Chapter 1065 - Rescue

Ji Lu'an let out a heavy sigh, his voice laced with fatigue.

"I finally gathered all the evidence on that beast, but I was discovered," he said bitterly.

The weariness on his face and the gauntness of his frame revealed the hardships he had endured over the past two years. He had spent every waking moment secretly gathering evidence of Miao Hanxuan's heinous crimes. Because he lacked the strength to challenge his former master directly, Ji Lu'an had chosen to expose him, hoping to ruin Miao Hanxuan's name and status.

However, Miao Hanxuan had noticed his efforts.

"He sent these people to silence me."

Liu Wuxie nodded. He had already guessed as much.

At the Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy, Miao Hanxuan wouldn't dare kill his disciple outright, not without drawing unwanted attention, but he would send others to carry out the dirty work. That way, there would be no trace.

That was why Ji Lu'an had kept himself hidden within the sect for the past two years, never daring to leave. He knew that the moment he stepped outside, killers would come after him.

"You want to meddle in this affair?" one of the two attackers snarled, clearly irritated.

It was apparent now that Liu Wuxie not only knew Ji Lu'an, but he also knew something about Elder Miao's secrets. Since that was the case, both Liu Wuxie and Ji Lu'an had to die.

The man on the right stepped forward and narrowed his eyes, sizing Liu Wuxie up. Judging from his aura, Liu Wuxie appeared to be only at the sixth level of the Spirit Profound Realm, barely worth acknowledging as a threat.

"I'll give you people the dignity to take your own lives," Liu Wuxie said coldly.

There wasn't the slightest hint of fear in his tone, only contempt.

To him, Spirit Profound Realm cultivators were mere ants. Killing them was a chore, not a battle.

"What arrogance," the man snapped. "Let's see how you handle this attack!"

He lunged forward with a sword strike as swift as a viper, the blade gleaming coldly in the dim light.

"Brother Liu, watch out!" Ji Lu'an cried out in alarm.

Liu Wuxie didn't flinch. He remained motionless, his expression calm as still water, showing no intention of dodging.

The attacker smirked, already picturing Liu Wuxie crumpling beneath his sword.

However, the moment the blade came within a meter of its target, it froze mid-air.

The attacker also froze in place, completely immobilized like a puppet with its strings cut.

Shock flared in the remaining attacker’s eyes, his expression contorting into pure horror.

"You can die now," Liu Wuxie said calmly.

As the words left his mouth, the immobilized man exploded into a cloud of blood, leaving no trace of flesh or bone behind. Liu Wuxie crushed his body with the sheer compression of space. His mastery of the Spatial Dao Art reduced him to nothing more than crimson mist.

The last attacker fell to his knees, all the fight draining from his body. He clutched the ground and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Please, don't kill me!" he cried, his voice trembling with fear.

Liu Wuxie gazed at him coldly, his tone devoid of emotion. "Do you even know who I am?"

The man shook his head, confused and panicked. He had no idea who he had provoked.

"My name is Liu Wuxie."

The simple answer fell like thunder in the man's ears. He began to tremble violently, his breath catching in his throat.

"I deserve to die," he muttered bitterly, the truth finally dawning on him.

"Indeed," Liu Wuxie replied, his voice still calm. "Let me guess... I'm at the top of the list that Miao Hanxuan handed you?"

Miao Hanxuan had spent years recruiting secret agents and henchmen, weaving a web of lackeys to his bidding. Ji Lu'an was a target, but the one Miao Hanxuan feared most had always been Liu Wuxie.

The man before him understood that now. As one of Miao Hanxuan's pawns, he would've crossed paths with Liu Wuxie sooner or later. And when that happened, only death would await him.

"That's right. You're first on the list," the man confessed, his voice shaking. "I just never expected your cultivation to rise so quickly in only two years."

"Take your own life," Liu Wuxie said flatly.

He didn't even bother lifting a finger. This man wasn't worth the effort.

A bitter laugh escaped the man's lips. With no hope left, he drew his sword and slashed it across his own throat. He collapsed to the ground as blood sprayed through the air.

Ji Lu'an stepped forward, his face filled with gratitude. "Brother Liu, thank you for stepping in."

Had Liu Wuxie not arrived when he did, Ji Lu'an would've died there. And if that happened, who would be left to avenge his junior martial sister?

Liu Wuxie turned toward him, eyes gleaming with resolve. "Come. Let's go find Miao Hanxuan."

Since he was the one Miao Hanxuan feared and wanted dead the most, there was no point in hiding. Today was the day to end their feud.

Liu Wuxie had only just broken through to the sixth-level Spirit Profound Realm and was still no match for those at the pinnacle of the Earth Profound Realm, but he no longer feared such opponents. Even if he couldn't kill Miao Hanxuan outright, he could still drag the man's name through the mud and turn him into a laughingstock within the Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy.

"Brother Liu, Miao Hanxuan is strong," Ji Lu'an warned cautiously. "Going after him now would be dangerous."

Ji Lu'an didn't fear death, but he couldn't stand the thought of dragging Liu Wuxie into danger.

After all, Miao Hanxuan wasn't just a peak Earth Profound Realm cultivator. He also held a high status as an elder of the White Dragon Peak, a position that gave him considerable influence within the academy.

Liu Wuxie only smirked with a devilish glint in his eyes. "I've already contacted others."

His voice carried confidence.

"Today, we're going to rescue your junior martial sister. And as for Miao Hanxuan... I'll make him wish he were dead."

With that, Liu Wuxie turned and walked out of the valley.

Though uncertainty lingered in Ji Lu'an’s heart, he didn't hesitate to follow. If danger came, he had resolved to risk his life to buy Liu Wuxie enough time to escape.

Liu Wuxie didn't return to the Heavenly Gate Peak. Instead, he took a detour along the mountain path.

Two hours later, they arrived at the base of White Dragon Peak. With Ji Lu'an leading the way, the two of them quickly ascended to the mountainside.

"Liu Wuxie, you're a disciple of the Heavenly Gate Peak! Who permitted you to come here?" someone shouted.

There wasn't a single disciple on White Dragon Peak who didn't recognize Liu Wuxie. After all, he had previously slain several of their own and even slapped Elder He in public at Astral Moon Valley, bringing disgrace to the entire peak. Since then, White Dragon Peak had suffered repeated humiliation in its rivalry with the Heavenly Gate Peak.

"You plan to stop me?" Liu Wuxie asked coldly, his gaze sharp enough to cut through him. His eyes locked on the two disciples blocking the path, overflowing with killing intent.

Most disciples of the Heavenly Spirit Celestial Academy maintained close ties with one of the following organizations: the Four Great Clans, the Crimson Dragon Cult, the Five Elemental Gate, or the Profound Cloud Sect. Their rivalries ran deep.

"Don't blame us for what happens if you dare take another step forward," one of the disciples warned.

Though both had reached the pinnacle of the Spirit Profound Realm, their voices wavered. The fear in their eyes betrayed their bravado. Everyone knew Liu Wuxie had slain Earth Profound Realm experts before.

"I'd like to see what you plan to do," Liu Wuxie said with a faint smile, stepping forward without hesitation.

Time was short. If Miao Hanxuan caught wind of his arrival, he might silence Ji Lu'an’s junior sister to destroy the evidence.

The two disciples guarding the path froze, caught in a dilemma. They dared not act, knowing full well Liu Wuxie would kill them without hesitation. Yet, stepping aside meant embarrassment.

"Liu Wuxie, don't get arrogant! This is White Dragon Peak! We have elders at the Earth Profound Realm!" barked the disciple on the right, hoping to scare him off with status.

"Get lost," Liu Wuxie snapped, waving his hand.

A burst of force sent the two men flying, crashing backward with startled cries.

"Irritating pests," he muttered, then gestured for Ji Lu'an to lead the way.

Though many disciples stood watching from afar, none dared step forward.

It wasn't long before the news of Liu Wuxie's bold entry into White Dragon Peak caused an uproar. Disciples began swarming behind them, murmuring and glaring with fury.

The two men, whom Liu Wuxie had flung aside, clenched their teeth in humiliation. Both were at the pinnacle of the Spirit Profound Realm, yet couldn't last a breath against Liu Wuxie. If news of this spread, they would have to bear the humiliation for the rest of their lives.

"Liu Wuxie just returned from the central mountain. Now he's making trouble again at White Dragon Peak?" someone whispered from the crowd, shocked by his audacity.

"See that small mountain up ahead?" Ji Lu'an pointed to a distant, secluded peak. "That's Miao Hanxuan's residence. No one's allowed near it without his permission."

Each elder had a private residence atop a separate peak, and Miao Hanxuan was no exception.

"Let's go," Liu Wuxie said flatly.

With a flash, he vanished from the spot like a streak of light and reappeared atop the elder's peak before anyone could react.

"It's a capital offense to barge into an elder's private residence! The sect won't even lift a finger if he's killed!" gasped several disciples from below, watching in stunned disbelief.

However, Liu Wuxie remained indifferent. As he ascended the peak, he activated the Ghost Eye and swept it across Miao Hanxuan's residence with piercing perception. Miao Hanxuan wasn't there.

Ji Lu'an caught up shortly after, his steps faltering as he took in the surroundings. The familiar landscape, once filled with memories, now felt distant and cold. Pain flickered in his eyes.

Liu Wuxie's gaze sharpened. He activated the Ghost Eye once more, scanning through every inch of the peak's courtyards with haste.

"Let's rescue your junior sister first," Liu Wuxie said calmly.

With that, he darted forward, heading deeper into the compound. The peak stood silent and deserted. Miao Hanxuan, ever reclusive, had always preferred solitude.

They stopped before a large gate. Its surface was sealed tightly under powerful restrictions that pulsed with energy. Ji Lu'an pounded the barrier with his fists. Each blow rang out with a sharp, metallic clang that echoed through the courtyard.

"My junior sister must be imprisoned inside!" Ji Lu'an cried out, anxiety thick in his voice.

Without hesitation, Liu Wuxie stepped forward. He drew the Heretic Blade and slashed down in one decisive stroke, its edge gleaming coldly.

A sharp crack tore through the air as the restrictions shattered into fragments and dispersed like smoke in the wind.

Far away in a refined pavilion, Miao Hanxuan calmly sipped tea with an elder from Sky Incineration Peak. But the moment he sensed the restriction's destruction, his hand froze mid-air. Without so much as a word of farewell, he vanished from sight, leaving the stunned elder behind.

Back at the compound, the instant the restrictions fell, Ji Lu'an charged into the building. The interior was lavish, adorned like an imperial palace. Thick, luxurious carpets lined the floor, and at the center stood a massive dragon-carved bed.

There, seated atop the bed, was a young woman who was frail and pale, her complexion bloodless from years of confinement. Though her features remained delicate, her once-stunning beauty had withered under years of neglect and the absence of sunlight.

"Junior Sister, I'm here to save you!" Ji Lu'an called out as he rushed to her side and pulled her into an embrace.

Tears welled up in the woman's eyes and streamed down her cheeks when she saw him.

"You shouldn't have come! Leave quickly!" she cried, pushing Ji Lu'an away with trembling hands. Her voice was weak but urgent.

Years ago, she had sacrificed herself to protect Ji Lu'an, trading her freedom for his life. She wouldn't let him throw it away now by coming here.