One of my fairy-like friends

Therefore, Mingyan and Huang Feiyan went into hiding. Huang Feiyan was at the initial stage of the Divine Realm, and as long as she put in a little effort, Yu Mudan would not be able to find her. After all, the difference in their strength was not that great, only a small realm apart.

Mingyan possesses the "Moon Shadow Scripture," and as time goes by, his mastery of it increases day by day. Now, Mingyan's ability to conceal himself has reached a new level, and as long as he hides carefully, Yu Mudan will not be able to detect him.

While divine sense is very convenient, as one's cultivation level increases, there are many ways to evade it. Therefore, one should never rely on divine sense excessively, as it can sometimes even make one complacent.

After leading Mingyan and Huang Feiyan to hide, Gu Hanshuang sat down cross-legged again, closed her eyes, and seemed to be cultivating in peace.

Half a day passed, and as dusk approached, Gu Hanshuang opened her eyes, looked up into the distance, and whispered to Ming Yan, who was hiding nearby, "She's here."

Mingyan also observed intently, scanning the area with his divine sense but finding nothing. However, he could see a small dot approaching with his naked eye. Soon, the dot was magnified, and upon closer inspection, he could see that it was a human figure.

As they got closer, they could see the outline of Jade Peony. There was no one else around her, and she could only be observed with the naked eye. It seemed that she had used some secret method to make her "invisible" in their consciousness. She was indeed very low-key, and she had deliberately chosen a secluded place to come at this dim time.

But Gu Hanshuang seemed to know exactly when and where the Jade Peony would appear, and was waiting there in advance...

Indeed, that saying is true: the one who knows you best is your enemy.

"A beautiful day ends with seeing you." Yu Mudan naturally noticed Gu Hanshuang. She landed from the air and sighed softly.

Gu Hanshuang stood up, drew the long sword from behind her back, and pointed it at Yu Mudan, "If you die, then naturally you will not be able to see me."

"The reverse is also true, right?" Yu Mudan chuckled, her hands behind her back, seemingly having no intention of fighting Gu Hanshuang.

"Don't forget, all these grudges started because of you." Gu Hanshuang's eyes were clear as she sheathed her longsword and snorted coldly. She had no intention of fighting Yu Mudan. The two were very evenly matched and it would be difficult to determine who was better. They were both going to venture into the sea to seek opportunities, and fighting to the death would not benefit either of them.

"It started because of me? Fairy Gu says that without any hesitation." A faint sarcasm appeared on Yu Mudan's pretty face.

"What, you want to deny it?" Gu Hanshuang sneered. "You're afraid to admit what you did?"

"Ah, right, right, right." Yu Mudan seemed too lazy to refute. "I'm too lazy to argue with you. It's a waste of breath. Neither of us has any intention of fighting, so let's not waste time here."

"I'd really like to know if your skills are as tough as your words." Gu Hanshuang narrowed her eyes. "If you had admitted earlier that you started this conflict and apologized to me, we wouldn't necessarily have to become enemies."

"Is that so?" Yu Mudan chuckled, her beautiful face showing a cold expression. "Stop talking nonsense. If you want to fight, I'm happy to accompany you, but the opportunity is right in front of you, and you don't seem like the type to miss it."

Mingyan and Huang Feiyan hid in the shadows. Huang Feiyan transmitted her voice to Mingyan, saying, "These two women haven't gotten to the point at all. But judging from Yu Mudan's attitude, she seems a little hesitant. Could it be that the conflict between them really started because of Yu Mudan?"

Mingyan frowned. "Then it seems we need to learn more about the Jade Peony."

Although Yu Mudan initially denied it, her behavior suggested she had nothing to say and was unwilling to defend herself. It seemed that Yu Mudan might indeed be the one who created the conflict between the two.

However, this cannot completely rule out the possibility that Yu Mudan was too lazy to argue with Gu Hanshuang.

After all, Gu Hanshuang knew of their existence and would naturally act as if it had nothing to do with her. Yu Mudan, on the other hand, was unaware of this and was probably just too lazy to explain. Since it was just the two of them, the other person would naturally try their best to shift the blame onto her. Arguing about these things when no outsiders were present was meaningless. As Yu Mudan said, it was just a waste of breath and time.

Every possibility cannot be ignored; Mingyan needs to obtain more information to make a judgment.

Although he had never done anything like this before, Mingyan was a quick learner, learning as he went and making rapid progress. This ability was a talent in other areas besides cultivation, and it was precisely this talent that made Yue Wuxia praise and reward Mingyan repeatedly.

Yu Mudan left quickly, and Gu Hanshuang naturally stayed behind. Only after she was sure Yu Mudan had left did she call Mingyan out.

"I believe you have already made your own judgment, so I don't need to say anything more." Gu Hanshuang looked at Ming Yan with her beautiful eyes and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly. "Since you want to understand the conflict between us, it means you have the idea of ​​getting involved. I don't know how Yu Mudan will tell you, but what I said before still stands. As long as I think it's okay, I don't mind becoming your Daoist partner."

Upon hearing Gu Hanshuang's words, Huang Feiyan's eyes twitched, and she clenched her fists. This woman... really did have some feelings for Ming Yan.

However, Mingyan didn't take it to heart. Even if this woman became his Daoist partner, it would be difficult for her to become the kind of loving Daoist partner. She was too proud. If he couldn't subdue and conquer her, the Daoist partnership would be nothing more than a name.

After Gu Hanshuang finished speaking, she looked at Huang Feiyan. This was the first time she had looked at Huang Feiyan directly. "However, if you want to become Daoist partners, I cannot accept you getting too close to other women."

“Fairy Gu is thinking too far ahead. I was just curious, and I’m overthinking things.” Ming Yan didn’t mince words. “If I had a Daoist partner like Fairy Gu, I’m afraid I would lose hundreds of years of my lifespan.”

In the world of cultivation, they talk about Daoist partners; in the mundane world, it's about marriage. But what if you bring home such a proud wife? Are you just going to worship her?

Even if it's Ning Feixuan, Mingyan still hopes for an equal relationship.

"..." Gu Hanshuang turned and left without expression.

Hearing Ming Yan's words, Huang Feiyan felt delighted and her face lit up with joy. Yes, yes, that's exactly what she should say. That woman really thinks highly of herself. Although she is strong enough, with this kind of personality, she still thinks she can win Ming Yan's heart?

Chapter Seventy-Three: Flowers and Swords

After Gu Hanshuang left, the two naturally did not stay there for long and quickly returned to the city, finding a place to stay temporarily. He did not hide his whereabouts, because according to his judgment, as long as Yu Mudan knew that he had appeared, she would definitely come looking for him.

As expected, the Jade Peony appeared not long after.

Her whereabouts were elusive; she appeared in the courtyard where Mingyan lived.

Mingyan brewed a pot of tea in the courtyard and waited for Yu Mudan. After Yu Mudan came in, he walked over with a light smile.

"Brother Ming."

"Jade Fairy." Ming Yan nodded gently, poured a cup of tea for Jade Peony, and pushed it towards her.

Yu Mudan didn't stand on ceremony. After taking the gift and taking a small sip, she put it down. "Brother Ming, were you staying outside the city before?"

“Yes, I entered the city only after I learned that Fairy Yu had arrived, because I knew that as soon as I entered the city, Fairy Yu would look for me.” Mingyan nodded, took a sip of tea, and said, “I heard that Gu Hanshuang has also arrived.”

“Yes, I still met her once.” Yu Mudan shook her head. “But it was still not very pleasant. There’s no room for improvement in our relationship. Actually, if we could avoid being enemies, I would be happy to have some peace and quiet.”

"I don't quite believe what Fairy Yu is saying." Ming Yan smiled enigmatically. She had said she wanted Gu Hanshuang to be her "possession," and now she was saying "we can avoid being enemies"...

Yu Mudan smiled gently, "After all, being an enemy is a headache. Sometimes I think about what it would be like if we weren't enemies. Of course, if I had the chance, I would be very willing to bring her over to be Brother Ming's slave—the kind who submits wholeheartedly."

He said this with a gentle smile and a kind tone.

Women are so complicated, Mingyan sighed inwardly. If it wasn't necessary, Mingyan didn't really want to get too close to this kind of woman. It was too tiring. He had to guess what she was thinking and try to maintain his initiative to avoid being at a disadvantage in his interactions with her and being taken advantage of.

Ming Yan chuckled and shook his head. "If I make Fairy Gu my slave, I'm afraid she'll turn on me."

"There's always a way. For example, we can give her a slave mark or something, and give her a reason she can't refuse, right?" Yu Mudan smiled brightly. "Think about it, the arrogant and domineering Gu Hanshuang, although she is unwilling in her heart, has no choice but to completely obey you. Her face is full of struggle and resentment, but her body is very obedient. She can only serve you obediently and protect you obediently. I believe that countless people would be tempted by such a slave. Brother Ming, aren't you tempted?"

If possible, Mingyan doesn't want the kind of physical submission that comes with a unwilling heart. If he really wants Gu Hanshuang to become a slave, he wants her to do it willingly.

To make such an arrogant person willingly give everything for it, that would be...

Why am I thinking about this kind of thing? Mingyan calmly came back to his senses, "Forgive me, forgive me."

“Fairy Yu, please don’t say that. However, compared to Gu Hanshuang, I do prefer spending time with you. If I had to choose someone to cooperate with, I would prefer Fairy Yu over Gu Hanshuang.” Ming Yan’s tone was calm. Upon hearing Ming Yan’s words, Yu Mudan’s eyes flickered and a smile spread across her lips.

“Gu Hanshuang is indeed a bit arrogant, not very good at speaking, and not very good at dealing with people.” Yu Mudan smiled and then paused, her eyebrows furrowing slightly as she sighed softly. “However, Brother Ming said he didn’t want Gu Hanshuang to know about our relationship, so I won’t force him. I said I wouldn’t embarrass Brother Ming.”

...Mingyan sighed inwardly. Although Gu Hanshuang was not lacking in her own thoughts and ideas, she was far inferior to Yu Mudan in terms of winning people over. Yu Mudan's gentle and considerate manner was incomparable to Gu Hanshuang's proud and aloof personality. Unless one had some special preferences, they would probably prefer Gu Hanshuang.

"Does Fairy Yu really not remember where the conflict between you started?" Mingyan asked. "I want to know some details. Perhaps I don't necessarily have to stand by."

Yu Mudan raised her beautiful eyes, stared at Ming Yan for a while, then looked away and sighed softly, "Brother Ming, do you really want to know?"

Mingyan's silence can be considered a form of acquiescence.

Yu Mudan pursed her cherry lips and said softly, "My master also taught Gu Hanshuang. I met her at that time. Strictly speaking, I am her senior sister and she is my junior sister. Our talents are about the same, but she always wants to be better than me. She likes to target me and try to embarrass me. I have always been humble towards her, but she not only doesn't appreciate it, but she even goes further."

"Until I couldn't take it anymore, I came up with a plan and 'warned' her, but I never expected that she would harbor resentment and devise a scheme to have me punished by my master..." Yu Mudan sighed, "Of course I was not convinced, and the conflict between us slowly accumulated."

Although Yu Mudan didn't elaborate, her meaning was clear: the conflict between the two stemmed from Gu Hanshuang's "every effort" to embarrass her. The details are unknown, but if Yu Mudan wasn't lying, then Gu Hanshuang had likely done something quite excessive, which led Yu Mudan to reach her breaking point.

Come to think of it, these two are actually senior and junior sisters... It's really complicated.

It seems like it's Gu Hanshuang's fault?

Of course, this is based on the premise that what Yu Mudan said is true. Whether it is true or not, it is probably difficult for Ming Yan, an outsider, to get an answer from the two of them.

After all, what she learned from Gu Hanshuang was that "when the two first met, Yu Mudan gave her a hard time, leaving her utterly humiliated," which is why she taught Yu Mudan a lesson...

The real truth... perhaps Bai Ze actually knows a thing or two?

Mingyan pondered for a moment. There were several ways to obtain the real truth. One was to strengthen his relationship with Yu Mudan and Gu Hanshuang and become true friends. Perhaps the two of them would tell him the real truth, find the problem, and solve it.

Secondly, it's possible that Bai Ze, their master at the time, actually knew about this matter. If that's the case, then Ming Yan could have learned part of the possible truth from her... However, it's also uncertain; perhaps what Bai Ze saw wasn't necessarily the truth, and one would need to make their own judgment...

Firstly, they seem difficult to deal with. Both women have their own agendas, and their attempts to build relationships with him are merely out of concern that he might side with the other, causing an imbalance of power and restricting him. They are not genuinely interested in being friends with him, like Fei Yan.

But now it's impossible to return to the sacred mountain. Hopefully, things will progress in the sea.

That flower and that sword are truly a headache.

Chapter Seventy-Four: Feng Lingyueying's Side Hustle

A few days later, Zhenhai City became even more lively, as many famous young geniuses from the Southern Continent came here. Unfortunately, Ming Yan usually only interacted with geniuses of cultivation level like Gu Hanshuang and Yu Mudan. Other geniuses paled in comparison to these two and were hard to remember.

Feng Shiyi was still asleep, but there was no need to worry too much. Ming Yan had left her and Huang Junyi in the city because Huang Junyi was not allowed to enter the sea and would not be allowed to pass.

A loud horn sounded from the horizon, resounding throughout the heavens and earth and echoing in the city.

coming!

Mingyan and Huang Feiyan left their residence and headed to the city's port.

At the port, several powerful cultivators guarded the area. Some of them possessed an aura so strong that it was close to that of Huang Junru. These cultivators were likely all experts at the Human Realm, possibly from the sea world behind the mist, and were there specifically to ensure that no cultivators above the Divine Realm could infiltrate the area.

Everyone entering the port must register their information before they can enter.

Ming Yan and Huang Feiyan entered the room, where many cultivators had already gathered. It seemed that there were many different factions, but Gu Hanshuang was the most striking one. The violent sword energy around her body was extremely sharp, making people afraid to approach.

Yu Mudan is certainly not that flamboyant; her identity has not yet been revealed, and she is currently hiding somewhere.

Apart from that, the vast majority of them were unfamiliar faces that Ming Yan had never seen before.

He approached a cultivator and asked, "Fellow Daoist, who are the people who came this time?"

Seeing that Mingyan had asked a question, the man introduced them to Mingyan, "Don't we need to say anything about our female sword immortal? Besides her, all of the top ten geniuses from the Southern Continent are here except for the sixth one. There are also quite a few people from the Eastern Continent... Hey, why do you look so familiar?"

As the man spoke, his expression turned strange, then he seemed surprised. "You are Ming Yan from the Eastern Continent? Then the person next to you must be Fairy Huang Feiyan from the Eastern Continent, right?"

Ming Yan asked in surprise, "Fellow Daoist, do you know us?"

"...It seems you are unaware...someone in the Southern Continent has a bounty on your head..." the man said in a low voice. "You must be careful, fellow Daoist. Although no one will attack you in Zhenhai City, once you enter the deep sea, things could get unpredictable."

Someone has put a bounty on my head? Ming Yan frowned. "Thank you for the reminder, fellow Daoist."

The man shook his head and distanced himself from Ming Yan, not wanting to get involved in trouble. However, the fact that he had spoken up to remind Ming Yan after learning his identity was enough.

Huang Feiyan transmitted her voice to Ming Yan, "Do you have enemies in the Southern Continent?"

"I don't remember having any enemies." Ming Yan was also a little puzzled. After arriving in the Southern Continent, he went straight to the sacred mountain of the demon race. Apart from Yu Mudan and Gu Hanshuang, he did not communicate with anyone else along the way. Could it be that one of these two was coming to take his life?

If that's the case, wouldn't it be better for these two to do it themselves? Both of them are powerful experts at the full level of the Divine Realm, so why would they need to offer a bounty on their own heads?

Moreover, Mingyan couldn't understand why these two people wanted to kill him; it was simply because they were afraid he would side with the other person.

"Be careful," Huang Feiyan frowned. "If someone really tries to assassinate you, perhaps we can get some information from them."

Mingyan nodded and began to observe his surroundings.

At the very front of the port, there is a hollowed-out stone tablet with ancient array patterns carved on it. Ming Yan has some knowledge of arrays and knows that these are the array patterns of a teleportation array, but they are carved on this hollowed-out stone tablet. In addition to this one, there are similar hollowed-out stone tablets in the other three places of the port. The stone tablets cover the entire port, which is a huge teleportation array.