Everyone’s heart jolted with surprise. Who’s that?!

They followed the source of the voice and looked over, only to see an elderly man standing not far away. He wore a crisp black robe that was devoid of any wrinkles. His silver hair was meticulously combed, not a single strand out of place. He didn’t even exude the slightest trace of cultivation fluctuation, making him seem no different from a mortal. Furthermore, his natural, dignified bearing made it impossible for anyone to feel the slightest disdain.

Stranger still, none of the three Saint Realm cultivators had sensed his presence. For a moment, the scene was enveloped in silence. Even the Myriad Transformations Holy Master and the other two remained tight-lipped. They were filled with wariness and suspicion. The old man was either a true mortal or an existence terrifying beyond imagination.

With perfect courtesy, the old man cupped his hands in a salute toward everyone once more. “Thank you, Fellow Daoists.”

He simply took a step forward and arrived before Gu Han and Ah Sha. The hearts of the three Saint realm leaped again. This technique was far superior to theirs!

Upon seeing Ah Sha, the old man trembled slightly, his tone growing agitated. “Similar... So very similar...”

Tears glistened at the corners of his usually wise eyes. With a flip of his hand, a piece of black, profound jade appeared in his palm.

In that instant, the profound jade blazed with radiant light, landing directly on Ah Sha. Her delicate brow furrowed slightly. Faintly, a mysterious, moon-shaped rune appeared on her forehead.

“Yes! It really is her! The Great Dao shows mercy! Young Miss, Son-In-Law!” Finally, tears streamed down his aged face. His dignified bearing vanished, making him seem like an ordinary elder. “Young lady is still alive! If you know of this in the netherworld, your hearts can be at peace!”

After a long moment of emotional outburst, the old calmed down slightly and regained some of his composure. He cupped his hands again. “Fellow Daoists, I lost my composure for a moment. Please forgive my indiscretion.”

The Myriad Transformations Holy Master asked, “Who exactly are you?”

The old man shook his head. “Me? Just an insignificant person. My name is crude and not worth mentioning. If you Fellow Daoists are amenable, you may simply call me Steward Yue.”

The Myriad Transformations Holy Master’s heart leaped once more. Steward Yue? So he’s a mere steward?

Furthermore, the surname Yue was such an ancient family name, so much that he had never even heard of it.

Steward Yue paid him no further heed and cupped his hands in a salute to Gu Tian. Although his tone was urgent, his courtesy remained impeccable. “Fellow Daoist, could you return Young Lady to me?”

Gu Tian unleashed a towering demonic qi. “No... way!”

He didn’t understand what young lady or young master meant, nor did he want to. He only knew that Ah Sha was Gu Han’s very life. Whoever tried to touch her, he would fight to the death.

Steward Yue turned slightly solemn. “A real demon? How strange. Since you walk the path of the demon, how can you still retain a shred of rationality?”

Knowing that Gu Tian was protecting Ah Sha, Steward Yue didn’t take his defensiveness and hostility to heart at all.

From start to finish, Gu Han remained silent. Seeing the anomaly on Ah Sha’s forehead, he immediately began communicating with the shadow.

After hearing Gu Han’s account, the shadow suddenly understood. “Surname Yue? No wonder! I said this little girl’s background wasn’t simple. To think she’s actually from the Yue Clan!”

Seeing Gu Han wasn’t speaking, he started explaining on his own, “The Yue Clan’s heritage is extremely ancient, traceable all the way back to the Primordial Era. Everyone in the clan is skilled in eye techniques. They are an extremely powerful clan that few dare to provoke. Of course, compared to my Ninefold Demon Domain, they’re just so-so.”

Gu Han asked again, “Then, that person is Ah Sha’s clansman?”

The shadow was greatly dissatisfied. “Yes, but so what?! I’ve taken a liking to this disciple. Even if it were her entire clan...”

Halfway through his words, he seemed to realize his current state. He couldn’t even deal with the Myriad Transformations Holy Master and the others, let alone the unfathomable Steward Yue.

The black shadow felt somewhat dejected. “Damn it! I went through so much trouble for nothing?!”

Gu Han said no more and recalled the dream Ah Sha had mentioned. Until today, he had always doubted the dream’s authenticity.

His heart ached. Could Ah Sha really be taken away by someone? 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Meanwhile, the old man had his own thoughts. Since he had gone through untold hardships to find Ah Sha, he had no intention of handing her over to anyone else.

Although he was polite, he was extremely firm. “Fellow Daoist, regardless of whether you are willing or not, I absolutely must take Young Lady back.”

With a simple wave of his hand, Ah Sha instantly floated up. He still showed no cultivation fluctuation whatsoever.

Gu Tian’s demonic qi surged another level as he prepared to make a move. “Kill!”

“Father, don’t.” Just then, Gu Han stopped him. He then turned to Steward Yue. “Esteemed senior, you are Ah Sha’s clansman, right?”

Steward Yue sized up Gu Han, slightly frowning. “Ah Sha? Young Master, Young Lady is noble and revered. This name is hardly fitting for her.”

After a moment of silence, Gu Han didn’t dwell on the name issue. Looking at Ah Sha, he asked softly, “D-do you have a way to save her?”

Steward Yue saw Ah Sha’s afflictions at a glance. “Young Lady’s problems are significant. She needs to be brought back to the clan for there to be hope of a complete cure. Now that I am here, I will not allow her to encounter the slightest mishap.”

Following that, he turned his hand, conjuring a fist-sized, dark, transparent crystal. A surge of divine energy, so rich it was almost palpable, dispersed across the scene. Regardless of their cultivation level, everyone recognized it as the aura of soul power—one so pure it had condensed into a substance.

Even the three Saint realm cultivators couldn’t identify the treasure. Just by briefly contacting that aura, Gu Han felt his long-extinguished soul power reigniting. Even the tiny light point showed signs of growing and breaking through its shell. He had a feeling that not even the Soul-Nourishing Lotus Seed could compare to the black crystal.

In an instant, the crystal transformed into a mist that enveloped Ah Sha.

Yun Fan swallowed his saliva. “Sister, do you know what that is?”

Feng Xi said expressionlessly, “No.”

Subconsciously, she reached for her wine gourd again.

A layer of black crystal covered Ah Sha, as if sealing her inside. Her tightly furrowed brow gradually relaxed. Clearly, the crystal was more beneficial for her than imagined.

Gu Han let out a soft sigh of relief.

Steward Yue asked again, “Young Master, may I ask, what is your relationship with Young Lady?”

Gu Han was silent for a moment. “She... I found her.”

Steward Yue understood. “I see. Speaking of which, Young Master, you are Young Lady’s savior. Please forgive my impertinence.”

Gu Han shook his head. “Between her and me, there’s never been a need for such distinctions.”

Steward Yue seemed thoughtful, giving Gu Han a profound look. “May I ask you something? Young Lady’s soul power appeared to be drained to its absolute limit, yet her soul was temporarily sealed. Which fellow daoist performed this?”

Although the sealing power was weak, the ingenuity of the technique left him in awe. It was obvious to him that Gu Han had nothing to do with it.

Gu Han remained silent. Of course, he wouldn’t reveal a single word regarding the shadow.

Steward Yue didn’t press further. “Understood. I didn’t expect there to be such a master on this landmass.”

He wasn’t too surprised either. Even someone of his caliber spent considerable time breaching the sky veil. That was how he knew this place wasn’t as simple as it appeared. Not that he cared, as his sole purpose in coming here was Ah Sha.

His gaze shifted to the three Saint realm cultivators. “Greetings to you three Fellow Daoists.”

The three didn’t dare to be presumptuous and quickly returned the salute.

“Greetings, greetings.”

Steward Yue smiled slightly. “I have a question. I request you three Fellow Daoists to enlighten me.”

“Please, ask away, Fellow Daoist!”

“You are too courteous, Fellow Daoist!”

“If there is a need, Fellow Daoist, please speak frankly!”

Seeing him so polite, the three quickly expressed their willingness, inwardly breathing a sigh of relief. It seemed like he isn’t here to cause trouble? Good, as long as he isn’t—

However, Steward Yue’s next words made their scalps crawl. “I imagine you played a part in Young Lady’s current state? Furthermore, when I came just now, it looked as though you three were about to harm her. How you are going to explain this?”

“We—”

Just as the three were about to speak, Steward Yue glanced at Ah Sha and waved his hand. “Enough. Time is pressing. There’s no need to explain. Three Fellow Daoists, please proceed on your journey now.”