Volume 1, Chapter 24: Prince An's Cherished Darling!

Unable to bear the humiliation, the maid eventually dashed her head against a stone pillar and died. Upon learning of this, Xu Huaian busied himself pulling strings with silver and paid the maid’s family ten taels of silver to keep them quiet. The family, living in dire poverty, took the money and fled overnight, terrified that Xu Huaian might silence them permanently. From that point on, Xu Gaoyuan became increasingly unscrupulous, treating human lives as if they were mere blades of grass.

Back at the Mountain of Corpses, the Human Emperor followed the instructions of a defensive formation recorded on an ancient bell, setting it up beneath the clouds of Yellow Pole Qi. Only after ensuring everything was secure did he begin his cultivation; the battle at Xiaoyao Mountain had instilled a deep sense of fear in them, for the strength of the Demon Soul Sect far exceeded anything they had imagined.

The slender figure stamped their foot fiercely, then summoned with a casual wave. The torrential rain of arrows vanished without a sound, and those that had embedded themselves halfway into the stone slabs pulled back out, turning into streams of black light that silently merged into the slender figure.

They were husband and wife; although there was no sweet or lingering affection between them, they shared a mutual respect, which perfectly suited Hualou’s current state of mind.

"Fine." Leng Xufeng continued to drive with a blank expression. A heavy stone in his heart seemed to have finally fallen, and as he suddenly felt a sense of relief, his entire body relaxed, though fate played its cruel tricks.

All of this seemed quite promising. Moreover, Qin Yi’s current situation was unique: his physical body absorbed power directly without relying on his dantian. Consequently, the strength of his physique would increase in tandem with his prowess, and with the Scarlet Spirit Fire providing a constant supply of fire energy, his growth was assured.

Such an intense impulse surged within him, and a thick, murderous aura welled up from the depths of his heart. A rich red light radiated from his entire body, rapidly converging toward the black-and-white sphere, instantly shrouding it in a thick, crimson glow.

However, it was true what he said; although Yang Xue had begun her cultivation, she was powerless against a Marquis.

Leng Xufeng hung up the phone and continued to stare out the window. After sitting quietly for a while, he turned off the light and lay down on the bed.

"Where are we fleeing to? No, why should we flee? I haven't done anything wicked." Xiaobai felt something was off again—why did this feel like eloping?

Still, he mused that the intoxicating, black-satin-like canopy and those crystal walls could surely not be breached by ordinary people.

She held her palm upward, beckoning to Xiao Sheng with a few suggestive flicks of her fingers. Not catching on, Xiao Sheng reached out and placed his hand on hers. The moment they made contact, Han Yani slapped his hand away without the slightest hesitation.

At this moment, Qin Yi had a sinking feeling that the people they had seen earlier were likely already dead.

For the first time, Sect Leader Yan revealed his true appearance. Though his hair was white, he did not look aged; he appeared to be in his mid-thirties, with eyes bright and piercing, and a fair face that radiated an easygoing demeanor.

Di Yunfeng felt as if his heart were being carved by a knife. He could not understand: his beloved was right before him, so why did he dare not speak, and why did she refuse to acknowledge him?

Liu Chang was a veteran detective and a former scout. If it were merely a car accident, how could one explain the blood-stained gauze wrapped around Xiao Sheng’s hands? It was impossible for his hands to have been shredded like that from a mere crash.

Furthermore, she did not believe that Madam Lu had spoken without intention. Madam Lu looked cunning, her hair combed meticulously, yet the calculating gleam in her eyes was ever-present.

They did not stay in the cave any longer; everything inside had been plundered, and remaining there would only be a waste of time.

The other chain snapped and flew off. Yang Zhe caught it with his hand, feeling a sharp pain like a blade cutting into his flesh. As droplets of red blood fell onto the platform, no one noticed that the stone pillar in the water seemed to have been activated, slowly rising.

Hu Qiyan naturally had no objections. Opposite that shop, there was indeed a teahouse—a quaint, antique structure built in an imitation of Jiangnan architecture.