Chapter 20: The Disappearance of Chen Jiaojiao

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Ye Qingqing’s head nearly exploded from the pain. The ache lingered for a while before gradually fading, and she sat up, holding her forehead.

“Stealing someone else’s cultivation... isn’t that wrong?” she asked.

“The living die for wealth, birds perish for food. When humans plunder the spiritual energy of this world, have they ever asked if the heavens permit it?” the pot spirit said.

“Spirit energy is inherently unclaimed. How can it be considered stealing?” Ye Qingqing wavered slightly.

“Master, in this world, the strong prevail. Endless mercy only invites disaster! Didn’t you handle that arrogant little girl perfectly before?” the pot spirit whispered seductively in Ye Qingqing’s ear.

Thinking of Ye Manman, Ye Qingqing clenched her delicate fists, the confusion in her eyes vanishing, replaced by resolve.

“I understand now.”

The pot spirit nodded in satisfaction and retreated into the curved jade pot.

At that moment, a carriage stopped in front of the Ye family villa.

Gu Liuyun helped Ye Manman down from the carriage.

Knowing Gu Liuyun was visiting, the Ye family patriarch, Ye Xifu, hurried out to greet him.

“Liuyun, it’s been many days since I last saw you.”

“I’ve been cultivating at home recently and didn’t come to pay respects. Please forgive me, Elder Ye,” Gu Liuyun replied politely.

As they exchanged pleasantries, Ye Qingqing’s voice suddenly rang out: “Gu Liuyun!”

Gu Liuyun looked up, almost failing to recognize Ye Qingqing. Her transformation was drastic; her features had sharpened, and her figure had become increasingly alluring and seductive.

She had only recently turned to dark cultivation, so the malevolence around her was subtle and unnoticed by Ye Xifu and Ye Manman.

Gu Liuyun, having dealt with dark cultivators before, was highly sensitive to such energies and immediately sensed something amiss.

“Liuyun, I’m now at the second level of Foundation Establishment. Only a woman as outstanding as I am deserves you. Let’s reconcile,” Ye Qingqing said, approaching Gu Liuyun with a breath like orchids.

Gu Liuyun stepped back, maintaining his distance. “Respect yourself.”

Ye Qingqing was deeply hurt by his reaction. “Why? You used to like me so much!”

“I know I was wrong, but that was a test. How can you fail so miserably?” Gu Liuyun sneered. “Is this why you fell into dark cultivation?”

Those words shocked Ye Manman and Ye Xifu as they turned to look at Ye Qingqing.

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Ye Qingqing’s expression hardened, and she awkwardly took a few steps back. “Dark cultivation? I don’t know what you’re talking about!”

Gu Liuyun grew tired of her lies and struck toward Ye Qingqing.

His punches, empowered by his Golden Core cultivation, were fierce, surrounded by faint blue electric arcs.

Ye Qingqing was unable to withstand the assault and staggered backward, nearly falling.

The curved jade pot she carried slipped from her grasp and fell to the ground.

“What is that?” Ye Xifu asked, puzzled by the unfamiliar artifact.

“That’s mine!” Ye Qingqing suddenly went mad, reaching to pick it up, but Gu Liuyun drew the jade pot toward him with a wave of his hand.

“So it was this item that caused your sudden power surge?” Gu Liuyun asked.

The jade pot emitted a strong, nauseating aura of dark energy.

Before Ye Qingqing could deny it, a figure cloaked entirely in black suddenly appeared, grasped her shoulders, and enveloped her in the robe.

“Mr. Ye, my apologies,” the black-cloaked man sneered before vanishing from sight.

Ye Xifu was furious, stepping forward, but found nothing; his granddaughter had been taken right before his eyes.

Gu Liuyun’s gaze darkened as he tightened his grip on the curved jade pot, which immediately cracked in several places.

The pot spirit screamed in agony, “Don’t kill me! Don’t kill me! I can grant all your wishes!”

“No need,” Gu Liuyun said coldly.

With a decisive motion, the jade pot shattered into dust.

The pot spirit vanished with it in a wisp of smoke.

“I am an old man who failed to teach my granddaughter properly, allowing her to fall into the dark path without realizing it. I am truly ashamed!” Ye Xifu pounded his chest in despair.

“She had a weak will,” Gu Liuyun said calmly. “It has nothing to do with you, Elder Ye.”

“I have only these two granddaughters. Although Qingqing has gone astray, she is still of the Ye family. Now that she’s been abducted, what are we to do?” Ye Xifu fretted, looking at Gu Liuyun anxiously.

The sudden appearance of the dark cultivator who took Ye Qingqing suggested that these people were targeting him.

Moreover, the aura of that dark cultivator felt strangely familiar to Gu Liuyun, though he couldn’t immediately place where he had seen them.

“This matter may have arisen because of me. I will take responsibility and find Ye Qingqing. Rest assured, Elder Ye,” Gu Liuyun promised.

Only then did Ye Xifu breathe a sigh of relief and grasp Ye Manman’s hand.

“Manman, you and Qingqing are sisters bound by blood. She’s only momentarily lost her way. Don’t blame her.”

Ye Manman nodded obediently. “I understand, Grandfather. I will help Brother Liuyun find my sister.”

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At that moment, Gu Liuyun’s phone rang.

He answered, and a stranger’s voice came from the other end: “Is this Gu Liuyun?”

Could it be a dark cultivator? Was the battle about to begin?

Alert, Gu Liuyun’s voice was as cold as ancient ice. “Yes, this is he. Who is this?”

“I am from the Chen family of Tiansheng City. I have a matter to entrust to you,” came the reply.

The Chen family of Tiansheng City?

That was the family of Chen Jiaojiao.

Gu Liuyun was momentarily stunned.

“Please, go on,” he said.

“I am Chen Mian, Jiaojiao’s uncle. Jiaojiao went to Yun City three days ago but has since disappeared without a trace. We beg Mr. Gu to help find her. A generous reward awaits.”

Chen Mian’s voice was weary, likely from the frantic search for Chen Jiaojiao.

“This...” Gu Liuyun hesitated.

Even if he wanted to help, he didn’t know how to begin.

“We have tracked Jiaojiao’s last location to a remote wilderness near Yun City. Her aura vanished suddenly, possibly dragged into an undeveloped secret realm.”

“Our people will take three more days to arrive, but we fear Jiaojiao cannot survive that long. Mr. Gu, Jiaojiao came to Yun City specifically to find you. She loves you deeply. Please, for the Chen family’s sake, help us,” Chen Mian pleaded.

“Uncle Chen, send me the location. I will leave immediately,” Gu Liuyun agreed.

Chen Mian finally breathed easier.

“Liuyun, are you going out?” Ye Manman asked. “I’ll go with you!”

Gu Liuyun gently patted her head. “The place I’m going is dangerous. You’re injured now. Stay home and don’t worry me.”

Although reluctant, Ye Manman obeyed.

Soon, Chen Mian sent the coordinates of the wilderness secret realm.

Gu Liuyun bid farewell to Ye Manman and Ye Xifu and set off toward the secret realm without delay!