After walking for a while, the closer they got to the depths of the Secret Realm, the darker the sky became.
The leaden gray haze hung low, pressing down so heavily it was almost suffocating. All around, the silence was broken only by the wailing of the wind.
The cultivators they encountered on the path gradually increased in number, each wary and guarded, yet all hurried, as if eager to leave this unsettling outskirts as quickly as possible.
Strangely, the traces of Beasts became scarcer and scarcer, as if they too feared some unknown presence within this land.
Jiang Huai’s eyes narrowed slightly, the feeling of being watched growing more distinct in his heart.
Suddenly, he stopped in his tracks and spun around sharply, shouting coldly, “Show yourself! I see you!”
But there was no sound except the wind.
Jiang Zhun furrowed his brow. Was it just an illusion? Or was the other’s concealment technique extraordinarily skilled?
In the shadows, Zhu Siyao pressed her back tightly against a cold giant rock, holding her breath. Her heart pounded fiercely, nearly bursting from her chest.
That was close—she almost got discovered. Quietly, she was grateful for her quick reflexes.
Just as she thought Jiang Huai would continue searching or leave, the situation suddenly changed.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh.
Over ten figures appeared silently from all directions like phantoms, instantly surrounding Jiang Huai in the center.
They all wore identical night-black clothes and various masks that covered their faces—only cold or malicious eyes exposed.
They varied in height and build, wielding different weapons, clearly from different sects.
The only commonality was the unhidden, intense hostility and greed directed straight at Jiang Huai.
His heart sank.
These covert figures were clearly targeting him.
“Who are you?”
A tall woman with a husky, seductive voice laughed lightly, eyeing Jiang Huai up and down with a blatant leer.
“So this is the little master kept by that vicious dragon? He’s quite handsome—no wonder she treasures him so.”
“I really don’t know what that mad dragon was thinking.” Another chimed in with a lewd and flippant tone.
“Stirring up so much trouble outside, and daring to send her little master alone into the Secret Realm? Isn’t that like sending a sheep into the tiger’s den?”
“Heh, I wonder what it’s like to be the Dragon Lord’s consort? A male cultivator of that status is rare. Catching him would be a treat for the sisters to feast on.” Another spoke sharply, dripping with lechery.
“It must be amazing, right? No wonder that infamous dragon is so obsessed…”
“There must be many treasures on him too. That dragon has plundered so many sects over the years…”
One after another, they spat filthy words at Jiang Huai, filled with malice and greed.
Only now did Jiang Huai understand—they were all Qin Qingyue’s old enemies, drawn by his mad dash toward the heart of the Secret Realm.
Aware of his identity but fearing Qin Qingyue’s furious retaliation, they dared not show their true faces.
Jiang Huai’s expression turned icy cold. He quietly summoned his spiritual power to its peak.
The Chaos Dao Platform trembled slightly, the Two Energies of Yin and Yang gathering, ready to unleash.
He slowly assumed the opening stance of the Wenxuan Swordsmanship. Though his sword had not yet drawn, the fierce sword intent already radiated from his body.
Even though outnumbered, he would never be a sitting duck.
The group of female cultivators surrounding him sneered upon seeing his intention to resist.
They drew their weapons and activated their spiritual power, releasing a variety of energies that locked onto Jiang Huai.
Among them were several mid-Foundation Establishment cultivators, and one or two with heavy, concentrated auras—undeniable masters of Purple Mansion Foundation.
Hidden in the shadows, Zhu Siyao watched in horror, her palms slick with cold sweat.
She had only wanted to teach this bad man who stole her mother a lesson—never to kill him.
Besides, if Jiang Huai truly died here, with Qin Qingyue’s mad temperament, it would surely trigger a bloody storm.
At that time, her mother’s position in the Nine Heavens Palace might…
Would that mad dragon’s fury end up dragging Jiang Huai down with her?
In a flash, Zhu Siyao gritted her silver teeth and quickly pulled out a mask to cover her face while stringing an arrow to her bow.
Shhh!
An arrow wreathed in blazing fire shot precisely toward the tall woman who had been mocking Jiang Huai.
At the same time, Zhu Siyao sprang from her hiding spot and shouted in a delicate but sharp voice,
“Hmph! So many attacking one man, bullying the weak—what kind of skill is that? Shameless!”
For now, she would save him once—revenge could come later!
The arrow struck suddenly and fiercely. The tall woman barely had time to dodge fully, twisting awkwardly as the arrow grazed her arm, spraying blood and burning flesh with a painful groan.
The unexpected aid caused the scene to momentarily freeze.
Jiang Huai was equally surprised—he hadn’t expected there to be someone secretly watching, and helping him?
The voice sounded strangely familiar.
The group gathered their power and surged toward Jiang Huai, their spiritual energies enveloping him.
The man who had just displayed a resolute stance, ready to fight to the death, suddenly withdrew his aura sharply and turned without hesitation.
Not only did he not counterattack, but he also activated his movement to its peak, becoming a streak of shadow rushing toward the direction the arrow came from.
Passing Zhu Siyao, he lowly barked, grabbing her clothing:
“What are you standing there for? Run!”
Before she could react, he dragged her along like a gale, shooting more than ten yards away in an instant.
The entire sequence was smooth as flowing clouds—gathering his aura, the sudden turnaround, and the swift escape. The decisiveness left onlookers stunned.
Their speed and abrupt change in intent shocked the black-clad pursuers, clearly unprepared for such unorthodox tactics.
“Bastards! Don’t let them escape!”
“Chase them! Catch them!” The leaders shouted in fury as they leapt forward in pursuit.
Zhu Siyao: “???”
Still clutching her longbow, her beautiful face beneath the mask full of confusion and shock, she instinctively blurted out,
“Weren’t you just going to draw your sword and fight them?!”
The tense scene earlier—the fierce sword intent—anyone watching would think Jiang Huai was ready to die fighting, no matter the odds.
Who could have imagined he’d run the next moment?
As they fled, Jiang Huai even managed a casual smile and shrugged.
“My lady taught me—if you can run in a situation like this, don’t fight for temporary pride.”
“Who knows if they have reinforcements or traps? Better to run first.”
When it came to self-preservation, Jiang Huai had truly absorbed Qin Qingyue’s teachings.
His earlier resolute posture was purely to attract and fix their attention, creating the perfect moment to break free.
Mentioning “my lady” caused Zhu Siyao’s expression to sour visibly. She glared fiercely at Jiang Huai.
Your lady?! Then what about my mother?! Am I just a concubine in your family?!
That damn shameless scoundrel!
Jiang Huai glanced behind and, seeing the pursuers hadn’t caught up, breathed a sigh of relief.
Seeing the opportunity, Zhu Siyao suddenly lunged at Jiang Huai, shouting angrily,
“You perverted scoundrel! Let’s see where you run now!”
Suddenly, red Crimson Armor appeared around her, similar to Zhuxin’s.
With powerful legs, she locked tightly around Jiang Huai’s waist, pinning him firmly beneath her.
The unexpected move threw both off balance, and they tumbled to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Zhu Siyao reacted quickly, twisting her legs tightly around Jiang Huai, imprisoning him beneath.
She raised her fist high, glaring down at him,
“Your lady? Let me show you how fierce I am!”