Chapter 464: The Profound Water Banner

As the Zichen Sect army approached, the atmosphere in the Youyun Sect grew tense once more.

This time was different from before—the Zichen Sect had brought hostages!

Almost all the high-ranking members of the Youyun Sect were in the hands of the Zichen Sect. What could they do with this threat?

“Those bastards from the Zichen Sect are so despicable! Unable to defeat us head-on, they threaten us with the lives of the Supreme Elders and the Sect Leader!”

“Heh, those guys have no sense of shame. Isn't treachery and cunning what they do best? If they hadn't endured for years and pushed the Tianqian Sect to the forefront, would the Southern Domain have fallen so easily?”

“Brother Mo, Brother Tianyu, why don't you go ask Senior Brother Ye? We have no confidence at all!”

It had to be said, Lin Feng's move was indeed ruthless.

The Youyun Sect's only reliance was its protective grand formation, but Lin Feng's tactic was meant to force people out of the formation.

This desperate strategy was truly flawless.

Tianyu and Mo Yuntian exchanged glances and nodded simultaneously.

No matter how much progress they had made, against the powerful Zichen Sect, they had no means to fight back.

Their only hope was Ye Yuan!

But when they arrived at Ye Yuan's residence, they found he wasn't there.

After asking around, no one knew where Ye Yuan had gone.

...

Moonlight was like water, and two figures appeared outside the mountain gate of the Youyun Sect.

“How have you been lately, Miss Yue?”

“By Young Master Ye's side, Li'er has suffered much less pain.”

“Alas, it's a pity I'm too busy now, or I could help you search for the Azure Spirit Tree. The Boundless Forest is vast and rich; perhaps we might find the Azure Spirit Tree there!”

“The Boundless Forest... it seems quite extraordinary. I've been there before, but I only ventured ten thousand li deep and dared not go further. Such a terrifying place exists in a lower realm! If it's there, perhaps the Azure Spirit Tree really does exist, but... it's too dangerous. I wouldn't want you to take such a risk for me.”

“Miss Yue, saying that makes you seem distant. If I remember correctly, during this trip to the secret realm, you saved me at least three times, right? If I hadn't met you, Miss Yue, would I still be alive to speak now?”

Yue Mengli covered her mouth and laughed, “Didn't Young Master Ye save me too?”

When alone with Ye Yuan, Yue Mengli showed her true face.

Looking at a beauty under the moonlight, Yue Mengli's gentle smile seemed to stir the moon in the sky, making the night itself enchanted!

Ye Yuan was momentarily captivated.

“So beautiful!” Ye Yuan couldn't help but praise.

Yue Mengli was startled, then blushed deeply and lowered her head.

Since she had grown up, countless men had praised Yue Mengli, but she dismissed their flattery with disdain.

Yet, for some reason, hearing Ye Yuan's words today made her heart flutter.

Over this long period, Yue Mengli had quietly followed Ye Yuan and knew his character well.

She knew that Ye Yuan's words just now were sincere praise, without any hint of frivolity.

Ye Yuan was not a womanizer; otherwise, with a stunning beauty like Xiao Ruyan before him, most men would have taken her as a concubine long ago, and their relationship wouldn't be what it is now.

Because of this, Ye Yuan's praise was all the more precious.

Ye Yuan also realized he had lost his composure and smiled awkwardly, “Miss Yue...”

“Young Master Ye, just call me Li'er, or Mengli will do,” Yue Mengli interrupted.

Ye Yuan didn't stand on ceremony and nodded, “Then I'll call you Li'er. You don't have to keep calling me Young Master Ye; just call me by my name.”

Yue Mengli nodded, and Ye Yuan continued, “How could that count as saving you? I was just showing off my limited skills.”

Yue Mengli shook her head, “At that time, with my appearance, we were strangers, yet you risked your life to save Li'er. I have always been grateful. Moreover, you, Ye Yuan, have a healer's heart. Seeing my strange illness, you didn't hesitate to tell me the pill formula and soul secret technique. Such magnanimity is precious to Li'er.”

Ye Yuan laughed heartily, “Alright, alright, let's stop flattering each other. I have everything under control. Leave Li'er's illness to me! Once the Youyun Sect matter is settled, I will enter the Boundless Forest to find the Azure Spirit Tree for you.”

Yue Mengli smiled radiantly, “Then Li'er thanks you in advance.”

After speaking, the two smiled at each other, and the atmosphere became somewhat ambiguous.

As they walked, they fell into silence.

Finally, Yue Mengli broke the silence: “Ye Yuan, you are truly a genius. I can see that your current aura is stronger than even a third-level Sea Transformation cultivator! Within the Sea Transformation realm, you have few rivals! And when you were at the Crystal Formation stage, you actually comprehended the embryonic form of the Supreme True Intent—it's unimaginable! With your talent, even in the Divine Realm, you would be among the top. It's hard to believe you come from a small secular kingdom.”

Yue Mengli's insight was far beyond that of lower-realm martial artists; many things they didn't understand, she knew.

But the more she knew, the more she felt Ye Yuan was an enigma.

Perhaps it was this enigmatic quality that deeply attracted her.

“Heh, I have had some opportunities, and I am not unfamiliar with matters of the Divine Realm. But I have my own unspeakable difficulties. If the opportunity arises, I will certainly tell you everything,” Ye Yuan said.

Yue Mengli's eyes flickered, and she sighed softly, “A genius like you must have your secrets. I won't ask.”

Ye Yuan smiled slightly, feeling that Yue Mengli was truly considerate.

Her words and actions gave one a feeling of a spring breeze.

“Thank you, Li'er,” Ye Yuan smiled.

Yue Mengli laughed, “You asked me to leave the sect with you late at night—surely it's not just to chat and admire the moon?”

Ye Yuan laughed heartily, “Of course not!”

As he spoke, Ye Yuan suddenly burst into action, shooting a sword finger toward the dense forest.

A flash of green light streaked into the forest and disappeared.

“Ah!” A scream came—someone had been lurking there!

Yue Mengli showed no surprise, clearly having known all along.

At that moment, two dark figures not far away suddenly sprang up and fled in panic.

Ye Yuan sneered and shot two more sword beams!

Two more screams rang out.

Ye Yuan clapped his hands, “Alright, those peeping pests are dealt with. Now we can get down to business!”

Saying this, Ye Yuan took out a small banner from his storage ring—it was the Profound Water Banner that Wei Xiao had given him back in the Grand Void Space!

Yue Mengli's gaze sharpened, “It's an array artifact!”

“Heh, good eye, Li'er!” Ye Yuan laughed.

“What are you planning to...” Yue Mengli asked curiously.

“You'll see in a moment.”

With that, Ye Yuan channeled his yuan power, and the Profound Water Banner burst into dazzling light!