At the entrance at the foot of the mountain, only after Su Yueli and Han Changqing had vanished completely into the forest did that suffocating pressure finally dissipate.
The many martial artists watching from the sidelines collapsed onto the ground, wiping cold sweat from their foreheads as the place erupted into commotion.
"Who... who exactly was that young lady just now? Could she be a Seventh Realm martial grandmaster?"
"Seventh Realm? Are you kidding me?! I've seen Seventh Realm grandmasters fly into a rage, and their pressure was nowhere near this terrifying! If you ask me, she might even be an Eighth Realm Grand Grandmaster!"
"Eighth Realm?! But how old does she look? Barely in her early twenties—how could that be possible?!"
"Where in the world did the Han Household invite such a divine figure from... No wonder the First Elder acted like a servant before her, not even daring to breathe."
The crowd buzzed with discussion, amazement and envy intertwined.
Quite a few people also grew interested. This struggle between Luochuan City's two great families was likely about to become quite the spectacle.
Perhaps both sides would emerge battered and broken, letting the fisherman reap the profit. Then they might be able to fish in troubled waters and earn themselves a little something.
"..."
Meanwhile, within the dense forest on the outskirts of the Azure Spine Range.
Su Yueli moved at a brisk pace, her eyes sweeping over the surroundings as she casually asked, "Where in the Azure Spine Range is the Earth-Vein Baleful Astral Essence?"
Han Changqing, walking behind her, halted abruptly and froze.
He blinked. "Huh? Your Excellency, Earth-Vein... what essence?"
Su Yueli stopped and looked back at him, the corner of her mouth twitching despite herself. "Earth-Vein Baleful Astral Essence. A medicinal ingredient."
Han Changqing looked