Chapter 624: 623. Rescue
Just as a tragedy was unfolding in the Demon Race Heavenly Domain, Lu Yao was sparring with Yu Yanmei.
Yu Yanmei held the Longquan Sword in one hand and Tai'a in the other, transforming into a streak of silver light as she repeatedly slashed at her dear man.
Airborne sword glimmers, like ribbons of light, flashed by from time to time, bisecting unsuspecting massive boulders with a "swoosh" into smooth halves.
Lu Yao dodged back and forth amongst the flashing sword lights, finding the Moon Fairy's dual swords exceedingly difficult to contend with.
The Longquan Sword was swift and vicious like an extension of her arm, while the Divine Sword Tai'a possessed tremendous power, both capable of shattering his Golden Body.
Despite being far inferior in the Spirit Refinement Realm, Yu Yanmei, relying on her experience and the battle instincts of her body, exchanged blows with her dear man evenly matched.
Several seconds later, after a fierce exchange, Yu Yanmei was sent flying by a punch, but a huge gash had also been cleaved into the Golden Body on Lu Yao's arm.
Though it was just sparring, his victory was hard-earned, and he couldn't help but praise her, "Not bad, you've improved quickly."
Yu Yanmei sheathed her swords, smiling and saying, "I can't let down Lord Lu Tian's kind enlightenment."
The Indestructible Will shone mightily upon her, barely less formidable than her dear man's.
This Moon Fairy, having reached the Innate level on her own at the age of 18, was a true genius and had already grown tremendously.
Lu Yao smiled with satisfaction, feeling a great sense of accomplishment. This was his hand-crafted SSR, his number one "general."
At that moment, the clapping and cheering of the other girls could be heard, revealing that the whole family had been watching the bout.
However, Er Ya seemed somewhat distracted, her expression fraught with worry.
Seeing this, Liao Ya asked, "Er Ya, is something the matter?"
Er Ya, concerned, said, "Master, it's been two days since anyone has seen Ali. Could something have happened to her?"
Liao Ya hesitated, "Ali is very clever, she should be fine, right?"
Despite those words, Er Ya had an ominous premonition and turned to Lu Yao to plead, "Uncle Master, my mind is all over the place… could you let Ping An and the others help out?"
Lu Yao nodded his head and immediately directed the three little spirit girls, "You three, search from the skies."
"Leave it to us!" the three girls instantly transformed into Spiritual Sparrowhawks. Birds of prey are naturally skilled at searching for quarry from the air, making them perfectly suited for the task.
Er Ya bowed to them, pleading, "Could… could I come with you, please?"
Hearing this, the rather simple-minded Ru Yi bent down to let Er Ya climb onto her.
"Thank you!" Er Ya quickly got on top.
The three Spiritual Sparrowhawks flapped their wings and flew high into the sky, each searching in a different direction.
Lu Yao's brow furrowed slightly; his apprentice's niece was also in the Spirit Refinement Realm and wouldn't err in her instincts—something must have indeed happened.
~~~~~~~~~
At the same time, the white fox Xin Ning was flying over the countries of the South Ocean with Ali on her back, only to tumble from the sky as they entered the borders of Lingnan.
"I can't go on, I have no strength left..."
Xin Ning's snow-white fur was soaked with sweat, clinging to her like a wet rag, which from a distance made her look like a giant rat, utterly bedraggled.
But she couldn't give up now; with Ali on her back, she clenched her teeth and moved towards the north.
However, this area was none other than the infamously perilous "Hundred Thousand Mountains," fraught with dangers unknown.
And as if misfortune loved company, before they even encountered the natural dangers of the wild, a large net suddenly swooped down out of nowhere and trapped Xin Ning!
Caught, she instinctively let out a "yelp" and lamented in her heart: "I'm finished..."
Three forestry patrolmen appeared, laughing sinisterly: "Ha ha, a white fox! We've struck it rich!"
Within the "Hundred Thousand Mountains," there were professions akin to hunters, and the strange tales of "Scholars and Fox Ladies" were well-known; their current catch was a valuable one.
But before these people could feel excited, they saw Ali raise her head and say calmly:
"We are the spirit pets of Lord Lu Tian. Do as you see fit."
The expressions of the three individuals froze instantaneously. They stuttered, trembling like sieves: "L-L-Lord Lu Tian!?"
"Damn it! I remember now, the Asura Fairy did have a cat! It looked just like this one!"
"Who knows if this cat is telling the truth or not?"
"But this is Lord Lu Tian's cat. Better to believe it exists than not."
...
The three of them murmured among themselves for a while. When they turned back, their faces were already filled with eager smiles.
They hurriedly lifted the net and said with a sycophantic smile, "We were blind to not recognize your greatness, our fault, our fault. Is there anything we can do to serve you?"
The three people spoke while staring intently at Ali.
Ali's face, with two bloody holes, was exceptionally terrifying, but her voice was very calm: "Carry us north, to a place with a phone. I have Lord Lu Tian's family's phone number. You will be well-rewarded for your efforts."
"Yes, yes, yes, no problem!"
Upon hearing this, the three were full of no more doubts. They quickly cradled the fox and the cat in their arms and used their speed to run towards the nearest city.
All of them were in the Marrow-Cleansing Realm. Even in the forest, their speed outstripped that of galloping horses. They protected the fox and the cat while full-force running, making the pair feel almost no jolting.
They exerted themselves for one reason only: "To be associated with an immortal like Lord Lu Tian is a fortune that takes several lives to cultivate!"
Meanwhile, Xin Ning was extremely shocked!
[Just the mention of a name can abruptly change the attitude of these greedy men? Lord Lu Tian has quite an imposing influence!]
~~~~~~~~~~
An hour later, they were about to enter the heartland of the Great Yi Dynasty, where no one would be able to harm them.
But Ali's heart was becoming increasingly anxious—how long before she could see Lord Lu Tian?
Those bastards were about to drain the "core and blood" from the Xuan Gui Great Saint. If they succeeded, the demon race in their small world would be on the brink of extinction.
With her anxiety burning like fire, the injuries in her eyes felt as though they were stuffed with red-hot coals, causing heartwrenching pain.
Just as she was struggling both physically and mentally, the three forest rangers running at full speed suddenly stopped dead in their tracks, staring up at the sky with faces full of terror.
Suddenly, a giant spiritual sparrowhawk descended from the sky. Its size was comparable to a fighter jet. The mere backdraft of its descent caused all the surrounding vegetation to flatten completely.
However, Ali showed an expression of unbelievable ecstasy!
Although she couldn't see, her ability to refine spirits let her use her Mind Force to sense who the newcomer was.
Er Ya leaped down from the back of Ru Yi, darting over with a look ready to devour souls!
Following a mysterious guidance, she actually managed to find Ali! But the once adorable and endearing cat had now become this ghastly sight!
The three forest rangers immediately prostrated on the ground: "We have seen the fairy. We found these two little demons in the deep mountains..."
Er Ya slightly relaxed her formidable presence and gently took Ali into her arms, transferring a trace of Inner Breath.
"Quick, take me to Lord Lu Tian..."
"You rest easy. I will seek justice for any grievance you have suffered!"
...
Ru Yi took off with a person and two demons on its back, creating a ring of sonic booms as it surged toward the Imperial City.
Before leaving, a message drifted to the three forest rangers: "Come to the Prefectural Yamen tomorrow to collect your reward."
The three were overjoyed: "Thank you, fairy! Thank you, fairy!"