Feng Ninghe's eyes instantly darkened, a thoughtful expression appearing on her delicate features.
It had only been a few days since she left the Zhenguo Duke's mansion, and the entire place had undergone a drastic change.
She raised her eyes and gazed calmly ahead, her clear, crisp voice slowly stating, "Let's return to Li Country first, and then we'll act according to the circumstances."
Bai Niannian's beautiful brows furrowed tightly. She hurriedly said, "Sister Feng, Feng Qingcheng has placed a bounty on you everywhere. The world believes you to be a cold-blooded, heartless murderer. The moment you appear, someone will surely reveal your whereabouts."
"We cannot return to the Feng family, nor can we go to Li Country."
Feng Xing spoke up, a hint of displeasure on his handsome face. "Master is being slandered. If she cannot return home now, won't the villains get their way and gloat?"
He understood the grudges within Master Feng's family.
Master had returned to the Zhenguo Duke's mansion for revenge.
Even if the situation was perilous, her hatred could not be set aside.
Bai Niannian's eyes darted around in their sockets. She quickly said, "I have a house outside the city. Why don't you stay there first, and then we can discuss what to do next?"
Feng Ninghe would eventually return to the Feng family.
She not only wanted to return with dignity but also in a way that no one could touch her.
Di Wenbin had not yet awakened, so she could not prove her innocence. However, she could not wait forever.
Feng Ninghe's gaze slightly narrowed, a few glints of light dancing in her pupils. "There's no need. Since I've done nothing wrong, I will enter the Feng family openly. I can hide for a while, but not forever. We'll return to the Feng family now."
Bai Niannian's heart grew anxious, her voice becoming slightly hurried. "But if you go back now, they won't give you a chance to defend yourself. The Sect Master of the Immortal Sect has profound cultivation. Facing him means certain death!"
Seeing Bai Niannian's anxious expression, Feng Ninghe's lips curved into a carefree smile. She looked at her calmly and said, "I already have a plan to capture the real culprit. The Zhenguo Duke's mansion is my home, and I will return home."
Bai Niannian was still worried, her delicate face etched with concern. "Everyone believes you are guilty and have fled Li Country. If you go back now, you'll be targeted by everyone!"
The blame had already been placed upon her. How could she easily clear her name?
Feng Ninghe casually patted her shoulder, her clear, limpid eyes shimmering. "If I don't go back to catch the real culprit, who knows how long it will take to clear my name."
Bai Niannian finally fell silent, but the worry in her eyes did not diminish in the slightest.
Feng Ninghe shifted her gaze to the group and said unhurriedly, "Continue on our way, back to the Feng family."
Just as they were about to board the carriage, a strong gust of wind suddenly swept in, stirring up dust and fallen leaves from the ground.
The dust swirled and danced in the air, obscuring their vision.
"Why is there so much dust?"
Bai Niannian quickly covered her eyes with her hands to shield them from the swirling dust, trying her best to open her eyes and see her surroundings.
But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't open her eyes.
Feng Xing placed his hand on the long sword at his waist, his ink-black pupils cautiously scanning the surroundings. "Master, there's danger."
Feng Ninghe's eyes narrowed slightly, a rare look of caution appearing on her delicate face. "This person's cultivation is not below mine. If the situation turns bad, you all leave first."
If she found it troublesome, it would be even more so for others.
Feng Xing did not speak, his fists clenching secretly.
Even if it meant sacrificing his life, he would protect Master's safety.
He was never one to shy away from trouble.
How could he abandon Master and flee?
"Xiao Zhao, return to my dantian."
Feng Ninghe commanded, speaking softly.
Xiao Zhao blinked its sapphire eyes and quickly returned to her dantian.
The identity of the approaching person was unknown, and they were radiating a fierce aura. It was best for Xiao Zhao not to reveal itself until the intruder's identity was clear.
A blurred figure stopped not far away.
The man was dressed in mourning white, clutching a spirit tablet tightly to his chest.
The wind also stopped at this moment.
Di Yang lowered his gaze, his eyes fixed on the spirit tablet. His face, filled with grief, appeared somewhat pale.
He raised his head, his eyes filled with hatred landing precisely on Feng Ninghe.
It was as if they shared a deep-seated hatred.
At least in Di Yang's eyes, Feng Ninghe was unforgivable.
Di Yang moved his lips, his icy male voice slowly falling, "I only want Feng Ninghe's life. Those who are not involved, step aside, and I will spare your lives!"
A chilling aura emanated from Di Yang.
The powerful pressure made people feel timid and involuntarily submit.
Bai Niannian's face paled in panic. She deliberately lowered her voice to remind them, "Sect Master Di Yang of the Immortal Sect has arrived. It is said that his cultivation reached the middle stage of the Nascent Soul realm a hundred years ago. Now, his cultivation might be even higher!"
A single level of cultivation difference was like a world apart.
Feng Xing's expression remained unchanged. He strode forward, blocking in front of Feng Ninghe, his handsome face filled with determination. "Master, you go first. I'll find a way to buy you time to escape!"
Feng Xing's young age and cultivation at the Nascent Soul stage indicated immeasurable potential.
However, in the eyes of a cultivator at the Nascent Soul stage, mere Nascent Soul was nothing.
Di Yang could kill Feng Xing on the spot with a flick of his finger, without any effort!
Elder Xu glanced at Feng Xing leisurely and grunted, "Even if you and I fought together, this Sect Master of the Immortal Sect wouldn't even notice us. His cultivation is at the peak of the Nascent Soul stage."
Feng Xing remained rooted to the spot, with no intention of retreating. "Even if I die, I will fight for a sliver of survival for Master!"
Bai Niannian was frantically pacing, biting her lip, and constantly thinking of a way to escape. "Sect Master Di, there are hidden circumstances to this matter! I implore you to listen to our explanation!"
Di Yang's eyebrows shot up, as if he had heard something preposterous. His expression suddenly turned fierce. "Explanation? Then use your lives to explain to my son!"
Di Yang suddenly reached out and grabbed the air, a powerful surge of spiritual energy violently striking towards their location.
Feng Ninghe's expression subtly shifted. She suddenly stepped forward to block the attack.
She deliberately glanced back at the people behind her. "You all go first. Leave this place to me."
Although her cultivation had reached the Nascent Soul stage, dealing with Di Yang was still a challenge.
However, she was the only one who could temporarily hold him off and buy them time to survive.
"Master, I'm not leaving!"
Feng Xing's face was resolute, his feet firmly planted on the ground, with no intention of leaving.
Elder Xu was a sensible person. He immediately pulled Feng Xing away. "If we stay here, we'll only be a burden and hinder this girl's efforts. It's better to leave quickly, giving Ninghe a chance to escape."
Feng Xing bit his lip, his handsome face clouded with unwillingness. "Even though Master's cultivation has reached the Nascent Soul stage, it will still be difficult to contend with Di Yang."
He had followed Master down the mountain precisely to protect her.
Yet, he was still too weak, and Master had to protect him instead.
At this moment, Feng Xing was filled with self-reproach.
The conversation between the two reached Bai Niannian's ears with perfect clarity.
Her eyes widened, and she looked at everything in horror.
Feng Ninghe's cultivation... had reached the Nascent Soul stage?