After an intense battle and several peak moments, Mingyue finally lay limp on Ye Luo, with heavy allure between her brows, and her disheveled hair stuck to her forehead.

At that moment, having vented his emotions, Ye Luo also embraced Mingyue and fell into a deep sleep; however, he did not know that, as he fell asleep, a figure silently left the villa, concealing their presence so effectively that not only Ye Luo but also Feng Tian, despite being at the Hua Yuan Realm, detected nothing.

In the courtyard where Elder Shi lived in Capital City, a figure mysteriously appeared.

"You’ve arrived!"

From inside one of the rooms of the courtyard, War God walked out, his gaze fixed on the figure in the courtyard.

"Zi Xia pays respects to Lord War God!" The figure bowed to War God and spoke; it was none other than Zi Yun.

"Please come in!"

War God stared at Zi Yun for a moment and then spoke, and the two of them walked into the room together.

Inside the room, Elder Shi sat to the side, quietly sipping a cup of wine, with several small dishes laid out before him, his expression leisurely, his eyes briefly sweeping over Zi Yun.

"For Goddess Zi Xia to grace my humble abode, coming to see an old man like me, is truly an honor!"

Elder Shi looked at Zi Yun and said with a smile.

Zi Yun’s expression unchanging, she retorted, "Elder Shi and Lord War God truly have sharp eyes, seeing right through me at a glance."

"The Goddess Zi Xia’s disguise and illusion techniques might fool Ye Luo, but for some who are deeply insightful of the soul, it is quite easy to see through, and your strength, too, cannot be hidden," War God said gravely, looking at Zi Yun.

"Elder Shi and Lord War God are indeed formidable. However, I am curious, Elder Shi, how did you discern my identity?" Zi Yun’s eyes were fixed on Elder Shi.

"Those capable of deploying such profound disguise and illusion techniques are only from the few super-first-rate forces of the Hidden Sect; naturally, they have no need to do so."

"The moment I heard the name Zi Yun, I already knew you were none other than Goddess Zi Xia, the Saintess of Purple Cloud Palace. When Purple Cloud Palace was destroyed, everyone thought Goddess Zi Xia perished with it."

"But, I expect no one would have imagined that Goddess Zi Xia is still well and alive, and has become an inconspicuous woman by the side of a worldly young man," Elder Shi said with a light chuckle, sipping his wine.

"Elder Shi is indeed formidable!"

Zi Yun revealed a slight smile, waving her hand, and a purple light rippled across her body, instantly changing her countenance.

A face as beautiful as a goddess, unrivaled in beauty, appeared on Zi Yun’s face, and the aura around her transformed, exuding a noble and sacred presence that made her seem like a high goddess above all, intimidating to the extent that one would feel it blasphemous and nearly impossible to look directly at her.

At this moment, Zi Yun seemed entirely different from before, and even if Ye Luo were standing here, he would not believe that she was the Zi Yun he knew.

The Zi Yun Ye Luo knew before, and now was Goddess Zi Xia.

"Legend has it that Goddess Zi Xia is as beautiful as a deity, with a noble temperament like that of a goddess, and indeed, she truly lives up to her reputation!" Elder Shi exclaimed, looking at Zi Yun.

"You flatter me too much, Elder Shi!" Zi Yun said with a faint smile, her smile blooming like a myriad of flowers flourishing, enough to bring a city, and even a kingdom, to its knees!

"What conspiracy are you plotting by disguising yourself and feigning amnesia to lurk beside Ye Luo? What do you intend to do to him?"

At this moment, the complexion of the War God sank, and a terrifying aura enveloped Zi Yun, his eyes filled with immense authority as he stared at Zi Yun.

Zi Yun was merely a master of the ninth level of the Hua Yuan Realm, but he remained unfazed in the face of the War God, a mighty figure of the Spirit Sea Realm, as if the terrifying pressure meant nothing to him.

"Please, War God, calm your anger. I bear no ill will towards Ye Luo, nor have I ever thought of harming him. My actions are driven by compelling reasons," Zi Yun began.

Elder Shi’s eyes twinkled as he looked at Zi Yun and said, "Goddess Zi Xia was once a powerful figure of the Spirit Sea Realm, but her Spirit Sea suffered gravely during the annihilation of the Purple Cloud Palace. Her strength plummeted back to the Hua Yuan Realm. It seems you are acting this way in hopes of healing your soul’s injuries and re-entering the Spirit Sea Realm."

"Elder Shi, you’re indeed formidable; nothing can be hidden from you." Zi Yun nodded in agreement.

"But what does the healing of your soul’s injuries have to do with Ye Luo?" asked the War God, puzzled.

"Ye Luo is endowed with the Nine Yang Physique. Once all nine meridians are unblocked and he advances to the Nine Yang Holy Body, the essence of the Nine Yang Energy within him will be potent enough to heal any soul damage," Elder Shi stated plainly.

"Exactly, Elder Shi is right. I only wish to heal my damaged soul and ascend to the Spirit Sea Realm so that I can take my vengeance for the Purple Cloud Palace. I have no desire to harm Ye Luo," said Zi Yun with a solemn expression.

"However, to obtain the essence of the Nine Yang Energy, you must merge with Ye Luo. You’re afraid he won’t agree when the time comes, so you took the opportunity to stay close to him to increase his fondness for you, to ensure he would merge with you and heal your soul injuries." 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Elder Shi continued speaking, munching on a few peanuts.

Zi Yun’s fair and smooth face flushed with a hint of crimson, and she nodded.

"So that’s it," realized the War God, his eyes holding a strange light as he eyed Zi Yun, "As a respected figure, and the woman all men within the Hidden Sects desire, could you really, just to heal your soul, do such a thing with Ye Luo? By then, Goddess Zi Xia’s purity would be lost."

Zi Yun’s gaze flickered, a fleeting shyness passing by, as she said firmly, "To avenge the deep hatred of the Purple Cloud Palace, I am willing to make any sacrifice."

Elder Shi glancing at Zi Yun, remarked, "The powers that extinguished the Purple Cloud Palace were those major super first-rate forces. Even with the formidable strength of the Purple Cloud Palace at that time, it was annihilated. Even if Goddess Zi Xia regains her strength, exacting your revenge may prove quite difficult."

"No matter how arduous, it is my lifelong duty. My master sacrificed herself for my survival, and I vowed to avenge the Purple Cloud Palace and to obliterate all those involved in that tragedy."

Zi Yun’s expression was resolute, her eyes radiating a cold, bone-chilling murderous intent that spread and caused the temperature within the room to plummet.

Elder Shi took a sip of his liquor and said with a smile, "If you truly wish to seek revenge, Goddess Zi Xia, I might be able to show you a clear path."

"Oh? What do you suggest, Elder Shi?" Zi Yun asked curiously, looking at him.

"Ye Luo!"

Elder Shi uttered these two words calmly.

"Him?" Zi Yun appeared startled, her captivating eyes twinkling.

"That’s right. If you want revenge, your only option is to support him, help him enhance his strength, and then, with the power of Ye Luo, you will be able to take your revenge," said Elder Shi lightly.