Back at the assassin branch, Lu Fan finally met everyone, a smile gracing his face. He had intended to deal with the Lin family's grand-uncle but, lacking news of him, returned to the Dynasty with Gui Ying and the others.
"Congratulations on your safe return, Branch Master!"
Xu Fei and the others cupped their fists, joy evident in their eyes. They had been extremely worried since Lu Fan's departure, and his safe return naturally brought them happiness.
"Upon my return, I've also brought back a master!"
Lu Fan’s gaze fell upon the old madman. "With him guarding the branch's gates from now on, it will surely be foolproof!"
"And who might this be?"
Xu Fei was somewhat surprised, looking at the old madman before him, feeling rather at a loss.
"He is from the Assassin Dynasty. As for his exact identity, I am not sure myself!"
Lu Fan shook his head. "However, having spent many years in the Di Yuan, he is no ordinary person. Take good care of him from now on!"
Everyone nodded, naturally not daring to disobey Lu Fan's words.
Meanwhile, within a city in the Eastern Domain, a woman in tattered clothes ran through the streets, appearing like a madwoman.
Her slender figure was quite noticeable, but what no one expected was for such a woman to fall into such a state.
"Yaochi Sacred Seal! This woman actually bears the Yaochi Sacred Seal!"
A cry of surprise erupted, and people began to speak, their expressions filled with emotion.
Within the Yaochi Holy Land, only the Yaochi Saintess possessed the Yaochi Sacred Seal. If their guess was correct, this deranged woman before them was likely the Yaochi Saintess.
Yet, what they could never have imagined was that the once lofty Yaochi Saintess would become a madwoman, wandering aimlessly through the city.
"Didn't the Yaochi Saintess die in the Di Yuan? Why is she here?"
On the street, many people were suspicious and utterly astonished. The news they had received was that both the Yaochi Saintess and the Nine Heavens Profound Maiden had perished in the Di Yuan. Her appearance now made them wonder.
Not long after, Elder Shen Hua, along with a group of experts from the Yaochi Holy Land, arrived in the city.
Upon seeing the woman in rags, their bodies jolted. They had harbored some doubts about the veracity of the rumors, but now they saw it was indeed the Saintess.
"Saintess, why have you become like this!"
Elder Shen Hua stepped forward, panic in his eyes. He had never expected things to turn out this way, leaving him feeling helpless.
"Ghosts, so many ghosts!"
The Yaochi Saintess cried out, her body bolting forward, terror etched on her face.
The many experts of the Yaochi Holy Land fell silent upon witnessing this. They had truly not expected things to reach this point.
"Elder Shen Hua, since the Saintess has gone mad, should we take her back to the Holy Land?"
An old man asked, without any reservation.
"She has become a cripple. What use is there in taking her back to the Holy Land!"
Elder Shen Hua’s expression was indifferent. "Retrieve her Sacred Seal, and from this day forth, she will have no relation to the Yaochi Holy Land!"
The old man nodded slightly and then moved towards the Yaochi Saintess, preparing to retrieve her Sacred Seal.
After the Sacred Seal was recovered, Elder Shen Hua and the others turned and left, paying no mind to the Yaochi Saintess.
The onlookers also cast lecherous glances.
Even though the Yaochi Saintess was mad, her peerless beauty remained. If the Yaochi Holy Land no longer cared for her, wouldn't they have an opportunity?
After all, many had coveted the Yaochi Saintess in the past, and this was an opportunity not to be missed.
With this thought, several men’s beastly desires flared, and they prepared to forcefully abduct the Yaochi Saintess.
Within the city, many harbored similar intentions and directly made their move.
They were even willing to fight to the death to contend for the Yaochi Saintess.
At the Dynasty's branch, Lu Fan had just received the news, his brow furrowing. "The Yaochi Saintess has emerged from the Di Yuan, but what about the others from the Holy Land?"
"I don't know the specifics, but in the Eastern Domain, many people are trying to seize the Yaochi Saintess, and the competition is quite fierce!"
Gui Ying stated. "This Yaochi Saintess has good looks. Even though she's gone mad, people still covet her!"
"Let's go and see!"
Lu Fan’s expression was solemn. He held no enmity towards the Yaochi Saintess, and seeing her fate now stirred a sense of pity within him.
A short while later, they arrived in the city.
In a corner of the city, the Yaochi Saintess was grabbed by a man, who prepared to take her away.
This was the Yaochi Saintess, and to obtain her would be their most desired outcome.
However, just then, Lu Fan appeared. Looking at the Yaochi Saintess before him, his brow furrowed slightly. He had truly not expected the once lofty Yaochi Saintess to end up like this.
"You kid, you'd best not meddle!"
A cold glint flashed in the man's eyes as he looked at Lu Fan, exuding a powerful aura.
"Release her, and I'll spare your life!"
Lu Fan offered a faint smile, his gaze fixed on the man before him.
"This is the Yaochi Saintess. Countless people wish to obtain her. You expect me to release her just because you say so?"
The man’s expression was cold. A stream of light shot from his palm, carrying a formidable aura.
"Branch Master, be careful!"
Gui Ying quickly warned him. Just as he was about to act, Lu Fan had already shattered the incoming energy, his gaze growing colder.
"With such meager skills, you dare to attack me?"
Lu Fan smiled, his gaze fixed on the man, a chilling glint within it.
Seeing this, the man’s expression became flustered. He had not expected Lu Fan’s strength to be so formidable, causing him to be careless.
"Who exactly are you?"
The man asked coldly, simultaneously looking at Lu Fan, projecting a powerful aura.
"Haotian of the Assassin Dynasty!"
Lu Fan’s voice was indifferent, his gaze towards the man carrying an aura that could make the man struggle to breathe.
"Haotian of the Assassin Dynasty!"
The man’s heart trembled, and he retreated continuously, filled with shock. He had never imagined that Haotian of the Assassin Dynasty would appear here.
Under Lu Fan's pressure, the man dropped the woman and fled in haste, not daring to linger.
"Cough, cough, this title is surprisingly useful!"
Gui Ying coughed a few times, an embarrassed expression on his face.
Lu Fan said nothing further. He approached the Yaochi Saintess and examined her closely. "Mo Fan, was there anything special in the Di Yuan? Why is the old madman like this, and why is the Yaochi Saintess also like this?"
"Ghosts, ghosts!"
The Yaochi Saintess’s cries rang out, and she continued to run. Lu Fan, however, captured her, seemingly unconcerned.
"Branch Master, are you planning to take her back to the branch?"
Gui Ying asked. "Could it be that you are taken by her beauty and intend to..."