Danqingxuan: ?

Dan Yangzi's words were pointed.

When Venerable Jueming heard this, although he was extremely displeased, he ultimately couldn't refuse to grant Dan Yangzi Face.

Therefore, he immediately nodded in agreement on the surface.

“My worthless son is entirely due to my usual laxity in discipline!”

Immediately, he glared fiercely at Jin Li, his gaze sharp as a knife, and shouted, "Rebellious son! Hurry up and go apologize to Fellow Daoist Ye!"

Hearing this, Jin Li's Face instantly flushed the color of pig liver.

Me?

Apologize to Ye Qing, that bumpkin from a small place, right in front of all these people?

He really wanted to say no!

But Venerable Jueming's glare, full of warning, made Jin Li's heart tremble violently.

He knew that if he uttered even half a refusal, he would definitely be beaten senseless afterward!

Thus, in the end, he could only reluctantly shuffle over to Ye Qing, lower his head, and mumble indistinctly:

“I'm sorry, Fellow Daoist, I...”

Ye Qing simply waved his hand, turned, and walked away, not bothering to listen to another word he had to say.

Jin Li's body stiffened, and he couldn't help but grit his teeth and clench his fists.

He had clearly intended to gain Face in front of everyone.

Who knew, he ended up making a huge mess!

At this moment, Dan Yangzi stepped forward and apologized sincerely to Ye Qing: "Virtuous Nephew Ye, this matter is due to my poor hospitality, and I have caused you grievance."

Ye Qing shook his head, indicating it was nothing.

Immediately, his Divine Thought stirred slightly, and a sound transmission was sent into Dan Yangzi's ear.

At the same time, he flicked his finger, and a jade talisman containing the Origin aura of the Thief silently fell into Dan Yangzi's sleeve.

Based on this jade talisman, Dan Yangzi could easily follow the clues and find the Thief's hiding place!

Ye Qing hadn't forcibly captured the Thief earlier because he intended to let him go to see if he had accomplices.

This way, he could catch them all in one fell swoop.

Upon receiving the sound transmission and the jade talisman, a sharp light instantly flashed in Dan Yangzi's eyes!

After this, Ye Qing lost interest and simply returned to his guest room to rest.

Meanwhile, the banquet quickly concluded shortly thereafter.

The next day, Dan Yangzi followed the aura on the jade talisman given by Ye Qing.

He personally led people to search for him.

Sure enough, south of Star Cloud City, in a hidden bridge culvert, they found the Thief's temporary hiding spot.

Furthermore, this person had several accomplices.

Dan Yangzi stroked his beard and smiled: "Excellent! We can catch them all in one fell swoop!"

He immediately took action, and with a whoosh, captured all the unsuspecting people inside the bridge culvert.

When the Thief was captured, his Face was full of disbelief, and his eyes were wide with shock.

Seeing Dan Yangzi, he looked as if he had seen a ghost!

He couldn't help but roar:

"How is this possible?! My Breath Concealment Secret Technique is unmatched in the world! How could you possibly find me!"

Dan Yangzi chuckled, and with a thought, his Dharma Sword left its sheath:

"Want to know? Weren't you quite arrogant before? Saying my Danyang Residence was good, and you'd come again next time?!"

"I refuse to tell you! Enough! No need for more words, if you have any questions, ask the King of Hell below!"

*Swoosh!*

The sword light struck down, completely annihilating the man!

After resolving this deep-seated worry, Dan Yangzi felt joy in his heart.

Upon returning, he sought out Ye Qing again to express his gratitude.

Ye Qing smiled and waved his hand, saying:

"This was just a small matter I happened upon and handled easily. Senior, you don't need to dwell on it too much."

Dan Yangzi nodded, greatly appreciating Ye Qing's steady Heart-Nature, which was neither arrogant nor impatient.

Comparing him to the impetuous Jin Li from before—they were both young men, but the contrast was simply unbearable!

He even dared to slander Ye Qing! Hmph!

Subsequently, Dan Yangzi thought of something and added:

“Ah, Virtuous Nephew, there's one more thing. The Steward of the cloud sea ferry has returned. This old man has already contacted him and reserved a cloud sea ferry for you.”

“Around the day after tomorrow, the law-corroding miasma above the Abyss of No Return will gradually recede.”

“At that time, Virtuous Nephew can set off on your journey!”

Hearing this news, Ye Qing was delighted, thinking that Dan Yangzi had truly gone to great lengths for him.

He immediately rose and expressed his thanks.

Dan Yangzi smiled and waved his hand, indicating it was nothing.

Meanwhile, in Star Cloud City, Jueming Prefecture.

Inside a secret room, Venerable Jueming's expression was sinister.

He was sitting opposite his son, Jin Li.

The father and son were currently discussing a matter.

“Father, have you truly decided? To make a move against Dan Yangzi?”

A hint of excitement flickered in Jin Li's eyes, mixed with some hesitation.

Venerable Jueming let out a cold snort, his gaze sharp:

“I have been planning this for many years; how could it be a joke?”

“Dan Yangzi humiliated my son and me so severely at the banquet before. Don't you feel aggrieved?”

“Conveniently, the matter of the Thief has given me a perfect opportunity to strike!”

Of course, making a move against Dan Yangzi wasn't merely because Dan Yangzi had damaged Venerable Jueming's Face.

Rather, Venerable Jueming had long harbored intentions of striking at Dan Yangzi.

Now that the Thief incident had occurred,

Venerable Jueming saw an excellent opportunity!

“But...”

Jin Li was still somewhat confused:

“Dan Yangzi is, after all, Star Cloud City's foremost Fifth-Rank Alchemist. If we kill him...”

“If we can no longer supply Materials to Dan Yangzi for his business, won't we cut off a huge source of income?”

Jin Li knew that his father, Venerable Jueming, ran the largest Spirit Material and Spirit Medicine business in Star Cloud City.

They had always cooperated with Dan Yangzi, supplying him with the raw Materials needed for Alchemy.

Thus, Venerable Jueming had also earned substantial profits because of Dan Yangzi.

Now this... "What do you know?"

A cold light flashed in Venerable Jueming's eyes.

He lectured:

“Short-sighted fool! How can the meager profits from mere raw Materials satisfy my appetite?”

“Once Dan Yangzi dies, I am determined to seize his entire Alchemy Legacy!”

“At that time, we will cultivate our own Alchemists and monopolize the entire Medicinal Pill industry of Star Cloud City! By then, Venerable Jueming's wealth and status will increase by more than tenfold!”

Listening to his father's words, Jin Li's breathing instantly quickened, and a burning light burst forth in his eyes.

Taking over the entire Medicinal Pill industry of Star Cloud City!

What immense wealth and power would that be?

He seemed to already see himself becoming the First Young Master of Star Cloud City, with countless Cultivators bowing and scraping before him.

Unacceptable.

The more he thought about it, the more excited he became.

However... Jin Li couldn't help but rub his hands together, a lewd expression appearing on his Face as he requested:

“Father, killing Dan Yangzi is fine, but as for Dan Qingxuan... your son wishes to...”

Venerable Jueming glanced at his son, having long seen through his intentions.

The moment Jin Li wiggled his butt, Venerable Jueming knew whether he wanted to defecate or urinate.

He immediately sneered: "Hmph, that's all the ambition you have! Just a woman!"

Although he said this, he did not reprimand him.

Instead, he pondered for a moment.

Then he spoke:

“Fine! Your father knew you would be like this long ago.”

“I have already found out that Dan Qingxuan will leave Star Cloud City in a few days, riding the cloud sea ferry together with that boy named Ye Qing.”

“At that time, you will follow them! Capture her, and whether she lives or dies, you can dispose of her as you wish!”

Venerable Jueming plotted in his mind, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

He said softly:

“When the time comes, forge a marriage contract and force Dan Qingxuan to sign and seal it.”

“Then, once Dan Yangzi dies, you can legitimately seize all of Dan Yangzi's assets in the capacity of his son-in-law!”

“In this way, your father will also have solved a problem!”

Such good fortune exists?!

Jin Li's heart surged with excitement, and he couldn't help but exclaim loudly:

“Thank you, Father, for making this happen!”

He was now overjoyed.

Just thinking about getting his hands on Dan Qingxuan, that arrogant woman who had always treated him coldly,

made his heart burn with desire!

He vowed to make her understand what it meant to wish for death but be unable to die, and wish for life but be unable to live!

But then, he thought of something else, and his Face instantly darkened.

Rage burned in his heart.

“That Ye Qing! It's Ye Qing again! How dare he ride the cloud sea ferry alone with Qingxuan!”

“This fiend truly deserves death!”

Thinking of the humiliating way he had made a fool of himself in public at the banquet because of Ye Qing,

the killing intent in Jin Li's heart surged uncontrollably.

He thought:

“Perfect! When the time comes, I will personally slaughter this man to avenge the humiliation I suffered at the banquet!”

Venerable Jueming glanced indifferently at his son and said coldly:

“That's the plan. The matter of the Thief provides a perfect excuse for me to act. Afterward, we will publicly announce that Dan Yangzi was ambushed and killed by accomplices of that group of Thieves seeking revenge. Then you will step forward with the marriage contract to inherit the family assets. Everything will be seamless!”

“Alright, I still need to meticulously plan the specific details. You may leave for now, and don't bother me unless necessary.”

“Yes, Father!”

Jin Li bowed, then excitedly withdrew from the secret room.

Clenching his fists, he was already looking forward to the day Dan Qingxuan left Star Cloud City.

At that time, beauty, wealth, and great vengeance would be his!

Heh heh!

...Thus, two days later.

Dan Yangzi received word from the cloud sea ferry Steward.

The law-corroding miasma drifting above the Abyss of No Return had receded significantly, making it the best time to cross the Abyss.

At the entrance of the Danyang Residence.

Dan Yangzi watched his daughter and Ye Qing, who were about to embark on a long journey. Although he felt reluctant to part, he was greatly reassured.

After all, Ye Qing was traveling with his daughter.

What was there to worry about?

Nonetheless, he couldn't help but instruct them:

“Qingxuan, Virtuous Nephew Ye, the journey ahead is long. Please be extra careful along the way.”

“Father, please rest assured.”

Dan Qingxuan nodded.

Ye Qing also cupped his hands and said, "Thank you, Senior, for your care these past few days. We shall depart now."

The two then bid farewell to Dan Yangzi and, personally led by the Steward, headed to the cloud sea ferry dock.

Soon, they boarded a luxurious cloud sea ferry that Dan Yangzi had already reserved.

Following a long, drawn-out hum, the cloud sea ferry slowly rose into the air, transforming into a streak of light and heading straight into the sea of clouds.

It sped rapidly toward the Abyss of No Return.

At the same time, shortly after they left, another cloud sea ferry quietly lifted off from the dock.

It followed closely behind them.

On the deck of the cloud sea ferry, Ye Qing stood with his hands behind his back, gazing at the vastly different scenery around them.

After entering the range of the Abyss of No Return, the world was filled with dense cloud miasma.

On both sides were ten-thousand-foot sheer cliffs, densely packed with strange rocks and towering into the clouds.

Below them was a pitch-black, bottomless abyss, seemingly capable of swallowing all light and Divine Thought.

“It is said that Spirit Transformation Cultivators once attempted to explore the secrets at the bottom of this Abyss.”

Dan Qingxuan stood beside him, softly introducing the area to Ye Qing:

“If one goes shallowly, it's fine, but once one ventures too deep, few are ever heard from again.”

After all, not only is there dense law-corroding miasma below, but the Abyss itself is also bottomless.

No one knows what terrifying dangers are hidden within!

Ye Qing nodded upon hearing this, deeply agreeing.

The Abyss of No Return is indeed a mysterious place.

At the same time, Ye Qing noticed that some faint law-corroding miasma still lingered in the high altitude.

However, it was easily blocked by the faint light barrier naturally emitted by the cloud sea ferry's exterior, preventing any intrusion whatsoever.

This cloud sea ferry truly lives up to its reputation.

Just then, Ye Qing's heart stirred slightly, and his Divine Thought swept toward the rear.

He saw a cloud sea ferry approaching them at extremely high speed from the direction they came.

And standing against the wind on the deck of that ship was a familiar figure.

It was Jin Li!

Ye Qing's brow furrowed slightly.

Jin Li? This person is truly a lingering ghost; what exactly does he want?

Dan Qingxuan clearly saw Jin Li behind them too; her beautiful Face changed slightly, and her attractive brows knitted together.

She exchanged a look with Ye Qing, and both understood the meaning in the other's eyes.

So, the two simultaneously turned around, intending to return to the cabin and pretend they hadn't seen him.

However, Jin Li's trip was aimed squarely at Dan Qingxuan; how could he let them easily avoid him?

“Qingxuan! What a coincidence! Are you taking the cloud sea ferry too?”

A loud voice traveled from afar, full of surprise.

Dan Qingxuan took a deep breath and didn't stop walking, intending to pretend she hadn't heard.

Jin Li seemed to see through her intentions and shouted loudly again:

“Qingxuan! I have something very important to tell you! If you don't listen, you will definitely regret it in the future!”

Hearing this, Dan Qingxuan's steps paused slightly, and a look of confusion appeared on her Face.

Something important?

What important matter?

And during this moment of hesitation, *swoosh!*

The cloud sea ferry Jin Li was aboard suddenly accelerated, piercing through the clouds and drawing parallel with Ye Qing's ship!

On the deck, Jin Li wore what he thought was a charming smile, his gaze burning as he looked at Dan Qingxuan.

Dan Qingxuan's delicate brows furrowed slightly.

After thinking it over, she finally spoke up and asked, "Young Master Jin Li, what important matter do you have to discuss?"

Jin Li smiled faintly, putting on a look of deep affection.

Looking at Dan Qingxuan, he said gently:

“What I want to say is... Qingxuan, I want to pursue you! I am absolutely sincere toward you, please agree to be mine!”

“I am willing to present you with a marriage contract!”

Dan Qingxuan had initially thought there was truly some urgent business, but upon hearing this, she felt as though she had stepped in dog feces.

Her beautiful Face instantly turned cold.

“Jin Li, I currently have no such intentions. Please... respect yourself!”

Having finished speaking, she didn't want to say another word and turned to enter the cabin.

However, the moment her voice fell silent, Jin Li suddenly burst into maniacal laughter.

“Haha! Hahahaha!”

The laughter echoed through the sea of clouds, filled with an indescribable strangeness.

Dan Qingxuan was stunned by his laughter, her eyes filled with confusion and bewilderment.

She almost wondered if this person was... crazy?

Just then, Jin Li's laughter abruptly stopped.

It was replaced by a sinister expression.

He shouted sharply:

“I have pursued you for so long, why have you always refused? Fine! If you refuse, I'll take it that you are noble, that you are pure and flawless!”

“But you turn around and travel far away alone with this gigolo! What kind of behavior is that?”

“Did you ever consider my feelings?!”

Dan Qingxuan: ???