All of this was merely speculation derived from Yi Feng's conversation.
Concrete conclusions would require further verification.
Coincidentally, $2he ripples of battle echoed from nearby.
Humans are naturally drawn to spectacles.
The two walked to an open area and saw two figures clashing in the skies as they fought.
In a world of immortal cultivation, such battles were all too common.
One of them swung his sword downward.
Violent energy surges filled the heavens, and wind blades scattered everywhere.
Yet, his opponent dodged the strike, leaving it to land empty.
The missed slash struck the ground, cleaving a small mountain range in half with devastating force, while a nearby river was severed mid-flow.
The two were clearly locked in a fierce battle, entangled in mid-air as they fought and flew, vanishing from sight in mere moments.
Piaomiao Hong remained utterly unfazed.
Though the battle appeared dazzling and awe-inspiring, the combatants' strength was, in truth, mediocre.
After reaching the Dao Mirror realm, the fluctuations of battle became restrained, with not a shred of excess energy leaking out.
This was especially true for realms beyond Harmony with the Dao, where killing was executed seamlessly, and clashes were contests of one's Dao itself.
Thus, such flashy yet ultimately ineffective attacks were typically the work of lower-level cultivators.
Probably around the seventh or eighth Heavenly Tribulation realm.
To Piaomiao Hong, it held no interest whatsoever.
However, $2i Feng stood there, mouth agape in admiration.
"Such a dazzling attack… those peerless experts…"
"Ah, what a shame! They're gone. I should’ve rushed right between them earlier."
Yi Feng was deeply frustrated.
Frustrated that he hadn’t acted decisively enough to charge forward.
Had he done so, such an overpowering attack would surely have ended him.
The corner of Piaomiao Hong’s mouth twitched.
At that moment, she became certain of her earlier conjecture.
This man before her was absurdly powerful, yet he had no clear grasp of his own—or others’—strength.
Yi Feng waved his hand.
Another month wasted, all for nothing.
With the Hong Sect disbanded, keeping this woman around served no purpose.
Still, the thought rankled—how could the Hong Sect dissolve so carelessly? A proper sect, just gone like that.
Piaomiao Hong nodded.
She, too, felt a mix of ruefulness and self-mockery.
She had believed herself locked in a battle of wits with Yi Feng, only to realize he was nothing like she imagined.
The outcome was truly beyond expectations.
But just as she prepared to leave, a bold idea struck her.
"Perhaps… we could strike a deal," she said, turning back.
"What kind of deal?" Yi Feng asked.
"I might have a way to help you die."
After a brief pause, she spoke seriously.
Finding someone of Yi Feng’s caliber to defeat and kill him was likely impossible. But with Yi Feng himself eager to die, there were surely many avenues to explore.
Moreover, given her connections, she had the means to locate perilous places that could pose a genuine threat to him.
Yi Feng’s eyes lit up. The proposal intrigued him.
After all, his understanding of this world was limited. Just two years ago, he’d been nothing more than a martial arts school owner in Pingjiang City.
This woman before him, though weak, had at least been part of the Hong Sect—her knowledge surely surpassed his.
"However, you should understand—this may take time," Piaomiao Hong cautioned.
She had no way of gauging Yi Feng’s true strength. His wish might be fulfilled swiftly… or it could take years.
After so many failed attempts, he knew better than to rush things.
Piaomiao Hong then added solemnly, "I’ll employ every means to fulfill your wish. But in return, should I require your assistance during this process, I hope you’ll lend your strength."
Yi Feng agreed without hesitation.
Seeing his immediate acceptance, Piaomiao Hong’s brows relaxed imperceptibly.
With the struggle for the Sage’s throne underway, having an unpredictable powerhouse like Yi Feng as an ally would be invaluable.
As for the rest, she didn’t pry.
She didn’t ask why Yi Feng sought death.
His naivety aside, some boundaries were not to be crossed…
Piaomiao Hong understood this well.
"So, what’s next?" Yi Feng asked.
After a pause, Piaomiao Hong produced a map.
"I’ll mark a location for you. It’s extremely dangerous—perhaps enough to grant your wish."
She marked a spot carefully before handing it over.
"You sure about this?"
Recalling the Terror Forest, Yi Feng voiced his skepticism.
Piaomiao Hong caught his meaning and clarified, "In terms of danger, the Terror Forest doesn’t compare to this place."
"Though… whether it fulfills your wish remains uncertain."
Yi Feng took the map, studying the marked location before nodding.
Regardless of her claims, he would investigate. Success or not, at least he had a new goal.
"But if I die there outright, wouldn’t you be at a loss?"
Yi Feng could tell this weakling woman sought to leverage his strength through their agreement. Not that he minded—it was a straightforward exchange, not exploitation.
"If you truly succeed, consider it a gesture of goodwill."
Her stance was clear.
She wasn’t waiting for Yi Feng’s help before aiding him. Instead, she offered her sincerity upfront.
This sincerity did earn Yi Feng’s favor.
"Don’t worry. With your sincerity, I won’t forget you after I die."
Yi Feng chuckled casually.
Piaomiao Hong glanced at him subtly.
He didn’t seek true death, but rather a form of feigned demise—perhaps to cultivate some technique or artifact?
Regardless, this bond was now forged.
Piaomiao Hong felt a quiet sense of fortune.