Yu Zhenyan's thoughts drifted in chaos. How could this be? How could Yao Ranran possibly defeat the Great Celestial Derivation Technique? The nine wounds at her neck seeped blood, staining her robes.
Zhou Lili and Meng Xiangxiang stood frozen in disbelief. Just like that, the cherished pearl of both the Yu and Xing families was about to die? The legendary Heaven-grade superior cultivation art, the Great Celestial Derivation Technique, ended like this?
Yao Ranran tightened her grip on the treasures she had seized, her eyes narrowing slightly as she studied the plain sigils on Yu Zhenyan's robe. Why would a pampered heiress wear such unremarkable garments? And her gaze—though filled with fear—lacked even the slightest sense of impending death.
"Yao Ranran… just you wait…!"
Yu Zhenyan's unwilling eyes turned toward the violet dragon. In an instant, her robe blazed crimson, ancient and intricate sigils appearing across the fabric. A small teleportation array spun to life upon her body.
In the blink of an eye, her fleshly form vanished.
Yao Ranran only watched as the tattered robe floated down like feathers, landing in the molten pool below. Her expression showed no surprise.
These great clans had existed upon this land far longer than many sects. In the original story, even the heroine Pei Xianqiao could not kill Yu Zhenyan. That she escaped was hardly strange.
"Fairy Ranran, did Yu Zhenyan… did she actually escape alive?"
Zhou Lili was stunned.
They had all witnessed the nine fatal wounds across Yu Zhenyan's neck. Yet she still managed to cling to a breath and flee?
"Sometimes, living is far more painful than dying."
Yao Ranran gazed at the blood-stained robe dissolving into magma, as though she could see Yu Zhenyan's resentment etched within.
The wounds carved by the Nine Lotus Rings, the backlash of the Great Celestial Derivation Technique—how would the Yu and Xing families save her now?
Zhou Lili instantly understood.
Yu Zhenyan had been interrupted mid-casting of the Great Celestial Derivation Technique, grievously wounded. Even if the Yu and Xing families possessed heavenly treasures, restoring her to her former state would be near impossible.
Zhou Lili felt no pity. Had the Fairy not struck first, the Great Celestial Derivation Technique would have annihilated all three of them.
"Let's go. Nie Rong is still outside waiting for us."
Yao Ranran leapt onto the violet dragon, carrying Zhou Lili and Meng Xiangxiang out of the rift.
"Not good, Fairy Ranran! Yu Zhenyan brought along Ye family companions, and Elder Nie's eyes were slashed by Yu Zhenyan's dagger. I don't know how he is now!"
Shaken from shock, Zhou Lili suddenly remembered Nie Rong.
Riding the violet dragon skyward, Yao Ranran soon saw the Ye clan's cultivators.
"First disciple, are you alright?"
Beset by more than a dozen foes, Nie Rong had activated his golden shield, his face heavy with vigilance.
The moment the violet dragon soared above, every gaze was drawn upward.
From upon the dragon came Yao Ranran's voice, causing Nie Rong to look up in shock. "Master, you… you succeeded in subduing the supreme spiritual vein?"
Such a swift subjugation—nothing like what sect records described as a long, arduous process.
Ye Nantian and his men revealed greedy eyes, though flickers of dread passed beneath. "The woman above, who are you? I am Ye Nantian, son of the Ye clan patriarch. Hand over the supreme spiritual vein obediently, and my Ye family will guarantee you safe passage to the Spirit Realm!"
"The Spirit Realm is no fun. Staying here as mountain lord suits me just fine." Yao Ranran shook her head firmly. Of all things, he wanted to send her to the Spirit Realm to die!
Ye Nantian, misunderstanding her refusal, assumed she coveted the spiritual vein. His expression darkened. "I advise you, Daoyou, not to act recklessly. The Ye family and Yu family are not powers you can afford to offend!"
Yao Ranran was about to refuse again when the ground quaked violently. Atop the mountain, the eight colossal Dao tablets splintered with web-like cracks.
Ye Nantian's face shifted. He hastily formed hand seals, chanting to stabilize the breaking tablets.
Overlooking one of the tablets, Yao Ranran smiled faintly. "I heard the Ye family is formidable. Since you want the supreme spiritual vein, then I shall give it to you."
The crowd's faces changed.
Zhou Lili and Meng Xiangxiang gaped in shock as Yao Ranran truly leapt down from the dragon with them, landing beside Nie Rong.
"The supreme spiritual vein is yours. Now can you let us leave?"
Yao Ranran's lips curved in a faint smile.
Ye Nantian stared at her, awestruck. He had just shouted at such a divine woman—would he be remembered poorly?
"Young master… young master, are we really letting them go?"
An old retainer whispered at his side.
Ye Nantian snapped out of it, immediately barking, "Vile woman! Do you think to deceive me with your charms? Saying you've handed over the spiritual vein is but an illusion! You never surrendered it at all!"
"Roar!"
A dragon's cry erupted beside him.
The Ye clan cultivators paled, terror filling their eyes.
Ye Nantian: "…"
That was unmistakably the cry of a dragon. She had truly handed over the vein!
"Well then, Young Master Ye, can you release my disciple now?" Yao Ranran asked with a light smile.
At that smile, Ye Nantian's heart trembled. He quickly turned away, raising a hand. "Let them go. We're leaving!"
Now that the vein had appeared, lingering would only draw more scavengers.
His retainer followed, then suddenly frowned. "Young master, the Yu family's young lady is still below!"
Ye Nantian hesitated briefly, glancing at the rift. "You go fetch her. I'll ride the dragon and leave first!"
"Yes!"
Half the Ye retinue leapt into the rift, while the rest followed Ye Nantian, preparing to depart Duanya Mountain.
Yao Ranran smiled faintly at their retreat, while Zhou Lili and Meng Xiangxiang exchanged knowing looks toward the underground fissure.
Though a strange feeling pricked Ye Nantian's heart, the urgency of the moment left him no time to dwell.
"violet dragon, take us from here at once!"
With commanding authority, Ye Nantian leapt, aiming to land on the dragon's back.
The dragon's eyes lowered, its massive tail sweeping. Ye Nantian and several attendants were smashed against boulders.
"Pfft!"
Zhou Lili and Meng Xiangxiang burst into laughter.
Yao Ranran, busy healing Nie Rong's eyes, spared no attention for Ye Nantian's plight.
"What is this? Did you set a trap?!" Ye Nantian staggered up, eyes blazing with fury. As heir of the Ye family, he could not endure such humiliation.
Yao Ranran did not even glance at him. "I need not command it. The supreme spiritual vein simply does not acknowledge you."
"Absurd! This spiritual vein is mine! No one but I may control it!"
Ye Nantian roared, desperate to salvage his dignity.
Yao Ranran's gaze flicked aside. One of the mountain's Dao tablets suddenly exploded. From the distance, a blinding escape light streaked forth, carrying with it a terrifying aura that descended upon the mountain like a storm.
Ye Nantian instantly fell to one knee, blood surging chaotically within.
Yao Ranran calmly raised her shield, a faint smile touching her lips as she pointed at him.
"That's right. The supreme spiritual vein belongs to Ye Nantian, heir of the Ye family. No one can take it from him."