"Zhu Wu."
As she spoke, Zhu Wu arrived.
"Sheng Yi, Wu Ya, sorry about this. I had such bad luck; my clothes got dirty with bird droppings as I was coming, so I was delayed a bit," Zhu Wu explained softly, then greeted Li Shiqing.
Bai Shengyi said, "It's fine, there's still some time before the appointed hour."
She led the three of them towards where the other academy members were gathering.
However, upon reaching the location, Bai Shengyi couldn't help but frown deeply.
Standing there were Jin Lingyun, Jiang Ruomei, Jin Lingfeng, Qing Bu Li, and an unfamiliar, aloof woman.
"Junior Sister Bai, what a coincidence."
Jin Lingyun licked his teeth, casting a sinister gaze at Bai Shengyi. If it weren't for this woman, he wouldn't have been so frustrated recently!
He hadn't expected this woman to have such good luck and get into the academy. He was already vexed about where to vent the pent-up anger from this period, and here she was, walking right into his path.
Jiang Ruomei saw the possessive look in Jin Lingyun's eyes and breathed a slight sigh of relief. It hadn't been in vain that she had informed Jin Lingyun of Bai Shengyi's impending arrival.
"Bai Shengyi, so you're the new disciples we're supposed to escort. You can follow Senior Brother Jin later. Senior Brother is powerful, so you won't drag us down," Jiang Ruomei said solicitously.
Bai Shengyi waved her hand indifferently, "No need. I won't be traveling with you after we enter the secret realm."
Jiang Ruomei frowned. How could this be acceptable?
"Ignorant fool!" Jin Lingfeng, watching from the side, couldn't help but interject, "This Junior Sister, do you know how dangerous the Qianyun Secret Realm is? It's not a place for you novices to play around!"
The way he said it made Feng Wuya and the others around Bai Shengyi frown.
Feng Wuya couldn't help but ask, "Has Senior Brother reached the Golden Core stage?"
Jin Lingfeng's expression darkened.
Was the Golden Core stage so easy to achieve?
Such arrogance!
"Hmph! Although His Highness the Crown Prince hasn't reached the Golden Core stage, he's already at the seventh layer of Foundation Establishment. Reaching the Golden Core is only a matter of time," Jiang Ruomei said with full confidence. "Bai Shengyi, Senior Brother Jin and I are both at the sixth layer of Foundation Establishment. Letting you follow is for your own good."
They had been cultivating in the academy for over a year. Even if they couldn't compare to those heavenly prodigies, surely they were better than these newcomers? She didn't believe Bai Shengyi wouldn't be tempted by their formidable presence!
"That's right, Junior Sister Bai. Give Senior Brother a chance to take good care of you," Jin Lingyun emphasized the word "take care of," staring intently at Bai Shengyi.
Feng Wuya frowned, wanting to shield Bai Shengyi, but saw her shake her head.
"Scram. You're stinking up my nose," Bai Shengyi said indifferently, fanning the air near her nose. "Also, please call me Aunt, don't mess up the seniority."
"Bai Shengyi! You..." Jin Lingyun's composure instantly broke, and he made a move to attack.
"Meow!"
The Crescent Moon Cat was startled awake by his angry roar and suddenly leaped out.
"Ah!"
Jin Lingyun cried out, and a claw mark instantly appeared on his face.
"Bai Shengyi, your spirit beast injured Senior Brother Jin!"
Jiang Ruomei rushed to Jin Lingyun's side to check, but Jin Lingyun pushed her away.
Jiang Ruomei, however, wasn't angry. Instead, she took this opportunity to distance herself. A commotion would be good, as it would surely shift Jin Lingyun's target!
"So what if he's injured?"
Bai Shengyi responded nonchalantly, then beckoned, and the Crescent Moon Cat obediently returned to her arms.
She took out Feng Wuya's handkerchief and wiped its paws, "Be careful not to get your hands dirty."
"Bai Shengyi!"
Jin Lingyun, already enraged, became even more furious upon hearing this, his features contorted with anger.
"Good! Very good! If you have the guts, hide when we get into the secret realm, and don't let this Prince find you!"
"Big Brother, the academy elder is here," Jin Lingfeng reminded the out-of-control Jin Lingyun with a frown.
Jin Lingyun felt a surge of anger stuck in his chest, unable to rise or fall. He gnashed his teeth and glared at Bai Shengyi as if with knives.
Bai Shengyi sneered, focusing on petting the cat, not even sparing him a glance. Idiot, we'll settle this in the secret realm!
The academy elder leading the group this time was very taciturn. By the time the Qianyun Secret Realm opened, he had only said one sentence.
"The secret realm will close in half a month. I will wait for you here. Pay attention to the time."
"Yes," the aloof woman standing in Jin Lingyun's group, who had remained silent, said respectfully to the elder, "Thank you, Elder Ling."
"Elder Ling?" Feng Wuya felt a sense of familiarity but was soon too preoccupied with the opening of the secret realm barrier.
Unlike the dazzling radiance when the Liuguang Secret Realm opened, here, deep within the sea of clouds, lightning crackled, fierce winds raged, and amidst the dizzying turmoil, a pulling force drew them all in.
"Jiang Ruomei, help me find Bai Shengyi!" Jin Lingyun commanded as soon as they entered the secret realm.
The aloof woman said coldly, "Jin Lingyun, don't forget why you are entering the secret realm with me this time."
"Senior Sister You Yue, if this revenge isn't exacted, my hatred will never cease!" Although Jin Lingyun was somewhat intimidated by Yun Youyue, his anger took precedence.
Yun Youyue looked at Jin Lingyun coldly and said proudly, "After things are done, you will have your chance for revenge."
Jin Lingyun, staring at her, could only say reluctantly, "I understand."
"You Yue, don't worry, we will definitely help you," Jin Lingfeng interjected to ease the atmosphere. "Big Brother was just angered by that Junior Sister, he didn't intend to disrupt your plans."
"I know, Junior Uncle," Yun Youyue's cold expression softened slightly. "It's just that this matter concerns my breakthrough to a fifth-tier artifact refiner, which is why I'm a bit anxious."
She was a natural talent for artifact refining and the daughter of Yun Kai, a ninth-tier artifact refiner. She had always been the center of attention and everything had gone smoothly.
However, this time, she had been stuck at the fifth tier for too long. Her father had spent great effort having the Xun family divine her fate, only to learn that this was her destined tribulation.
Although the Xun family also said it was just a minor tribulation and she was a person of great fortune who would surely break through.
But she had become too impatient waiting.
So, when she heard that the legendary Starfall Emperor Realm was the Eye of the Gods, capable of seeing through all difficulties, she had unhesitatingly asked her father to arrange for her to enter the Qianyun Secret Realm.
"Don't worry, if there's an opportunity, I will help my junior brother get his revenge," Yun Youyue added.
"Hmm? Where's Qing Bu Li?" Jiang Ruomei whispered, "He doesn't seem to be with us."
"It's fine, we can look for him while we search for what You Yue needs," Jin Lingfeng said.
As they spoke, Yun Youyue took out an item, tossed it into the sky, and it instantly transformed into a green flying bird, soaring eastward.
"There was a trace of the Starfall Emperor Realm appearing in the east before. Let's follow."
On the other side, Feng Wuya also pointed at the green bird and said, "This is a magic treasure given to me by my master. It can record the aura of spiritual items. She recorded the aura of the Starfall Emperor Realm over twenty years ago when she was traveling with Junior Aunt Qianying. Ah, speaking of which, I suppose I should call you Aunt too."
Feng Wuya was gradually veering off-topic.
Bai Shengyi said helplessly, "There's no need. Just call me by my name. Let's go, I've left messages on the communication talismans of Zhu Wu and Li Shiqing, they'll also head east when they hear from me."
"Alright."
Feng Wuya was not one to dawdle, and immediately set off with Bai Shengyi on their swords.
The Qianyun Secret Realm was rich in Liuguang Yun Jin, with colorful clouds floating everywhere. Looking around, it was as if they were in a sea of five-colored clouds, with nowhere to land.
"Why are there still these clouds? No change at all. Have we encountered a phantom maze?" Feng Wuya suspected they were going in circles.