Chapter 391: Chapter 193: Arriving at the Qingcheng Sect

Seeing the three flee, the Long-bearded Daoist leaped to give chase, but Zhao Rui stopped him.

"Don’t bother!"

Just as Zhao Rui finished speaking, three blood-curdling screams echoed from the horizon.

Then, three figures were seen falling from the sky, plummeting straight toward the ground.

The greatest feature of the Spring Breeze and Rain Technique was its ability to work silently and without a trace.

It could not only track and detect a target’s location but also secretly deploy other measures.

Back when they had first clashed, the three had already been struck by the Divine Soul Skill Zhao Rui had embedded within his Rain Technique.

"Fellow Daoist, your Cultivation Technique is truly exquisite. I am deeply impressed!"

The Long-bearded Daoist and his companion exchanged a look, then bowed to Zhao Rui in praise.

"You’re too kind. It was just a minor trick."

"Fellow Daoist, please join us in the city for a talk."

The three descended and walked slowly into the official residence inside the city.

A general of the Great Song was already waiting below and hurried to greet them, his face a mask of joyous surprise.

"Thank you for your help, Senior! On behalf of all the people in this city, I thank you for saving our lives."

"It was nothing, hardly worth mentioning."

Though his words were modest, Zhao Rui reached out and helped the bowing general to his feet.

’Senior again. It seems that in this world, powerful Martial Artists must have some kind of youth-preserving Skillful Method. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be calling me Senior so readily. After all, I look like a young man.’

"This way, please!"

After exchanging courtesies, the group entered the official residence.

The pleasantries they exchanged inside are not worth detailing.

In the dense forest outside the city, Zhou Moshu watched the distant rout of the Great Shang army in astonishment. She couldn’t help but exclaim with delight, "The enemy is retreating! This is our chance!"

Hearing this, the others leaped into the air to see for themselves.

Just as Zhou Moshu had said, the Great Shang army was indeed retreating.

As the group was celebrating, He Wenhua and his nephew rushed back.

"Quickly, come with us into the city! The Senior has won a great victory and is already inside."

"Huh?"

Before the group could even express their surprise, the two Song Realm Martial Artists who had followed He Wenhua and his nephew bowed and said, "By order of the General, we are here to invite you esteemed heroes into the city."

"That’s wonderful! We can finally go back!"

The three women were ecstatic. After being on edge for so long, they could finally return to their Sect.

With guides to lead them, the group quickly reached the battlefield. They picked their way across the corpse-strewn ground and headed for the city gate.

"Mortals are like ants. All this fighting and killing... what is it for in the end?"

He Wenhua sighed as he took in the thick stench of blood and the widespread devastation.

Hearing his words, the three women fell into a pained silence.

"Instead of wasting your breath, you should focus on your training. Maybe then you could actually save a few more people."

Su Wanyun sneered.

"Who asked you? Once we’re inside the city, we’ll see how arrogant you can be, you Witch!"

Luo Yunxi snorted coldly.

"Is that so?"

Su Wanyun just smiled faintly, saying nothing more.

Soon, the group passed through the massive gatehouse and entered the city proper.

They were settled into an inn to await Zhao Rui’s return.

Half an hour later, led by an old Daoist, Zhao Rui strolled into the inn.

"Senior!"

Hearing that Zhao Rui had returned, the group scrambled downstairs to greet him in the main hall.

"Please rest, Fellow Daoist. I won’t disturb you any longer. In the future, if you have the time, I hope you will grace Sanqing Mountain with your presence. Our Sect would be honored to welcome you."

"I am honored by your kind invitation, Fellow Daoist. We shall meet again."

The two exchanged a farewell bow, and the Long-bearded Daoist turned and left the inn.

Once the Daoist had left, Zhao Rui turned to the others and said,

"We’ll rest for a bit. In an hour, we set out for the interior."

"Ah? So soon?"

Luo Yunxi cried out in surprise. She had been hoping to rest there for a day or two.

Zhao Rui frowned, ignored her, and went straight upstairs.

An attendant led him into a private room where wine, tea, snacks, and a full meal were all laid out.

Su Wanyun knocked and entered. Without a word, she positioned herself obediently behind Zhao Rui, reached out her slender hands, and began to gently massage his shoulders.

She was perfectly playing the part of a handmaiden.

Zhao Rui was no ascetic monk, so he calmly accepted the offered comfort. He focused on savoring the "long-lost" delicacies on the table.

’Compared to the food on Blue Star, this has a different flavor—mellower and richer. It’s probably because the Spiritual Qi is so abundant here, giving the plants and animals more vitality.’

After eating, Zhao Rui casually asked Su Wanyun, "Where did you learn your Demon Skill?"

"I acquired it from Cloud Cave. There are still many aspects of it that I don’t understand. If you have time, Senior, I hope you might offer me some guidance."

Su Wanyun had asked for "guidance," but what she was truly doing was offering to unconditionally share the secrets of her Martial Arts with Zhao Rui.

"I have no use for your meager Dao Practice, but I’ll give you some pointers when I have time."

"Thank you, Senior."

"Mm. Go and get ready. We’re leaving soon."

"Yes, Senior."

Without another word, Su Wanyun obediently excused herself from the room.

Outside a nearby guest room, Zhou Moshu and the other two women were staring coldly in her direction.

Seeing Su Wanyun emerge, they all snorted in disdain. ’Shameless vixen.’

"Senior Sister, what should we do?"

Luo Yunxi asked anxiously. They had made it past the border, but Zhao Rui still showed no intention of letting them leave.

She was growing extremely anxious.

Especially with Su Wanyun at his side, she couldn’t let her guard down for a single moment.

"What do you mean, ’what should we do’?"

Zhou Moshu shook her head. "We will do as the Senior arranges."

"Senior Sister, you..."

"Don’t let your imagination run wild. The world is in chaos. Is there anywhere that’s truly safe?"

Zhou Moshu knew what her junior sister was thinking. But for now, they were effectively under Zhao Rui’s protection.

If they chose to leave, Su Wanyun would be the first to act, and she wouldn’t hesitate to kill them.