Chapter 707 - 706: Encounter

Chapter 707: Chapter 706: Encounter

"Well, well! Jiao Linghe, I didn’t expect you to bring back a helper. Is this a rebellion?!" Steward Xiao stood up furiously, clutching his swollen face, his mouth full of blood.

Yi Tianyun had gone easy on him. If he had been truly enraged, that one slap would have likely made the steward’s head explode.

"How dare a worthless lackey like you act so arrogantly before me!" Yi Tianyun said coldly. "You have two choices. Either take us to find Second Elder, or I’ll slap you again. Make your choice!"

Steward Xiao erupted in fury. Naturally, he was unwilling to accept either choice. After being slapped so viciously, why would he possibly agree to lead Yi Tianyun anywhere?

"You want me to take you to see Second Elder? Impossible! Not unless you apologize..."

SLAP!

Another disembodied slap shot through the air. Before Steward Xiao could even react, he was sent flying. Several of his teeth were shattered, and blood streamed from his mouth, staining the ground red. His face was swollen to a great height, making the once tall and lanky steward appear several pounds heavier. He had quite literally been slapped into a "fatty."

"Feel free to keep talking," Yi Tianyun said, waving his hand casually. The gesture sent a shiver down Steward Xiao’s spine.

’This time, I was on high alert, but I still couldn’t block that slap. It’s too fast, and I have no idea where it comes from. I just get hit out of nowhere.’

"I... I won’t take you..."

SLAP!

Yi Tianyun slapped him hard again. Steward Xiao was once again sent flying, coughing up blood without end. If this kept up, he wouldn’t have any teeth left, but he’d probably be disfigured long before that happened.

"Are you going to lead the way?" Yi Tianyun asked calmly.

Jiao Linghe stood silently to the side. ’When he gets ruthless, he’s truly monstrous... but isn’t it satisfying to watch?’

Some people are just asking for it. They won’t understand how low they’ve sunk until you slap them a few times.

"I... I’ll lead the way..."

Steward Xiao scrambled to his feet, looking utterly miserable. He felt that if he took another slap, he’d be a dead man. So, he had no choice but to obediently get up and lead the way.

Only then did Yi Tianyun stay his hand, allowing Steward Xiao to lead them toward Second Elder’s location. As the steward got up to guide them, a venomous glint appeared in his eyes, as if he had just thought of a way to get revenge.

Steward Xiao then began leading them toward Second Elder’s residence. Along the way, many disciples looked on in bewilderment at the steward’s swollen face, but none dared to ask what had happened.

Most people didn’t recognize Jiao Linghe. Only those from the older generation, like Steward Xiao, would know who she was.

Under Steward Xiao’s lead, they approached a mountain further in. This mountain was called the Sealing Heaven Divine Mountain, the main peak among the five Celestial Mountains. Two Spirit King Stage experts stood guard at the base of this main peak. As this was the most important of the Divine Mountains, security was exceptionally tight.

To ascend, one needed a command token or had to inform an elder on the mountain and receive permission to proceed.

The moment Steward Xiao neared the area, he broke into a run and shouted, "Trouble! We have trespassers at the Sealing Heaven Divine Mountain! They’ve injured me!"

Steward Xiao ran for his life toward the guards, but after just two steps, a wave of energy lashed out, slapping him aside. This time, he was completely unable to get back up—not because he was dead, but because Yi Tianyun had knocked him unconscious with a single slap.

The expressions on the two Spirit King Stage experts nearby changed instantly, and they flew over. Upon getting a clear look at the newcomer, one of them exclaimed in surprise, "Isn’t that the woman the Young Master chose, even if it meant betraying the entire family?"

They were both veteran experts and recognized Jiao Linghe at a glance. Yi Xingchen had brought her here before, so most people knew of her. They had seen her quite clearly, and at the time, many had openly criticized Yi Xingchen, believing he never should have brought her back!

"I want to see Second Elder," Jiao Linghe said gravely.

The two guards glanced at the fallen Steward Xiao. They weren’t sure what had happened, but such matters were not for them to decide.

"Very well. I will go up and make a report. Please wait here," one of the guards said after a moment’s thought. Instead of causing trouble, he went to inform the elders.

All important matters were to be handled by the elders, and this was a very important matter indeed. The clan’s number one genius had run away for this woman, and now she had returned—but Yi Xingchen hadn’t. That was very strange.

And so, they decided to report it first and let the elders make the final decision.

One guard quickly went up the mountain to make the report, while the other stayed behind to tend to Steward Xiao. He found the steward only had superficial wounds; aside from his badly swollen face, he wasn’t seriously injured.

"It’s you?!"

Just then, a voice rang out from the side. An elder leading a few young Cultivators was passing by, apparently on his way to the Sealing Heaven Divine Mountain.

"So it’s Third Elder." Jiao Linghe’s gaze turned icy as she looked at the old man. Her expression grew even colder at the thought that he and the First Elder were likely responsible for what had happened.

Third Elder stared at her in shock but quickly composed himself. His gaze swept over her and her companion, finally locking onto Yi Tianyun.

"Is this Xingchen’s child?" Third Elder’s expression darkened, and a sinister glint flashed in his eyes.

"Yes. I’ve brought my son back to see Second Elder. Does Third Elder have a problem with that?" Jiao Linghe replied calmly.

"Capture them!" Third Elder commanded with a wave of his hand, ordering his retinue to capture Yi Tianyun and Jiao Linghe. The guard on duty also moved to surround them.

The Third Elder’s command had to be obeyed, and the men prepared to seize Yi Tianyun and Jiao Linghe.

"Third Elder, what is the meaning of this? You want to capture us the moment we’ve met? Are you trying to kill us to tie up loose ends?" Jiao Linghe said coldly.

Jiao Linghe’s accusation was blunt, but Third Elder’s expression remained unchanged. He replied coolly, "Why would I do such a thing? I am merely having you detained. Back then, Yi Xingchen betrayed the family and eloped with you. That is a disgrace to the Sealing Heaven Divine Kingdom! I will keep you here to interrogate you thoroughly, or perhaps I’ll just imprison you here forever!"

"Is that so? I suspect you were behind the assassins who were sent after us!" Jiao Linghe declared outright.

Third Elder’s expression flickered for a moment, but he showed no other reaction, replying calmly, "I don’t know what you’re talking about. We’ve had no news of you for years. Hunt you down? We’ve been trying to bring you back, so why would we try to kill you?"

Third Elder’s expression didn’t change much. Jiao Linghe only caught the faintest flicker of a reaction, nothing more. Yi Tianyun, however, saw it clearly. When she mentioned being hunted, Third Elder was definitely affected.