Yao Ranran was slightly surprised.
"So that's how people are talking about me outside?"
Qin Lüsha, afraid she would be displeased, hurried to explain. "No no no, that was just something this subordinate summed up herself, I should not have—"
"Summed up beautifully!"
Yao Ranran immediately clapped her hands, her eyes lighting up in excitement. This string of titles, didn't it sound way too domineering?
Qin Lüsha stood there dazed.
The Xiānzhǔ was not angry?
Seeing her frozen expression, Yao Ranran composed herself and spoke more seriously.
"Qin Louzhu, the war between righteous and demonic is about to begin. I have seen your loyalty. For now, stay here in Longyin Village for a few days, pick any room you like. I will prepare some things for you to take back."
Qin Lüsha's expression grew solemn, though her allure remained. "Yes, this subordinate understands!"
After parting with Qin Lüsha, Yao Ranran returned straight to Gu Ling Mountain.
The battle between righteous and demonic forces was at the brink.
After her duel with Yuchi Hai, she could already gauge her own strength. When Qin Lüsha had stood before her just now, Yao Ranran had felt clearly that she could kill her with a single strike. Closing the door, she shut out Da Huang, who was once again trying to curry favor.
She opened the smithy, ready to forge more spirit treasures to prepare for the coming war.
…
Yun Gu Sect.
"Master, the person you once ordered us to search for has been found!"
Zhao Lingyi stood at the doorway, reporting to Yun Dehe.
Yun Dehe's lips twitched. "Found? And what use is that? Just a fixed-realm spirit. If she took it, then she took it, let it be!"
"Compared to that, I am far more curious about the peerless beauty who snatched away a supreme spiritual vein right under the noses of the three great clans!"
He raised his teacup, shaking his head with regret.
"Central Domain is about to suffer yet another great calamity. If only that supreme spiritual vein were buried under the Eastern Wilderness, I could risk this old life of mine to fight for it, to gamble for it!"
Zhao Lingyi muttered, "Master… your health has only just recovered. Yun Gu Sect still needs you. If there is a risk to be taken, it should be your disciples, not you!"
Yun Dehe tilted back his head and laughed. "Hahaha, after walking so close to the gates of death, I suddenly realized something. With or without me, Yun Gu Sect remains the same!"
"Master…" Zhao Lingyi grew anxious. "Please do not think that way…"
Yun Dehe drained his tea and laughed again. "Ling Yi, I leave Yun Gu Sect to you!"
"Master… wait!"
Before she could stop him, Yun Dehe tossed aside the teacup, leapt into the air, and smashed through the highest window of the main hall. Below lay a fog-covered abyss, tens of thousands of feet deep.
Zhao Lingyi's pupils shrank in shock. She tore off her belt in desperation, trying to pull him back.
"Master, please, don't do anything foolish!"
But Yun Dehe planted his feet against the jutting rocks on the cliff face, his voice echoing boldly."Do not worry, Ling Yi. I am only going to the bottom of the cliff to search for a thousand-year snow lotus, to offer it to the Fairy who saved my life…"
Zhao Lingyi grasped at nothing but air, her hand trembling. Her cheeks flushed as she quietly withdrew her belt and straightened her robes.
…
With her crafting proficiency maxed out, Yao Ranran's speed at refining spiritual treasures grew faster and faster, and her fortune seemed to rise inexplicably.
She looked at the pile of weapons and treasures stacked taller than herself and finally set down her hammer.
"That should be enough. These should suffice."
She cast a minor spell to tidy the smithy. Suddenly, a lump of Mo Ming Marrow lying to the side stirred, and three simple words floated above it.
"Where are you?"
Yao Ranran blinked at the words that appeared so suddenly, stunned for a heartbeat.
Then she realized it was a message from Li Luoqi.
She muttered, "Didn't we just meet not long ago? Why is he asking again?"
She traced her fingers lightly, replying with a few words.
"Give this Sovereign your exact location!"
Soon, new words surfaced from the Mo Ming Marrow.
Yao Ranran thought for a moment, then replied,
"Why does Demon Sovereign care to know?"
"The war is imminent. To protect your life."
She stared at the reply, falling into thought.
Protection? From Li Luoqi?
She hardly believed that.
More likely, he was only worried about wasting the demon seed he had planted in her. Or perhaps he wanted to order her to keep troubling the male and female leads.
After a pause, she answered,
"Demon Sovereign need not worry. I can protect myself, I won't trouble you."
…
Elsewhere.
"You really can find Yao Ranran?"
A woman's voice, utterly different from Li Luoqi's, rang out. Dressed in pale yellow, Pei Xianqiao lifted her gaze toward him.
Li Luoqi lazily erased the floating words behind him, eyes dimming as he raised a charming, sinister smile.
"Of course. Since when has this Sovereign ever lied to you?"
Pei Xianqiao bit her lip gently. "If you can find her, I can share a third of the phoenix blood with you."
Li Luoqi only laughed, unconcerned. "What is phoenix blood, compared to your happiness?"
Pei Xianqiao turned away. "Demon Sovereign, I'll be waiting for your good news."
Li Luoqi's eyes remained steady as he watched her leave.
"Yao Ranran… tell this Sovereign where you are!"
Yao Ranran raised her brows. "Impatient already?"
Something felt wrong.
Why was Li Luoqi so obsessed with her precise location?
This did not feel like protection. It felt more like he wanted to drag her out into the open!
Annoyed, she tossed aside the Undeworld Ming Marrow and casually replied,
"Luanshi County, inside a coffin."
Li Luoqi sneered. "Hiding in a coffin in Luanshi County… no wonder my people couldn't find her!"
But what he did not know was that Lou Ziqian had long intercepted his agents, feeding them false information to throw them off.
"Hmph. Cowardly girl. Since this Sovereign now knows your location, once Eastern Wilderness matters are settled, I'll personally deliver you before Qiao Qiao!"
A protector, overhearing this, asked curiously, "Fairy Pei seemed very anxious. Why not tell her at once, Demon Sovereign?"
Li Luoqi's gaze swept him lazily. "If I tell her too soon, she will only leave this Sovereign's side."
The protector bowed his head in sudden realization. "Demon Sovereign, how brilliant!"
Li Luoqi curled his lips, killing intent flickering in his eyes. "Once I unify Eastern Wilderness, I will offer the phoenix that Yao Ranran stole, as a gift to Qiao Qiao!"
"Congratulations, Demon Sovereign, may all your wishes come true!"
Li Luoqi let out a wicked laugh and swept out with his robes.
…
"Qin Louzhu, take this storage ring back with you. Inside are flying boats and treasures I forged for you."
Yao Ranran handed her the ring.
Qin Lüsha blinked in confusion. "Xiānzhǔ, what did you say?"
"I said, take this storage ring, and prepare yourself for the war between righteous and demonic."
Yao Ranran repeated patiently.
Such a glamorous Tower Master, yet why did her hearing seem so unreliable?
Qin Lüsha's hand trembled as she injected a trace of spiritual power into the ring to examine its contents. Her legs nearly gave way, and she almost fell to her knees before Yao Ranran.
"Qin Louzhu, are you alright?"
Yao Ranran asked with concern. Surely, as the Tower Master of Suohong Tower, with such immense wealth, she would not overreact just from seeing some flying boats and treasures?