Ten long years is but a fleeting moment for cultivators.

Ji Xiaoxiao cultivated her mind and spirit, and broke through the Integration Realm in one fell swoop, achieving the Refining Spirit Realm.

"Congratulations, Junior Sister." You Ran smiled calmly, filling the room with radiance.

Ji Xiaoxiao was grateful for You Ran's selfless rescue back then. Over the past ten years, the two pillars of the Demonic Sect have frequently crossed paths, and their feelings for each other still retain some of the sincerity they had when they were children.

"Thank you, Senior Brother. I would also like to congratulate you on your progress in cultivation."

Without uttering a word, his every smile and frown exuded a gentle, comforting warmth. At first glance, Ji Xiaoxiao even had the thought that the man was merely an unparalleled mortal.

Returning to simplicity, is that it? Your cultivation level should be above hers.

Comparing goods will only lead to waste, comparing people will only lead to ruin—that's the truth!

Ten years have passed in the blink of an eye. The girl who used to be so quiet has grown up and become as beautiful as a fairy, which amazes everyone and makes them envious.

You Ran is not only outstanding in appearance, but also surpasses ordinary people in every aspect. He is exceptionally talented, of noble status, and highly skilled in cultivation. All things considered, he is simply a winner in life.

Ji Xiaoxiao felt a pang of jealousy, outwardly cold and indifferent, but inwardly overjoyed, displaying a two-faced nature as she interacted with You Ran. After a few encounters, they naturally became close friends. In their leisure time, the two would watch the clouds drift by, observe the flowers bloom and fade, and discuss everything from poetry and songs to life's ideals. Their lively conversations were filled with laughter and joy.

One or two friends are enough.

With a slight smile, she told Ji Xiaoxiao in a familiar manner about what was happening in the outside world while she was in seclusion.

"The Demon-Slaying Alliance has collapsed?"

"Three months ago, Haotian Yueran angrily led the Haotian disciples to withdraw from the Demon Extermination Alliance, declaring that if Huotian Valley's Lieyun did not come to apologize in person, he would not provide the Demon Extermination Alliance with the slightest assistance or support."

Ji Xiaoxiao curled her lips indifferently. She had thought the righteous demon-slaying alliance was like a centipede, hard to kill but not dead. Now look at them, a disorganized mess, a rabble, a five-star rating at best.

Ten years ago, during the battle in the Forest of Ten Thousand Beasts, only Yue Ran, Lie Yun, and Kong Kong, who had the deepest cultivation, were able to survive amidst the beast tide. The rest of the righteous disciples either became food for the monsters or turned into fertilizer for the earth, which "turns into spring mud to protect the flowers."

The righteous path suffered heavy casualties, while the demonic sect seized the opportunity to invade and occupy vast territories. At this critical juncture, when the righteous path should have launched a counterattack, Lie Yun of Fire Heaven Valley acted contrary to his usual behavior, turning against his brothers, blaming Yue Ran, and criticizing the Clear Sky Sect. Lie Yun's actions caused widespread panic among the righteous path, fearing that the Clear Sky Sect and Fire Heaven Valley would disregard morality and act according to their own desires, ignoring the plight of the common people, and that a full-scale war would break out between the two sides. Fortunately, Yue Ran merely led the elders and disciples of the Clear Sky Sect to withdraw from the Demon Extermination Alliance, choosing to observe the conflict from the sidelines.

"I think Yue Ran is quite sensible. What heinous thing did Lie Yun do to him that made him so enraged that he led everyone to withdraw from the Demon Extermination Alliance just before the war between the righteous and the demonic forces?"

As the saying goes, "No fight, no friendship." Ji Xiaoxiao and Yue Ran had a fight, and Ji Xiaoxiao gained some understanding of Yue Ran. Yue Ran was a deep and cunning man, cautious, extremely arrogant, and suspicious. Yet, he was meticulous in his words and actions, and despite committing murder, he had a great reputation. He always cherished his reputation, so why did he lose his usual polished demeanor in this matter? The deeper meaning behind this is worth pondering.

You Ran looked disdainful, and when she mentioned Yue Ran, she showed even deeper disgust.

"Junior sister, do you still remember the beast tide in the Forest of Ten Thousand Beasts ten years ago?"

That was Ji Xiaoxiao's most humiliating and wretched past, how could she forget it?

"Back then, Lie Yun inadvertently awakened the demonic beasts of the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest, triggering a beast tide. Apart from Yue Ran, Lie Yun Kong Kong, and two other powerful figures of the time, not a single righteous disciple survived. After Yue Ran and the others returned, they mourned the fallen disciples and vowed to eliminate demons and protect the righteous path. On the surface, the righteous path was calm, but a rumor revealed an abnormal atmosphere. It was rumored that Lie Yun and Yue Ran, who had escaped death, were at odds. Deep in the Dragon Travel Mountains, the two fought fiercely, both suffering serious injuries. The thousand-year-old friendship between the Haotian Sect and the Huotian Valley was shattered in an instant because of the two of them."

It was rather inappropriate to just stand there and talk, so You Ran and Ji Xiaoxiao slowly walked towards the pavilion, where two figures, like immortals and gods, sat on small stone benches with intricate surface patterns.

"The reason for all this is the incident in the Forest of Ten Thousand Beasts. We were able to return safely thanks to the Mountain Lord's ingenious planning and the presence of the Array Tower's Unfixed-Point Teleportation Array. The Unfixed-Point Teleportation Array is unique to our sect. Yue Ran and the others were able to escape from the Forest of Ten Thousand Beasts; they should truly thank the ancestors of Haotian Sect. Haotian Sect is a righteous sect with a profound foundation, abundant talent, and countless treasures. Among them, there is one treasure that can be considered the sect's most prized possession: the Qiankun Pearl. It has the ability to travel through time and space. Yue Ran was able to escape the overwhelming beast tide from the Forest of Ten Thousand Beasts because of this Qiankun Pearl. Yue Ran was severely injured in the battle with us, and her spiritual energy was greatly depleted, so her strength was not what it used to be. Even though the Qiankun Pearl is a heaven-defying magic weapon, it can only transport three people through space."

"Only three people can be transferred to this space. Are those three Yue Ran, Lie Yun, and Kong Kong?"

"That's right, those three are them."

"So, are we just going to abandon the remaining righteous disciples like this?"

"I'd rather you die than me; that's just human nature," You Ran said calmly.

Ji Xiaoxiao lowered her eyes, deep in thought, her curved eyelashes fluttering like butterfly wings. You Ran watched with intense interest, her mouth dry, her straight back slightly bent.

Her hands were as soft as tender shoots, her skin as smooth as cream, and her appearance as beautiful as a flower and as lovely as the moon—she was stunningly beautiful.

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