On a picturesque mountain peak.
The sunlight was bright, birds sang amid fragrant blossoms, and the view stretched far and wide. The back of the mountain had a strong spiritual vein, making the feng shui seem exceptionally favorable.
This was the burial ground Yi Feng had deliberately chosen for himself.
The woman in light gauze was propped up beside him.
A cool breeze swept past, carrying a slight chill.
Yi Feng glanced at the thinly dressed woman and took out a robe from his spatial ring to drape over her.
Sure, this woman was detestable.
But given the leader’s laughable incompetence, even without her interference, she wouldn’t have been able to kill him anyway.
Besides, Yi Feng had never harbored any ill intentions toward her, nor had he ever thought of harming her. He was merely using her temporarily to draw the Hong Sect’s hatred.
Just thinking about it filled him with delight.
"Beauty, you’ll have to endure this hardship for a little while longer."
"Once I become invincible and immortal, I’ll repay you properly."
Lazily leaning against a rock, Yi Feng gazed at the distant sky, shaking his leg with anticipation as he muttered, "Hong Sect, oh Hong Sect, your experts had better hurry up..."
"Given your reputation as a notorious sect, your reaction should be swift. You’ll probably arrive in no time."
"And you won’t come alone—it’ll be a grand, overwhelming force..."
Meanwhile, within the Hong Sect.
The solemn great hall was packed with people.
Without exception, they were all the absolute upper echelons of the Hong Sect.
"Let me repeat—not a single word of this can be leaked. Unconditionally cooperate with Lady Piaomiao Hong!"
The Hong Sect’s sect master lowered his voice as he relayed the order to the crowd.
They nodded solemnly.
Though they didn’t know the full details, they were vaguely aware of the struggles among the Saints.
They understood all too well that in such conflicts, a mere sect like theirs had no right to participate. Even if they forced their way in, they’d only end up as cannon fodder.
Fortunately, Piaomiao Hong—a true powerhouse from the Heavenly Domain—had arrived with Luo Chen, the Butcher, and a maidservant in tow. She requested temporary lodging in their sect, asking only for secrecy, cooperation, and the concealment of their identities.
In return, once the struggle among the Saints concluded, the Hong Sect would receive some benefits.
Though the exact rewards weren’t specified, everyone knew that even the scraps from a powerhouse like Piaomiao Hong would be enough to fill their bellies.
If she were slightly more generous, perhaps the Hong Sect could even ascend to the ranks of a Dao Sect.
The mere thought made the future seem bright indeed.
Just as the Hong Sect’s higher-ups were indulging in these rosy visions, a panicked voice suddenly rang out from outside the hall.
"Sect Master! Sect Master, disaster has struck!"
The elder who had accompanied the convoy rushed in, frantic.
The sect master frowned, standing up urgently.
"Lady Piaomiao Hong—Lady Piaomiao Hong has been kidnapped!" the elder shouted before recounting the entire incident in detail.
The news sent shockwaves through the hall.
Their golden ticket, their powerful backer—snatched away by some terrifying mystery man?
What kind of cursed luck was this?!
"What about Luo Chen?" the sect master demanded, eyes wide.
"L-Luo Chen... he slashed at the man, but the attacker wasn’t even scratched. Luo Chen nearly died on the spot, then fled with Piaomiao Hong’s personal maidservant," the elder stammered.
The sect master’s face darkened to an ashen hue. Clutching his forehead in despair, he groaned, "After finally securing this connection, after clinging to such a powerful ally... The Hong Sect’s future as a Dao Sect rested entirely on her! How could this happen?!"
The blow had come right as they were dreaming of greatness.
"Sect Master, forget about the alliance for now—that’s not even the worst part!" the elder cried.
"The real problem is, since Lady Piaomiao Hong introduced herself as part of the Hong Sect, the kidnapper left a message: he’s waiting for us to come rescue her. If we don’t, he’ll annihilate the Hong Sect!"
The sect master nearly fainted on the spot, frantically pinching his philtrum to stay conscious.
The rest of the Hong Sect erupted into chaos.
What kind of cosmic joke was this?!
How could the Hong Sect possibly measure up?
Anyone capable of kidnapping Piaomiao Hong and scaring off Luo Chen was far beyond their league!
They weren’t even fit to be cannon fodder in this fight!
Truly, when gods war, mortals suffer.
"Reckless... so reckless!"
"We never should’ve gotten involved in the Saints’ conflict, never should’ve tied ourselves to Piaomiao Hong!"
Still pinching his philtrum, the sect master barked orders in a panic: "Lock down the mountain! Activate the protective formation! No one leaves—everyone hunkers down and plays turtle!"
Then, he traced a few talismanic symbols in the air before his chest and forehead, closing his eyes in devout prayer as his lips trembled.
"Ohhh mama mia... Bodhisattva, protect us... protect us..."