“You three may return. Lin Tao, I will wait for you here in ten days.”

  After speaking, Yun Che drifted backward, transforming into a streak of light and vanishing into the horizon.

  Lin Tao hurriedly acknowledged. Deep down, he resolved to have a serious talk with his cousin upon returning—this concerned his very life. No matter what, he had to make a copy of that map.

  Yang Xiong’s clothes were soaked in cold sweat. As a breeze passed, he shivered, a chill rising from the depths of his heart. He knew that moments ago, he had walked the edge of death.

  Zhou Zihong cast him a calm glance before turning and leaving.

  Yun Che flew aimlessly through the sky, deep in thought. Before long, a sharp gleam flashed in his eyes. No matter what, he could not go to the Nether God Hall. Even if Zhou, Yang, and Lin bore no ill intent, the secret of his body possession could not be concealed before a Nascent Soul cultivator.

  It was even possible that the Nascent Soul ancestor of the Nether God Hall had already deduced the truth. The thought startled him. His face darkened, and his speed surged as he shot forward.

  He had considered this possibility before. The trio’s behavior only confirmed his suspicions.

  Suddenly, a gentle female voice drifted beside his ear:

  “Little friend, would you kindly return my disciple-granddaughter’s soul blood?”

  Yun Che halted midair.

  Before him, amid swirling clouds, appeared a breathtakingly beautiful woman. She walked lightly toward him, clad in a sky-blue palace robe adorned with layered jade patterns and flowing ribbons. She possessed a graceful and ethereal aura. Her beauty required no adornment—her skin like congealed jade, her features radiant as dawn upon snow.

  Yun Che retreated slightly, maintaining distance, one hand resting on his storage pouch.

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  Though calm on the surface, he was fully alert. This woman’s cultivation was unfathomable—clearly Nascent Soul stage.

  “What is your disciple-granddaughter’s name?” he asked steadily.

  “She is called Zhou Zihong,” the woman replied gently, smiling.

  Yun Che nodded decisively. “Very well. Once I am a thousand li away, I will release the soul blood. Otherwise, even if Senior attacks, I will destroy it.”

  The woman smiled faintly. “A thousand li? Let me call you Ma Liang. To me, a thousand li is but a few breaths. If I wished to kill you, unless you could flee ten thousand li, it would make no difference. Still, if you insist, then go.”

  Without hesitation, Yun Che transformed into a streak of light and fled.

  Half an hour later, three thousand li away, he landed at a volcano’s mouth. After adjusting his spiritual energy, he pressed his brow. A pale white light drifted out—Zhou Zihong’s soul blood.

  Without another glance, he flew away.

  Moments later, the woman appeared at the volcano. With a flick of her hand, the soul blood floated into her palm. Her gaze softened.

  “Since you saved Hong’er and returned her essence so readily, I shall block the matter of your possession for you.”

  For two days, Yun Che flew without pause. When the woman did not reappear, he finally relaxed.

  Suddenly, several sword lights approached. Seven or eight young cultivators surrounded him.

  The most striking was a refined young man in a purple robe, at late Foundation Establishment, nearly forming a false core. Beside him stood a pale yet elegant young woman in red.

  The man asked softly, “Wan’er, is it him?”

  She shook her head apologetically. “No, brother. Though that man excels at disguise, he cannot imitate this gentleman’s aura.”

  The man clasped his fists. “I am Li Qiqing of Luo River Sect. Forgive the offense.”

  Yun Che replied calmly, “No matter. A misunderstanding need not linger.”

  After brief words, they departed.

  Soon after, Yun Che sensed someone below. With a flick, an iron plate smashed into the ground. A man emerged from the soil, looking flustered.

  “Misunderstanding! I’m Sun Youcai!” he cried. “I’m just hiding from Luo River Sect. Let me travel with you.”

  Yun Che ignored him, but Sun Youcai followed persistently, revealing himself as a disciple of Evil Demon Sect.

  Despite Yun Che accelerating, Sun kept pace effortlessly.

  Impressed inwardly, Yun Che finally smiled. “Very well. I am Ma Liang, disciple of Nether God Hall.”

  Sun Youcai grinned. “Ma brother, I heard your sect has a stunning beauty named Zhou Zihong. Our Young Sect Master fell for her at first sight. You must have seen her—how beautiful is she?”

  Yun Che paused. “Senior Sister Zhou is indeed beautiful, though somewhat cold. I’ve only met her a few times.”