Chapter 889: Xue Ji's Lie

As they spoke, Despicable Donkey unleashed another move—"Melon-Smashing Fist"—aimed squarely at Elder Xuan Snake's crotch.

The attack's lethality was undeniable. Caught off guard, the elder endured over five hundred consecutive strikes. Even with his demon emperor-level physique, he was left battered and bruised, his dignity in tatters.

"Enough!"

With a furious roar, Elder Xuan Snake reverted to his true demonic beast form—a colossal serpent spanning fifty to sixty zhang in length!

His body was sheathed in violet scales, and his massive eyes locked onto Despicable Donkey with murderous intent. His jaws gaped wide, lunging for a fatal bite.

"Divine Donkey Escape!"

Despicable Donkey took one look and bolted, yelling as he ran, "Damn it! A peak-level Demon Emperor, and you're pulling out your true form against this divine beast who just broke through? Have you no shame?!"

Elder Xuan Snake was beyond rage. Shame? Better that than losing his family jewels!

In his fury, the elder spewed a dense cloud of lethal poison. The toxic mist spread rapidly, withering every plant in its path—even the hardiest weeds shriveled instantly.

"Xuan Snake! Finally found you!"

A figure streaked in from the east, sweeping away the poison with a single palm strike. The newcomer hovered midair, arms crossed, glaring fearlessly at the giant serpent.

"Uncle Wei!"

Jiang Biyi cheered. "Uncle Wei! You're finally here!"

"Senior Wei!" Ling Feng clasped his hands in salute. With Wei Wuyan present, they were truly safe now.

Wei Wuyan gave Ling Feng a brief nod—as if already aware of his presence—before turning to Jiang Biyi with a doting smile. "Yi Yi, are you unharmed?"

"

Hehe,

this bad guy protected me. I'm fine!"

Jiang Biyi giggled, clinging affectionately to Ling Feng's arm.

Ling Feng awkwardly pulled his arm away, only to get a sharp glare from her.

"Damn it!"

Elder Xuan Snake's face darkened. With Wei Wuyan and that damned black donkey here, victory was impossible.

Reverting to human form, he fixed Ling Feng with a venomous stare. "Boy, this emperor remembers you!"

Just then, a streak of white light shot toward them. Everyone turned to see an enchanting woman with a snow-white tail soaring through the air—Xue Ji.

"Elder Xuan Snake!"

Xue Ji landed swiftly behind the elder, her gaze flickering briefly toward Ling Feng, her expression unreadable.

"Xue Ji?" The elder frowned, noting her solitary appearance. "Where are the others? The Third Prince? And my grandson, Zi She?"

Zi She?

Ling Feng's heart skipped a beat. That guy had been obliterated by his sword.

"Elder..." Xue Ji bit her lip, her voice heavy. "We followed the plan into Wuji Cave Heaven and found the Abyss of Death. But at the critical moment... the abyss mutated. A terrifying monster emerged. It nearly wiped us all out."

"The prince ordered me to guard the abyss's entrance, so I survived. But the others..."

Her face twisted with grief. "The others were devoured by that creature."

"What?!"

Elder Xuan Snake erupted in rage. "Impossible! How could this happen?!"

He'd assumed the Demonic Jiao Prince and Nightmare could secure the Tiance Spirit Spring effortlessly. Losing his grandson—a rare talent for the Jade-Scaled Royal Serpent clan—drove him to the brink of madness.

Meanwhile, Ling Feng was stunned.

He'd spared Xue Ji on a whim, never expecting her to lie for him.

If she had revealed the truth, Elder Xuan Snake would've been out for blood. Ling Feng was safe for the moment as Wei Wuyan was present. But as the saying goes, it's not the thief you fear—it's the one who can't stop thinking about robbing you.

If the Jade-Scaled Royal Serpent clan had decided to make him their sworn enemy and thrown everything they had into the fight, it would've caused a massive headache. Even worse, it could have dragged those around Ling Feng into the chaos.

On top of that, if the northern demon tribe was enraged by this incident and launched a full-scale attack on Qingtian Fortress, things would spiral out of control.

"Seems like you've just lost your grandson, old monster. Heh, out of pity for you, this emperor will let you leave today."

Wei Wuyan snorted. In a direct fight, he and Elder Xuan Snake were evenly matched. Adding Despicable Donkey might not tip the scales. With no guarantee of killing the elder, there was no point wasting energy.

Clenching his fists, Elder Xuan Snake exhaled sharply. A violet glow enveloped Xue Ji as he whisked her northward without another word.

"Finally gone."

Ling Feng exhaled in relief. That had been too close.

"

Humph!

Bad guy, what's your secret relationship with that Xue Ji? Why would she lie for you?!"

Jiang Biyi frowned, glaring at Ling Feng as if she were silently promising retribution later.

"

Heh,

even this divine beast won't defend you this time!" Despicable Donkey nudged Ling Feng, grinning. "When did you charm that little enchantress?"

"Probably because I shared some Lingxu Spring with her."

Ling Feng shrugged off the teasing. This donkey's mind was perpetually in the gutter.

Wei Wuyan chuckled, piecing together the situation. The fox girl had clearly concealed the truth about the demonic geniuses' deaths.

Not his concern, though.

"Yi Yi, mission accomplished?" he asked.

"

Mm-hmm,

I got what I came for!" Jiang Biyi nodded.

"Good. I ran into Ye Xingnan outside Zuowang Valley. He said you entered Wuji Cave Heaven with Ling Feng. With him protecting you, I wasn't worried."

Turning to Ling Feng, Wei Wuyan laughed. "Ling Feng, I owe you again. I didn't bring much this trip, but since you've reached the Transformation Realm, the Spiritual Element Realm isn't far off. Here's a beginner's manual on spiritual consciousness cultivation."

"

Uh

..."

Ling Feng hesitated, but Jiang Biyi cut in, pouting.

"Uncle Wei! Is Yi Yi not important to you? A beginner's manual? That's not enough!"