The night was dark, with heavy clouds obscuring the moon and stars. Nanyi City lay silent, except for occasional disturbances at the military camp twenty miles from the city gate, which quickly subsided.
The protective array surrounding Danyang Mountain shimmered with light, occasionally flickering with runes and lightning, showcasing its formidable defenses.
In a secluded courtyard, a sudden flash of light startled the insects and birds, sending them scattering. After the light faded, a small, tender yellow Xuanfeng with pink-tipped wings fluttered over the half-collapsed wall and landed on a locust tree, its beady black eyes blinking rapidly.
It cautiously observed its surroundings for a long time, ensuring there was no one nearby, before turning towards the broken wall and chirping twice.
"Red Bean says there's no one around." Meng Shuying emerged from the shadows of the broken wall, holding Su Luowei's hand as they walked out, followed closely by Wen Miaomiao and Xie Hanzhu.
Su Luowei glanced up at the moon, hidden behind thick clouds, then down at the stealth garments she was wearing, and couldn't help but ask, "When you infiltrated Danyang Alliance alone back then, was it like this? Sneaking around like a thief, without a trace of the grandeur of 'One Woman, One Sword' against the entire sect?"
She knew better than to trust legends, but the current contrast with those stories was almost too much.
"I didn't sneak in like this back then," Meng Shuying replied, turning to signal Xie Hanzhu, who was about to mock her, to stay quiet. She erased their tracks with a spell before leading them out of the shadows. "The leader of Danyang Alliance invited me personally, so I entered through the front door."
Her voice was low, and in the eerie darkness of the night, it made Xie Hanzhu think of something frightening. She shuddered, turned around, and clung tightly to Wen Miaomiao's arm, seeking warmth before whispering, "What did that old fox want by inviting you? He must have had ulterior motives."
Meng Shuying lowered her gaze, thinking carefully. When she raised her eyes again, she didn't answer Xie Hanzhu's question. Instead, she warned the others, "Nanyang Zhenren may not be the most powerful, but he is cunning. If we encounter him, be on guard."
As soon as she finished speaking, they saw torches suddenly ignite ahead, their light forming a coiling dragon that surrounded them on all sides. More figures began to converge on their location.
It was too late to hide. Meng Shuying immediately pulled her sister behind her, using her body to shield her, and turned to face the torchbearers directly.
They stared at each other for a while before a slightly hoarse voice called out from behind the group, "Meng Xiaoyou of Qingxu Sect, it has been a long time."
The Danyang Alliance cultivators, who had surrounded them in a semicircle, stepped aside, making way for Nanyang Zhenren, who appeared every bit the wise and ethereal immortal with his whisk in hand. If not for the beautiful young woman by his side, Su Luowei might have mistaken him for a good person based solely on his demeanor.
Unfortunately, that woman was someone Su Luowei knew all too well.
Jiang Ye.
She looked the same as before, still at the Golden Core stage, but now her hair was styled in a matronly fashion, and her delicate hand was tightly clutching Nanyang Zhenren's arm.
When she saw who had intruded at this late hour, her eyes lit up, and she laughed softly behind her sleeve. "I heard someone broke in, and I wondered who would dare disturb my sleep. I never expected it to be an old acquaintance."
Meng Shuying glanced at her, her face emotionless. "I didn't expect to see you here either, Jiang Ye Senior Sister. How have you been since we last met at Yanmo Peak?"
Her gaze shifted to Jiang Ye's hand, which was clinging to Nanyang Zhenren's arm. "It doesn't seem like you're doing too well."
Behind her, Xie Hanzhu couldn't help but laugh, whispering, "I never realized Meng Shuying could be so sharp-tongued."
Wen Miaomiao discreetly tugged at her sleeve, cautioning her, "Be careful with your words."
Jiang Ye's face darkened at the direct insult. Her eyes flicked from Xie Hanzhu to Wen Miaomiao before finally settling on the figure partially hidden behind Meng Shuying. When she recognized that face, her expression turned to one of shock.
"Su Luowei! You… aren't you supposed to be dead? How is this possible..."
A look of disbelief crossed her face, and as if realizing something, her eyes widened as she stared at Meng Shuying, as if trying to bore a hole through her with her gaze.
Meng Shuying returned her gaze, equally puzzled.
Jiang Ye stared for a moment before averting her eyes, a crafty look flashing in them as she leaned in to whisper something to Nanyang Zhenren. His gaze turned suspicious as he looked at Meng Shuying and asked her quietly, "Are you sure?"
Jiang Ye nodded and gave him a meaningful look.
Nanyang Zhenren stroked his graying beard, sizing up the four of them before suddenly speaking, "Meng Xiaoyou, I suspect that you and your companions are involved with the recent demonic disturbances. Please come with us for questioning. Once this misunderstanding is cleared up, you will be free to leave."
"And if I refuse?" Meng Shuying asked coldly, drawing her sword and pointing it at the group before her.
"Meng Xiaoyou, though your cultivation has dropped considerably, you are still a Nascent Soul cultivator. If you insist on leaving, I can't stop you. But your three Nascent Soul companions won't find it so easy."
Nanyang Zhenren smirked, recalling how she had humiliated him when she was at her peak. Now, she was weakened and burdened by others.
As he grew more confident, his smile widened. "Nanyi City's tea is famous. Did you happen to drink any before coming here?"
Xie Hanzhu's face turned pale. "The tea was poisoned?!"
"No, not poisoned," Nanyang Zhenren said with a chuckle. "But it was laced with something that temporarily weakens your cultivation."
He gestured to one of his disciples, who promptly pulled out a pouch and tossed a handful of powder onto the torches. The air filled with a strange fragrance. Su Luowei barely managed to hold her breath before dizziness overtook her, and she felt her strength ebbing away.
Seeing their weakened state, Nanyang Zhenren laughed heartily. "We may not be the strongest among the Five Great Sects, but when it comes to secret arts, no one surpasses us."
"Secret arts? More like underhanded tricks!" Xie Hanzhu spat. "If we hadn't let our guard down, we wouldn't have fallen for this!"
Realizing the tea master at the inn was in league with Danyang Alliance made her feel sick. Why had she been so careless? This was all her fault.
"Don't blame yourself, Senior Sister," Wen Miaomiao said, trying to console her. "We were probably targeted as soon as we entered the city. Even if you hadn't spoken to the tea master, they would have found another way."
"You're right, little friend," Nanyang Zhenren said with a smile. "Nanyi City is the closest city to Danyang Mountain. We investigate any foreign cultivators who come through."
At his signal, a disciple approached with ropes, respectfully addressing Meng Shuying. "We're just following orders. Please don't make this difficult for us."
Meng Shuying let out a cold laugh and raised her sword to her chest. "I'd like to see who dares take a step closer."
Suddenly, a soft hand rested on her shoulder. "Let it be, Ah Ying."
That hand, pale and delicate, immediately dispelled Meng Shuying's killing intent, calming her like a sword sheathing its blade.
Su Luowei stepped out from behind her, bowing slightly to Nanyang Zhenren. "Since you suspect us of consorting with demons, it's only right that we clear our names. Staying as guests at Danyang Alliance for a few days isn't such a big deal, right, Ah Ying?"
In front of her sister, who was so gentle and understanding, Meng Shuying couldn't help but comply. "If Senior Sister says so, then it is."
Seeing how cooperative they were, Nanyang Zhenren couldn't find any reason to object.
He signaled for his disciples to escort them to an empty room where they would be held temporarily.
Once the door was locked from the outside and the disciples took up their posts, Meng Shuying enveloped the four of them in her spiritual sense before asking Su Luowei, "Senior Sister, are you all right?"
Su Luowei nodded. "I'm fine, just a bit weak."
Meng Shuying looked around the room, found a chair in the corner, wiped it clean with a cloth, and helped Su Luowei sit down. Then, with a serious expression, she said, "There is demonic energy in Danyang Alliance, and it's very strong."
Before entering Danyang Mountain, Meng Shuying had already sensed the dense demonic energy within. Because of it, Xuanfeng and Qinglong's abilities were limited, preventing them from moving freely within Danyang Alliance.
It was only thanks to the formations she had left behind years ago that they had been able to enter undetected.
Once inside, she immediately sensed something was off. After discussing it with her sister via spiritual communication, she had deliberately made their presence known to attract attention.
Sure enough, as soon as they were discovered, even the cunning Nanyang Zhenren couldn't resist coming out personally, using the demonic energy as a pretext to detain them.
However…
Meng Shuying shook her head and flicked her fingers, breaking the seal on the door with a single strand of spiritual energy.
Nanyang Zhenren still didn't understand. The reason she had been able to defeat the entire Danyang Alliance years ago wasn't because she was at the peak of Nascent Soul, but because she was Meng Shuying.
Even with her cultivation reduced, as long as she remained a Nascent Soul cultivator, Danyang Alliance was nothing to her.
The disciples hidden in the shadows had already been subdued by Xuanfeng and Qinglong. Meng Shuying signaled the spirit beasts to protect her sister, then turned to Su Luowei. "Senior Sister, wait here for me. I'll find out what happened to the missing Qingxu disciples and the city's girls and return as soon as I can."
She glanced out the window at the still dark sky, hesitated for a moment, then wrapped her arms around her sister's waist and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "The effects of the drug will wear off in an hour. If I'm not back by dawn, take Xuanfeng and Qinglong and return to Qingxu Peak to inform the sect leader."
Looking into her sister's calm eyes, she couldn't help but tighten her grip, suppressing the sudden surge of worry in her heart. "This place is dangerous, Senior Sister. Please be careful and don't take any risks."