"Hmm?"
Xu Yonian's expression darkened.
Now at the early Unity Stage, he still felt utterly insignificant before Hong Qianye — like a mere ant before a god.
The man's odd behavior only deepened the pit in Xu Yonian's stomach.
Hong Qianye couldn't be bothered with these people. His gaze turned to the depths of the forbidden area, his eyes sharp and glinting coldly.
"Rather than let this supreme treasure gather dust, I might as well claim it for myself."
Without warning, he raised a hand, and a massive palm of crimson flame materialized, reaching toward the sundial.
"How dare you!"
"What are you doing?!"
A chorus of startled shouts rang out as the peak masters lunged to stop him.
"Get lost!" Hong Qianye snapped, his voice frigid and merciless.
In an instant, an overwhelming aura surged forth.
The masters of the various peaks crumbled beneath the pressure, unable to even stand. Even with their Transformation Stage cultivation, they collapsed to their knees like puppets with their strings cut.
Only Xu Yonian barely managed to stay half-kneeling, sweat pouring from his forehead in thick beads, his heart hammering wildly.
"This aura… such terrifying demonic energy… What kind of background does this so-called disciple of Master Ye have?!" Xu Yonian thought, his blood running cold.
"A bunch of trash."
Hong Qianye sneered, about to snatch the sundial outright.
But the moment his power touched it — nothing.
No matter how he pushed, the sundial didn't budge, as if it existed in a space beyond his reach.
"What's going on?!"
Frustration flared in Hong Qianye's chest.
If Ye Junlin were here, he'd be howling with laughter. This sundial was a special system treasure; aside from Ye Junlin himself, no one could claim it by force.
"Hong Qianye!"
Xu Yonian gritted his teeth, summoning arcs of lightning to steady himself as he stood, trembling yet defiant.
"You're Master Ye's disciple, the most gifted prodigy in our sect. The sect will spare no effort to nurture you. Why stoop to this treachery?"
"Tch. You think you're qualified to lecture me?"
With a flick of his sleeve, Hong Qianye struck.
Boom!
Xu Yonian was blasted back ten feet, crashing to his knees, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth, terror etched into his face.
"What… what cultivation is this…?"
One casual strike, and he was helpless.
This crimson-clad figure was nothing like the man he'd known before entering the sundial. He'd become an enigma, a walking nightmare.
"Master!" the surrounding elders cried out, faces ashen.
They hadn't expected Ye Junlin's prized disciple to turn hostile at such a dire moment.
"Hmph. A bunch of insects daring to bark at me. Not slaughtering you all is my greatest mercy."
Hong Qianye's cold voice sent shivers down their spines. His presence felt like a predator towering over powerless prey.
A suffocating tension settled over the hall.
Suddenly, an angry roar exploded from outside.
"The Yuhua Sect's army has arrived! Hand over Ye Junlin or perish!"
The expressions of everyone present changed drastically.
Hong Qianye, however, smirked.
"Perfect. Time for a reckoning."
In a flash, his figure vanished.
"Master, what should we—" the Cangjian Peak Master stammered.
"Hurry, follow him!" Xu Yonian gritted out, pushing down his panic.
---
Mysterious Peak.
A silver-haired youth lounged on a long wooden bench, head propped lazily on one hand, a bent straw tucked between his lips as he slurped milk tea.
Eyes half-lidded, Ye Junlin sighed contentedly.
"Freedom, good milk tea — life's simple pleasures."
A flicker of crimson light appeared nearby as Hong Qianye landed.
Upon seeing Ye Junlin's carefree, idle demeanor, Hong Qianye's face twitched with disdain.
This guy's an embarrassment to cultivators.
A slacker like this talking about seeking Immortality? Competing in the Dao? Ridiculous.
He must've stumbled upon some ancient ruins and gotten absurdly lucky, snatching up peerless techniques and rare treasures. But now…
It all belongs to me.
As Hong Qianye approached, Ye Junlin lazily shifted, still sipping his milk tea.
"Good disciple, you've finally shown up. I missed you."
Missed your head, idiot.
Suppressing the urge to blow up, Hong Qianye growled, "The Yuhua Sect's about to break down your door, and you're still lounging around? Aren't you afraid of death?"
"Huh?" Ye Junlin blinked, sitting up with a confused look. "They're attacking already? Why didn't anyone tell me?"
Hong Qianye frowned, as if recalling something, then waved a hand. The soundproofing barrier above them vanished.
In an instant, the deafening roar of war drums crashed into the chamber like thunder.
Ye Junlin froze, then sent out his Divine Sense.
The sight of countless warships filled his vision, and his expression turned… oddly blank.
"Oh. So it's finally started."
This idiot.
Hong Qianye was both exasperated and furious.
"Look at the situation. If you hand over your treasures now, I might consider saving you."
Ye Junlin raised an eyebrow. "The hell?"
"Don't play dumb. We both know what's at stake. I— wait… what is that?!"
Before Hong Qianye could finish, a peculiar creature dashed over.
It had delicate, snow-white skin, a petite frame in a white sundress, and slim arms and legs like carved jade. But its head…
A mouse's head, clear as day.
The being ran up, beaming, holding a plate.
"Master! I made those spicy Orleans chicken wings you wanted. Come, try them!"
Then it spotted Hong Qianye and cheerfully added, "Oh, Senior Brother Hong, you're out already!"
Hong Qianye's scalp tingled.
Is this… the White-haired Mouse?
What… what happened to it?
His mind reeled.
His gaze darted to Ye Junlin, an icy chill climbing up his back.
This guy's tastes… could it be…
Ye Junlin scowled. What's with that look? I'm innocent!
This was pure malice!
"Senior Brother Hong…" Bai Xiaoxi murmured, lowering its head, clearly self-conscious about its appearance.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh—
Several figures landed around them.
"You ungrateful disciple! Plotting against your own master?!"
"Ye Junlin, watch out!"
Xu Yonian and the others shouted.
Their gazes quickly landed on Bai Xiaoxi, and their eyes nearly popped from their sockets.
"This… this is…"
"Relax, it's me! Mouse Mouse!" Bai Xiaoxi chirped.
"Oh… Master Ye's second disciple. That look… really something." Xu Yonian muttered, his expression complicated.
"Master Ye not only has unmatched talent but also… unique tastes," one of the peak masters sighed with a strange look.
Now that's playing the game on hard mode.
"Uh…"
The more Ye Junlin listened, the more something felt off.
Why did it sound like they were mocking him?
---