage is not ordinary. Uncle Chen, look at the horse pulling it. It’s called the Red Cloud Steed. It carries a trace of the ancient beast Cloud-Stepping Qilin’s bloodline! It can run day and night for ten days, has spirituality, and knows directions without needing someone to drive it."
As the two were speaking, Chen Ye suddenly had a feeling in his heart.
Since his Divine Sense first formed, his five senses were much sharper than before.
At this moment, he could faintly sense a presence about a hundred zhang behind the carriage, following them neither fast nor slow.
"Qi Concealment Technique?"
Chen Ye’s Qi Concealment Technique was at Perfection, ordinary people’s Qi Concealment Techniques couldn’t hide from him at all.
He looked out the carriage window thoughtfully towards the official road behind them.
Was it aimed at them?
Or was it just a coincidence, as many cultivators used the Qi Concealment Technique in their daily lives?
Li Qiuyun noticed his sudden silence and sensed his unusual demeanor, so she couldn’t help but ask, "Uncle Chen, what’s wrong?"
Chen Ye slowly withdrew his gaze and said calmly, "Qiuyun, is this official road safe on regular days?"
Li Qiuyun didn’t suspect anything and replied:
"This official road connects Lingyin Sect and the major markets of Guang’an County. It has a lot of traveling merchants and cultivators, so it’s generally quite safe. Occasionally, there might be some Tribulation Cultivators causing trouble... or even cultivators from other sects."
"But don’t worry, Uncle Chen! Qiuyun is at the late-stage Qi Cultivation now, so protecting you is more than enough!"
Li Qiuyun just assumed Chen Ye, having long been cultivating Spirit Plants steadily, was worried about the outside world.
But generally speaking, it’s rare for Tribulation Cultivators to target a steward of the Lingyin Sect.
As for other sects, the likelihood is slim. Who would senselessly target Chen Ye?
Chen Ye, with his keen Divine Sense, detected a growing killing intent in the elusive presence behind them. He made a swift decision, his face darkening, and whispered to Li Qiuyun, "Qiuyun, be cautious! Someone is following us with ill intent!"
Li Qiuyun was startled upon hearing this. After all, having just entered the late-stage Qi Cultivation, her Divine Sense was not as keen as Chen Ye’s.
But hearing Chen Ye’s grave tone,
she immediately put away her earlier lightheartedness, her pretty face turned serious, and she grasped the hilt of her flying sword at her waist, glancing warily towards the rear of the carriage.
A cold laugh from a woman echoed from behind the carriage: "Junior of the Lingyin Sect, your senses are quite sharp!"
Before the voice even fell, a dark red whip shadow, like a venomous snake exiting its hole, tore through the air, carrying a bloody scent as it lashed fiercely at the back wall of the carriage!
"Bang!"
The back wall of the carriage exploded on impact, wood chips flying everywhere!
Li Qiuyun reacted swiftly, shouting fiercely, her flying sword already unsheathed. The blue sword light instantly formed a sword curtain, barely blocking that powerful whip strike.
"Clang!"
Sword and whip clashed, spiritual light scattering.
Li Qiuyun only felt a tremendous force coming through the sword, causing her arm to slightly numb, her heart secretly shocked.
Outside the carriage, the burly woman holding the dark red long whip stood firmly in the middle of the official road, the corner of her mouth lifting into a cruel smile: "Little girl, you’ve got some skills, to block my whip!"
"Who are you? Why do you commit this violence here?" Li Qiuyun shouted sternly, her flying sword held across her chest, shielding Chen Ye behind her.
"The one who will kill you!" The burly woman wasted no more words, shaking her long whip, which again transformed into a sky full of whip shadows, attacking Li Qiuyun densely and fiercely.
Li Qiuyun’s expression turned serious, her flying sword weaving tightly as she engaged the burly woman.
The whip shadows were fierce, the sword light was cold, and for a moment, they were evenly matched.
Chen Ye stood behind Li Qiuyun but did not immediately intervene in the battle.
Something wasn’t right...
If the opponent came prepared, there couldn’t be just one late-stage Qi Cultivator.
The burly woman’s strength matched Li Qiuyun’s, without comrades, it wasn’t enough to reliably ambush and kill the two of them.
This person showing up now was most likely just bait.
"Qiuyun, be careful of deception!" Chen Ye reminded in a low voice.
On hearing this, Li Qiuyun’s heart tightened, but her attacks became even fiercer.
As a disciple of Purple Cloud Peak, although her experience in magical battles wasn’t extensive, her swordsmanship was exquisite. Fully exerting it now, the sword light was dazzling, and she seemed to start suppressing the burly woman.
After several exchanges, Li Qiuyun seized a flaw.
Her flying sword suddenly accelerated, the blue light flashing, leaving a hideous bloodstain on the burly woman’s arm.
"Ugh ah!"
The burly woman grunted in pain, her assault momentarily halted.
Glancing at the wound on her arm, a flash of shock and anger appeared in her eyes.
"You little wench, you’re tough!" The burly woman seemed to have been injured, her aura slightly weakened.
She didn’t cling to the battle further, feigning an attack with her whip to drive Li Qiuyun back, then clutched her arm, turning to flee into the dense forest beside the road with a disgraced haste, still cursing angrily: "Today, I concede defeat! Just you wait!"
"Witch, don’t you run!"
Seeing the opponent wounded and retreating, and feeling herself holding the upper hand, it was a prime opportunity for Li Qiuyun to completely eliminate the threat.
How could she allow the opponent to escape so easily?
Moreover, her task this trip was to protect Chen Ye, and if she let this Tribulation Cultivator escape, it would undoubtedly become a future menace.
With a commanding shout, she controlled her flying sword and was about to pursue into the dense forest.
"Qiuyun, don’t chase a cornered foe!" Seeing her intention, Chen Ye quickly called out to stop her.
However, Li Qiuyun, focused solely on capturing the witch and confident in her own strength, did not heed Chen Ye’s advice at all.
She left with just one sentence: "Uncle Chen, wait here for a moment, Qiuyun will be right back! I must capture this witch to prevent future troubles!"
Before the words finished, her green figure had already shot into the forest like an arrow.
Chen Ye watched her disappearing figure, frowning deeply, musing internally:
"Well... I might as well lure the other and finish them off together. Qiuyun is in the nearby forest, and my flying sword can assist her anytime, so her safety should be assured!"
Just as Li Qiuyun’s figure completely disappeared into the forest, another tall figure unexpectedly emerged silently from the other side!