"This Crimson Lotus Karmic Flame comes from bloodline inheritance. Even if you take it from me, you won't be able to fuse it into your body. Otherwise, the Holy Land wouldn't have gone to such lengths and still delayed capturing me all this time." Ye Lanshan spoke calmly, without a trace of fear.
Yue Jinghong's hand holding the bowl trembled slightly, as if hesitating, but soon he lifted the bowl again.
"You're right. The Crimson Lotus Karmic Flame indeed originates from bloodline inheritance." Just as Yue Jinghong raised the bowl, a voice as gentle as a spring breeze slowly sounded.
"Yun Qingfeng, have you come to seize my Crimson Lotus Karmic Flame as well? What a pity—now that I've been caught by Yue Jinghong, it seems this flame will belong to him." Ye Lanshan tilted her head and sighed, but her expression remained calm, nothing like someone who had been captured.
"It's fine, go ahead. I'm just curious how the Crimson Lotus Karmic Flame is extracted. I have no intention of taking it." Yun Qingfeng stood in white robes, graceful as a celestial being, yet his words were chillingly indifferent.
Ye Lanshan's eyes flickered. She kicked off the ground, sliding several meters, finally dodging Yue Jinghong's divine artifact.
"The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind. Holy Son, you truly have fine methods. But I wonder, how is your little spy Li in the imperial palace?" Ye Lanshan slid several meters across the ground, blood slowly seeping from her back, yet a smile lingered on her face.
"The Holy Son indeed has clever tactics. You planned to wait until I exhausted myself extracting the Crimson Lotus Karmic Flame, then snatch it from me. The Holy Land remains as shameless as ever."
"We're even." Yun Qingfeng didn't take offense at Yue Jinghong's mockery. It had to be said that no matter what, the Holy Land maintained its facade well, perfectly playing the part of ethereal immortals.
Ye Lanshan curled her lips and swiftly retreated during their standoff.
Unfortunately, though Yue Jinghong and Yun Qingfeng appeared locked in conflict, both were secretly vigilant of Ye Lanshan's movements. So when she tried to flee, they simultaneously and tacitly gave chase.
Run if you can't win—that was Ye Lanshan's creed. But what if you couldn't outrun them? With no other choice, she'd have to fight to the death, even if it meant mutual destruction, never letting the enemy gain an advantage.
Ye Lanshan suddenly turned around, and beside her appeared Mu Xinlian, who hadn't had time to change her appearance.
Mu Xinlian saw the puppeteer, her pupils constricting as she unleashed immense hatred.
Two against three, with one already exhausted—they were completely outmatched. After a brief clash, Ye Lanshan was forced back outside the city gates.
At that moment, the city was empty, inside and out. Yet she could faintly sense deadly dangers lurking all around. Even if she released everyone from her space, she wouldn't have the slightest chance of victory. In other words, Ye Lanshan had already fallen into the hands of Yue Jinghong and Yun Qingfeng.
"Is this really the end?" Ye Lanshan refused to believe it. She couldn't accept that fate had brought her here only to die so humiliatingly.
"Flying Fire Meteor!" "Three Flavors True Fire!" "Body-Binding Talisman!"
Ye Lanshan unleashed every skill she had. Sure enough, their limbs stiffened, unable to move.
"Same old tricks. But do you think holding me hostage will let you escape?" Yun Qingfeng found himself immobilized and couldn't help recalling the dirty trick she'd used against Ye Yutian.
"With me here, does she need to flee?" The Dark Lord, reeking of blood, appeared before Ye Lanshan. The killing intent in his eyes made even Yun Qingfeng shudder, yet it felt strangely familiar—though he couldn't recall where he'd seen such a gaze.
"Is the Dark Lord also getting involved in this? For a Crimson Lotus Karmic Flame you can't absorb, offending the Holy Land and the Yue Kingdom seems unwise," Yun Qingfeng said, assuming the Dark Lord had come for the flame.
"She's my woman. Protecting her is only right. What's unwise about that?" The Dark Lord's hand tightened around Yun Qingfeng's neck, ready to snap it. But just then, Ye Lanshan fainted. Startled, the Dark Lord caught her and vanished before their eyes.
Where is this? Ye Lanshan opened her eyes in a daze. The first thing she saw was a light blue curtain. The room was arranged with an antique elegance, clearly a young lady's boudoir.
Have I transmigrated again? Frowning, she tried to push herself up from the bed, but her whole body ached, leaving her powerless.
"Young miss, you're awake." A woman in black entered, exclaiming in surprise.
"Who are you?" Not understanding the situation, Ye Lanshan decided to play it safe and gather information from this woman first.
"Oh, young miss, I'm Shuang Hong, a maid of the Dark Hall. Since you're awake, I'll go inform the Dark Lord." The woman hurried out before Ye Lanshan could say a word.
Still, Ye Lanshan realized she hadn't transmigrated again—she was simply in the Dark Lord's territory.
"Ye Lanshan, you're awake? How do you feel? Still in pain?" Ye Yutian strode in quickly, his tone shifting from joy to concern.
"Thank you, Dark Lord, for saving my life. I'm fine now, just a bit uncomfortable from sleeping too long." Ye Lanshan's voice was distant and cold.
"In that case, let me accompany you for a walk." Ye Yutian carefully helped her up.
Ye Lanshan wanted to shake off his hand, but her aching body left her no choice but to follow his lead.
Outside the hall, the ground was barren, not even a weed in sight. The one tree that stood had no leaves, offering nothing worth admiring.
"Your scenery is truly unique. I think I'll go back and lie down." Ye Lanshan's lips twitched as she stared at the desolate land.
A flicker of embarrassment passed through Ye Yutian's eyes, but he obediently helped her back inside.
Shuang Hong's mouth hung open in shock. She'd never seen anyone speak to the Dark Lord like that, nor had she ever seen him so compliant. In her memory, though the Dark Lord wasn't as volatile or bloodthirsty as rumored, he was still ice-cold and decisive.
She recalled a woman who claimed to be the Dark Lord's fiancée. After a single coquettish act, he snapped her neck and threw her out. Let alone being so accommodating to a woman like this. Shuang Hong wondered if she was seeing a fake Dark Lord.
"I don't know why the Dark Lord risked angering the Yue Kingdom and the Holy Land to save me, but if there's anything you need my help with, just say the word. I'll assist. However, if your goal is the same as theirs—to take my Crimson Lotus Karmic Flame—I'm afraid I can't oblige." Ye Lanshan sat on the bed, her tone calm but carrying an undeniable chill.