Gu Qingcheng paused and continued, "It was because the master began to focus on cultivating me and neglected Senior Sister Ji, causing resentment to grow in her heart, which eventually became serious."
"As a result, she wanted to continuously improve her own strength to prove to the master her capabilities, and finally she stole the forbidden technique Demonic Melody Art from the Tianyin Sect."
"This technique is a nefarious art passed down by the ancestors of the Tianyin Sect. Although practicing it can quickly enhance one’s personal strength, it is easy to injure oneself and fall into the Demonic Path, and thus the Tianyin Sect forbids its practice."
"In the end, Senior Sister Ji practiced it, was discovered, severely injured by our master, and ultimately fled from the Tianyin Sect."
After listening to Gu Qingcheng’s narration, Xiao Yifeng realized that Ji Sanniang also had such a past.
"If she is captured and taken back to the Tianyin Sect, what would be the consequences?"
Xiao Yifeng looked at Ji Sanniang.
"If the Demonic Melody Art and all her cultivated strength were abolished, she would be imprisoned in the Tianyin Sect for life,"
Gu Qingcheng said in a deep voice.
Xiao Yifeng’s eyes sparkled.
"Your relationship with her seems quite complicated. Have you known each other for a long time?"
Gu Qingcheng’s gaze swept to Xiao Yifeng.
"No, just friends, just concerned,"
In Yanjing, within a certain valley, there was a bamboo hut where Xiao Yiyun was sitting cross-legged. At that moment, streams of nature’s spiritual energy converged towards him, eventually all flowing into his body.
After an unknown amount of time, a surge of powerful energy erupted from Xiao Yiyun, boosting his strength directly to the Half-Step Saint Realm, just one step shy of entering the Saint Realm.
Soon the surge of energy dissipated, and Xiao Yiyun opened his eyes, a sharp glint flashing briefly.
At that moment, An Juntian walked in from outside.
Xiao Yiyun hurriedly got up and called.
"Good, in such a short time, your strength has increased so much; indeed, you have not disappointed my expectations!"
An Juntian said to Xiao Yiyun lightly.
"Master, Yiyun has still let you down, failing to break through to the Saint Realm."
A look of disappointment flashed in Xiao Yiyun’s eyes.
"Do not think too much; entering the Saint Realm is not something easily achieved. Even among the major Sect Families of the Martial Arts World, how many of your age have broken through to the Saint Realm."
"So there is no need to rush. With your talent and my help, breaking through to the Saint Realm is just a matter of time, and you have already perfected your cultivation of Primordial Chaos True Qi."
"With the Primordial Chaos True Qi combined with a Spiritual Artifact and other techniques, you can even handle early-stage experts of the Saint Realm, so don’t worry too much."
"This time I must defeat that lad squarely and let him know that he will always be trampled under my feet."
A fierce glint flashed in Xiao Yiyun’s eyes as he spoke sternly.
"That lad’s strength has also greatly increased; he is now in the Middle Stage of the Condensing Qi Realm. However, it is said he has killed an expert of the Saint Realm from the Wu Family, but the details are not clear."
"Furthermore, he has now joined the Dragon Soul and has become a member of the Zilongwei. If you want to deal with him, you must be fully prepared. Here is an Elixir for you; it can temporarily enhance your strength when needed!"
An Juntian said, handing an Elixir to Xiao Yiyun.
"Thank you, Master. Please rest assured, disciple will not disgrace you. I will surely defeat him. Even if he has joined the Zilongwei, he will still be trampled underfoot by me!"
Xiao Yiyun said solemnly, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"That’s the spirit! Worthy of being my disciple, An Juntian. I believe you can do it!"
An Juntian nodded his head.
As time passed, night fell.
At the Sunx family residence, Patriarch Sunx Jinguo was sipping tea when Clan Head Sunx Youpeng hurriedly entered.
"Father, something terrible has happened."
Sunx Jinguo asked indifferently.
"Xiao Xiao has disappeared."
Sunx Youpeng said gravely.
"What? Xiao Xiao has disappeared?"
At that moment, Sunx Jinguo was so shocked that his teacup almost flew from his hand, his expression filled with astonishment.
"Yes, Xiao Xiao should have been home from work an hour ago, but she never came. I went to the hospital to look for her, but her colleague said she had left work early. I called her, but no one answered, and none of her friends know where she is."
Sunx Youpeng continued earnestly.
"Damn it, what are you still doing standing here? Quickly assemble a team, notify the police, and launch a citywide search immediately! If anything happens to Xiao Xiao, I will hold you responsible. Wasn’t it you who promised Xiao Xiao that she could experience a normal life and insisted on not having guards follow her? Would this have happened otherwise?"
Sunx Jinguo glared at Sunx Youpeng, his voice filled with anger.
"Father, I came here to inform you. Don’t worry, Xiao Xiao is my daughter, I will ensure nothing happens to her."
Sunx Youpeng said, then quickly left the place.
After Sunx Youpeng left, Sunx Jinguo paced back and forth, looking very anxious.
In a high-end restaurant in Yanjing, in a private room, Nalan Yunfei was dressed in a silver-white gown.
The room’s door opened, and Xiao Yifeng entered.
Nalan Yunfei quickly got up, her face bearing a smile as she looked at Xiao Yifeng.
"Miss Nalan is looking very pretty today!"
Xiao Yifeng glanced at Nalan Yunfei and said with a smile.
"Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Xiao. Please, have a seat."
Nalan Yunfei spoke, pulled out a chair for Xiao Yifeng, who then took a seat, and she sat next to him.
"Mr. Xiao, thank you for accepting my invitation. Cheers!"
Nalan Yunfei poured Xiao Yifeng a glass of wine and raised her glass.
"To have dinner with such a beautiful woman as Miss Nalan is my honor. How could I refuse?"
Xiao Yifeng slightly smiled, lifted his glass, and the two clinked glasses and drank in one gulp.
"Miss Nalan has a good tolerance for liquor!"
Xiao Yifeng remarked with a laugh.
"Mr. Xiao, you flatter me!"
Nalan Yunfei responded with a gentle smile.
"Is there another reason Miss Nalan invited me to dinner?"
Xiao Yifeng cut a piece of steak, swallowed it, and then asked.
"Mr. Xiao, I have always admired you greatly and hoped to establish a connection, to enhance our relationship!"
Nalan Yunfei spoke tenderly, leaning slightly towards Xiao Yifeng.