The back of the Bai family's mountain.
A woman, as vibrant as fire and as illusory as a phantom, floated in the air. She closed her eyes slightly, emanating a faint, rosy aura. As this aura spread, the small animals lingering around her began to chirp joyfully.
Becoming exceptionally excited, they searched for their mates.
It was unclear why.
However, as time passed, this rosy breath gradually retracted into the woman's body, not spreading further outward.
A moment later, the woman opened her eyes. In the deepest part of her pupils, a faint pink glint flickered.
"Sister Hongying!"
Seeing Ji Hongying awaken, Nangong Qianyu and others who had been waiting beside her immediately surrounded her. They examined her from head to toe, fearing that something else might happen.
"Qianyu! Qiushui! Don't worry! I'm fine now!"
Ji Hongying looked at the sisters Nangong Qianyu and Bai Qiushui, whose eyes were filled with worry. Her heart warmed, and she held their hands.
Although she had pulled through, the lingering memories of the peril had not vanished.
Even now, she still felt a lingering fear.
She had almost been separated by life and death.
"You've been through a lot!"
At this moment, Ye Ming also slowly walked over. He looked at the woman before him, who had become even more captivating, and smiled with relief.
Upon seeing Ye Ming, Ji Hongying's gaze instantly became a little hazy for some reason. She gently bit her lip, preventing tears from falling.
"Silly girl! Why are you crying?"
Ye Ming gently stroked her head and said softly, "We are all here!"
Nangong Qianyu and Bai Qiushui naturally understood why Ji Hongying had suddenly become a little emotional.
Especially Bai Qiushui, who empathized deeply.
Those who have not experienced life and death will never truly understand how important the people they love and who love them are.
"Thank you, Ye Ming!"
Ji Hongying threw herself into Ye Ming's embrace, hugging him tightly.
At this moment, Ye Ming could clearly feel Ji Hongying's body trembling slightly.
"You did very well, and we always believed you would return to us!"
Ye Ming patted her delicate back, his eyes filled with relief and emotion.
After a few minutes of tenderness, Ji Hongying's emotions finally calmed down, and she pulled away from Ye Ming's chest.
However, as they separated, a seductive voice suddenly echoed in Ye Ming's ear: "After all this is settled, I will thank you properly."
"Hmm?"
Just hearing these words, Ye Ming clearly felt a special power invade his body, causing his blood to boil.
"I... damn!"
When Ye Ming came back to his senses, all he saw was a charming retreating figure.
Ji Hongying intended to sever all grievances.
Watching her receding back, Ye Ming was momentarily dazed, his eyes widening.
"Good heavens, who can resist such a potent force of desire!" The burning flame that ignited in Ye Ming's heart refused to subside for a long time.
"What did Sister Hongying say to you just now?"
Bai Qiushui's phoenix-like eyes roamed over Ye Ming, the corner of her lips slightly upturned. She had clearly noticed the small interaction between them as they parted.
"Ahem! It was... a small matter, not... not important!"
Ye Ming quickly averted Bai Qiushui's scrutinizing gaze, his palms breaking into a cold sweat.
"Oh! Is that so?"
Bai Qiushui smiled and did not press further.
However, if she had noticed Nangong Qianyu, who had been lowering her head beside them, she might have sensed something.
...
Ji Hongying landed on the ground. Looking at the two limp figures lying on the ground before her, the lingering trace of seduction in her pupils instantly turned to ice.
As stated before, the "qing" (情) in the force of desire did not solely refer to romantic love.
It also encompassed friendship and family affection.
But Ji Hongying had now abandoned all illusions of familial love.
And the cause of all this was... Lin Fengxuan.
Seeing Ji Hongying approaching step by step, Lin Fengxuan and his disciple's hearts tightened, their expressions filled with extreme dread.
At this moment, their fear was not solely due to the presence of Ye Ming and the others, but also to Ji Hongying herself.
Especially the Gu Elder, who could clearly sense the change in her strength.
Origin Realm!
Ji Hongying had broken through to the Origin Realm.
Yet, despite her recent breakthrough, she exuded a dangerously potent aura to the Gu Elder.
"How... how is this possible?"
He widened his eyes in disbelief.
He himself possessed the strength of the Origin Core Realm and was skilled in Gu manipulation, making him far stronger than cultivators of the same level.
Yet now, he felt a dangerous aura from a cultivator who had just entered the Origin Realm. How could this not shock him?
"Hong... Hongying! Congratulations!"
Lin Fengxuan stiffly put on a smile, got up from the ground, and brushed the dirt off himself, trying to appear less disheveled.
"Heh!"
But his response was met with a cold scoff.
Ji Hongying showed no signs of stopping. Energy fluctuations emanated from her naturally lowered palms.
"Hong... Hongying! Actually, there are many misunderstandings between us. Will you listen to me explain?"
Lin Fengxuan could clearly feel a murderous intent approaching, so pure that it terrified him into retreating.
Seeing Lin Fengxuan still trying to quibble at this point, Ji Hongying's expression grew even more disgusted.
If he had been able to admit his faults openly, she might have regarded him with a little more respect. But alas, he revealed such a despicable face.
She had nothing more to say.
It was unnecessary!
And meaningless.
She just wanted to end this as quickly as possible.
As the power in her palm continued to condense, Lin Fengxuan could no longer maintain his composure. His face contorted, and he pointed at Ji Hongying, yelling, "Ji Hongying! Do you intend to commit patricide?"
At this point, Lin Fengxuan could only invoke his identity as her adoptive father. This was his last hope.
"Hahaha! I told you, you are not worthy of being a father!"
Ji Hongying's killing intent was now resolute.
When Lin Fengxuan had previously tried to control her with the Soul Devouring Demon Gu, the last shred of familial affection in her heart had been severed.
Therefore, Ji Hongying was now unburdened.
"Stop! I order you to stop!"
Lin Fengxuan retreated frantically, a ruthless glint in his eyes. With a wave of his sleeves, a swarm of black, writhing insects surged out from his body, charging wildly at Ji Hongying.
"Get... get back!"
Ji Hongying's eyes moved, and a surge of rosy aura emanated from her body. All the Gu worms seemed to lose all their strength, unable to even flap their wings.
They all plummeted to the ground.
"This... this is impossible?"
Lin Fengxuan could not believe his eyes. His last resort had been nullified by a mere glance from Ji Hongying.
What kind of power was this?
"Ji Hongying! I am your father, you cannot kill me, you cannot kill me!"
At this moment, Lin Fengxuan was rapidly descending into madness, roaring, "Are you trying to be rebellious? Stop... Ah!"
*Poof!*
Before he could finish his last words, his body shuddered violently. He lowered his head woodenly and looked at his chest, where a withered hand had somehow pierced through.
A large mouthful of blood gushed from his mouth.
"Mas... Master! Wh... why?"