On Yanlai Peak, the massive root system hidden beneath the soil seemed to be awakened, breaking through the soil in unison and bulging up the flat land inch by inch, emerging like a giant dragon.

The thick roots of the ancient trees almost completely surround the entire Yanlai Peak, as if they are supporting the mountain.

Inside the mountain, the so-called mountain body had long since disappeared, leaving only the surging and growing root system of the floating tree—this alone was enough to show how long Zhan Hongyuan had been plotting, setting up the scheme for Yanlai Peak before the original owner had even shown his talent.

At this moment, Yanlai Peak was controlled by the awakened Floating Tree. The slender vines, like pythons, surged into the cave in the center of Yanlai Peak, as if they had riddled the cave with holes.

Just then—

The restrictions on Yanlai Peak cracked and shattered like shards of porcelain.

A figure flashed by, and the next moment Zhan Hongyuan had arrived in front of the cave dwelling on Yanlai Peak. He stood with his hands behind his back, staring at the cave dwelling in front of him, the killing intent in his eyes undiminished.

"There's no time left..."

He murmured to himself, and with a wave of his hand, the tightly closed cave was opened, as if a huge hole had been blasted open, and Zhan Hongyuan strode in.

Inside the cave, a faint, unpleasant smell of blood lingered.

The entire cave was almost completely ravaged by the roots of the floating tree, leaving a mess everywhere. It was completely surrounded by roots, and high up in the cave, a slender and tall figure was entangled by the roots.

Her limbs were wrapped in the roots of the floating tree, and the ends of the roots were like blades piercing through her. The blood that kept flowing out was absorbed and stained the roots a blood red.

Ruan Qingan was lifted high and suspended in mid-air in the cave.

Upon hearing footsteps, she finally raised her head, her leaden eyes fixed on Zhan Hongyuan, her face pale and weak.

"You captured me just so this damn tree could suck my blood?"

Zhan Hongyuan chuckled with satisfaction, his eyes slightly narrowed: "It looks pretty good. I brought this floating tree out here. Even without a contract, it seems to have a certain connection with me."

"I have provided all the spiritual energy of the entire Yanlai Peak to the Floating Tree, and it has absorbed your blood and transformed it into pure blood energy that I can use directly."

"...You're just telling me this so openly?"

Upon hearing this, Ruan Qing'an's eyes darkened slightly, and her voice was hoarse as she spoke, as if she could cough up blood.

Upon seeing this, Zhan Hongyuan couldn't help but laugh loudly, but as he laughed, his expression suddenly darkened, and in an instant he came to Ruan Qing'an and grabbed her collar.

A ruthless killing intent surged in his eyes: "Of course I can tell you, do you think you can still escape, Ruan Qingan?"

"I hadn't originally planned to completely break ties with you. Before you were used in the medicine, at least things wouldn't have turned out this bad. But what about you? You actually noticed something was wrong and let Shen Changlin escape! Do you know what you're doing?!"

"So what... is it that your plans have failed at the last minute?"

Ruan Qing'an looked at him coldly, her smile particularly sarcastic: "Of course I know what I'm doing. You deserve it."

In an instant, Zhan Hongyuan's face turned even uglier. He no longer had the pretentious demeanor of a good sect leader he had shown at the Wandao Sect. When he raised his hand, the blood on the root became even more intense. Ruan Qing'an lowered his head and groaned, his face becoming even paler.

Seeing that she was so weak that she could barely speak, Zhan Hongyuan was somewhat satisfied. He took a half-step back with a cold smile: "Since you let Shen Changlin escape, then you can die before him!"

"Everyone knows that you suffered physical damage and became seriously injured because Shen Changlin hindered your breakthrough. You are still unconscious on Yanlai Peak. The entire cultivation world will know that you and your master have turned against each other, and Shen Changlin is hated by everyone."

“You are indeed not as useful to me as Shen Changlin, Ruan Qingan, but—don’t even think about escaping from Yanlai Peak. My depleted blood and energy will be replenished by your essence and blood.”

"As for Shen Changlin... hehe, he can't escape either!"

Zhan Hongyuan would not stand idly by and watch his many years of planning be ruined because of Ruan Qing'an and Shen Changlin, especially Shen Changlin—only by using the human pill he refined could he break through the shackles and the blockade of the Heavenly Dao, which was of paramount importance!

Sensing Zhan Hongyuan's murderous intent and ruthlessness, Ruan Qing'an merely raised her eyes and said, "You won't have a chance, Zhan Hongyuan."

"You can't imagine how fast Shen Changlin is growing."

Zhan Hongyuan looked displeased, but just as he was about to speak, he suddenly noticed that someone had disturbed the root system of the floating tree outside Yanlai Peak.

He paused for a moment, then quickly opened the cave by forming a hand seal.

Immediately afterward, an elder jogged in. It was none other than the elder named Wang Da from before. He stepped forward, approached Zhan Hongyuan, and whispered, "Something has happened, Sect Master."

"After the Hidden Dragon Competition in Sanyue City, the ancient secret realm opened. However, when the elders led their disciples to the secret realm, they were ambushed by disciples from other sects, who seemed to be seeking revenge."

Zhan Hongyuan: ? ? ?

"Revenge? What revenge?"

"Oh, it's said that it's because Shen Changlin robbed them."

Zhan Hongyuan paused for a moment: "Alright, it's not a big problem. My Wandao Sect isn't without Shen Changlin, just because there's no one left in the younger generation."

Upon hearing this, Wang Da thought for a moment and said, "But when they attacked us all at once, it was true that no one except Shen Changlin could stop them. Our disciples suffered great losses in the secret realm, and even the sect's reputation has declined somewhat. There are also rumors that..."

"say what."

"They say the most talented elder is on the verge of death, and the most talented disciple has betrayed the sect. The Myriad Paths Sect... is on its last legs."

Zhan Hongyuan flew into a rage: "That's utter nonsense!"

He muttered curses and swears, completely losing his previous gentle and composed demeanor, when a light, mocking laugh came from beside him.

Zhan Hongyuan suddenly looked at Ruan Qing'an. The roots of the floating tree intensified their suction once again. Only when he saw that Ruan Qing'an was almost unconscious did he snort coldly and continue to give instructions to Wang Da.

"Alright, tell those disciples who went out to come back and cultivate properly in the sect. Don't go out and embarrass the sect!"

"Um... I can't come back for the time being."

Wang Xiao whispered, "After gaining nothing, the elders led their disciples to prepare to return, but... they were surrounded by a coalition of sects led by the Longevity Palace. They practically emptied out all their members just to block us."

Upon hearing this, Zhan Hongyuan nearly coughed up blood. His face turned ashen: "Are these people insane? They don't care about their own sects, they just want to block my Myriad Paths Sect?!"

Wang Da became increasingly cautious: "This... I heard that Lou Yunqi returned to the Longevity Palace, killed the current Palace Master, and took back the position of Palace Master, and then..."

"explain--"

"Then, Lou Yunqi kidnapped the sect leaders of those sects in the middle of the night and threatened them that he would only return the people if they attacked the Wandao Sect. By the way—they have all gone back now."

Of course they could go back, since they were all blocking the Myriad Paths Gate, Lou Yunqi naturally let their sect leader and other leaders go back...

"So, what's the situation now?"

"When attacked by the crowd, the elders could not resist. All the elders and disciples were captured. They were not killed, just arrested, and we were asked to pay a ransom."

Zhan Hongyuan: ...I'm speechless!

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