38: Chu Qianqian, the Holy Maiden of the Hehuan Sect

As Lu Yi and Shen Yueyao channeled the spiritual energy within their bodies.

They also gradually began to feel the omnipresent Realm suppression effect within this Secret Realm.

An invisible shackle seemed to shroud the entire Small World.

The two of them were genuine Cultivators at the Guiyi Realm.

Yet, within this Secret Realm, they could only exert the power of the Cave Heaven Realm.

Lu Yi felt somewhat helpless.

It seemed that this was the so-called combat power balance suppression.

It was to ensure that those protagonists with lower Realms would not be instantly killed by enemies whose Realms far exceeded their own.

This was the first time Lu Yi had personally experienced the feeling of having his cultivation forcibly suppressed.

It felt like trying to exert force for a long time, but being unable to release it...

Even the speed of flight could not be pushed to the limit; they could only advance at a neither-fast-nor-slow pace.

After flying for a short while, having nothing better to do, Lu Yi began to ask Wu Mingyue, who was being carried at his waist.

"Mingyue, earlier outside the Secret Realm, I noticed you seemed somewhat fearful of your father. What is going on? Does your father not treat you well on a daily basis?"

Hearing Lu Yi take the initiative to ask about this, Wu Mingyue's expression, which had previously held a hint of novelty, could not help but turn somewhat dejected.

She leaned her head against Lu Yi's waist and began to explain to him in a muffled tone.

"It's not that... Because my mother passed away early, my father has always treated me extremely well since I was little, one could even say he doted on me."

"It's just... I don't know why, but a period of time before my father decided to hold this Cultivator Exchange Conference, I felt that my father... had changed into a different person."

Her voice grew lower and lower:

"Usually, he loved it when I acted like a spoiled child towards him, and he would always smile and pat my head."

"But later, I don't know how, he started to act somewhat annoyed."

"It even reached the point where he began to sternly reprimand me, telling me not to come looking for him for no reason, saying he had more important things to attend to."

"And... and the way my father looks at me has also become increasingly cold. That is why I have been a bit afraid of him lately."

After listening to her words, Lu Yi pondered in his heart.

It seemed that this drastic change in Wu Changfeng's temperament was likely inseparable from that faint, elusive trace of malevolent Qi he had once exuded.

Just as Lu Yi was still pondering what kind of conspiracy might be hidden behind Wu Changfeng.

A sudden burst of intense spiritual energy collisions and fighting sounds erupted from the mountain forest not far ahead of them.

Lu Yi had not originally cared much; in such a Secret Realm, it was perfectly normal for Cultivators to fight fiercely over Opportunities.

He had intended to simply adjust his direction and bypass them to avoid wasting time.

However, Shen Yueyao, who was by his side, looked in that direction and let out a puzzled "Eh?"

"It's actually her?"

Upon hearing this, Lu Yi followed her gaze and took a closer look.

He discovered that one of the two parties fighting was none other than Wu Yang.

And his opponent was an incredibly beautiful young girl wearing a light purple dress, with a seductive figure, exuding a lethal charm with every movement.

Lu Yi only took one look before concluding in his heart that this woman was definitely no ordinary person.

After all, the art style was completely different.

Subsequently, he asked Shen Yueyao, who was beside him:

"What? Do you know that young girl?"

Shen Yueyao nodded and replied:

"She is the Yaochi Saintess, Chu Qianqian, whom I happened to meet when I was out training previously."

"It's just... I don't recall her coming to participate in this Exchange Conference? And what is going on with her Realm?"

"I remember when I saw her last, she was already at the Late Stage of the Cave Heaven Realm, on par with me at the time. Why does it feel like she is only at the Peak of the Purple Mansion Realm now?"

After hearing Shen Yueyao's answer, Lu Yi did not pay attention to her subsequent questions.

Instead, he instantly became interested in the identity of "Yaochi Saintess".

After all, although the Yaochi Holy Land could not compare to the Primordial Holy Land.

It was still one of the top Sects and Holy Lands in the entire Heavenly Profound Realm.

Combined with the title of "Yaochi Saintess", it was highly likely that she was a destined female protagonist.

In that case, he absolutely had to go and take a look!

He immediately found an excuse and said to Shen Yueyao:

"Since she is an acquaintance of yours, let's go over and help out! We can't just sit idly by."

With that, the two adjusted their direction and flew toward the battle circle.

As they approached, the conversation between the two people in the field gradually became clear.

They heard the Purple-Clad Young Girl speak up first, shouting coquettishly:

"Wu Yang! Do not be ungrateful! It is your good fortune that this Saintess has taken a liking to your items! Quickly hand everything over!"

Wu Yang, holding his long sword, responded with a vigilant expression:

"Hmph! You witch! Do not be so arrogant! Do you really think I am afraid of you?"

Hearing their dialogue, Lu Yi felt something was off.

This Chu Qianqian, as the dignified Yaochi Saintess, held a revered status.

How did she end up acting like a bandit, robbing this guy Wu Yang in the middle of the street... oh no, in the middle of the Secret Realm?

However, never mind that for now; let's help first.

Immediately, he did not hesitate any longer, flashed his figure, and appeared directly behind Wu Yang, who was still confronting "Chu Qianqian".

Wu Yang only felt a gust of wind strike from behind.

Before he could react, a foot had already kicked him heavily on the buttocks.

"Bang!"

He was sent flying by Lu Yi's kick like a rolling gourd, looking incredibly disheveled.

And in the moment his body lost control, Lu Yi also "casually" snatched the Storage Pouch from his waist.

Wu Yang scrambled up from the ground, preparing to retaliate in anger.

But when he saw the face of the person who had arrived, all his fury turned into hesitation.

It's him again!

Wu Yang knew he was definitely no match for Lu Yi, and staying any longer would only be asking for humiliation.

Furthermore, there was nothing particularly special inside that Storage Pouch.

He gritted his teeth, glared at Lu Yi with eyes full of malice, and spat out a harsh threat:

"Lu Yi! You just wait!"

Then he hurriedly fled; Lu Yi had not expected this guy to be so "cautious".

Shouldn't he be "rising up" to fight him to the death right now?

Then he weighed the loot in his hand, and only then did he and Shen Yueyao come to the side of the Purple-Clad Young Girl.

"Qianqian, are you alright?"

Shen Yueyao asked with concern as soon as she approached:

"Why has your cultivation dropped so much?"

As she spoke, she habitually made a move to take the other person's hand.

However, that "Chu Qianqian" seemed to have been triggered by something.

She abruptly stepped back and, with a look of disgust, directly slapped away Shen Yueyao's reaching hand.

She paused for a moment, then looked Shen Yueyao up and down, a furious expression appearing on her face, and said in an extremely displeased tone:

"You have mistaken me for someone else! This Saintess is the Hehuan Sect Holy Maiden, Chu Qianqian!"

"I am not that self-righteous, pretentious person!"