The Master and His Wealthy Fiancée

Liu Ling did not answer the question. Instead, she said coldly, "Dispel your technique. I have just escaped the Guardian Array and need to return to the Spirit Race to heal my wounds!"

However, Kui Ran did not move, instead staring intently at Liu Ling.

"As far as I know, to release the Demon Races from within the Guardian Array, it requires the three great sects of the Human Race to cast a joint technique. There is no other way, unless..."

Liu Ling's expression paled slightly. She had no idea the Demon Races could be released from the array in this way. If that were the case, she could have just waited patiently. The Demon Race would never have abandoned her; they would have undoubtedly found a way to negotiate her release.

Kui Ran's tone suddenly turned severe. "Unless you were subjugated by the Human Race!!!"

Liu Ling struggled to maintain her composure. A demon subjugated by the Human Race would not be accepted by their own kind.

"Just ten days ago, the Demon Race agreed to retreat one hundred li and cede two medium-sized Spirit Stone Veins to exchange for their Blood Demon King. We of the Demon Race have been negotiating with the Human Race, prepared to retreat one hundred li and cede the large Spirit Stone Vein at Fire Pine Mountain to secure your release. Yet now you appear here... which I find incredibly suspicious!" Kui Ran said deliberately.

Liu Ling's face paled another shade as she stole a quick glance at Chen Dong.

'If he finds out I'm bound by a Beast Taming Contract, with Chen Dong as my master, they'll kill Chen Dong on the spot. The Demon Race would consider it a worthy price, even if Chen Dong could kill me instantly with a thought from his Divine Sense. They would never allow someone with my heaven-defying restorative abilities to fall into the hands of the Human Race.'

She hadn't anticipated this situation at all. Running into a high-ranking member of the Demon Race like Kui Ran right after escaping the array meant her status and her superior demonic aura were useless against him.

Kui Ran's tone shifted again, becoming forceful. "I must ask for your cooperation, High Priest. I need to use my Divine Sense to determine if your soul has been controlled by the Human Race!" With that, he began to float slowly toward her.

How could Liu Ling possibly let him scan her? One scan and the truth would be exposed for certain.

Her tone turned glacial. "Back down! I am the High Priest of the Spirit Race. If an inspection is required, it will be conducted by my own people. It is not your place to dictate matters!"

Hearing this, Kui Ran halted. Liu Ling was right. It was indeed improper for him, a member of the Jiao Race, to meddle in the affairs of the Spirit Race. Still, her behavior was deeply suspicious. Not only was she with a human at the Foundation Establishment Stage, but they also seemed to be communicating via sound transmission.

After a moment's thought, Kui Ran asked, "High Priest Liu Ling, what is the meaning of you bringing this human along?"

Liu Ling replied, "This is a servant under my control. I was only able to escape the Guardian Array thanks to his assistance."

"Oh! In that case, I implore you, High Priest Liu Ling, to frankly share the method for breaking the Guardian Array. If we can break it, my Jiao Race is willing to lead the charge and we swear we will wipe out the Human Race's Huanqing Illusion Realm!"

Liu Ling's brow furrowed. "It was the work of my Secret Technique. Other living beings cannot master it, so it is pointless to explain."

Kui Ran nodded. Liu Ling was of the Spirit Race; it was perfectly normal for her to possess a Secret Technique that other clans could not master. But the suspicion in his heart did not fade. His gaze shifted, turning icy as it landed on Chen Dong.

He stated bluntly, "In that case, High Priest, please kill this man."

Chen Dong's expression betrayed nothing, but inwardly he was cursing. 'Damn it!' He gathered his Spiritual Power, ready to release it at a moment's notice, remaining on high alert. The being before him was at Nascent Soul Perfection; he could be killed several times over in the blink of an eye. This old man had none of Feng Fu's reservations about him possibly being a Saint.

Liu Ling feigned a relaxed demeanor and asked arrogantly, "And why should I? This person rendered me a great service! Why would I kill him? I was even planning to take him back to my clan and keep him."

Kui Ran did not buy this excuse. He shook his head, pressing her. "The situation for the Demon Race is delicate. If the High Priest were truly controlled by the Human Race at a time like this, your return would spell disaster for our people. Killing a human would serve as a small token of proof that you are not under their control. Do so, and I will personally escort you back to the Spirit Race!"

Liu Ling's demonic aura flared, pressing down on Kui Ran and his entourage. "What is the meaning of this?" she roared. "You know full well I never take a life. Ordering me around like this—do you take me for a pushover?!"

Kui Ran's eyes, shimmering with Divine Light, focused on her. He yielded slightly. "Do not take offense, High Priest. My only concern is for the Demon Race. It is acceptable if you do not kill him. You need only injure him gravely. With your skills, High Priest, healing him afterward would be a simple matter! I just want to see if you are still on the side of the Demon Race!"

As he spoke, a watery mist began to coalesce in the hand hidden beneath his dark robes. He clearly no longer trusted Liu Ling. If she refused to do even this, he would subdue her immediately.

A sacred light coalesced in Liu Ling's hand, and she postured as if to strike Chen Dong.

But the result was a blinding flash of light.

Kui Ran shouted, "Not good!" The watery mist in his hand instantly shot out to envelop the flash.

But Liu Ling and the man had vanished.

Kui Ran extended his Divine Sense, his brow furrowed in concentration.

Ao Jun frowned as well and asked, "Uncle Kui, was the High Priest really under the control of the Human Race?"

Kui Ran shook his head slightly. "It's hard to say for now, but her return to the Demon Race at this particular time is too strange!" With that, he prepared to give chase.

Ao Jun quickly interjected, "Uncle Kui, take me with you."

Kui Ran turned back, his voice gentle. "Young Master, High Priest Liu Ling was originally at the Nascent Soul Stage. There are too many unknown variables. You should return for now. I will be back as soon as I've captured them!" With that, he vanished in an instant.

Ao Jun's face was a mask of anger. "Some 'trial' this is. I'm not allowed to face the slightest bit of danger. What's the point? If we can't go after those two, we'll just find some other humans!"

The black-robed figures grew alarmed and quickly tried to persuade him, "Young Master, now that Elder Kui is gone, we should head back first!"