Star Martial Soaring Cloud

With a white veil brushing her face, Su Qinhe stood quietly on the volcanic plain in the northern part of the Demon Island, her fingertips lightly twirling a blue-green wind chime. The two characters "Wind and Rain" engraved on the bell gleamed coldly in the setting sun. This was the mother bell of the Wind and Rain Pavilion's Mother and Child Bells. If the person holding the child bell appeared within fifty miles of the mother bell, the child bell would sense it and guide the bell holder to come.

The child bell can sense the mother bell, but the mother bell cannot sense the child bell; this is Su Qinhe's sincerity towards her ally.

In such a dangerous place as the Demon Island, to deliberately expose one's location to others carries an immense weight.

It is both trust and helplessness.

Although Fengyuxuan is one of the top ten powers in the Nine Provinces, it has very few spots to enter the Demon Island, with only two available, one for Saintess Su Qinhe and one for Huaying Yan Zixi.

It wasn't that Fengyuxuan lacked strength, but rather that they actively sought it out—this was the ultimate test for their future leader.

They want the two successors to survive on the Demon Island on their own. When they leave the island, whoever can bring greater value to Fengyuxuan will be the ultimate winner. The winner takes all and will have the opportunity to lead Fengyuxuan for the next hundred years.

Fengyuxuan is based on trade and intelligence, and its core strength lies in "connections and tactics".

Now that we have basic intelligence on the Demon Island, the rest depends entirely on the abilities of the two successors.

If one dies here, one can only admit to one's incompetence; as long as one does not kill one another, everything else depends on one's own means.

Cruel? If it weren't cruel, how could Fengyuxuan have become the leader in trade and intelligence in Kyushu?

Heartless? If not heartless, how could Fengyuxuan have endured for a thousand years without collapsing?

So what if I'm all alone? The leader of Fengyuxuan must be more capable than a thousand people, and be able to turn the tide single-handedly.

But reality is ultimately cruel.

All the major forces that have entered the island this time are here for the Immortal Ephemeral Flower and other treasures. Everyone is looking out for their own needs first, so who would care about others for no reason?

Without sufficient leverage and skill, who would take the heir of the Lonely Wind and Rain Pavilion seriously?

The wind, carrying the scorching heat of volcanic ash, swept by, ruffling Su Qinhe's flowing black hair. She couldn't help but cough twice, raising her hand to cover her lips. A few streaks of blood appeared on her jade-colored fingertips.

Today was the day she was supposed to meet with her allies, and despite her injuries, she had to come.

Before we knew it, half a month had passed since we arrived on the island.

Su Qinhe looked up at the sky. The setting sun was like blood, dyeing the distant mountains dark red, just like her worries about the future of her Demon Island—would she be able to leave alive? How many of the allies who came to keep their appointment today would actually be there?

When she thought of allies, the image of the young man in white—Wang Xiao—involuntarily came to mind.

At their first meeting, his words and actions were absurd and unrestrained, yet it was precisely him who helped him win a resounding victory.

Zhong Yuncheng's high-stakes gamble still haunts her to this day.

A cultivator who had just entered the Fish Leap Realm dared to gamble with the century-long tax revenue of Zhongyun City, forcing Song Qing, who was in the Divine Sense Void Realm, to seal his cultivation and fight him at the same level. Such courage and strategy still seem like a dream when I think back on it now.

What's even more remarkable is that although he acted seemingly arbitrarily, he was actually planning every step carefully. He used Fengyuxuan to spread the news throughout the land, attracting the attention of the world, and in the end, he actually defeated Song Qing.

That is why she went to Lishan in person, brought out the precious Eight Su Stones, and insisted on forming an alliance with him.

But who would have thought that Zhong Yuncheng's amazing feat was just the beginning? He created an even more exaggerated miracle in Lishan—single-handedly defeating the Hua family, withstanding the encirclement of more than twenty Fish Leap cultivators, safely returning to Lishan City under the iron hooves of the King of Lishan, and finally using his Fish Leap cultivation to slay Xuan Yuanhong, a Dragon Gate Divine Realm cultivator, splitting the entire Lishan in two with a single sword strike.

Even knowing that it might rely on some kind of one-time treasure, how many fish-leaping cultivators in the entire Nine Provinces could achieve such a feat?

She originally planned to find his whereabouts by relying on the spies left behind by Fengyuxuan in Lishan after the Lishan Trial ended.

After the trial ended, she used all of Fengyuxuan's intelligence networks to track down Wang Xiao's whereabouts, but he seemed to have vanished into thin air, leaving no trace.

Su Qinhe frowned slightly, her unease growing stronger, and a sense of loss engulfing her like a tide.

She had been waiting there for half a day and was beginning to wonder how much longer she could hold on.

Ultimately, waiting is the most agonizing thing—it is both hope and despair.

She had been extremely cautious during her trip to the island, but she still ended up getting injured.

Her thoughts drifted back to this morning when she discovered the Immortal Epiphyllum in a secluded valley. The valley was filled with spiritual energy, and Yingzhao, who was guarding the Immortal Epiphyllum, had been lured away by other strange beasts.

She had already found a good opportunity to take away the seedlings of the Immortal Ephemeral Flower, but unexpectedly, Feng Rujing from the Arctic Immortal Palace suddenly appeared.

Feng Rujing is the most outstanding young talent in the Arctic Immortal Palace. At the age of sixteen, he was already an invincible figure in the Northern Plains Fish Leap Realm. When he drew his Frost Sword, few could rival him.

Having just turned eighteen, he has already reached the pinnacle of the Fish Leap, and is the person most likely to reach the Dragon Gate Divine Realm upon leaving the island after the Demon Island trip.

If it weren't for the restrictions on the Demon Island, he might have already crossed the Dragon Gate.

The Arctic Fairy Palace has always been known for its water-based supernatural powers, and Feng Rujing is one of the best among them. He exudes a chilling aura, and can condense frost into the sky with every move he makes.

Su Qinhe's martial arts style is characterized by long sleeves for defense and jade flute for offense, combining both.

She immediately activated her inner energy, her long white sleeves unfurling like flowing water to block Feng Rujing's chilling aura. At the same time, she drew her jade flute from her waist and swung it straight out. The jade flute, imbued with sharp inner energy, transformed into a white light and pierced towards Feng Rujing.

The chilling aura condensed by Feng Rujing collided with the jade flute, producing a piercing "sizzling" sound. The chilling aura and vital energy spread out, freezing and cutting down all the surrounding vegetation.

The two fought fiercely for dozens of rounds, but neither could gain the upper hand. Su Qinhe's long sleeves provided impenetrable defense, and Feng Rujing's chilling aura could not penetrate her defenses. Although her jade flute attacks were fierce, they were also unable to cause any real damage to Feng Rujing.

Just as the two were locked in a stalemate, another genius from the Arctic Immortal Palace, Lin Shisan, suddenly arrived.

Lin Shisan and Feng Rujing are known as the "Two Beauties of the North Pole". When the two joined forces to attack, Su Qinhe was immediately put on the defensive.

She knew that if she continued to fight, she would surely be defeated, and might even perish here.

Left with no other choice, she could only feint an attack, using the energy released by the jade flute as cover to retreat.

"It seems I can only wait a little longer." Su Qinhe sighed softly, carefully put away the Wind and Rain Bell, found a relatively secluded rock hollow to sit down, and began to circulate her vital energy to regulate her breathing.

She closed her eyes, her brows furrowing slightly beneath the thin veil, her senses fully engaged as she vigilantly perceived the movements around her.

The Demon Island was fraught with danger; the slightest lapse in vigilance could lead to utter destruction, so she dared not relax for even a moment.

After an unknown amount of time, a series of heavy footsteps approached from afar, accompanied by the grating sound of metal scraping against metal, breaking the tranquility of the volcanic plain.

Su Qinhe suddenly opened her eyes, a fierce glint flashing in them. She slowly stood up, her long sleeves moving silently, and she held the jade flute in her hand, ready for battle.

A figure dressed in black appeared in the field of vision. He was tall and upright with a handsome face, but he exuded an undisguised evil aura.

He held a huge, jet-black broadsword in his hand. The blade was thick and sharp, radiating a chilling aura.

The newcomer stopped less than ten feet away from Su Qinhe, his gaze sweeping over her with unbridled scorn and scrutiny.

He smiled, his voice deep and magnetic, yet concealing a chilling coldness: "Fairy Su, I've long admired your name, but seeing you in person is truly an honor. Indeed, you are captivatingly beautiful, a sight to behold. I am Qin Wuming of the Tianyi Sect."

"The young master of the Demonic Sect?" Su Qinhe's heart skipped a beat, but her face remained calm, her tone as cold as frost. "Young Master Qin has come here specifically to stop me, surely not just to exchange a few polite words? If you have something to say, just say it directly, there's no need to beat around the bush."

She could clearly sense that Qin Wuming's cultivation was unfathomable, far surpassing that of ordinary Fish Leap Perfection cultivators, and that he was surrounded by a strange, evil aura that made her feel uncomfortable all over.

"Fairy Su is indeed straightforward!" Qin Wuming laughed heartily, his broadsword swaying slightly, emitting a low buzzing sound as if echoing his laughter. "To be honest, I have come here today to ask Fairy Su for something—the branch map of Fengyuxuan."

"Branch map?" Su Qinhe frowned, her eyes suddenly turning cold. "Young Master Qin is joking. The Fengyuxuan branch map is the sect's top secret. How can it be leaked? Your request is far too unrealistic."

"Why must Fairy Su keep people at arm's length?" Qin Wuming took a step forward, his evil aura growing increasingly dense, almost tangible. "Now, my Heavenly Change Sect is determined to return to the Five Regions and contend for supremacy over the Nine Provinces. If the Wind and Rain Pavilion can form an alliance with the Holy Sect, a powerful alliance, what is there to worry about in achieving great things?"

"An alliance?" Su Qinhe scoffed, her eyes filled with disdain. "Young Master Qin has chosen the wrong partner. Fengyuxuan and Tianyi Sect are on different paths, one of good and evil, and cannot work together!"

"Different paths?" Qin Wuming shook his head, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes. "Fairy Su, you're still too naive. So-called morality is nothing but a self-deceiving excuse for the weak. Only absolute strength is the true path to ruling the world!"

He paused, his tone carrying a strong sense of pressure: "Even if we have different paths, we can become family. We won't stand on ceremony. As long as you hand over the branch map to me and we become husband and wife, I will help you eliminate Yan Zixi, your rival, on Demon Island. At that time, the Tianyi Sect and the Fengyu Pavilion will be integrated, and we can join forces to control Dongbin, then conquer Zhongzhou, and even unify the Nine Provinces. That's not impossible." His words were resounding, as if everything was already under his control.

"Young Master Qin seems to know Fengyu Pavilion very well; you've certainly done your homework." Su Qinhe suddenly unfurled her long sleeves, the white sleeve shadows surging like a tidal wave towards Qin Wuming. "Unfortunately, good and evil cannot coexist. Your wishful thinking has backfired! This humble woman is afraid she cannot comply!"

"Fairy Su, why be angry?" Qin Wuming remained calm, lightly waving his broadsword. A jet-black blade aura roared out and collided violently with the white-sleeved figure. "Since ancient times, heroes have been paired with beauties. Even if you are unwilling to form an alliance, you might as well consider the suggestion of becoming husband and wife."

With a loud "bang," the shockwave spread outwards, kicking up clouds of volcanic ash.

Su Qinhe was so shocked that she staggered back several steps, her blood surging and a metallic taste rising in her throat.

She was shocked. Qin Wuming's strength far exceeded her expectations. His attack just now seemed casual, but it contained unparalleled power. Moreover, the strange and evil energy contained in the sword energy had quietly invaded her body, disrupting her vital energy circulation.

"Fairy Su, your strength is not bad, but unfortunately, you've just gone through a fierce battle and haven't recovered your strength. You're no match for me right now." Qin Wuming pressed closer, his eyes filled with a hint of cat-and-mouse pity. "I advise you to obediently surrender, hand over the branch map, and become my wife. This way, we can both save a lot of trouble, and Fengyuxuan can have a better future. Why not?"

"Stop talking!" Su Qinhe took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the surging blood and qi in her body. She held the jade flute horizontally in her hand, her fingertips quickly tracing across the flute's surface. A series of condensed Yuan Qi blades burst forth from the flute, attacking Qin Wuming.

At the same time, her long sleeves activated again, transforming into solid white barriers that tightly protected her.

Seeing this, Qin Wuming curled his lips into a cold smile, and swung his broadsword even more swiftly. The sword shadows were like a tapestry, and layers of dark sword energy collided with the Yuan Qi blade, producing a series of ear-piercing metallic clangs.

His swordsmanship was bizarre and ruthless, each strike aimed directly at Su Qinhe's vitals, and the evil energy within his sword aura grew stronger and stronger, like a bone-deep infection, constantly eroding her defensive barrier.

Su Qinhe tried her best to resist, but her energy had not been fully recovered. Faced with Qin Wuming's storm of attacks, she gradually felt powerless.

The speed at which she waved her long sleeves grew slower and slower, and the power of the Yuan Qi blade emitted by the jade flute weakened. Qin Wuming's sword energy broke through her defenses time and time again, leaving cuts of varying depths on her moon-white gauze dress.

If Qin Wuming hadn't shown mercy, every cut would have drawn blood.

"Fairy Su, you won't last long." Qin Wuming's voice carried a hint of mockery. "Why be so stubborn? If you just nod, you'll not only be spared physical pain, but you'll also gain unparalleled glory and status. It's a good deal."

"Dream on!" Su Qinhe gritted her teeth, a resolute glint in her eyes.

She suddenly channeled all the remaining energy in her body, thrusting her jade flute forward with a powerful thrust. A condensed white beam of light shot out with a thunderous roar, while her long sleeves transformed into a massive white light shield, enveloping her completely.

Taking advantage of this brief moment, she flashed away and sped off into the distance, trying to escape.

"Trying to run?" Qin Wuming sneered, his figure chasing after her like a ghost, his speed far exceeding that of Su Qinhe.

He swung his broadsword fiercely, and a huge, dark blade of energy, like a sky-splitting blade, roared towards Su Qinhe's back.

Su Qinhe sensed the deadly danger behind her and tried to turn around to defend herself, but it was too late.

With a loud "bang," she was struck hard by the blade's energy, her body flying out like a kite with a broken string, crashing heavily to the ground, and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

The white light shield shattered instantly, the long sleeves fell limply, and the jade flute also fell to the side, making a crisp clinking sound.

She struggled to get up, but found that her whole body ached unbearably, and she was completely exhausted, without even the strength to move a finger.

Qin Wuming walked up to her step by step, looking down at her with a smug glint in his eyes: "Fairy Su, please forgive me."

As he spoke, he reached out to pick up Su Qinhe.

Despair filled Su Qinhe's heart. She slowly closed her eyes, thinking to herself, "I can only wait for an opportunity to unleash my last trump card and fight to the death!"

Just then, a mocking voice suddenly rang out: "Sorry, you can't take this chick away today, because I've got my eye on her."