Green Grass Prairie.

Powerful experts from various Dao sects successively left. Spectators also departed. The originally tense atmosphere became bland.

All this was thanks to that woman suspended in midair, with full white hair but beautiful features.

She was Qingwei Zhenren.

Hard to imagine that a beautiful woman was once the demoness who bloodily massacred an entire family over a grudge, even branded a traitor.

Wait?

Didn’t the intelligence say white-haired old crone? How is she a white-haired beauty?

Mainly, Fine Rain Hall members mixed in the audience were too far away to accurately determine features, only able to judge from silhouette and hair color.

“Thank you, Master.”

The Lingyao Empress’s tone was very respectful.

If Qingwei Zhenren hadn’t appeared, the two sides might not have actually fought, but compromising to hand over large quantities of True Stones was definitely inevitable.

If that had been the outcome, Jun Changxiao would also have been very satisfied—at least making that woman lose resources.

Schemes had to proceed step by step. Directly killing her definitely wasn’t realistic.

Qingwei Zhenren landed at the mine entrance, spiritual sense permeating inside, inquiring, “Did you dig out the True Stones inside?”

Look at that.

Even her master questioned her.

The Lingyao Empress truthfully answered, “No.”

“That’s strange then.”

Qingwei Zhenren said puzzledly, “Such a large mine vein, just emerged—why is it completely empty inside?”

“Could someone have excavated it in advance, deliberately framing disciple?” the Lingyao Empress speculated.

She’d been considering recently why a mine vein would suddenly appear on the prairie. After all, she frequently passed through here and hadn’t discovered any traces whatsoever—as if it appeared out of thin air.

“Someone dug out the True Stones, then brought the mine vein here?” Qingwei Zhenren said.

“Hard to say.”

The Lingyao Empress wasn’t too certain. After all, who would be so idle and bored to do such a pointless thing? Or was it just to disgust her?

Jun Changxiao was indeed very idle, very bored, and did it just to disgust you.

“Your master told you long ago not to join the Realm Hall, because many people detest that organization.” Qingwei Zhenren said, “Now being framed, it’s probably targeting the Realm Hall.”

“…”

The Lingyao Empress remained silent.

“Forget it, forget it.”

Qingwei Zhenren said, “This is the path you chose. Your master won’t forcefully interfere. Hope you’ll act cautiously in the future.”

“Yes.”

The Lingyao Empress’s tone remained very respectful throughout, showing her master held considerable weight in her heart.

Qingwei Zhenren said, “You recently went to Extreme Dao Cave Dwelling?”

“Correct.”

“Saw that old fellow Tonggu?”

“Saw him.”

“Heard this old guy took a disciple called… Jun Bu Ku?”

“Jun Changxiao.”

“Bringing an entire mountain and whole sect ascending to the upper realm—this Jun Bu Xiao should have extraordinary qualities.”

“…”

The Lingyao Empress corrected, “Master, he’s called Jun Changxiao.”

“About the same.” Qingwei Zhenren said.

One doesn’t laugh, one always laughs—the meanings are completely opposite!

The Lingyao Empress understood her master’s personality. She didn’t dwell on the name, saying, “Disciple heard that Tonggu Zhenren and Guhong Zhenren set a ten-year agreement, having their respective disciples battle to determine victory.”

“Oh?”

Qingwei Zhenren was somewhat surprised.

“These two old fellows fought for so long without determining victory. Now they’re changing up the game. No good—I must go ask and see if I can participate.”

The Lingyao Empress said, “Master, disciple still needs to focus on breaking through to Truth-Seeking Realm. I don’t have time to compete with them.”

Right after speaking, Qingwei Zhenren disappeared.

“…”

The Lingyao Empress thought, “Did she really go find Tonggu Zhenren?”

Her master’s competitive spirit was very strong—she knew this.

If she forcefully joined the game established by the two seniors, as her disciple, she’d definitely also have to face the ten-year agreement.

“Sigh.”

The Lingyao Empress sighed, standing in the empty mine cave, saying, “Who is scheming against me?”

…

Extreme Dao Cave Dwelling.

“Boom!”

An explosive sound came. The entire chessboard shattered.

Tonggu Zhenren and Qiye Zhenren, who were playing chess, one with a furious expression, one secretly pleased, looked up at the suddenly appearing Qingwei Zhenren!

“Old woman, I was about to win, you… you…”

Tonggu Zhenren was so angry he couldn’t speak.

“Who are you calling old?”

Qingwei Zhenren’s willow brows furrowed. True Spirit gradually gathered in her palm. Special effects instantly maximized.

“…”

Tonggu Zhenren, originally quite irritable, immediately calmed down.

As a martial artist from the same generation, he thoroughly understood this woman. Once completely enraged, she’d absolutely enter a berserk state.

“Hmph.”

Tonggu Zhenren waved his sleeve, saying coolly, “What brings you to my cave dwelling?”

“Heard you and Old Guhong set a ten-year agreement, determining victory through disciples you’ve taught?”

“Correct.”

“Count me in.”

Tonggu Zhenren was dumbstruck.

Qingwei Zhenren said, “When the time comes, I’ll bring my disciple to battle your disciples.”

“…”

Tonggu Zhenren’s mouth twitched, saying, “Your disciple Lingyao Empress has already reached Nine-Revolution Core Formation Realm. Isn’t this clearly bullying people?”

“Afraid of losing?” Qingwei Zhenren said.

Holy crap!

This woman is so arrogant!

Tonggu Zhenren’s temper couldn’t be suppressed. He said angrily, “Fine! For the ten-year agreement, let your disciple come battle!”

“…”

Qiye Zhenren thought speechlessly, “One phrase ‘afraid of losing’ provoked him. Is this the mentality a peak Truth-Seeking Realm expert should have?”

“It’s settled then.”

Qingwei Zhenren said, “I’m going to find Old Guhong.”

“Whoosh!”

With that said, she disappeared.

Qiye Zhenren shook his head, “Haven’t seen her in years. This woman is still so domineering.”

“Old Guhong isn’t someone easy to deal with either. If she really goes to find him, the two will most likely fight.” Tonggu Zhenren said.

“Better worry about your disciple.”

Qiye Zhenren said, “Now there’s an additional Nine-Revolution Core Formation Realm opponent.”

“…”

Tonggu Zhenren broke down, “How can they fight with such a huge gap between them!”

Jun Changxiao, who broke through to Six-Revolution, brought him absolute shock. But compared to the Lingyao Empress, he could only be considered a little brother. Moreover, her talent wasn’t weak either—within the ten-year agreement, she might even step into Truth-Seeking Realm!

“You shouldn’t have agreed.”

“You know that woman’s foul temper. If I refused, we’d probably already be fighting by now.”

“True.”

“This won’t do.”

Tonggu Zhenren said, “I must hurry to Eternal Sect to tell my disciple this unfortunate news and let him mentally prepare to take a beating.”

“Being a master like you—admitting defeat before even fighting—no one else compares,” Qiye Zhenren said speechlessly.

…

Eternal Sect.

Jun Changxiao clutched his head, breaking down, “Master, next time you come, can you give warning instead of forcibly breaking through the formation!”

“Disciple.”

Tonggu Zhenren said seriously, “Your master has unpleasant news to tell you.”

“What news?”

Seeing his master’s grave expression, Jun Changxiao immediately became serious. Even the entire Eternal Sect’s style became normal.

“The ten-year agreement has one more opponent.”

“Who?”

“Lingyao Empress.”

“What?”

Jun Changxiao’s eyes immediately widened.

Tonggu Zhenren then told him everything about Qingwei Zhenren’s visit, and encouraged, “Although the opponent is somewhat strong, your master firmly believes you can overcome everything!”

“…”

Jun Changxiao fell into brief silence, then lowered his head, “Master, disciple won’t fight that woman.”

“Backing down?”

Tonggu Zhenren looked disappointed.

Although he wasn’t optimistic his disciple could defeat the Lingyao Empress, as a man, he couldn’t say he couldn’t do it. Even losing, he had to lose standing up!

“No.”

Jun Changxiao raised his head, pointing into the distance, “The Lingyao Empress’s opponent is him.”

Tonggu Zhenren looked in that direction and discovered a cold-featured young man standing at the back mountain, both fists tightly clenched, his gaze flashing with overwhelming killing intent, “For the ten-year agreement, I will battle her!”

—