Then she made arrangements, gradually eliminating these people on their way. Here, she had all the advantages of timing, terrain, and people—how could she not succeed? Though her success came from her ingenious arrangements, it was also inevitable.

Defense had defensive advantages, and Nangong Third Miss developed this advantage to the extreme. Otherwise, she wouldn't have had such a great advantage.

These things sounded simple, but Nangong Third Miss's arrangements were numerous, almost achieving seamless perfection. It was amazing—though Flowing Stone Kingdom currently looked precarious, opponents couldn't strike, leaving it in a strange position of invincibility.

This was also what amazed everyone. Each time they thought Flowing Stone Kingdom was finished, it was always resolved. This made people understand Nangong Third Miss's terrifying nature—the entire world was spreading tales of her, her reputation soaring.

This was also why she had become the most important person in Flowing Stone Kingdom currently. Without her, Flowing Stone Kingdom would have been destroyed long ago. Though the Luo family wouldn't be exterminated, they would definitely suffer severe damage.

As for her and Guxing and the others, naturally they would be fine. They could leave at any time. They stayed here only for Xiaoyao and also to temper themselves. This war with almost zero chance of victory was life's greatest challenge, and such an opportunity wouldn't appear again.

Guxing, the Young Miss, and Nangong Suxin were the same—the challenges they faced were equally great, though not as shocking as Nangong Third Miss's.

In this war lasting over two years, the three of them had experienced many life-and-death situations. Their strength improved rapidly, especially Guxing, who had already stepped into God Level.

...

The expert sniping operation not long ago was done by these three people—just the three of them alone. Coordinating with Nangong Third Miss's plan, they actually eliminated most of the opponents. Most incredibly, they even brought down the God Level expert who was stationed there.

At that time, Guxing hadn't reached God Level yet—she was still at Peak Saint Level, while the Young Miss and the other were just entering Peak Saint Level. If fighting alone, they couldn't win, but together was different, especially since the Young Miss and Nangong Suxin had combination techniques that could match ordinary God Level opponents.

However, there wasn't just one God Level expert at the time—there were others, so they were still at a disadvantage. That battle was also very arduous. If not for the life-saving pills Xiaoyao had given them, they might have been in great danger.

Guxing's breakthrough was also largely due to this battle.

This time, after Guxing completed a mission, she returned to Prince Xiaoyao's Mansion, preparing to enter seclusion to cultivate and wait for the next strike. At this time, the Young Miss and Nangong Suxin were still outside fighting—a major counterattack.

The current situation was no longer so passive. There was already give and take, making people somewhat amazed at this incomprehensible process and unpredictable outcome.

"Guxing, you're back? How did the mission go?" Nangong Third Miss asked Guxing.

"Perfect," Guxing replied simply.

"Then rest well. There are still many things ahead..." Nangong Third Miss said. Though Guxing might be tired, she still needed Guxing to do many things. If possible, she would want Guxing to deploy right now.

However, she didn't want to do this. Besides, it wasn't necessary. Though Guxing's deployment would be better, others could complete it—it was just a matter of efficiency and results.

"Any news from him?" Guxing nodded, then asked a question. This was what she asked every time she returned, and "he" was Xiaoyao—Nangong Third Miss understood without explanation.

"Not yet. Should we go call him?"

"No need. Even if we can't hold out, we'll just leave at most. Don't disturb his cultivation," Guxing shook her head.

"I knew you'd say that. Alright, I'll notify you immediately when there's news from him. Rest assured," Nangong Third Miss said.

How could she not know Guxing's thoughts? In fact, this was also the Young Miss's and her big sister's thinking. All three firmly refused to let any matter disturb Xiaoyao's cultivation. Even if they encountered the greatest crisis, they would face it themselves.

Because they knew that if it were Xiaoyao, he would definitely do this—let them cultivate while he solved troubles alone, allowing them to cultivate peacefully.

Xiaoyao had done such things before. Previously, it was always Xiaoyao protecting them. This time it was their turn to protect Xiaoyao—this was the main reason they wouldn't let anyone disturb him.

Nangong Third Miss didn't feel as strongly about this as the other three, but she also agreed with it. Previously, it was always Xiaoyao solving troubles for them and protecting their cultivation. Now it was their turn to do such things.

Even if they encountered greater crises, even if they failed this time, they wouldn't disturb Xiaoyao's cultivation. At most they would flee—if they wanted to escape, no one could do anything to them.

However, Xiaoyao's cultivation taking so long was something neither they nor anyone else expected. When Xiaoyao had been cultivating for a year, everyone thought it was long enough. They didn't expect this still wasn't the end. Another year passed, and it still wasn't the final time. Three years had passed, and he still hadn't come out of seclusion.

The Young Miss expressed her thoughts on this—was that little rascal Xiaoyao planning to cultivate in seclusion directly until God Level before emerging?

The Young Miss and Nangong Suxin, like Guxing, would ask about Xiaoyao's news every time they returned. However, to get news, Xiaoyao would have to give them news himself.

The Carefree Sect didn't let anyone enter to wait for Xiaoyao. Taking a step back, even if Xiaoyao left now, outsiders wouldn't know—they would only know when Xiaoyao was discovered after going out.

Guxing and the others hadn't arranged for anyone to guard outside because they believed that if Xiaoyao came out, he would definitely send them news. Xiaoyao's messenger eagles could deliver information to them.

On the evening Xiaoyao came out of seclusion, he wrote a letter for the messenger eagle to deliver. Logically, with the messenger eagle's speed, it would only take one or two days to arrive. However, what made Xiaoyao feel strange was that the messenger eagle hadn't returned even after three days.

What were they doing? Were they very busy with no time, or had they encountered some situation?

Xiaoyao couldn't help feeling somewhat worried, but he had no time to worry. He was the one who should be worried about—he had been "invited" to a certain place.

This happened when Xiaoyao had just left the Carefree Sect not long ago, before he even had time to contact others. He encountered these people, which also meant he currently didn't understand what exactly had happened to Flowing Stone Kingdom. He only knew some events had occurred, but he didn't know the specific situation.

During his conversation with Lang Tiexin, they had only discussed matters concerning Xiaoyao, not Flowing Stone Kingdom's situation. Xiaoyao hadn't asked either—he felt he would soon receive replies from Guxing and the others. They would tell him directly, which would be more direct and clear.

Some things, when passed through rumors, might become garbled or at least contain exaggerations. Rather than this, it was better to ask Guxing and the others.

However, he hadn't expected the messenger eagle to seemingly disappear without a trace, not even returning...

At that time, as Xiaoyao walked on the road between the Carefree Sect and the nearest town, at a desolate location easily suited for ambush, two people appeared and blocked his path.

"Kid, come with us."

Xiaoyao didn't speak and very decisively chose to go with them, riding their flying monster beast and flying away directly.

Acquaintances?

No, Xiaoyao had never seen these two people before.

Then why would Xiaoyao follow them like this? Very simple—Xiaoyao knew this outcome couldn't be changed. He had no choice, so he might as well accept it.

Because these two people were actually both God Level martial artists, and they seemed to be the type considered experts even among God Level. Not to mention two people—even one would leave Xiaoyao with no choice but to follow.

Xiaoyao didn't know whom he had offended or why he was intercepted as soon as he came out. Not only did they use rare flying mounts, but they also deployed two experts among God Level martial artists.

One thing was certain—the other party was definitely prepared. Resistance was useless, so he might as well see what they wanted to do and exactly who they were with such grand arrangements.

"Kid, why don't you ask why we're capturing you?" The God Level martial artist was somewhat curious. Originally, with his status, he wouldn't ask much, but Xiaoyao's reaction was truly too strange.

Normal people in such situations, even if they accepted their fate, would ask about the circumstances.

"If I asked you, would you tell me?" Xiaoyao asked.

"..."

The person fell silent. He knew that if Xiaoyao had asked earlier, he would definitely have coldly ignored it, just like now.

Just like this, after a very long time, they headed toward their destination. With this flying monster beast's speed, Xiaoyao believed that in about half a day, they had already flown over three thousand li. Carrying three people plus one small monster beast, this flying speed could already be considered very fast.

"Fuyun Sect?"

Just when the two God Level martial artists felt they were about to arrive and complete their mission, Xiaoyao suddenly said these three words.

"How do you know we're from the Fuyun Sect?"

Both were very puzzled. They had never said anything about it. The clothes they wore weren't Fuyun Sect uniforms either—people of their level no longer needed such things. They also carried no items related to the Fuyun Sect.

With nothing to give it away, how did this kid know it was the Fuyun Sect? Though they were close to the sect now, it still couldn't be seen. Could he determine it from the nearby scenery?

If so, this kid had either been here before or studied this place.

(End of Chapter)