As soon as he returned to the mortal world, before Yun Fan could even properly reunite, a stunning woman arrived in Jiangnan.
This exceptionally beautiful woman possessed a charming appearance and a remarkable figure, not much inferior to that of Suzaku.
With her arrival, everyone's expressions turned tense, for this woman's strength was not to be underestimated; she had attained the Nascent Soul stage.
It had to be said that among the younger generation, she was an absolute standout.
She specifically asked to see Yun Fan by name.
"Our boss isn't someone you can just demand to see!" Lei Bao said with displeasure. The woman's attitude irked him greatly. Who was their boss? Even describing him as the strongest prodigy of the current era would not be an exaggeration.
Having followed Yun Fan all this way, they had witnessed his formidable power firsthand. Calling him a dragon among men would not be excessive.
Yet, this woman acted as if she didn't even regard Yun Fan as a person, addressing him with a condescending, superior demeanor.
She didn't even say she wanted to *meet* Yun Fan, but spoke in a tone that implied Yun Fan should report for duty, which made everyone grit their teeth.
Seeing this, the woman revealed a seductive smile and, in the next moment, attacked Lei Bao directly.
"Not good!" Feng Yidao reacted first, intending to intervene, but it was too late.
At this critical juncture, an aura appeared, locking down the surrounding space and preventing the woman from advancing any further.
"Hmph?"
As she pondered this, Yun Fan appeared.
Yun Fan spoke, "Miss, you come to my territory and attack my people without provocation. What is the meaning of this?"
The woman felt immense pressure from Yun Fan's aura, and her heart inwardly paled. Wasn't Yun Fan only in the Nascent Soul stage?
How could he be so powerful?
However, given Yun Fan's association with the demonic path, such a powerful aura was somewhat understandable. Thus, she immediately asked, "Mr. Yun, do you intend to kill me?"
"There's no need for that!"
Yun Fan stated, "If my subordinate were killed by you, then no matter who you are, I would kill you. You should be fortunate that the situation has not escalated to that point!"
"Heh heh!"
The woman calmly replied, "Mr. Yun, my name is Qing Huan. I am here on behalf of my master!"
"Who is your master?" Yun Fan asked, puzzled.
Qing Huan said, "My master is someone Mr. Yun must remember vividly. He is Shi Tianxing!"
Upon hearing that name, a surge of killing intent filled Yun Fan. After all, before he had broken through to become a Land Immortal, he had been dealt with severely by this individual.
Had it not been for his Second Senior Sister's deterrence, he would likely have died. The grudge he held against this enemy was profound. He never expected him to send someone to Jiangnan.
"What is your master's purpose in seeking me?" Yun Fan asked directly.
Qing Huan said, "My master will be descending upon the Great Void Holy Land and has invited you for a battle! Do you dare to accept?"
"Whether I dare or not is my business. What if I refuse?" Yun Fan chuckled coldly.
Upon hearing this, Qing Huan said, "If you refuse, then my master will descend upon the mortal world! I hope you can bear all the consequences that follow!"
She was clearly threatening Yun Fan.
Everyone present became indignant, never imagining that this woman would speak so arrogantly, even daring to threaten their boss.
Yun Fan said, "Since that is the case, I accept!"
He wouldn't gamble. Although he didn't fear Shi Tianxing now, he didn't want the mortal world to suffer any harm.
"Very well. On the fifteenth of August, on the night of the full moon, atop the Great Void Summit, we shall decide life and death!"
After stating the time, she turned to leave.
At this moment, Yun Fan suddenly said, "Wait!"
"Does Mr. Yun have something else?" she asked Yun Fan, confused.
Could it be that Yun Fan regretted his decision? She knew her master's objective. A duel was the best way to eliminate Yun Fan.
This way, even if that woman sought retribution later, there would be no reason for it. Unlike what happened at the Fengchan Land, a duel was permissible.
If Yun Fan regretted it, then only the second phase of the plan would be necessary: forcing Yun Fan to accept.
Yun Fan said, "Judging by your accent, you should be from the Jiangnan region. Can you bear to implicate the mortal world as well?"
Upon hearing this, Qing Huan showed no emotion. Instead, she replied, "I left for the Fengchan Land at a young age and have been by my master's side for twenty years. The mortal world is nothing but ants to me. If it can achieve my master's goals, what does it matter if these ants are annihilated?"
She spoke the truth to Yun Fan.
Yun Fan had nothing more to say to someone like her. He simply told her, "Tell your master that I will repay the humiliation from last time tenfold!"
"Then you will likely be disappointed. My master is invincible. You are definitely not his match!" she said dismissively.
"Is that so?"
Yun Fan turned away, not wasting another word. Although this woman was incredibly irritating, Yun Fan did not make a move.
After all, in warfare, envoys are not killed. It wasn't that he was soft-hearted, but he always felt that this woman had left some contingency in the mortal world.
If he killed this woman and endangered the mortal world, it would be a loss that outweighed any gain. Was it not just a battle to the death?
If it were before, he might have been flustered, but now, he felt no fear whatsoever. If they wished to fight, then fight.
"A mere maidservant is this powerful. I truly wonder how strong her master is!" Yang Can said with apprehension.
Aside from Yaochi and Yun Fan, everyone else present was not at this level. Therefore, in their eyes, Qing Huan was an incredibly formidable existence.
Yaochi said, "To kill her, I need only one move!"
Upon hearing this, everyone trembled. However, Yaochi was not boasting. She had now emerged from the predicament of the Heartless Dao, and her strength had soared. She was on the verge of breaking through to become a Land Immortal. Her talent was in no way inferior to Yun Fan's.
At this moment, she asked Yun Fan, "Do you truly intend to keep the appointment?"
"Yes!"
Yun Fan nodded. His enemy had already encroached upon his doorstep. If he didn't agree, wouldn't he appear cowardly? In any case, they would have to confront each other sooner or later.
At this point, Yaochi said, "Shi Tianxing is definitely not simple. When the time comes, I will accompany you in the battle!"
She wanted to help Yun Fan. If it were anyone else saying such a thing, it would undoubtedly be boasting, but Yaochi was different.
She possessed the strength to back up her words.
Yun Fan replied, "No need. It doesn't follow the rules!"
Having been defeated by Shi Tianxing before, he needed to defeat Shi Tianxing personally to resolve his inner demons.
"Very well!"
Yaochi said, "The Fengchan Land is very insidious, so I advise you to be fully prepared!"
"I will be!"
Yun Fan nodded.
The location of this decisive battle was beyond his expectations; it was in the Great Void Holy Land. The Great Void Holy Land had a mountain called Great Void Mountain, a unique scenic spot in the small world. Choosing this location seemed reasonable on the surface.
However, Yun Fan had a nagging feeling that this decisive battle would not be simple.
But since things had come to this, he had no other choice. Great Void Mountain was not too far from the Blood Prison Forbidden Zone.
If the other party truly had some scheme, his master would likely arrive in a short period.
He understood his master's character too well. If it were merely a duel to the death between two individuals, even if the opponent were very strong, his master would not interfere.
If it were truly a scheme, his master would absolutely not stand idly by.
There were only two days left until August 15th, so after arranging everything, Yun Fan departed.
Although everyone wanted to help Yun Fan, they were self-aware. In a battle at the Land Immortal level, they couldn't even offer assistance; they would turn to dust just by getting close.
At this moment, Yaochi and Yun Fan set off together.
Originally, he had intended to let Yaochi stay in the mortal world for a while longer to completely overcome her troubles, but Yaochi insisted on accompanying him, so Yun Fan could only agree.
Upon arriving in the small world, Yaochi asked Yun Fan, "Aren't you going to see your aunt and uncle, and your several confidantes?"
In her opinion, these were all people very important to Yun Fan.
Yun Fan replied, "No need!"
It wasn't that he was heartless or unfeeling. If he were to see them now, it would only add to their sadness and worry.
If he were to see them, it would be after the duel. Although even Yun Fan didn't know if he would win this battle!
But he had no choice. His path was only forward, with no retreat.
"Alright then!"
Yaochi understood Yun Fan's intentions.
At this, Yun Fan said to her, "You should return to the Yaochi Holy Land first!"
"Why?" she asked Yun Fan, looking at him with confusion.
"Because if you come with me, it will bring unnecessary trouble to your Yaochi Holy Land!" Yun Fan stated directly.
"But..."
Yaochi Holy Land was about to refuse, but Yun Fan said, "You cannot only consider me!"
Finally, Yaochi agreed.
She said to Yun Fan, "Then I will wait for you at the Yaochi Holy Land. I believe you will surely succeed!"
"Good!"
Now Yun Fan was completely at ease.
Thus, he and Yaochi parted ways. When they parted, Yaochi shed a tear with her back to Yun Fan.
The reason she agreed so readily was to prevent Yun Fan from being distracted. When facing a formidable existence like Shi Tianxing, Yun Fan could not afford to be distracted.
Once distracted, the probability of failure would greatly increase.
...
Upon returning to the Yaochi Holy Land, Yaochi saw many people gathered in the main hall.
Now that her mother was absent, the Yaochi Holy Land was managed by several elders. As for where her mother had gone,
Naturally, she had gone with the Old Heavenly Master to the Blood Prison Forbidden Zone. Through her daughter's experiences, the two had finally put aside their grudges.
They had now found happiness after hardship.
At this moment, one of the elders said to Yaochi, "Saintess, why don't you quickly come and meet the envoy!"
"Envoy?"
Yaochi looked and realized that this envoy was none other than Qing Huan, who had gone to Jiangnan that day.
Even though Qing Huan was merely a maidservant, she was accorded the highest level of treatment at the Yaochi Holy Land.
After all, even as a maidservant, she was from the Fengchan Land, serving the strongest prodigy of the Shi family, Shi Tianxing.
"What are you doing here?" Yaochi did not give Qing Huan a good look.
Qing Huan said, "My master is in need of a maidservant, so I have come to escort you. From today onwards, you will be my master's maidservant!"
In her opinion, her master's maidservant had to be the most outstanding. Throughout the entire small world, the most outstanding woman was undoubtedly Yaochi.
Upon seeing Yaochi, a hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes. After all, Yaochi was truly too beautiful.
Escorting her to her master's side, her master would surely favor Yaochi. However, this hint of jealousy was quickly masked by her.
At this moment, Yaochi said, "Scram!"
"Saintess, how can you speak to the envoy like that!"
"Indeed! Apologize quickly!"
The elders spoke to Yaochi with displeasure. They had been suppressed by the Saintess Mother for a long time. Now that the Saintess Mother was absent, they spoke with a more authoritative tone.
Even though Yaochi was the Saintess, second only to the Saintess Mother, they showed no pleasant demeanor, all in an effort to curry favor with the Fengchan Land.
"Indeed, a person of such high and mighty pride!"
Qing Huan said again, "I advise you to agree obediently. Being by my master's side is a great honor for you. Even your Yaochi Holy Land will ascend to glory!"
"Yes! Saintess, please agree!"
"Indeed, this is a tremendous opportunity for you!" The elders also chimed in, fanning the flames and urging her.
Yaochi inwardly sneered. How could she not see the intentions of these old fogeys?
Her anger grew. How dare Shi Tianxing, of all people, expect her to be a maidservant? Give her a few more years, and surpassing Shi Tianxing would not be a problem.
Thus, she immediately said to Qing Huan, "Then I'll give you an opportunity as well. Either get out, or die!"
"Heh heh!"
Qing Huan let out a cold laugh. "I understand your youthful arrogance, but don't forget, you were born in a land of ants. No matter how noble you are, it doesn't change the fact that you are an ant!"
"Shed your pride. Master dislikes such arrogant maidservants!"
The elders also echoed, "Saintess, stop being so willful and go with the envoy!"
"Don't worry about the Saintess Mother; we will explain to her!"
As soon as they finished speaking, Yaochi unleashed a palm strike, sending them all flying.
But Qing Huan paid them no mind. In her eyes, Yaochi was simply an arrogant person. However, the more such a person acted, the more she wanted to help her master tame Yaochi completely. She wanted to present a qualified maidservant to her master.
At this, Yaochi said, "And you, acting like a dog but having such a sense of superiority!"
"What did you say?" Qing Huan was enraged. She never expected Yaochi to call her a dog.
"Is it not?"
Yaochi said, "Perhaps the Fengchan Land is considered a lofty existence in the eyes of the world, but don't forget, you are fundamentally a dog. No matter how proud you are, it doesn't change the essence of being a dog!"
"You..." Qing Huan was furious. "Even if I am a dog, not just anyone has this opportunity!"
"Then you should keep this opportunity for yourself! Others do not need it!" Yaochi retorted unceremoniously.
"Very well, then today, let this dog teach you how to be a proper dog!"
Instantly, she lunged at Yaochi. At this moment, her eyes were filled with burning rage. Even setting aside her identity as a maidservant, she believed that in this land of ants, her strength was unparalleled.
How could she tolerate being insulted by Yaochi?
Seeing this, Yaochi casually unleashed a strike.
"Boom!"
After one exchange, Qing Huan was sent reeling back, staring at Yaochi in shock. No matter what, she had never expected to be at a disadvantage in a single move.
"How is this possible?" she said incredulously. According to her understanding, the only strong person in this land of ants was Yun Fan.
It was understandable that Yun Fan's strength was formidable due to his demonic cultivation. She never expected a Saintess from a small holy land to be so powerful as well.
Yaochi said, "This move is the consequence of your dog-like eyes looking down on people!"
"Seeking death!"
In the next moment, Qing Huan attacked Yaochi again. This time, she unleashed her full combat power.
Yaochi, on the other hand, wore a disdainful smile.
"It seems you still haven't recognized reality!"