Chapter 194: Difficult to Leave, Forced to Stay – A Temporary Shelter

Hong Shao furrowed her brows slightly as she looked at the calm and composed Yu Xian. Despite his respectful demeanor, there was neither fear nor flattery in his gaze, prompting her to think deeply.

According to ancient records from Medicine King Valley, the forbidden formation sealing the Heavenly Demons in Demon Valley was constructed by a powerful late Nascent Soul cultivator. Although it couldn’t destroy the demons, it could firmly suppress them.

That formation had cost the lives of several Core Formation experts just to verify its stability.

After all, even a Core Formation expert would find it difficult to shake the formation!

As for Nascent Soul cultivators, they couldn’t enter at all. Their powerful spiritual pressure would cause spatial ripples in that sealed, independent space, ultimately collapsing it and releasing the demons.

These were verified and reliable records left behind by seniors of Medicine King Valley.

Therefore… it was impossible that Yu Xian, who was only at the mid-Stage Qi Condensation when he entered, could have released the demons himself.

More likely, the formation had aged and deteriorated over the years. With the relentless struggle of tens of thousands of demons inside, it finally broke open. Afterward, those demons were released through a teleportation array by “Gu Hanfeng.”

If Gu Hanfeng could escape, why not the others?

Because of this, all the disciples who had entered to collect herbs perished.

Hong Shao’s gaze gradually calmed, and her aura withdrew.

Yu Xian felt the suffocating pressure disappear and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. He cupped his hands and said respectfully, “Does senior have any other instructions? If not, this junior will take his leave.”

“Leave?”

Hong Shao shook her head. “You won’t be able to leave for now. If you insist on going, don’t blame me for not warning you—you won’t live past today.”

Yu Xian was slightly stunned and stood up, looking at her in confusion. “Senior, I’ve never offended you nor do I bear any grudge. Why must you detain me? Are you afraid I’ll spread rumors? If so, I can swear an oath.”

“You think I want to keep you here?”

Hong Shao replied calmly, “You underestimate me.”

Yu Xian frowned slightly.

Hong Shao sighed, “Someone, out of misplaced concern for my safety, would definitely try to hunt you down. That’s why you can’t leave.”

Yu Xian pondered her words.

She had no reason to lie. If she truly wanted to kill him, she could’ve done so already—why all the trickery?

For her safety… Was it those three Core Formation cultivators from the Blazing Flame Sect? The sect master or the two vice sect masters?

It didn’t matter who—Yu Xian couldn’t resist any of them.

So, he sighed softly and respectfully asked, “Then may I ask how this junior can safely leave?”

Hong Shao rose gracefully and walked out, speaking as she moved, “Stay by my side for the next few days as a disciple of Medicine King Valley. Remember, I am your Martial Aunt. Your master is Gu Hanfeng. Once you’ve gained their trust and they lower their guard, you can find an excuse to leave and disappear.”

As she finished speaking, she waved her hand, lifting the restriction on the door, which then creaked open.

Yu Xian frowned, thought for a moment, then followed her out.

This seemed to be the only viable option for now.

He would pretend to be a disciple of Medicine King Valley temporarily, wait for the right moment to flee. Once he escaped thousands of miles away, not even a Core Formation expert could easily track him down.

Still, claiming to be Gu Hanfeng’s disciple… felt nauseating.

As they left the inn, Hong Shao—clad in red robes and barefoot—walked gracefully forward. Strangely, none of the cultivators around noticed this ethereal beauty; only Yu Xian could see her and follow.

Clearly, she had used a concealment technique, one powerful enough that the surrounding Qi Condensation and Foundation Establishment cultivators couldn’t detect her presence.

“Fairy, you’re finally out.”

A voice suddenly rang out. Yu Xian’s heart jumped as he looked up quickly.

About two incense sticks later, the two arrived in front of the Blazing Flame Sect’s mountain gate.

To Zhou Qingyuan, the sect master, the protective formation posed no barrier. He simply led Yu Xian directly down the mountain peak.

The main hall of the Blazing Flame Sect stood atop this peak—magnificent and imposing.

They descended slowly, and Zhou Qingyuan sent out a message talisman with a flick of his hand. He stood with his hands behind his back, overlooking the vast lands ahead.

At this moment, he was no longer a love-struck cultivator but the powerful sect master of a major sect—at peak Core Formation.

Yu Xian stood quietly beside him, unmoved.

After another incense stick’s time, a figure arrived hurriedly, bowed to Zhou Qingyuan, and asked, “Disciple greets the Sect Master. May I ask what instructions you have?”

This cultivator was at late Foundation Establishment, though he looked older—likely over a hundred years old.

“From today on, he is one of the sect’s elders. Take him to meet the other elders. He will be helping manage the sect.”

Zhou Qingyuan casually pointed at Yu Xian and then, without waiting, stepped into the grand hall as a stream of fire, leaving only one sentence behind: “Go. Do not disturb me unless necessary.”

“Yes!”

The elder bowed respectfully to the grand hall.

Yu Xian followed suit and saluted as well.

Then the elder turned to Yu Xian with a smile. “This way, fellow Daoist.”

He led the way down the mountain.

“May I ask your name, fellow Daoist?”

As they descended, the elder asked cheerfully, “I am Luo Fan—Luo as in hunchback, Fan as in ordinary.”

“Yu Xian,” came the calm reply.

“Oh, so it’s Daoist Yu.”

Luo Fan laughed. “To be so young and already mid-Foundation Establishment, with the Sect Master personally naming you as an elder… you’re truly talented. Your future is boundless.”

Yu Xian replied calmly, “Talent is not much. Just diligent cultivation.”

Luo Fan’s smile froze slightly—was he implying that Luo Fan didn’t work hard?

This youth was… quite rude.

But since he was backed by the sect master himself, and even with just mid-Foundation cultivation, Luo Fan dared not provoke him.

So he forced a smile again. “Yes, yes. Daoist Yu truly works hard.”

As they reached the sect’s internal grounds, they were met by a bustling sect: courtyards, training grounds, alchemy labs, blacksmith halls, spiritual gardens, and beast pens. Everything a proper sect should have was here.

Thousands of disciples moved like ants—training, completing missions, cultivating herbs, and more.

The Blazing Flame Sect, under Zhou Qingyuan and the two other Core Formation cultivators, was a solid mid-tier power—on par with many of the bigger sects that lacked Nascent Soul backers.

Soon, a group of seven Foundation Establishment cultivators surrounded them…