Mo Qi's hair stood on end, and he blurted out, "She's your sister Lianxin, what did you do to her?"
"I know," Kong Er Ren said with a smile, "I didn't do anything. Believe me, look," he turned to Xue Ying, "Lianxin, who is this person opposite you?"
A cold glint suddenly flashed in Xue Ying's eyes, startling Mo Qi. "He is Mo Qi, Lianxi's lover. In his previous life, he was Li Fan, whom I killed."
For a moment, Mo Qi truly believed that the person before him was Lianxin.
But the real Lianxin was already dead!
She couldn't be Lianxin; she was Xue Ying!
Her aura, her unique demeanor, everything about her made Mo Qi very certain that she was Xue Ying.
But, the dreadful part was, she now believed she was Lianxin!
What sorcery had Kong Er Ren used on her?
Mo Qi was anxious and furious. "You beast, you deserve to die. Quickly restore her with whatever sorcery you used, or I'll skin you, dismember you, and scatter your remains!"
"You should worry about yourself. You're not leaving today," Kong Er Ren said calmly.
As he spoke, Kong Er Ren made a sweeping motion with his hand, and a rotating disc of light appeared before him, filled with dense holes. Light surged out like a tide, striking towards Mo Qi.
Mo Qi immediately raised his hand and unleashed "Star Sea Illusory Flow"!
A blinding expanse of starlight erupted and met the attack.
Simultaneously, the fully armed men around Kong Er Ren charged forward. Little Blood Man, Little Dot, Little Yi, Fire Demon, Sun Qian, Yu Quan Lin, Dou Wu, and Zi Luo all engaged. Sun Qian faced Xue Ying.
Xue Ying's attacks were ruthless and aimed to kill, while Sun Qian fought with restraint, afraid to use her full strength.
She had overheard Mo Qi's conversation with Kong Er Ren and knew Xue Ying was someone Mo Qi cared deeply about, so she dared not deliver a fatal blow.
Originally, her cultivation was higher than Xue Ying's, but due to her holding back, she appeared to be at a disadvantage.
Xue Ying's cultivation had undergone a dramatic transformation, astonishing even Mo Qi.
To be able to traverse space without being annihilated, besides whatever special method Kong Er Ren had employed, was certainly related to her increased cultivation. Mo Qi wondered what Kong Er Ren had fed her, as she had now reached the Upper Saint realm.
But what was the use of increased cultivation alone?
She was no longer herself!
She had become the very image of what she once abhorred!
If she had a choice, she would have preferred not to have such a breakthrough.
At this moment, Mo Qi poured all his strength into a Star Sea Illusory Flow, which finally collided with the disc's radiance.
With a deafening roar, the light shattered, scattering everywhere. The starlight broke apart like shards of glass. However, the disc's light, as it spun, resembled a meat grinder with rows of blades, churning and roaring forward, shredding the starlight and relentlessly advancing towards Mo Qi.
Even from a distance, Mo Qi could feel the heart-piercing power, the scorching heat that threatened to char his skin.
The continuously flowing Star Sea Illusory Flow was also being torn apart. If he didn't adjust quickly, Mo Qi seemed destined for death.
In desperation, Mo Qi summoned his Qiankun Ring, which glowed, attempting to ensnare the disc's light.
However, within the disc's radiance, light swords rotated, revealing themselves like sinister, terrifying fangs, exuding an endless bloody aura.
As these light swords churned, they shattered the light emanating from the Qiankun Ring and struck it to the ground, breaking it.
Mo Qi was greatly shocked. Kong Er Ren seemed to have truly awakened; his cultivation had also undergone a monumental change compared to last time.
Last time, he could barely fight him, but now, Mo Qi felt utterly outmatched.
Kong Er Ren burst into laughter. "Do you see the gap between us now? It's not too late to realize it; at least, you can die with your eyes open."
The swirling, churning light continued forward, unstoppable.
Mo Qi retreated repeatedly. In his desperation, he raised his hand, and a lotus-shaped green light shot out, exploding with a roar, shattering the dense sword light. The green light continued to surge forward, striking towards Kong Er Ren.
Meanwhile, Mo Qi's figure was sent flying backward, crashing a considerable distance away.
Kong Er Ren let out a surprised "Oh," taken aback by Mo Qi's performance. This should have been a crushing victory, but he hadn't expected the opponent to still have a trump card.
However, the green lotus was already weak by the time it arrived. Kong Er Ren simply waved his hand, and the green light dissipated like smoke.
Seeing someone blocking the enemy for him, Wan Yan Hong Liang felt an opportunity had arisen and attempted to escape through a side door with the support of others.
Kong Er Ren noticed this, immediately abandoned Mo Qi, and went after Wan Yan Hong Liang.
If he allowed him to escape, all his efforts would be in vain. At the very least, conquering his empire would be much more difficult, as the two armies outside were still locked in battle. If he could capture Wan Yan Hong Liang directly, the war would end quickly. If he couldn't, the situation would be entirely different.
Seeing Kong Er Ren pursue Wan Yan Hong Liang, Mo Qi let him go and lunged towards Xue Ying.
As he approached Xue Ying, he moved with lightning speed, attempting to subdue her. However, Xue Ying suddenly turned her head and exhaled towards him. The fragrance was intoxicating.
Mo Qi immediately felt a sharp pain in his head, a sense of dizziness, and his legs felt unsteady, as if he were about to collapse!
Who had taught her this?
Why had he never known she had this move before?
If he fell now, it would be over. He might even die at Xue Ying's hands. When she eventually woke up, wouldn't she cry her eyes out?
So, to prevent her from crying, he struggled to remain standing, shook his head, and took a potent awakening pill, stabilizing himself temporarily.
However, his head still throbbed with pain.
He couldn't stay here!
He knew that no matter what, he couldn't take Xue Ying away today, nor could he kill Lian Min. The best outcome now was for his people to retreat safely without any losses.
As for Xue Ying, he could only address the root cause by directly destroying Kong Er Ren in the future, which would solve all problems.
But he couldn't defeat him today.
If he didn't eliminate Kong Er Ren, even if he took her away, he would still face many difficult issues. She would constantly try to escape, and since she believed she was Lianxin, he couldn't possibly live with Lianxin!
Therefore, it was best to leave for now and figure out a solution later.
He drew a line in the air, splitting space in two. He then drew several more lines, forming a square shape that enclosed everyone present. He then performed a hand seal, and the scene before him flickered chaotically. In an instant, they found themselves in a forest.
Mo Qi's head was pounding, but he couldn't afford to hesitate. He quickly took stock of their numbers: Little Yi, Sun Qian, Zi Luo, two bodyguards, Little Dot, Little Blood Man, Fire Demon – not a single one was missing.
However, who were these extra people?
Upon closer inspection, most of them were women, all appearing beautiful, gentle, and refined.
"Who are you all?" Mo Qi asked.
Before they could speak, Zi Luo said, "These are Wan Yan Hong Liang's concubines, princesses, and eunuchs."
Oh?
Mo Qi's eyes lit up, then he cleared his throat and said, "The eunuchs are free to leave. Go back and protect your master. Wan Yan Hong Liang is in danger right now, and it's time for you to show your loyalty."
The eunuchs exchanged glances.
One eunuch, with painted makeup, said, "We don't even know where we are, how can we go back? You brought us out, so you must be responsible for sending us back."
Another eunuch immediately tugged at him, then looked at Mo Qi and said obsequiously, "I know how to get back, so you don't need to trouble yourself." He then, along with others, dragged the first eunuch away.
Judging by the direction they were heading, it was clearly the opposite direction of the royal palace!
This wasn't going back to show loyalty; it was clearly an opportunity to flee for their lives.
Mo Qi felt a bit dejected. He had saved their lives, and not even a thank you.
Such ingratitude!
Mo Qi cursed inwardly, then turned to the women, who were all looking panicked. "As for you..."
One woman, who appeared to be a concubine, immediately knelt on the ground. "Young master, your kindness is immeasurable. If you do not find it distasteful, I am willing to follow you, to serve you like an ox or a horse, never to leave your side."
Seeing her tearful, delicate appearance, she was truly pitiable.
Mo Qi's heart immediately softened.
"This... well... it seems... acceptable," Mo Qi stammered.
"No, this isn't proper. You are a man of marriageable age, traveling with so many women. People will talk," Sun Qian said.
Mo Qi roughly counted them; there were about twenty-odd.
They were charming and alluring, a beautiful sight!
However, this also brought many worries and constant trouble.
While he was hesitating, Little Yi said, "Let's go together. It's more lively with more people. I like liveliness."
Sun Qian pouted.
Mo Qi looked at Zi Luo. "What do you think we should do?"
Zi Luo felt a bit overwhelmed with gratitude. "Do I still have a say... Well, I think..."
"Then perhaps you shouldn't say anything," Mo Qi waved his hand.
Zi Luo also pouted and remained silent.
"I believe saving a life is better than building a seven-story pagoda. With so many delicate women traveling alone, not to mention their ability to survive, in this chaotic world with rampant bandits, if they encounter them, they will be like jackals meeting lambs, devoured without a trace," Mo Qi declared with great magnanimity. "I will send you to a safe place. Gentlemen like me are rare. I will protect you well along the way, ensuring you suffer no harm."
"Yes, yes..." the women all nodded.
"I want to go back to find my father!" a weak voice chimed in.
Then, a concubine next to her slapped her. "Your father is already dead. The Jin dynasty has fallen. You're still thinking of finding your father and living a life of luxury. That will never happen again."
Mo Qi followed the sound and looked at a woman around sixteen years old (or so she appeared). She had fair skin, delicate features, and a graceful figure. She was covering her cheek, crying aggrievedly. "I'm not going back to find my father for a life of luxury, but to stand by his side. He is facing ferocious enemies alone right now; how lonely and helpless he must be!"
As she spoke, she broke down in tears.
At least she had some conscience!
Mo Qi's heart stirred. He stepped forward and pulled her out from the crowd. "What is your name?"
"Wan Yan Ting!" the woman replied, neither subservient nor overbearing.
"Good, Wan Yan Ting. Your loyalty and righteousness deeply move me. I have decided to fulfill your wish. I will send you back immediately so you can fight alongside your father." Mo Qi said.
"Thank you for your trouble," Wan Yan Ting replied, her expression unchanged.