Each Harboring Their Own Thoughts

"Whoosh, whoosh whoosh…"

Not long after the carriage departed, several figures in white robes and sword garments arrived.

A man with sword-like eyebrows and starry eyes looked at the bloodstains remaining on the ground, his brow suddenly furrowed. "Such a strong smell of blood."

The attire he wore was slightly different from that of other Flowing Cloud Sword Sect disciples. His collar and cuffs were embroidered with auspicious cloud patterns, giving him a noble appearance.

As he surveyed the surroundings, his expression suddenly changed. His flying sword shot out from its sheath and slashed towards the flat ground not far away.

Bang!

Sand and stones flew as the flying sword carved out a pit several meters wide, revealing several corpses filled with sand and mud.

"It's Junior Brother Yan and the others!"

Someone exclaimed and quickly went to examine them.

"They were all killed in a single blow. Judging by the temperature of the bodies, they should have died about half an hour ago. The wounds are smooth and even, they look like… sword wounds."

"And they're the unique kind of sword wounds inflicted by Sword Control Technique!"

A Flowing Cloud Sword Sect disciple with sharp eyes said gravely.

"Strange."

The man in white with cloud patterns looked puzzled.

If Junior Brother Yan and his group had encountered brats from the Demonic Sect, wouldn't they have died by the cruel methods of demonic cultivators? Why would they have been killed by Sword Control Technique?

Could they have encountered a spy from the Demonic Sect hiding within the Flowing Cloud Sword Sect?

"Senior Brother, there are carriage tracks here."

At this moment, another disciple reminded him. Beneath his feet were conspicuous wheel ruts, following the road and disappearing towards the horizon.

"Chase…"

The man in white with cloud patterns said coldly.

"Brother Lin, why didn't we keep taking the carriage?"

In the woods, Zhou Wanqing asked, puzzled.

Just moments ago, Lin Fan had suggested they get off and walk, and the three of them had already covered some distance.

"It's not safe."

Lin Fan replied.

"Oh."

Zhou Wanqing nodded slightly. Although she didn't understand the reason, she trusted Lin Fan's words implicitly.

Unlike Wang Yuyao, when she was a mere servant in the Hidden Scripture Pavilion, she had actively chosen Lin Fan as her partner for Dual Cultivation.

Even without the influence of the Infatuation Pill, she felt a certain dependence and trust towards Lin Fan.

Zhou Wanqing didn't harbor much resentment towards Lin Fan.

At this moment, Wang Yuyao suddenly looked at Lin Fan, her eyes filled with a complex emotion. She opened her mouth as if to say something.

"We'll talk later if you have something to say."

Lin Fan glanced at her and said.

Wang Yuyao promptly closed her mouth and followed behind the two of them in silence.

Lin Fan was a cultivator, his body strong and robust. Even when walking through the dense forest filled with thorns, he moved with the lightness of a swallow.

However, both women were ordinary people, their bodies frail, so their progress was not very fast.

It wasn't until several hours later that the three of them emerged from the dense forest and arrived on another road.

As they passed a village, Lin Fan took out some silver and exchanged it for a simple carriage at a small shop. He then took the two women and continued along the official road.

It wasn't until the sky gradually darkened that the three of them, in their carriage, completely left the Blood Demon Sect's territory.

The originally thin spiritual energy became fainter and fainter as the carriage traveled further away, until it finally disappeared completely.

The blessed lands where spiritual energy gathered were all occupied by righteous and evil cultivation sects. The Blood Demon Sect itself was built upon a spiritual vein.

Now that they were completely outside the Blood Demon Sect's sphere of influence, it was naturally difficult to sense the existence of spiritual energy.

Lin Fan had already prepared himself mentally for this situation.

The mortal realm was, in essence, a desert for cultivators.

However, he had the three spirit jades gifted by Master Ruan, so he wasn't worried about a lack of spiritual energy in the short term.

As night fell, Lin Fan signaled Zhou Wanqing to find some firewood nearby.

The night was very cold. Without a bonfire for warmth, it would be difficult for the two women to endure.

"Don't go too far."

Lin Fan cautioned.

"Yes."

Zhou Wanqing nodded. She glanced at Wang Yuyao, who was standing frozen in place, and then quickly left.

Despite her young age, she wasn't foolish. She could tell Lin Fan had deliberately sent her away.

Along the way, she had also noticed that the relationship between Lin Fan and Wang Yuyao had become somewhat delicate.

As Zhou Wanqing's figure disappeared into the distance, Lin Fan casually conjured a small flame.

He glanced at Wang Yuyao, who was lost in thought, and said, "Aren't you going to explain anything?"

Wang Yuyao's delicate body trembled. She asked in a panic, "Lin Lang, I don't know what you're talking about?"

"The ashes scattered behind the carriage, that was your doing, wasn't it?"

Without waiting for Wang Yuyao to explain, Lin Fan sighed lightly and said, "You're too impatient."

Wang Yuyao's pretty face turned pale. She pursed her lips and said, "I just wanted to go back sooner. I didn't mean to harm you."

Lin Fan suddenly let out a cold laugh. "Do you think your Flowing Cloud Sword Sect people can help you return to King Linzi's city quickly?"

"Their main goal is to capture Blood Demon Sect disciples and earn merit, not to bother with a royal family member of a vassal king who was captured by the Demonic Sect."

Wang Yuyao's pretty face grew even more unsightly, because Lin Fan was speaking the truth.

"Kill me."

Wang Yuyao raised her fair, jade-like neck and closed her eyes in despair.

She knew she had committed an unforgivable mistake. Lin Fan, as a cruel disciple of the Blood Demon Sect, would never forgive her.

Looking at her desperate and helpless state, Lin Fan shook his head. "If I wanted to kill you, why would I wait until now?"

Wang Yuyao was stunned. She suddenly opened her eyes and looked at Lin Fan in disbelief.

"I will send you back to King Linzi's city as soon as possible."

"But you must promise me one thing. When we get to King Linzi's city, take good care of Wanqing for me."

Lin Fan said slowly.

He also wanted to kill Wang Yuyao, but his reason stopped him.

Wang Yuyao was King Linzi's sister, a genuine Princess Anyang.

Once she returned to King Linzi's city, she would revert to being an extremely noble member of the royal family of a vassal king.

Lin Fan didn't need Wang Yuyao's care, but Zhou Wanqing did.

Back then, in the Hidden Scripture Pavilion, Zhou Wanqing had firmly chosen him and even given him her first time.

Zhou Wanqing's greatest wish was to leave the Demonic Sect and return to a normal life.

Although there was an element of exploitation in their relationship, after spending so much time together, he and Zhou Wanqing had developed some feelings.

He decided to see it through to the end, to help her all the way.

For Zhou Wanqing's sake, Lin Fan chose to forgive Wang Yuyao this once.

"You're so good to her..."

Wang Yuyao's expression was complicated. She said softly, "I promise."

"Your life is spared, but you won't escape punishment."

Lin Fan suddenly smiled. Before Wang Yuyao could react, he tore her gauze skirt.

"Lin Lang, I'm willing to atone with my body."

Wang Yuyao didn't refuse. Instead, she straightened her body and actively moved towards Lin Fan.

Her hair flew, her skin was snow-white and delicate, her waist was slender, and her long, straight legs hooked around Lin Fan's thighs.

As if to punish her, Lin Fan was very rough, continuously thrusting into her soft body.

"Faster, faster..."

"I want it, I want more..."

Wang Yuyao's pretty face was flushed. Her insatiable expression was even more exaggerated than when she had taken the Infatuation Pill.

During the days spent in the cave dwelling, her body had already been completely conquered by Lin Fan.

"Brother Lin, you guys..."

A short while later, Zhou Wanqing returned with firewood and looked on in stunned silence.

They were openly engaging in Dual Cultivation here, without any concealment?

Her pretty face turned hot, and she was a bit flustered.

But Zhou Wanqing's long legs, as if infected, began to twist involuntarily.

A feeling of emptiness, a desire to be filled, instantly swept over her entire body.

"Come here."

Lin Fan's eyes lit up. He pulled Zhou Wanqing into his embrace.

Wang Yuyao's figure was even more voluptuous and mature, while Zhou Wanqing possessed a unique youthful innocence that was captivating.

Upon the two women, Lin Fan absorbed their Yin essence, and without restraint, released his own stress.

After toiling until midnight, Lin Fan finally let the exhausted women go.

"Brother Lin, after you send us to King of Linzi's city, what are your plans?" Zhou Wanqing asked, her body slick with sweat.

Wang Yuyao also looked at Lin Fan, her lips parting as if she wanted to say, "Lin Lang, why don't you stay in King of Linzi's city with us."

She felt conflicted about Lin Fan; she detested being treated as a Cauldron by him, yet she savored the indescribable feelings of Dual Cultivation with him.

Lin Fan, not noticing Wang Yuyao's subtle gesture, replied, "I have my own plans."

"King of Linzi's city is not suitable for me," he added.

"Brother Lin, I don't want to be separated from you," Zhou Wanqing said, clinging to Lin Fan's arm with reluctance.

"Once we reach King of Linzi's city, Princess Anyang will take care of you," Lin Fan patted her, signaling her to rest assured.

Zhou Wanqing wanted to say more, but seeing Lin Fan's calm expression, she stopped.

Tears traced paths down her cheeks, a mix of relief at escaping the Demonic Sect and the sadness of parting with Lin Fan.

Beside them, Wang Yuyao pursed her lips, remaining silent. Lin Fan's mention of "Princess Anyang" had drawn a line between the two women.

The night deepened, and the three, each lost in their own thoughts, slowly drifted off to sleep.

Lin Fan leaned against the carriage. Even in his sleep, his Meridian Condensing Realm fourth-grade cultivation made his senses sharper. If anyone approached, he would be able to react in time, even while slumbering.