Please, both of you, have complete faith in my character.

I've been discovered!

Qi Yuan was jolted with shock. He instinctively looked back and saw a beautiful female Cultivator in fluttering Daoist robes hovering not far away, staring at him with a face covered in frost.

Shao Xuanji, the Sect Master of the Holy Land of Linglong Holy Land?

This... Qi Yuan's heart sank, and a layer of cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead.

I'm doomed!

This time, even jumping into the Yellow River wouldn't wash me clean!

He had sneakily crept to the place where the Linglong Saintess was bathing and was caught red-handed by her Master. How was he supposed to talk his way out of this?

Should I say I came to steal the Saintess's command medallion?

No, that explanation would be even worse!

Or maybe, say I came to help scrub her back... He suddenly shuddered and quickly dismissed the thought. If he really said that, he'd probably die an even more miserable death.

For a moment, Qi Yuan felt like he was about to fall apart as countless thoughts flashed through his mind.

The only good news was that Shao Xuanji didn't seem to have any intention of attacking directly. Otherwise, in the face of a Hedao Realm powerhouse, he probably wouldn't even have the chance to think of a countermeasure.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, he glimpsed a cluster of dense vegetation growing beside the spiritual spring, and he had a sudden flash of inspiration.

Things had reached a critical point. If he couldn't clear himself of the suspicion of peeping on the Linglong Saintess in time, his reputation would be ruined on the spot.

The only plan now was to find another way. Rather than admitting guilt miserably, it was better to take a risky move and go all in!

Thinking of this, Qi Yuan quickly made up his mind.

Let's do it!

"Ah?! Master... Fellow Daoist Qi... why are you both here?!"

On the other side, Xiao Yueni, who was in the spiritual pool, was also startled by the sudden commotion and hurriedly submerged her entire body into the spiritual fluid.

Especially when she saw the man standing not far from the pool, Xiao Yueni's cheeks immediately burned red, as if they were about to drip blood.

"Disciple, isn't it obvious? This Little Thief intended to take advantage of your bath to do something filthy, but I caught him in the act!"

Shao Xuanji stared expressionlessly at the man frozen in place, her voice bone-chillingly cold.

Hearing this, Xiao Yueni's delicate body trembled. Her gaze toward Qi Yuan was filled with disappointment and a hint of shameful indignation. "Fellow Daoist Qi, I originally thought you were an upright gentleman who valued friendship and loyalty. I didn't expect you to be this kind of person too. I'm simply too disappointed in you!"

"Yueni, there's no need to waste words on him."

Shao Xuanji's tone was sharp. "I will capture this lecherous fellow now and then escort him back to Taixuan Holy Land to ask his Master, Daoist Hengzhen, exactly how he teaches his disciples!"

Holy crap!

Is there a need to be so ruthless?

Qi Yuan's heart sank, making him even more determined to take a gamble.

If he were really escorted back to Taixuan Holy Land by this woman, he'd probably have his cultivation stripped on the spot... "Master."

Hearing this, Xiao Yueni seemed a bit reluctant. Just as she was about to speak, she saw Qi Yuan take a step forward on his own initiative and explain with a frustrated look:

"Senior Martial Uncle Shao, Fairy Xiao, please, both of you must believe in my character. I am innocent."

As he spoke, he pulled a bright red spiritual fruit from his storage space with a bitter expression, while simultaneously putting on his best acting performance:

"The environment here is truly a bit hot. In a moment of thirst, I took out this spiritual fruit I had on me, intending to eat it to quench my thirst."

"I didn't expect that while this spiritual fruit looks like a Vermilion Fruit, it is actually an illusion star fruit. I only took a few whiffs of it before falling into an illusionary realm, which is why I unconsciously ended up here..."

"Unconsciously?"

Shao Xuanji snorted coldly. "You are still clutching a top-grade Breath-Concealing Talisman in your hand. Your movements were sneaky and efficient; you didn't look like someone caught in an illusionary realm at all."

"Furthermore, as the dignified Dao Child of Tai Xuan and a Nascent Soul Mid-stage Cultivator, how could you possibly be confused by the mere scent of an illusion star fruit?"

In the spiritual pool, Xiao Yueni lightly bit her lip, looking at Qi Yuan with a suspicious gaze, seemingly unconvinced as well.

At this moment, Qi Yuan's brain was working at high speed, his CPU almost smoking, but on the surface, he still pretended to be calm, his tone becoming increasingly sincere:

"The illusionary realm just now was bizarre and filled with Devilish Qi, looking just like a terrifying demonic domain. To avoid danger, I activated a top-grade Breath-Concealing Talisman and explored it cautiously."

"It was only when I heard a loud shout that I was startled awake from the illusionary realm. Speaking of which, I have you to thank, Senior Martial Uncle Shao. As for the effect of the spiritual fruit... it can be proven with a single test!"

When he said this, Qi Yuan's eyes were clear and his expression sincere; he didn't even blink. It was truly a Best Actor-level performance.

Seeing this, Xiao Yueni immediately believed him a little, and her expression softened. "Fellow Daoist Qi, if that's really the case, then this matter isn't your fault..."

"Thank you for your understanding, Fairy Xiao!"

Qi Yuan first cursed himself fiercely in his heart, and then said with a face full of apology, "It was my oversight to misidentify the spiritual fruit."

"Yueni, don't be fooled by him. How could there be such a coincidence in the world!"

Saying this, Shao Xuanji fixed her gaze on the bright red spiritual fruit and snorted. "Hmph! Junior, do you think I'll believe you just because you talk your way out of it?"

"Whether or not you were in an illusionary realm just now, this Sect Master of the Holy Land will know once I probe your Divine Soul."

After speaking, her aura surged, and she suddenly sent out a probing force toward Qi Yuan.

As expected, the older ginger is spicier; this Linglong Holy Land Sect Master of the Holy Land really isn't easy to fool... Seeing this, Qi Yuan's brow twitched. He immediately held his breath, tightly sealed all his pores, and then unhesitatingly crushed the illusion star fruit in his hand.

Pop!

With a crisp sound, the fruit of the Ten Thousand Year Phantom Star Grass instantly turned into a cloud of powder.

At the same time, a sweet and cool scent spread out, followed by a burst of invisible energy that enveloped all three of them.

Before Qi Yuan could react, he felt the scene before his eyes begin to twist and rotate like a kaleidoscope, and his consciousness gradually grew drowsy.

Oh crap!!!

Didn't we agree that crushing this illusion star fruit would pull the people around me into an illusionary realm, and then I could take the opportunity to escape... Why the hell did I get caught in it too?

Damn it, I was tricked by that Little Grass Spirit again!

No!

Stop it, you bastard!!!

Before being completely pulled into the illusionary realm, Qi Yuan's heart was crumbling...