Chapter 9: Chapter 03: Broken Wings

“Come out! Fire Mage,” Bai Ranyue said coldly. The sheer beauty of the scene left everyone dazed, their mouths literally hanging open in awe.

“It seems I had to kill them before you would show yourself.” Bai Ranyue extended her hand and with a flick, a purple light shot straight toward those people.

Helpless, he had no choice but to act, appearing before Bai Ranyue's eyes. He froze for a moment upon seeing her countenance.

“I leave this to you,” Bai Ranyue said, turning around. She lightly stepped onto a leaf, landing softly, and watched coldly.

“No problem.” Chi Lian put away her sheath and walked forward. She loved torturing people most of all, especially men like this.

“A duel of fire. Whoever wins gets to rob the other,” Liu Yi said with a shallow smile, leaning against a wooden railing. *You told me to stand aside and watch the show, but now I'm the one watching the show.*

“You talk too much,” Chi Lian said as she walked. With a wave of her hand, a streak of red light flew toward the man. The afterglow shimmered, leaving a dazzling trail behind.

“Fire Condensing Whip! It seems I, Liang Chen, have met my match today.” Liang Chen swung his hand down, his five fingers forming a claw, as the fiery red blade shimmered brilliantly.

Chi Lian curled her lips and struck downward. The whip hit the ground but surged out from beneath Liang Chen's feet, shooting straight for his face.

Liang Chen grabbed with both hands, catching the whip and pulling. To his surprise, he actually managed to pull the Fire Condensing Whip out. Chi Lian smirked, and her hands suddenly struck the ground, sinking into the earth.

“Be careful now!” Chi Lian said coquettishly.

Just as the words fell, a pair of hands suddenly burst from the ground and grabbed Liang Chen's feet. Chi Lian's expression darkened; she yanked her hands, pulling Liang Chen toward her.

Liang Chen narrowed his eyes at the carriage. A flash of a smile crossed his face as he flung the Fire Condensing Whip toward it. Chi Lian was stunned, her fury ignited, and she increased the strength of her grip.

Bai Ranyue raised an eyebrow in displeasure. She extended her hand, sucked the whip into her grasp, and with a flick, struck Liang Chen directly to the ground.

Immediately after, she landed lightly, looking at the people and raising an eyebrow.

“Kill!” Bai Ranyue turned around, a cold and proud expression surfacing. It seemed she was still not strong enough to protect them.

Behind her, screams rang out incessantly, and a thick scent of blood spread, staining the earth red. This bandit gang was effectively destroyed.

The carriage continued on its way undisturbed, leaving a field of corpses behind. Birds took flight in panic. Bats, drawn by the scent of blood, flew in swarms.

“Teaching people to rob like this isn't the right way,” Bai Ranyue said indifferently while combing her long hair.

Outside, Liu Yi's face instantly turned bright red, so embarrassed he wanted to find a hole to hide in.

“Sell both wealth and beauty, and I'll give you a tip,” Bai Ranyue said with a beaming smile. *Hehe, a little occasional amusement isn't bad.*

“I... I understand.” Liu Yi buried his head low. *Master, please stop smiling.*

“Master, She Xie just sent word. That person from yesterday is rushing this way. Look...” Chi Lian turned back to ask. That person must have investigated us.

“Let him come,” Bai Ranyue said with a shallow smile, putting down her wooden comb.

Chi Lian nodded and lowered the carriage curtain. She glanced at the chess game, casually placed a piece, and then ignored it.

Four days later.

The carriage stopped to rest not far from Yun City. In these short six days, they had become legends.

“Master, it has been investigated,” Liu Feng said, landing and walking to Bai Ranyue's side.

“Speak,” Bai Ranyue said indifferently while folding a paper crane.

“The Crown Prince of the Eastern Qi Kingdom, Mo Gehan. 23 years old. Dual cultivation of martial arts and sorcery, though his specific sorcery is unconfirmed. Martial cultivation level: Stage Eight,” Liu Feng whispered. This person would be the Master's opponent; he wondered how much of a chance she had.

“Eastern Qi... so Bei Miao and Xi Ling have also sent people. It seems Yun City is truly not simple.” Bai Ranyue finished the paper crane and looked at the opposing mountain peak, falling into thought.

Liu Feng quietly retreated to the side to converse with his brother.

Eastern Qi, Mo Gehan, Yun City! A layout quickly surfaced in Bai Ranyue's mind. Four nations—Dongling is currently in turmoil, while the status of Bei Miao and Xi Ling is unknown. If these three nations joined forces at this time...

Bai Ranyue opened her eyes, her cold gaze becoming clear. So that was it; they came to Yun City to conspire and unite.

“Found you! It was them who killed Bi Mo!” A piercing voice entered their ears. They frowned unpleasantly at the person appearing.

Wan Jiao'er. Bai Ranyue narrowed her eyes, looking at the incredibly arrogant Wan Jiao'er.

“To think there is someone more beautiful than me! Kill her, now!” Wan Jiao'er was furious upon seeing the peerlessly beautiful Pei Ruodie. How could someone be more beautiful than her!

“Wan Jiao'er, you are still as arrogant as ever, never knowing how to restrain yourself,” Bai Ranyue said elegantly, standing up and patting her clothes.

“You know me, so why didn't you just disfigure yourself? To avoid suffering,” Wan Jiao'er laughed triumphantly. *Scared now, aren't you!*

“Do you still remember Tianshan?” Bai Ranyue curled her lips, smiling with satisfaction as she watched Wan Jiao'er's face change.

“Who are you?” Wan Jiao'er demanded sharply. How could she know she had been to Tianshan?

“How was the feeling of being caught by the eagle? Was it very enjoyable?” Bai Ranyue held Su Yue, stroking its fur, and spoke softly.

“Whoa! The great eagle! You weren't eaten by it, were you? Were you... by it...” Liu Yi winked at Wan Jiao'er with a wicked grin.

“Bastards! I'll kill you!” Wan Jiao'er's face turned ashen with rage as she lashed out with a long whip toward Pei Ruodie. Her ruthlessness was startling.

“Didn't you say you wanted to take the Ghost-Hand Divine Doctor as your master? What happened? Were you kicked off Tianshan?” Bai Ranyue dodged to the side, teasing. It seemed that old man was quite formidable to have turned someone into such a shrew.

“Go die! Don't speak anymore!” Wan Jiao'er glared at Bai Ranyue, huffing in anger.

“What, my eighth junior brother isn't with you? Or were you abandoned by him?” Bai Ranyue flew off the ground, habitually landing on a leaf, smiling shallowly.

“You are his senior sister?” Wan Jiao'er narrowed her eyes at Bai Ranyue. Such a familiar silhouette. Who was she?

“I am the eldest disciple of the Ghost-Hand Divine Doctor,” the smile on Bai Ranyue's face widened. *It seems today is not going to be peaceful!*

“It's you!” Wan Jiao'er glared at her through gritted teeth. So it was her; no wonder she looked so familiar.

“Deal with her. I'll be back shortly.” Holding Su Yue, Bai Ranyue turned and vanished.

“Such a flower-like beauty, even I feel a bit reluctant to strike,” Chi Lian said softly, placing a finger on her lips.

“Then go die yourself, alright?!” Wan Jiao'er glared at Chi Lian. *Is such a seductive woman even chaste?*

“Seeking death.” Chi Lian's expression darkened. She lashed out with the Fire Condensing Whip, striking the defenseless Wan Jiao'er directly.

“You dare say I'm not chaste? Today, I'll show you who loses their chastity!” Chi Lian stepped toward Wan Jiao'er, her whip dragging on the ground.

Wan Jiao'er wiped the blood from the corner of her mouth and stood up. After swallowing medicine, her blood-red eyes glared at her as she swung her hand.

With a *thud*, the long whip hit the ground, kicking up layers of dust.

Chi Lian curled her lips in disdain. She raised the hand holding the Fire Condensing Whip and swung it forward. Both sides struck at once...

Bai Ranyue landed in a clearing in the forest, looking at the trees before her. With a wave of her hand, she stirred up layers of storms that swept outward.

“Aren't you coming out yet? You've been watching me for days. If you don't come out and reveal yourself, wouldn't that be an insult to my concessions?” A light flashed between Bai Ranyue's fingers. In a blink, she flicked her hand, and a streak of red light exploded outward, piercing through the surroundings.

Bai Ranyue's gaze darkened. A storm condensed in her eyes, and wind surged beneath her feet as she surrounded the area. Dust and fallen leaves rose wildly. Her long hair flew, and her purple pupils deepened.

The person in the darkness watched this scene in astonishment, attempting to retreat. But as soon as his body moved, his feet were bound, and countless vines surged out to hoist him up.

“Damn it, I was careless,” the man in black cursed lowly, attempting to break free, but as soon as he broke one, another replaced it. Finally, he was completely enveloped.

Bai Ranyue closed her eyes, mobilizing all her essence. A thin layer of blue light flickered faintly; in the haze, one could see something attempting to burst forth from her body.

“Heavens! It's actually the Wings!” A very faint voice sounded from the darkness, yet it was still captured by Bai Ranyue.

“Shameless person, you shouldn't be living in this world,” Bai Ranyue said indifferently. The leaves on both sides condensed into strings, firing wildly into the darkness.

The person in the darkness was startled and retreated rapidly. *Such powerful ability!*

He dodged continuously and released power to obstruct her, but he was still slashed. Finally, he hid behind a tree to catch his breath. Listening to the dense sounds, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Only after the sounds vanished did he emerge. Looking at the marks, cold sweat poured down his face. *So powerful... the leaves were completely embedded inside; one could only see the traces through careful observation.*

*Whoosh!* Something pierced through the air. The man in black turned to look. A leaf sliced across his neck. His pupils dilated, his hand touched his throat, and he collapsed.

The storm gradually ceased, and a pair of ice-blue thin wings appeared before her eyes. Bai Ranyue curled her lips and reached out to take them. After a flash of light, a pair of nearly invisible blades appeared in her hands.

Suddenly, Su Yue in her arms trembled, actually floating up and emitting a dazzling white light.

Bai Ranyue smirked. *This little fellow is finally waking up.* Thus, she retreated to a distance to watch.

Within the white light, a massive body could vaguely be seen gradually emerging, followed by a pair of wings and purple-patterned claws. Soon, everything was revealed.

Bai Ranyue was filled with shock, then relief. The old man had said Su Yue was extraordinary; it seemed it was true.

As Su Yue changed, the startling aura caused the other animals in the forest, including high-level demonic beasts, to flee deep into the woods. They feared this terrifying power.

When everything settled, the massive Su Yue opened its eyes and looked at Pei Ruodie. With a *thud*, it transformed back into its tiny form and scurried into her arms.

“Master, Yueyue is tired. Please carry Yueyue!” Su Yue rubbed its head, acting spoiled.

“Mhm!” Bai Ranyue nodded and turned to leave. Many people would be rushing here soon.

“Disappeared. The aura of the Butterfly Wings is gone.” Mo Gehan narrowed his eyes. *Could it be that person? That mysterious woman?*

“Master, the secret guards have been killed,” an attendant said, walking to his side.

“Go see,” Mo Gehan said, his face turning cold as he walked toward the area. *The secret guards are dead? What happened?*

The attendant followed. He inspected the surroundings and discovered that it wasn't just the secret guards who had died. It seemed the Prince's enemies were very powerful.