Ye Lanshan stood up and turned around, saying, "I did have a purpose, but it doesn't matter anymore. Do you have anything else? If not, I'll be on my way."
Before he could respond, Ye Lanshan walked straight over to Nangong Mian.
"Is that so?" Mo Ran watched Ye Lanshan's retreating figure and murmured, "What an interesting person."
Ye Lanshan savored the gentle breeze in the air. The feeling of coming back was completely different from leaving. This joy was beyond words. She hadn't expected to reach the middle stage of Foundation Establishment right after breaking through.
"Ye Lanshan, this is for you." Nangong Mian handed a medicinal herb to Ye Lanshan.
"Why are you giving me a herb out of the blue?" Ye Lanshan asked, puzzled.
"Back in the Primordial Demon Forest when you were fighting with Chu Kuangda, I noticed you were injured in the waist. Even though you hid it well later, it was still noticeable."
"This herb is great for treating external injuries. I wanted to give you a pill, but I didn't bring any, so this herb will have to do." Nangong Mian placed the herb in Ye Lanshan's palm.
A warmth spread through Ye Lanshan's heart. She smiled and said, "It's fine. I actually need this kind of herb for alchemy soon. It's like a pillow arriving just as I was getting sleepy."
Nangong Mian said reluctantly, "I'll be going into seclusion once I get to the academy. I probably won't see you often after that."
Su Liushang cut in, "You make it sound like you'll never see her again."
"Hey, can you say one less thing? I finally built up this atmosphere, and you ruined it." Nangong Mian's dejected expression vanished, replaced by his usual lively demeanor.
"Didn't I just say one thing? Do you have to glare at me like that?" Su Liushang backed away step by step.
"I guess you haven't tasted my Flowing Sand Palm in a while." Nangong Mian flexed his wrists and slowly walked over. Seeing this, Su Liushang turned and ran.
Nangong Mian couldn't catch up to Su Liushang, so he shouted threats while chasing, "Don't you dare run! I'm telling you, don't let me catch you. If I do, you're dead."
"Then catch me first!" Su Liushang's smug words reached Nangong Mian's ears, making him chase even faster.
Ye Lanshan shook her head with a smile and turned to walk toward her own courtyard.
"Shanshan." Chu Liuxiang called out from behind.
Ye Lanshan turned to look at Chu Liuxiang and said, "Let's move tonight."
"Alright, but can we really find clues about Sikong Kuang through him?" Chu Liuxiang asked.
"That's not certain, but hope is better than no hope." Ye Lanshan shrugged, indicating she wasn't sure either.
"Alright, I understand. See you tonight then." Chu Liuxiang didn't ask further and turned to leave.
Ye Lanshan didn't mind her attitude and returned to her courtyard.
"Are you sure this is the place?" Chu Liuxiang stared at the dilapidated building.
"That's right, it's here. I'll knock first; you stay put." Ye Lanshan walked straight to the door and kicked it open, saying, "Hand over Mu Yang, or don't blame me for being rude."
"I can't believe you're not dead. No, you were supposed to be reduced to ashes. How can you be standing here unharmed?" The old man was stunned.
"Who told you I was reduced to ashes?" Ye Lanshan sneered. "You didn't really think that move could kill me, did you?"
"So what if you're here now? I killed you once, I can kill you again." The old man clearly didn't take her seriously.
"Is that so? Do you really think I'd be as reckless this time?" Ye Lanshan pulled out a dagger and toyed with it in her hand.
"Hmph, how absurd."
"I never expected the so-called fake Sikong Kuang you mentioned to live in such a shabby place." Mo Ran suddenly walked over from behind.
"Mo Ran, what are you doing here?" Ye Lanshan immediately went on guard. "This has nothing to do with you, does it?"
"By telling us that Sikong Kuang is a fake, you wanted us to help you capture him, right? What, I'm here to help, and you're not happy?" Mo Ran leaned against a nearby tree, exuding an air of mischief.
"You're here to help me? Hah, what a joke. Do you think I'd believe someone who's against me would help me?" Ye Lanshan didn't buy Mo Ran's goodwill.
"Your words really hurt me. We were in the same team, fought side by side, and you think of me like this." Mo Ran furrowed his brows slightly, as if genuinely upset.
The fake Sikong Kuang, upon seeing Mo Ran, knew his plan had completely failed. A vicious glint flashed in his eyes. "Since you're ruining my plan, then die!"
With that thought, he attacked Ye Lanshan. Though Ye Lanshan was bickering with Mo Ran, she hadn't let her guard down. As the man lunged, she immediately threw out two talismans.
The talismans stuck to the man, immobilizing him. But it wasn't a permanent solution, as they only lasted five minutes.
"Chu Liuxiang, bring the Binding Rope." Ye Lanshan thoroughly tied the man up with the rope before feeling slightly relieved.
"Where is Sikong Kuang?" Before Ye Lanshan could ask, Chu Liuxiang demanded.
"I don't know what you're talking about." Though bound, the man showed no sign of panic.
At that moment, he gave off a strange vibe. Suddenly, Ye Lanshan felt a pair of eyes watching her from the shadows, but when she looked around, there was nothing.
"You'd better not pull any tricks." Ye Lanshan warned. "You'd better spill everything you know, or don't blame me for making your life a living hell."
"Little girl, you're taking this too lightly. Do you really think this rope can hold me?"
Ye Lanshan's heart tightened, and a bad feeling washed over her.
Sure enough, she heard a scream—it was Chu Liuxiang's voice. Ye Lanshan turned to see Mu Yang holding Chu Liuxiang hostage.
"Mu Yang, do you know what you're doing?" Ye Lanshan demanded loudly.
But Mu Yang acted as if he hadn't heard, continuing to choke Chu Liuxiang's neck as he stepped forward.
"What did you do to Mu Yang?" Ye Lanshan turned back and asked in a low voice.
"You're the puppeteer Zhou Haiming, aren't you?" Mo Ran walked over and asked.
The man laughed and said, "As expected of the Demon Sect's young master. Yes, I am Zhou Haiming."