A crimson-gold sword energy suddenly slashed down from the horizon like a rainbow piercing the sun, forcefully blocking the two demonic anomalies.
Bang!
The shockwave exploded, and the demonic anomalies were forced back by the sword energy, their forward momentum coming to an abrupt halt.
The next second, Elder Huaisang landed beside Ye Chang'an amidst a flash of fire. His black robes billowed in the wind, and his expression was as cold as frost as he demanded sharply, “What is going on here?!”
This jade token was meant to save Ye Chang'an's life. He wouldn't have used it unless he had absolutely no other choice.
Still shaken, Ye Chang'an scrambled on all fours to hide behind him, his voice trembling with a sob. “Save me! I—I don't know what's going on! They suddenly jumped out at us!”
Hearing the commotion, Song Yao stopped running and looked back.
Oh.
He called for backup.
Then there was no need to be afraid.
Forced back a few steps, the two demonic anomalies didn't wait for Ye Chang'an to finish speaking. Roaring, they lunged forward once more, their thick, dark evil energy surging straight toward Elder Huaisang's face.
An unusual look flashed across Elder Huaisang's eyes for a split second before he tightened his grip on his sword.
Raging flames suddenly erupted along the blade, the fiery light causing the surrounding black energy to sizzle, making even the air turn scorching hot.
With a flick of his wrist, he slashed his sword forward with immense force.
Crimson flames exploded along with the sword energy, instantly swallowing the two demonic anomalies.
Inside the raging fire, the two anomalies let out piercing shrieks. In the blink of an eye, they were burned to nothingness, leaving not even a speck of ash behind.
Only a faint burnt smell lingered in the air.
Song Yao raised her eyebrow slightly. Her fingers lightly rubbed the wine flask in her arms, a trace of doubt flickering in her eyes.
Encountering such unprecedented demonic anomalies in a place like this, and he just killed them without investigating first?
And he destroyed them so thoroughly, too.
Was he not worried that more of the same anomalies might appear?
Ye Chang'an clearly shared her confusion. Letting out a massive sigh of relief, he asked in alarm, “What on earth were those things? Why did they suddenly jump out and attack me here?”
Sheathing his sword, Elder Huaisang replied indifferently, “Just ordinary evil entities. Recently, demonic cultivators have been running rampant, and monsters have been wreaking havoc everywhere. The Beiyao Sect has been distracted by the upcoming tournament in the Myriad Bones Forest realm, so the mountain-guarding array must have had a lapse, allowing them to slip in.”
His gaze swept over Song Yao standing on the tree nearby out of the corner of his eye. His brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as he changed the subject. “But more importantly, Young Master, why are you hanging out with that little pill cultivator from the Nine Saints Hall in the middle of the night?”
This little pill cultivator had caused quite a headache for both the Beiyao Sect and the Taiqing Pavilion over the past two days.
Given Ye Chang'an's personality, he should have wanted to tear her to shreds.
There was no reason for him to be out with her in the middle of the night, let alone face danger together.
However...
There was no one else around right now.
And this little brat was completely defenseless.
It wouldn't be a bad time to make a move.
But he dismissed the thought a split second later.
She was just an undeveloped pill cultivator; it wasn't worth falling out completely with the Nine Saints Hall over her.
What's more...
Elder Huaisang glanced at the little pill cultivator's strikingly beautiful face, then at Ye Chang'an's hesitant expression and his stammering, unable to explain himself. He had already come to a conclusion in his mind.
It was likely just a young man's infatuation.
Otherwise, his attitude wouldn't have shifted so suddenly.
He coldly reminded him, “Playing around is fine, but remember that you are an engaged man. You are getting married within the year, so prepare yourself.”
Ye Chang'an: “...?”
Playing around is fine?
Playing around with what?
He suddenly snapped out of it and opened his mouth to explain, but cowardice made him swallow his words.
His earlier hesitation was because he was considering whether to ask Elder Huaisang to stand up for him, but he felt it would be too embarrassing.
Now, he was clearly being misunderstood.
Play around with Lin Mu?
It was more like Lin Mu would play him to death.
He gnashed his teeth and was about to speak again when Elder Huaisang beat him to it, warning, “Don't run around outside at night. Return to the Beiyao Sect immediately to avoid running into more evil entities.”
Turning around, his figure quickly vanished from the spot.
Once again left helpless, Ye Chang'an hesitated for a long while before meekly walking over to the tree where Song Yao was. Shrinking his neck, he offered a placating smile. “Senior Sister Lin, it... it's almost dawn. We still have to attend class today. How about we try the medicine another day...?”
Song Yao: “...”
Tsk.
She had almost forgotten about that.
She still had to attend the moral philosophy class.
For the sake of her pill-refining career, she hadn't slept all night, spending it all on Ye Chang'an.
After a moment's thought, she jumped down from the tree, clutched her chest with one hand while coughing twice, and grabbed Ye Chang'an's arm with the other. “I'm injured.”
Ye Chang'an: “? Since when?”
How could she get injured after running that fast?
Song Yao: “Now.”
Ye Chang'an: “...”
...
Half a quarter-hour later, inside the Beiyao Sect guest courtyard.
Song Yao lay comfortably on the bed in her room, wrapped tightly in a quilt.
In the outer room, the miserable Ye Chang'an was diligently memorizing his script: “We were attacked by evil entities just now. Lin Mu was injured while trying to protect me. She is kind, brave, caring toward her peers, intelligent, and motivated. I feel terribly guilty that she got hurt. I'm afraid she won't be able to attend today's classes. But don't worry, I will bring the lecture notes back for her.”
Ninth Elder: “...”
Something felt a bit off.
Having no good impression of Ye Chang'an, the Ninth Elder wanted to go inside to check on Song Yao, but he hesitated. Instead, he turned and knocked on Chen He's door, telling him to quickly fetch a medical cultivator.
Ye Chang'an was startled and hurriedly tried to stop him. “Senior Sister Lin isn't hurt that badly! There's no need for a medical cultivator. She just needs to sleep it off.”
As soon as Chen He heard that Song Yao had been attacked and injured by monsters, he was instantly jolted awake. Ignoring everything else, he turned and rushed off to find someone.
The Ninth Elder gave Ye Chang'an a deep look before turning and entering the room, stopping a few paces from Song Yao's bed. “How are you? Do you feel uncomfortable anywhere right now?”
Song Yao was so sleepy her eyelids were drooping. Only half of her face was visible from beneath the quilt, but she didn't forget to maintain her persona. “Thank you for your concern, Ninth Elder. I can bear it.”
Ninth Elder: “Ye Chang'an said you were injured by monsters while trying to save him. Is this true?”
Song Yao mumbled a soft affirmation.
Lowering his voice, the Ninth Elder asked worriedly, “Tell me the truth, did Ye Chang'an bully you and cause your injury? There is absolutely no reason for a disciple of the Nine Saints Hall to suffer in silence. Don't be afraid, this old man will stand up for you!”
Song Yao: “...”
Wait.
Why was Ye Chang'an's reputation just as bad as hers?
She shook her head again. “It really isn't. I was truly injured while performing a heroic rescue.”
Indeed, this child didn't look like someone who would quietly swallow her anger if she were bullied.
The Ninth Elder glared at Ye Chang'an outside the door, then walked out. “What kind of monsters did you run into?”
Ye Chang'an couldn't be bothered with these old men and hadn't planned to answer. But remembering the little terror lying inside, he had no choice but to say patiently, “I didn't get a clear look. They were killed by Elder Huaisang of our sect.”
The Ninth Elder frowned. Asking nothing more, he waved his hand to dismiss him.
Before long, the medical cultivator rushed over, followed by Chen Qingqiu and several other cultivators.
Chen Qingqiu had a tense expression as she nodded slightly to the Ninth Elder.
The cultivator behind her asked urgently, “Our Saintess heard that a disciple was injured within the Beiyao Sect's territory. Do you know what happened?”
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