The valley crumbled apart, ghostly entities surged forth, and fierce winds swept through the layered peaks and ridges, visible even from a great distance.

Scattered lightning, splintered rocks flying in all directions—a chaotic scene unfolded, as flashes of light in the valley flickered on and off. Regardless of the faction, everyone was locked in combat and slaughter.

The Daoist of Yin Mountain rode the winds and landed outside the valley, glancing at the divination symbols in his palm. His expression grew murky and unreadable.

Du Wei intended to perform a blood ritual to summon chaos; the Daoist was present at that time and naturally knew of it.

Moreover, in an effort to win his favor, Du Wei had temporarily lent him the Mother-and-Child Soul-Locking Chain.

Therefore,

he fled.

After obtaining the Mother-and-Child Soul-Locking Chain, the Daoist of Yin Mountain solemnly swore to act as Du Wei's protector, but immediately persuaded Master Jin Quan to join him in fleeing.

According to Du Wei's original plan, two protectors were supposed to stay by his side during the ritual. However, due to their escape, Du Wei was left alone to oversee the array.

The subsequent outcome was inevitable—Du Wei was killed.

This was entirely within the Daoist of Yin Mountain's expectations.

In his view, Du Wei's reckless gambit was doomed to failure, and even if it somehow succeeded, the path ahead was clear and finite.

Not to mention, if it truly succeeded, it would involve far more than merely releasing chaos.

Thus, the Daoist of Yin Mountain convinced Master Jin Quan, and the two fled together.

Master Jin Quan initially informed Jueyin about this matter, though the latter did not respond and is now nowhere to be found. Presumably, Jueyin also made a quick escape.

Fleeing in the nick of time, seizing the Mother-and-Child Soul-Locking Chain, and then finding that martial artist to trade lives—these steps were all part of the Daoist of Yin Mountain's calculations.

But human plans often falter before the will of heaven. Who could have foreseen that the divination symbols in his Ba Gua plate now revealed the female crown and the martial artist both present in the valley?

Swirling back and forth, it all came full circle.

The Daoist of Yin Mountain's face clouded over, but after a moment's reflection, he realized that they, surrounded by countless ghosts, were likely on the verge of exhaustion.

Heaven doesn't abandon its people.

"What should we do now?" Master Jin Quan stared out at the scene unfolding in the valley and asked.

The Daoist of Yin Mountain pondered briefly and replied, "They are battling the ghosts. No matter how much strength they may possess, they will inevitably weaken over time. This isn't a disaster—it is our destined opportunity."

"Your destined opportunity," Master Jin Quan corrected calmly.

Detecting a trace of disdain in Jin Quan's tone, the Daoist of Yin Mountain narrowed his eyes slightly and said, "Master Jin Quan's abilities far outstrip my own, but if I fail to trade lifespans, the agreed-upon rewards may become negotiable after the deed."

Greed flickered in Master Jin Quan's gaze. He pressed his palms together, muttering "Amitabha Buddha" as though suppressing his desire.

The Daoist of Yin Mountain was about to speak and discuss their arrangement beforehand.

But Master Jin Quan spoke first:

"When we enter later, the female crown and the martial artist—we each take one for battle."

The Daoist of Yin Mountain had no objections to this. This was their first collaboration; for all intents and purposes, they were strangers. Fighting side by side risked both mistrust and lack of coordination.

Master Jin Quan then added:

"You take the martial artist, I'll handle the female crown. Whoever finishes first will assist the other."

The Daoist of Yin Mountain's gaze sharpened, and he said coldly, "The martial artist is the big prize, while the female crown is hardly a match—the former is far stronger than the latter. You Koreans are truly crafty!"

Master Jin Quan replied, "Daoist, remember you're the one seeking my help. Besides, the female crown is weak in cultivation. I can finish her swiftly—after that, I will naturally aid you."

The Daoist of Yin Mountain pondered for a moment. He already needed the martial artist to trade lifespans, and since Master Jin Quan's cultivation was far superior to the female crown's, quick resolution was guaranteed. This arrangement wasn't unreasonable.

"Fine. Once you finish swiftly, you must assist me promptly," he said.

...............…

Raising his head, Chen Yi saw Yin Weiyin's ethereal figure, as if ascending to the heavens.

This brought to mind the events within the underground palace.

Yin Weiyin had betrayed him, stepping upon the eternal path to immortality, with thousands of auspicious rays and tens of thousands of blooming green lotuses.

And yet, he had pulled her back.

At that time, however, the Tushan Clan had been behind him. Without their effortless dismantling of Yin Weiyin's Wisdom Sword, a mere fifth-grade cultivator like him would never have succeeded in pulling her back.

Now the circumstances were uncannily similar, even more precarious than before.

Yin Weiyin still stood high above, while Chen Yi had fallen to the sixth or seventh grade.

And yet…

Chen Yi's gaze lowered slightly, turning toward the array.

The array was still slowly reversing, with that eerie blue Nascent Soul seated firmly, not retreating even a single step.

She… was no longer the same.

Though her nature still yearned desperately for immortality.

She had changed, if only a little—she was no longer the type to betray without hesitation.

Of course, various factors might have contributed to this—perhaps the chaotic beast, or perhaps the fact that she hadn't been tempted by the Goddess's inheritance.

Above in the sky, Yin Weiyin seemed to glide effortlessly, wielding the Peach Wood Sword, strolling amidst the drifting sea of clouds.

On Taihua Mountain, who knew how many Taoist skills she had practiced, yet previously unable to apply them due to her cultivation limitations. Now, in the sky, fire and lightning descended intermittently alongside the sword's aura.

Even as the malicious spirits regarded her with intense animosity, striving with all their might to climb and attack her.

Under the sword's edge, the specters could only emit anguished howls.

Her Taoist robe billowed in the wind, and amidst the clouds, she possessed the regal bearing of a Goddess—like wind, like dew, like lightning.

Chen Yi shook his head with a faint smile, his thoughts indiscernible. Then, he lifted his head, searching for the figure of Dong Guifei.

After consuming the Jade Spring Paste, Dong Guifei had disappeared without a trace.

Amid the dire situation of ghosts rushing wildly, perhaps to avoid paying for it with her life, she had already fled in haste.

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