Chapter 236: Shi Qingxuan

. As a seasoned warrior, Ouyang Xiyi knew things were amiss the moment he realized he'd lost focus due to Ba Fenghan's words.

He reacted immediately, retreating swiftly to avoid Ba Fenghan's attack.

However, after retreating over ten meters, he discovered Ba Fenghan remained standing, making no move to attack. A flush crept over his face, and he even felt he was being too sceptical.

The next moment, Ouyang Xiyi noticed something was amiss with Ba Fenghan.

Ba Fenghan remained poised to attack, but his expression was off. Beads of sweat covered his forehead, and a look of fear etched itself in his heterochromatic eyes. This left Ouyang Xiyi stunned.

The spectators were even more baffled.

First, Ouyang Xiyi's inexplicable retreat, then Ba Fenghan's sudden change, left him completely bewildered.

It was as if the two of them had suddenly encountered some evil spirit, each one terrified.

At that moment, a stunning figure descended from the sky.

Almost everyone present was captivated by her presence.

This woman was simply too beautiful. Even though few could see her features clearly, her mere presence instantly evoked the feeling of a breathtaking beauty.

Everyone's gaze was captivated by her. It was as if this woman was born to take center stage.

"Someone that even Grandmaster Bi Xuan fears, to the point of wanting to kill her? Let me see if you're truly that exceptional. But, it seems, you're not that exceptional after all." Zhu Yuyan's gaze swept across the room, finally resting on Ba Fenghan, a hint of mockery in her eyes. Ba

Fenghan twitched his lips, wanting to utter a harsh word, but in the end, only his throat moved, and no words came out.

Ba Fenghan, despite being a bandit by birth, a killer by nature, and possessing a tough and brutal character, was completely defeated. However, when he truly faced a Grandmaster, one whose aura was fully unleashed, and especially when sensing the malevolent venom emanating from Zhu Yuyan, Ba Fenghan lost all control of his body, unable to utter a single word.

"I thought you were some stunning enchantress, but you turned out to be nothing more than this." Zhu Yuyan shook her head in disappointment. "Sure enough, my expectations of you were a bit too high."

Then, Zhu Yuyan gently clapped her hands in the air: "Remember, in your next life, don't brag like this."

Puff—a hole ripped through Ba Fenghan's chest, a volleyball-sized hole stretching from front to back.

Bang—

only when Ba Fenghan's body collapsed to the ground did the crowd awaken, staring at Zhu Yuyan in awe.

Zhu Yuyan's methods were truly too powerful.

Although Ba Fenghan hadn't had the chance to display his true strength, the little he'd shown was enough to convince most present that he was formidable and that they were no match for him.

Yet, such a formidable Ba Fenghan was defeated by a single, effortless blow – the difference was so vast it was despairing.

...

Ye Xiu's eyes widened, his expression filled with curiosity as he gazed upon the woman who had suddenly appeared.

The power she displayed was beyond Ye Xiu's expectations.

With her strength, Ye Xiu didn't even have much of a chance of winning against her. With his eighth-level Grandmaster cultivation, coupled with a host of martial arts skills and his War God physique, he was practically invincible.

Therefore, Ye Xiu was almost certain that the woman before him was a Grandmaster!

But a Grandmaster of the Great Sui Dynasty? Besides Ning Daoqi, who else could be considered a woman?

Yet, Ye Xiu faintly detected a hint of Wanwan in this woman. The aura of this woman vaguely resembled Wanwan's, and Ye Xiu couldn't help but think of the Yingui Sect. Could this woman be a member of the Yingui Sect? Did

the Yingui Sect have a Grandmaster?

But Wanwan had never said anything—well, Wanwan and Ye Xiu didn't seem close enough to reveal the Yingui Sect's hidden secrets to Ye Xiu.

But if the Yingui Sect had a Grandmaster hidden, then did Cihang Jingzhai also have one? And did the Jingnian Zen Sect also have a Grandmaster?

Ye Xiu's heart sank. If both Cihang Jingzhai and Jingnian Zen Sect had Grandmasters, his current operation might not succeed.

Ye Xiu frowned, wondering if he could change his plan. Or, more precisely, how.

Ye Xiu couldn't help but glance at Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, who were beside him. In the original novel, they had obtained the Heshi Bi.

If a great master was hiding within the Pure Mind Zen sect, would he team up with Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling to steal the Heshi Bi?

Or would he be the mantis stalking the cicada, waiting for the oriole to steal the Heshi Bi, then reappear and snatch it from them after Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling succeeded.

Just as Ye Xiu glanced at Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling, pondering this,

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling felt an inexplicable chill in their hearts, shuddering.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling subconsciously exchanged glances, then glanced in Zhu Yuyan's direction. This woman was so powerful that it felt suffocating. Then, they couldn't help but look at Fu Junyu, a

woman who bore a striking resemblance to their mother, Fu Jun'er .

Just because of this resemblance, even though Xu Ziling and Kou Zhong didn't know each other yet, they couldn't help but feel a certain concern for each other.

When they saw Fu Junyu's face drop drastically after Ba Fenghan was slain by Zhu Yuyan with a single blow, yet she had to lower her head, not even daring to show any hatred in her eyes, thus failing to attract Zhu Yuyan's attention, they both breathed a sigh of relief.

In fact, Fu Junyu and Ba Fenghan appeared together not only because they were both from different races, but also because she did have some affection for him.

However, this affection didn't reach the point where she would turn against a Grandmaster for him. After all, they had only known each other for a short time, and her affection had only just begun to emerge.

Furthermore, as a disciple of Grandmaster Fu Cailin, Fu Junyu knew just how powerful a Grandmaster could be.

Their strength was no match for him.

Zhu Yuyan, on the other hand, had a similar aura to Fu Cailin, that unique aura only possessed by a Grandmaster, which made Fu Junyu unable to muster the slightest resistance.

"So it's Queen Yin who's graced the occasion. How glorious it is for our Wang family! I've long heard that Queen Yin has ascended to Grandmaster status. Congratulations!" Wang Tong recognized Zhu Yuyan and quickly rose to greet her.

Previously, the Yin Gui Sect and Queen Yin Zhu Yuyan were figures Wang Tong dared not provoke lightly. Now that Zhu Yuyan had become a Grandmaster, Wang Tong dared not neglect her even a little.

Upon hearing Wang Tong's words, the gazes of those present shifted even more as they looked at Zhu Yuyan.

After all, Zhu Yuyan's ascension to Grandmaster status was well known to many in the martial arts world.

Seeing that the woman who had brutally struck the Turkic man to death was none other than Yin Queen Zhu Yuyan, they were even more apprehensive. After all, Zhu Yuyan was from the Yin Gui Sect, a member of the Demonic Sect.

"I only occasionally heard this man claim to be exceptionally gifted, a figure even Grandmasters would fear, so I came to test his mettle, but I didn't expect it to be anything more than that," Zhu Yuyan said nonchalantly.

"He's just an arrogant individual. To die at the hands of Yin Queen is a great honor." Despite being a great scholar, Wang Tong was also quick to flatter.

Ye Xiu was even more astonished to learn that this man was Zhu Yuyan, and indeed, a Grandmaster.

Zhu Yuyan had no intention of staying here any longer, primarily because she disliked such chaotic scenes. Especially after becoming a Grandmaster, she became even more disinclined to engage in formalities. Zhu Yuyan left without even lingering for long.

Before leaving, she glanced in Ye Xiu's direction, or more accurately, at Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling.

Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling were still at the Xiantian realm. Although their immortal qi, naturally in harmony with the Dao, seemed to possess an innate ability to conceal themselves,

the gap between them and Zhu Yuyan was still too great, allowing Zhu Yuyan to easily sense the immortal qi within them.

However, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling's strength was so low that Zhu Yuyan merely glanced at them.

If Zhu Yuyan hadn't successfully achieved the Grandmaster stage, the immortal qi would have provided some benefit to her Heavenly Demonic Art, but that would have to wait until Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling became Grandmasters.

Now that Zhu Yuyan had become a Grandmaster, even if Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling had cultivated the Changsheng Jue to a highly advanced state, or even if both of them had attained Grandmaster status, it would be of no benefit to Zhu Yuyan's Heavenly Demonic Art. After all, Kou Zhong and Xu Ziling's Changsheng Jue weren't the complete Changsheng Jue, but rather individual chapters of the Changsheng Jue divided into seven parts.

Therefore, Zhu Yuyan merely glanced at them, paying no further attention to them.

Ye Xiu, on the other hand, though his cultivation level was inferior to Zhu Yuyan's, had cultivated the complete Changsheng Jue. Inspired by the diary, Ye Xiu's Changsheng Jue had reached a profound level. Combined with the Changsheng Jue's inherent concealment, even Zhu Yuyan was unaware of anything amiss with him.

Wang Tong didn't find Zhu Yuyan's departure rude; instead, he felt somewhat relieved. After all, he didn't want someone as temperamental as Zhu Yuyan from the Demonic Sect to remain at his birthday banquet.

"I didn't expect the Queen of Yin to become a Grandmaster. How many Grandmasters are there in our Great Sui Dynasty?" Ye Xiu casually asked after Zhu Yuyan left.

"How could there be many? There are only two Grandmasters in our Great Sui Dynasty. Even before the Queen of Yin became a Grandmaster, there was only one, Ning Daoqi." The bearded man, upon hearing Ye Xiu's words, felt that Ye Xiu seemed a little ignorant and quickly corrected him.

"Is that so? So there are only two Grandmasters in our Great Sui Dynasty," Ye Xiu said, his gaze suddenly enlightened.

In his heart, he was wondering how many Grandmasters there were in the Great Sui Dynasty, both openly and covertly. And how did Zhu Yuyan become a Grandmaster? If

Zhu Yuyan became a Grandmaster, then what about the Evil King Shi Zhixuan, whom Zhu Yuyan was determined to kill? Was he also a Grandmaster? And what about the Heavenly Blade Song Que?

Most importantly, were there any Grandmasters in Cihang Jingzhai and the Pure Mind Zen Sect? But at this point, no one would give Ye Xiu an answer.

Shortly after Zhu Yuyan left, a moving flute note rang out.

Everyone, initially unsettled by Zhu Yuyan's presence, quickly calmed down, even feeling a sense of peace and tranquility. A relaxed expression crossed their faces.

Ye Xiu, listening to the flute's mesmerizing sound, found it captivating. It was a truly beautiful sound, devoid of any malice or even any mystical techniques. It was simply the sound of the flute, and the mastery of the one who played it was truly profound, a skill truly worthy of the Dao.

Soothed by the flute's soothing sound, Ye Xiu felt his mental energy become unusually vibrant, or perhaps even more alive. His mind felt as if it were unprecedentedly calm, and in that moment, he even felt his comprehension heightened.

This moment was the perfect opportunity to master martial arts.

If he could seize this opportunity, perhaps his comprehension would reach a new level.

Unfortunately, each of Ye Xiu's martial arts had reached a profound level thanks to the diary's advancements. This state of mind, however, didn't seem to have much of an effect on him.

However, the state of mind that allowed him to relax made him unable to resist losing himself in it, savoring the peace of mind he felt at that moment.

"I never expected Shi Qingxuan's flute skills to be so exceptional. She's the most accomplished musician I've ever heard," Ye Xiu sighed inwardly.

The sound of the flute gradually grew fainter and seemed to drift further and further away, finally fading from everyone's ears. It took a long moment for everyone to recover from the sound.

"Thank you, Shi Qingxuan, for playing a piece for me. Could you please show up?" Wang Tong shouted.

Unfortunately, Shi Qingxuan had already left, so Wang Tong's words never reached her.

Only when Wang Tong mentioned Shi Qingxuan did everyone realize that the flute music had been played by her.

Ye Xiu couldn't help but admire Shi Qingxuan's flute skills, yet at the same time, he felt regretful that Shi Qingxuan hadn't appeared.

He didn't chase after Shi Qingxuan when she left. After all, Ye Xiu wasn't some sex-crazed idiot who wouldn't recklessly chase after a beautiful woman.

Even if Ye Xiu had, what would he accomplish? Speak to Shi Qingxuan? Get to know her?

No need, at least not yet.

Ye Xiu felt it best not to make any moves before obtaining the Heshi Bi, lest his plans be disrupted.

In fact, from the moment Shi Qingxuan appeared until the moment she left, she hadn't seen anyone, nor had she intended to.

Shi Qingxuan could be considered a recluse of the ancient world.

She usually lived secluded in her secluded cottage in the forest, rarely leaving unless absolutely necessary. She

spent her days playing the flute and practicing martial arts, completely ignoring any contact with the outside world.

It could be said that Shi Qingxuan was even more of a homebody than Wang Yuyan.

Wang Yuyan lived in her own house, interacting with the numerous servants of Mantuo Villa, her mother Li Qingluo, and even her cousin Murong Fu.

Shi Qingxuan, however, hardly interacted with anyone at all. She would occasionally interact with people, but only once or twice a year.

In fact, she had been specifically invited to play the flute at Wang Tong's residence this time, but even so, she didn't meet Wang Tong and left immediately after playing the flute.

It was just that when Shi Qingxuan activated her magic light skill, the whole person seemed to turn into a non-substantial shadow and passed by quickly.

Every time Shi Qingxuan used her magic light skill, no one could catch up with her, and no one could stop her.

But this time, a person happened to block Shi Qingxuan.

Shi Qingxuan saw that the other person was blocking her way, so she tried to go around him.

But no matter how Shi Qingxuan went around, or even tried to leave in the opposite direction, the other person was still blocking her way.

"Shi Qingxuan, where is your father Shi Zhixuan?" Zhu Yuyan stared at Shi Qingxuan with a gloomy face.

"I'm sorry, Senior Yin Hou, I don't know where he is." Shi Qingxuan shook her head.

"You are his daughter, hasn't he ever looked for you or visited you?" Zhu Yuyan asked again in a stern voice.

"Senior Yin Hou, you should know that I am his biggest weakness. Once he appears in front of me, he will definitely kill me to eliminate his weakness. But he is ultimately concerned about the relationship between father and daughter, so he has never come to see me, because he knows that as long as he sees me, he will lose control of himself." Shi Qingxuan shook her head.

When Zhu Yuyan heard what Shi Qingxuan said, a trace of cruelty flashed in her eyes. She knew that what Shi Qingxuan said was true, because Shi Qingxuan was indeed a very serious weakness for Shi Zhixuan.

It was precisely because of Shi Qingxuan that Shi Zhixuan's mental illness was not cured.

Once Shi Qingxuan died, even if she died at the hands of someone else, Shi Zhixuan's weakness would be eliminated, and he would become a grandmaster again.

This is also the reason why Yin Hou knew of Shi Qingxuan's existence but never made a move on Shi Qingxuan.

Even those who knew about Shi Qingxuan's existence did not want Shi Qingxuan to get into trouble. In the early years, some people even deliberately protected Shi Qingxuan, not wanting Shi Zhixuan's weaknesses to be eliminated so that

he could be promoted to a Grandmaster. But now, Zhu Yuyan has become a Grandmaster, so she has the idea of killing Shi Qingxuan and then luring Shi Zhixuan to show up.

However, if Shi Qingxuan is killed, Shi Zhixuan will become a Grandmaster.

As a Grandmaster, will she be Shi Zhixuan's opponent?

Although Zhu Yuyan is reluctant to admit it, she also knows that Shi Zhixuan is very talented. If they are both Grandmasters and they fight, she might die at the hands of Shi Zhixuan.