Chapter Forty-Five: Entering the Domain of the Heretic Sect

The smile faded from Ning Jun’s face, his fox tail withdrawing as he asked in a cool tone, “Has the Young Emperor gone to find Yingying?”

Bai Qirui, hearing the way he referred to Xie Yingying, recalled her meticulous escape plan, the trance-inducing powder, and the short dagger she had used. His expression grew complicated. “Since when did you and she become so close?”

Ning Jun sat up lazily, stretching before rising to his feet. He began to saunter towards the gates of the residence, smiling as he replied, “Why don’t you guess?”

Though his manner appeared leisurely and flippant, he had barely finished speaking before he’d already reached the outer gates.

Ning Jun was, as always, efficient. Before long, he appeared before the commander of the guards, tossing out a casual remark, “The Third Young Master wants you to find the Young Emperor. He says the Young Emperor has gone missing.” With that, he departed with an easy grace, off to amuse himself who knew where.

The commander blushed and his heart raced each time he saw Ning Jun. Now, coughing to compose himself, cheeks aglow, he fanned his face before barking urgent orders to those at his side, “Pass down the order—search for the Young Emperor!”

“Yes, sir!” came the ready reply.

Soon, the guards split into several squads, fanning out in eight directions across the reaches of Gu Feng Mountain.

This commotion happened to catch the attention of Ning Qingqing, who had just returned and was limping in pain. She stopped a guard, blinking curiously, and asked, “What’s going on?”

The guard noticed the faint flush at the corners of her eyes and the light sheen of sweat on her face, which only made her more endearing in his eyes. He coughed lightly, blushing as he replied, “The Young Emperor is missing.”

At his words, Ning Qingqing immediately thought of how Bai Shengyun had left her behind. Anger flared within her, and she strode off at once.

The guard was left bewildered, utterly at a loss as to what he might have said wrong to incite such anger in Ning Qingqing.

Halfway up the mountainside, Shen Ruru was sitting in a pavilion, quietly regulating the flow of spiritual energy within her.

Her injuries had not yet healed, and thanks to Ning Qingqing, she had now suffered fresh wounds. At the mere thought of that white lotus Ning Qingqing, the emotions Shen Ruru had just managed to suppress surged violently once more. Her breath came uneven, the taste of blood thick in her throat, and she forcibly swallowed down the clotted blood that threatened to rise.

“Search here!” the distant voices of the guards called out.

Already in a foul mood, Shen Ruru’s irritation only grew at the disturbance to her meditation. In a flash, she appeared before the guards, and with a crisp motion, struck out with her palm.

The guard was thrown to the ground, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He was about to curse in anger, but when he looked up and saw it was Shen Ruru, he swallowed his rage, daring not to show it. After all, his cultivation was no match for hers—and Shen Ruru was infamous for her ruthlessness, the grisly sight of her slain disciple still sending chills down his spine.

The other guards who saw her were all stricken with fear, some trembling so badly their knees nearly gave way.

“What’s all this racket? What happened to make you lot run around like madmen?” Shen Ruru snapped.

The guard felt deeply aggrieved. Orders had to be given loudly in a group, yet even this she found fault with. Seething, he gritted his teeth and replied, “The Young Emperor is missing.”

“What?!” She stepped forward, hoisting the guard up with one hand. “How could the Young Emperor disappear?”

“I—I...” The guard nearly wet himself. “How should I know? That’s what the Third Young Master said.”

At this, Shen Ruru flung him aside and strode toward Bai Qirui’s residence.

Inside his manor, Bai Qirui sat frowning over his tea, the breeze from his calming fan stirring his hair, betraying his troubled thoughts.

Meanwhile, Ning Jun showed not the slightest concern, still cheerfully teasing the goldfish in the pond—a stark contrast between the two.

Shen Ruru strode straight into the manor. Seeing Bai Qirui still sipping tea, her anger flared. She let out a cold laugh, her expression filled with scorn as she said, “Third Young Master, the Young Emperor is missing, and you’re still here at leisure with your tea? Clearly you can’t wait to claim the Young Emperor’s seat for yourself.”

Bai Qirui’s face darkened to pitch black as soon as he saw Shen Ruru. His loathing was openly displayed as he turned away, unwilling to even acknowledge her.

But Shen Ruru had not come simply to antagonize him. After her outburst, she asked bluntly, “Is it true the Young Emperor’s disappeared?”

“You must be blind,” Bai Qirui replied with a light laugh.

His meaning was clear: with so many guards searching the entire expanse of Gu Feng Mountain, if Bai Shengyun were still here, why all this fuss?

Shen Ruru seethed, a bloodthirsty murderous intent flickering in her eyes.

Bai Qirui, aware she now harbored thoughts of killing him, summoned his spiritual power and gently flicked his folding fan. “I advise you to calm yourself, Miss Shen. This is Gu Feng Mountain.”

A cool breeze swept over Shen Ruru, dispelling some of her inner restlessness. Hearing his words, she forced herself to calm down.

With a flick of her sleeve and a snort, she turned and left.

As she stepped out of the manor, her divine sense expanded instantly, sweeping from the front of the mountain to the back. Not content, she even leaped into the air, anxiously searching everywhere for Bai Shengyun’s presence, but found nothing.

Realizing this, her eyes narrowed, and she swiftly descended the mountain.

At the gates of Gu Feng Mountain, her gaze grew sharp as she sought out Bai Shengyun’s aura. Upon finding it, she mounted her sword and soared through the white clouds with ease.

As she traced the path Bai Shengyun had taken, her sense of foreboding deepened. After covering most of the journey, she realized this was clearly the road toward the territory of the Demonic Sect.

Recalling Xie Yingying’s actions, a cruel smile curved her lips. She thought to herself: Xie Yingying, Shengyun is coming to settle accounts with you. This time, you won't escape death.

Back at Gu Feng Mountain, chaos reigned once more. Meanwhile, Bai Shengyun, now at the very border of the Demonic Sect’s domain, stood calm and composed, hands clasped behind his back, contemplating the great formation array before him.

Once he crossed the barrier, the demonic cultivators would sense his presence instantly—he might well die within.

After a long moment, Bai Shengyun’s lashes trembled. He concealed his aura and stepped forward.

The surface of the formation rippled faintly, and Huo Tianqing, sensing something amiss, turned toward the disturbance, an amused smile playing on his lips.

Inside the Demonic Sect’s territory, Bai Shengyun quickly pinpointed the auras of Huo Tianqing and Xie Yingying. He drew out a concealment talisman, pressed it to himself, and then proceeded quietly toward where their presence was strongest.

Within the sect, Huo Tianqing had also risen, descending the steps one by one. Noticing Bai Shengyun’s aura had vanished, he arched a brow, heading alone toward the spot where it had disappeared.

The further Bai Shengyun went, the heavier the stench of blood became, deepening the furrow between his brows. Compared to the celestial sect’s lands, the sky here was darker, tinged with blood-red, pressing heavily on his heart. All around, the wailing of malicious spirits echoed, sharp and grating.

For a moment, Bai Shengyun recalled the celestial sect’s spirit beasts. Every spring, they would lower their heads and call for mates, their cries deafening. He had always found it irritating, but compared to this, he now strangely found it almost pleasant.

A ghost drifted by, cackling eerily. In the distance, a figure in black strolled through this grotesque landscape as if it were a leisurely garden walk, utterly at ease, as though long accustomed to such horrors.

Catching sight of this person, Bai Shengyun’s golden eyes narrowed, his expression icy.

It was Huo Tianqing—the very one who had vanished with Xie Yingying in his arms.

Bai Shengyun halted, watching as Huo Tianqing approached.

But Huo Tianqing walked right past him, glancing around as if searching for something.

He still hadn’t detected Bai Shengyun’s presence or aura, and, looking puzzled, he muttered to himself, “Strange? I can’t even find a little fox cub now? Seems I’m no match for the younger generation.”

Bai Shengyun’s face grew even darker, but he was here for Xie Yingying, not to clash with Huo Tianqing.