Being Targeted

To the east of the Cloud Water Sect, there is a towering mountain peak, with several magnificent palace-style buildings standing scattered amidst the swirling clouds and mist.

With its flying eaves and bracket sets, carved beams and painted rafters, the building exudes an ancient and solemn atmosphere under the gentle caress of sunlight.

In the very center, inside the largest and most luxurious palace, a young man who looked to be in his thirties was sitting cross-legged on a futon.

He wore a long golden robe, with cloud patterns and python designs embroidered in gold thread that shimmered faintly in the dim light, highlighting his extraordinary status.

This person is none other than Cloud Water Sect, the Holy Son the Xuan Qingyuan, and also the eldest prince of the Xuan Yue Dynasty.

At this moment, Xuan Qingyuan's aura was contained, and she was completely immersed in cultivation.

Suddenly, a gentle current of energy emanated from his body, as soft as silkworms spinning silk, and slowly swirled around him.

The airflow was initially slow, but as time went on, it rotated faster and faster, causing ripples to spread across the surrounding air.

At the same time, Xuan Qingyuan's aura grew stronger and stronger, like a volcano about to erupt, accumulating endless power.

The next moment, a "bang" was heard, and a crisp cracking sound came from his body, like the tolling of a bell at dawn, breaking the tranquility of the palace.

His aura surged once more, and the air currents swirled around him like a violent tornado.

The surrounding Spiritual Qi, drawn in like weary birds returning to their nests, quickly converged, joining the swirling wind, and then desperately tried to penetrate his body.

Half an hour later, everything gradually returned to calm.

Xuan Qingyuan slowly opened his eyes. In an instant, two sharp beams of light, as sharp as lightning, flashed from his eyes and pierced into the distance, as if they could see through all the illusions in this world.

"Hehehe, I've finally been promoted another level."

He smiled slightly and chuckled softly, his voice full of self-satisfaction.

Just then, a series of hurried footsteps came from outside the palace, breaking the brief atmosphere of joy.

"Your Holy Son, we have important intelligence!" The person's voice was tinged with anxiety.

Xuan Qingyuan frowned slightly, a hint of displeasure rising in her heart. The good mood brought by her hard-won advancement was somewhat dampened by this sudden interruption.

But he quickly regained his composure and said in a deep voice, "Come in and talk slowly."

A guard hurried in from outside, knelt on one knee, and respectfully said, "Your Holy Son, Miss Zhao Zhiqing has returned."

"Oh?"

Xuan Qingyuan's eyes immediately lit up with golden light, and a look of surprise involuntarily appeared on her face.

He regarded Zhao Zhiqing as his exclusive possession, the woman he had chosen for himself.

However, the next thing the visitor said made his face instantly darken.

"Miss Zhao Zhiqing brought back a man and a woman, and I noticed that their relationship is unusual."

Then, the guard explained to Xuan Qingyuan in detail the identities of Hua Qiang and Wenren Yu in the outer sect.

Xuan Qingyuan's face grew increasingly gloomy, like the sky before a storm.

In his heart, Zhao Zhiqing was not to be touched by anyone, and even if a man got close to her, it would cross his bottom line.

Xuan Qingyuan's jealousy burned fiercely, and she said angrily, "Have a few people warn him to stay away from Zhiqing!"

"If he doesn't change his ways, then let him disappear!"

"Yes, Your Holy Son!"

Cloud Water Sect, Misty Peak.

Its peak appears to have been cleaved in two by a peerless sword, leaving an extremely smooth and even surface.

Standing on this platform, it feels as if you are between heaven and earth, looking down at the mountains and rivers, with clouds and mist swirling around your feet, as if you could reach out and touch the clouds in the sky.

Several palaces stand scattered atop the hill, exuding an ancient and mysterious aura.

This is the training ground of Yu Wenxia, the peak master of Misty Peak, and next to it is the training ground of her most proud Personal Disciple, Yu Shanshan.

At this moment, Yu Shanshan, dressed in a gorgeous purple dress, paced back and forth in the room.

Her delicate brows furrowed slightly, her expression filled with anxiety and unease.

Her mind felt as if it were entangled by countless threads, unable to find peace. A strong sense of unease lingered in her heart, and she always felt that something bad was about to happen.

Yu Shanshan and Zhao Zhiqing are both the strongest contenders for the Saintess of the Cloud Water Sect this year.

In this fierce competition, they are not only rivals on the path of cultivation, but also love rivals.

In Yu Shanshan's eyes, Zhao Zhiqing was undoubtedly a thorn in her side, a thorn she wanted to get rid of as soon as possible.

In order to achieve her goal, Yu Shanshan secretly plotted and went to great lengths.

Not long ago, she used her connections and resources as a princess of the imperial court, sparing no expense of celestial Immortal Crystals, to hire the Four Evils in the martial arts world to take action, all in order to completely eliminate Zhao Zhiqing.

Those Immortal Crystals were the culmination of her years of hard work; each one was hard-won, and she truly felt the pinch for them.

But in her view, as long as she could get rid of Zhao Zhiqing, this thorn in her side, everything would be worth it.

"Miss, Miss, something terrible has happened! That bitch Zhao Zhiqing is back!"

A maid dressed in a green dress rushed in like a gust of wind, shouting loudly and breaking the oppressive silence in the room.

"What?"

Yu Shanshan was immediately shocked, and the jade pendant she was playing with fell to the ground with a "crack".

Her face instantly darkened. The Four Evils had actually made their move?

"Could it be those bastards who took my money but didn't do their job?!" she cursed inwardly.

In her mind, if the Four Evils went all out, Zhao Zhiqing would have no chance of returning safely. What unexpected event had happened that she was unaware of?

Yun Xiaocui ran up to Yu Shanshan, panting, and patted her heaving chest to try and calm her breathing.

Then she said, "Miss, I just saw that bitch Zhao Zhiqing. She really went back to the sect, and she brought a man and a woman with her, two young people."

"Then what?"

Yu Shanshan Wen Dao eagerly, her eyes revealing a hint of nervousness and anticipation.

"Those two were directly assigned to the outer sect by her, becoming Outer Sect Disciple of our Cloud Water Sect."

"And judging from their appearance, their relationship must be quite special," Yun Xiaocui replied truthfully.

Yu Shanshan frowned deeply, her anger growing stronger.

She bit her lower lip and Wen Dao, "Xiao Cui, was Zhao Zhiqing injured? Is she physically or mentally exhausted?"

"No, Miss. She looks so glamorous. It seems our methods didn't work."

Yun Xiaocui shook her head and said with a helpless expression.

"You bitch!"

Yu Shanshan couldn't help but curse angrily, then a sinister smile flashed across her face, a smile full of calculation and ruthlessness.

"Go and find out the specific information about the two people that bitch brought, and what their relationship is with her."

Furthermore, arrange for someone to "take good care" of these two. Anyone associated with that vile woman is an enemy of this county!

"Yes, Miss!"

Yun Xiaocui accepted the order and left, leaving Yu Shanshan alone in the room once again.

She stood by the window, gazing at the misty clouds outside, and secretly vowed to defeat Zhao Zhiqing and take the position of Saintess.

At this moment, Hua Qiang was still immersed in the joy of slaughtering the monster.

Completely unaware that he had unknowingly been blacklisted by two people, a crisis was quietly approaching him.