"Do you think it's possible?" Ouyang Ye countered.
"I..." Mu Anxiao uttered, before Xiao Yi suddenly appeared and thrust his sword deep into her body. The tearing of flesh hit her with a jolt, a sensation she had experienced countless times before. She had encountered many who sought to end her life with a strike from behind, but Xiao Yi's sudden betrayal was rare. With an incredulous expression, she slowly looked down at the sword lodged within her, feigning composure. "Ouyang Ye, this is the result you wished to see." Her gaze, already losing focus, lifted to meet Ouyang Ye's.
Ouyang Ye frowned, looking down at Xiao Yi, who had delivered the blow to Mu Anxiao. "You're seeking death," he said coldly.
"Master," Xiao Yi exclaimed in shock. As he swiftly withdrew the sword, blood gushed out. Mu Anxiao staggered, her feet losing purchase, and she stumbled back several steps. "I am ridding the world of evil," she continued.
"She is my woman, you..."
"Master, Xiao Yi was wrong," Xiao Yi lowered his head.
Ouyang Ye was left speechless. Unwilling to strike the killing blow, he turned to Mu Anxiao, who was clutching her abdomen. "Let me help you," he said, stepping forward. Just then, Feng Qishi descended from the sky, blocking his path. "You're alright?" Ouyang Ye exclaimed.
"Ouyang Ye, this is between you and me. I hope you do not involve Mu Anxiao," Feng Qishi said, placing one hand behind his back and offering Mu Anxiao a pill.
Mu Anxiao, seeing the hemostatic pill Feng Qishi had prepared, didn't hesitate. She leaned forward, caught it, and popped it into her mouth. "I'm fine," she said sincerely.
Feng Qishi retracted his hand upon hearing her.
Moments later, with the bleeding under control, Mu Anxiao began to secretly use her healing arts.
Meanwhile, Ouyang Ye, completely oblivious to Mu Anxiao's condition, sneered. "This Heavenly Realm will soon be mine. You will die too. For now, I shall kill you." With that, he gestured, conjuring a great saber.
"Very well, I shall see if you can kill me," Feng Qishi replied. To avoid harming Mu Anxiao, he turned and flew away.
Ouyang Ye, paying no mind to Mu Anxiao, pursued Feng Qishi.
Subsequently, Mu Anxiao removed her hand from her abdomen and looked at Xiao Yi, who was glaring at her, without speaking.
"Master doesn't have you in his heart at all," Xiao Yi stated.
Mu Anxiao chuckled softly. "The Wolf Demon doesn't have you in his heart either."
"You..."
"This sword really hurt," Mu Anxiao interrupted, her gaze hardening. She raised her Soul Sword and pointed it at Xiao Yi. "Tell me, what if I kill you?"
"You wouldn't dare."
"Perhaps I wouldn't have before, but I value my life. Do you think..."
"Mu Anxiao, her life is mine to decide," Mo Juan suddenly interjected.
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao frowned and looked directly at Mo Juan, who had appeared beside Xiao Yi. "What do you want?" she asked.
"Nothing much. You go save them," Mo Juan said, grabbing Xiao Yi's arm.
Seeing this, and recalling Mo Juan's help, Mu Anxiao said no more and turned to run towards the crowd.
After Mu Anxiao left, Xiao Yi looked at Mo Juan. "You intend to..."
"You know far too much. And, as I said, I detest betrayal. If not for your appearance, Ye would never have overlooked me. You," Mo Juan's eyes glowed red, "go die!" With that, she released her grip, and Xiao Yi collapsed.
The next second, Xiao Yi screamed... and vanished into nothingness.
After nearly an hour of fighting, Mu Anxiao and her companions successfully broke through the encirclement, finally reaching the forbidden forest with Mo Juan's assistance.
When they had first arrived, Mu Anxiao had nearly drowned because of Mo Juan. For that reason, she had resented Mo Juan the most. Unexpectedly, as they were leaving, Mo Juan had become their rear guard. Looking at Mo Juan now, Mu Anxiao felt only gratitude. "After you return, Ouyang Ye..."
"You promised me you wouldn't harm any of the demons here," Mo Juan stated calmly.
Indeed, the swift conclusion of this 'battle' was entirely due to Mo Juan's 'efforts'. Mu Anxiao had initially decided to bring the sinful demons back with them. However, given the immense distance and the certainty of being recaptured by Ouyang Ye if they were brought along, she had decided to end the conflict immediately to escape before Ouyang Ye's return. To her surprise, the demons' combat prowess exceeded her imagination. Just as they were at a loss for what to do, Mo Juan appeared and helped stabilize the situation with the demons.
Although the golden opportunity had vanished, ensuring the safe retreat of these immortals was a good outcome. Therefore, with a sense of contentment, she nodded and promised, "Certainly."
"Alright, you may leave now."
"Mm, thank you," Mu Anxiao replied. She glanced at the injured Wolf Demon and the others, then took the lead.
The Wolf Demon and the others ignored Mo Juan and followed Mu Anxiao.
Mo Juan watched them depart, panting lightly. The moment she turned around, she froze. "Yuan Xian..." she exclaimed in shock.
"How have you and Ouyang Ye been?" Yuan Xian asked, walking up to Mo Juan with Shi Yi.
Mo Juan lowered her eyes slightly. "Kill me or flay me..."
"You know I don't kill people, Mo Juan. I took pity on you and brought you to the Heavenly Realm, intending to cultivate you as a flower immortal. Who knew you would fixate on Ouyang Ye? If not for your constant instigation, he likely wouldn't have harbored such ambition. Do you," Yuan Xian's gaze was cold, "know you were wrong?"
"Yuan..."
"Do you know you were wrong?" Yuan Xian repeated.
Mo Juan lowered her head. "I was wrong."
"To know error and correct it is the greatest good," Yuan Xian said. With a gentle wave of her hand, Mo Juan reverted to her original form, floating above Yuan Xian's palm.
Shi Yi looked on in surprise. "What flower is this?"
"Jasmine," Yuan Xian said. She glanced in the direction Mu Anxiao and the others had gone and murmured, "Have those immortals all left?"
"They have."
"And the heavenly soldiers followed Zhang Yan to that side?" Yuan Xian glanced at Shi Yi.
Shi Yi: "Yes. But speaking of which," he said, frowning slightly, "why didn't you let me meet Mu Anxiao?"
"This has nothing to do with you. Let's go," Yuan Xian said, walking forward.
Shi Yi pursed his lips and followed Yuan Xian.
Shortly thereafter, Yue Ci, along with You Xian and the remaining immortals, bid Mu Anxiao a temporary farewell and entered the cave. In contrast, the Wolf Demon, Jiong Ye, and the Vine Demon remained in place, watching Mu Anxiao as she turned away, their brows furrowed in hesitation.