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The group at the table toasted each other, drinking through several rounds.
Tian Buque's Zhuang Zhou Pill was truly remarkable—colorless, tasteless, and completely undetectable even by spiritual senses.
One-Eye had already consumed half a pot of wine, his face flushed deep red, his eyes hazy, and his speech slurred.
Qi Yuan observed quietly, estimating that the drug would take effect soon. He discreetly transmitted a message to Nie Ying.
"Junior Sister Nie, how did you get captured and brought to the Hehuan Sect?"
"I was on a frontline mission when I made a mistake and was caught by a female cultivator from the Hehuan Sect. All my fellow disciples who accompanied me were killed. She spared me because of my appearance and personally brought me here. Later, another female cultivator took me away and locked me in a room for several days. Then I met you, Senior Brother Qi."
Nie Ying spoke softly through their mental connection while continuing to pour the wine, ensuring no one else noticed.
Qi Yuan's gaze flickered as he took in her words. This Ruan Fei certainly had influence, able to intercept captives as she pleased. His eyes briefly swept across the room, noting the positioning of the maids and the firmly shut doors.
"I'll remove your restrictions soon. No matter what happens, stay silent," he instructed.
"I understand, Senior Brother Qi," Nie Ying replied, though many questions swirled in her mind. However, she knew now was not the time to ask. Survival came first.
With a sudden *thud*, the Three-Fingered Demon slumped forward, knocking over dishes and spilling wine across the table. His jug crashed to the ground.
One-Eye, his face flushed with intoxication, swayed unsteadily. He laughed loudly.
"This Three-Finger fellow brags about his drinking, yet he's down after just half a pot. What a disgrace," he slurred before collapsing onto the table, snoring.
Ruan Fei's expression changed. She had a high alcohol tolerance and knew One-Eye's limits well. A single pot of wine shouldn't have affected him like this.
Her thoughts spun as she tried to force herself awake, but dizziness overwhelmed her. She barely had time to glare at Qi Yuan before her body gave in, and she collapsed.
"If you dare betray me, I will not forgive you," she murmured before losing consciousness.
The maids panicked, rushing to her side.
"Madam, are you alright?"
Qi Yuan moved swiftly, casting several spells to subdue them all in an instant.
Nie Ying stepped forward, her gaze flicking across the fallen demon cultivators. Seeing Qi Yuan neutralize them so effortlessly, she felt an even deeper admiration. He had infiltrated the heart of the six demon sects and taken down key figures without breaking a sweat.
She couldn't help but think—why hadn't she met such a powerful and capable senior brother sooner?
With her looks and talent, she was certainly no less than Chen Qiaoqian or Dong Xuaner. Yet fate had taken her on a different path.
"Senior Brother Qi, should we kill them all?" she asked.
"No," Qi Yuan replied calmly. "If we do, the Hehuan Sect's upper ranks will be alerted immediately, making our escape impossible."
Nie Ying nodded in understanding.
Qi Yuan gathered his spiritual energy, knocking One-Eye and the maids unconscious before collecting their storage bags. Finally, he lifted the restrictions on Nie Ying.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Qi," she said, overjoyed as her spiritual power flowed freely once more.
Qi Yuan gave a slight nod and gestured toward the door.
Nie Ying, understanding his intent, slipped her arm through his, and together they walked out, pretending to be intoxicated.
At the entrance, Qi Yuan issued a stern order to the guards.
"No one enters without my permission."
With that, the two transformed into streaks of light, vanishing into the distance.
After traveling to a secluded spot, Qi Yuan took out a pass token and tossed it to Nie Ying.
"Wait for me outside the sect's territory. If I don't return within the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, leave on your own and never use that token again."
"I understand, Senior Brother Qi," she said, her voice filled with concern. "Please be careful. I'll be waiting for you."
Qi Yuan met her gaze before nodding.
Nie Ying quickly flew toward the border while Qi Yuan, maintaining his cover, moved freely within the Hehuan Sect. The guards did not dare question him.
At last, he reached the Five Elements Spiritual Tree.
The colorful toad beneath it lay motionless, eyes closed.
Qi Yuan smirked. The Zhuang Zhou Pill was effective on beasts as well.
Without hesitation, he plucked the most vibrant Five Elements True Spirit Fruit, along with a small branch. He had never eaten this fruit before and couldn't be sure if it contained seeds, so he made extra preparations.
With his prize secured, Qi Yuan swiftly exited the area. The guards remained unaware.
After reuniting with Nie Ying, the two set off toward the State of Yue.
However, Hehuan Sect lay deep within Tianluo Kingdom's territory. It would take them three to four days to fully escape.
By the third day, checkpoints had been set up along the route, where Hehuan Sect disciples scrutinized every passing cultivator. A magical mirror stood at the side, capable of exposing any disguise.
"Senior Brother Qi, that mirror isn't ordinary. I doubt your disguise will hold up. Should we fight our way through?" Nie Ying asked.
Hidden in the shadows, Qi Yuan observed the situation. It seemed One-Eye's condition had been discovered, prompting the Hehuan Sect's leaders to enforce stricter inspections.
After calculating their options, he spoke.
"We have a day's travel left before reaching Jiang State. If we fight now, we'll be surrounded before we can escape. That's not an option."
"What do we do, then? Their search teams will find us sooner or later," Nie Ying said anxiously, worried that Qi Yuan might abandon her.
Qi Yuan dismissed his disguise, revealing his true face. Keeping the aura of the Hehuan Sect's cultivation method intact, he changed into a luxurious robe and hung a high-ranking token at his waist. He then leaned in, whispering in Nie Ying's ear.
Her face turned bright red, her eyes filled with shyness and hesitation.
"If Junior Sister Nie isn't willing, we'll have to fight our way through. Then, our survival will depend on fate," Qi Yuan said casually, holding up a jade slip containing the Hehuan Sect's top charm technique.
Nie Ying hesitated only for a moment before snatching the slip from his hand.
"Senior Brother… I'm willing," she murmured.
Within half a day, she had mastered the first level of the *Water Dragon Technique* Qi Yuan had given her. Though she had only absorbed a small amount of demonic energy, her foundation as a cultivator was solid. The first level was easy enough to grasp.
As they prepared to pass through the checkpoint, the fate of their escape now rested on their performance.
(End Of Chapter)