Translator: CinderTL
Ignoring Rong Jingyun's urgency, Song Wen blocked her path.
"Elder Rong, it's been 130 years. Why not stop and catch up?"
Rong Jingyun's expression darkened, sensing ill intent. She eyed Song Wen warily.
"I don't recognize you, Daoist friend. What should I call you?"
Even as she spoke, Rong Jingyun didn't slow down, rapidly closing the distance between them.
Simultaneously, two clusters of pale blue flames erupted from her hands—the Earth Core Refining Flame!
It was clear that if Song Wen didn't move, she was prepared to attack.
"The Earth Core Refining Flame, is it? I have that too."
Song Wen raised his right hand, and a blue flame instantly appeared in his palm.
Rong Jingyun's pupils constricted as she stared at the Earth Core Refining Flame in Song Wen's hand.
"Who are you, and why do you possess the Earth Core Refining Flame, a technique unique to the Beastmaster Sect?"
"Wu Sheng," Song Wen replied.
"It's you! Ji Yin!" A flicker of surprise flashed in Rong Jingyun's eyes.
By now, she was only a few dozen yards from Song Wen. She clenched her fists, and the Earth Core Refining Flame in her hands vanished.
"Leave quickly if you don't want to die. Yan Yuyan of the Profound Heaven Sword Sect is hunting me. Don't get caught up in this."
Before Rong Jingyun could finish speaking, she had already dashed past Song Wen.
At the same time, a figure burst forth from the thick smoke behind them.
Clad in fiery red robes, wielding a snow-white sword, with bright, piercing eyes and a heroic bearing, it was none other than Yan Yuyan.
She had shockingly reached the peak of the Golden Core realm.
With a flick of her wrist, Yan Yuyan activated her Sword Incantation, and her snow-white sword leaped forth like a soaring dragon, slashing through the air at lightning speed toward Rong Jingyun's back.
"Rong Jingyun, you can't escape! Hand over the Crimson Sun Grass, and I'll spare your life!"
Song Wen's gaze sharpened as he watched the flying sword flash past him. He curled his fingertip slightly and flicked it gently.
A surge of Spiritual Power erupted from his fingertip and landed on the flying sword.
Clang!
A crisp, resounding clang echoed through the air.
The flying sword, as if struck by an invisible force, veered sharply off course and was sent spinning away.
Faced with this sudden turn of events, the two women reacted differently, but both slowed their pace and turned to look at Song Wen.
Rong Jingyun's eyes were wide with shock.
"Ji Yin, your cultivation..."
Song Wen smiled faintly and said calmly, "I had some fortuitous encounters and was fortunate enough to break through to the Nascent Soul realm."
"Nascent Soul?"
The words struck Rong Jingyun like thunder, reverberating in her ears.
Even though Rong Jingyun had vaguely sensed Song Wen's cultivation level from the overwhelming aura he exuded when he attacked, she still found it hard to believe when he admitted it himself. Her eyes widened involuntarily, filled with shock and awe.
In the next moment, a look of joy spread across her face.
Song Wen was a Nascent Soul cultivator, which meant she no longer needed to fear Yan Yuyan.
On the other side, Yan Yuyan appeared somewhat flustered.
"This junior was unaware of Senior's presence and unintentionally offended you. I beg Senior to be magnanimous and forgive this junior."
Song Wen examined Yan Yuyan's exquisite face and asked, "Who is your master?"
"This junior studies under Mo Yexue of the Profound Heaven Sword Sect," Yan Yuyan replied, bowing with clasped hands.
Song Wen nodded slightly upon hearing this.
He had already suspected something when Yan Yuyan demanded the Crimson Sun Grass from Rong Jingyun.
Back in the Dark Orchid Realm of the Divine Blood Hall, Song Wen and three others had discovered two Starlight Spiritdew Grasses. Mo Yexue had taken one of them, explaining that her disciple had reached the peak of the Golden Core realm and needed the herb to refine a Nascent Spirit Pill.
The Crimson Sun Grass was also a key ingredient in the Nascent Spirit Pill, though not as rare as the Starlight Spiritdew Grass.
"Rest assured, I won't kill you," Song Wen said.
Yan Yuyan's tense expression softened slightly as she clasped her hands in a respectful bow.
"Thank you, Senior."
"You may leave now. Daoist Rong and I have some matters to discuss," Song Wen said.
"Yes..."
Before Yan Yuyan could finish speaking, a furious roar echoed from the distant horizon.
"Who dares to harm a disciple of the Beastmaster Sect?"
The three of them turned to see Mi He speeding toward them.
Seeing Rong Jingyun unharmed, Mi He gradually slowed her pace, her gaze settling on Song Wen.
"Yin Shuo?"
It was her first time seeing 'Yin Shuo', and her voice held a hint of uncertainty.
As she spoke, she had already reached Rong Jingyun's side. Suddenly, something occurred to her, and she spoke again.
"Should I call you Yin Shuo, or should I address you as Cui Huo?"
Song Wen smiled. "It's quite fortunate to meet Daoist Mi He here. A name is merely a label; you may call me whatever you wish."
Mi He's expression, however, remained slightly displeased. "Daoist, as a Nascent Soul cultivator and the leader of a sect, attacking a Golden Core junior of the Beastmaster Sect seems rather unbecoming of your status."
Song Wen replied, "Daoist, you misunderstand. It was Little Friend Yan of the Profound Heaven Sword Sect who had a conflict with Elder Rong of your sect. I merely happened to pass by and mediate between them."
Mi He turned to look at Rong Jingyun.
The latter nodded. "Reporting to Senior Mi He, Senior Ji Yin is absolutely right. If not for Senior Ji Yin's timely intervention, this disciple would likely have met a grim fate."
"Ji Yin?" Mi He's pupils narrowed slightly. "Daoist Yin Shuo, you have many titles. But why does the name 'Ji Yin' feel so familiar?"
After a moment of thought, Mi He whispered to Rong Jingyun.
"Elder Rong, I recall that the disciple who betrayed your Alchemy Peak back then was actually a traitor from the Corpse Demon Sect. Was that person also called 'Ji Yin'?"
Rong Jingyun nodded. "Senior Mi He is correct. Senior Ji Yin is indeed the Wu Sheng from Alchemy Peak."
A look of surprise flashed across Mi He's eyes as she turned to Song Wen.
"Daoist Yin Shuo, I never expected such a connection between us."
Having been exposed by Rong Jingyun and Mi He, Song Wen felt rather helpless.
He hadn't wanted to reveal his identity, but he hadn't anticipated that Rong Jingyun's emergency signal would attract Mi He. Otherwise, he wouldn't have so readily revealed himself to Rong Jingyun.
"Back then, I was hunted by Tai He and his disciple Yan Yiwen, forcing me to flee the Beastmaster Sect. It remains one of the greatest regrets of my life. Those years at the Beastmaster Sect were the most carefree and comfortable period of my cultivation journey. I owe this to Daoist Mi He and Daoist Yang Yu, who upheld the sect's glorious reputation and shielded us disciples from the storms of the world," Song Wen said, his face wistful.
"Daoist, you certainly have a silver tongue," Mi He replied, pausing slightly with a half-smile. "But gratitude can't just be lip service. Shouldn't you show some sincerity?"
Song Wen said, "Just now, Elder Rong and Daoist Yan were in a perilous conflict. I intervened to save Elder Rong, precisely to repay the Beastmaster Sect's past kindness."
Mi He said, "Then on behalf of Elder Rong, I thank Daoist Yin Shuo."
She seemed displeased with Song Wen and didn't wish to speak further. Turning to Rong Jingyun, she said, "Jingyun, come with me."
"Daoist Mi He, wait," Song Wen hastily called out. "I have a matter I need your help with."
(End of the Chapter)
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