Outside the immortal's cave, Yu Mengxian stood uneasily, her face etched with worry.
The Mixed Blood Sect was far too domineering, forcibly offering Immortal Jade to buy someone without brooking any discussion.
About an hour passed before a voice carried from inside the cave.
"How could this old man take a sect member's Dharma treasure? Take back the Tianyuan Miracle Stone. I shall personally pay a visit to the Mixed Blood Sect."
Heavenly Venerable Fengling's voice was laced with an emotional sigh and helplessness.
Even having become a Yang God, one still could not attain true freedom and unrestrained ease.
Of course, compared to other cultivators, being a Yang God was still far more comfortable.
Hearing this, Yu Mengxian felt deep gratitude.
However, Heavenly Venerable Fengling's next words were like a splash of cold water straight to her heart.
"The Mixed Blood Sect has always been arrogant and overbearing, and Tuoba Lingyu is the most doted-on granddaughter of their old ancestor. I fear this matter... may be beyond even this old man's power."
With that, Heavenly Venerable Fengling's figure dissipated on the spot.
His meaning was unmistakable. He likely could not stop Tuoba Lingyu, and he was hinting that Yu Mengxian should take Qi Yi and flee.
Nearby, Qi Yi's expression shifted, visibly moved. "Master, this is all my fault."
If not for her, her master would never have had to suffer such humiliation.
"This has nothing to do with you! If anyone is to blame, blame that Tuoba Lingyu!"
Yu Mengxian's heart was a tangle of emotions.
The Heavenly Venerable's hint was crystal clear: he wanted her to flee with Qi Yi.
Even as a revered Heavenly Venerable, there were many things he was powerless to change in the Ultimate Principle Heavenly Realm.
His journey to the Mixed Blood Sect for a final attempt was actually meant to stall for time so she could take Qi Yi and escape.
Yet... escape?
Once targeted by the Mixed Blood Sect, how could they possibly get away?
Who among the cultivators of the Lower Three Heavens did not know the shamelessness of the Mixed Blood Sect?
For the sake of bloodlines, they captured people wantonly.
Anyone who caught their eye was left with virtually no way out.
Yu Mengxian even suspected that fleeing with Qi Yi might play right into their trap.
"Master, what the Mixed Blood Sect wants is me. I cannot bear to drag you down!" Qi Yi pondered for a moment before speaking with a grim face.
If she continued to seek her master's protection, her master might perish as well.
At this moment, Qi Yi understood the cruelty of the cultivation world all the more clearly.
Back on the Arch Star, some dignitaries and nobles at least maintained a veneer of reputation, benevolence, and morality.
In the cultivation world, did any of that matter at all?
Demonic cultivators practically wished they could carve the word "demon" into their foreheads just to announce it to the world.
Guiyu Heaven of the Sixth Heaven slaughtered world after world to forge the Ten Thousand Ghost Soul Banner from living beings, yet did any major power step in to halt them?
Not one.
In the Sixth Heaven, strength was everything.
Yu Mengxian looked at Qi Yi, the face of that Heavenly Venerable surfacing in her mind.
If she possessed that Heavenly Venerable's power, why would she ever let Qi Yi suffer like this?
Back then, in the curious land, that Heavenly Venerable had mysteriously vanished. The robot Zero-One had sought her out, entrusting her to deliver an object to Qi Yuan.
In the end, she left the Arch Star with Qi Yi. When she looked back, she discovered the Arch Star had disappeared without a trace.
"It's a pity the Arch Star is gone. Otherwise, if we could return there, the Mixed Blood Sect would never find us," Yu Mengxian lamented.
Of course, it was only wishful thinking.
This place was far too distant from the entrance to the Fire Spirit Realm.
They would likely be intercepted by the Mixed Blood Sect long before they ever reached it.
Suddenly, a thought struck Yu Mengxian, and she could not help asking, "Does your younger brother... have any connection to the Black Demon Abyss?"
She recalled the figure she had caught sight of among their ranks.
Qi Yi looked puzzled, then shook her head. "None."
Her master on the Arch Star was Qi Yuan's mother.
When it came to that younger brother, her feelings were complicated.
Originally, she had only wanted him to live an ordinary life, keeping him away from any vortex of conflict.
Who could have guessed that he would suddenly become a Yang God Heavenly Venerable?
"Though... it's not impossible that he has ties there," Qi Yi thoughtfully added with utmost seriousness.
After all, she knew far too little about him.
Yu Mengxian furrowed her brows. "I thought I saw him among the prodigies sent by the Black Demon Abyss to attend the Ultimate Principle Dao Discussion Conference."
She found it perplexing. If it were truly Qi Yuan, why would he stand among those prodigies?
The prodigies were merely in the Yin God Realm.
"Huh?" Qi Yi was momentarily stunned.
"Unfortunately, our status is far too lowly. Seeking an audience with anyone from the Black Demon Abyss... is utterly beyond us," Yu Mengxian sighed.
Even if Tuoba Lingyu of the Mixed Blood Sect went to pay a visit, she would likely have to wait a very long time before a message could even be delivered to that person's hands.
Prodigies of that caliber received countless visitors every single day. Unless one was someone of great consequence, a calling card would never even reach him.
"I already sent someone to look into it. The report came back saying that the person is named Blood Robe, the second-ranked prodigy in the Black Demon Abyss. Rumor has it that he's a genius capable of reaching the Ultimate Principle Realm Yang God. It probably isn't... Qi Yuan." Before going to see Heavenly Venerable Fengling, Yu Mengxian had not forgotten to have Zhao Yu investigate that person's identity.
Zhao Yu had transmitted the findings to her moments ago.
She felt a pang of disappointment.
Without meeting him face-to-face, she could only rely on external information to guess.
She could not be certain whether it was truly Qi Yuan.
Qi Yi furrowed her brows. Struck by an idea, she blurted out, "If we want to know whether it's him... why don't we... curse him in the street?"
For a Yang God Heavenly Venerable, if someone in the same realm discussed or cursed them, their divine sense would instinctively perceive it.
Yu Mengxian's expression turned odd upon hearing this. "You have a point."
What if it really was Qi Yuan?
If it wasn't, cursing him wouldn't cost him a piece of flesh.
And if it was, wouldn't that work out perfectly?
Sometimes, if you wanted to find a Yang God, cursing him was indeed the better approach.
"Leave it to me." Qi Yi was instantly galvanized into action. Picturing Qi Yuan's appearance in her mind, her delicate lips parted, and a blush crept across her pretty face. "Qi Yuan, you conscience-deprived bastard! You irresponsible scumbag! Toying with this young lady's feelings, sleeping with me and then running off..."
Qi Yi launched directly into a tirade.
Meanwhile, at the banquet where cups were pushed and glasses clinked, Horned Sis winked at Blood Robe from a corner. "How about that sister just now? Her chest is on par with An Xunlu's, her rear is nice and perky, and her demeanor is as shy as Ziyuan Xiaolu's. But I've known countless women, and a woman like that is... very..."
"A gap moe?"
"Yes! Exactly that! My, your head is sharp!"
"Save your flattery, it won't work on me.
As a woman, how dare you casually define women and judge others? You're merely biologically female!" Qi Yuan built up his momentum, preparing to unleash an ultimate strike to revoke Horned Sis's womanhood.
"Tsk, tsk. I define women, and you define me, is that it?
Aren't all people equal? If women cannot be defined, does that mean I can be defined?" Horned Sis remarked lazily.
Once again, she left Qi Yuan struck dumb, his face flushing crimson.
"Sigh, you just live life too tightly. If she had flirted with me like that, I would have handed over my contact info right away and invited her to view lanterns tonight," Ziyuan Daxue said heartily.
"Hardly necessary," Qi Yuan said, shaking his head. "I'm not that thirsty."
"Aren't all people equal? Just treat her like your wife, wouldn't that do?" Ziyuan Daxue said languidly. "Haven't you heard that when many cultivators are caught leaving with brothel maidens, they always claim it's a friend they just met?"
"..." Qi Yuan decided to ignore Ziyuan Daxue.
This person's mouth was filled with nothing but absurd fallacies.
Besides, he had never been good at debating.
Right then, his expression shifted slightly.
Noticing the change in his countenance, Ziyuan Daxue grew solemn and asked softly, "What is it?"
"My great nemesis has actually arrived in the Ultimate Principle Heavenly Realm!"
"A nemesis? Who?" Ziyuan Daxue tensed.
"Sigh, I've already reached the Sixth Heaven, so why did she follow me here?" Qi Yuan grumbled, helpless, before letting out a sigh. "Don't they say women are born with the capacity to love? I only owe her three hundred thousand, and it's not like I wasn't going to pay her back. Yet she chased me all the way to the Sixth Heaven and started spreading rumors that I'm an irresponsible scumbag."
Hearing this, the stone in Ziyuan Daxue's heart dropped. She covered her mouth with a chuckle. "So it's just a creditor. Making a fuss over nothing! How much do you owe?"
"Not much, just three hundred thousand. Sigh." Qi Yuan continued, "Sure enough, if you want a woman to remember you for a lifetime, you shouldn't treat her well—you should owe her money."
"Three hundred thousand Immortal Jade? Tsk, tsk. If you owed me that much, I'd sleep in your bed every day!"
Three hundred thousand Immortal Jade was a colossal sum even to Ziyuan Daxue; she certainly couldn't produce that much.
"Alright, I have to go find her. Otherwise, if she reports me and I end up on the credit blacklist, won't I become a deadbeat?
Even though I don't need airplanes to travel, 'deadbeat' sounds far too crude. It's not cultured in the slightest and doesn't suit my status."
Having said that, Qi Yuan vanished into thin air.
"What a boring day." Ziyuan Daxue picked up her wine cup and resumed drinking.
On the other side, Qi Yi stood with hands on her hips, blasting insults toward the sky.
Yu Mengxian looked somewhat embarrassed, but she did not stop her.
This method seemed childish, but it might actually work.
Just then, a voice of utter exasperation drifted from the air.
"Hey, Xiao Mei, didn't I just owe you three hundred thousand? Why start spreading slander?"
Hearing that familiar voice, Yu Mengxian's expression abruptly shifted, while Qi Yi's flushed face turned even redder.
Straight ahead stood Qi Yuan, dressed in black casual clothes, his figure tall and straight.
"Qi... Qi Yuan!" Qi Yi had never imagined that loudly cursing him would actually cause him to appear.
"Greetings, Senior!" Yu Mengxian felt as though she were dreaming, quickly offering a formal bow.
"Trying to act close after slandering me and tarnishing my reputation? Out of the three hundred thousand I owe you, I'll pay back at most two hundred and ninety-nine thousand nine hundred and ninety!"
Qi Yuan thought it over and decided to dock ten bucks.
After all, he didn't dare shortchange her by too much.
There were simply too many cases of people committing murder in a fit of rage over shortchanged debts or bride prices.
Still wearing her form-fitting outfit beneath a purple robe, Qi Yi's blush deepened. "I didn't mean to insult you on purpose! I wanted to..."
She hurried to explain.
Hearing her explanation, Qi Yuan let out a sigh of relief. "So you're not here to collect?"
After all, he currently had no currency from the Arch Star. If Qi Yi insisted on being repaid right now, he wouldn't be able to pay, which would be horribly awkward.
"Senior..." Yu Mengxian began to speak.
Suddenly, a mocking voice rang out.
"My, it seems your Heavenly Venerable truly dotes on you two, personally going to mediate with my grandfather on your behalf.
Too bad he's playing chess with my grandfather right now and won't be able to get away anytime soon."
As the words fell, a group of seven or eight people appeared.
Leading them was none other than the haughty Tuoba Lingyu.
She appraised Qi Yi as if inspecting merchandise.
Soon, however, her gaze shifted from Qi Yi to Qi Yuan.
"Your bloodline..." Her eyes widened, blazing with ecstatic delight as she took a deep, greedy breath. "It smells so good!"
She wore a look of infatuation, as if she had discovered an incomparable, priceless gem.
Qi Yuan's eyes widened. "Are you sexually harassing me?"
Qi Yuan felt he still preferred gentle, graceful women.
Between Horned Sis and this off-putting woman before him, he wanted to keep his distance from both.
"I thought your Wind Spirit Sacred Land held only one treasure, but to think there are two!" Tuoba Lingyu stared fixedly at Qi Yuan, like one gazing upon a peerless piece of jade.
Her words made Qi Yuan thoroughly uncomfortable.
Calling him "treasure" the first time they met—what was next, asking to see his legs?
Seeing this, Yu Mengxian hastily sent Qi Yuan a divine sense transmission: "Senior, this person is from the Mixed Blood Sect..."
She recounted everything that had happened that day.
Qi Yuan listened with a calm expression.
Not only was she an off-putting woman, she was even engaged in human trafficking.
He found Tuoba Lingyu all the more repulsive.
"This is my elder sister, Xiao Mei. Give me some face, and let this matter drop!" Currently, Qi Yuan still needed to comprehend the ultimate principle and maintain a low profile to avoid drawing the Taihuang Palace's attention.
Therefore, before comprehending the Supreme Ultimate Principle, he had to keep a low profile.
"Give you face... hah..." Tuoba Lingyu's mocking smile widened. "A mere Yin God from the Second Heaven, what face do you have?"
"You..." Qi Yuan strongly considered revealing his true identity.
Yet on second thought, he was from the lower realms and merely in the Purple Mansion Realm—wouldn't revealing it be even worse?
Tuoba Lingyu cast a sideways glance at Yu Mengxian. "I'm taking these two with me. Don't interfere, or else... life won't be easy for your Wind Spirit Sacred Land."
The Mythological figures behind Tuoba Lingyu glared menacingly at Qi Yuan and the other two.
"Hey, a single Immortal Jade can't buy me. Besides, you called me a treasure, and you should know that treasures are priceless." Qi Yuan thought it best to stay low-key and resolve things through dialogue, avoiding violence whenever possible.
He also needed to train his verbal skills; he couldn't keep losing arguments to Horned Sis forever.
"One Immortal Jade... is an insult to you, don't you understand? Could you... be an idiot?" Tuoba Lingyu looked at Qi Yuan as if looking at a fool.
In her eyes, deigning to speak with him was already granting him face.
After all, the only purpose of someone like him was to serve as livestock to be bled dry.
"You..." Qi Yuan grew anxious.
How could there be such a vicious person in this world?
How could there be such a vicious mouth?
He wasn't losing his cool, nor was he yapping like a dog hit by a stone!
"To dress so revealingly is bad enough, but what is the meaning of exposing three tits?
Morals have truly degenerated. You offend this old man's eyes—die!"
Right then, a sudden boom echoed through the air.
A Yang God Heavenly Venerable appeared on the scene. Casting a look of deep disgust at Tuoba Lingyu, he struck out with a palm, swatting her to death.
The Mythological figures beside her didn't even have time to react before they, too, were wiped out beneath that single palm.
It happened far too abruptly.
One moment they were bickering, and the next, a Yang God had materialized out of nowhere and squashed Tuoba Lingyu like a bug.
The might of a Yang God was beyond question.
Mythological figures were no different from ants.
Killing a few ants required scarcely any effort at all.
The Yang God Heavenly Venerable's eyes shifted, glancing toward Qi Yuan as he said with feigned indifference, "This old man was merely passing by. I was not helping you."
Right at that moment, an enraged roar tore through the heavens above.
"Insolence! Who killed my granddaughter?!"
A terrifying figure manifested within the Ultimate Principle Heavenly Realm, towering with divine wrath as a sea of blood filled the sky.
A dense, choking stench of blood permeated heaven and earth.
That horrifying figure cast its gaze straight down onto the location of Qi Yuan and the others.
The newcomer was none other than the founding ancestor of the Mixed Blood Sect—Heavenly Venerable Shenxue!
Seeing the arrival, Qi Yuan panicked and blurted out in a rush, "I didn't kill her! It has nothing to do with me! This Yang God Heavenly Venerable killed her! I don't know him at all, and I certainly don't know that his name is Mo Tong!"
Chapter 441