Yao Ranran's expression was utterly calm.
The moment she accepted the spirit stones, she already knew this Demon Sovereign would not be able to hold himself back. Her eyes were like an ancient well, without the slightest ripple.
The crowd's shock stood in stark contrast to her serenity, making Li Luoqi's brows furrow tighter.
Why could she remain so calm?
Was she not surprised, not afraid, not worried?
"It would only take me a few breaths to kill you, Yao Ranran. Do you understand that?"
His threat was concise and direct.
Yao Ranran replied softly, "Demon Sovereign, would you truly be willing to let me die?"
The words slipped from her elegant lips, sending a shiver through everyone's hearts, some even swaying in spirit.
Was this the charm of the Central Domain's number one Fairy?
Li Luoqi suppressed the strange turmoil within him, a flicker of unnaturalness flashing across his face.
"You are nothing more than a pawn to me. I can discard you at any time. Now get out here immediately!"
"A few breaths?" Yao Ranran smiled gracefully. "I would like to see just how many breaths it truly takes for Demon Sovereign to take my life."
Li Luoqi's face sank into shadow.
"Yao Ranran, you have betrayed me?"
At last, he understood.
Her appearing here was no coincidence, but deliberate intent. But too bad—her body already held the planted demonic seed. No matter how she tried, she could not escape his palm.
Yao Ranran's lips curved in a faint smile. "I was never yours. How could there be talk of betrayal?"
Li Luoqi's gaze turned razor sharp, cold light flashing out.
Yao Ranran ignored it entirely and continued calmly, "Pei Daoyou, Li Luoqi kept me by his side for one purpose—to sow discord between you and Shen Yuefu. The growing rift between you and Shen Yuefu was because of his manipulations."
No matter how thick the black aura coiled around Li Luoqi's palm, Yao Ranran's voice never faltered.
Pei Xianqiao cut off Li Luoqi's spell with wide eyes, her expression filled with disbelief.
"So it was you… you were the one scheming behind our backs?"
Li Luoqi's lips pressed into a thin line. "Qiao Qiao, how could you believe her words? Shen Yuefu is a loveless man by nature. His coldness toward you has nothing to do with me."
Pei Xianqiao shook her head with bitter disappointment.
"No… Brother Fu is not that kind of person. You used Yao Ranran to destroy our bond. I once saved Brother Fu, his voice was warm, his eyes were tender, he is not without love!"
While Pei Xianqiao's voice trembled with grief, Yao Ranran leisurely took out a spirit fruit and ate it with relish.
"Fairy, in a moment I will open the sect-guarding formation. With Yi'er and me, we can delay Li Luoqi for half an hour. At that time, Fairy, you only need to strike him from behind, and his so-called demonic seed will never threaten you."
Yun Dehe understood something of demonic arts. For Li Luoqi to activate the demonic seed would also require time. If they restrained him and prevented him from awakening it, Yao Ranran could strike first and end him. That way the danger of the demonic seed would vanish.
Yao Ranran blinked, a little dazed. "No need…"
But Yun Dehe and Zhao Lingyi had already darted out like twin bolts of lightning.
"Li Luoqi, do you dare face me in battle?" Yun Dehe roared in provocation. His whisk lashed out, releasing several white wind blades that encircled Li Luoqi.
Pei Xianqiao was pushed aside.
Zhao Lingyi flanked the other side, joining forces with Yun Dehe. The demon soldiers raised their formation, sealing the four of them within.
The Yun Gu Sect disciples paled at the sight.
"Sect master and Senior Brother… why are they rushing out at this time? What are they doing?"
"Could it be because of that woman? Even sect master cannot resist the allure of the number one Fairy?"
"None of you are allowed to speak recklessly. Do your duty. Fairy Ranran is our invited benefactor, none of you are permitted to gossip about her!"
Li Qingting arrived late but heard the disciples' chatter and scolded them sharply.
The Yun Gu Sect disciples shut their mouths, confusion and silence spreading through the ranks.
Li Qingting explained, "Fairy Ranran is not what she seems. Beyond her beauty, her cultivation is no less than sect master's!"
The disciples stared in disbelief.
Li Qingting said no more. "Just watch."
Anyone acknowledged by the divine beast phoenix could not possibly be weak.
She turned her gaze toward the graceful figure stepping out of the formation and quickly followed.
"Yi'er, activate Yun Gu Sect's Cloud Sky Nine Seas Sword Formation!"
Yun Dehe flung his whisk, every strand separating into countless threads, transforming into a rain of swords that whirled down upon Li Luoqi.
Zhao Lingyi was not to be outdone. Drawing his sword, its light split into nine phantom blades that stabbed into the earth around Li Luoqi, locking him in place like towering pillars.
"Sect Master Yun, there is still room to turn back. He only seeks to occupy the Eastern Wilderness, not to take your lives!"
Pei Xianqiao felt the murderous aura closing in all around, panic driving her to rush forward in protest.
Yun Dehe nearly spat blood in rage.
What nonsense was this woman spouting? To believe the words of a demon? That was no different from choosing death!
"If you are truly Yue Qingsu's disciple, then behave yourself and stay on the sidelines!"
Pei Xianqiao bit her lip. "Sect Master Yun, you don't understand. Li Luoqi… he is about to break through to Divine Transformation!"
"What?"
Yun Dehe's eyes widened in horror.
Zhao Lingyi directed the sword rain to crash toward Li Luoqi's chest.
The blades hovered an inch from his body.
Li Luoqi's lips curled into a crooked smile, his gaze brimming with malice.
"Hatred and rage—you have perfectly stoked the flames of my greed and vengeance.
Now I have grasped the chance to break through to Divine Transformation. With your lives, I shall ascend!"
A violent wave of black light erupted from his body. The Nine Seas Sword Formation instantly shattered into fragments, scattering like falling stars.
"This is bad! I thought the ancestral formation could restrain him for half an hour!"
Yun Dehe frantically pressed hand seals, desperate to salvage the situation.
Zhao Lingyi lowered his sword with helplessness. Half an hour…
He had only expected to hold for a quarter-hour…
But now…
Had even a single breath passed?
He gave a bitter smile and looked toward Yao Ranran.
Why was he making a fool of himself before her yet again?
Yao Ranran caught his gaze and nodded. "Your idea was not bad. By provoking him into breaking through here, I now have half an hour to finish him."
Zhao Lingyi: "…" What?
His mind went blank.
Yun Dehe froze for a moment, then turned with solemn gravity. "Many thanks, Fairy, for your praise. It was my idea."
Zhao Lingyi: "…Shameless!"
Yao Ranran gave a graceful smile. "Sect Master Yun truly has great wisdom."
"Hahaha, not as much as you say… but Fairy's words are always honest!"
Yun Dehe clasped his hands behind his back, hovering in midair, pride breaking through his calm facade.
Pei Xianqiao: "…Shameless to the extreme!"
"Hm? What are you two saying?"
Yun Dehe blinked in confusion, glancing between Zhao Lingyi and Pei Xianqiao.