"If something goes wrong, you really can't afford to take responsibility," Xi'er said, shifting her gaze to Mu Anxiao's face.
"I can," Mu Anxiao declared firmly.
Xi'er let out a cold laugh, and before she could mock Mu Anxiao, Ouyang Ye spoke first, "Xi'er, go ahead."
"Master..." Xi'er looked to Ouyang Ye again.
Ouyang Ye nodded slightly, "Go, you must fulfill the promise I made to her."
Hearing Ouyang Ye's words, and then glancing at Mu Anxiao, who was completely unaware of the hidden dangers, Xi'er's eyes darkened. "You will regret this," she said. With a glare at Mu Anxiao, she turned and walked towards the screen.
Mu Anxiao released her grip on the sword hilt, her gaze fixed on Xi'er's retreating back.
In the blink of an eye, with Xi'er's actions, the screen cracked, revealing a gap. "Alright, you can come out now," she announced, stepping aside.
"It's done already?" Mu Anxiao, guided by Xi'er's 'assistance', had expected this to be a difficult task. She was truly surprised that it was finished so quickly.
"It's done, but don't regret it," Xi'er said, looking at the demon sword stirring restlessly nearby. "You'd best stay put."
Mu Anxiao heard this and turned to look at the demon sword that was itching to move.
Ouyang Ye placed one hand behind his back and said, "Xi'er, it would be better if you stayed away from that screen, lest you get hurt later."
"Yes, Master," Xi'er nodded and walked towards Ouyang Ye.
Unexpectedly, at this moment, the demon sword disobeyed Xi'er's command and zipped past her, heading straight for the screen.
Seeing this, Mu Anxiao was about to step forward to stop it, but Ouyang Ye reached out and grabbed her arm. "Don't go, that screen is about to explode." He looked at Mu Anxiao with a serious expression.
"Demon sword..." Mu Anxiao mumbled, not even looking at Ouyang Ye.
"If you go, you'll only get hurt. Stay here," Xi'er stopped beside Ouyang Ye.
Mu Anxiao frowned slightly. Thinking of the demon sword's true identity, her resolve wavered. However, considering the warnings from Ouyang Ye and Xi'er, she gave up the idea of stepping forward. "Let go of my arm, I won't go," she said.
"The demon sword will be fine," Ouyang Ye said, releasing his hand.
"If you're lying to me, I won't..." Before she could finish, the screen began to glow red. The intense light forced Mu Anxiao to swallow the rest of her words and instinctively lower her head.
At the same time, Ouyang Ye shielded Mu Anxiao.
A few minutes later...
As the red beam of light fell, Mu Anxiao opened her eyes and looked at Ouyang Ye shielding her. "You would protect me," she said faintly.
Ouyang Ye remained silent. He patted Mu Anxiao's head twice, then turned around, joining Xi'er in looking at Jiong Ye, who was holding the demon sword.
"I knew you'd let me go," Jiong Ye said smugly. (Ouyang Ye had used sorcery to block out their voices, so Jiong Ye and Zhao Mei'er had no idea what was happening outside.)
Mu Anxiao watched Jiong Ye's arrogant expression and felt a bead of sweat on his behalf.
Zhao Mei'er, still dazed, crouched behind Jiong Ye.
Xi'er, seeing Jiong Ye's insolence and disrespect towards Ouyang Ye, said coldly, "A thankless wretch." As she moved to step forward, Ouyang Ye held her back. She frowned slightly, "Master, he's too arrogant."
"Don't act rashly," Ouyang Ye whispered.
Xi'er heeded Ouyang Ye's reminder and looked at Jiong Ye, who remained arrogant. "Master, be careful of his tricks," she said, consciously taking a step back.
"Ouyang Ye, if you promise to let me leave, I swear I won't do anything, but," Jiong Ye said, unable to distinguish priorities, "if you don't agree, then don't blame me for causing a scene."
"Jiong Ye, I advise you not to be so arrogant," Ouyang Ye said coldly. "My patience with you has limits."
"You..."
"You'd best stop talking. It's already good that Master let us out. Be content," Zhao Mei'er hurriedly stood up, interrupting Jiong Ye, fearing she would be implicated.
Mu Anxiao looked at Zhao Mei'er.
Hearing this, Jiong Ye turned his head and glared at Zhao Mei'er. "If it weren't for you, I wouldn't have ended up in this hellhole. You'd best know your place, or else," he said, raising the demon sword and pointing it at Zhao Mei'er's throat, "I'll kill you first."
"You dare," Zhao Mei'er said, her body visibly trembling.
"If you utter another word of betrayal, I will dare," Jiong Ye said with unwavering resolve.
"...Let me go, and I'll shut up." Zhao Mei'er had never seen such a resolute side of Jiong Ye. Seeing him like this now, she was afraid.
"Shut up," Jiong Ye commanded coldly, turning back. He looked towards Mu Anxiao, and at that moment, he froze.
Seizing the opportunity, Mu Anxiao spoke, "Long time no see."
"You're still alive," Jiong Ye exclaimed in surprise.
Mu Anxiao smiled. "I came to find you not long ago. I thought you already knew I was alive. Well," she glanced at Ouyang Ye, "I was being conceited."
"How did you get here?" Jiong Ye asked, glancing at the demon sword in his hand.
"Do you know why I saved you?" Mu Anxiao wanted to challenge Jiong Ye. She did this precisely to make him recognize his place, lest he continue to speak recklessly and anger Ouyang Ye, thereby ruining her own plans.
"You really know how to flatter yourself," Jiong Ye said with a cold laugh, unwilling to accept reality.
Mu Anxiao looked at Jiong Ye's reluctant expression and sneered. "The demon sword's loyalty to you is indeed quite touching. Of course," she said, intentionally glancing at the demon sword, "if the demon sword hadn't begged me, I wouldn't have even thought of saving you."
Jiong Ye dodged her gaze.
Seizing this opportunity, Zhao Mei'er quickly asked, "If you're alive, then Feng Qishi is also alive, right?" she said, filled with excitement.
Hearing this, Mu Anxiao shifted her gaze to Zhao Mei'er's face. But before she could speak, Ouyang Ye answered for her, "Feng Qishi is already dead."
"Dead?" Zhao Mei'er repeated, looking at the ruthless Ouyang Ye in horror. "You say Feng Qishi is dead? How is that possible? He's an immortal, how could he die?"
"It seems you truly love Feng Qishi," Ouyang Ye said, his expressionless face betraying nothing.
"I..."
"Since that's the case, then go accompany him in death," Ouyang Ye interrupted, bringing his hand out from behind his back.