C675 Ann Ziqing's Plan

The streak of blood that escaped from the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area was none other than Ann Jieshan of the Blood God Cult.

It transformed silently into a sanguine shadow hovering above Treasure Lake.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a shower of blood rained down from the shadow, causing the "Blazing Soul Electric Current" that veiled the lake's surface to writhe intensely.

"It's been a while."

The blood shadow, Ann Jieshan, turned towards Yu Yuan, who was attempting to flee with the Evil Cauldron, only to be thwarted by a crimson barrier. "No need to panic; the girl won't harm you."

"How could I possibly harm the young master?" Ann Ziqing said with a sweet smile.

Qi Yunhong and Xie Binn watched as Ann Jieshan made his entrance, effortlessly slaughtering the foreign dignitaries on the lake, their faces etched with concern.

A contemporary of the Blood God Cult's founding Patriarch, Ann Jieshan was notoriously formidable within the Fallen Moon Forbidden Area.

Once free, he returned to the Blood God Cult and meticulously refined its myriad sophisticated techniques. He purged several brutal practices that involved the sacrifice of living beings, steering the Cult towards a marginally more righteous path.

His comeback breathed new life into the Blood God Cult, which had long been dismissed by both the Demon Palace and the Devil Palace.

Rumor had it that both palaces had begun to regard the Blood God Cult with newfound respect and were considering its inclusion.

Upon his return, Ann Jieshan swiftly regained his formidable powers.

His presence made Yu Yuan, along with Qi Yunhong and Xie Binn, realize a stark truth.

This was an elaborate snare laid by Ann Ziqing.

"Did you show up at the Clouds Sect Dao House to seek me out, or was it Xie Binn you were after?"

Yu Yuan, standing firm on the Evil Cauldron with a sword sheath in hand, questioned Ann Ziqing with an icy demeanor, "Were you aware that the 'Blazing Soul Electric Current' could be contained by the Ice Thunder Mark? Did you calculate that Qi Yunhong would detect its location and use the Illusion Pearl to extract us all?"

"Luan Bird City has its own code, shielded by a powerful formation. You wouldn't dare to act recklessly within its walls, so you waited until we were outside, where it would be easier for Elder Ann to strike, didn't you?"

Yu Yuan pieced it together in his mind.

He quickly realized that the current predicament was orchestrated by Ann Ziqing. She feigned unconsciousness, drawing him and Xie Binn into her trap, setting the stage for what was unfolding.

"Young Master remains as astute as ever."

With a sly smile, Ann Ziqing gestured towards Xie Binn. "The Ice Thunder Mark is of use to us. We'll discuss it once we've secured it."

Whoosh!

Ann Jieshan's blood-formed silhouette descended from above.

Like a bloody canopy birthed from a blood sacrifice array, it enveloped Xie Binn and the Ice Thunder Mark in an instant.

A colossal hand, wrought from vast Qi and blood, reached out and seized the Ice Thunder Mark that Xie Binn had summoned.

Ice filaments and lightning erupted from the Mark, riddling the sanguine hand with holes.

Yet, within a mere second, the hand mended itself and tightened its grip on the Ice Thunder Mark once more.

The violent blood force penetrating the hand's grasp methodically expelled Xie Binn's soul fragments embedded within the Mark.

Whoosh!

The hand whisked the Ice Thunder Mark before Ann Ziqing, who, clad in her purple divine armor, deftly stored it in her Universe Ring.

"Gather all the 'Soul Igniting Lightning,'" Ann Ziqing instructed with a light smile.

Qi Yunhong's expression grew grim as he sent the Illusion Pearl tumbling towards Treasure Lake.

His intent was clear: collect all the crimson lightning skimming the lake's surface before making his move against Ann Jieshan and Ann Ziqing.

But before he could act, Qi Yunhong noticed that each droplet of blood raining onto the lake encapsulated strands of Soul Igniting Lightning.

The very same 'Soul Igniting Lightning' that foreign visitors had brought for Qi Yunhong's cultivation and the Qi family's use was now being siphoned by the droplets of blood.

Defying gravity, the droplets surged upwards, streaming towards Ann Jieshan.

"Qi Yunhong, you're a betrayer of the Boundless Land, and you've grievously wounded me," declared Ann Ziqing with serene confidence. "It's only right that I reclaim this 'Soul Igniting Lightning' from beyond our realm. And as for you, even if I decree your death, you have no chance of survival."

Qi Yunhong, renowned throughout the Luan Bird Empire and the Thunder Sect, found himself at a loss for words.

His nature was wild and unpredictable, yet in the presence of Ann Jieshan, the ever-present shadow of death kept him lucid and cautious.

He knew all too well that he stood no chance against Ann Jieshan's formidable power and level.

"Young Master, I've obtained what I desired," Ann Ziqing said with a sly smile to Yu Yuan, "and I've decided to spare the lives of Xie Binn and Qi Yunhong."

With her declaration, the blood-red barrier that had trapped Yu Yuan vanished into thin air.

"Qi Yunhong, Senior Xie Binn, it's time for you to take your leave."

Ann Ziqing issued the dismissal, turning to her young master, "We need a moment to speak privately."

"There's nothing left to discuss," Yu Yuan replied, his tone icy as he steered the Evil Cauldron towards Luan Bird City.

Ann Ziqing had baited Xie Binn into a meeting with Qi Yunhong and seized the Ice Thunder Mark from the Small Thunder Sect, a move that crossed a line for Yu Yuan.

To him, Ann Ziqing's repeated transgressions meant he could never trust her again, regardless of any future dealings with the Blood God Cult.

Xie Binn fixed his eyes on Ann Ziqing. "What purpose does the Ice Thunder Mark serve for you?"

"It's not for me to keep," Ann Ziqing retorted, her brow furrowed. "I simply needed to secure it first to trade for something else."

"For the Thunder Sect, perhaps?" Xie Binn huffed.

Ann Ziqing remained silent.

"Mr. Xie, you're free to go," Ann Jieshan stated coolly.

Taking a deep breath, Xie Binn nodded. "Once my Yang God is fully formed, I will seek out the Blood God Cult to demand justice."

With those words, he set off in pursuit of Yu Yuan.

He was acutely aware that he was no match for Ann Jieshan and that reclaiming the Ice Thunder Mark would be a fool's errand. It was wiser to depart before Ann Ziqing and Ann Jieshan reconsidered their leniency.

As he made his move, he caught sight of Qi Yunhong already fleeing at breakneck speed.

In the blink of an eye, Ann Ziqing and Ann Jieshan were the only two left on the shores of Treasure Lake.

"Girl, by doing this, you're risking Yu Yuan's trust in you—possibly forever," Ann Jieshan, now a blood shadow hovering in the air, cautioned. "Our An Family shares some history with the Yu Family."

Upon his return to the Blood God Cult, Ann Jieshan learned from Ann Wen that the Yu Family descended from the Evil King Yu Xi.

Yu Xi and Ann Wen were comrades whose bonds were as strong as steel.

"It's okay," Ann Ziqing said, her smile unwavering. "The important thing is that he's alive. A little pressure can hasten his breakthroughs. The current ties between the Yu Family and our An Family, if any, will depend on how far they—or rather, how far Yu Yuan—can advance on the path of cultivation."

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