Immediately.
Bai Zihe suddenly leaped into the air, unleashing four palm winds mid-flight that stirred up a magnificent spectacle, auspicious signs appearing.
To the east, his fist struck like a dragon.
To the west, his stance was like a fierce tiger.
To the south, the Vermilion Bird was reborn.
To the north, he summoned the Spirit Turtle.
"Roar—"
"Grrr…"
"Screech!"
"Hiss!"
In the next moment, the four celestial beasts roared in all directions.
The Nine Revolutions Trapped Dragon Formation shattered with a clang, failing to inflict any damage on Bai Zihe.
This scene…
Stunned Murong Mingyue on the spot.
Such a method of breaking formations could perhaps only be performed by a peerless master, their eldest martial uncle.
And the eldest martial uncle…
He had only ever taken two disciples in his life; the eldest disciple had been unseen for many years, and the youngest disciple, they had only parted ways recently. Could it be…
Murong Mingyue’s beautiful eyes scanned Bai Zihe for a moment, finally settling on his eyes, so clear, so familiar!
"You are… little junior brother?"
Murong Mingyue tore off the human skin mask from her face, revealing her true self.
"Haha…"
Bai Zihe also wiped his face, revealing his true appearance, "Fourth Senior Sister, I never expected we would meet in this foreign land."
"It really is you!"
Murong Mingyue's heart churned, unable to calm down for a long time.
Her beautiful eyes continuously shifted up and down, filled with surprise and joy!
To the point where she lost control of herself.
The four maids, Chun Tao, Xia He, Qiu Yue, and Dong Xue, felt a great complexity in their hearts, not knowing what to say for a moment.
After all this…
It turned out this "foreign devil" was one of their own.
Only Lord Qi.
He still remembered the kick Bai Zihe had given him, his backside still faintly aching. He immediately asked sternly, "Murong, what exactly is going on?"
Murong Mingyue quickly explained, "Lord Qi, he is my little junior brother, Bai Zihe, and he is also a native of Da Xia."
"Bai Zihe, a Da Xia native?"
Lord Qi’s gaze swept over Bai Zihe for a moment, a subtle cold glint flashing deep within his eyes, "No matter who he is, the secrets of our Rogue Thief Divine Stealer group cannot be leaked."
Murong Mingyue's heart suddenly clenched, a bad premonition forming.
"According to the usual rules, he must die."
"However…"
Lord Qi snorted coldly, "For your sake, I can spare his life, but he must be imprisoned for life."
"Lord Qi!"
Murong Mingyue panicked immediately and quickly said, "Little junior brother is my closest kin. Can you retract your order?"
"Retract the order?"
Lord Qi said sinisterly, "Murong Mingyue, not killing him on the spot has already given you enough face. Do not push your luck!"
"Lord Qi!"
Murong Mingyue gritted her teeth and said, "Little junior brother killed many Ying warriors and ancient martial artists in this operation, which is why we were able to steal back the 'Kong Wu'. Can you consider…"
"Don't even think about it!"
No matter how Murong Mingyue pleaded, Lord Qi’s expression remained as cold as ice, clearly unwilling to change his decision.
Murong Mingyue was also completely disheartened.
She looked around, took a step forward, and stood before Bai Zihe.
A cold smile curled at the corner of her lips, and she drew her saber with a clang, "I said, little junior brother is my closest kin. To capture him is to make an enemy of me!"
"Whoever dares to touch a single hair on his head, I will kill them!"
Her words were decisive, filled with killing intent, leaving no room for retreat.
Hearing this.
Lord Qi burst into laughter, his laughter unrestrained.
"Ignorant fool!"
He looked at Murong Mingyue, snorted coldly, and then ordered, "Guards, seize this traitor!"
"Yes!"
Numerous experts from the Rogue Thief Divine Stealer group immediately moved forward.
Chun Tao, Xia He, and the other four maids also immediately stood in front of Murong Mingyue, showing their resolve to stand with her.
Alas, their numbers were too few.
Merely five people.
In the blink of an eye, they were submerged by a tide of experts.
"Murong Mingyue!"
Seeing that they had completed the encirclement, Lord Qi stared at her coldly, without a trace of emotion, "You are also a veteran of the Rogue Thief Divine Stealer."
"Over the years…"
"You have completed dozens of missions, big and small, and are destined to be engraved on the wall of honor in the future, an outstanding figure."
"Why would you ruin yourself like this?"
His words were righteous and awe-inspiring, as if helping Bai Zihe was a heinous, wicked deed.
"Ruin myself?"
Murong Mingyue sneered dismissively, scoffing.
Lord Qi's pupils contracted, his eyes completely devoid of color, "Your reckless actions now, once they reach the ears of the other lords…"
"Do you think…"
"What will be your fate?"
"You will surely suffer greatly. Are you… sure you won't turn back?"
The threat and chilling killing intent in his tone were already obvious!
Murong Mingyue’s face remained unchanged.
She glanced back at Bai Zihe, her eyes as gentle as water. Turning back to face Lord Qi, she had regained her cold and resolute demeanor, "I stand by my word."
Murong Mingyue’s gaze was sharp, sweeping over everyone present.
These…
Former companions, now enemies.
It seemed like a warning, a farewell.
"If any of you dare to touch a single hair on my little junior brother, I, Murong Mingyue, will fight you to the death, until the very end!"