In the Southern Region, within the Sheng Yue Sect.
On a vast mountaintop, over a dozen female disciples were bound and kneeling to the side. Before them, tied to a stone pillar, was a middle-aged woman with a pale complexion. If Li Xuan were present, he would have immediately recognized her as Mo Ningxiang, the master of Yue Fuyuan.
"Sister, oh sister, you truly refuse to hand over the Sect Master's token?" A middle-aged woman walked slowly towards Mo Ningxiang, her left hand lightly pressing down on the wound on Mo Ningxiang's shoulder as she spoke with icy coldness.
"Dream on!" Despite the excruciating pain from the wound, Mo Ningxiang merely frowned before looking at Xiao Keran and saying coldly.
Hearing this, Xiao Keran smiled slightly and shifted her gaze to the dozen female disciples below. "Sister, these are all disciples you've nurtured for years. I'd like to see if your mouth remains as hard as it is now if they all die before your eyes."
"Kill them," Xiao Keran said, her gaze hardening as she looked directly at Zhuang Qinggao beside her.
"Yes, Mother," Zhuang Qinggao replied, a trace of cruelty flashing across his face. He then walked directly to a female disciple and plunged his sword into her.
"Master, I... I go first..." The woman's face held no resentment. After bowing to Mo Ningxiang, her body slowly slumped.
"Stop!" Mo Ningxiang's expression was on the verge of collapse. Tears of regret streamed down her face.
"Sister, are you still unwilling to hand it over?" Xiao Keran sneered.
"I... I'll give it to you!" Mo Ningxiang looked at the female disciples below, her eyes finally closing in resignation as she slowly nodded.
"Master, no!" As Mo Ningxiang's words fell, a female disciple kneeling below cried out loudly, "I've already sent a message to Senior Sister and Fuyuan Junior Sister. They will definitely avenge us!"
Upon hearing this, Mo Ningxiang's eyes snapped open, but her face was filled with worry. It was evident that Mo Ningxiang was concerned for the safety of Yue Caixuan and Yue Fuyuan.
"With just those two young girls, you expect them to avenge you?" Xiao Keran scoffed. As the Great Elder of the Sheng Yue Sect, Xiao Keran was naturally familiar with Yue Fuyuan and Yue Caixuan. With their current strength, Xiao Keran harbored no fear.
"Junior Sister Fuyuan is with Young Master Li Xuan. As soon as Junior Sister Fuyuan learns of the sect's upheaval, she will surely return. Young Master Li Xuan will definitely avenge us!" the previous woman struggled to shout.
Mo Ningxiang's expression eased slightly. In her panic, she had forgotten about Li Xuan's existence. With Li Xuan's strength, how could the current Xiao Keran harm Yue Fuyuan and Yue Caixuan?
"Mother, this Li Xuan is only at the initial stage of the Martial Emperor realm. Although he could kill two heavenly prodigies at the advanced Martial God realm, they were only recently promoted to advanced Martial God realm. With your strength, capturing Li Xuan would be a piece of cake! Oh, right Mother, Li Xuan received many rewards for topping the list, including a Heavenly-grade spirit weapon!" Zhuang Qinggao said from the side.
"Fighting beyond one's level, this child's combat power is likely not as superficial as his initial Martial Emperor realm. However, if that's all, it's probably not enough," Xiao Keran nodded slightly, understanding Zhuang Qinggao's words. Her son was not only infatuated with Yue Fuyuan but also coveted Li Xuan's Heavenly-grade spirit weapon.
Mo Ningxiang also showed a hint of worry. Although Li Xuan's combat power was not weak, her senior sister before her was at the peak of the Martial God realm. Otherwise, how could Mo Ningxiang have been suppressed in a single move? Although Mo Ningxiang did not know how her senior sister had reached this level, her strength was undeniable.
As for the yellow-clad woman behind Li Xuan, despite her immense power, she couldn't possibly be by Li Xuan's side at all times. If Li Xuan were killed, not only would Xiao Keran die, but the Sheng Yue Sect might also be implicated.
"Senior Sister, I advise you not to make an enemy of Young Master Li Xuan. Otherwise, even your husband's family will find it difficult to bear the consequences!" Mo Ningxiang said.
Xiao Keran sneered, "Sister, oh sister, you truly underestimate our Zhuang family!"
Zhuang Qinggao thought for a moment and stepped forward. "Mother, the person behind Li Xuan seems quite strong. Why don't we send a message to Father? As long as Father comes, even if the person behind Li Xuan appears, what can they do?"
"No need!" Xiao Keran shook her head slightly. "Although Li Xuan is extraordinary, Mother is not a pushover. To bring out your father before seeing the person behind him would make us appear timid, wouldn't it? Remember, never be timid when facing others in the future!"
"Mother's teachings are wise," Zhuang Qinggao nodded in agreement.
Xiao Keran nodded slightly, then turned her gaze to Mo Ningxiang and smiled. "Sister, oh sister, since you have found hope in your heart, Sister will be merciful this once. After your two precious disciples return, I will have them scout the path for you first. That way, you won't be lonely on your journey to the Yellow Springs."
Mo Ningxiang remained silent. How could Xiao Keran possibly contend with the power behind Li Xuan? Someone who could directly crush beings above the Saint realm. Mo Ningxiang certainly would not volunteer this information. The opportunity had already been given to Xiao Keran.
Soon, after half an hour, four figures rapidly shot from afar towards them. The newcomers were Li Xuan and his three companions.
Xiao Keran's heart stirred, but upon seeing that Li Xuan and Jian Chi were only at the peak of the Martial Emperor realm and the mid-stage Martial God realm respectively, the trace of tension in her eyes completely dissipated. Instead, the dozen female disciples below, upon seeing the four figures, had their eyes filled with hope.
"Master!"
Yue Caixuan and Yue Fuyuan, seeing Mo Ningxiang tied to the stone pillar, were both filled with anxiety and worry. Subconsciously, their gazes swept over Xiao Keran and Zhuang Qinggao before landing on Li Xuan.
"So it's you who's causing trouble behind the scenes." Li Xuan, seeing Zhuang Qinggao and Xiao Keran, understood that all this trouble was instigated by Zhuang Qinggao. Li Xuan did not take Zhuang Qinggao seriously; his mere initial Martial Emperor realm strength was like an ant.
"Peak Martial God realm, are you his mother?" Li Xuan looked at Xiao Keran for a moment before asking.
Xiao Keran looked at Li Xuan with some surprise. She had initially assumed the other man at the mid-stage Martial God realm was Li Xuan, but unexpectedly, all three of them had their gazes fixed on the man at the peak Martial Emperor realm. Furthermore, their gazes were as if looking towards their backbone, clearly indicating that the speaker was Li Xuan.
"I underestimated you. To think that a mere peak Martial Emperor realm cultivator could achieve the top rank on the Five Regions Heavenly Pride List. A formidable young man indeed," Xiao Keran said with a smile.
Jian Chi, however, shook his head slightly. Had Zhuang Qinggao not revealed any information? After all, Li Xuan was only at the initial Martial Emperor realm when he achieved the top rank on the Five Regions Heavenly Pride List.
"Auntie, I'll give you a chance. How about you leave with him?" Li Xuan shrugged his shoulders and pointed at Zhuang Qinggao.
"Give me a chance?" Xiao Keran couldn't help but burst into laughter. Has the world turned upside down? A mere spirit master at the peak Martial Emperor realm dared to offer a chance to a peak Martial God realm existence.
"Mother, I want him dead!" Upon seeing Li Xuan appear, Zhuang Qinggao's face was filled with murderous intent. Especially seeing Yue Fuyuan holding Li Xuan's hand at that moment, his heart burned with rage.
"Alright." Xiao Keran glanced at Zhuang Qinggao's expression and naturally discerned his feelings for Yue Fuyuan. After a moment of deliberation, she nodded in agreement. Moreover, Xiao Keran could also tell that Yue Fuyuan was still a virgin.
However, in the next moment, Xiao Keran's expression changed drastically. A spirit sword was pressed against her forehead.
Xiao Keran's eyes darted towards Li Xuan, filled with shock. When exactly had Li Xuan made his move!
Li Xuan shrugged his shoulders and slowly walked towards Xiao Keran.
"You refused the chance I gave you, so don't blame me."