518: They missed their target.

What did this mean?

It meant that Yao Delong had not only perfectly hidden his appearance, cultivation, and aura... he had even distorted and isolated the fluctuations of his cultivation's Origin to the point of being able to deceive her Origin Mark!

Underestimated! She had completely and utterly underestimated this scoundrel!

"Vile slave! You have failed me!"

Upon Xin Yuelan's flawless jade forehead, a visible purple demon sigil suddenly bulged, twisting and throbbing!

She looked toward the direction where the demonic cultivator scout had sent the information; there was no longer any hint of laziness in her red eyes.

All that remained was bone-chilling killing intent and the violent fury of a Dominator who had been offended!

"Mobilize the troops! Centered on the Yin Yang Sect camp, extend out eight hundred miles!

Investigate for this Saintess! Where did every bird that left its nest today go?! I want a map within one hour!"

The bone-piercing commands of her Divine Thought were like a bursting ice storm, instantly penetrating layers of demon cave Restrictions and pouring into the ears of the scouts lurking in the deeper darkness.

Simultaneously!

Xin Yuelan suddenly stood up from her Black Ice Demon Throne! Her crimson sleeves billowed like a river of blood flowing backward!

With this single movement, the entire ice cave vibrated as billions of ice shards hummed and shattered in unison!

"Ah Da!"

Without the need for a verbal call, the eyes of Ah Da, who resembled an Ancient Ice Corpse Colossus, suddenly brightened!

An ice-blue divine light pierced through the Void Realm!

The terrifying pressure of the Void Refinement Mid-stage rolled out like a raging sea, crushing the demon-sigiled black ice beneath his feet into spiderweb cracks!

"Go!" The cold, sharp command for slaughter fell!

Xin Yuelan took a step forward! The void beneath her feet shattered silently!

Nine Nether Frost Breath, which devoured light, permeated from the spatial rift!

She and Ah Da, who had transformed into a massive black shadow, were like two blood-ice meteors falling in reverse,

penetrating through layers of spatial obstacles, heading straight for the direction of Cold Jade River!

Locking onto the direction that caused her Origin to throb with both trepidation and rage!

At the camp's ramparts, in the side passage of the Black Iron Great Gate.

A drab grey Escape Light tore through the wind and snow, arriving in an instant!

The light faded, revealing Yao Delong in his un-faded disguise as "Steward Zhu."

The guard Disciples were accustomed to this, assuming it was an Elder from the Workshop returning to camp, and did not block his path.

As soon as he entered the range of the camp's Formation barrier!

Whoosh—!

The space around Yao Delong's body underwent a slight, visible distortion!

The grey robe, the hunched figure, the mixed fire energy, and even every fine trace of wind, frost, and furnace ash on his face,

rippled and peeled away like water patterns! Like a snake shedding its old skin!

The light dissipated!

Standing tall as a pine, with cold features and an aura of indescribable, ancient dominance—Yao Delong's true self reappeared!

His green robes fluttered, his black hair was like ink, and his eyes were like cold stars!

The radiance of life that bloomed in that moment formed a sharp contrast with his previous "ashen" appearance,

causing several nearby guard Disciples to turn their heads sharply and gasp!

"Yao... Senior Brother Yao?"

A guard Disciple recognized him and hurriedly bowed, his eyes filled with awe.

The rumors of him resisting the Demon Sovereign and destroying the Formation had already become a legend in the Northern Border!

Yao Delong only gave a slight nod, intending to head straight for the main tent to report the urgent military intelligence regarding the demonic cultivators' retreat and infiltration.

Just then, a familiar voice, carrying the rhythm of water yet as bright as fire, called out with pleasant surprise:

"Oh! Look which family's good little brother has returned!"

Approaching him like a swaying fire lotus was the Eldest Senior Sister of Spirit Water Peak—Cang Yunyao!

She had just led her large contingent back; her water-blue martial attire outlined breathtaking curves.

The majority of the Disciples following behind her were female, a chorus of chirping voices.

Her beautiful eyes darted about, pinning themselves fervently onto Yao Delong as she greeted him loudly without any inhibition, instantly attracting a large amount of attention!

Immediately following, a more petite and charming figure flew out from the group with undisguised intimacy—it was Luo Miaomiao!

"Delong!"

Her clear, pretty face was overflowing with joy as she scampered to Yao Delong's side in a few steps.

"Senior Sister Cang, Miaomiao."

Yao Delong smiled. Luo Miaomiao's appearance made his gaze soften significantly,

and he habitually reached out to rub the top of her head.

"Good brother~" Cang Yunyao's gaze lingered for a moment on Yao Delong's hand as it rubbed Luo Miaomiao's head.

Her voice grew even more coquettish. "Didn't you say you took the mission for Cold Jade River and another location?

I just got back, and you've returned right on my heels? Such efficiency! Did you miss me?"

"Senior Sister Cang," Yao Delong interrupted her teasing, his expression turning serious.

"The demonic cultivators have fled! Cold Jade River is already an empty nest, with only a few abandoned pawns left!

This must be reported immediately. Those fellows have very likely already infiltrated the heart of Hegemonic Summer!"

Cang Yunyao's flirtatious smile withdrew slightly, replaced by a look of solemnity. "Could it really be so?"

She then nodded. "The situation on my side was also peculiar! Two days ago, small groups of demonic cultivators were still constantly harassing us, but today it was as clean as if they'd all died out! There is indeed something fishy!"

Luo Miaomiao also put away her joy and said seriously, "Senior Sister Yao is right; we didn't encounter a single demonic cultivator today."

Yao Delong immediately said softly to Luo Miaomiao, "Miaomiao, you and the others go rest first. Senior Sister Cang and I will go to the main tent to report this at once."

"Mhm! Delong, you and Senior Sister Yao go quickly!" Luo Miaomiao obediently complied.

Cang Yunyao turned to her slightly fatigued team, her authority as the Eldest Senior Sister immediately apparent. "All Disciples, hear my command: disperse and rest on the spot!"

"We obey the Eldest Senior Sister's command!" the Disciples responded in unison, their gazes filled with respect as they swept over Yao Delong.

Cang Yunyao flicked her cloud-sleeves, and her supple, water-blue arm naturally—

and with an unquestionable intimacy—hooked onto Yao Delong's arm again!

The two of them hurried side-by-side toward the central main tent.

Using a tone that only the two of them could hear, Cang Yunyao gently teased Yao Delong's ear:

"Stinky brother... really... didn't you miss me?" Her breath was like orchids, her mannerism overflowing with seduction.

Yao Delong's heart stirred slightly as the System panel silently appeared before his eyes.

Below the core text of "Great Sun Body Forging Art - Major Achievement (Soul Transformation Realm),"

the progress bar that originally required exactly 300 points of yin-yang value to fill was now radiating a scalding, red-gold light!

【290/300】!

He reached back and squeezed the palm of Cang Yunyao's soft hand that was wrapped around his arm.

He tilted his head to look at her, the corner of his mouth curling into an extremely "arrogant" smirk:

"Miss you? Day and night! I'm just afraid that when the time comes, Senior Sister... you won't be able to handle the methods of my Physical Body Perfection!"

"Hmph!" Cang Yunyao felt her palm tingle from his squeeze. Her eyes rippled like water; far from being angry,

she laughed with enchanting grace. Her red lips parted slightly, carrying a thick sense of Battle Intent and temptation:

"Who was it that had to lean against the wall to walk out last time? Stubborn! When this is over, I'll see... who's the one who can't 'take' it!"

Amidst their verbal sparring laced with intense sparks, their figures neared the main tent.

Before they could even announce themselves, they heard the voice of the Spirit Forging Peak true Disciple, Long Xu, filled with anxiety and resentment, shouting inside:

"Junior Martial Uncle Ji! You have to think of something! There's not even a ghost of a shadow left over at Baiyun Falls either!

Those bastard demon whelps must have heard something and fucking ran off! I couldn't even catch a single hair!"

The tent curtain was pulled open.

Cang Yunyao was still holding onto Yao Delong as the two of them entered together.

Inside the tent, several core true Disciples from various peaks had already gathered. In the primary seat was the female goddess of slaughter, Ji Yanshuang, dressed in black-gold battle armor.

Long Xu was standing below her with a face full of frustration.

"Junior Martial Uncle Ji,"

Cang Yunyao's voice regained its coolness and gravity as she let go of Yao Delong's hand and cupped her fists in greeting.

"In the regions Junior Brother Yao and I were responsible for, Cold Jade River and Binglan Gorge, all traces of demons have vanished.

The remnants are all insignificant small fry. It's clear the main force has already withdrawn! I fear they have already struck deep into Hegemonic Summer!"