23: Chapter 23 Handsome

In the blink of an eye.

Only the Red-robed Female Cultivator and Ye Xiaoyao, who remained in a respectful posture, were left in the valley.

The Red-robed Female Cultivator then slowly turned around, facing Ye Xiaoyao directly, her voice softening slightly: "Raise your head."

Ye Xiaoyao straightened up as instructed, lifted his head, and met the gaze of the Red-robed Female Cultivator.

Being closer, he could see her breathtaking appearance even more clearly.

And her peach-blossom-like beautiful eyes were unfathomably deep.

At the same time, he was completely certain.

This red robe, this clear voice with a hint of unique magnetism, was exactly the "Junior Martial Uncle" he had met once on the fourth floor of the Scripture Pavilion!

Thinking that he had actually mistaken a Core Formation Stage True Person for a Foundation Establishment Junior Martial Uncle and even competed with her for a book.

A flush of embarrassment involuntarily swept across Ye Xiaoyao's face.

He hurriedly clasped his hands again, bowed deeply, and spoke with a sincere and apologetic tone:

"This Junior thanks Grandmaster for saving my life! Previously in the Scripture Pavilion, this Disciple was blind and failed to recognize Grandmaster's true self, and my words were offensive and abrupt. I beg Grandmaster to forgive my sins!"

Watching his slightly embarrassed yet clear-eyed expression, a ripple that was almost imperceptible seemed to pass through the depths of the Red-robed Female Cultivator's eyes.

She waved her hand lightly, her tone remaining indifferent: "It is of no matter. There are many Restrictions within the Scripture Pavilion, and your cultivation is still shallow, so it is normal that you failed to identify me. Do not take it to heart."

After speaking, she seemed to feel something.

Her gaze, seemingly inadvertently, glanced with deep meaning toward a patch of exceptionally dense vegetation with deep shadows, several dozen zhang away on the side of the valley.

That gaze was calm, yet it seemed capable of piercing through layers of branches and leaves.

Immediately, she looked back at Ye Xiaoyao, her tone returning to calm: "This place is not suitable for a long stay. You should return early as well, and on the way... take care of yourself."

"Yes! This Disciple obeys! Thanking Grandmaster again!"

Ye Xiaoyao dared not ask more and respectfully bowed again.

The Red-robed Female Cultivator said no more, her figure swaying slightly, appearing like a burning red phantom.

She turned into a swift yet gentle beam of light silently and soared into the sky.

In an instant, she disappeared into the azure sky, leaving behind only a faint yet cold fragrance in the air.

Only when the beam of light was completely invisible did Ye Xiaoyao let out a long sigh of pent-up turbid air, feeling that the clothes on his back were soaked with cold sweat.

Today's danger was far greater than yesterday's trading fair.

If not for the timely appearance of this mysterious Red-robed Grandmaster, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

He steadied his mind, not daring to stay here any longer, and identified his direction.

He cast the Light Body Technique again and sped toward his Outer Sect residence, his speed a few points faster than when he came.

On the side of the valley, deep within that dense thicket.

It was not until long after the Red-robed Female Cultivator's light had disappeared, and another incense stick's time had passed.

That a sudden, violent, and suppressed shaking came from the thicket.

"Swish—" The branches and leaves were clumsily pushed aside.

A sturdy man as bulky as a mountain, but currently pale as paper, crawled out.

It was Zhang Jiba, who had been ordered by Cao Sini to secretly protect and monitor Ye Xiaoyao.

He had witnessed the whole process, especially that one glance from the Red-robed Female Cultivator, even though it was separated by dozens of zhang and dense branches and leaves.

He felt as if he had been targeted by a third-order Yao Beast comparable to a Core Formation Stage Cultivator, his blood freezing instantly, and even his breathing stopping.

He lay dead still in the mud of the thicket, not daring to move a muscle.

For fear of being casually slapped to death by that terrifying Red-robed Grandmaster.

Only now that she was truly gone did he dare to move.

He felt his legs were as soft as noodles, and his heart was still pounding wildly.

He scrambled to summon his mediocre Flying Sword and practically crawled onto it.

Then he flew desperately in the direction away from the valley, wobbling.

That posture, panicked and without a path, looked just like he was being chased by a shapeshifted great Yao.

On the other side, deep in the mountain forest.

Lu Guan, with Sharp Mouth and Monkey Cheeks, ran wildly for more than ten miles in one breath.

Only when they were sure they were completely away from that terrifying valley did the three of them dare to stop, leaning against tree trunks, gasping for air.

Each of their faces was ashen, and they were still shaken with fear.

"It infuriates me! It truly infuriates me!!"

Lu Guan slammed his fist into an ancient tree beside him, causing the leaves to fall down with a rustle.

His chest heaved violently, his eyes bloodshot, and he growled through gritted teeth: "What kind of Heaven-Defying luck does this Ye Xiaoyao have?

Yesterday it was Fairy Cao, and today a Core Formation Stage old monster pops out! Why! Why is it that every time I am about to succeed, a woman jumps out to ruin my plans?"

The more he spoke, the angrier he became, almost roaring, his voice hoarse and unrecognizable.

"Could it be... could it be that the Saintess really values him to this extent? That she can even move a Core Formation Stage True Person to secretly protect this little white face?!"

This guess made him both shocked and angry, and even more, he felt a sense of powerlessness.

Monkey Cheeks, his panic slightly subsided, hurriedly leaned forward and said cautiously:

"Boss... last night, Sharp Mouth and I were outside Ye Xiaoyao's room when we were stopped by a Senior Brother who was almost at Qi Refining Great Perfection and was as bulky as a bear."

"At the time, we thought it was a coincidence, but now that I think about it... could that guy also have been sent by the Saintess to secretly protect Ye Xiaoyao?"

Sharp Mouth nodded repeatedly, still fearful, and echoed: "Yes, yes, yes! That guy was very fierce, he almost twisted my head off!"

After listening, Lu Guan's face became even uglier, as black as the bottom of a pot.

He had thought that Ye Xiaoyao was just a plaything the Saintess had found on a whim.

Now it seemed that the situation was far more complex and tricky than he had imagined.

"Damn it!" He spat fiercely, his eyes flickering with uncertainty, finally turning into a cold chill.

"With a Core Formation Stage True Person secretly keeping watch, and a guy at Qi Refining Great Perfection staring nearby... on the surface, we cannot touch him for the time being."

He was silent for a moment, then suddenly seemed to remember something, the corners of his mouth curling into a cold, expectant, and malicious arc.

"However... just because we can't, doesn't mean others can't. When the Saint returns from the Ji Family of the Eastern Wasteland..."

"Hmph, with the Saint's temperament and his feelings for the Saintess..."

He didn't finish his sentence. But Sharp Mouth and Monkey Cheeks exchanged a glance, both seeing a glimmer of realization in each other's eyes.

Knowing that a big shot was about to step in to teach Ye Xiaoyao a lesson, they instantly became excited.

"Let's go! Let's head back first!"

Lu Guan tidied his messy robes, barely regaining some composure, but the malice in his eyes grew deeper.

"Ye Xiaoyao... our account is not settled yet!"

The three of them, filled with frustration and new schemes, gradually disappeared at the other end of the winding mountain path.

The valley returned to tranquility, with only a gentle breeze blowing.

It was as if the brief conflict just now and the arrival of a Core Formation Stage True Person were merely an illusion.

And in the direction the Red-robed Female Cultivator had left, amidst the clouds.

She stood in mid-air, her red dress fluttering.

Her gaze seemed to traverse the distance, falling upon the rapidly returning Ye Xiaoyao, yet it also seemed to have no focus.

Her red lips moved slightly, and she whispered a sentence in a voice only she could hear.

"He is quite handsome... I felt his aura was unusual back in the Scripture Pavilion. I don't know why, but it could faintly stir my essence blood, and even my Cultivation Technique... he truly harbors secrets."

"However, for now, it is more important to help Junior Sister find the pure yang object and prepare for Core Formation. This kid... it will not be too late to explore it slowly in the future."

Her voice dissipated in the wind.

She did not linger, turning into a red streak of light.

She headed toward the depths of the Yin Yang Sect, the core area where the Spiritual Qi was most abundant.