Yao Ranran truly did not waste words.
Hei Yangjiu had already fallen, not even his Yuányīng had time to escape.
"…"
The three thousand demon cultivators stared in horror at the shattered remains of their sect master, then looked toward the young woman before them.
"He let me strike first, I did not sneak attack him!"
Because everything had ended too quickly, Yao Ranran shrugged innocently. Why were they all staring at her with such terrifying eyes? They were demon cultivators, yet they looked at a frail Fairy as though she were a monster. Was that fair?
"Yao… Yao demon!!!"
A shrill scream pierced the air. Yin Luo Sect instantly fell into chaos, the group without its leader scattering like headless flies.
"Run! Run! Yun Gu Sect invited help, even Sect Master was no match!"
"Flee! Quickly flee! As long as we live, there will always be another chance!"
Yao Ranran: "…"
She was clearly human. Even if they would not call her Fairy, was it necessary to call her a yao demon? And why did their faces look so horrified?
The most ridiculous thing was this: they were demon cultivators themselves, yet they called her a demon? If word of this spread, how would that sound?
Yao Ranran put away the Nine Lotus Ring and tried to salvage her image.
"Everyone, do not be afraid. He was not killed by a demon. It was just that I struck too fast. If you do not believe me, I can demonstrate again, slowly this time!"
"Brothers, did you hear what she just said?"
"Run! Hurry and run! She said she will strike again, and this time she will torture us little by little in slow motion!"
"Dammit, Sect Master already died so miserably, I beg the heavens not to let me be next!"
Yao Ranran: "…"
How could the same words sound so different in other people's ears?
"Sect Master! Quick! Fairy Ranran is still at the mountain gate. More than three thousand demon cultivators and the Yin Luo Sect master surrounded her. If we delay another moment, Fairy Ranran may fall here!"
Rustling!
Yao Ranran stood alone at the mountain gate, arms crossed before her chest, gazing up at drifting yellow leaves, her expression lonely.
Yun Dehe hurried over with the gatekeeping disciple in tow, looking utterly bewildered.
"Where are the three thousand demon cultivators and the Yin Luo Sect master you mentioned? Where are they hiding?"
"They were right there… huh? Where did that dense black mass of people go?"
The gatekeeper disciple stared in shock at the empty surroundings.
"They were here! Where did they all go??"
Yun Dehe: "…Are you asking me?"
gatekeeper disciple: "…"
Yao Ranran turned, sighed, and said, "You have come."
"Fairy Ranran, are… are you alright?"
Seeing her sigh like that, the gatekeeper vdisciple felt something was wrong.
Could it be… could it be that Fairy Ranran had already been captured and forced into submission by the demon cultivators?
Yao Ranran shook her head. "I am fine."
It was Yun Dehe's first time meeting Yao Ranran, and he was overjoyed.
"She is Fairy Ranran, my lifesaving benefactor?"
"She is Fairy Ranran!" As for "benefactor," the gatekeeper disciple was utterly baffled.
When had Fairy Ranran ever saved the sect master's life?
But Yun Dehe had never spoken of the Phoenix blood. The disciple, unaware of the matter, could only look outside in disbelief.
Was it all an illusion? Or were they all hiding?
"Fairy Ranran, I shall open the sect protecting formation at once and welcome you inside!"
Yun Dehe was beside himself with excitement, already forming seals to activate the great array.
The gatekeeper disciple threw himself forward fearlessly to stop him.
"Sect master, no! The Yin Luo Sect master and three thousand demon cultivators are still lying in ambush. You must not let her in!"
Yao Ranran: "Those three thousand demon cultivators…"
"Fairy Ranran, forgive me. I do wish to save you, but the lives of all Yun Gu Sect disciples matter more. You have already been controlled by Yin Luo Sect and turned into bait. I must risk my life to stop sect master from letting you in!"
Yao Ranran: "…"
This disciple was indeed loyal and righteous, but could he let her finish speaking?
"Those three thousand demon cultivators…"
"Even if there is no ambush outside, I will not allow that black sheep old fiend to bully my benefactor. Step aside!"
Yun Dehe cut off Yao Ranran's words, forcefully pushed the disciple away, and continued forming seals.
"No, sect master, you must not!"
The disciple cried out in despair.
Yao Ranran: "Those demon cultivators you are talking about…"
"Master, has the demon sect attacked? I heard three thousand demon cultivators and the Yin Luo Sect master… They… where are they?"
A streak of light rushed over. Zhao Lingyi also dragged a gatekeeping disciple along, interrupting Yao Ranran yet again.
He froze when he saw the empty mountain gate.
"Only this one?"
Was this not a bit too insulting?
Yao Ranran, cut off again and again, lowered her head in exasperation.
But Zhao Lingyi mistook her silence as hostility.
"You foolish child, she is Fairy Ranran who saved me, not a demon cultivator!"
Yun Dehe shoved aside the gatekeeping disciple one final time and successfully opened the formation.
"No!!" The disciple collapsed to his knees in despair, two lines of tears streaming down his face.
Zhao Lingyi: "…Master, what is wrong with him?"
"Ignore him. He may be too tense from guarding the gate these past days."
Yun Dehe no longer cared if Yao Ranran was coerced.
After this great calamity, he had understood everything. He had always been too cautious, too hesitant, unwilling to act, and that was why Yun Gu Sect and Suohong Tower had fallen into dire straits with no allies to turn to.
Yao Ranran was the first to reach out to them, their savior. His life was already given back by her. Even if he died for her in the end, it was only natural!
Zhao Lingyi wanted to follow him out.
But Yun Dehe raised a hand to stop him, shaking his head. "You stay here. The future of Yun Gu Sect rests with you. As for me… I am old."
"Master, why do you speak like this again?" Zhao Lingyi's lips curved with bitterness.
Yun Dehe looked at him, eyes misting.
"Ah, old is old. I must admit, perhaps this time I will never return. Hui'er will be entrusted to you."
With that, Yun Dehe stepped resolutely through the formation to welcome Yao Ranran.
Zhao Lingyi sensed from his words a faint scent of death.
"Master, Yun Gu Sect cannot lose you. Your disciple will accompany you!"
He moved like a rushing wind, swiftly following.
Yun Dehe was alarmed.
"Go back! Outside there are three thousand demon cultivators lying in ambush. You must not act recklessly!"
"So that is how it is. Master, I am not being reckless. Junior Brother Yun Hui has grown much. He can shoulder responsibility alone. With him here, we can rest assured!"
Zhao Lingyi chased after him firmly.
The two gatekeeping disciples hugged each other and wept bitterly.
Yao Ranran: "Everyone, could you quiet down for a moment and let me say a few words?"
Yun Dehe and Zhao Lingyi were still tangled at the center of the formation. At her words they froze.
The two gatekeeper disciples sniffled loudly, their tear-filled eyes turning toward her.