Chapter 400: Chapter 400: Mu Qingyao’s Residence.

At Mu Qingyao’s Residence,

Inside the spacious courtyard, a group of beautiful female disciples which are all subordinates of Mu Qinyao could be seen and seem to be gathered for tea.

Their laughter was soft and elegant as they chatted gracefully about mundane things.

In the middle of the stone table, Mu Qingyao sat there calmly and gracefully while listening to the talk.

She herself looked strangely radiant... with a subtle glow on her face as if something wonderful had happened.

She calmly sipped her tea while reminiscing about Fen Ziyan’s face the moment she read that letter, and couldn’t help but break into a strange, twisted smile again.

But then one of the disciple’s words caught her attention.

"Haha, you won’t believe this, but there’s actually an Inner Sect disciple who’s interested in Big Sister Mu! I did some investigation, and found out that he’s even one of the top ten among the Inner Sect disciples!"

"What? How do you know?"

"Hehe... because he tried to bribe me to speak highly of him in front of Big Sister Mu and even want me to arrange a meeting for him."

Hearing this, Mu Qingyao raised an eyebrow slightly in surprise.

After all, a top 10 Inner Disciple was no small figure.

He had to be a highly talented youth, at least in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, with a possible chance of becoming a Golden Core cultivator in the future.

In short, he was someone with both strength and talent.

But Mu Qingyao sneered inwardly.

’Ah... this is probably related to the plague disaster in the Dynasty.’

She had already seen through the scheme behind this sudden interest..

Her lips curved into a faint, icy smile as she slowly set her teacup down.

The soft laughter around her gradually died away as the girls noticed the subtle shift in their leader’s aura.

"Big Sister Mu... did I say something wrong?" one of them asked cautiously.

"No," Mu Qingyao replied calmly, her voice smooth as silk yet carrying an underlying chill.

"It’s just amusing. A top 10 Inner Disciple suddenly developing feelings for me right when the Fen Dynasty is drowning in chaos. ...How convenient."

She leaned back slightly, her slender fingers tapping the edge of the table in a slow rhythm.

The glow on her face had nothing to do with romance as it came from the satisfaction of successfully sending Fen Ziyan away.

But now, this new development was nothing more than an annoying fly buzzing around her and spoil her mood.

Then Mu Qingyao look at her,

"His name?" she asked lightly.

"He is Senior Brother Chen Yulong," the disciple who had been bribed answered quickly.

"He is already at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and I heard that he is highly skilled in the Azure Thunder Sword Art. They even say he has a high chance of reaching the Golden Core realm within ten years!"

By the end of her words, the disciples couldn’t help but reveal looks of admiration.

But Mu Qingyao let out a soft laugh.

"Ten years? Such a genius indeed. It seems whoever is backing him must be truly desperate if they think such shallow bait would work on me."

She could see the scheme as clearly as day.

Right now, the Fen Dynasty was in turmoil, and many ambitious factions were already circling like vultures, eager to take advantage of the chaos.

Mu Qingyao’s own family held significant hidden influence and resources in the southern provinces, including trade routes, powerful formations, and especially spirit mines.

Marrying her would give any ambitious force a legitimate excuse to absorb those assets under the guise of an "alliance" or "support during the crisis."

...But it wasn’t impossible.

In the end, she had no real say in her arranged marriage.

If this Chen Yulong proved useful enough to her family, they would marry her off without hesitation.

Mu Qinyao’s expression remained calm on the surface, but a trace of cold mockery flickered deep in her eyes.

Sensing their leader’s desire to drop the subject, the female disciples quickly tried to change the topic.

"Ah, Big Sister Mu, do you think that crybaby princess has already reached the Capital by now?"

The moment those words left her mouth, Mu Qinyao’s fingers paused mid-tap on the table.

The corner of her lips curved into a faint, pleased smile.

She was just about to ridicule Fen Ziyan when—

CRACK!

A powerful presence suddenly appeared inside the courtyard without any warning.

All the disciples stood up at once and went on alert.

But after seeing and recognizing it was Li Feng, they relaxed slightly.

Mu Qingyao’s eyes widened in surprise when she saw Li Feng staring at her with a cold face.

She recognized that look immediately... and couldn’t help but want to mock him.

She still haven’t forgotten the humiliation that she had suffer under this pervert hands.

"Ah~ Li Feng, what’s with that look? Are you mad that your prey is now gone? Hahaha, too ba—"

CRACK!

Suddenly, an intense spiritual pressure smashed down on the entire courtyard.

The trees and stone table cracked into pieces as all the female disciples were forced to kneel on the grass with horror filled their faces.

Mu Qingyao, who was at the center of Li Feng’s attention, gritted her teeth.

She struggled to look up at him... and realized something.

"Y-You broke through—Ugh!"

Li Feng instantly appeared in front of her and gripped her neck, lifting her high into the air.

"Tell me everything you know about Fen Ziyan’s departure."

He didn’t waste any time and got straight to the point.

Li Feng’s grip tightened around Mu Qingyao’s slender neck, his fingers was like cold iron.

Her feet dangled helplessly as her face rapidly turned red.

"Li... Feng... " she choked out, her voice hoarse.

Even under the crushing pressure, a defiant spark still burned in her eyes.

Even with their leader like this, the female disciples kneeling on the grass didn’t dare to move.

The oppressive aura coming from Li Feng felt like a mountain pressing down on their souls.

Sensing the huge difference in strength, a bitter smile formed on Mu Qingyao’s lips despite the pain.

Then she decided to tell him the truth.

"She left... a week ago... through the western rear mountain gate. By now... she should have already entered the capital."

She struggled to breathe as her voice growing weaker.

Li Feng frowned when he heard this.

’A week ago? Isn’t that when the plague started?’

He couldn’t help but notice the coincidence.

Li Feng loosened his grip just enough for her to breathe properly, but he didn’t release her.

His spiritual sense swept over her ruthlessly, checking if she was hiding anything.

"Keep talking," he ordered coldly.

Mu Qingyao gasped for air, her voice hoarse but steady.

"I got a request from the palace to deliver Concubine Zi... her mother’s letter to her. The letter was addressed directly to Fen Ziyan. I only acted as the messenger... I never opened it."

Li Feng’s frown deepened.

The timing and everything screamed a trap.

Yet Fen Ziyan, with her stubborn pride and deep worry for her mother’s well being, had still rushed straight into it.

He stared into Mu Qingyao’s eyes for a long moment, his spiritual sense probing every corner of her soul for lies.

Finding none, he finally released her.

"Cough! Cough!"

Mu Qingyao collapsed to her knees, clutching her bruised neck as she gasped desperately for air.

The other female disciples remained frozen in terror, not daring to raise their heads.

Seeing this group of beautiful, trembling disciples in such a submissive and frightened state, Li Feng felt a fleeting urge to punish them all.

But he had no time to spare.

Without another word, his figure vanished like a ghost.

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After Li Feng had left,

Mu Qingyao remained kneeling on the ground for a long time, gently rubbing the bruises on her slender neck.

Her subordinates finally dared to move, rushing over to help her up.

"Big Sister... are you alright?" one of them asked fearfully.

Mu Qingyao waved them away with a weak gesture and slowly stood up by herself.

She stared toward the distant horizon where Li Feng had vanished, a complicated light flickering deep within her beautiful eyes.

"...That man is truly terrifying when he’s angry," she murmured softly.

One of the bolder disciples hesitated before speaking.

"Big Sister, should we report this to the elders? He barged into our residence and openly threatened us. The sect has strict rules against such behavior..."

At the suggestion...

But surprisingly, Mu Qingyao shook her head.

A deep, calculating glint flashed across her eyes as the corners of her lips curved into a cold, meaningful smile.

She turned toward one of the female disciples, her voice calm yet carrying an undeniable chill.

"You said Chen Yulong is interested in me, correct?"

"Y-Yes, Big Sister. He’s been quite persistent and wants to meet you," the girl replied quickly.

Hearing this, Mu Qingyao’s smile deepened.

"Go tell him... I agree," she said softly, her voice laced with dangerous sweetness.

"I will meet Senior Brother Chen Yulong tonight... at the Moonlit Pavilion."

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