In a valley.
A man in a white robe wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, took out a pill from his "storage bag," and put it in his mouth before sitting cross-legged to recuperate.
"Damn it! How come those guys from the Great Thousand World are getting more and more accurate in tracking our movements?"
An elderly man with gray hair also took out a pill and angrily tossed it into his mouth.
"It's indeed a bit strange. We've been constantly changing our positions for the past three days, but they've always managed to find us."
He swept his sharp eyes around the room, his tone unfriendly.
"Could it be... there's a traitor among us?"
Upon hearing this, the expressions of the dozen or so people present changed slightly, all looking at each other with suspicion and uncertainty.
Just as doubts arose, a clear, cold voice broke the silence.
"Elder Pan, please don't say such things again."
The speaker was a woman of striking beauty and a cool demeanor.
Her skin was as white as snow, appearing even more radiant against her white robes.
Her eyes were like stars, their dark depths revealing a profound and resolute spirit.
Her eyebrows, like distant mountains, slanted upwards towards her temples, adding a touch of heroic spirit to her face.
Her long, flowing hair cascaded down her back like a waterfall, exuding an ethereal and otherworldly aura.
Her slender legs were hidden beneath her skirt, and every movement she made revealed a natural grace and poise.
She was none other than the fairy of the Cloud Azure Sword Sect in the Illusionary Feather World.
—Lu Naiqi.
"We are trapped in this vast world; we should work together to find a way back, instead of constantly suspecting each other."
Elder Pan was somewhat annoyed by Lu Naiqi's words; she was showing him no respect whatsoever.
He was about to speak when his son pressed down on his shoulder, signaling him not to act rashly.
Elder Pan glared at Lu Naiqi, his clenched fist finally relaxing.
The others nodded in agreement with Lu Naiqi's words.
"Fairy Lu is right. Perhaps the beings of the Great Thousand World possess special detection methods, which is why we've been exposed."
"That's very possible. If that's the case, then we'll be in real trouble from now on."
"We can't escape, we can't fight back, and the chances of returning are slim."
"Not necessarily. The magical artifact that can lock onto us has its limits; it can't be used indefinitely."
"Very likely. Such a secret-revealing artifact must consume a lot of energy. If we hold out a little longer, we'll definitely be able to evade their pursuit."
"Yes, perseverance is victory! We will definitely return to the Illusionary Feather World."
"Definitely."
...
Late at night.
The Pan family father and son, along with five other men, discussed their future in a secluded mountain cave.
"Do you really think we can go back?"
Elder Pan's direct question silenced everyone present.
They all knew perfectly well that returning to the Illusionary Feather World was no easy feat.
The "Extraterrestrial War" only begins once every tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands of years. How could they possibly survive until then?
Let alone tens of thousands of years, even the current pursuit in the Great Thousand Worlds has already overwhelmed them; whether they can survive is uncertain.
A burly man frowned and, on behalf of the others, asked a question.
"Elder Pan, what are your thoughts?"
Elder Pan made a round of pronouncements, his voice low and deep.
"Why don't we surrender to the Great Thousand World? With our strength, we're sure to receive good treatment."
Upon hearing this, the other five were taken aback.
The burly men exchanged glances, all understanding each other's thoughts.
"Elder Pan, how confident are you that the people of the Great Thousand World will accept us?"
Elder Pan's eyes lit up, a cunning smile appearing on his face.
"The Great Thousand World will soon face the 'Intermediate Worlds.' They will definitely need more combat power, and we are the most suitable for them."
"As long as we surrender willingly, we will definitely be accepted."
"But if we keep running away like this, we will eventually die without a burial place."
The five burly men weren't delusional; they had already considered this idea.
Now that someone had suggested it, they could go along with it and surrender together.
"Alright, what about the others? Especially Lu Naiqi…"
Elder Pan's lips curled into a sly smile, an expression that said, "I know."
"How about we share the taste of the Yunqing Sword Sect's number one fairy?"
Thinking of Lu Naiqi's appearance, they were already experiencing a mental climax and readily agreed.
"Alright, sharing is worse than enjoying alone."
"Of course, it's a pleasure to cooperate."
"A pleasure to cooperate."
Leaving with the five burly men, Elder Pan's son glared at Elder Pan with great dissatisfaction.
"Dad, are you really going to share Lu Naiqi with them?"
Elder Pan knew his son wanted Lu Naiqi the most, but he wanted her too.
"Hehe, don't be impatient. You know Lu Naiqi's strength. We can't do it alone. We need some scapegoats."
"Dad, you mean let them go and die first, and then we'll reap the benefits?"
"Of course, Lu Naiqi belongs to us father and son. No one else can even think about touching her."
"This…."
Although Elder Pan's son wanted Lu Naiqi all to himself, the current situation made it impossible.
However, if it was just a father-son affair, he could still accept it.
"Dad, you have to promise me you'll let me go first."
"Okay, okay, you go after me, I'll go in front."
"Dad, you're so good to me."
"Well, what can I do? You're my eldest son."
...
The next day, late at night.
The night was cool and still, the tranquil lake like a giant, dark mirror embedded in the earth.
Lu Naiqi arrived silently, dressed in a gossamer-thin gauze dress, its hem fluttering gently in the night breeze.
She moved lightly to the lakeside, gently removing her gauze dress, revealing a tight-fitting bodice that concealed her beauty.
Lu Naiqi gracefully stepped into the lake, creating ripples.
Her long, silky hair spread out in the water, shimmering slightly.
She submerged, leaving only her snow-white back faintly visible on the surface.
With a graceful flick of her jade-like arm, she sent up strings of shimmering water droplets that sparkled like tiny diamonds in the moonlight.
The tranquil night, the dark lake, and Lu Naiqi, this ethereal beauty, created a breathtaking scene.
After an unknown amount of time, Lu Naiqi flicked her fingers, and her clothes flew out as she quickly dressed.
With her wet hair flowing freely, she walked straight back.
About ten minutes later, she stopped at a familiar path.
Lu Naiqi gripped her "Immortal Execution Sword" tightly, her gaze warily fixed on a large rock on the mountain.
Her brows furrowed slightly, and her voice was icy.
"Come out."
A moment later, laughter rang out.
"As expected of Fairy Lu, you even discovered it. You're certainly cautious enough."
Elder Pan emerged from behind the boulder, a mocking smile on his face.
They had originally set up an array in front of her, which would activate once Lu Naiqi entered, weakening her.
Now that Lu Naiqi had discovered them, there was no need for them to hide anymore.
"Come out, all of you. Let us have some fun with Fairy Lu."
"Hehehe!"
Elder Pan's son and five burly men emerged from all four sides, all grinning maliciously at Lu Naiqi.
They brazenly sized up Lu Naiqi's alluring figure, their eyes filled with greed.
"Fairy Lu, do us the honor of having some fun with us tonight, hehe!"
Lu Naiqi slightly raised her chin, her eyes icy, her voice low and deep.
"You
—are courting death!"