Just as Qin Feiyang and his companions set foot on the blood-colored altar, the hidden door above the grotto burst open behind them.

Lake water cascaded down!

A white figure descended into the grotto.

It was indeed the mysterious lady!

She glanced at the altar, then at Qin Feiyang and the others, and said grimly, "Where do you think you're going?"

Qin Feiyang and his companions didn't answer.

The altar erupted in a brilliant, bloody light, and their figures began to rapidly fade.

"It seems I've nurtured a few White-Eyed Wolves. In that case, I will personally erase you!"

The lady was furious. Her forefinger pointed into the air, and Battle Intent surged from its tip.

Hurry, hurry, hurry! Qin Feiyang was frantic. He wished he could be teleported away that very instant.

At that moment, the hidden door opened again!

A white silhouette streaked into the grotto!

It was a Snow Python! It was only as thick as an arm and over a meter long. Its entire body was snow-white, shimmering with a soft glow as if carved from exquisite jade.

"Trespassers in the forbidden land shall be killed without mercy!" the Snow Python roared, charging at the lady like a bolt of lightning.

It's her voice? Qin Feiyang was stunned. So, the second voice he had heard earlier belonged to this Snow Python.

The lady's expression turned grim. She had no choice but to shift her target and thrust her finger towards the Snow Python!

Battle Intent, powerful as a rainbow, crashed against the Snow Python.

And at that very same moment, the figures of Qin Feiyang and his companions completely faded, disappearing without a trace.

The brilliance of the blood-colored altar also swiftly dimmed.

Seeing this, the lady cursed. Looking at the Snow Python, she angrily demanded, "Why didn't you stop them?"

"Although they sneaked in while I was asleep, they didn't force their way in like you did," the Snow Python said coldly. "Moreover, they were never from the Forgotten Continent. Their departure was merely a matter of time."

"What? They aren't from the Forgotten Continent?" The lady trembled, asking in surprise, "Could they be from *that* continent?"

"Yes," the Snow Python said. "I know who you are too. Right now, I don't want to deal with you. Hurry and leave!"

The lady's pupils contracted. She took one last, deep look at the blood-colored altar, then transformed into a streak of light, opened the hidden door, and departed swiftly.

Qin Feiyang… An interesting little fellow… However, being targeted by that woman means he'll definitely have no peace in the future… the Snow Python muttered to itself. A knowing glint flashed in its eyes before it, too, left the grotto.

Soon, the grotto fell into a deathly silence.

「Meanwhile.」

High above the small woods in Butterfly Valley, Qin Feiyang, Fatty, the Wolf King, and the Burrowing Beast appeared out of thin air.

The Wolf King swung its paw, and Battle Intent surged forth, suspending Qin Feiyang and the others in mid-air.

Looking down at the familiar surroundings, joy filled their eyes.

Fortunately, the Snow Python had arrived just in time; otherwise, the situation would have become exceedingly dire.

But suddenly, Qin Feiyang remembered the hideous old woman and shouted at the Wolf King, "Retreat!"

"Retreat?" The Wolf King was momentarily stunned but quickly understood. It immediately turned and flew towards the sea of flowers.

"Even if you don't wish to see me, you should at least say hello before leaving!"

But just then, a raspy voice cut through the air. Immediately after, the hideous old woman sprang out from the small woods, blocking Qin Feiyang and the others.

"Damn old hag!" the Wolf King cursed under his breath, quickly turning around again and attempting to flee in the opposite direction.

The hideous old woman sneered, "Qin Feiyang, don't you want the antidote anymore?"

The Wolf King roared, "To hell with your antidote! Get lost!"

WHOOSH!!!

With a few flashes, the hideous old woman reappeared before Qin Feiyang and his companions, her eyes full of mockery.

"Damn it, will this ever end?" The Wolf King, seething with rage, spun around in mid-air and continued to flee.

Qin Feiyang sighed. "Just stop. We can't escape."

The Wolf King halted in mid-air, glaring angrily at the hideous old woman. "Old hag," he snarled, "this King is warning you, don't push us too far!"

The hideous old woman said, "Enough nonsense. Hand over the Heavenly Thunder Flame!"

"We didn't get it." Qin Feiyang shook his head.

The hideous old woman frowned. "Hm? You really didn't get it? Or are you planning to keep it for yourselves?"

"The master of the Heavenly Thunder Flame is an expert who surpasses the War Emperor realm. How were we supposed to snatch it from him?" Qin Feiyang retorted. "If you're so capable, you go get it! It's true what they say: ugly people love to stir up trouble! You're a perfect example!" His face was a mask of derision. Now that the Black Fiendish Poison was gone, he had no fear of this old hag.

The hideous old woman's gaze turned icy. "Do you wish to die?"

"I'd love to," Qin Feiyang sneered, "but do you have what it takes?"

The hideous old woman stared at him gloomily, then suddenly laughed. "If you didn't bring back the Heavenly Thunder Flame, then you can forget about getting the antidote."

"Pfft," Fatty scoffed. "Who'd want your useless antidote?"

The Wolf King waved its paw impatiently. "Stop wasting breath on her. Just send a message to Miss Ren and have her grandfather come rescue us."

The hideous old woman's eyes flickered. "You really didn't get the Heavenly Thunder Flame?"

"Even if we had, we wouldn't give it to you," Qin Feiyang said with a shrug.

"A spirited boy. Does this mean you've also cured the Black Fiendish Poison?" the hideous old woman said.

Qin Feiyang nodded. "That's right. What can you possibly threaten me with now?"

The hideous old woman chuckled. "Heh heh…"

Qin Feiyang and the others exchanged glances. Has this old hag gone mad?

Suddenly, Qin Feiyang waved his hand, opening a portal.

The two humans and two beasts darted in like lightning. The next moment, they found themselves in a valley.

"Finally, we escaped." Fatty, the Wolf King, and the Burrowing Beast immediately collapsed to the ground, clutching their chests, looks of profound relief mixed with lingering fear on their faces.

Qin Feiyang also let out a long breath. The hideous old woman's power was too terrifying. If they hadn't escaped in time, they might have been trapped in Butterfly Valley for the rest of their lives.

Fatty got up, glanced around, and asked doubtfully, "Where are we?"

"Don't you remember? This is the Burrowing Beast's lair," Qin Feiyang said with a faint smile. This was where they had found the Burrowing Beast. If we hadn't come looking for the Burrowing Beast back then, none of the events that followed would have occurred.

For a moment, Fatty was also overcome with emotion.

The Wolf King leaped into the air, gazing towards State City. A ruthless glint flashed in its eyes as it sneered, "It's time to head back and deal with the Dong Family. Lackey, we'll meet again."

"Oh no, don't go!" the Burrowing Beast hastily cried. "This King will stick with you all from now on."

"Dream on." Fatty glanced at it disdainfully. If not for the Potential Elixir, this creature would have bolted long ago.

"Brother Qin… Brother Qin… My dearest Brother Qin!" the Burrowing Beast pleaded, running to Qin Feiyang, hugging his thigh, and looking up at him with tear-filled eyes. "Please, show some mercy! Be kind and take this King in, won't you?"

Qin Feiyang's face twitched. He said sternly, "Weren't you always trying to find ways to escape back then?"

"This King was blind back then," the Burrowing Beast wailed, tears and snot running down its face. "More importantly, back then, this King had no emotional ties with you all. But after these seven months together, this King has realized that I can no longer be separated from you all." It looked utterly pitiful, like a child about to be abandoned.

"Keep acting. Go on." The Wolf King and Fatty rolled their eyes. "You think we're idiots? Who doesn't know the only thing you can't leave is the Potential Elixir?" He prattles on about being a 'gentleman' all day, but in reality, he's more cunning and deceitful than anyone.

"I wasn't talking to you two! Why are you butting in?" Its lie exposed, the Burrowing Beast flushed with anger and embarrassment as it glared at the human and the wolf.

Qin Feiyang pondered for a moment, then nodded. "It's not impossible to take you in."

The Burrowing Beast perked up. "Whatever conditions you have, just name them!"

"I don't care how you usually act, but when our lives are on the line, you must stand united with us, sharing fortune and adversity alike!" Qin Feiyang stated.

The Burrowing Beast thumped its chest and vowed, "That's a must!"

"Words are meaningless. I'll be watching your actions from now on," Qin Feiyang said. "Remember this: just as I was able to cultivate you, I can also destroy you."

The Burrowing Beast's neck seemed to shrink. It nodded. "If there truly comes a day when this King betrays everyone, don't hesitate—just kill this King directly!"

"If that day truly comes, merely killing you would be too lenient," the Wolf King sneered. "I'll make you experience a fate truly worse than death."

"No regrets, no remorse!" the Burrowing Beast nodded, its voice firm and resolute.

"Alright then," Qin Feiyang said, waving his hand. "Go into seclusion in the Ancient Castle. Don't come out until you break through to Nine-Star War King." With that, he sent the Burrowing Beast into the Ancient Castle.

Fatty asked, "Boss, what's your plan for the Dong Family?"

The Wolf King barked, "That's a stupid question! Of course, we kill them all!"

"Do you think that's realistic?" Fatty rolled his eyes at it. No matter how wrong the Dong Family might be, they were still one of the most powerful families in State City. Let alone the Prefect disagreeing; even if he did consent, they wouldn't have the power to do so.

"Let's ask about the situation first." Qin Feiyang took out his Image Crystal Stone and sent a message to Yan Nanshan.

Soon, Yan Nanshan's illusory figure materialized.

The moment he saw Qin Feiyang, Yan Nanshan immediately erupted, "You little rascal! You finally remembered to message me!"

Qin Feiyang gave an awkward smile.

"What are you laughing at?" Yan Nanshan thundered. "Is this funny?

"You've been missing for seven whole months! Do you have any idea how worried I've been?

"I was terrified something had happened to you! Every single morning, I sent you a message, right on time.

"And what were you doing? Why couldn't you even respond once to let me know you were safe? Were you really that busy?"

Qin Feiyang wore an awkward smile and didn't interrupt, deciding to wait until Yan Nanshan had vented his fill. In truth, he was deeply moved. The more ferociously Yan Nanshan scolded, the more it showed how much he cared.

After railing at him for a good hundred breaths or so, Yan Nanshan finally managed to quell his anger. He asked, "Alright, tell me, where in the world have you been these past seven months?"

"It's a long story," Qin Feiyang said with a laugh. "I'll tell you all about it slowly when I return to the Holy Temple. For now, just tell me about the Dong Family's situation."

Yan Nanshan said, his expression tinged with worry, "The Dong Family raised a ruckus for two months. When you didn't show up, they gradually quieted down.

"Everyone pretty much thinks you're dead by now. The Treasure Pavilion also lifted its ban on the Lu Family long ago.

"But with you suddenly reappearing, the Dong Family will probably stir up trouble again."

A cold light flashed in Qin Feiyang's eyes. He sneered, "If they want to stir up trouble, I'll be more than happy to oblige them!"

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