For Ding Fan, He Qianyao was not merely connected through He Zenfen, even though Ding Fan knew that He Qianyao's father, the former Dayang Sect Master He Zenfen, had saved his life. Thus, Ding Fan was entrusted by Sect Master He to take good care of He Qianyao.

To Ding Fan, his connection with He Qianyao had already surpassed that single layer of relationship. Clearly, Ding Fan could feel everything she did for him. However, Ding Fan found it hard to accommodate anyone else in his heart, since both Zhou Ruoran and Gusu Qingwen remained unfound.

This was the biggest concern for Ding Fan. Thus, while Ding Fan found it hard to accommodate anyone else, it didn't mean he was oblivious to He Qianyao's love for him.

Ding Fan had occasionally noticed the slightly jealous expressions she wore, and he could only change the subject, as this was somewhat awkward for him.

Soon, Ding Fan and He Qianyao left the venue of the Great Alchemy Competition, aware that the spectators' cheers outside remained fervent. Ding Fan was grateful to these people, but to avoid unnecessary trouble, Ding Fan wore a mask so that no one but He Qianyao could recognize him.

Soon, Ding Fan and He Qianyao walked out of Wuji Square of the Great Alchemy Competition, heading towards the Jade Maiden Sect. He Qianyao had already found out the location of the Jade Maiden Sect, which was evidently easier compared to locating Zhou Ruoran. Although the Jade Maiden Sect wasn't a large sect...

It still had a certain scale, as no cultivator in the Cultivation World could underestimate any sect. Even the smallest sect could not be dealt with by a lone cultivator. Thus, even the smallest sect had a certain reputation in the Cultivation World.

Therefore, He Qianyao quickly discovered that the Jade Maiden Sect wasn't far from Dancheng, being only a day's journey away.

Soon, Ding Fan and He Qianyao left Dancheng, walking on the road to the Jade Maiden Sect.

...

The Jade Maiden Sect is situated on a plateau halfway up a mountain, though modest in size, its environment is very beautiful and pleasing. As one walks into the entrance of the Jade Maiden Sect, they are greeted by the refreshing aroma of pear blossoms, and lush green woods unfolding before the eyes, along with an incredibly spacious, impeccably clean square where a few female disciples in fresh and elegant white clothing occasionally practice with longswords.

The further one walks into the Jade Maiden Sect, the more beautiful the environment becomes; a sight at every step, enticing one to explore the depths of its picturesque beauty.

In the deepest part of the Jade Maiden Sect lies a serene and stunningly beautiful courtyard, whose scenery does not disappoint, capturing the hearts of all who visit. Verdant plants, blossoms abound, a natural small waterfall runs like a painting, with ice-cold clear spring water flowing incessantly from a cave halfway up the mountain. Being here gives a sense of tranquility, as though all nerves are open.

This is considered one of the most beautiful parts of the Jade Maiden Sect. It's the sacred place that all disciples aspire to live in, for it houses only the Sect Master's most prized disciple. Presently, this is Zhou Ruoran's dwelling.

But at this moment, Zhou Ruoran had no mood to admire the scenery around her; her heart was filled with impatience and worry. Zhou Ruoran sat by the window, one hand supporting her chin, the other placed on the windowsill, her body slightly leaning on the supporting arm. Her eyes, clear and bright like autumn waters, gazed at the outside scenery—beautiful as it was, everything appeared dull in her eyes.

Although Zhou Ruoran's eyes were aimed outside, her heart was evidently anxious about Ding Fan. At this moment, Zhou Ruoran was already being confined; although it seemed like she was alone here for now, the several exits here had been blocked.

Only people from outside could enter, it was practically impossible for those inside to leave.

Clearly, at this moment, there was no way Zhou Ruoran could go search for Ding Fan. How could Zhou Ruoran's heart not be anxious, as she had barely found Ding Fan, yet before meeting him, she was forcibly taken back by her Senior Sister and confined here.

Zhou Ruoran knew in her heart that although her Senior Sister had a certain amount of authority within the sect and usually bullied new disciples, the audacity to openly bring disciples to forcibly take her back would not have been possible without the Sect Master's orders.

Zhou Ruoran knew in her heart that this was all her master's idea. Though she was her master's favorite student, loved by her master who usually treated her kindly, when weighed against the sect's future, Zhou Ruoran knew her master would undoubtedly choose the sect.

The one pursuing Zhou Ruoran, Hao Chun, was a core disciple of the Great Gate Sect, which clearly in Zhou Ruoran's master's eyes, was a great opportunity for both Zhou Ruoran and the Jade Maiden Sect, considering the immense benefit of a small sect having the backing of a larger one, it was evidently a very fortunate thing.

Thus, the Jade Maiden Sect Master would definitely not give up on such an excellent opportunity. Zhou Ruoran knew her master might like her, but wouldn't hesitate to marry her off to Hao Chun.

In her heart, Zhou Ruoran was clearly repulsed by Hao Chun; despite having some talent in cultivation, in her eyes, he was worthless, utterly incomparable to Ding Fan in her heart. At this moment, Zhou Ruoran was urgently thinking of solutions to this issue.

Yet, resolving such an issue was easier said than done, leaving Zhou Ruoran in a tangled mess of emotions.

Just then, a series of brisk footsteps approached, and Taozi rushed into Zhou Ruoran's room with an anxious look.

"Ranran, bad news!"

Zhou Ruoran looked at the seriousness on her face, feeling a sense of foreboding. Lately, Taozi had been the one to inquire about outside matters. Zhou Ruoran couldn't leave here, but thankfully, Taozi was around so she could learn about the outside situation.

Zhou Ruoran felt very fortunate to have made a sincere and kind friend like Taozi after coming to the Cultivation World. At the same time, Zhou Ruoran was also deeply grateful to Taozi; if it weren't for Taozi helping to find out about things outside, she would have been completely clueless about what was happening beyond.

Then Zhou Ruoran asked:

"Take your time, what's going on?"

Taozi heard the other party's words, took a deep breath, then looked at her with some heartache for Ranran and said:

"You need to be mentally prepared. I accidentally passed by our master's room and overheard the senior sister and master discussing your matter. I heard you are supposed to marry that Hao Chun in the next few days, and it seems our master has agreed. What should we do about this, Ranran?"

At this moment, Taozi finished speaking, feeling deeply anxious for Zhou Ruoran. Taozi had already believed that Zhou Ruoran had someone she loved in her heart—Ding Lin—and Taozi knew that Ranran loved him deeply and detested that Hao Chun.

Clearly, Taozi also knew that Hao Chun was not someone worth considering, as he often flirted around. How could he ever be worthy of her Ranran? This decision by the master is undoubtedly shoving Ranran into a pit for the sake of the sect's interests.

Hearing Taozi's words, Zhou Ruoran couldn't help but feel a wave of panic in her heart. She hadn't expected that they would directly try to marry her to him. How could she agree to that? It's something she absolutely couldn't agree to. But what could she do?

After all, Zhou Ruoran knew that even trying to escape would be very difficult. What should she do?

Zhou Ruoran was extremely anxious, almost panicked, and at that moment, she couldn't help but start calling out Ding Fan's name in her heart. If only Ding Fan were here now...

At this moment, Taozi suddenly remembered something, her big, bright eyes suddenly lit up, and she grabbed Zhou Ruoran's sleeve, shaking it repeatedly, and said:

"Ranran, I remembered something important for you! I heard some of my sisters say there's a secret tunnel on the south side of this place. It's a route left by the sect master for sect disciples in case they encounter a formidable enemy and need an escape route. I've already found out the exact location. You should leave through there tonight! The location is..."

Knock knock knock!

A series of frantic knocks interrupted Taozi's words abruptly.

Zhou Ruoran initially felt a glimmer of hope upon hearing Taozi's words. If she knew the location of the sect's secret tunnel, she wouldn't have to sit here waiting for her doom. But the sudden knocking startled both Zhou Ruoran and Taozi. They had been so engrossed in conversation that they hadn't noticed someone had already come over!

"Who is it?"

At this moment, Zhou Ruoran's heart tightened, and then she asked with some tension.

Bang!

Without waiting for a response, the person directly entered uninvited. The chamber door was forcibly opened, swinging wide, as several female disciples strode into Zhou Ruoran's room with unfriendly expressions. The leading woman was clad in a purple long dress, holding a longsword with a silver sword sheath, glaring fiercely with aggressiveness in her eyes.

Zhou Ruoran clearly recognized the leading woman—it was the senior sister who had brought her back, Zhou Xiaochun. Behind Zhou Xiaochun were three female disciples who always followed her. Their gazes toward Zhou Ruoran were evidently unfriendly.

One of the female disciples held a wooden tray with a set of red bridal clothes on it. The other two carried wooden boxes, which Zhou Ruoran recognized as dark wooden boxes typically used for female disciples' makeup items.

This scene made Zhou Ruoran's heart tighten with anxiety, clearly signaling that the newcomers had ill intentions by coming here.

"You see the things now, don't you? Then I don't need to say anything more, right?"

Zhou Xiaochun looked at Zhou Ruoran, raising an eyebrow in disdain as she spoke.

Looking at her, Zhou Ruoran felt a bad premonition in her heart but still didn't understand what she meant. Before she could ask, Zhou Xiaochun continued with a smug and sinister expression:

"Heh, the sect master has already decided. Today is a good day; you will marry that Hao Chun today! Don't worry, we've already informed Hao Chun, and he promised to make sure you have a grand wedding. Your master also said you wouldn't be wronged!"