After descending the mountain, my aloof fiancée became completely devoted to me.

He glanced at the lively and charming woman in front of him, then felt the empty meridians in his body and the torn wounds all over his body, and spoke calmly.

"I have now lost all my cultivation, am penniless, am trapped in a deadly situation, and have enemies everywhere."

"Follow me, and you'll be constantly on the move, enduring wind and rain, and most likely you'll end up sleeping on the streets."

"Are you sure you want me to take responsibility? There's absolutely no benefit to following me."

He deliberately exaggerated his situation to make her give up.

But who knew?

Upon hearing this, Su Qingyuan's eyes lit up instantly, a hint of excitement flashing in them.

What she feared most was becoming dependent on Liu Cang, trapped in the small tavern, a caged bird with no freedom.

Following Lin Ping, who carries a secret and possesses extraordinary combat power, even if it means wandering from place to place, is far better than being trapped and dying in one place.

"I'm sure!" Su Qingyuan nodded vigorously, her attitude unwavering. "I'd even sleep on the streets. From now on, I'll follow you!"

Lin Ping looked at the genuine light in her eyes and felt a slight stirring in his heart.

In a chaotic world where everyone is trying to protect themselves, a woman who dares to gamble and fight is truly rare.

He no longer refused, but nodded slightly, acknowledging her decision to follow.

After a brief silence, Lin Ping's eyes narrowed, and he deliberately spoke to test the waters.

"Three days from now, at the ancient altar in the western suburbs, the Bamboo Leaf Pavilion will hold a sacrificial ceremony. Do you know who the hostages will be sacrificed to? Have you heard of the names Zhu Xiaohan, Wanyue, and Alu?"

These three names are his only obsession at this moment, and the root of his determination to reverse the deadly situation at all costs.

Upon hearing this, Su Qingyuan's expression instantly turned serious, and she stopped her playful antics.

She hesitated for a moment, then slowly said, "I've heard of these three names; they are the hostages that Liu Cang has been keeping a close watch on recently."

"But you've misjudged the situation. Liu Cang, the master of Bamboo Leaf Pavilion, may seem glamorous, but he's actually just a low-level pawn running errands."

"The entire scheme, from the altar sacrifices to the ambush, was orchestrated by truly powerful figures. Liu Cang was merely acting on orders and working for someone else."

boom!

Lin Ping's mind jolted, and a sharp glint flashed in his eyes.

Sure enough!

He had sensed something was wrong long ago.

The mere mortal Bamboo Leaf Pavilion could not possibly set up a decisive, all-encompassing strategy that could lock down the origin of the World-Destroying Seal.

It turns out that the real mastermind was always hiding in the shadows, never showing himself.

All the pursuit, planning, and sacrifices were the result of the enemy's meticulous preparations.

"Are you familiar with the internal structure of the Bamboo Leaf Pavilion?" Lin Ping stared intently at Su Qingyuan, his tone serious.

Su Qingyuan nodded: "I have lived in the tavern for many years and I know Liu Cang's power, his confidants, and his plans very well."

As soon as she finished speaking, she looked at the meaningful smile in Lin Ping's eyes, and her heart tightened for no reason, giving rise to a strong sense of foreboding.

"What...what do you want to do?"

Lin Ping's lips curled into a cold smile, his killing intent hidden beneath the surface.

run?

He never considered running away.

He was severely injured and defeated today, surrounded and attacked, and fled in a sorry state.

But the pride of the supreme beings of the heavens would never allow him to retreat indefinitely.

Since Liu Cang is just a pawn, then he will overturn this game, follow the clues, and find out the mastermind behind it all!

"Since we're familiar with each other, there's no need to run away."

Lin Ping turned around, his gaze fixed on the brightly lit Green Bamboo Tavern ahead, his tone resolute.

"Turn back."

Su Qingyuan was completely stunned: "Go back? The place is full of Liu Cang's men, and a large number of cultivators are gathered there. Going back is too dangerous!"

"Danger?" Lin Ping smiled faintly, his eyes revealing a murderous intent. "My territory, Lin Ping's territory, has never been ruled by others."

"That was just a warm-up; the real score hasn't even been settled yet."

He walked steadily, enduring the excruciating pain, turned around, and headed back towards the backyard of the Green Bamboo Tavern.

Looking at his tall and resolute back, Su Qingyuan felt both flustered and respectful, and could only hurry to catch up.

The night was deep, but the tavern's backyard was still brightly lit.

A large number of cultivators patrolled back and forth, maintaining strict vigilance. Everyone assumed that the seriously injured Lin Ping had already taken advantage of the chaos to escape.

There was no defense or precaution.

Ten minutes later.

The two quietly turned back and hid in the shadows of the bamboo forest, looking through the carved window at the largest private meeting room in the backyard.

The private room was noisy and brightly lit.

A middle-aged man dressed in a purple robe, with a calm demeanor, sat in the main seat.

This person's aura far surpasses that of the steward from before; he is calm, ruthless, and is the veritable second-in-command of the Bamboo Leaf Pavilion, Liu Cang's younger brother, Liu He.

Dozens of surviving elite soldiers stood on both sides, heads bowed, listening to the instructions.

Liu He's face was gloomy, his fingertips tapping on the table, his tone full of hostility.

"A bunch of useless trash! Dozens of people surrounded him, and they still let a seriously injured cripple escape!"

"The Pavilion Master has already personally gone to the altar to prepare for the grand ceremony and has no time to deal with such trivial matters."

"But this person knows the altar's secrets; he must be captured alive before the sacrificial ceremony begins three days from now!"

"Furthermore, find out everything about that man, and that woman Su Qingyuan!"

"The Pavilion Master has long been disgusted with her. This time, she's colluding with foreign enemies; there's no need to show mercy. Once found, deal with her on the spot!"

A cultivator below immediately bowed and reported, "Second Master, that man is seriously injured and would never dare to linger in Jiangcheng. He has most likely fled overnight, and we have already dispatched men to search the entire city!"

Liu He snorted coldly, his eyes flashing with murderous intent: "Escape? Within the entire world, as long as he's within Jiangcheng's territory, he won't be able to escape!"

"Once we capture this person, we'll dismember him, destroy his foundation, and use him as a sacrifice to the heavens. This will stabilize the sacrificial array!"

The people in the private room echoed each other, their tone arrogant and domineering, convinced that Lin Ping was already trapped.

It's dark outside the window.

Upon hearing this, Su Qingyuan's pretty face turned pale, and she subconsciously clenched her fists.

These people not only want to kill Lin Ping, but also want to sacrifice him!

Lin Ping, standing beside him, had already cooled to freezing temperature.

In his dark eyes, there was no fear whatsoever, only boundless rage and icy mockery.

To extract bones and muscles, and sacrifice oneself to the heavens?

These frogs in a well truly don't know the meaning of death.

He lost all his cultivation, and the World-Destroying Seal fell silent, seemingly having fallen to the bottom.

But his eternal supreme foundation and overwhelming combat power still remain!

Liu He, Liu Cang, the mastermind behind the scenes...

He will not let any of those who plot against him, covet him, or harm those around him get away with it!

Lin Ping turned his head to look at Su Qingyuan, who looked nervous beside him, and whispered instructions.

"Stay here and watch the show."

As soon as he finished speaking, he stopped hiding and stepped out of the shadows of the bamboo forest, walking step by step toward the meeting room.

The night wind lifted his blood-stained white clothes; his broken body stood tall, his fighting spirit soaring.

The arrogant chatter inside the private room continued, everyone immersed in the smugness of about to capture Lin Ping alive.

They never dreamed of this.

That severely injured cripple they believed had already fled and was now at the mercy of others.

Now, he has returned, alone, charging forward in battle!

A complete and utterly crushing defeat is about to unfold.

Meanwhile, the shadowy figure lurking in the darkness watched Lin Ping return through the water mirror, and saw Su Qingyuan, the new bond that had been added to his side. The eerie smile on the corner of his mouth grew even stronger.

The grand plan for the altar is about to be completed, and the World-Destroying Seal is restless.

More dark forces hidden beneath the city have quietly awakened, and an ultimate deadly trap sweeping the entire city is slowly enveloping Lin Ping and all the women around him!