At this moment, Fairy Zi Li had shed her previous frailty.
In the face of the Inner Demon, she instinctively accepted it and began to deduce and explore until she discovered that these events could potentially happen to Yu Mu.
However, she connected these events with Elder Yun! If Elder Yun failed to protect Mu'er, he would face betrayal from friends and family, suffer grievances, get hurt, and even die in loneliness and despair!
She had to reclaim Mu'er!
Only by having him by her side would those things not happen! Perhaps... the current Fairy Zi Li was truly the one under a demonic obstruction. She had become a pawn of the spirit of the Heavenly Dao, powerless to counter its schemes.
Yet she never considered that the problem might lie within herself.
"Elder Yun, I recently acquired some rare spiritual tea. Since the Sect Master is in closed-door meditation, I believe only you are qualified to enjoy it with me," Fairy Zi Li said, still maintaining her ethereal demeanor.
"No need for that."
Elder Yun frowned slightly; it wasn't anything else, but the spirit stones in his cultivation room needed replacing. The depleted stones might affect Xiao Mu's training.
"It won't take up too much of your time, Elder Yun."
But Fairy Zi Li's face showed determination as she continued to block Elder Yun's path.
"Elder Fairy Zi Li must have something to discuss with me," Elder Yun said with a smile.
"Then, I shall comply."
"Very well."
Atop Baiyun Peak, there was a pavilion elegantly perched on the clouds. At this moment, the fragrance of tea wafted through the air, complemented by the songs of spiritual birds and drifting clouds—a tranquil scene of peaceful times.
Seeing Fairy Zi Li brewing tea for herself, Elder Yun sighed: "If Elder Fairy Zi Li has something to say, please speak directly. I don't have much time to waste here."
"Elder Yun is indeed straightforward," Fairy Zi Li replied coldly as she cast a glance at him and offered tea with her delicate hand.
Then a beautifully crafted storage ring was pushed toward Elder Yun.
Fairy Zi Li spoke again, her voice like a yellow oriole but notably cold: "This storage ring contains your previous items: ten Windwalking Pearls, ten thousand high-grade spirit stones, two hundred third-grade pills, ninety-seven fourth-tier spiritual herbs, and seven pieces of North Spirit Refined Iron."
"What does Elder Fairy Zi Li mean by this?"
Elder Yun was somewhat startled; good heavens! Even without considering the mustard seed, the remaining items… were enough to sustain a medium-sized sect in the Northwest!
Fairy Zi Li's resources were indeed substantial; she was incredibly wealthy.
"I want Mu'er back. He was raised by me since childhood; I saved his life. Only by being with me can he avoid getting hurt."
Mentioning Yu Mu made Fairy Zi Li's eyes tremble.
As long as Mu'er returned to her side and she treated him well, those demonic obstructions would naturally dissipate.
She absolutely would not allow what happened in her nightmares to occur in Mu'er's life! It was Elder Yun who failed to take care of him.
After Yu Mu joined Elder Yun's sect, those Inner Demon began to invade her thoughts; this was heaven's warning to her!
"Who Xiao Mu chooses is not up to you or me; it's entirely his decision." Compared to Fairy Zi Li's obsessive gaze, Elder Yun's eyes were clear and calm.
"He is the young master of Yunhe Sect. Even as Supreme Elders, we have no right to dictate his choices. Moreover, Xiao Mu is not an item that can be traded at will."
"Goodbye."
Elder Yun did not touch the spiritual tea nor even glance at the storage ring.
"Wait!"
Fairy Zi Li suddenly stood up; her terrifying cultivation surged forth, scattering even the mist atop the mountain and revealing bright sunlight.
"Elder Yun, are you saying that this isn't enough?"
Fairy Zi Li's gaze was fixed intensely on Elder Yun, her spiritual pressure unabashedly pressing down on him.
"I've said it before."
Elder Yun waved his sleeve, dispersing Fairy Zi Li's spiritual pressure with ease.
"Xiao Mu is not an object."
"If you have the heart, feel free to compete with me! We've been at odds for a long time; one more round won't make a difference."
Suddenly, Elder Yun turned around, his previously amiable demeanor now icy: "Elder Fairy Zi Li, have you ever shown even a fraction of sincerity toward Xiao Mu?"
Seeing that Fairy Zi Li still wanted to argue, Elder Yun's figure vanished into the clouds.
In terms of cultivation, Fairy Zi Li was no match for him now!
"Elder Yun…"
Under the sunlight on the mountaintop, Fairy Zi Li's stunning face bore no warmth.
"You… are seeking death!"
"Buzz!!"
Suddenly, an invisible ripple seemed to pass through the heavens. Fairy Zi Li felt an inexplicable tremor in her heart as an unexplainable fear surged within her. Elder Yun's earlier words echoed in her mind.
Did she have any sincerity?
She... truly believed she did.
She looked up at the sky, where a gentle breeze caressed her hair.
Once, Yu Mu had called her Master with a smile, his clear and beautiful eyes shining brightly.
In her nightmares, Yu Mu called her Master while covered in wounds. He was powerful and seemed invincible! Yet he also felt as if he could shatter with just a touch.
Previously, when Yu Mu severed their ties for the last time, the last time she looked into his eyes was in that filthy vegetable garden—there was no emotion left in his gaze.
After that encounter, he never looked at her again.
These memories slowly overlapped in her heart.
As a single tear fell from her cheek, indistinguishable from the mountain breeze, Fairy Zi Li whispered to the sky.
"Am I… wrong? Is my relationship with Mu'er really just that of a master and disciple?"
But this little episode was insignificant to Elder Yun. He replaced the spirit stones in his cultivation room and checked on Yu Mu's current state before sitting down beside him to meditate once more.
At night, Elder Yun opened his eyes filled with helplessness. His insights were nearly complete, but it felt as if a powerful soul was constantly interfering with him!!!
It was unbearable!
However, despite this interference slowing his progress, it also made it more solid; he couldn't tell if it was a blessing or a curse.
Moreover, every time he thought of Fairy Zi Li treating Yu Mu like a tradeable item and justifying it while looking at the serene Yu Mu beside him,
Elder Yun couldn't help but grit his teeth and finally let out an angry roar within himself.
"Isn't that Fairy Zi Li... sick?!"
...
Meanwhile, Fairy Zi Li—whom Elder Yun deemed sick—was currently in the Ziyun Hall, completely intoxicated.
The wine she drank was brewed by Yu Mu himself. She had scolded him for being unproductive and had smashed most of it herself.
That day in the grand hall, the aroma of wine had dissipated along with the light in her eyes. But Fairy Zi Li didn't care; she knew that the next day, Yu Mu's eyes would still shine brightly and clearly as always.
Some of the wine had been secretly hidden away by Yu Mu, and now Fairy Zi Li was drinking that.
"Master, is there something troubling you?"
At that moment, Ye Tian cautiously approached, his eyes glistening with moisture as he looked at Fairy Zi Li with a submissive expression.