She had originally thought only the people of the Tianshu Realm detested her.
Looking at it now, the Earth Realm's hatred for her seemed even worse.
They actually came chasing after her to kill her even after her death.
Song Yao racked her brain a bit, troubled, but she really couldn't recall doing anything so heinous there to deserve such hatred.
If she had to name something, it would be beating up every demon she encountered along the way when she went looking for the Great Demon of Qianhuang.
She had strung a few demons together like dough twists to use as mounts.
She had also tortured some evil demons who wanted to suck her essence until they turned into good ones.
But those were all minor demons, and what she did wasn't too excessive. They shouldn't have the ability, nor the need, to run all the way to the Tianshu Realm to find her.
The only one she had truly offended was the Great Demon of Qianhuang.
She had launched a sneak attack while the Great Demon of Qianhuang was indulging in carnal pleasures with countless demons in a pool, beating all her male and female demon favorites back to their original forms. Then, she had fought her in an earth-shattering battle, coming within a hair's breadth of scattering her soul completely.
If it were her coming to hunt her down, it would make sense.
However, the Great Demon of Qianhuang was suppressed by the Thousand Souls Academy, and back then, the masters of the major sects had jointly placed a restriction on her.
If she came to the Tianshu Realm, she would instantly turn to ash on the spot, let alone deploy such a massive demon realm here.
But it could be one of her subordinates, or the one who had ambushed her.
Her hand was suddenly grabbed. Zhu Zhao gently squeezed her palm. “It's very dangerous. Just stay in the sect. Don't go anywhere during this time.”
“Aren't they after me? If you don't hand me over, they might hurt even more people.”
Song Yao squeezed back, still in the mood to tease her. “Doesn't our Hall Master Zhu care about the people of the world?”
Zhu Zhao clearly couldn't find it funny. Her face instantly turned cold. “You actually want to hand yourself over?”
She tightened her grip, making Song Yao let out a yelp. Struggling a bit, she said, “No, I'm not crazy. Why would I hand myself over?”
Zhu Zhao: “...”
As if she hadn't done such things countless times before.
She pursed her lips and threatened, “If you dare run off to seek death, I'll make sure you die in the Nine Saints Hall first.”
Song Yao was shocked. “How are you as shameless as Fourth Junior Brother!”
Zhu Zhao said coldly, “I'm not as shameless as him, but my beatings hurt more. Do you want to try?”
Song Yao's fur ruffled slightly. “I hate you.”
Zhu Zhao lost her temper a bit at this. Softening her tone, she sighed, “Even though the demons in the demon realm are looking for you, they wouldn't easily leave the Tianshu Realm even if we handed you over.”
“Demons have endless greed. Giving in to them would only fuel their arrogance.”
“Besides, the demons of the Earth Realm have been eyeing the Tianshu Realm greedily. Their arrival this time is definitely not just for you. It's highly likely they want to make a full return to the Tianshu Realm.”
She spoke seriously, but when she looked down, Song Yao was busy prying her fingers away, trying to pull her hand free. Clearly, not a single word she had just said had entered Song Yao's head.
Helpless, Zhu Zhao cleared her throat and grabbed Song Yao's other hand as well, finally drawing her attention. “You are not like before. Your cultivation is still shallow. Just practice diligently in the hall. Once you have even half of your former power, I will never stop you from going anywhere. How about that?”
Song Yao: “Sure, sure, anything you say. Just let go of me first.”
Zhu Zhao still couldn't put her mind at ease. “Right now, there are quite a few cultivators from various sects who have voluntarily gone to investigate and clear out that demon realm. The Nine Saints Hall will organize a group to go over later. If they find out anything about Eldest Senior Brother's situation, they will send word back immediately. If you stay obediently in the hall, you will also know everything. There's no need to worry too much...”
Song Yao interrupted her, her eyes curving with a bright smile. “Zhu Zhao, I really get it. I won't go walking into a trap.”
...
After much persuasion, she finally stepped out of the Fifth Elder's room.
Even more people were guarding outside, each of them looking deeply worried.
Zhu Zhao had official business to attend to. Leading a group of people, she was about to leave in a hurry when she bumped head-on into Huai An. She cupped her hands slightly. “Pavilion Master Huai?”
She had met him when they disembarked from the spirit vessel yesterday. As the Master of Mingdan Pavilion, his status was significant, and she had already sent people to carefully accommodate him.
He was supposed to be escorted back today. Why was he still here?
She turned her head to look at the cultivator behind her and asked sternly, “Is the spirit vessel not ready yet?”
Before the cultivator could answer, Huai An smiled and waved his hand. “No rush, no rush. I still have a few words to say to Daoist Lin, which is why I haven't left yet. I heard Daoist Lin was over here, so I came to take a look.”
Zhu Zhao paused and glanced back at Song Yao, who was currently surrounded by Ning Zhou and Cheng Yue. She asked with a trace of confusion, “Daoist Lin? Lin Mu?”
“Yes.”
Huai An nodded, his eyes filled with admiration. “I have looked at the Qi-Replenishing Pills Daoist Lin refined previously. If she refines her skills, she might very well touch the threshold of Heaven-grade or even God-grade in the future. For Daoist Lin to create such a recipe at her age, her future is truly limitless.”
“I sent people to deliver invitations to Daoist Lin many times before, wanting to invite her to the Alchemist Tournament, or to pay her a visit myself. Unfortunately, Daoist Lin never accepted them. Now that I have finally run into her, I wanted to have a word with her.”
Zhu Zhao remembered.
When they arrived yesterday, the young disciples who had accompanied the spirit vessel seemed to have mentioned that this person wanted to poach Song Yao.
Her expression darkened slightly. After a moment of thought, she instructed the people following her, “Go ahead first. I will join you shortly.”
Then she said to Huai An, “Please, let us talk in the discussion hall.”
Huai An was taken aback. “No, there is no need to trouble you, Hall Master. You can go about your business. I just want to chat with Daoist Lin. It is nothing important.”
Zhu Zhao: “Please, don't be polite.”
Huai An: “...”
He wasn't really being polite either.
A moment later, the three of them took their seats in the discussion hall under a somewhat subtle atmosphere.
Zhu Zhao sat in the seat of honor, pulling her sleeves together as she said politely, “Pavilion Master Huai, Lin Mu and I have some urgent matters to attend to later. If you have anything to say, you might as well speak plainly now.”
Song Yao sat to the side with her chin propped in her hand, raising an eyebrow at those words.
She had urgent matters too?
Since when did she have urgent matters?
Huai An sensed that something was amiss. He cupped his hands to Zhu Zhao and said, “Hall Master, you might have misunderstood. I have no intention of making Daoist Lin leave the Nine Saints Hall. I simply feel that it would be a pity if someone with Daoist Lin's talent isn't properly nurtured. If she is willing, she can hold a nominal position at our Mingdan Pavilion to study. Our Mingdan Pavilion has no shortage of high-level alchemists, and perhaps we can show Daoist Lin a clear path forward.”
Song Yao held her cup and quietly exposed him. “He's lying to you. He just wants me to leave the Nine Saints Hall.”
Huai An: “...”
He cleared his throat, feeling a little embarrassed. “Initially, I indeed had that intention. After all, our Mingdan Pavilion might be more suitable for Daoist Lin. However, since Daoist Lin is unwilling, I naturally won't force it...”
“Who said I'm unwilling? I said I am willing.”
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