Xu Yi and Teacher Li were discussing puppet techniques in the artifact building. On the other side, Xiong Zhuang Zhuang was recounting his recent experiences to Yu Chun Dao and Liu Yin Xiao, with a particular focus on Wan Yan Xue.
After Xiong Zhuang Zhuang finished speaking, Yu Chun Dao and Liu Yin Xiao remained silent for a long time.
After an unknown period, Yu Chun Dao managed a strained smile. "We are aware of the events. Thank you for your efforts. You may return and rest. I will seek you out if there are further developments."
"Understood, disciple takes leave."
Once Xiong Zhuang Zhuang had departed, the smile on Yu Chun Dao's face vanished. Her brow furrowed. "I hadn't expected Wan Yan Xue to truly become our enemy. I thought she was merely speaking out of anger at the time."
Recalling the scene that day, Yu Chun Dao couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt.
Their momentary oversight in forgetting Wan Yan Xue had led to her enduring unbearable torment under the heavenly tribulation. The other party harbored deep resentment, which Yu Chun Dao could understand.
However, Yu Chun Dao had not anticipated that Wan Yan Xue would not direct her anger towards them but rather towards the entire Kunlun Academy, and indeed, the righteous path of the entire Nine Continents Continent.
What confused her even more was Wan Yan Xue's intense hostility towards Xu Yi, her desire to eliminate Xu Yi quickly.
Xu Yi hadn't even been present during that incident. How had this animosity been directed towards Xu Yi?
Yu Chun Dao was baffled.
"Wan Yan Xue was born with a rebellious nature. It's not surprising she has reached this point," Liu Yin Xiao replied coldly.
Liu Yin Xiao's heart was harder than Yu Chun Dao's.
In his view, though they had made a mistake that day, the final outcome wasn't entirely bad. In fact, Wan Yan Xue had even stumbled upon a great opportunity by chance.
With the karmic debt settled, Wan Yan Xue might have her grievances, but she shouldn't be so extreme, nor should she become an enemy of Kunlun Academy.
Yu Chun Dao did not agree with Liu Yin Xiao's assessment, but as things stood, arguing was meaningless. The primary issue now was how to deal with Wan Yan Xue.
Wan Yan Xue was a runaway disciple of Kunlun Academy. Given her current inclination towards misanthropy, Kunlun Academy had an obligation to prevent her subsequent actions.
However, with the opportunities Wan Yan Xue had acquired, she was no longer the person she once was. She could fight against a Tribulation Crossing cultivator without being at a disadvantage. Yu Chun Dao and Liu Yin Xiao were not confident in their ability to apprehend her.
The only solution was to request the Dean or a highly respected teacher within the sect to personally intervene.
But then came the second problem: no one knew where Wan Yan Xue had fled. It was as difficult as ascending to heaven to find a Tribulation Crossing cultivator who was intentionally hiding on the Nine Continents Continent.
After much consideration, it seemed the only remaining plan was a passive one.
Wait.
Wait for Wan Yan Xue to reveal herself.
Yu Chun Dao sighed softly. No one knew what unforeseen events might occur during this waiting period, especially since Wan Yan Xue was a rare genius.
"Teacher Yu, Teacher Liu."
The voice from outside the door pulled Yu Chun Dao from her thoughts.
She recognized the speaker and said gently, "Come in."
"Greetings to both teachers," the woman said clearly.
"Nalan Yan, what is it?"
Yu Chun Dao inquired about Nalan Yan's purpose, while Liu Yin Xiao's eyes flashed, as if he had already guessed.
"Teacher Yu, Teacher Liu, I already know about Wan Yan Xue's matter. Therefore, I request that you assign me the task of apprehending Wan Yan Xue. This matter started because of me, and it's time for me to settle things with her," Nalan Yan declared proudly, her lips as red as fire.
"You already know?" Yu Chun Dao looked at her in surprise.
Nalan Yan nodded. "Although the Nalan family remains in seclusion, we have our own channels of information.
Wan Yan Xue has been hiding for years and has finally been unable to refrain from appearing. I should not remain in the academy any longer; I must go and capture her."
Wan Yan Xue had severely injured Nalan Yan, forcing her to sacrifice the Nalan family's interests to obtain a Nine Revolutions Golden Lotus from the Xuan Ji Sect to reconstruct her golden body.
She was waiting to settle these accounts with Wan Yan Xue.
Moreover, if she went to capture Wan Yan Xue now, she would be acting on the side of justice, with a righteous cause.
A faint glint flashed in Nalan Yan's eyes, wishing she could draw her spear and charge out at that very moment to engage Wan Yan Xue in a battle of three hundred rounds.
"This matter requires further discussion with several other teachers before a decision can be made. You may withdraw for now."
Yu Chun Dao rubbed her temples and did not agree to Nalan Yan's request.
"Teacher Yu..."
"Withdraw!"
Nalan Yan was unwilling and tried to persuade further, but was interrupted by Yu Chun Dao's sharp command.
Yu Chun Dao had always been affectionate towards her, rarely showing anger. Nalan Yan knew that Yu Chun Dao must be displeased at this moment, so she could only respond with a "yes" and respectfully retreated.
"When will the cycle of vengeance ever end?"
Nalan Yan heard the soft sigh from behind her. The proud expression on her face flickered slightly, and she turned without hesitation, heading towards another direction.
"Aunt."
"Yan'er, why the long face?"
Nalan Hen Zhu saw Nalan Yan walk in with a dejected expression, immediately put down her heavy sword, and asked with concern.
Nalan Yan recounted the news she had received a few days ago and her recent conversation with Yu Chun Dao.
Although Nalan Hen Zhu and Nalan Yan were both from the Nalan family, Nalan Hen Zhu had betrayed the family and was long abandoned by them. She would not receive any news.
Therefore, it was only now that she learned of Wan Yan Xue's reappearance.
"Wan Yan Xue has already become a Tribulation Crossing cultivator. If I had known this earlier, I should have ended her with a single sword strike. How could it have escalated to such a serious threat?"
Nalan Hen Zhu regretted her past actions.
"Aunt, Wan Yan Xue is my opponent. No one but me can kill her," Nalan Yan said coquettishly, her words revealing immense confidence and a possessive desire for Wan Yan Xue.
"Alright, alright, you are right. Wan Yan Xue is indeed a suitable opponent for you to make a name for yourself on the Nine Continents Continent.
You have cultivated diligently at Kunlun Academy all these years, and all the glory has been snatched by others. It's time to let the people of the Nine Continents Continent know the might of the Nalan family."
Nalan Hen Zhu was extremely satisfied with Nalan Yan.
Nalan Yan had always possessed exceptional talent in cultivation. Coupled with the Nine Revolutions Golden Body, her cultivation progress had been astonishingly rapid, constantly making Nalan Hen Zhu click her tongue.
Nalan Yan's cultivation had already surpassed the Integration stage. However, fearing instability in her foundation, Nalan Hen Zhu had been suppressing it with a special secret technique.
Now, it seemed it was time to lift the secret technique.
"Aunt, help me break the secret technique. Once I become an Integration cultivator, I won't have to stay at Kunlun Academy anymore. Afterward, I will ask Father to help me find Wan Yan Xue's whereabouts. This time, I will definitely defeat her honorably."
Nalan Yan raised her head high, radiating dazzling confidence.
Although her current cultivation appeared lower than Wan Yan Xue's, her true strength far exceeded it. It was still uncertain who would emerge victorious.
She eagerly anticipated the moment she would meet Wan Yan Xue.