"Spare... spare me..."
A dignified Land Immortal Realm cultivator had ended up in such a miserable state. That hunchbacked old man could be said to be the most pitiful of them all.
Even worse, he was killed by the very ant he had raised himself.
From this, it was clear that Jiang Yuyan had completely risen.
Not only in strength, but also in mentality.
In fact, she was even scarier than in the original timeline.
She wouldn't give up her ambitions just because of a man.
Bang!
After devouring all the true essence from the hunchbacked old man, Jiang Yuyan didn't kill him.
Instead, she tossed him aside like trash.
"Someone come!"
In the next moment, a man in black walked out from the hidden room by the wall.
"Take him to Chamber Seventeen. Let him taste the agony of not being able to live or die every single day."
"If he dies by accident, you'll be buried with him."
"If he lives too comfortably, I'll make sure you won't."
Jiang Yuyan said coldly and viciously.
The man in black trembled all over at her words.
He didn't dare be careless in the slightest.
"Rest assured, Consort Yu, I will handle it properly!"
"Go!"
Staring at the now-empty hall, Jiang Yuyan could no longer suppress the complex emotions in her heart and burst into wild laughter.
He's dead.
Finally, he's dead.
After enduring for so long, becoming neither human nor ghost.
She had finally taken down the person she hated to the core.
Now, she only felt a strange emptiness inside.
There was no going back.
She had no retreat left.
If she took even one step back, countless enemies would come to kill her.
If she wanted to survive, she had only one path, to become stronger.
To become invincible.
To possess unmatched strength and unimaginable power.
Only then could she protect herself.
"Why did that old dog bring me to the Han Imperial Palace in the first place?"
"There must be another power behind him!"
"But all this time, no matter how I investigated, I couldn't find any trace of him contacting anyone."
"I must get the answers from his mouth!"
==========
Han Dynasty Territory.
At a secret base of a mysterious organization.
"Nun Shi, have you found a way to escape?"
"If we're trapped here any longer, that scumbag might forget all about us."
To everyone's surprise, Shi Feixuan and Wan Wan from the Sui Dynasty were actually trapped in this mysterious place.
"Senior Sister Wan Wan, the mysterious group that captured us is extremely powerful."
"The one who captured us back then was at least in the Land Immortal Realm!"
Shi Feixuan's face turned grim.
No matter what method she tried, she could not find a way out.
"Nun Shi, stop with the obvious."
"If it weren't someone from the Land Immortal Realm, who else could capture us so easily?"
"Besides, from what I can sense, there are at least three Land Immortal cultivators in this organization."
"If I'm right, we'll soon learn the true identity of this group."
Wan Wan scoffed at Shi Feixuan, then spoke proudly.
"You're saying this mysterious organization might make it onto the Martial Force Ranking?"
"Of course!"
"They're definitely stronger than the Heaven Secret Pavilion. If they haven't appeared yet, they must be at least Rank 4 or higher!"
Wan Wan's eyes lit up with excitement.
"Sister Feixuan, Sister Wan Wan, I've come to visit you again!"
Just then, a crisp and pleasant voice came from outside.
Both Wan Wan and Shi Feixuan's expressions changed.
Then, as if they had discussed it beforehand.
They put on a gentle smile.
Hiding their true thoughts completely.
"So it's Sister Xue Yuan! Please come in!"
Wan Wan greeted warmly.
"Miss Xue Yuan."
Shi Feixuan politely nodded.
"Sisters Feixuan and Wan Wan, today I brought along a new friend to meet you!"
"Rong'er, these are the sisters I told you about, Shi Feixuan and Wan Wan."
"They're also among the top ten on the Hidden Dragon Ranking, just like you!"
The speaker was a peerless beauty whose features could only be described as flawless.
In some ways, she was even more stunning than Shi Feixuan and Wan Wan.
And the person walking in beside her surprised them all.
Huang Rong.
No one would've expected that the same Huang Rong who had killed the Dharma King Jin Lun and others at the Southern Song Dynasty border was now in this secret base.
Was she captured?
Or was she captured?
Otherwise, with her skills, she would've already made her way to the Ming Dynasty to find the person she wanted to meet.
But judging by her current expression, she seemed to get along quite well with Xue Yuan.
Smiling, relaxed.
No sign of being imprisoned.
Whether this was an act or the truth, only she knew.
"Daughter of Eastern Evil from Southern Song Dynasty, Huang Rong?!"
"Saintess of the Yingui Sect Sect, Wan Wan?!"
"Saintess of Cihang Tranquil School, Shi Feixuan?!"
The three of them exclaimed in unison.
Their voices were filled with surprise, understanding, and something unspoken.
They exchanged glances.
Without speaking, each of them understood the others.
They were all in the same situation.
Abducted by this mysterious organization.
Locked in here.
No way out.
Huang Rong had managed to become close with this Xue Yuan and gained considerable freedom inside the organization.
Unlike them, who were confined to a small space.
Huang Rong's scheming clearly surpassed theirs.
"Sisters, can you tell me more about the outside world?"
Xue Yuan asked excitedly, clearly intrigued by everything beyond this place.
"Sister Xue Yuan, can I ask you something first?"
"You've already reached the Land Immortal Realm, so why weren't you ranked on the Hidden Dragon Ranking?"
"Compared to you, we're just weaklings!"
Wan Wan asked with a wry smile.
"You may not know this, but I'm 26 years old. I exceeded the age limit and couldn't make the ranking."
Xue Yuan replied with a casual smile.
"Aww, just a bit more and you would've surpassed that top-ranking scumbag!"
"But honestly, you look so young."
"Standing next to us, you could pass for the youngest!"
Wan Wan praised her with endless compliments.
"Top-ranking scumbag?"
Xue Yuan blinked, then quickly understood.
"Even if I had made the ranking, I wouldn't be able to beat him, never surpass him."
"He's the most exceptional man I've ever met."
"Even that other man can't compare."
When she mentioned "him", Xue Yuan's eyes lit up.
A happy smile curved her lips.
Wan Wan, Shi Feixuan, and Huang Rong immediately sensed something was off.
Could it be that Xue Yuan also knew him?
"Sister Xue Yuan, do you know Ming Emperor Zhu Houzhao?" Wan Wan asked carefully.
"I don't know Ming Emperor Zhu Houzhao, but I do know the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal Su Yi."
Xue Yuan shook her head, then nodded.
The three women immediately understood and rolled their eyes.
Wasn't Zhu Houzhao the same as the Azure Lotus Sword Immortal Su Yi?
No doubt about it.
Somehow, that scumbag had charmed yet another woman.
And it looked like he'd won her heart too.
With her cultivation realm, Xue Yuan could clearly sense the changes in their expressions.
She looked at the three of them with an amused smile.
"From the moment I saw the three of you, I knew you must be connected to him."
"No wonder he picked you. You're all so outstanding."
Her eyes shone with admiration.
The three women were shocked.
Wan Wan and Shi Feixuan glanced at Huang Rong.
Huang Rong looked back at them.
They couldn't believe it, like a family feud.
That scumbag's women had all run into each other today.
Shi Feixuan was the first to respond.
"Miss Xue Yuan, you knew all along we had other motives in befriending you?"
"Of course. I'm at the Land Immortal Realm. I'm extremely perceptive. I could sense your subtle reactions, your breathing, and even your micro-expressions."
"How could I not suspect?"
Xue Yuan answered gently, unbothered.
"We tricked you, so why have you still been so kind to us?"
"Because you are people he cares about. Since you matter to him, I won't make things hard for you."
"Then why were we brought here?" Wan Wan asked with suspicion.
"It wasn't my order. It was from the true leader of this organization. I had no power to oppose it."
"There's someone stronger than you?"
"As I guessed, your organization will definitely appear on the Martial Force Ranking!"
"I can't believe such a terrifying group exists in the Nine Provinces."
"You make groups like the Heaven Secret Pavilion or Snow Moon City look like child's play."
Xue Yuan only shook her head.
"It's not the organization that's powerful, it's certain people within it."
Wan Wan curled her lips but didn't argue.
"What's the name of your organization?"
==========
Just as Xue Yuan was about to answer.
The Golden Ranking in the sky shifted again.
New information was displayed.
[Martial Force Ranking – Rank 4]
[Divine Search Palace]
[Leader: Xue Yuan]
[Cultivation: Mythical Realm Land Immortal]
[Expert: Two God Demon Realm Land Immortals, three Mythical Realm Land Immortals, seven Heavenly Human Land Immortals, more than ten Great Grandmasters, Grandmasters not included]
[Total Member: Over one hundred]
[Reward: Heaven-Grade Top-Tier Treasure – Eye of Time, grants mastery over time-related secret arts. Power is immeasurable]
Shock!
Astonishment!
Huang Rong, Shi Feixuan, and Wan Wan looked at Xue Yuan in disbelief.
Xue Yuan.
That meant she was the leader of the Divine Search Palace?
The one who captured them was her?
And she was actually a Mythical Realm Land Immortal cultivator!
Her talent far exceeded anything they could hope to achieve.
None of them could have reached that level by the age of 26.
What's worse, the Divine Search Palace had two God Demon Realm cultivators!
And even more Mythical Realm and Heavenly Human Realm masters.
This terrifying group was right in front of them.
How could they possibly escape?
Even that scumbag might not be able to save them now!
The three of them felt utterly hopeless.
They had no idea what to make of Xue Yuan.
Was she kind? Malicious?
They had no clue.
==========
But Xue Yuan wasn't thinking about any of that.
All her attention was on the Heaven Dao Reward in her hand.
A cherry-sized, crystal-clear bead.
As soon as she injected a strand of true essence into the Eye of Time.
It turned into a stream of water and fused into her body.
In an instant, it entered her forehead.
Split into two.
And merged with her eyes.
Immediately, Xue Yuan felt a cool, soothing sensation surrounding her eyes.
It lasted for ten seconds before fading.
"Eye of Time?"
"This isn't just martial arts, it's more like a Divine Power or Immortal Technique!"
Xue Yuan took a deep breath.
With the Eye of Time, even when facing the Longevity Immortal God, she wouldn't be his match, but at least she could protect herself.
Now that the Divine Search Palace had been exposed, she didn't want to remain trapped here any longer.
She had to leave.
Let the Longevity Immortal God and the Demon Lord fight over the place.
"You want to leave the Divine Search Palace?"
Xue Yuan smiled mysteriously at the three women.
Though unsure of her intentions, they nodded without hesitation.
"Alright, I'll let you go, but on one condition."
"Take me with you. I want to find him."
"Help me find him, and we'll be even."
Xue Yuan spoke firmly.
The three women instantly knew who she meant.
That scumbag.
It worked out for them anyway.
With Xue Yuan as their guardian, they wouldn't need to fear being kidnapped again.
"We agree!"
"Good, then let's go now!"
Under Xue Yuan's lead, the four women weaved through countless turns.
No one knew how far they walked.
Soon, they left the base of the Divine Search Palace.
Just as they stepped out, before the three could even relax, Xue Yuan grabbed them and flew off at high speed.
So fast that no one could react.
By the time the guards of the palace noticed, Xue Yuan and the others had vanished.
==========
At the same time.
In the depths of the Divine Search Palace.
A violent tremor erupted.
"Demon Lord, release me! Are you really going to make this a fight to the death?"
"To the death? You killed my daughter. We've been enemies since that moment!"
"If it weren't for that brat Azure Lotus Sword Immortal Su Yi ruining my plans, you never would've sealed me all these years!"
"Azure Lotus Sword Immortal Su Yi? Didn't the ranking reveal it? He's just an Emperor in the secular world! Are you still thinking of going after him?"
"Don't be foolish! You've seen his power. Don't underestimate him again. You'll regret it more than being sealed here."
"Even if I wanted to free you, I couldn't break the seal!"
"So stop dreaming!"
"Demon Lord, you cursed woman... If I'd known, I would've destroyed you completely back then. Letting you live was my life's biggest mistake."
"Longevity Immortal God, your greatest mistake was killing my daughter. Now stay in your seal and reflect!"
"Let me out! I am the true master of the Divine Search Palace! That reward should've been mine!"
"Demon Lord! That vile woman! And Azure Lotus Sword Immortal Su Yi, once I get free, I'll tear you all to pieces!"
The angry, despairing voice of the Longevity Immortal God echoed out.
Yet somehow, the voice could not spread beyond the area.
It was blocked by an invisible force.
Probably the seal.
No one had expected that his imprisonment was related to Azure Lotus Sword Immortal Su Yi.
Even more unexpected, the Demon Lord was hiding inside the Divine Search Palace.
Locked in a death feud with the Longevity Immortal God.
And she had handed the throne of the palace to Xue Yuan.
It seemed everything had been orchestrated by Azure Lotus Sword Immortal Su Yi.
By Zhu Houzhao long ago.
Who would've thought his hand had even reached this place?
And even sealed away the Longevity Immortal God.
Just how terrifying was Zhu Houzhao's strength?
Perhaps only he knew the answer.