Fan Dezhen shot through the night sky, his eyes sharp and furious. "Those filthy beasts from the Underworld Abyss really dared to make a move on our Human Race?!"
Yelu Gu stared him down coldly, unshaken. "And what of it? My Underworld army will soon sweep across the Eastern Domain. Taking a few lives early isn't unreasonable."
"You've got guts for a rat crawling into human territory," Fan Dezhen growled. He raised his three-foot green sword, its glow like starlight, radiating righteous energy.
Yelu Gu sneered, unfazed. "Don't think your Great Ascension stage frightens me."
Even with a two-stage difference, he didn't show the slightest fear.
"Hmph. And here I thought you were something worth worrying about. Turns out you're just another Underworld freak."
Not far away, Li Wujie stepped forward, blade resting on his shoulder, his gaze like a hawk's. His killing intent was palpable.
Then came another voice, calm but laced with killing intent. "And you thought you could trap me?"
Whoosh!
A figure descended, hands behind his back.
It was Hong Qianye.
The mysterious sect leader's face, flawless and expressionless, brimmed with lethal pressure. His golden eyes shimmered with divine fire, threatening to burn through the void.
Even without lifting a hand, his presence was oppressive.
"Two more Great Ascension cultivators?!" Beads of sweat broke out on Yelu Gu's forehead.
"Fellow cultivators…" Fan Dezhen's eyes twitched. Both the man with the blade and the red-clad figure beside him radiated immense pressure.
But most of all… they felt oddly familiar.
He was sure he'd seen them before.
Hong Qianye and Li Wujie had both broken free from the Dream Formation moments earlier, realizing immediately that they'd been caught in a trap.
Their first reaction: rage.
Partly because they hated being manipulated.
Partly because their sweet dreams had been shattered.
And so, they decided to direct all that frustration at Yelu Gu and company.
"L-Lord Priest…" the serpent clan subordinates trembled. Three Great Ascension experts had gathered against them—this was no longer a fair fight.
Yelu Gu faltered for a moment before snapping out of it. "Channel your power into me. Now!"
"Yes, sir!"
Without hesitation, the subordinates poured their spiritual energy into Yelu Gu's body.
Boom! A surge of wicked force burst out. Yelu Gu's eyes pulsed with power as he raised his staff. The green gem at its head shook violently, cracks webbing across it like shattered glass.
A massive green sphere of energy burst forth, engulfing the priest and his followers.
Yelu Gu gritted his teeth. That staff had been his most precious artifact, gifted by his clan leader. It was now destroyed.
But if it could buy him an escape? Worth it.
"They're trying to flee!" Fan Dezhen yelled, slashing forward with a burst of energy.
"Not happening!" Hong Qianye and Li Wujie moved in at the same time, determined to stop him.
But Yelu Gu smirked arrogantly. "This staff was a sacred gift. Even someone at the Tribulation Stage would struggle to break this escape technique. You two? Not a chance!"
The ghostly green orb glowed brighter, ready to vanish into thin air.
Then—
A flute began to play.
Smooth. Rhythmical. Filled with profound Dao resonance.
Everyone paused instinctively, brows furrowed.
Yelu Gu's eyes widened. "No… not now!"
"What is this song?" Li Wujie murmured, scratching his nose, feeling his limbs twitch. "Why do I… want to dance?"
Hong Qianye's frown deepened. He knew this style. He knew whose flute that was.
And as he glanced toward the inn, he caught sight of something so ridiculous that even he blinked twice.
"…What the hell am I looking at?"
The green orb of light abruptly dispersed, exposing the serpent beings inside.
Each of them—forked tongues flicking—was… dancing.
No, twerking.
Twisting. Spinning. Hips rolling. The group had devolved into a snake-themed cabaret.
Yelu Gu stood at the center, having abandoned all sense of dignity. He'd thrust his staff into the ground and was now pole-dancing—seductively. Sensually. Sickeningly.
Li Wujie stared, jaw clenched. "Are they… trying to seduce us?"
"I feel like scrubbing my eyes with bleach," Hong Qianye muttered, goosebumps rising.
Even he had limits.
"It's the flute!" Fan Dezhen gasped. He had been too stunned to speak until now, but understanding dawned quickly.
The music didn't rely on cultivation at all. It resonated purely through the Dao—simple melody, profound meaning.
It bypassed the spirit, bypassed the body. It spoke to the instincts of all living things.
And it had sent the entire serpent squad into interpretive dance hell.
To reach such a level... Fan Dezhen could only imagine the skill required.
"Whoever that is, they're no ordinary musician. Without them, this whole inn might've been lost tonight."
He looked back at the building. "This place really is hiding monsters in plain sight."
---
Inside a guest room.
An Miaoyi sat quietly, her expression soft.
Her eyes sparkled as she listened to the flute. "Who's playing that? The sound is so… carefree."
She felt herself smiling uncontrollably. The tune was whimsical, playful. Whoever played it had to be an interesting person.
---
Back outside.
Yelu Gu's dance only got worse.
He twirled again, flung out a wink, and dropped into a split.
Everyone watching visibly recoiled.
"…That's enough," Li Wujie growled. "I'm putting this freak show out of its misery."
With a burst of movement, he lunged forward, blade raised high.
"You filthy abominations," Hong Qianye growled. "Time to disappear."
They struck together—one flurry of blades, one devastating palm.
Yelu Gu didn't even get a final pose in before he was shredded and vaporized.
The rest of his squad followed suit, like confetti in a storm.
Fan Dezhen stood there, stunned. "They're… already gone? I didn't even do anything."
---
Elsewhere.
Ye Junlin sat in his room, finishing the final note of his tune.
He'd paused earlier to test out a new rhythm. It worked wonders on his mood.
Flute playing, it seemed, was great for emotional balance.
As for the commotion outside?
He already knew. But he couldn't be bothered.
That's what disciples were for.
He casually stood, opened the door—
And found a dainty figure standing just beyond it.
An Miaoyi.
She had fair skin, bright eyes, and an adorably stunned expression. Her fingers nervously fidgeted as her gaze locked onto the young man with silver-white hair cascading past his shoulders.
He looked like he had just stepped down from the heavens.
An Miaoyi's heart skipped.
The image of this cold, celestial musician shattered all her preconceptions. She was quick-witted and composed in any situation… except now.
"I-I didn't mean to bother you. I just… I wanted to…"
Ye Junlin's eyes lit up.
Without warning, he grabbed her by the wrist, pulled her in, and slammed the door shut behind her.
Their eyes met.
Ye Junlin leaned in excitedly. "Quick. Hand me the flute!"
"…Huh?" An Miaoyi blinked, her brain short-circuiting.
---
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