As Shen Xian had thought, Shi Yi’s hope lay with Mu Anxiao. Hearing Shen Xian speak thus, his impression of Shen Xian was renewed.
In that moment, the feeling of being unable to cultivate spiritual energy, despite his desire, vanished. Looking at Shen Xian, the corner of his mouth involuntarily curved upwards.
Seeing Shi Yi’s restored state, Shen Xian smiled faintly.
Shi Yi returned the smile, and together with Shen Xian, they shifted their gaze towards the group of Immortals.
The Mortal Realm.
Due to the influence of the demonic barrier, Mu Anxiao had not heard Zhang Yan’s voice. As for Mu Xi, she had anticipated that he would not easily believe her. At this moment, she looked at him calmly, saying nothing.
Mu Xi’s face contorted with loathing. “What did you do to her?” He glanced at Mu Xiang, who was lying unconscious in the corner.
Mu Anxiao replied, “Whether you believe me or not is your business; protecting her is mine.” As she spoke, she approached Mu Xi.
Mu Xi stood his ground, snorted coldly, and with a wave of his hand, conjured a wooden staff. “I don’t believe your lies.” He then raised the staff and swung it towards Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao, seeing the demonic energy emanating from the staff and then looking at the large saber in her hand, hesitated. With a surge of resolve, she swung the saber forward to meet the staff.
Thus, Mu Xi and Mu Anxiao began to fight.
Concerned that his demonic energy might affect Mu Xiang, Mu Xi deliberately avoided using any demonic arts and engaged in a purely physical fight with Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao had never used a saber before. Now, facing Mu Xi, she could only use the saber’s blade to parry his attacks, which led to her being in a constant state of evasion.
Ouyang Ye stood behind a chair, watching Mu Anxiao weave back and forth across the reception hall, deliberately dodging any contact with the demonic barrier. He smiled. “Surrender, Mu Anxiao.”
With a clash of saber and staff, Mu Anxiao shut out all other sounds. She retreated with one foot, gripping the saber handle tightly with both hands, forcefully resisting the staff. Her face contorted in a grimace as she looked at Mu Xi, who gritted his teeth, determined to eliminate her. Her hands trembled as she spoke, “Mu Xi, if you don’t believe me, that’s fine. But if you truly kill me,” she shifted her back foot slightly, “it will do you no good.”
“I don’t believe you,” Mu Xi snarled.
Mu Anxiao continued, “In my past life, Xin’er, even in her madness, still thought of you. In any case, I stand by my words. The woman you trust above… she killed her. If you don’t believe me, you will regret it.” As she spoke, she could no longer hold on. Her body faltered, and she fell to one knee.
Mu Xi’s staff followed her descent, lowering slightly.
Ouyang Ye watched Mu Anxiao and Mu Xi appear to tear each other apart, a smirk playing on his lips.
From the roof beam, Xi’er looked down at Mu Xi’s head and grinned. “Mu Xi, do you need my help?”
“No need,” Mu Xi replied, raising his staff and once again swinging it towards Mu Anxiao’s head.
Mu Anxiao, her strength gone, lowered her hands, dropped the saber to the ground, and tilted her head back to face Mu Xi, closing her eyes.
From the force of Mu Xi’s attack, Mu Anxiao sensed that he had held back. She thought that if the staff were to strike her head, she would retaliate. Conversely, if he paused, she could definitively believe he still possessed humanity and would then choose to protect him.
Outside the demonic barrier, Feng Qishi and Piao watched this scene, their eyes wide.
Ye Yu shouted, “Fight, fight, fight!”
At that moment, Mu Xi stopped his staff just above Mu Anxiao’s forehead. “You are telling the truth.”
Hearing Mu Xi’s words, Mu Anxiao suppressed her suppressed joy and slowly opened her eyes, looking at Mu Xi. “If you don’t believe me, then cooperate with me to break this demonic barrier. I will take you to see your tomb.”
Mu Xi’s eyes darkened.
Ouyang Ye, thinking Mu Xi would genuinely strike Mu Anxiao harshly, realized he had lost. He then looked up at Xi’er and instructed mentally, “Act.”
Upon hearing this, Xi’er nodded, gracefully jumped down from the roof beam, and in mid-air, thrust two fingers towards Mu Xi, unleashing a beam of red light.
Just then, Mu Anxiao reacted swiftly. With one hand grabbing the saber and the other pushing Mu Xi away, she stood up, raised the saber, and used demonic arts to block the red light.
The next second, after colliding with the saber blade twice, the red light returned along its path towards Xi’er.
Seeing this, Xi’er quickly flew towards Ouyang Ye.
Mu Anxiao then lowered the saber and looked at Ouyang Ye, who remained standing in place. “I’ve won.”
“You only win if you fight me,” Ouyang Ye said, raising his hand. The red light shot into his palm, while Xi’er hid behind him.
Mu Anxiao retorted, “You’re cheating.”
Ouyang Ye chuckled and looked at Mu Xi, who was sitting on the ground. “Useless,” he said.
Mu Xi frowned.
Mu Anxiao countered, “You have no right to insult him.”
“So, you think you do?” Ouyang Ye shifted his gaze from Mu Xi’s face to Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao glared at Ouyang Ye, took a step forward, and turned to Mu Xi, who was attempting to rise. “Go to Sister-in-law’s side,” she said, then turned back to stare directly at Ouyang Ye.
Ouyang Ye smiled.
Mu Xi seized the opportunity, stood up, and quickly walked towards Mu Xiang.
Feng Qishi and Piao breathed a sigh of relief.
Mu Anxiao then deliberately looked at Xi’er, who was trying to act stealthily, and said, “If you dare to move again, I will use demonic arts to completely eliminate you.”
Xi’er froze.
Ouyang Ye laughed. “You’re an Immortal, using demonic arts. At this point,” he said, “the heavens likely already know.”
“So what?” Mu Anxiao stated indifferently.
At the same time, Feng Qishi recalled the consequences for Immortals using demonic arts, and his eyes darkened.
Piao remarked, “If Mu Anxiao is banished, I can become her master.” He then smiled.
Feng Qishi glanced at Piao but said nothing.
Ouyang Ye, surprised by Mu Anxiao’s nonchalance, smiled. “It seems you are prepared for sacrifice.”
“Capturing you and her would be a meritorious deed. Perhaps,” Mu Anxiao said, “I might even get promoted because of you.”
“Using us,” Ouyang Ye raised an eyebrow.
Mu Anxiao retorted, “If you can use me, why can’t I use you? You’re thinking too highly of yourself.”
Ouyang Ye smiled.
Mu Anxiao rolled her eyes at Ouyang Ye and casually swung the saber. The next moment, the red light from the blade shot out and sliced down in front of Xi’er’s feet.
Xi’er stopped. “You ambushed me,” she said, looking at Mu Anxiao.
Mu Anxiao tightly gripped the saber handle and sneered, “I didn’t expect this wretched saber to become more and more familiar to use.”
“Is that so?” Ouyang Ye said. Glancing at Xi’er, he walked around the chair and in front of Mu Anxiao. “This is the token of my affection I give you.”
Upon hearing this, the smile in Mu Anxiao’s eyes instantly vanished. She then coldly said, “Disgusting,” and threw the saber to the ground.
“I like that you’re not afraid of death,” Ouyang Ye said. He then turned to Xi’er, who was attempting to step over the red light. “Alright, I’ve told you, when you follow me, you must let go of grudges. From now on, you should understand what you need to do.”
Xi’er heard this, stopped her actions, turned to Ouyang Ye, and her eyes darkened. “But I…”
“In the past, all your cultivation was wasted because of him. I don’t want you to waste even a sliver of demonic energy because of him again,” Ouyang Ye interrupted.
Mu Anxiao was stunned by Ouyang Ye’s words.
Subsequently, Xi’er withdrew her words, conjured pebbles with a wave of her hand, and threw them forcefully towards the demonic barrier.
Mu Anxiao witnessed this scene clearly, but just as she was about to stop her, Ouyang Ye suddenly embraced her.
Thus, she was held firmly in place.
At the demonic barrier, the red light dispersed, and the roars of monsters echoed. Feng Qishi and Piao exchanged glances, and Feng Qishi quickly turned to Ye Yu, who was standing behind him. “Let go, run quickly.”
Ye Yu was stunned.
Sensing the gravity of the situation and seeing Ye Yu’s terrified expression, Feng Qishi grew anxious. He immediately shook off Ye Yu’s hand, stepped forward, grabbed Ye Yu’s arm, and said, “Come with me.”
Piao heard this, glanced at Feng Qishi, conjured an axe with a wave of his hand, and said, “Go ahead.”
“You hold them off first,” Feng Qishi said. He forcibly pulled Ye Yu to the door, opened it, and led him out. Looking down the steps at the fleeing people, he shouted, “Stop!”
Hearing his voice, the people immediately halted and shifted their gaze towards Feng Qishi.
Seeing that they had stopped, Feng Qishi quickly said, “Can anyone help take him away?” He pointed at Ye Yu, who was trembling nearby.
Ye Yu cried out.
The sounds of monsters echoed from the reception hall once more.
Subsequently, none of the people responded and instead began to run towards the main entrance.
Feng Qishi knew that everyone valued their lives and no longer pressed them. He turned to Ye Yu, who was still crying out, and shouted, “Be quiet.”
Hearing him, Ye Yu stopped speaking.
Feng Qishi asked, “Can you run?”
Ye Yu shook his head.
Feng Qishi frowned. “Then what can you do? You can play hide-and-seek, right?”
Ye Yu giggled foolishly.
In the tree.
Mu Xiang sat beside Wan Sha, looking down calmly at Ye Yu, who was being led around by Ye Yu, without speaking.
Wan Sha shifted her gaze to Ye Yu’s face. “A simpleton,” she said.
Mu Xiang glanced at Wan Sha but said nothing.
Wan Sha continued, “If I save him, will you be angry?” She looked at Mu Xiang.
Mu Xiang looked bewildered. “Why would I be angry?”
“You are permitting me to save him,” Wan Sha smiled.
Mu Xiang averted her gaze.
Wan Sha smiled and was about to get up and jump down when suddenly a black shadow flashed down from the sky. Yuan Yan then appeared in front of Feng Qishi. “I told you I would find you at night,” he said, crossing his arms.
Yuan Yan had previously said he would find Feng Qishi at night. Unfortunately, Feng Qishi had forgotten about this matter, but seeing Yuan Yan now was a glimmer of hope for Feng Qishi.
“Did you hear?” he said inexplicably.
Yuan Yan frowned. “What?”
Feng Qishi tilted his face, and the sound of monsters suddenly came from inside.
Hearing the sound, Yuan Yan froze. “It’s a monster.”
“Yes, I need to deal with them now. It’s troublesome,” Feng Qishi said, glancing at Ye Yu, who was smiling foolishly at Yuan Yan. “Please protect him.”
“I can’t protect him,” Yuan Yan refused outright.
Feng Qishi’s expression turned unfriendly.
Seeing Feng Qishi’s displeasure, Yuan Yan quickly explained, “I am a lone spirit, I can’t do anything to him. He…” He glanced at Ye Yu. “…is also a fool, how can I protect him?”
Feng Qishi felt Yuan Yan’s words made sense and nodded, remaining silent.
Yuan Yan continued, “You protect him, that’s enough.” He peered inside the reception hall and began to cast a spell, seeing Piao. “Isn’t there someone?”
Mu Anxiao was inside, and Feng Qishi could not stand by idly. Hearing Yuan Yan’s words, he became displeased. “Stop talking nonsense. Come find me later, I’ll figure something out myself.”
“Then I’ll come later,” Yuan Yan said helplessly.
Feng Qishi nodded.
Yuan Yan glanced at Ye Yu with disdain, turned, and left as a black light.
In the tree, Mu Xiang frowned as she watched Wan Sha’s back as she was about to jump down. “Why does he have demonic arts? Why don’t you?”
“I can now,” Wan Sha said.
“You can?”
Wan Sha turned to Mu Xiang. “That guy has already broken that layer of spell. I can now.” After speaking, she jumped down.
Mu Xiang froze and looked down at the distance between herself and the ground. She recalled how she had climbed up and decided not to go down.
Over there, after Yuan Yan left, Feng Qishi sighed and turned to Ye Yu. Just as he was about to speak, Wan Sha arrived in front of him. “Isn’t there me?” she said, looking at Ye Yu.
Ye Yu looked at Wan Sha and pouted.
Seeing this, Wan Sha frowned. “What do you mean? Am I that terrifying?” She pointed at Ye Yu.
Upon seeing this, Ye Yu smiled again.
Wan Sha said with disdain, “Truly a fool.” She then looked at Feng Qishi, who was scrutinizing her. “Don’t look at me like that. I’m helping you protect him, and you’re still unhappy.”
“She is Mu Xiang’s fiancé, and you are Mu Xiang’s partner. You don’t want to…” Feng Qishi became more cautious. “…help Mu Xiang get rid of him, do you?”
Wan Sha smiled.
Feng Qishi squinted. “It seems I’ve guessed correctly.”
Wan Sha’s expression turned serious. “I don’t have that much idle time. Only I can help you now. I advise you not to offend me.” She gestured twice at Feng Qishi.
Feng Qishi frowned. “I don’t believe you don’t want anything in return.”
“Of course, I do. Just put in a good word for me with Mu Anxiao,” she raised an eyebrow.
“That’s it.”
“Yes, that’s it,” Wan Sha nodded.
No good deed goes unrewarded.
After hearing Wan Sha say this, Feng Qishi felt relieved. “Alright, I’ll listen to you. Protect him well.”
“No problem,” Wan Sha said, reaching out her hand towards Ye Yu. “Come, follow me.” She looked at Ye Yu.
As Ye Yu saw Wan Sha extend her hand towards him, he showed a similar expression of disdain. “I won’t. Mother said all women are bad.”
“Women…” Wan Sha continued to extend her hand. “Is your mother a man?”
“A woman.”
“Your mother is also a woman. So, is your mother a good person or a bad person?”
Ye Yu fell into thought.
Seizing the moment, Wan Sha stepped forward, grabbed Ye Yu’s arm, and asked, “Tell me, is your wife a good person or a bad person?”
However, upon hearing the word “wife,” Ye Yu stopped thinking. He lowered his head and met Wan Sha’s eyes. “Of course, she’s a good person.”
“I’ll take you to find your wife.”
“Really?”
“Really,” Wan Sha affirmed.
Hearing this, Ye Yu smiled, glanced at Feng Qishi, and left with Wan Sha.
Feng Qishi watched Wan Sha lead Ye Yu away, sighed in relief, and turned to enter the reception hall.