No one knew what Chu Mingqi said to that Foundation Establishment disciple, but the guy stood up with a look of deep gratitude, thanking her over and over again.
After Wen Jiayin and the others helped untie the rest of the captives, their fellow sect members finally came over to thank them too, including that Foundation Establishment disciple.
Their tone was sincere enough, and the gratitude seemed genuine, but it was nothing like the tearful thanks they gave Chu Mingqi—like she’d done them a huge favor, but not quite a life-saving one.
The other sects were even more enthusiastic than they were.
Who knew what Chu Mingqi had whispered, probably exaggerating things as usual.
Zhi Chang’an was pissed.
Being used like that felt awful, and she wanted to confront someone about it, but Wen Jiayin stopped her.
It was just a small credit being stolen, after all.
The most important thing now was to figure out how to get rid of Chu Mingqi.
Someone like her—always stirring up trouble and dragging everyone down—was basically a ticking time bomb.
Who knew what kind of mess she’d cause if they ran into enemies?
“Perfect timing.
I remember Chu Elder Martial Sister was traveling with you guys, right? She got separated earlier and ended up with us, but now that you’re all together, we don’t have to worry about her running into danger alone in the secret realm.” The implication was clear: take her back to your team, and let’s go our separate ways.
That made sense.
Anyone who really knew Chu Mingqi knew she and Li Youxi were mortal enemies, so it’d be torture for her to travel with Li Youxi.
Splitting up was the obvious choice.
No one objected, but Chu Mingqi, who understood just how dangerous this secret realm was and how much fighting power the other side had, would never agree! No way.
Their team had one Foundation Establishment and a bunch of Qi Refining disciples.
Sure, on paper it was similar to the other group, but any one of those four could take on a Foundation Establishment, while her group? Forget fighting—they’d be lucky to survive! And that Bai Hansu’s strength was a total mystery; she guessed at least peak Foundation Establishment, enough to dominate this little secret realm.
Where else could she find a better bodyguard? So, after eavesdropping and catching wind of their plan, Chu Mingqi immediately jumped out.
No way was she letting Wen Jiayin and the others leave.
“Now that demonic cultivators have infiltrated the secret realm and danger is everywhere, we’re all from the same sect.
It’s fate that our two teams have met—why not travel together?” As soon as Chu Mingqi said this, Wen Jiayin’s eye twitched.
So she really wanted to stick with them?
“Chu Martial Uncle is right.
Who knows how those damn demonic cultivators got in? It’s safer to travel together and look out for each other.” The Foundation Establishment disciple Chu Mingqi had found didn’t seem to have any ulterior motives—he just thought there was safety in numbers.
“That’s not necessary.
We’ve made an agreement with Miss Bai to hunt down a few demonic cultivator enemies.
It’s very dangerous up ahead.
Martial Uncle, you should just protect the other Qi Refining disciples.”
Seeing Chu Mingqi about to argue, Wen Jiayin quickly added, “Elder Martial Sister, we appreciate the offer, but we have to think of the bigger picture.
When there were only one or two demonic cultivators, we could protect you, but if their numbers increase and we have so many Qi Refining juniors to look after, we just won’t be able to manage.”
“If something unexpected happens, it’s not something we want to see, right, Chu Elder Martial Sister?”
Chu Mingqi opened her mouth, and for the first time, she actually heard a threat in the tone of this Junior Martial Sister, who always seemed the nicest.
Was she saying that if Chu Mingqi kept following them, she might just end up dying in an ‘accident’?
Wen Jiayin never expected that a couple of polite words would make Chu Mingqi label her as the nicest one.
Maybe compared to the others, she was a bit more easygoing for now, but with how much trouble Chu Mingqi caused, even if they got back to the sect, she’d never settle down.
But that was fine—by then, Wen Jiayin would show her what a real fire spiritual root temper looked like.
“Martial Uncle Wen is right, Chu Martial Uncle, maybe we should just leave it at that.” The disciples, already scared out of their wits, heard that Wen Jiayin and the others were still planning to hunt demonic cultivators and immediately wanted nothing to do with them.
“We’ll just set up a defensive concealment array here and wait until it’s all over.
Those demonic cultivators are all bloodthirsty monsters.
If we go, we’ll just drag you down.
I don’t want to die…” another sectmate said.
“But Elder Martial Sister, Junior Martial Sister, there’s only four of you going after demonic cultivators.
Isn’t that too dangerous?” Chu Mingqi couldn’t reveal her real intentions, but she still had to find a way to tag along.
Her fake smile was almost twisted.
“Chu Martial Uncle is right.
You’re all just peak Qi Refining.
Why get involved? I’m Foundation Establishment and I still lost to a demonic cultivator—what chance do you have?” That Foundation Establishment cultivator’s tone even had a hint of disdain for Wen Jiayin and the others’ cultivation.
Seriously, not that strong and already acting all high and mighty—must be the Jing Dao Sect’s cushy atmosphere lowering everyone’s standards.
Wen Jiayin and Zhi Chang’an were so mad they laughed.
Li Youxi was never one to hold back.
“You couldn’t even beat a trash Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator, so your own strength must be even more embarrassing, right? Already Foundation Establishment and that’s all you’ve got? Don’t embarrass yourself! Someone should tell Master to kick out all the useless, arrogant idiots from the sect every now and then—save resources and air!” Li Youxi’s words were brutal, shattering what little self-esteem the guy had left.
“You—!” The Foundation Establishment cultivator’s face turned dark.
If he didn’t remember Li Youxi’s status, he’d probably start cursing.
“You what? Don’t you know your own limits? I could take on two of you at once! If you have any shame, just shut up!” Li Youxi was on fire, arguing like a machine gun, not giving anyone a chance to speak.
“Elder Martial Sister! How can you say that?” As expected, Chu Mingqi, playing the “gentle, kind, understanding” role, started scolding Li Youxi.
But when had Li Youxi ever cared about that? Her reputation as a troublemaker, hated by everyone, was already legendary in the sect.
If she cared, she wouldn’t have done half the things she’d done.
“Am I not telling the truth? Do you dare swear to the heavens that this guy’s strength is decent?” Li Youxi shot back without mercy.
Chu Mingqi… She really didn’t dare.
She was afraid of being struck by lightning.
“And do you think I’m only talking about him? You think you’re any better? Your talent is way higher than his, but you’ve cultivated yourself into this mess.
You can’t even hide your presence properly—it’s embarrassing! If you spent more time on cultivation and less on manipulating people, maybe you’d amount to something.
When we get back, I’m definitely telling Master and the head of Chuyun Peak to make sure you get a proper lesson!” That’s why schemers fear blunt people—because blunt people will say anything.
Li Youxi’s harsh words made a lot of people look at Chu Mingqi differently.
Many of those around her had benefited from her “kindness,” but some had always thought it was a little too convenient.
They’d just dismissed their doubts because of her status, but now that Li Youxi brought it up, those cracks of suspicion widened.
Chu Mingqi wanted to eat Li Youxi’s heart.
All the authority she’d built up in the outer sect was about to be destroyed by that big mouth!
“Elder Martial Sister, you really misunderstood me.” Chu Mingqi put on a pitiful look, like she was being bullied by the sect’s former little tyrant, her voice soft and weak.
People always sympathize with the weak, so those present instinctively felt Li Youxi was being too aggressive, picking on her Junior Martial Sister for no reason.
“Chu Martial Uncle, just ignore them.
If they want to go die, it’s none of your business.
You’ve already tried to persuade them.
If anything happens and the higher-ups ask, we’ll vouch for you.” The Foundation Establishment disciple, still stinging from being called useless, snapped.
Bunch of idiots, always making things harder for me! Chu Mingqi was furious watching that Foundation Establishment disciple sulk.
She’d actually had a chance to follow them, but that idiot just had to provoke them! Now, she had to choose between sticking with Wen Jiayin’s group or staying behind to calm everyone’s nerves and dispel their doubts.
She could only pick one! To avoid wasting all her years of effort, she had to grit her teeth and choose the latter.
But how could she be willing? Chu Mingqi forced a smile, grinding her molars.
“Looks like this Junior Martial Brother doesn’t want to travel with us either, so let’s just leave it at that.
Goodbye.” Wen Jiayin couldn’t be happier to have more brainless opponents—it made it easier for them to slip away.
“We’re not—” Chu Mingqi didn’t even finish before Bai Hansu cut her off coldly.
“Let’s go.”
Chu Mingqi and Bai Hansu locked eyes.
A wave of icy killing intent crashed down, making her heart feel frozen, like it had stopped beating.
In an instant, she lost the ability to speak.
All she could do was tremble—she couldn’t do anything else.
This time, they left smoothly.
Wen Jiayin winked at Bai Hansu—she really was impressive.
Two words from her worked better than all their arguing.
It wasn’t until the group’s figures disappeared into the mist that Chu Mingqi finally snapped out of it.
Too scary, Chu Mingqi thought.
But that kind of fear also meant that Bai was strong enough.
Chu Mingqi fished a lifeless blue-winged butterfly out of her storage pouch.
After infusing it with spiritual power, it came to life and flew into the sky.
“Follow them.” As soon as Chu Mingqi spoke, the butterfly flew in the direction Wen Jiayin’s group had gone.
But before it got far, a sound blade suddenly slashed through the air, shattering the butterfly into countless scraps of paper.
The shockwave from the blade tore a terrifying crack in the ground right in front of Chu Mingqi, spraying dust onto her stunned face.
The crack stopped just short of her toes—any closer and it would’ve sliced them off.
That made the sound blade’s owner’s intentions very clear: come any closer and you die.
A few strands of hair, caught in the blast, drifted down in the wind.
Cold sweat poured down Chu Mingqi’s face.
Was every move she made being watched by that Bai?
