In the Great Luo Holy Sect.
In the Sect Master's Hall, an elder with white hair and beard, a ruddy complexion, and an air of otherworldly transcendence sat in meditation.
This elder was none other than Meng Yan, the current Sect Master of the Great Luo Holy Sect.
Crack!
A sudden sound of something shattering came from the desk in front of him.
Meng Yan slowly opened his eyes, but upon seeing that it was a small banner that had broken, a look of astonishment appeared on his face.
"The Yin-Yang Formation in Jin Kingdom... it's been destroyed? How is this possible?"
He immediately took out a decree, made a hand seal with a casual gesture, and said in a heavy tone:
"Saint Disciple Ji Lingyun, the Yin-Yang Formation in your Jin Kingdom has been destroyed. Go at once to investigate who is responsible. Report to me immediately upon finding any news."
A respectful voice soon came from the decree:
"Disciple understands. I will return to Jin Kingdom now."
Meng Yan put away the decree, then rose and left the main hall, heading toward the ancestral grounds at the back of the Great Luo Holy Sect.
Taiyin Academy
"You... you were actually the Dao companion of the Great Luo Holy Sect's former Saint Lie Lun?"
After hearing Lan Lian's words, Princess Ning couldn't help but exclaim in surprise.
She couldn't understand how this woman, whom the Jin Kingdom's high-ups called a disaster for her generation, was actually the Dao companion of the Great Luo Holy Sect's peerless genius from a thousand years ago.
"Don't look at me like that. A thousand years ago, I was a top-tier beauty myself. Besides, when I met that 'Lie Lun', he wasn't even a Saint yet—just a mere King-ranked powerhouse."
Seeing Princess Ning's shocked expression, Lan Lian showed a look of someone who had rarely seen anything unusual:
"At that time, the number of people pursuing me in the Ghost Realm was countless. Unfortunately, I was blind back then and thought that 'Lie Lun' was an honest man. Who would have thought that after he became a Saint, he changed. For the sake of a Saint Ancestor's mansion, he actually sealed me away."
"Saint Ancestor?"
For a moment, Princess Ning found it hard to process such massive information and didn't dare to ask further. The affairs of Saints were not something a child like her could pry into.
"You've managed to provoke an 'honest man' into a corner, haven't you?"
Chen Xuan suddenly interjected.
Lan Lian was rendered speechless. Why did this Immortal Master, despite being so handsome, always said such heart-stabbing words?
"Alright, enough teasing you. We've more or less finished our business. It's time for us to leave the Taiyin Academy."
Zhao Youqian looked at the frosty and sword-like Leng Li beside him:
"Junior Brother, are you coming back with us, or do you want to stay here and complete your three-year pact?"
Leng Li said indifferently, "I want to go see Xiao Zhuo."
"I think you'd better not see Xiao Zhuo. The formation here has been broken, and the Great Luo Holy Sect and the royal family already know about it. I suggest you leave Jinyang sooner rather than later. If it's too late, you might not even be able to get out of the Taiyin Academy gates."
Princess Ning said seriously, looking at Leng Li. She wasn't trying to help the three of them but didn't want these reckless individuals to implicate Xiao Zhuo.
Xiao Zhuo had only just regained consciousness from her coma, and now she had met these three lawless troublemakers—truly terrible luck.
Hearing this, Leng Li frowned slightly. He was different from Zhao Youqian and Chen Xuan.
Having spent years in the Immortal Ascension Bureau, he knew a thing or two about the Great Luo Holy Sect. The Supreme Sword Sect was nothing compared to them—it was like an ant to an elephant. It would be effortless for the Great Luo Holy Sect to annihilate the Supreme Sword Sect.
Going to see Xiao Zhuo would undoubtedly bring her trouble.
Not seeing her might be the best choice.
Just then, Leng Li suddenly felt someone pat his shoulder.
He turned to see Chen Xuan looking at him with a smile.
"Junior Brother Leng, do whatever you want to do. Don't worry. Aren't your senior brothers here to have your back?"
Chen Xuan never made decisions for others but always supported his brothers' decisions.
Although he hadn't known Leng Li for long, and the fellow usually maintained a cold demeanor, Chen Xuan still regarded him as his junior brother.
After all, hadn't he been slaying resentful spirits day and night in the Sword Tomb precisely for the day when his sword could move the nine heavens?
Now that his junior brother was in trouble, he naturally wouldn't back down.
Zhao Youqian said with a laugh, "Brother Chen is right. We'll always have your back."
Even the usually icy Leng Li showed a grateful expression upon hearing their words, his tone somewhat emotional as he said:
"Thank you, Senior Brothers. I've already made up my mind."
Hearing their words, Princess Ning couldn't help but feel a headache. Had they failed to recognize the reality of the situation?
Hadn't she made herself clear enough?
"Princess Ning, we take our leave."
After Chen Xuan said this, he turned and left.
After a long while, Princess Ning came to her senses and said faintly behind her:
"Prepare the carriage. I want to see exactly what these three troublemakers are up to."
As Chen Xuan and the others just walked out of the Taiyin Academy's main gate, they saw Lu Zineng pacing back and forth outside, his face filled with anxiety.
"Two Immortal Masters, you're finally out."
Lu Zineng breathed a sigh of relief upon seeing them: "If you hadn't come out, I would have gone down the mountain to find Princess Jing to find you."
"You've been waiting here all this time?"
Chen Xuan asked in surprise.
"Of course. Princess Jing instructed me to be ready to drive the carriage for you two at any time. How would I dare to wander off?" Lu Zineng said with a serious expression.
"Thank you for your trouble."
Chen Xuan patted his shoulder: "But from now on, we'll have to walk on our own. Otherwise, you'll end up in deep trouble."
"What are you talking about, Immortal Master Chen? Since I Lu Zineng promised to drive for you two, I will see the task through. As long as you two are in Jinyang, I won't run away."
Lu Zineng said with a heroic air.
"A lad with spirit. This Immortal Master appreciates that kind of character."
After Chen Xuan said this with a smile, he got into the carriage.
After getting in, Zhao Youqian asked, "Junior Brother Leng, have you decided where to go?"
"Viscount Zhuo's residence."
Leng Li's tone was exceptionally serious.
Zhao Youqian smiled and said, "A Neng, go to Viscount Zhuo's residence."
"Right away!"
Lu Zineng whipped the reins, and the carriage headed toward Changping Fang. With the flag of the Lingye Imperial Mansion hanging on it, the carriage had smooth sailing all the way.
Soon, the carriage stopped in front of Viscount Zhuo's residence.
Before Chen Xuan could get out, he heard a voice from outside: "I wonder which esteemed guest from the Lingye Imperial Mansion has graced us with their presence?"
Just as Leng Li was about to rise, Chen Xuan beside him stopped him.
He signaled with his eyes for the other not to speak, then pushed open the carriage door and said indifferently to the guard in fiery armor:
"Go tell your Second Miss that an old friend has come to see her. Whether she sees me or not is up to her."
If anyone else had said this, the guard would have driven them away without a second thought. However, seeing that Chen Xuan had arrived in the Lingye Imperial Mansion's carriage, he nodded and said:
"Please wait a moment for a short while."
About a quarter of an hour later, the main gate of Viscount Zhuo's residence slowly opened...
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