“...”
On their way out of the city, Han Changqing followed closely behind Su Yueli, his expression looking quite awkward.
After hesitating for a long while, he finally spoke up cautiously, “Senior, Yu'er is still young and doesn't know any better. Her prying must have offended you, so please do not take it to heart...”
The corner of Su Yueli's mouth couldn't help but twitch.
She had no idea what was going on inside this old man's head.
The one who had actually annoyed her was clearly this old fellow himself!
Out of nowhere, he had tried to offer her male concubines. What was that all about?
If one were to say this old man understood the ways of the world, he certainly knew how to flatter people. Yet, he had completely missed the mark, as she had absolutely no interest in such things.
However, Su Yueli couldn't be bothered to argue with an elder. She simply replied flatly, “It is fine. Let us hurry.”
Seeing that Su Yueli was not angry, Han Changqing finally wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The two of them walked down the streets of Luochuan City, one after the other.
Su Yueli's clean, light blue robe, combined with her stunningly beautiful profile and the red beauty mark at the corner of her eye, made her stand out exceptionally in the crowd. It was hard not to draw attention.
Many pedestrians and vendors along the street turned their heads to look, lowering their voices as they gossiped.
“Isn't that the Grand Elder of the Han family? Why is he personally escorting a young lady through the streets?”
“Hey, you don't know? I heard the Han family has been targeted by the Zhao family next door! The Zhao family is wealthy and powerful, and they even hired a Second Realm immortal master to back them up, forcing the Han family to marry off their two young mistresses!”
“The Han family is probably like a flickering candle in the wind now. They won't last more than a few days...”
“But then again, who is that girl next to the Grand Elder? She is incredibly beautiful! Compared to her, even the two beauties of our Luochuan City, Han Qingling and Han Yu, seem to pale in comparison.”
Meanwhile, in a corner of the crowd, a thin man wearing a bamboo hat narrowed his eyes.
He was a spy placed on the streets by the Zhao family.
Seeing the Grand Elder's highly respectful attitude toward the blue-robed woman, and recalling that his family's young master and the immortal master had not yet returned, a wave of unease washed over him. He quickly turned and slipped back to the Zhao residence.
Inside the main hall of the Zhao family estate.
After listening to the spy's report, the Zhao family patriarch's face turned so dark it looked as if it might drip water.
His young master and the Second Realm immortal master had gone out to capture someone, yet there had been no news of them since. Meanwhile, the Han family's two wretched girls had returned safely to their estate, even bringing back a woman of mysterious background who had the Grand Elder bowing and scraping in flattery.
Even a fool could guess that his son and the immortal master had likely met with disaster!
“To be able to kill a Second Realm immortal master... that woman is definitely no ordinary person. If we go head-to-head, our Zhao family's foundation is simply not enough to face her.”
The Zhao family patriarch clenched his fists and turned to look out the window, a ruthless and crazed glint flashing in his eyes.
“But... since you dared to kill my son, I don't care what kind of immortal you are! If I can't touch you, do you think I can't touch the Han family?”
“Once that woman leaves, I will make the entire Han family be buried with my son!”
Besides, he had plenty of ways to deal with this powerhouse who had appeared out of nowhere.
...
Meanwhile, Su Yueli and Han Changqing had already arrived at the entrance of the Cangji Mountain Range.
At the foot of the mountain, there were many simple tea stalls and thatched sheds, where hundreds of martial artists had gathered.
Most of these people carried sabers or swords, and their bodies bore the scent of blood and medicinal herbs. They were clearly rogue martial artists who made a living by entering the mountains to hunt beasts and gather herbs.
Su Yueli raised her eyes to scan the crowd of martial artists.
Most of them were only at the First or Second Realm. The occasional Third Realm martial artists among them were already the leaders of this crowd.
Hundreds of years ago, such a scene might have been considered somewhat lively. But to the current Su Yueli, these martial artists' blood qi was so weak that it resembled a flickering flame that could be extinguished with a single breath.
Han Changqing's arrival quickly drew the attention of many people at the entrance.
A few familiar elderly Third Realm martial artists smiled and approached to greet him, “Hehehe, Elder Changqing, what brings you the fine mood to personally lead a group into the Cangji Mountain Range today?”
As they spoke, their gazes fell upon Su Yueli beside him, and without exception, amazement and astonishment flashed in their eyes.
“And this young lady is...”
Han Changqing quickly straightened his back and introduced her solemnly, “This is an esteemed guest of our Han family!”
Everyone was greatly shocked upon hearing this.
As the Grand Elder of a prestigious family in Luochuan City, Han Changqing usually put on airs with everyone. Yet at this moment, he appeared timid and subservient in front of a young girl. The scene was truly bizarre.
Just then, a cold laugh echoed from the corner of a thatched shed.
A few rogue cultivators dressed in tight-fitting martial attire leaned against the wooden fence, speaking in a sarcastic tone, “An esteemed guest?”
“Grand Elder Han, your Han family is about to be swallowed whole by the Zhao family. You are already like a flickering candle in the wind, unable to even protect yourselves. Who are you putting on this empty show for?”
“Exactly. Inviting a pretty girl to be your savior—could it be you want to rely on her looks to save the Han family?”
Han Changqing was furious upon hearing this, his face flushing red as he barked, “Presumptuous! Are you seeking death?!”
Those rogue cultivators wanted to continue their mockery, but in the next instant, all their words got caught in their throats.
Su Yueli, who had been standing quietly by the side, slowly turned her head and gave them a calm look.
There were no overwhelming waves of energy, nor was there any light.
Yet in the perception of those rogue cultivators, the world before them seemed to collapse in an instant!
An indescribable intent to kill and a physical aura pressed down on their spines out of thin air, like a mountain ten thousand feet high!
Thud!
Thud!
In the next moment, the faces of the rogue cultivators, who had just been sneering, instantly turned deathly pale as their legs trembled violently.
With a loud thud, they fell to their knees, cracking the very ground beneath them!
Even the surrounding martial artists watching the commotion felt as though their hearts were being squeezed by an invisible hand. They struggled to breathe, their bodies turned ice-cold, and they couldn't even move a single finger!
Extreme terror rushed straight from their tailbones to their brains in an instant.
Su Yueli didn't even spare them another glance, simply saying to Han Changqing in a flat voice:
“Elder Han, let us head in quickly. Do not waste time.”
With that, she took a direct step forward and walked toward the depths of the mountain range.
She was disinclined to waste time here; she only wanted to obtain the materials as quickly as possible and leave.
Only then, with her departure, did the crushing aura pressing down on everyone finally dissipate.
The martial artists around the thatched sheds felt as if they had received a grand pardon. They gasped heavily, and many even collapsed limply to the ground.
Han Changqing wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, his heart racing. As he stared at that light blue silhouette, the awe in his heart reached an absolute peak.
Just... what kind of monster was she?!
With just a single glance, she had terrified several Third Realm martial artists into kneeling on the spot!
Not daring to show the slightest delay, he quickly jogged to catch up with her.
Rate on N.U.
