Pursued by the Top Grade Saintess after Engagement Annulled

"Who’s there? Get out of here!"

Li Qingyu’s eyes had unknowingly taken on a hint of crimson, as if infected by the Evil Sword Spirit.

Xia Feng frowned slightly, but before he could say anything, Xiao Xue let out a crisp sword cry that seemed to vibrate in everyone’s ears.

Li Qingyu’s eyes cleared a bit, and she felt a lingering fear.

Had just looking at that Sword Demon from a distance affected her emotions to this extent?

She appeared somewhat panicked, instinctively placing her fingertips on the Jade Bracelet on her wrist. The icy touch made her shiver all over, and her mind cleared completely.

Although her emotions were calm, she remained vigilant, looking in the direction of Xia Feng and the others, wondering who exactly was in the midst of the murky fog.

The girl who spoke earlier sensed something before speaking hesitantly, "It seems it’s Goddess Qingxue and her companions."

Li Qingyu’s eyes betrayed a hint of resentment, wondering how that woman could still be alive.

Just as she was about to say something, the girl next to her tugged on her sleeve and stood by her side.

Xia Feng scrutinized the woman, as if trying to see what she would say.

The girl executed a standard noble courtesy towards Xia Feng, then gave a slightly ingratiating smile.

"Hello, my name is Mu Qi, a follower of Goddess Qingyu and an honored member of the Mu Family."

Xia Feng slightly raised his brows, making a noncommittal sound, "Oh..."

Mu Qi’s face froze for an instant, but she quickly forced a smile and continued, "Everyone’s purpose in the Secret Realm is the same, isn’t it?"

Li Qingxue, standing nearby, broke in with a frown, "What exactly do you want to say?"

Li Qingyu’s expression turned uglier, wanting to speak, but Mu Qi stopped her, casting a slightly obscure glance at Xia Feng and Li Qingxue.

She couldn’t help but feel that Goddess Qingxue and this follower seemed to grant more authority to the follower?

She shifted her gaze and once again smiled, "Since our goals are aligned, why don’t we join forces?"

Xia Feng’s expression turned even more inscrutable, while Li Qingxue looked as if she’d heard a ridiculous joke.

Surprisingly, Li Qingyu opposed first, disbelief written all over her face, "Mu Qi, what nonsense are you spouting."

"I’d rather take a detour than team up with these country bumpkins!"

Though she’d harbored thoughts of using Xia Feng, she couldn’t bring herself to reconcile publicly with Li Qingxue and join forces against an enemy.

Mu Qi gave Li Qingyu a look and then whispered a message to her, "Don’t you really want to slay this Sword Demon and proceed onward from here?"

"Now that the labor has come to your doorstep, what’s holding you back?"

Li Qingyu’s expression fluctuated, then she spoke condescendingly to Li Qingxue, "Don’t think a single cooperation puts you on par with me..."

Li Qingxue, as if hearing something distasteful, smirked at Xia Feng, "Don’t act like we’re forcing you, we haven’t even agreed to your cooperation request yet."

Li Qingyu glared, "Don’t get too full of yourself; cooperating with this Divine Maiden is a blessing for you."

Xia Feng rolled his eyes, "This so-called blessing can go to whoever wants it."

Mu Qi frowned slightly, adopting a tone of persuasion, "You might not know the situation in Evil Sword Valley. This path is the shortest through it."

"If you want to avoid the Sword Demon, you’ll have to stay in the Valley for two or three more days."

"The atmosphere here is uncomfortable, and who knows what problems might arise from a prolonged stay. It’s better to collaborate and take down the Sword Demon together."

"After all, everyone wants to clear the area quickly, right?"

Xia Feng, with a mocking grin, let a crimson glow flash from his body, instantly enveloping himself in a bloody mist formed by the Evil Qi of the Blood Dragon Sword Heart.

The surrounding dark aura retreated as if stimulated, clearing a three-meter radius around Xia Feng.

Mu Qi opened her mouth as if to say something but closed it, frowning slightly.

Meanwhile, Li Qingyu seethed with anger; those three Blood Dragon Sword Hearts had been her potential acquisition, but Xia Feng snatched them.

If it weren’t for that, she wouldn’t be susceptible to these dark influences now.

If Xia Feng knew what Li Qingyu was thinking, he might laugh out loud.

He managed to control the aura because he’d absorbed and refined the Blood Dragon Sword Heart within the Dream Realm Pearl.

If it were Li Qingyu, she probably couldn’t absorb a tenth of its energy before leaving the Secret Realm, let alone release Evil Qi.

Mu Qi, biting her lip, "Even with your abilities, it will be difficult for just the three of you to explore further in Evil Sword Valley."

"We’ll need to cooperate to exit the Valley, won’t we?"

"We have the route; you have the strength. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement."

Xia Feng pondered for a moment, still mistrustful as he looked at Li Qingyu, "Forget it, I can’t trust your people."

"Besides, in this cooperation proposal, you hardly contribute anything."

Li Qingyu caught Xia Feng’s implication and responded warily, "What is it you want?"

She paused, adding, "I can compensate you after leaving the Secret Realm if you take down the Sword Demon."

At this, not just Xia Feng’s group, but even Mu Qi looked somewhat speechless.

The offer sounded empty, and once out of the Secret Realm, with the Celestial Sword Divine King behind Li Qingyu, they couldn’t force her to honor the agreement.

Xia Feng stepped forward, sharp as a drawn sword.

"Three conditions, fulfilled here and now, and we’ll agree to cooperate."

Li Qingxue, concerned beside Xia Feng, seemed to worry that collaborating with Li Qingyu was akin to courting danger with the Sword Demon’s high cultivation.

In the heat of battle, they might also fear Li Qingyu backstabbing them, making it far from worthwhile.