At his side, Bai Yang’s expression was icy. He grasped Ye Chuxue’s hand, signaling for her to calm down. They needed to stall for time and wait for reinforcements.

"This is the Heavenly Inquiry Sect’s territory. Even if you get the Elixir Pills, you won’t be able to leave with them."

He narrowed his eyes and threatened, "Yunxiang City may not be under the Heavenly Inquiry Sect’s jurisdiction, but it’s not far from us, and we have business dealings. If we truly become enemies, Yunxiang City won’t come out of this unscathed!"

His words struck a nerve, and Yun Jin Yue furrowed her brow.

She was secretly annoyed. ’If they were just ordinary disciples, this wouldn’t be so troublesome.’

Yun Jin Yue glanced coolly at the pair. "I presume you both know that my father is gravely injured? He is waiting for the Heavenly Yuan Nourishing Heart Pill to save his life."

"If you are willing to sell the Elixir Pills to us directly, Yunxiang City will be in your debt. That’s much better than clashing with swords, wouldn’t you agree?"

She toyed with the Jade Ring on her thumb, a dark glint in her eyes.

’I’ve made concessions time and again. If they still refuse to appreciate it, then they can’t blame me for what comes next.’

"Young Master Yun, it’s not that we are unwilling. Lord Gu, Gu Qingyuan, is waiting for these Elixir Pills to cure a poison. Please forgive us, but we cannot simply hand them over."

Bai Yang mentioned Gu Qingyuan’s name, hoping to make her hesitate.

After all, Gu Qingyuan was the infamous God of Killing. The consequences of offending him would be severe.

Hearing this, Ye Chuxue straightened her spine. "That’s right! My master is Lord Gu, Gu Qingyuan, and the man beside me is the head disciple of True Monarch Song Wanning, Bai Yang!"

"If you let us go, we’ll have Uncle Song refine another Elixir Pill for you later!"

It was a flash of inspiration on her part, deciding to bring Song Wanning into this.

As an Alchemy Grandmaster, Song Wanning’s fame was widespread; this woman would certainly know of her.

’Awed by their reputations, she won’t dare to stop us by force.’

But the reaction she expected never came. Upon hearing her words, Yun Jin Yue wasn’t afraid in the slightest. Instead, she laughed out loud.

"Tch— so you’re the homewrecker, are you? I heard Lord Gu’s engagement to True Monarch Song was broken off because he fell in love with his own disciple. I was expecting this homewrecker to be some incredible figure, but looking at you now, you’re nothing special!"

Disdain filled her face. Rumors were spreading everywhere that Gu Qingyuan had abandoned all propriety and shame to pursue his own disciple, even offending Song Wanning and getting their engagement called off.

Her appraising gaze swept over Bai Yang, and she curled her lip in contempt. "To think you even managed to hook True Monarch Song’s disciple. It seems you really do have a knack for seducing men."

"Shut up! Don’t you dare spout such nonsense!"

Ye Chuxue’s confidence evaporated. She flushed red and glared furiously at Yun Jin Yue.

At the same time, a sense of panic flooded her.

’How did everyone find out about this?’

’From now on, will I have to face everyone’s contempt and suspicion whenever I go out?’

"Hmph!"

Yun Jin Yue’s expression darkened, and she waved a hand to her subordinates.

"Teach this pair of wretches a good lesson! I’m sure that when True Monarch Song finds out, she’ll only praise us for a job well done!"

"Especially this traitorous scum. This Young Master despises people like that most of all!"

"Yes, Young Master!"

The Yunxiang City cultivators responded at once, unleashing their signature attacks on the pair.

The turn of events was completely unexpected. Furious, Ye Chuxue and Bai Yang had no choice but to counterattack with all their might.

They were still holding out hope that someone from the Sect would come to their rescue.

But they were quickly overwhelmed by the siege. Worse, the Golden Core Cultivator would occasionally toy with them, treating them like dogs to be played with.

They were furious but dared not voice it, focusing only on dragging things out for as long as possible.

However, as time trickled by, they became covered in wounds, yet still no one from the Sect arrived to help.

Even An Ze hadn’t replied or tried to contact them.

"This is bad! The Sect probably never received our message. We have to find a way to escape on our own!"

Bai Yang was the first to realize something was wrong and quickly sent a mental message to Ye Chuxue.

Ye Chuxue’s heart tightened at his words. In that moment of distraction, an opponent’s spear stabbed her in the shoulder.

With a flick of the spear tip, a large chunk of flesh was torn from her shoulder and sent flying.

"AARGH—"

Ye Chuxue cried out in pain. She dodged to the side and quickly put her back to Bai Yang’s, ready to defend themselves together.

"What do we do now? We have to think of something, fast!"

"I have an idea! In a moment, you leave first. Don’t worry about me!"

Bai Yang’s expression suddenly grew grim. He pulled a Thousand Miles Transmission Talisman from his Storage Ring, a look of grim resolve in his eyes.

"This talisman is defective. I can’t guarantee how far it will teleport you."

"No! You go! I’ll cover the retreat!"

Ye Chuxue frowned, her expression showing no hint of joy. ’How could I bear to leave Bai Yang behind to face this danger alone?’

"You leave first, then immediately contact the Sect to come save me. I’m Song Wanning’s disciple. They won’t dare to kill me!"

"If we delay any longer, neither of us will escape!"

Bai Yang could see it clearly. ’The Young Master of Yunxiang City is obviously more wary of Song Wanning, most likely because she wants to request Elixir Pills from her.’

’Therefore, me staying behind is the best option.’

"But—"

Ye Chuxue wavered.

’If this goes on, both of us will be in grave danger.’

So she decisively took the talisman and gave Bai Yang a resolute look.

"Don’t worry, I’ll get someone to rescue you right away! Be careful!"

"Right."

Bai Yang nodded, watching as Ye Chuxue’s figure flashed and vanished from sight.

The attacks that had been aimed at Ye Chuxue now landed on him instead.

"*Pfft—*"

Bai Yang violently spat out a mouthful of blood, his body stumbling back more than ten meters.

Yun Jin Yue’s expression changed instantly. She hadn’t expected them to possess something as precious as a Thousand Miles Transmission Talisman.

"Trying to run? After her!"

The Golden Core Cultivator gave chase at once, and more than half of the others followed.

Bai Yang’s face fell. ’I hope Ye Chuxue can escape the pursuit,’ he prayed.

"Heh, how touching. A love as deep as the ocean."

Yun Jin Yue laughed in exasperation. The Elixir Pills that had been within her grasp were now gone.

’Those two wretches are so cunning.’

"Aren’t you afraid she’s simply abandoned you?"

She narrowed her eyes, grudgingly admiring the woman’s methods.

’First, she seduces Gu Qingyuan into betraying Song Wanning for the sake of "love," and now she has Song Wanning’s own disciple sacrificing himself to protect her. She’s really something else.’

’Poor Song Wanning, surrounded by such garbage.’

"Junior Sister Ye would never do that."

Bai Yang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, ignoring her provocation. Instead, he threatened, "Now that Junior Sister Ye has escaped, people from the Heavenly Inquiry Sect will be here to rescue me shortly. I advise you to release me at once. Otherwise, you’ll have to bear the consequences."

Despite his heavy injuries, he remained dignified, neither servile nor arrogant, every bit the refined gentleman.