"Hmm?"

As expected, it didn't take long before Zhang Tianxin entered the hall with two subordinates in tow.

"Hall Master, this person is one of Yin Lingzi's men. I caught him sneaking around and after questioning, learned he was sent by Yin Lingzi to spread news about Mount Shushan disciples being at Tian Sha Hall."

Zhang Tianxin had clearly employed harsh methods—the man was already battered beyond recognition after just a short while.

Di Nü Feng's eyes widened.

"Hmm?"

"Where's Yin Lingzi?" Di Nü Feng asked.

Li Xuanxiao said calmly, "This person's intentions are truly malicious. Back when the world united against Mount Shushan, and now with rumors spreading about the remnants of Mount Shushan returning for revenge... If others learn Mount Shushan disciples are at Tian Sha Hall, the hall will face public condemnation. Could this be a spy from another sect? Might he be working for Liu Qiushui?"

At the mention of Liu Qiushui's name, Di Nü Feng immediately became alert.

Li Xuanxiao continued, "This person spent years in Mount Shushan's Demon Subduing Pagoda—hardly trustworthy. I suspect he's been hiding here just to undermine Tian Sha Hall."

Di Nü Feng suddenly understood, slapping her thigh. "I've long felt there was something off about him!"

Li Xuanxiao nodded. "The Hall Master is indeed perceptive. But now our urgent task is to quickly restrain Yin Lingzi before the news leaks!"

"Mhmm," Di Nü Feng nodded. "And then?"

"Then we must deal with his close associates as well."

Di Nü Feng nodded again, giving Zhang Tianxin a knowing look which he immediately understood.

Suddenly, Di Nü Feng's figure blurred into motion.

"......"

Yin Lingzi quickly realized things had gone wrong—his subordinate had been captured by Zhang Tianxin's men.

How should he explain this to the Hall Master?

After a moment's hesitation, Yin Lingzi dismissed his concern. Di Nü Feng was easy to fool and manipulate.

It was strange how such a person could lead Zhongzhou's number one demonic sect and wield such power.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Yin Lingzi suddenly sensed a presence. Startled, he immediately bowed.

"H-Hall Master..."

Yin Lingzi instantly noticed the change in Di Nü Feng's aura. Her face was like still water, beautiful eyes flickering with threads of anger.

She raised her right hand as a terrifying aura erupted from her body like a volcanic explosion, instantly engulfing the surroundings and making the air vibrate violently.

Seeing this, Yin Lingzi's heart clenched in alarm. "Hall Master?!"

He never imagined Di Nü Feng would attack him directly without warning.

Yet Di Nü Feng gave him no chance to react. With a swing of her arm, her clenched fist shot forth like a meteor, carrying overwhelming force as it smashed toward Yin Lingzi.

"BOOM—!!"

"Hall Master, why this? Over one Mount Shushan disciple?" Yin Lingzi tried to explain.

But Di Nü Feng gave him no opportunity. Yin Lingzi hastily summoned two magic treasures in panic. "Hall Master, this disciple admits his wrongs!"

Di Nü Feng's figure passed straight through the treasures, her hand clamping onto Yin Lingzi's skull.

After long exposure to Di Nü Feng, Yin Lingzi had grown accustomed to underestimating her strength, seeing her merely as a child easy to manipulate.

Only now did he truly experience her terrifying pressure.

Having been imprisoned in the Demon Subduing Pagoda for years, Yin Lingzi's cultivation had barely maintained at the Fusion Transcension stage.

Yet Di Nü Feng's strength could dominate even within the Tribulation Transcension realm.

With his head in her grip, Yin Lingzi felt his skull might explode any moment.

"Hall Master... Hall Master... I've been utterly loyal to you...!"

Yin Lingzi never imagined Di Nü Feng would obey a former Mount Shushan disciple to this extent—even willing to kill him over a few words!

All his careful scheming now seemed like a joke.

Despite desperate efforts, Yin Lingzi couldn't break free from Di Nü Feng's control.

Horrified, he clearly felt his peak Fusion Transcension spiritual energy boiling in his meridians, with all surrounding spiritual energy within a hundred zhang condensing together.

Below the Tribulation Realm, all are ants.

"Die!"

Yin Lingzi's body gradually disintegrated as Di Nü Feng waved her hand, completely shattering him before turning to leave without a backward glance.

Inside the hall, Li Xuanxiao calmly waited for Di Nü Feng to deal with Yin Lingzi.

This might be the first good news Li Xuanxiao had heard in these long days.

Di Nü Feng remained as intelligent as ever... and just as easily controlled.

"......"

The next day.

"Li Xuanxiao, where are we going?"

"Where my Self Corpse would go."

"Where's that?"

"Just a guess," Li Xuanxiao said.

From the late emperor's belongings in Zhao Lu's palace, he'd found only one clue to the Myriad Soul Banner's whereabouts.

Meaning from now on, Li Xuanxiao would have to rely on himself to find his Self Corpse.

In this vast world, finding one person would be incredibly difficult.

"Where would your Self Corpse go?" Di Nü Feng asked again.

"Somewhere with a faction that participated in Mount Shushan's destruction—but not too powerful, or he couldn't handle it."

Li Xuanxiao had many guesses, but they remained just guesses. From here, it depended on luck.

Soon after, Li Xuanxiao and Di Nü Feng arrived at a city in Zhongzhou's western deserts.

"......"

Looking around, the lonely city seemed drowned in endless yellow sands—a vast golden ocean with howling winds stirring up dust storms.

Di Nü Feng, wearing a yellow coat and barefoot, followed behind Li Xuanxiao through the sand, curiously observing their surroundings.

"Is your Self Corpse here?" she whispered.

Li Xuanxiao shook his head—he didn't know.

"We need to hide here."

If rumors held true, the Self Corpse was another version of himself—with all his memories and identical personality.

That meant it would share his caution.

Especially now that it knew about the Self Corpse situation, and that he would spare no effort to find it.

So even if it had come to Yellow Sand City, it wouldn't act conspicuously.

Thus Li Xuanxiao's first task upon arrival was to conceal himself.

And wait for the right moment!

He'd already thought of a good method before coming.

"......"

At an inn near the Sand Sea Sect in Yellow Sand City.

Di Nü Feng nodded while eating roasted lamb. "This lamb tastes excellent."

Li Xuanxiao nodded. "Waiter."

"You enjoyed your meal, honored guest?"

"Call your manager. I'm buying this establishment."

The waiter froze.