Chapter Thirty-Seven: Huo Tianqing Arrives

Xie Yingying was still not adept at controlling her spiritual power; all the techniques she managed to summon now were mere bodily reflexes triggered by panic. As a result, the two Heavenly Fox disciples easily dodged her attacks. Seeing this, Xie Yingying turned and fled, but one of the disciples, dressed in a purple robe, leapt forward and blocked her escape.

Now beset from both front and back, Xie Yingying found herself cornered. The two disciples, seeing she had nowhere to run, advanced to seize her. Flustered and desperate, Xie Yingying instinctively raised her hand—at once, silk tree flowers burst into bloom, their intoxicating fragrance thick and bewitching.

She watched as the two disciples' eyes glazed over, then turned and bolted. Yet the heady scent quickly spread, drawing the attention of many nearby, who rushed over just in time to see Xie Yingying's slender figure fleeing, with the two disciples left in a daze as if their souls had departed.

The first elder to arrive, well-seasoned in combat, held his breath and strode forward, slapping both disciples sharply across the face. They immediately snapped out of their stupor, staring at the elder in confusion. One even asked, "Where's Xie Yingying?"

The elder was furious. "Still asking about Xie Yingying? She’s already escaped!"

The two disciples blanched in shock. Others present were also a bit dizzy, but thanks to their higher cultivation and having breathed in little of the fragrance, they quickly held their breath and chased after the fleeing figure.

Seeing so many in pursuit, Xie Yingying was startled and ran even faster. But as mentioned before, the mountain path was steep and narrow. Suddenly, she stumbled and fell, nearly tumbling down the mountainside.

Her fall left her surrounded on all sides, escape impossible. Unwilling to surrender, Xie Yingying gritted her teeth, recalling how she had cast her spell moments ago. She gathered spiritual power in her hands, the flower mark between her brows flashing briefly, and rapidly recited the incantation from memory.

She formed the hand seals, spiritual energy sparkling at her fingertips like starlight. With two fingers joined, the silk tree flowers bloomed again, scattering everywhere in the wind. The scent was so strong that even a passing celestial crane was briefly intoxicated, nearly faltering in flight.

One of the elders, witnessing this, pointed at her and shouted, "Witch! Up to your tricks again!"

This time, everyone knew what to do—they immediately held their breath, some forming protective arrays, others brandishing magical artifacts.

The elder took out a formation disk and snorted coldly. The disk connected with the pre-laid formation, which instantly descended to trap Xie Yingying within.

Now Xie Yingying felt utterly miserable, an immense pressure pinning her to the ground so that she could not move. With her body already caked in mud, she was a picture of utter wretchedness.

"Still thinking of running?" The elder stepped forward, increasing the pressure as though a great beast with fangs were bearing down on her. "Let me tell you, you won't escape! A witch like you, already promised to the Young Emperor, and you dare try to run? What do you take the Heavenly Fox clan for?"

Hearing this, the wounds on Xie Yingying's arms and wrists throbbed with renewed pain, and she stopped struggling, closing her eyes and resigning herself to her fate, awaiting Bai Shengyun’s arrival.

She could already imagine how Bai Shengyun would punish her, tormenting her to death.

Thinking of the original fate of this body, Xie Yingying shuddered.

The two Heavenly Fox disciples approached with iron chains to restrain her, but suddenly their faces twisted in terror, and they collapsed, trembling uncontrollably—a sight to chill the blood.

The elder felt a wave of mighty force crash down and quickly raised a spiritual shield in defense. He looked to the sky, but saw no one, and demanded in a booming voice, "Who is it?"

A cold snort answered him. The newcomer was clad in black robes, embroidered with blooming silk tree flowers—flowers that would have appeared seductive, yet his handsome, sharp-browed, star-eyed visage was completely at odds with their allure, lending the blossoms an eerie, enigmatic air.

His voice came from behind the elder. "You people of the Immortal Sect do know how to pick your targets. If there’s an issue, why not come to me, Huo Tianqing, instead of bullying my disciple? Or do you mean to reignite the war between our two realms?"

At the sight of him, Xie Yingying’s eyes lit up.

It seemed she might yet leave Guifeng Mountain alive today!

“It’s you!” The elder’s pupils contracted before he sneered, “Huo Tianqing, after all these years, your cultivation hasn’t improved a bit!”

Huo Tianqing only smiled faintly, letting slip his true aura. Instantly, everyone present felt their knees go weak. “Old man, mind your words.”

The elder involuntarily took a step back, his earlier words now sounding like a slap in his own face.

Huo Tianqing gently pointed at the great formation, which shattered at once with a bang. The oppressive force on Xie Yingying vanished; she felt suddenly light and free.

He meant to ask Xie Yingying where she had disappeared to for so long and how she had ended up at Guifeng Mountain, but Xie Yingying, seizing the moment while everyone was intimidated by Huo Tianqing, grabbed his sleeve and ran.

“Hm?” Huo Tianqing raised an eyebrow in puzzlement. “Why are you running when your master is here?”

“I’ll explain later!” Xie Yingying replied hurriedly.

Huo Tianqing’s sudden appearance had already drawn everyone from elsewhere, including Bai Shengyun and Bai Qirui. The two brothers exchanged a glance, their brows equally furrowed, and quickly made their way to the rear of the mountain.

So many people rushed over that, viewed from above, the once tranquil Guifeng Mountain was now teeming with dark, bobbing heads. Many guards brandished magical implements, and the Heavenly Fox disciples soared through the air, making for a grand and imposing scene.

Following the map of Guifeng Mountain she remembered, Xie Yingying led Huo Tianqing all the way to the mountain gate. By now, few guards remained, and Huo Tianqing effortlessly knocked them out with a single palm.

Xie Yingying couldn’t help exclaiming in admiration, finding it not so bad to have a formidable cultivator by her side.

Just as the two were about to flee through the gate, Bai Shengyun descended from the sky. The instant he saw Huo Tianqing, murderous intent blazed in his golden eyes.

“Where do you think you’re going?” he asked coldly.

Huo Tianqing was taken aback at first, then smiled amiably. “Young Emperor of the Heavenly Foxes, it’s been a long time.”

“Indeed.” Bai Shengyun’s gaze did not waver as he fixed his icy stare on Xie Yingying. Linking his power to hers, he sent waves of pain coursing through her body, forcing her to her knees before continuing, “I trust you’ve been well, Huo Tianqing.”

Seeing Xie Yingying in such distress, Huo Tianqing’s expression darkened, his robe billowing ominously. “What have you done to my disciple?”

“Nothing much,” Bai Shengyun replied with a soft laugh. “Just enough to make her wish she were dead.”

At this, Huo Tianqing’s eyes narrowed, murderous energy swirling around him. “Very well—so your Immortal Sect does wish to wage war against the Demonic Sect!”

“I never said that. But Xie Yingying and I are already married. She is mine—you cannot take her back!”

Huo Tianqing was clearly surprised. He turned to Xie Yingying, his voice a mix of shock and curiosity. “What is going on here?”