“Junior Sister.”

Song Zhang stopped in his tracks, his brow furrowed in concern. “We seem to have strayed too far off course. We are already at the very edge of the sensing range. If we go any further, I’m afraid…”

Hearing this, Lu Yao halted. She turned around, bestowing a smile upon Song Zhang that was as gentle as water. Her eyes held a carefully measured blend of grievance and dependence.

“Second Senior Brother, why must we dance to Senior Brother Baoyuan’s tune? Back on the flying boat, the way he looked down on you… he didn’t even arrange a quiet room for you. My heart has been aching for you all along.”

Her voice was soft, laced with a hint of coquettish charm. “Finding a missing young master isn’t some earth-shattering event. Besides, our main purpose for coming out is to guide the Junior Brothers and let them gain experience.”

She stepped closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. “If Baoyuan can do it, can’t you? With your cultivation and strategic mind, surely you are far superior to him. Why should we take orders from such a man?”

Her words fell like sweet rain on parched earth, soaking into Song Zhang’s heart.

Especially that phrase—far superior to Senior Brother Baoyuan. It struck the exact chord he needed to hear. Looking at Lu Yao’s admiring gaze and listening to her soft encouragement, a surge of lofty ambition swelled within his chest. The suffocation of being suppressed by Baoyuan Zhenren for days was swept away in an instant.

“Hahaha! Junior Sister is right! That Baoyuan only has authority because he entered the Sect earlier than me. Fine! We will complete this mission independently. Let him see the true methods of Jinchan Palace!”

He puffed out his chest. “Even if we encounter the [Hatred], with the two of us joining forces, what is there to fear?”

“Mhm! Yao’er believes in you, Senior Brother!” Lu Yao nodded vigorously, her eyes sparkling.

To the side, Zhang Xian watched this performance and couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. The look he cast at Song Zhang carried a trace of sympathy that was almost impossible to detect.

Zi Xiao frowned slightly. She felt that Lu Yao seemed somewhat different today. However, remembering the defensive treasure her husband had bestowed upon her, she dismissed the concern. Lu Yao wouldn’t dare harm her. She simply smiled faintly and remained silent.

Having successfully ignited Song Zhang’s ego, Lu Yao followed Zhang Xian’s secret instructions and led the team deeper into the forest.

Deep within the Jinye Forest, the light grew increasingly dim.

The stench of sulfur and scorched earth became overpowering, choking the lungs. Worse, an invisible force interfered with their perception, drastically compressing the range of their Divine Sense.

Zhang Xian shuffled along in the middle of the group. He looked left and right nervously, acting the part of a terrified novice, but his mind was as calm as a frozen lake.

The Thunder Qi permeating the air here was unusually active, carrying a violent, destructive aura.

Almost there, Zhang Xian thought.

In this environment, even his powerful Divine Sense was severely suppressed. He could only vaguely sense the general direction of the puppet he had deployed in advance.

His plan was clear: utilize the puppet disguised as “Elder Chen” to stage a chaotic ambush.

The puppet would erupt from the shadows, sweeping everyone with the terrifying pressure of a Nascent Soul cultivator, creating the illusion of an attack by the [Hatred]. In the ensuing chaos, he would break away from the team.

His objective was simple: kidnap Zi Xiao from this group, then hunt down Baoyuan Zhenren’s team to snatch Yu Zhiwei. Perhaps these two women would be enough to lure Yang Poxiao out of his turtle shell.

Walking at the front, Lu Yao occasionally stole glances at “Yu Yun” huddled in the back.

The little fatty’s forehead was beaded with sweat. He looked utterly terrified by the forest’s grim atmosphere, his breathing coming in short, panicked gasps.

Lu Yao couldn’t help but marvel inwardly. The older the ginger, the spicier it gets. Senior’s acting skills are truly masterful. Compared to him, my performance was simply like a novice’s.

Seeing Yu Yun’s pathetic state actually calmed her down. Everything was under the Senior’s control; she just needed to play her role.

Sure enough, the first step of the plan arrived on schedule.

Song Zhang, walking at the very front, was vigilantly scanning the surroundings when his expression suddenly twisted in horror.

A terrifying Spirit Pressure descended from the canopy without warning, instantly crushing down on the entire squad.

“Not good!” Song Zhang cried out, the hairs on his neck standing on end.

Nascent Soul Pressure! It was definitely an existence at the Nascent Soul level!

Lu Yao immediately cooperated, letting out a shrill scream. Her face masked in terror, but her heart singing with delight.

It’s here! Elder Chen has returned from the grave. Now, my suspicion is completely cleared.

The next moment, a figure drifted out of the shadows, blocking their path.

Meanwhile, in another sector of the forest.

Baoyuan Zhenren led Yu Zhiwei and the Center-Part Disciple through the dim woods, his face the color of iron.

Rage seethed in his heart. He had noticed Song Zhang and the others drifting away earlier and had guessed it was some petty rebellion.

Originally, Baoyuan had planned to let them wander a bit further before suddenly appearing to teach that arrogant Song Zhang a harsh lesson. He had even rehearsed the lecture in his mind—he would scold Song Zhang until the man couldn’t lift his head. As for Junior Sister Lu Yao, since she was a woman and clearly admired him, he would only chide her gently.

But plans could not keep up with changes.

Before he could find the right moment to strike, the signal from Song Zhang’s entire team vanished from the sensing jade talismans simultaneously.

“Song Zhang, you fool!”

Baoyuan Zhenren gnashed his teeth, cursing internally. It must be that self-righteous idiot. To shake me off, he used some kind of shielding artifact. Utter stupidity! Shielding your senses in a hellhole like this… if they really encounter the [Hatred], they won’t even be able to call for help!

Anxiety mixed with his fury.

Song Zhang dying didn’t matter. But Junior Sister Lu Yao was with him. And more importantly, Zi Xiao.

If something happened to Zi Xiao, how would he explain it to the Sect? How would he explain it to Palace Master Yang? Although Baoyuan despised Yang Poxiao, Zi Xiao was the man’s beloved concubine. She could not be lost on his watch.

“Damn it!”

Baoyuan Zhenren growled, abandoning his search pattern. He immediately changed direction, rushing at full speed toward the last known location of Song Zhang’s team.

Song Zhang, you better pray Junior Sister Lu and the others are safe. Otherwise, I’ll hang you up and flay the skin off your back!

Yu Zhiwei and the Center-Part Disciple followed closely, sensing the gravity of the situation. Their expressions were grim.

As he flew, Baoyuan Zhenren pushed his Divine Sense to the limit, scouring the surroundings for any clue. The harsh environment of the deep forest caused significant interference, making the search slow and agonizing. His anxiety spiked with every passing second.

Just as Baoyuan Zhenren was searching with burning impatience, a figure suddenly tore through the dim woods ahead, rushing toward him with frightening speed.

It was almost instantaneous.

“Who goes there?!”

Baoyuan Zhenren was startled, nearly colliding head-on with the newcomer. He slammed on the brakes, halting his momentum. He focused his gaze, and his pupils contracted to the size of needles.

“Elder Chen?”

The newcomer was none other than Elder Chen from the Enforcement Hall. Her aura was unstable, chaotic, and her eyes held a strange, wooden dullness.

Baoyuan Zhenren’s mind raced. The Sect’s wanted order clearly stated that Elder Chen had been corrupted by the [Hatred], went on a killing spree in the Guiyuan Mountain Range, and then vanished.

Why was she here?