The sun gradually sank, and Upper Bing Palace slowly disappeared into darkness once more. However, outside the Li clan’s immortal sect, the evening glow still spread across the sky in splendid colors.

Er’er, carrying the Phoenix-Slaying Blade, flexed her sore arms and sighed as she looked toward the distant, hazy mountains: “Why is it so far away?”

The Phoenix-Slaying Blade, subdued by her Water Path immortal power, had behaved itself the entire journey until it was nourished by a current of spiritual energy and finally regained its senses.

Among the Eight Trigrams, Qian represents heaven and Dui represents metal. Only near the Dui clan’s immortal sect, which shared its origin, would there be spiritual energy favorable for its absorption.

In other words, this fool had gone to the wrong place.

The blade hummed disapprovingly a couple of times, wanting to alert her, but Er’er thought it was trying to struggle again. She tucked it firmly under her arm and threatened fiercely: “If you try to run away again, I’ll go back and tell on you, and have Li Ye throw you into water.”

Phoenix-Slaying Blade: “…”

Not only foolish but unreasonable.

Silently carried by her, the Phoenix-Slaying Blade could sense the Dui clan’s immortal energy growing increasingly dense around them. Yet this fool remained completely oblivious, even wondering aloud: “Doesn’t the Qian clan revere natural simplicity? Why is their immortal sect so lavish and splendid?”

…

…

Gold-plated pavilions were scattered among a sea of lights, reflecting in a lake halfway up the mountain. From a distance, it resembled the opened jewelry box of a favored imperial consort.

Er’er walked beneath the plaque inscribed with the large characters “Dui Clan Immortal Sect” without looking up, simply admiring the view as she approached the golden mountain.

However, before she had gone more than a few steps, she triggered a defensive formation.

With a swish, hundreds of weapons flew out simultaneously, so quickly that Er’er had no time to react before the cold, sharp killing intent reached her throat.

Clang—

The Phoenix-Slaying Blade flew out, spinning in midair to deflect all the incoming swords and blades. Its body scraped by sword tips, emitting a harsh ringing sound. It shuddered and then reproachfully jabbed Er’er with its handle.

Was she stupid? How could she not react in time? If it were Li Ye, he would have destroyed the formation’s eye the moment he stepped on the defensive array.

Er’er naturally couldn’t hear its complaints, only watching its reaction with surprise before concernedly grabbing it to examine the scratches on its blade.

“Will you be alright?” she muttered.

Not bad-hearted after all, showing concern for a blade.

The Phoenix-Slaying Blade twisted uncomfortably, just about to set aside its prejudice, when it heard her continue: “Qian Tian’s soul fragment was already severely injured. This blade doesn’t withstand scratches well; if it can’t protect the soul, that would be terrible.”

“…” Firmly reinstating its prejudice, the Phoenix-Slaying Blade angrily twisted away from her grasp and flew westward, beyond the defensive array.

“Hey, stop!” Er’er immediately conjured a cloud to chase after it, her fingers swiftly forming a seal: “Boundless heaven and earth, water realm self-contained.”

Splash—

Cool water poured down from above, thoroughly drenching the fiery Phoenix-Slaying Blade. With a hiss, it emitted blue smoke and slowed down.

Er’er caught up and seized it, her brows furrowed: “You’re even more troublesome than your master. We’ve come all this way—what’s the use of running now?”

Running was certainly useful! Who would want to get lost with a fool when they could go to the Qian clan?

Moreover, why did she always resort to using water? Wasn’t that playing dirty?

Struggling indignantly, the Phoenix-Slaying Blade carried her slowly to the ground.

Having passed the defensive array, they were now in the residential area of the immortal sect. Er’er looked around, hoping to fly directly to Upper Geng Palace, but discovered that cloud-riding was forbidden in this vicinity.

At dusk, immortals strolled the streets. Er’er hesitated briefly, just about to approach someone for directions, when she spotted a familiar face.

With bewitching eyes and a black robe, Xin Wu passed nearby with an exceptionally gloomy demonic aura, looking dazed and unsteady. The surrounding immortals cleared a path for him, yet he still walked unsteadily, appearing quite weak.

Why was he here?

Er’er instinctively stepped back, then heard a clear voice call from behind: “Xin Wu, stop right there!”

The voice sounded like it belonged to a beautiful young woman, but it was filled with fury. Er’er excitedly looked over to see a gust of black wind sweep past, carrying a length of blue-black hair nearly ten feet long, elegantly blocking his path.

The blue-black hair truly resembled a dragon but was surprisingly clean and smooth, falling gently around its owner’s feet in stark contrast to her temper.

“Do you want me to shout it out in the street?” she asked, her willow-shaped eyebrows arched in anger.

Stopping his steps, Xin Wu looked up with an ambiguous smile: “If you wish to die, I won’t stop you.”

“If I die, I’ll take you with me.”

“Then try it,” Xin Wu smiled languidly. “Let’s see if you can take me down.”

Her hand suddenly clenched, and Long Xu gritted her teeth, her eyes reddening.

Murmurs gradually arose around them. She turned and shouted: “What are you looking at? Never seen a dragon before? All of you, get lost!”

At her outburst, the immortals who had been watching the commotion instantly conjured earth-escaping spells. A row of people vanished in quick succession, leaving only a few slow reactors standing conspicuously in place.

Er’er was the most conspicuous of all.

She was marveling at the presence of dragons in the Nine Heavens when she unexpectedly met Long Xu’s purple eyes.

Hmm?

Looking left and right, Er’er forced a laugh: “No way?”

“You’re not from the Dui clan.” Long Xu turned, frowning as she approached, a flash of light in her hand materializing into a dragon-scale whip. “A spy?”

“No, no!” Er’er hurriedly waved her hands in explanation. “I’m here to find an elder of the Qian clan.”

“Coming to the Dui clan to find a Qian clan elder, and you still dare say you’re not a spy?” With a sharp gaze, Long Xu stepped forward to attack.

Xin Wu leaped over and snatched Er’er away.

With a loud bang, Er’er looked back to see that where she had been standing moments before, a huge crater had formed, still billowing with black smoke.

“…” What a powerful young woman.

“Why have you come here?” Xin Wu asked with a half-smile.

Clutching the Phoenix-Slaying Blade tightly, Er’er answered vaguely: “Looking for someone.”

“Looking for me?”

“No.”

“How heartbreaking,” he sighed, setting her down in another open space, then looking up at Long Xu. “She’s an acquaintance. Stand down.”

Long Xu stared at him steadily, then glanced sideways at the young girl, her lips turning pale.

“You certainly have many acquaintances.”

“People favor me; I’ve never lacked for friends.” He seemed about to jest further, but noticing her deathly pale lips, he ultimately just snorted. “She’s Li Ye’s disciple. If you truly wish to harm her, I won’t interfere, but don’t implicate the Dui clan.”

“I’m no longer his disciple,” Er’er whispered behind him. “Thanks to you.”

Xin Wu turned back to look at her in surprise.

Not a disciple yet holding the Phoenix-Slaying Blade?

Er’er nervously covered the blade, fearing he might discover something and cause trouble again. However, Upper God Xin Wu didn’t seem very interested in the Phoenix-Slaying Blade. He merely gave her a strange look for a moment, then turned to Long Xu and said: “If you truly have nothing better to do, escort her. I have business to attend to—I need to meet with the Heavenly Dao judge.”