Lu Ye stepped forward to vouch for her, and Nian Yuexian finally withdrew her killing intent, lightly spitting out a word: "Scram!" Yu Daiwei felt as if she had been granted amnesty, and turned to flee, her voice trailing from afar: "Lu Yiye, don't forget your promise!" The scent of blood permeated the air. Yu Huajin's corpse lay on the ground, while Lin Yue remained tense, guarding Li Taibai, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on Nian Yuexian. Compared to the old and frail Yu Huajin, the sudden appearance of Nian Yuexian made her even more nervous. She could allow Lu Ye to freely come and go through the Dark Moon Forest Pass because of a collaborative agreement, and no matter what, Li Taibai and Lu Yiye at least had some friendship. But this didn't mean that anyone could trespass the mountain pass she guarded, especially not a formidable ghost cultivator like Nian Yuexian. Yu Huajin had already been killed by one strike from her; if Nian Yuexian wanted, she couldn't ensure her own safety, making her feel a sense of crisis. Fortunately, she also knew that Nian Yuexian would most likely not start another killing spree, just like the Ten Thousand Demons Ridge had to maintain the current fragile peace between the two camps, the Haotian Alliance had the same thoughts. "Why is Senior Sister Nian here?" Lu Ye asked. Nian Yuexian had a good relationship with Shui Yuan and had been a reliable assistant under the senior brother, so despite the age difference, it was still appropriate to call her senior sister, especially since Lu Ye was also already in the Divine Sea. However, he could vaguely guess that Nian Yuexian's appearance here wasn't a coincidence; she must have received some sort of information and was secretly following Yu Huajin all along. Otherwise, the timing of her intervention wouldn't have been so precise. "Just passing by," Nian Yuexian replied airily. She naturally wouldn't explain her reasoning to Lu Ye, as there was no need. Now that Yu Huajin was dead, the greatest threat was removed, and no one would harbor murderous intentions against Lu Ye in secret anymore. Lu Ye had nothing to say. In Haotian City, in the sect master's small courtyard, the sect master and Zhao Cheng of the Tianyuan Sect sat across from each other, sipping tea. They had been sitting for several hours without speaking, though they had consumed several pots of tea. Zhao Cheng suddenly looked sorrowful and slowly stood up: "Brother Thang, now that this affair is over, I bid you farewell." The sect master nodded silently and did not see him off. Zhao Cheng walked out of the house and looked up to see the sky full of stars, the night was dazzling, and he sighed deeply. Some past affections were just memories now. Some things couldn't be stopped, and some people couldn't be persuaded. Since they couldn't be stopped or persuaded, the only option was to take preventive measures, even though it was unbearable and painful. But in the end, some sacrifices had to be made. At his stage of cultivation and position, the interests of the sect outweighed personal feelings; he had to plan for the entire Tianyuan Sect and could no longer just be someone's senior brother. He had thought about continuing to try and prevent it, just like he had stepped in last time, but it was pointless. That junior sister had no more ties and was now filled with bitterness and hatred. At such a time, such obsession was dangerous. He ultimately chose a path of no return. At the Dark Moon Forest Pass, Nian Yuexian had already left with Yu Huajin's corpse. She didn't say much to Lu Ye before leaving, as if she was really just passing by and happened to kill a minor character who intended harm on Lu Ye. Lin Yue breathed a long sigh of relief, a massive weight lifted from her heart. Lu Ye also bid farewell and left, not using the Teleportation Array, but instead flying out of the Dark Moon Forest Pass. After traveling about 30 miles, Yu Daiwei was waiting. Seeing Lu Ye arrive, she couldn't help but glance behind him and nervously used her Mental Consciousness to scan the surroundings. Lu Ye looked at her: "What are you looking for?" Yu Daiwei, cautious and sneaky in demeanor, asked, "Did Nian Yuexian follow?" "Lead the way!" Lu Ye urged impatiently. Yu Daiwei pouted, but she knew that if Nian Yuexian were truly following in secret, with her skills she wouldn't necessarily detect her, so there's no use in looking. She glanced up and down at Lu Ye and clicked her tongue in wonder: "You're already at Divine Sea Level 4!" She hadn't paid much attention before, but when Lu Ye's saber intent surged and spirit force erupted at the Dark Moon Forest Pass, she suddenly realized that Lu Ye's cultivation had already reached Divine Sea Level 4. A little over a year ago, when the long-lost Lu Ye returned to the Nine Provinces from who knows where, he had just barely ascended to the Divine Sea. In just over a year, he advanced four minor levels in cultivation, an incredibly terrifying pace of cultivation. She faintly realized that it was precisely because he reached Divine Sea Level 4 that Lu Yiye offered to meet the Venerable One on his own initiative because he probably felt that he now had a chance to escape from the Venerable One's hands. Thinking it over, this guy might truly have that capability. This guy's real strength always surpassed his actual realm by several levels. Back when he first ascended to the Divine Sea, he was already a challenge for her. Now his strength could only have grown stronger since then. Even if the Venerable One took action, how certain would it be that he could capture him alive? Moreover, the Venerable One valued him greatly and might not necessarily want to antagonize him. No wonder she's favored by Heaven's Augury. Yu Daiwei had never envied anyone in her life, but facing Lu Ye, there was inevitably some discontent in her heart. "Lead the way!" Lu Ye urged once more. Just as Yu Daiwei thought, now that he had ascended to the Divine Sea Level 4, he felt confident enough to escape from under Mount Tai's hand. Otherwise, he would not have proactively sought to meet Mount Tai. Some matters need to be laid out before him. For nothing else, given the current unstable situation of the Nine Provinces, the power controlled by Mount Tai is an unsettling factor. If mischief arises during such times, it will only worsen the already dire situation, so he needs to be placated. Moreover, Lu Ye wanted to discuss with Mount Tai the possibility of borrowing his forces. Eventually, he still had to return to the Blood Refinement World, and going alone was not an option, so he needed a large group of allies. Where could these allies come from? The forces under Mount Tai were the best and most readily available choice. Of course, if it were someone else or another matter, Mount Tai might not care. But this involves the senior brother, and Mount Tai could not be indifferent. These two points were Lu Ye's intentions, and as for whether Mount Tai believed him or not, there was no need to worry. Lu Ye had his ways. Before returning from the Blood Refinement World, the senior brother had explained many things. Yu Daiwei led the way ahead, with Lu Ye close behind. This woman probably harbored some resentment, so while flying, she intentionally tried to embarrass Lu Ye, flying faster and faster, hoping Lu Ye would request her to slow down, thus she could regain some face. Unexpectedly, no matter how fast she flew, Lu Ye could easily keep up, which greatly frustrated her. Realizing her plan had failed, she had no choice but to slow down, as flying like before was also quite energy-consuming for her. Flying from dusk till dawn, Lu Ye felt that this direction seemed somewhat off. Because according to the ten-part map, this direction was clearly heading towards Mount Ao. A thought occurred to him: "Is Mount Tai over there at Mount Ao?" The area of Mount Ao is vast and sparsely populated, and apart from the Righteous Blood Sect, there's only the Ziwei Dao Palace. The spirit mountaintops are sparsely inhabited, with many independent cultivators' cave residences. If Mount Tai were hiding in one of these caves disguised as an independent cultivator, it's unlikely anyone would notice. Yu Daiwei said, "The Venerable One specifically chose that location to meet with you. Even I can't determine his whereabouts, so you shouldn't inquire further." It's understandable since someone like Mount Tai would prefer not to show himself publicly. After years of hiding, he likely has refuge spots scattered all over the Nine Provinces. Upon entering Mount Ao, Lu Ye glanced downwards, frowning. Mount Ao, which was originally lush and vibrant, was now barren and lifeless. This was evidently the result of the Insect Race's infestation. Not just Mount Ao, but the majority of the Nine Provinces are in such a state now. It wasn't until they reached a nameless peak that Yu Daiwei descended upon her fleeing light and flew towards it, with Lu Ye closely following behind. Landing on the peak, Lu Ye immediately spotted a familiar figure awaiting his arrival, none other than Mount Tai. A burly figure stood by Mount Tai's side, and judging by his dull expression, he should be a Dao soldier. Lu Ye couldn't help but think of Dao Thirteen, who didn't return with them from the Blood Refinement World. It must have been that the long-distance teleportation consumed too much energy, so the Nine Provinces Heaven's Augury stopped Dao Thirteen's teleportation, leaving him in the Blood Refinement World. "Sit," Mount Tai said with a warm smile, as refreshing as a spring breeze. Lu Ye, not standing on ceremony, casually took a seat opposite him. The first time he had met Mount Tai, he had felt enormous pressure, as back then he was only at True Lake Level 5. But now, being at Divine Sea Level 4, he has crossed an entire major realm in cultivation. Besides, he had met dozens of cultivators stronger than Mount Tai and had been trained by them for several months. Lu Ye now considered himself quite experienced. He could say that within the Nine Provinces, there was no one whose mere presence could daunt him. Moreover, Mount Tai was not an oppressive figure; he always gave people a warm feeling. Yu Daiwei sat quietly to one side, kneeling while preparing tea with a tea set. "What might you be looking for me for, my young friend?" Mount Tai asked with a smile as the fragrance of tea filled the air. To him, the fact that Lu Ye contacted him voluntarily was all he ever hoped for, regardless of the reason. The last encounter left a deep impression on Mount Tai, and he somewhat understood Lu Ye's character. Therefore, he knew that coercion wouldn't work on Lu Ye; reasoning and emotional persuasion were the keys, with a long-term plan in mind. The current situation in the Nine Provinces is a great opportunity for him. If he can solve the problem of the insect infestation, it will spark a new wave of momentum, spreading the name of Chaos throughout the Nine Provinces and attracting followers. He had prepared everything for this, and now he just needed a nod from Lu Ye. Then the third-party faction, Chaos, could emerge and cleanse the Nine Provinces of catastrophe. At that time, both Chaos and Lu Ye would become saviors of the Nine Provinces. With such a foundation of gratitude, there would be no worry about Chaos not thriving and expanding.