Above the imperial palace, a dignified man clad in a golden robe embroidered with dragons stood in the sky, bowing slightly to the elderly figure beside him.

"Ancestor, is this woman the demonic cultivator who recently appeared in the mortal world?"

Yan Shengjing's face was so dark it seemed as though water could drip from it. The seven of them had endured countless hardships in the space between worlds, barely managing to obtain four portions of Void Liquid.

After clearing out the demon plague earlier, the seven had entered the imperial palace's forbidden grounds to meditate in seclusion.

They never expected Liu Hongfeng to infiltrate the palace and steal three of the portions.

"It's her. I didn't expect her strength to grow so quickly. In such a short time, she's already rivaling a Grandmaster. She even has a Despair-level demon following her. If we hadn't summoned our divine avatars to drive her away, we might have suffered great misfortune..."

A flicker of fear crossed Yan Shengjing's eyes.

"Rival a Grandmaster? Ancestor, you must be joking?"

Yan Chen, the emperor of the Great Yan Dynasty, was usually calm and composed, but his expression changed drastically upon hearing his ancestor's words.

"It's no mistake. That woman has already touched the threshold of a Grandmaster!"

Yan Chen let out a long breath, then looked at Yan Shengjing. "Spread the news of this demoness through the alliance stone. Let the Grandmasters deal with her. Also, mention that three portions of Void Liquid were stolen by her. That way, no one will get any ideas."

"Don't worry, Ancestor. I will handle it properly," Yan Chen nodded.

Yan Shengjing shook his head and left for the forbidden grounds. Although the battle had been brief, some of his old comrades were seriously injured and needed proper care.

...

Three hundred miles west of Shengjing City, deep in a dense forest, a flash of crimson light dissipated, revealing two stunningly beautiful women.

"Junior Sister, is everything well in the sect? And Junior Brother...?"

Liu Hongying gently held Bai Ye's delicate hand, her tone warm.

Bai Ye couldn't help but be momentarily captivated by her senior sister. The transformation was striking—an aura of both seductiveness and nobility now surrounded her, creating a unique and awe-inspiring presence.

"Everything is well in the sect, Senior Sister. Why don't you return? I'm sure Senior Brother and Hongying would be overjoyed to see you."

"Sigh..."

Liu Hongfeng let out a long sigh. Her identity as a demonic cultivator was already publicly known. If she were to be associated with Qingling Sect again, it would do more harm than good.

"As long as everything is fine."

Liu Hongfeng smiled and changed the subject. As the sky grew darker, the two finally stopped talking.

"Junior Sister, how about letting me deal with Yan Chen for you...?"

"I want to avenge my mother myself, Senior Sister. There's no need for you to worry."

Bai Ye's beautiful eyes flashed with determination as she politely declined.

"If that's your wish, so be it. Here, take these two portions of Void Liquid. Use one for yourself, and give the other to Hongying."

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With a wave of her hand, Liu Hongfeng made two jade bottles appear.

"Senior Sister, this is too precious. I appreciate the thought, but I can only take one for Hongying. You should keep the other."

Bai Ye hastily waved her hands in refusal. After their conversation, she understood the reason behind her senior sister's visit and didn't want her to have come for nothing.

"Take them. I still have one left for myself."

Liu Hongfeng, leaving no room for argument, pressed the bottles into Bai Ye's hand. Her naturally regal demeanor made Bai Ye instinctively grip the bottles.

"Alright, thank you, Senior Sister."

"We're family. No need to say such things."

Liu Hongfeng dismissed it casually. However, the next moment, a disgruntled voice made her feel slightly embarrassed.

"Foolish woman, wasting away my treasures!"

"Enough, don't make a fuss!"

Liu Hongfeng pinched the bridge of her nose and spoke softly.

"Senior Sister, who was that?"

"Nothing, just my demonic consciousness," Liu Hongfeng explained. As she gazed at the darkening sky, she gently hugged Bai Ye. "Take care of yourself, Junior Sister. I must go now. Give my regards to Junior Brother."

"Senior Sister, come back to the sect with me. The Feathered Dragon Dynasty is hosting the Xuantian Conference in the Central Region, and all the experts on the continent are heading there. Returning briefly wouldn't hurt."

Bai Ye wrapped her arms around her senior sister's slender waist and spoke softly.

Liu Hongfeng gently ruffled Bai Ye's hair, but ultimately declined. She could ensure that everything remained under control while she was conscious. However, when the Crimson Empress took over, her domineering nature wasn't suited for rejoining the sect.

"I heard that the Death Mountains in the Southern Region are terrifying, and there are forbidden areas that even those below the First Realm can't enter. Senior Sister, be careful. If things become too difficult, come back."

Bai Ye didn't try to persuade her further and instead offered a gentle reminder.

"Mm, take care, Junior Sister."

"Stay safe, Senior Sister."

With a radiant smile, Liu Hongfeng transformed into a streak of crimson light and disappeared into the sky.

After watching her senior sister leave, Bai Ye stood in thought for a moment before turning and leaving.

...

The chaos Liu Hongfeng stirred in Shengjing City quickly spread throughout Xuantian Continent, driven by those with ulterior motives.

Many top-tier sacred lands dispatched their intelligence networks to track down Liu Hongfeng.

On the summit of the sacred mountain of the Feathered Dragon Dynasty in the Central Region, Yu Jinsheng sat cross-legged beneath a birch tree, meditating. An elderly man stood beside him, quietly reporting the news.

Upon hearing that Liu Hongfeng had caused a disturbance in the Great Yan capital, revealing strength nearly equal to a Grandmaster, Yu Jinsheng immediately opened his eyes.

A divine light burst from his gaze, illuminating the dark night.

Seeing this, the elder standing respectfully at his side was secretly awed. Every action Yu Jinsheng took seemed to affect the environment around him, like a god.

"How strange!"

Though Yu Jinsheng was over seven hundred years old, he looked no more than forty, with the appearance of a refined scholar. At this moment, his brows furrowed in astonishment.

"Ancestor, what's the matter?"

Yu Jinsheng shook his head. "Six thousand years ago, the Demon Lord Pang Ban silenced the world and caused rivers of blood to flow, his demonic might dominating the entire continent. But even he took a year and a half to progress from the Fourth Realm to Grandmaster.

This demonic cultivator, when she first appeared, was only in the Fourth Realm, hunted by ordinary masters. Now, just two or three months later, she's attained the power of a Grandmaster. Such terrifying speed is truly shocking."

"Ancestor, are you saying this demonic cultivator is even more fearsome than the Demon Lord from six thousand years ago?"

"It's hard to tell, but this demonic cultivator is certainly extraordinary. Order the Dark Hall to track her down at all costs, and quickly. We can't let other forces get ahead of us."

Yu Jinsheng gave the command in a soft voice.

"Yes, Ancestor. I'll see to it at once."

This scene was being played out across many top-tier sacred lands and powers.

A demonic cultivator with Grandmaster-level strength was enough to draw serious attention from these factions.

...

In the imperial palace of the Great Yan Dynasty, Yan Chen sat on the dragon throne, looking toward a nearby eunuch.

"So, you're saying the person who killed Consort Rong this afternoon was Qingling Sect's elder Bai Ye, who is actually my eighth brother's second daughter, Yan Miaoyi?"

"Yes, Your Majesty. Everything is true!" the eunuch replied respectfully.

"Qingling Sect... Bai Ye... Yan Miaoyi..."

Yan Chen lightly tapped the armrest, muttering to himself.

Seeing this, the eunuch cautiously reminded him, "Your Majesty, this second lady of Rong King's mansion, her biological mother is Bai Xiaoxiao. Her actions today were to avenge her mother."

"Bai Xiaoxiao..."

Yan Chen narrowed his eyes as he softly uttered the name. The events from three years ago seemed to flash before his eyes.

"Revenge, huh? It's fine if things stop here. But if she digs deeper, it could be troublesome. Qingling Sect..."

After some thought, Yan Chen spoke up, "Summon the Rong King to the palace."

"Yes, Your Majesty. I will arrange it immediately."