Elder He Kidnaps Someone, the Venerable Lord Invites You

A day passed before Liu Yun finally received word from He Qingfeng.

The Misty Cloud Sect's party had not yet set out. They were currently staying at an inn in Wutan City. Liu Yun guessed it was probably because of Nalan Yanran—they likely wanted to observe Xiao Yan, her fiancé.

"Young Master, the Misty Cloud Sect's party consists of four people: one Dou Ling, two Da Dou Shi, and the Misty Cloud Sect leader's foremost disciple, Nalan Yanran.

"However, that Dou Ling is not present at the moment. He has likely gone out to handle some business," He Qingfeng reported.

Liu Yun's eyes lit up. If that was the case, should he consider using force?

He had originally planned to run into her by chance, but he knew the odds of success were low. Besides, he could not keep relying on his looks. That would leave him owing far too many romantic debts.

His sworn brotherhood with Xiao Yan and Gu Xun'er last time had shown that forcibly establishing a nominal relationship could work as well.

"Elder He, if I asked you to snatch Nalan Yanran away from two Da Dou Shi, roughly how long would it take?" Liu Yun asked.

"Young Master, perhaps you do not understand the gap between a Dou Ling expert and a Da Dou Shi. Those two Da Dou Shi from the Misty Cloud Sect would not last a single move in my hands." He Qingfeng clenched his outstretched palm and spoke proudly, looking full of himself and utterly disdainful of Da Dou Shi.

Liu Yun felt that ever since Elder He had become a Dou Ling, he had grown more and more carried away. That was not a good thing. He felt it was necessary to remind him.

"Elder He, do you know how vast the Dou Qi Continent is?" Liu Yun asked.

He Qingfeng looked utterly baffled, not knowing why the Young Master was saying this. But he truly did not know how vast the Dou Qi Continent was. He had never left the Jia Ma Empire, and he had only learned the words "Dou Qi Continent" from books. He knew only of the few empires bordering the Jia Ma Empire.

Seeing that Elder He did not answer, Liu Yun continued on his own:

"The Dou Qi Continent is vast beyond measure. The Jia Ma Empire is merely a tiny empire in a remote region. Here, Dou Huang experts reign like sovereigns, Dou Wang experts are few in number, and Dou Ling experts form the backbone.

"But once you go to the Central Continent in the future, you will see just how laughable this is. There, Dou Zong are as common as dogs, and Dou Huang experts walk the streets. That is the true face of the Dou Qi Continent.

"Elder He, you are only a Dou Ling now. In the Central Continent, if you fail to dodge properly, the aftermath of a battle caused by passing experts could crush you to death, leaving not even ashes behind.

"A true master must always possess the heart of an apprentice and remain vigilant at all times."

There was no small amount of belittlement in Liu Yun's words, yet Elder He was not angered. He had long guessed that Liu Yun had a very formidable teacher. Now, it seemed his guess had not been wrong.

"A true master must always possess the heart of an apprentice." He Qingfeng muttered to himself. As he savored the words carefully, he found them brimming with the philosophy of life.

"Thank you for the reminder, Young Master. This old man had become carried away!" He Qingfeng sighed.

"Good. It is best if Elder He can take it to heart. Now, let us discuss this kidnapping. Elder He, are you confident that you can take her away right under the noses of two Da Dou Shi without them noticing?" Liu Yun asked.

"This... probably not. After all, a Dou Ling is only one realm above a Da Dou Shi. Taking someone away is possible, but taking her away without anyone noticing is still impossible. Nalan Yanran cannot possibly refrain from resisting," Elder He said.

Liu Yun was somewhat troubled. He feared that the Misty Cloud Sect's Dou Ling might return in time, which could ruin his plans.

"How about this, Elder He? Disguise yourself as an unfamiliar Dou Ling, then go invite Nalan Yanran before that Misty Cloud Sect Dou Ling returns.

"Just tell her that your master wishes to see her. Do not reveal any other information. If she agrees, fine. If she refuses, threaten her with the lives of the Misty Cloud Sect's two Da Dou Shi.

"Afterward, bring Nalan Yanran directly to meet me at the outskirts of the Monster Mountain Range," Liu Yun said.

"Understood, Young Master!" He Qingfeng clasped his hands in salute, then hurried off impatiently to handle the matter. Liu Yun, meanwhile, headed straight for the Monster Mountain Range.

He arrived at the cave where he had previously broken through to Dou Zhe, put on that familiar mask, then sat cross-legged in meditation as he waited quietly for Elder He.

To Liu Yun's satisfaction, Elder He was remarkably reliable. Before long, he arrived with Nalan Yanran.

Meanwhile, outside the cave.

"Sir, your Venerable Lord invited me, so why have you brought me to the Monster Mountain Range?" Nalan Yanran demanded.

She was a little panicked. Earlier, she had been in her room looking through information on that fiancé of hers when this mysterious Dou Ling expert suddenly barged in. He bluntly stated that the Venerable Lord wished to see her, and when a disagreement arose, he threatened to kill her two senior brothers. She had been frightened out of her wits and could only compromise.

But he had actually brought her to the Monster Mountain Range. How could she remain calm? Even if her two senior brothers brought Elder Ge here, they might not be able to find her within the Monster Mountain Range.

"Miss Nalan, the Venerable Lord is inside. Please."

As He Qingfeng spoke, he gestured for Nalan Yanran to enter.

Nalan Yanran examined the area carefully and found that there truly was a cave ahead. Judging from the weathering around its entrance, it should have been left behind by someone long ago.

She gritted her silver teeth and slowly entered the cave beneath Elder He's expressionless gaze.

Seeing Nalan Yanran enter, Elder He revealed the knowing smile of an experienced man and tactfully moved away from the cave. The Young Master really had unusual tastes. He had even set his sights on the Misty Cloud Sect's Heavenly Prodigy.

On the other side, Nalan Yanran cautiously entered the cave. The moment she stepped inside, she saw Liu Yun meditating where he sat, and she could not help becoming slightly wary.

"Nalan Yanran greets you, Senior!" she said, forcing herself to remain composed.

Liu Yun turned slightly and looked the woman before him up and down. She was an exceptionally slender young woman whose entire body seemed to radiate youthful vigor. Her features were beautiful and refined, but her standard oval face was now filled with fear and confusion over the unknown.

"Sit," Liu Yun said.

Looking at the empty cave and the dust scattered across the ground, Nalan Yanran's mouth twitched. She had no idea how she was supposed to sit.

"Senior, I would rather not sit. Please just tell me what you need," Nalan Yanran said with an awkward smile.

Only now did she carefully examine the "Senior" before her. He wore a very ordinary mask, but from the faintly visible contours beneath it, he appeared to be a very handsome man. Judging from his youthful skin, he was undoubtedly an "old senior" with exceptional skill at preserving his appearance.

"Nalan Yanran, fifteen years old, the treasured pearl of the Nalan Family. Your grandfather is Nalan Jie, and your father is Nalan Su.

"Five years ago, you became the disciple of the Misty Cloud Sect leader, Yun Yun, and her personal disciple.

"Oh, right. You also have a fiancé chosen before birth, named Xiao Yan," Liu Yun said casually.

"Since Senior has investigated me so thoroughly, yet still dares to force me here, are you not afraid that my teacher, Yun Yun, will settle the score with you afterward?" Nalan Yanran demanded.

The moment Yun Yun was mentioned, Nalan Yanran immediately gained a measure of confidence. Her greatest pride was having been personally accepted as Yun Yun's disciple.