The mountains of Fengjiu County were vast.
Even for a cultivator, it would take a significant amount of time to find a specific tree on this mountain.
A group of people was currently walking along a small path through the woods.
The breeze blowing through the mountains rustled the leaves, creating a rhythmic sound that, combined with the chirping of insects and birds, felt peaceful.
It had to be admitted that this was indeed a good place for cultivators to undergo secluded meditation.
However, this group had not come here for meditation.
They were here for Ye Qingluan.
The leader of this group was a large man with a full, bushy beard.
His loose hair stood out in distinct strands, making him look like a majestic lion that inspired awe without even trying.
Suddenly, he caught a glimpse out of the corner of his eye.
Through the layers of the forest, on another path, it seemed as though another group was traveling parallel to them.
He immediately frowned and barked, “Who is there?!”
This single shout displayed the power of a Grandmaster, directly shattering a row of trees in front of him and clearing a path.
The other group now stood face-to-face with them.
However, after the atmosphere froze for a moment, the two sides did not start a fight.
The leader of the opposite group was an elderly man with graying hair.
He cupped his hands in a respectful gesture and asked tentatively, “If I am not mistaken, could your excellency be the renowned Lion King of Qiongzhou?”
“Hmph, that is right. I am Chunyu Shi, the Lion King of Qiongzhou. And who might you be, old gentleman?”
The Lion King arrogantly folded his muscular arms and questioned the old man.
“This humble one is of no great talent, hailing from Evergreen Manor,” the old man answered with a bow.
Although the old man’s attitude was humble, Chunyu Shi’s expression shifted instantly upon hearing his words.
“Could it be… you are the Master of Evergreen Manor, Old Master Qi Shang?”
“Ho ho, I did not expect the Lion King to recognize this old man. It seems the reputation of Evergreen Manor has grown louder than before.”
Qi Shang stroked his long white beard and smiled faintly.
Evergreen Manor was not a typical power of cultivators, but rather an organization proficient in horticulture.
Its master, Qi Shang, was a top-tier landscape architect who had once designed imperial gardens for the Imperial Family of Great Yan.
Later, for unknown reasons, he stopped participating in the design of royal gardens.
Most people assumed he had chosen to retire and return to Evergreen Manor to train the younger generation.
No one expected to see the real Qi Shang here today.
“Old Master, did you come here today for…”
Chunyu Shi suddenly realized the reason for Qi Shang’s appearance and spoke in a low, suggestive tone.
“To find Ye Qingluan.”
Qi Shang made no effort to hide it, laying his cards on the table before asking Chunyu Shi in return, “I presume the Lion King is here for the same purpose?”
“Ye Qingluan is my prey.”
Chunyu Shi’s brow furrowed instantly, his voice like the low growl of a lion, full of threat.
The atmosphere suddenly turned tense.
The disciples following behind Chunyu Shi prepared to strike at any moment.
However, the cultivators Qi Shang had hired with a heavy sum of money were not easy targets either.
They were all famous Scattered Cultivators in the world, with average cultivation levels at or above Martial Lord.
Each possessed unique skills and specialized in taking on jobs for important figures.
Just as the atmosphere reached a breaking point, the voice of a third person drifted from behind.
“You haven’t even found Ye Qingluan yet, but you’re already trying to decide who she belongs to? Truly ridiculous.”
Chunyu Shi and Qi Shang both looked toward the back.
They saw a man in black robes appearing before them, leading a group of people dressed in identical outfits.
“This aura… You are Demonic Cultivators!”
Chunyu Shi quickly sensed the Demonic Qi emanating from the man in black robes, and hostility immediately flared in his eyes.
In an instant, the two groups that had been at each other’s throats united, preparing to face these Demonic Cultivators together.
“Oh my—don’t be so quick to show us such hostility.”
The man in black robes spread his hands.
“Since we all have the same goal, why don’t we join forces first and capture that Ye Qingluan before saying anything else?”
“Hmph, you rats who live in the shadows are not worthy of joining forces with me,” Chunyu Shi snorted coldly.
“To side with Demonic Cultivators would be a disgrace to my status!”
“This old man has always disliked the self-righteousness of the Demonic Path. If you do not wish to suffer physical pain, I advise you to leave this place immediately.”
Qi Shang also stroked his long beard, offering a faint threat to the man in black robes.
Seeing how confident the two were, the man in black robes curled his lips and asked, “So, you’re very brave, are you? You have that much confidence in taking down Ye Qingluan?”
“Ho ho, Ye Qingluan has been hiding from me for a long time. Today, her trail has been exposed; it is impossible for her to escape from my grasp!”
Chunyu Shi clenched his fist tightly, as if he had already planned to crush Ye Qingluan in his hand.
Seeing this, the man in black robes finally couldn’t hold it back and burst into loud laughter.
“What are you laughing at?”
Chunyu Shi sensed the mockery in the laughter and questioned him angrily.
“I just think that the way you two understand absolutely nothing is both pitiful and hilarious.”
The black-robed man shrugged.
“Do you really think Ye Qingluan is as she appears on the surface?”
“What are you trying to say?”
“Stop dragging this out. If you have something to say, spit it out!”
Qi Shang and Chunyu Shi were both gradually losing their patience.
“Ye Qingluan’s true identity is the Third Disciple of Among the Colorful Clouds. To think you didn’t even know such vital information, yet you dared to come looking for trouble with her?”
The black-robed man laughed.
“Among the Colorful Clouds… is it the Among the Colorful Clouds of that Demoness?”
“Otherwise? Is there a second Among the Colorful Clouds in this world?”
The air instantly fell into a deathly silence.
After a long while, Qi Shang stroked his long beard and spoke thoughtfully, “I see. So that’s how it is…”
“Old Master, do you believe what this Demonic Cultivator is saying?”
“The flowers, plants, and trees that Ye Qingluan grows are all extraordinary. This old man once had a gardening competition with her, and the result was a total defeat. I lost all face.”
Qi Shang reminisced about the past, shaking his head and sighing.
“At the time, this old man thought that Ye Qingluan must possess some kind of magical seeds; otherwise, how could she grow such vegetation? My purpose for this trip was to obtain those magical seeds from her hand, but at the same time, I was wondering if such magical seeds really existed in this world.”
“Now, I can be certain. Since Ye Qingluan is the disciple of that Demoness who controls countless secret treasures, then she must definitely possess some kind of magical seeds!”
After listening to Qi Shang, Chunyu Shi also began to reflect on past events, muttering, “At that time, Ye Qingluan healed my sworn brother and gave us a lot of help. But later, when my sworn brother wanted her to stay, she brutally killed him!”
“I was very concerned at the time—how could someone with such exquisite medical skills also possess such strength? If she truly is the disciple of Lady Demon Yu Yi Jue, then it is not surprising…”
“It seems everyone here has been harmed by Ye Qingluan. In that case, we might as well go back to the original topic,” the black-robed man said.
“I am afraid that none of our three parties alone can do anything to Ye Qingluan, so why don’t we join forces? Those with grudges can seek revenge, those with grievances can find closure, and those who want to get something from her can eventually take it successfully. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?”
“As for this matter of joining forces with us Demonic Cultivators, only the heavens, the earth, and those of us here will know. As long as no one speaks of it, the public image of both your parties in the outside world will not be affected at all, will it?”
When the man in black robes reached this point, Qi Shang and Chunyu Shi fell silent.
Both were somewhat wavered, but they couldn’t make up their minds.
Their indecisive behavior challenged the patience of the black-robed man.
Just as he was thinking of how to close the deal and fully bring them over, the sound of someone yawning suddenly came from nearby.
Looking to the side, they found that a tree had actually started to speak.
“Hmph… ah… why are you all being so slow? Listening to you has almost put me to sleep.”
Qi Shang and Chunyu Shi were still considering, but as soon as they heard that this was Ye Qingluan’s voice, they no longer needed to consider.
Ye Qingluan had actually sensed their presence long ago and had been eavesdropping the entire time!
The fact that they had been secretly negotiating with Demonic Cultivators had been exposed!
What they needed to do now was to unite and silence Ye Qingluan!