"A proud army is bound to lose. His underestimation of us works in our favor—it gives us time to strengthen our own power." Ye Lanshan wasn't upset; in fact, she felt a sense of relief. His contempt bought them more time to fully control the Medicine Valley. Even better, if she could advance to Xuan Emperor, it would be perfect.
"Mm, I can also go to the Sikong family and rally those who are loyal to us. Then we'll strike first."
"But there's one tricky part—no matter what, my father is still incredibly strong. He's already at the ninth level of Xuan Emperor, just a step away from breaking through to Great Xuan Emperor. And those elders in seclusion all support him. If it were just him alone, it might be manageable, but those elders are mostly at the Great Xuan Emperor level." Sikong Feihe's tone carried some worry. In the Medicine Valley, Xuan Emperors could be found, but not a single Great Xuan Emperor existed. That was a real headache.
"Great Xuan Emperor? You said they're all in seclusion. As long as it's not a matter of wiping out the family, they probably won't get involved." Ye Lanshan chuckled lightly, unbothered by the issue.
"Aren't you planning to destroy the Sikong family?" Sikong Feihe asked in surprise. He had always thought Shan Luo intended to annihilate them.
"No, I just want Yun Di to become the head of the Sikong family. He carries Sikong blood in his veins—how could that be called destroying the family? Besides, you're still here. At most, it's just an internal struggle."
Ye Lanshan's goal was merely to eliminate those who could threaten Yun Di and Sikong Kuang.
"So that's your plan? Fair enough. If we're being honest, without your involvement, it really would be an internal conflict. But since you're here, there must be something you want. Even if you claim otherwise, the elders won't believe you."
"Whether the elders believe it or not is their business. If you're truly afraid of them, I won't force you to side with us." Ye Lanshan spoke calmly, as if she genuinely didn't care about Sikong Feihe's stance.
She had a purpose in saying this. A coward who couldn't face a strong enemy wasn't worthy of standing by her side, because the foes she would face in the future were far more formidable than the Sikong family. This was just a test to see if Sikong Feihe could truly become her ally.
Sikong Feihe gritted his teeth, a flash of determination in his eyes. He had waited so long for this chance, finally met someone who stirred his heart. Even if it cost him his life, it would be worth living a blazing, unforgettable existence. He had been struggling between darkness and light, and now that he had grasped the light, how could he let it go easily? Even in death, if he could leave a mark in her heart, he would have no regrets.
"A few elders—do you think I'm scared of them? Since you're confident, why wouldn't I give it my all to help you? Don't worry, just set the plan. I'll have your back. Even if the elders do step in, I'll protect you with my life."
"You won't die. Neither of us will. That's my promise." Ye Lanshan's lips curled into a smile. She knew she hadn't misjudged him. Sikong Feihe was indeed someone who defied tyranny and could endure humiliation for his goals.
"Mm." Sikong Feihe didn't really believe her promise would come true, but hearing it made him feel that his devotion wasn't in vain.
Lü Meng was quick. In just a day, he traced the source of the clothes, but it was useless—too many people owned them. It cleared Ye Lanshan and her group of suspicion, but finding the real killer was far from easy.
"Brother Shan Luo, that Lin Sou who claimed to have killed Lü Jidao committed suicide. He left a note saying you ordered him to do it. How shameless—you don't even know him, and he still pulls this stunt before dying." Liu Chunsheng pouted, standing by Ye Lanshan's side, clearly annoyed.
"I know." Ye Lanshan remained unfazed. She calmly adjusted her clothes and walked to the scene.
"Brother Shan Luo, wait for me!" Liu Chunsheng tried to catch up, but Ye Lanshan was too fast. Frustrated, she went to find someone else.
"Ye Lanshan, what do you have to say now? I'll make you pay for my disciple's life!" Lü Meng attacked without hesitation.
"Blazing Sparks"
"Fire Lotus"
"Flying Meteor"
Ye Lanshan stood in the center of a lotus formed by flames, conjuring another combat skill.
Lü Meng's eyes narrowed, and he roared, "Volcanic Inferno"
"Wings of Carnage"
Ye Lanshan got serious this time. She kept trying to find an opening to stick the immobilizing talisman on him, but she could never get close.
This won't work. I need to calm him down, or I'm doomed.
"Water Chain, Bind!"
The onlookers erupted in shock. No one expected Ye Lanshan to be a dual-element cultivator. Being a young divine-grade alchemist with a cultivation level of Xuan Divine General was already monstrously talented, but now she turned out to be a dual-element user too. On this continent, dual-element cultivators were extremely rare, and their cultivation speed was usually slower than single-element ones. Yet she had still reached Xuan Divine General—it was beyond extraordinary, a freak among freaks. If they knew she wasn't just a dual-element cultivator but had other elemental powers too, they'd probably lose their minds.
"Shan Luo, Elder Lü, what's the meaning of this?" Sikong Feihe arrived just in time to see the intense fight. It was clearly bullying—Elder Lü was a Xuan Emperor. How could Ye Lanshan possibly beat him?
"What does it mean? It means he killed my disciple, and I'll make him pay with his life!" Lü Meng fought recklessly, ignoring reason, which deeply disappointed Ye Lanshan. She had thought he was a righteous man with some sense, but he fell so easily into the enemy's trap.
"Blazing Flames"
Ye Lanshan suddenly sped up, risking serious injury to get close to Lü Meng and stick the immobilizing talisman on him.
A sharp pain shot through her chest. She knew she was hurt internally, blood rising to her throat, but she swallowed it silently, keeping her expression calm and betraying no sign of injury.
"Elder Lü, you're wronging me. I never laid a finger on Lü Jidao. I told you that before. Are you really going to convict me based on a suicide note with no real evidence?"
"What did you do to me? Let me go! If you release me now, I'll let you die quickly. Otherwise, I'll make your life a living hell!" Lü Meng ignored her words, struggling against the talisman but unable to break free.