The strange blood only gave a lazy grunt in reply, its pupils narrowing to slits as it stayed just as sluggish as before.

Time passed like that for another two hours. The group covered tens of thousands of li without incident. Not only the underlings but even the Yu Attendant herself began to let her guard down.

Just then, a figure streaked through the air a few li away. Their eyes met, and both let out a surprised “Huh?”

Given how vast the Tongxuan Realm was, the chance of crossing paths while flying at high speed in the sky was almost nonexistent.

Their gazes met for only a blink, leaving nothing more than a rough impression of each other. The stranger clearly took an immediate liking to the Yu Attendant, instinctively nodding with a smile before they passed each other by.

In that fleeting moment, Yu Attendant only saw that the man wore a Daoist robe and had a rather handsome face.

From his aura, the Yu Attendant guessed he belonged either to the Ghoul-Devouring Sect, or the Shadow-Devouring Soul Sect. His cultivation was strong, but not enough to pose any real threat to them.

Those thoughts flickered through the Yu Attendant’s mind, and by then the Daoist had already vanished from sight.

The Yu Attendant gave a wry smile, realizing she had been on edge for too long. Every time she saw someone, her first thought was whether they posed a threat. Unless a grandmaster on the level of Li Douliang or Luo Moshi appeared, anyone else would hardly be more than a mouthful for the “vicious hound” below. So what was there to worry about?

Her smile had not yet faded when the “Kitten” in her arms suddenly pricked up its ears. Its throat still rumbled with a low purr, but the meaning behind the sound had completely changed.

The Yu Attendant’s heart jolted. Before she could react, a voice rang out: “You up ahead, stop where you are!”

The words were not shouted, yet the way they spread was eerie. It was as if the space around them had cracked open, and the voice seeped out of the fissures, echoing from every direction at once. It was both hazy and elusive, shifting in ways that seemed almost impossible.

The six of them all stiffened and, almost instinctively, obeyed the command. They stopped in unison and turned to look back. The Daoist they had just passed was approaching with a cold expression, stepping on air as if on clouds as he closed the distance in an instant.

It looked simple enough, but both sides had been moving at blinding speed, covering dozens of li in a breath. Once they had passed each other, they should had been separated by more than a hundred li. For this Daoist to catch up so quickly meant that when they first crossed paths, he had been holding back. His cultivation could not be underestimated.

The Yu Attendant’s subordinates all looked to her at once, waiting for her judgment. She stroked the smooth fur of the “kitten” in her arms, then gave a small nod, signaling them to handle it themselves.

These people were all elite envoys of the Rogue Cultivators’ Alliance, each one a figure who had struggled and survived in the Tongxuan Realm for hundreds or even thousands of years. Faced with a situation like this, they naturally knew how to conduct themselves.

One of them, dressed as a Daoist as well, stepped forward and greeted him. “Greetings, Daoist brother. We are stewards of the North Pole Branch of the Rogue Cultivators’ Alliance. We have never had the honor of meeting you before, and it may seem abrupt to stop you like this. Might we ask your guidance? I am Daoist Gui, the last of the Ten Current-Reversed Demons. May I ask your esteemed name?”

This Daoist Gui was not the most outstanding in cultivation, but his elder brother, Daoist Jia, was the foremost among the Ten Current-Reversed Demons, one of the fiercest rogue cultivators alive. When the Rogue Cultivators’ Alliance was first founded, Daoist Jia had already been one of the six ruling councilors, holding great power and prestige.

By invoking the Alliance and the name of the Ten Current-Reversed Demons, Daoist Gui clearly meant to intimidate.

Yet the Daoist before them was unbearably arrogant. With a roll of his eyes, he sneered, “Bring out someone who actually makes the decisions.”

That single sentence left Daoist Gui choking on his words.

Still, he was a man of patience and restraint. Where another might have flown into a rage and drawn his weapon, he held back and thought deeper. When we crossed paths just now, his eyes were on the Yu Attendant. Could it be that he took a fancy to her at first sight, and now means to force himself on her?

Now looking the Daoist again, he noticed his eyes fixed squarely on the Yu Attendant. This only confirmed his suspicions.

He gave a cold snort, cursing silently, Fool who doesn’t know his place. To dare set his sights on Jade Wanderer’s woman... Even if it were the Underworld Flame Yama or Lord Youli himself, they would think twice before making such a move.

Outwardly, though, he still turned his gaze toward the Yu Attendant, showing her the respect due.

The Yu Attendant's delicate brows knit slightly, her expression all the more pitiful, and when she spoke her voice was soft and gentle. Yet her words left no room to be pushed around. “Daoist brother, you come at us with no rhyme or reason. Even if you wish to speak with the one in charge, the least you could do is announce your name first. That would not be improper.”

The Daoist chuckled darkly, flicking his sleeve. “With you lowly thieves, what courtesy is needed?” he said in a menacing tone. “So what if you’re with the Rogue Cultivators’ Alliance? I am Hundred Ghosts, and I am right here waiting.”

“Hundred Ghosts?” the Yu Attendant was caught off guard. She had long heard of this notorious rising star of the demonic path, whose fame had soared in recent years.

In home, Gu Yin and Demon Phoenix and the others were all curious about this man who could match wits with ruthless types like Li Xun. Yet they had never had the chance to see him in person.

She had not expected to run into him today of all days. And worse, to be branded a common thief by him.

No matter how composed the Yu Attendant usually was, even she felt anger rise at this. “Hundred Ghosts? Even your master, Madam Yan, would not dare pin false charges on the Rogue Cultivators’ Alliance. Who do you think you—”

Hundred Ghosts cut her off with a sharp laugh. He tilted his chin slightly, pointing at the “kitten” in her arms whose eyes were rolling restlessly. “Where did you get that Bloodkiss?”

The Yu Attendant froze. She knew something of its origin.

Sixty years ago, for a certain affair, Gu Yin had used the excuse of sending Lin Wuyou a birthday gift to arrange a bounty, spread jointly by the Succubus Sect and the Beast Sect.

The story went that the one who finally claimed the reward was Shui Die Lan, the most lethal female assassin of the Vermilion Hook Sect.

As for where Shui Die Lan had actually obtained the Bloodkiss, no one knew. Could it really be…? There was no way the coincidence was so great.

Seeing the Yu Attendant’s momentary hesitation, Hundred Ghosts pressed the attack, sneering, “Back then, I went through untold hardships to subdue this very Bloodkiss, only to have it stolen right out from under me. And now, Heaven bears witness, you vermin actually dare flaunt it in front of me. You must truly be tired of living!”

As soon as the words left his mouth, his Daoist robe swelled slightly, and the air around him began to twist visibly. His cultivation in the NetherYin Qi had already reached the peak of refinement and purity. Something not to be underestimated.

The Yu Attendant’s brow furrowed even tighter. It wasn’t that she was afraid. Hundred Ghosts might be strong, but he couldn’t possibly overpower the combined strength of the six of them, not to mention that Net Throat Demon was still lurking in the shadows. If a fight really broke out, who could say which side would end up being the one that “didn’t know what they were in for.”

Still, for certain reasons, it was best to tread carefully when dealing with anyone connected to Madam Yan these days.

With that thought in mind, she let a small smile touch her lips. Her slender fingers brushed gently over the restless “kitten,” calming it down.

“Daoist,” she finally spoke, “you may not know. This ‘kitten’ was passed to me by a friend, and who knows how many hands it went through before that. If you’ve lost something, it has nothing to do with our Rogue Cultivators' Alliance. Besides, while bloodkisses are rare in this realm, there are still two or three hundred of them, and most look alike. On what basis do you claim that our ‘kitten’ happens to be yours?”

Hundred Ghosts rolled his eyes. “I have my own ways of telling them apart.”

It was just talk with no proof. But from the way he said it with such certainty, Yuji couldn’t be sure whether he was telling the truth or not.

It was just his word against nothing. But he said it with such straight-faced certainty that the Yu Attendant couldn’t be sure whether he was telling the truth or not.

And even if the “kitten” really had been tamed by him first, she still couldn’t possibly hand it over. Before long, it would be the most crucial piece in “that plan.”

So, for now, she meant to stall this man. At best, maybe even… Wait. No, that’s bad!

A sudden, troubling thought struck her.

If what Hundred Ghosts said was true, which seemed more likely judging by his expression, then after seeing this Bloodkiss today, he might very well report it to Madam Yan later.

And with Madam Yan’s sharp mind and endless scheming, “that plan” could easily be thrown into turmoil. That would be a hundred times worse than offending her right here and now.

In that case…

She was lost deep in thought when the sounds of fighting outside jolted her back to herself. Looking up, she saw that somehow, Hundred Ghosts had already gotten into a quarrel with Daoist Gui. With tempers flaring, they’d gone straight to blows.

This man truly lived up to his reputation as one of the most renowned rising stars in recent years. His cultivation of NetherYin Qi was endlessly adaptable, and in only a few exchanges, Daoist Gui was already struggling to keep up.

Just then, another man broke ranks and joined in, flanking Daoist Gui so the two of them could strike at Hundred Ghosts from both sides, cutting off his escape.

At such close range, many of the most powerful techniques were useless. They could only rely on their bodies to fight. The three of them clashed in a furious melee, the muffled bursts of true breath exploding with every blow, danger growing sharper with each exchange.

Watching the scene unfold, the hesitation in Yu Attendant’s heart vanished in an instant.

In for a penny, in for a pound. As long as they handled things cleanly, one less Hundred Ghosts in this world might not even be noticed for a while.

And even if it was, what did that have to do with the Rogue Cultivators’ Alliance?

Murderous intent flashed through her heart, and her hand tightened just slightly. The “kitten” in her arms let out a sharp meow, the sound edged with displeasure.

The Yu Attendant lowered her head with a smile, softened her touch, and gently stroked it, while at the same time communicating with the indolent beast through a special technique.

The “kitten” bright eyes flickered, and with a low growl it gave a distinctly human-like nod.

At that very moment, the crimson crystal embedded in its forehead flared with light. A hidden pulse shot straight downward, crossing ten thousand feet in an instant until it pierced deep into the earth below.

Just then, Hundred Ghosts let out a fierce shout, striking Daoist Gui with a single palm and breaking free from the two-on-one encirclement. His body flickered, and in the next instant he was already fleeing into the distance. Even so, his furious roar still echoed through the air: “Don’t get too full of yourselves. You’re still a long way from the North Pole!”

Daoist Gui and the others all turned to the Yu Attendant, waiting to see what decision she would make.

The Yu Attendant lowered her eyes, sensing through the “kitten’s” special channel that the “evil dog” had already gone in pursuit. A smile touched her lips. “Let him go,” she said. “If he dares to come back again, I’ll just hand him the bloodkiss. What’s the harm in that?”

Daoist Gui and the others had worked under her for long enough to know a fair bit of her secrets. Since she was this certain, it meant she was confident. They exchanged knowing smiles, calmed themselves, and resumed their journey.

Even so, the doubts in the Yu Attendant’s heart were not eased just because the “evil dog” had been dispatched.

Thinking it over now, how could Hundred Ghost’s temperament be so different from the rumors? A crude man who lashed out the moment words didn’t go his way... could someone like that really have stood his ground against Li Xun for so many years?

That strange, hollow unease from before welled up in her again. She wanted to quiet her mind and think it through carefully, but all of a sudden, the “kitten” in her arms began to growl. Its fur stood on end, and it struggled violently, its appearance terrifying to behold.

The Yu Attendant was startled and moved to calm it, but the sudden surge of strange energy from its body blasted her back.

Seizing the moment, the “kitten” leapt from her arms, hovering in midair. Its eyes locked unblinking on a patch of empty space just beyond.

“Enemy!”

At Yu Attendant’s command, her five subordinates instantly raised their qi and braced for battle.

Before their eyes, that patch of sky rippled with the faintest waves. A hand as flawless as carved white jade slipped through, as though drawing aside an invisible beaded curtain. With a delicate motion, a breathtaking woman in Daoist robes stepped gracefully into view.

Her fitted black Daoist garb snapped in the high-altitude wind, the flowing fabric clinging to her near-perfect figure.

She lifted a hand to brush a few strands of hair from her forehead, as if shielding her eyes from the piercing sunlight above. When her hand lowered, her gaze gleamed, piercing the distance until it landed squarely on the Yu Attendant’s face.

Caught between shock and dread, the Yu Attendant froze.

The woman smiled. “Chong Yu, elder sister has come to take you home.” Her voice was gentle.