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Extremely Yin Island.
In a dimly lit hall, the short-statured Wu Chou entered cautiously, his expression filled with respect. He bowed toward the darkness ahead and said, "Master, I have completed the task you assigned me."
Suddenly, an orange light flickered to life, illuminating the surroundings.
A middle-aged man with a pale face and narrow eyes sat upright on a stone chair carved with intricate patterns of birds and beasts. Though he remained silent, the faint Nascent Soul stage aura emanating from his body was enough to make Wu Chou uneasy. If not for the report he had to deliver, he would have long since fled this place.
"Oh? Have the whereabouts of the traitor been fully uncovered?"
A glint of emotion flickered in the eyes of the sinister old ghost, Ji Yin, as his gaze settled on Wu Chou. The oppressive stare made Wu Chou's hair stand on end. Quickly, he retrieved a document from his robe and respectfully presented it.
The document detailed the traitor's current whereabouts and related matters, information that had taken Wu Chou significant effort to obtain.
Ji Yin waved his hand, pulling the document toward him without opening it. Instead, he directly probed it with his spiritual sense. After a brief moment, he burst into laughter.
That traitor had been playing an endless game of hide-and-seek since escaping from Ji Yin Island, desperately trying to evade his pursuers. If not for the incomplete Xutian map in the traitor's possession—a crucial item to Ji Yin—he would have enjoyed toying with him a while longer.
Suddenly, a long wooden box appeared in Ji Yin's palm. He tossed it to Wu Chou and instructed, "Inside are two sections of Heavenly Thunder Bamboo. Take them to the Yin Gui Sect on the outer islands and store them for a dozen years. Then, spread word that you're selling them and wait for buyers to appear. When the time is right, find someone to impersonate a disciple of the Yin Sha Sect, ambush the buyers, rob them, and shift the blame onto the Yin Sha Sect. This will create a dispute between the two sects. Make sure the traitor doesn't sense anything unusual."
Heavenly Thunder Bamboo was one of the three sacred trees and a key material used to forge the legendary "Green Bamboo Bee Cloud Sword."
Wu Chou carefully examined the long wooden box. Inside, the bamboo was thin and dry, appearing lifeless. Without hesitation, he placed it into his storage bag. Suddenly, a thought occurred to him, and he spoke up. "Master, should we use the Miaoyin Sect as the buyer? The one who injured my disciple has close ties with them."
"You wish to kill two birds with one stone? Why not three?" Ji Yin's voice remained cold and detached. "By the way, you can also target Fairy Zi Ling, the renowned beauty of the Chaotic Star Sea."
Wu Chou tensed but quickly replied, "Nothing escapes Master's keen insight. Qi Yuan also holds a grudge against us, and this would be a good opportunity to eliminate him."
He still vividly remembered how Qi Yuan had humiliated him by forcing him into a desperate retreat during a battle. The grudge had only grown over time. Recently, Qi Yuan's cultivation had improved, and he had even slain formidable cultivators like Night Demon and Qing Jian Patriarch, both at the late-stage Core Formation level. If they didn't act now, revenge would become an unattainable dream.
Ji Yin's eyes gleamed as he smiled. "Very well. Sell the Heavenly Thunder Bamboo to the Miaoyin Sect, but make sure their Sect Master and Qi Yuan personally attend the transaction. You'll handle the execution."
He also considered that the old monster Chihuo had ties to the Miaoyin Sect. If the sect suffered losses, Fairy Zi Ling would likely seek Chihuo's help. That would provide an opportunity to manipulate Chihuo by offering Zi Ling as a bargaining chip, eliminating multiple threats at once.
Wu Chou's grotesque face lit up with joy upon hearing Ji Yin's approval. "Master, rest assured. I will handle everything flawlessly."
"Good. Now leave. I am entering seclusion. Do not disturb me unless absolutely necessary."
With that, Ji Yin vanished, and the orange light in the hall was extinguished, plunging the space into darkness once more.
Wu Chou left in high spirits, already fantasizing about the future. He swiftly departed, heading toward the Yin Gui Sect.
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**Star City**
Qi Yuan left the Miaoyin Sect's property but did not return to his residence. Instead, he flew in the opposite direction, eventually arriving at a secluded courtyard. He retrieved a sound transmission talisman from his robe, infused it with spiritual energy, and sent it into the courtyard.
Moments later, the formation guarding the courtyard opened slightly, just enough for one person to pass through. Qi Yuan smiled and stepped inside confidently.
A picturesque backyard unfolded before him, filled with rock formations, flowing water, fragrant flowers, and fluttering butterflies. In a lakeside pavilion, a woman in a white dress sat gracefully, playing a musical instrument. A delicate incense burner on the stone table emitted a faint, soothing fragrance.
Qi Yuan approached with a grin. "Yu Ling, such elegance."
Ling Yuling, now dressed in her signature flowing robes, had her dark hair adorned with phoenix hairpins, her beauty unmatched. Her noble temperament, combined with a touch of languid charm, was truly enchanting.
She stopped playing, a joyful expression appearing on her delicate face. Slowly rising, she spoke softly, "Brother Qi..."
Qi Yuan stepped forward, taking her soft hands into his own. "Did you miss me? We haven't seen each other for over half a month."
To maintain their relationship, they had to meet in secret. As the Young Palace Master of the Star Palace, Ling Yuling's residence was heavily guarded by the Twin Saints of the Star Palace. To avoid unwanted attention, Qi Yuan had suggested renting this courtyard as their private meeting place—a suggestion Ling Yuling had readily agreed to.
"Miss you? With so many beauties around you, how would you have time to think of me?" she pouted playfully.
Qi Yuan chuckled, understanding her worry. He released her hands and wrapped his arms around her slender waist instead. "My feelings for you are clear. We will never be apart."
Ling Yuling placed a delicate finger on his lips, her gaze soft. "I believe you..."
She leaned into him, closing her eyes, completely immersing herself in the moment.
Birds chirped in the trees, the fragrance of flowers filling the air.
Qi Yuan tightened his embrace, listening to her heartbeat. His fingers brushed against her waist, feeling her warmth. Lowering his head, he whispered into her ear, "Yuling, I missed you."
A soft murmur escaped her lips as her face turned an even deeper shade of crimson.
Qi Yuan smiled, lifting her delicate chin before capturing her lips in a lingering kiss...
(End Of Chapter)