Mulan Qingqing, who was holding the amulet and waiting for a message, was stunned. The reply she had long been brewing to send was met with a response so simple it caught her completely off guard, casual almost to the point of arrogance, neglecting to consider her entirely. It was so concise it almost shook her.

Just four short words, yet they seemingly petrified her.

Yes, that was the sensation, a feeling of being intimidated, and she wasn't sure if it was just her imagination.

Previously unaware of what kind of man Wang Sheng was, this interaction made her start to take him seriously. As the skirmish unfolded, she gradually formed an impression of the man, which the brevity of those four words only underscored. She felt that this Wang Sheng was truly different.

He was unlike the people from Yuanjian Palace before her, unlike the disciples of her Su Yuan Sect, both above and below, and unlike any of the sect disciples she had encountered in the past.

She was, after all, an elite disciple of the Su Yuan Sect, a top-tier sect in the Cultivation World. No disciple below her level would ever address her in such a tone, but today she had encountered one.

She found herself momentarily out of her element.

Hu Yan and Jin Zaogong were also curiously staring at her, wondering what was wrong with this woman and why she was lost in a daze.

Finally regaining her composure, Mulan Qingqing replied with the amulet: "Meet at the place where the conflict just broke out, in one hour."

She refused to yield in momentum either.

The reply this time was even shorter by one word: "Understood."

Mulan Qingqing stared at the response silently for a while, then slowly put away the amulet, and turning to the two she said, "Hu Yan, I need to go back first."

Hu Yan quickly came over and asked, "Wang Sheng has taken my junior brother as a hostage. I can't just turn a blind eye, can I? How should I reply to him?"

Mulan Qingqing said, "My junior brother is also in his hands. If he doesn't contact you, then don't contact him. Just stall for time. I'll think of a way to handle this. Keep an eye on things here and don't let any more chaos break out."

Hu Yan nodded, "Alright."

He had some confidence in this woman's intelligence and capabilities.

Mulan Qingqing nodded slightly in acknowledgement, said nothing more, then flashed out of the cave, and rode the Wind Scale up into the sky for a second time.

Meanwhile, Shi Chun also sent out a greeting to his comrades, "Jinliang, let's go meet with Chu Jingtang."

Xiang Laner, who had been observing the amulet communication, was curious, "Aren't we supposed to meet with Mulan Qingqing?"

Shi Chun cocked his head and glanced at the crescent moon hanging askew in the sky, as if talking to himself, or perhaps speaking to the moon, "Chu Jingtang and Mulan Qingqing sent their messages almost simultaneously. It's a bit too coincidental. It's better to confirm things first. Once our rear is secure, we can then meet with that woman with ease."

Xiang Laner understood. The nearly simultaneous messages from both sides had instantly triggered his suspicion. She found it quite speechless.

So the three, along with their three hostages, rode the Wind Scale up into the sky.

Having Wind Scale, traversing a region took little time, and before long they landed in a hidden corner amongst the mountains and rivers.

Chu Jingtang and the others, hiding in the shadows, revealed themselves.

Those who intended to exact retribution were stunned when they saw the people Shi Chun and the others tossed to the ground, and some even thought they were seeing incorrectly and pulled out the Sandalwood Gold for a closer look.

The purple flame illuminated Mao Zhong's face, Xun Lingyin's face, and when it reached the unconscious Chao Zhilin, the group collectively inhaled sharply in shock.

Then they looked at Xun Lingyin, missing an arm and a leg.

"Brother Wang, this… how did you manage to bring them here?" Chu Jingtang, who intended to accuse, stuttered.

The group, set on demanding an explanation, was dumbfounded, or rather shocked. The others were one thing, but Chao Zhilin from the Su Yuan Sect was someone they normally looked up to. Now, he was defeated and brought here too?

In normal circumstances, even if all the people present joined forces, they might still not be able to stop him.

They were eager to know what happened and how it was done.

Shi Chun observed the reactions of the crowd and, seeing they didn't appear to be feigning, huffed, "How else would they have been brought here? That bastard Hu Yan sold us out. He lured me out under false pretenses and then secretly ambushed us, intending to wipe us out."

He slapped Chu Jingtang's chest, "You've seen our skills before, Brother Chu. Do you think we are easy pickings? We had a fight and brought them back for your entertainment."

Wu Jinliang couldn't stop smirking proudly, even though he had been immediately knocked down during the fight by Mao Zhong.

"..." Chu Jingtang was speechless. He had indeed seen Shi Chun's prowess and had heard him boast without any modesty about his combat abilities, but he had never imagined he could fight this well. Not only defeating Yuanjian Palace but also Su Yuan Sect. Wasn't this a bit too exaggerated?

A group of people who were furious just moments ago are now quiet and bewildered. Is Youxia Mountain really that formidable? Why hasn't Xuan State made a name for itself? Could it possibly be a hidden base under the tutelage of some great power?

They were all stirred by the thought of visiting in the future.

Lao Changtai said with some trepidation, "Brother Wang, treating the people of Su Yuan Sect like that is truly offending them to death."

Wu Jinliang chuckled, "On the Moon Sea side, you all dared to directly kill Guan Wen; are you still afraid of this?"

Xiang Laner blinked, seemingly overhearing another huge secret.

"Nonsense, don't talk nonsense."

"It's not the same thing at all, not at all."

"Mr. Gao, let's not bring up the past, talking too much isn't good for anyone."

The people expressed intense opposition to Wu Jinliang's words. Some were even outraged, each like cats whose tails had been stepped on.

Wu Jinliang shouted, "What's there to be afraid of? They are already trying to silence us. What's wrong with capturing a few of them? We can't just take a beating without fighting back, can we? And besides…"

There was no need to continue this topic. The matter of being silenced was none of their business; they had been dragged into it, and so Shi Chun reached out to stop him from continuing, turning to greet everyone with a smile and a cupped-hands salute, "Gentlemen, what a pleasure, we meet again."

All were people who had jointly conspired to kill Guan Wen in Moon Sea. Without the bond of friendship, there was at least the connection of having been in cahoots. Coupled with the display of formidable strength from Shi Chun and his associates, the chaotic crowd quieted down and returned the salute with courtesies.

After the pleasantries, they still had to face reality.

Zhu Xiangxin from Ten Thousand Grass Hall said, "Brother Wang, you've made such a mess of things, how are we supposed to wrap this up? We can't hide here forever, we'll have to go out sooner or later."

"Gentlemen." Shi Chun saluted again, gesturing in a circle to signal apology, "Mulan Qingqing has already contacted me and arranged a meeting for negotiation. I will meet with her very soon. I will certainly provide an explanation to everyone for this matter, and if I cannot give a satisfactory account, then you may hold me accountable."

Negotiation? The crowd immediately buzzed with discussion.

Xiang Laner watched from the sidelines with a cold eye, curious to see how that fellow would play things out next.

At another location, Mulan Qingqing also returned to her quarters. Not finding Guan Yingjie inside the cave, she immediately took out a set of mother-and-child talismans to contact him.

In a short while, Guan Yingjie hurried over and quickly explained upon meeting her, "Sister, you asked me to find out about Youxia Mountain, and I've been inquiring everywhere."

Mulan Qingqing immediately asked, "How's it going?"

This was the reason she had hurried back. Without knowing the enemy and knowing herself, whether for negotiation or taking action, she would be too passive.

Shi Chun was confirming whether the rear was safe and conducting an investigation; she was also preparing for negotiation, both of them preparing ahead of their meeting.

Guan Yingjie shook his head, "Here, some people have heard of this sect, but indeed, there hasn't been much attention paid to it. Whether there are others among the various factions who are informed, I don't know, but I doubt it. It seems this Youxia Mountain really doesn't rank very highly. The sects that can team up with us are at least of some standing. To inquire about a sect of Youxia Mountain's caliber, we probably need to ask those sects that hid upon entering, who are indifferent to external affairs – they play in the same circles and would understand better.

Of course, it's not that our sects have never interacted with Youxia Mountain. The issue is that those who have interacted with them are unlikely to have attended this meeting. It's not excluded that there are individuals familiar with them among the various factions, but with the current situation, it's not good to openly send messages asking the factions to thoroughly investigate, right?"

Mulan Qingqing, cold as frost, frowned in thought, "How could this be? Without the proper soil, you can't cultivate such seedlings. How could such a low-profile sect train disciples like that?"

Guan Yingjie replied, "Sister, you pointed out the key aspect – 'low-profile'. I've thought about it, and actually, they were quite low-profile, not looking for fame or fortune, nor forming alliances. It was brother Guan Wen who forcibly dragged them in. Had it not been for the desperation they were pushed into, such a mess wouldn't have occurred."

His reasoning was sound.

"Sigh." Mulan Qingqing nodded slightly and sighed, "Ultimately, it's because we went too far, and we're now facing the consequences. Also, this Youxia Mountain can't be simple. After this incident, we should pay them a visit."

Guan Yingjie nodded, "Certainly, I must also take a look."

Mulan Qingqing turned to him, "I've secretly arranged to meet with Wang Sheng. We will negotiate soon. If we can resolve this smoothly, naturally that would be best. If I can't return alive, or if I fall into the opponent's hands, remember not to lose your composure. At that time, don't worry about me or the sect's reputation, just invoke the Domain Master's name to suppress the various sects and make sure to continue with the previously planned contest for the championship. As for the rest, let it unfold as it will; we are no longer in control."

Guan Yingjie was shocked, "Sister, you're going to negotiate alone?"

Mulan Qingqing replied, "Could I possibly bring a lot of people with me? We must leave someone in charge here. Hu Yan Sect can't be brought along; one of the conditions for Wang Sheng's negotiation is Hu Yan Sect leader's head. Actually, it's not that dangerous. It can be seen that Wang Sheng has also left room for maneuver, controlling the situation in his hands, which shows he doesn't want a fight to the death. As long as the conditions are acceptable to both sides and we can reach an agreement, the current crisis might be resolved."

Anxious, Guan Yingjie said, "Sister, you can't take the risk; you should stay here in charge, and I will go negotiate."

Mulan Qingqing replied, "Alright, it's settled then. Just as one person and being careful, no one here at the West Pole conference can stop me if I decide to flee!"

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