Tianwind City, South Street Market District.
Lin Che led Yingying through the crowds, the Silver Moon Wolf King shrunk to the size of an ordinary wolf-dog trailing behind them. The streets bustled with peddlers' cries, haggling voices, and children's laughter, but Lin Che had no heart to enjoy the prosperity.
[System Alert: Detected saintess tracking mark. Target: Silver Moon Wolf King. Tracking range: Thirty li. Recommendation: Immediately abandon the wolf and run solo. Friendly reminder: Host sure you want to abandon little sister's pet? May trigger "little sister crying" scenario.]
Lin Che's mouth twitched. He lowered his head to the wolf king: "Big White, can you block the tracking mark yourself?"
The Silver Moon Wolf King tilted its head, sapphire eyes full of confusion. It raised a paw to scratch its neck, clearly not understanding Lin Che's words.
[Beast IQ assessment: Equivalent to human eight-year-old. Blocking tracking marks is beyond its capability.]
Yingying understood though and asked nervously: "Brother, did Sister Ye leave a tracking thing on us?"
"On the wolf king." Lin Che said quickly. "Get out of the city first. I'll handle it outside."
He pulled Yingying into a secluded alley. At the end was West City Gate. Two Qi Condensing stage guards stood bored, checking cultivators' identity tokens.
[City gate guards: Qi Condensing 8th Layer ×2. Threat level: Low. Recommendation: Force breakthrough success rate: 100%. But will attract city defense forces—not recommended.]
Lin Che pondered, then fished out two low-grade spirit stones from his storage pouch. Approaching the guards, he lowered his voice: "Two big brothers, my sister and I want to leave early. Could you give us some convenience?"
One guard glanced at him, took the spirit stones, and lazily waved his hand: "Go on, go on. Just don't cause trouble."
[Bribery successful. Guard favorability +30. Host's move is practiced to the point of being pitiful.]
The two humans and one wolf smoothly exited the city. Just three li outside the gates, breaking sounds came from behind.
Ye Qingyan rode her sword through the air, white robes fluttering like a celestial being. She landed before the three, her expression cold: "Young Master Lin, where are you going?"
Lin Che forced a bitter smile, knowing escape was impossible. He spoke frankly: "Miss Ye, my sister and I are used to freedom. We don't want to be bound by sect rules. We appreciate your kindness and will remember it. But Floating Flower Palace… we don't wish to go."
Ye Qingyan's beautiful eyes narrowed, her gaze falling on the Silver Moon Wolf King. She said indifferently: "You think a third-tier demonic beast can protect you two siblings?"
She raised her hand, and a golden light screen appeared out of nowhere, covering a hundred-zhang radius. This was a Golden Core late-stage spiritual power barrier that sealed all escape routes.
[Barrier strength: Extremely high. Host breakthrough success rate: 0%. System recommendation: Kneel and beg for mercy. Perhaps the saintess's heart will soften and let you go.]
Lin Che shielded Yingying behind him, his dagger held horizontally, eyes cold as ice: "Miss Ye really wants to force us?"
Just as the atmosphere grew tense, a long howl came from the distance.
"Floating Flower Palace Saintess, what great arrogance!"
A black shadow shot through the sky, landing outside the barrier. It was a middle-aged man in black robes, with sinister features and demonic qi swirling around him—a demonic path Golden Core cultivator.
[Third-party force detected: Demonic Rogue Cultivator·Blood Hand Demon Butcher. Cultivation: Mid Golden Core stage. Hostility value: ???. Recommendation: Host should watch the fight from the sidelines.]
Blood Hand Demon Butcher licked his lips, greedily staring at Ye Qingyan: "I've long heard the Floating Flower Palace Saintess is as beautiful as a flower. Seeing you today, your reputation is well-deserved. Why not come back to my demon lair and be my mountain queen?"
Ye Qingyan's face turned frigid. She coldly shouted: "Seeking death!"
She raised a palm to strike at Blood Hand Demon Butcher. The two instantly fought as one. The battle aftermath of Golden Core cultivators shook the barrier so hard it nearly collapsed. Lin Che seized the chance to pull Yingying and shouted: "Go!"
[Cracks appear in barrier. Escape success rate: 78%. System recommendation: Now's the time—RUN!]
The two humans and one wolf charged out of the barrier, racing deep into Sky Wind Mountain Range.
Ye Qingyan's angry shout came from behind: "Lin Che, you can't escape!"
But Lin Che didn't look back. He ran even faster.
---
Dusk, a hidden cave in Sky Wind Mountain Range.
Lin Che set up a concealment formation. After confirming no one was tracking them, he finally relaxed. Yingying held the Silver Moon Wolf King and asked quietly: "Brother, where do we go next?"
Lin Che was silent for a moment, then said: "To Floating Flower Palace."
Yingying was stunned: "Huh? Didn't we just escape?"
Lin Che forced a bitter smile: "We can't escape. Ye Qingyan left a mark on the wolf king. She can find us wherever we run. Rather than being hunted, better to take the initiative and understand her purpose."
He paused, his gaze sharpening: "Moreover, I suspect Floating Flower Palace and Heaven Profound Sect have a grudge. Otherwise, she wouldn't protect us for no reason. This might be our opportunity."
[System strategic thinking: Improved. System recommendation: Take it one step at a time, don't mess up.]
Just then, the Silver Moon Wolf King suddenly growled low, warily looking outside the cave.
Lin Che's expression changed. As he was about to act, a cold voice sounded:
"Smart enough to know you can't escape."
Ye Qingyan slowly walked into the cave. Her white robes were spotless, as if she'd never experienced battle. She looked at Lin Che and said indifferently: "I'll only ask once—are you two siblings willing to sincerely join Floating Flower Palace?"
Lin Che was silent for a moment, then asked instead: "What does sincere joining mean, and what does insincere joining mean? If I don't want to go to Floating Flower Palace with you, Miss Ye, would you kill us two siblings?"
His tone was calm, but his eyes were sharp as blades, closely watching Ye Qingyan's every micro-expression.