About two hundred miles away from where Abbess Miejue and the Xuanming Elders fought, Xu Long was leisurely eating.
He was the one who did Zhou Zhiruo's things, he was the one who provoked the conflict with Song Qingshu, and he was also responsible for Abbess Miejue's trip to the Wudang Sect to demand an explanation.
Zhao Min changed her direction of travel because of Xu Long's interference, and the fight with Abbess Miejue was also Xu Long's fault.
Zhao Min went missing not long ago, which was naturally his doing.
Xu Long was behind it all.
The previous events were purely to annoy Song Qingshu and Zhou Zhiruo, and then leave Mount Wudang.
After all, neither of them were good people, and when they joined forces to scheme against Xu Long, it was destined to end badly.
This is just a minor punishment; if they don't learn their lesson, they'll be killed next time.
The abduction of Zhao Min was for the sake of the Xuanming Elders.
No matter how powerful these two are, they're still just two dogs.
In the Prince of Ruyang's heart, they were not even worth a hair on Zhao Min's head.
The battle with Abbess Miejue had already put them on the opposite side of the Central Plains martial arts world. Now that Zhao Min had disappeared, they could not go back to report, and they could not return to Prince of Ruyang's side either.
The Xuanming Elders were destined to become homeless dogs; neither the imperial court nor the martial arts world of the Central Plains would offer them refuge.
However, although Xu Long had kidnapped Zhao Min, the siege of Bright Peak by the Six Great Sects could no longer be stopped.
For many years, Cheng Kun has been trying to sow discord between the Six Great Sects and the Ming Cult.
The truth and falsehood, right and wrong, have long been unclear and inexplicable.
Zhao Min's appearance only hastened the outbreak of conflict between the two sides; they would have fought anyway even without her.
Ji Xiaofu, a disciple of the Emei Sect, is with Yang Xiao, the acting leader of the Ming Cult, and they even have a child. With her acting as a go-between, there is a high chance that the conflict between the Ming Cult and the Emei Sect will be eased, which in turn will reduce the conflict with the Six Great Sects.
If things go smoothly, it's not impossible for the Ming Cult and the Six Great Sects to join forces against the Yuan Dynasty.
However, Abbess Miejue was ruthless, cruel, and obsessive, and she actually killed Ji Xiaofu, which made Yang Xiao harbor resentment.
As the acting leader, the Ming Cult disciples naturally obeyed his orders.
Aside from Cheng Kun's covert instigation, Yang Xiao naturally wouldn't show any mercy to the Emei Sect.
However, instead of reflecting on her mistakes, Abbess Miejue, who was the root cause of the escalating conflict, intensified her actions.
Xu Long schemed against her, but he felt no guilt whatsoever.
After killing the Xuanming Elders, the next target will be Abbess Miejue of the Emei Sect.
All plans are underway; whether they succeed or not depends on their luck.
"It's cooked, you can eat it now."
Xu Long muttered something and released Zhao Min.
He doesn't plan to kill her now; she's still somewhat useful.
"It's you! It's actually you!"
When Zhao Min saw Xu Long's face, she was filled with surprise.
Isn't this the man who invited me to dinner a few days ago? He also has a dog, very handsome and very cute.
Zhao Min turned her gaze and, sure enough, saw the rice Rice Bucket next to her drooling over the roast chicken.
"It really is me!"
Xu Long responded and tore off a chicken leg, handing it over.
"Try it, it should taste good!"
Why are you targeting me? Do you even know who I am?
Smelling the delicious roasted chicken, Zhao Min subconsciously swallowed.
But she is a woman of principle and a bottom line, and she will never bow down to evil forces.
"The daughter of Prince Chaghan Temür of Prince of Ruyang, Princess Shaomin Minmin Temür, whose Han name was Zhao Min."
Xu Long spoke expressionlessly, as if it were just a casual remark, but it sent a shiver down Zhao Min's spine.
"You knew my identity all along?"
Zhao Min's eyes widened in disbelief.
This was her first time going out, and she planned to make a big splash.
However, before her grand ambitions could even begin, someone discovered her identity and captured her right under the noses of the two powerful figures, the Xuanming Elders.
"I already knew that."
Xu Long nodded. "Eat quickly, or it'll get cold."
"You..."
Zhao Min was horrified. She wanted to throw the chicken leg at Xu Long's face, but after thinking about it, she didn't do it.
This person is mysterious, I don't know their background, and I can tell her identity at a glance.
If she wanted to do something shameless, she would have no power to resist.
The best course of action for now is to remain patient and wait for a suitable opportunity to make further plans.
"Who exactly are you? Why did you capture me? And why can't I use any Internal Force?"
Zhao Min took a big bite out of the chicken leg, as if she were biting Xu Long herself.
"My name is Zhang Wuji, ever heard of me? As for the reason I captured you, it's naturally to scheme against the Xuanming Elders."
Seeing that Zhao Min had eaten the meat, Xu Long handed the remaining chicken to Rice Bucket.
"I have infused your body with the Power of Extreme Yang, Absolute Yin, a powerful force unique to the gods, which no one can expel. In other words, unless I allow it, you will never be able to use your Internal Force, let alone advance any further."
Xu Long's words were resolute and sounded arrogant, but they were the truth.
In martial arts, the energy below the Golden Core Stage is called Internal Force; after passing the Lightning Tribulation, it becomes True Qi.
Both were cultivated, but True Qi was dozens of times Internal Force.
Normally, a wisp of True Qi from Golden Core Stage expert would be enough to utterly destroy the Internal Force of Innate Stage, but Xu Long was different.
The Power of Extreme Yang, Absolute Yin is an extreme power, a power unique to the gods.
Even though it's still at the Internal Force stage, it's still much stronger than 99% of the Golden Core True Qi.
Unless one possesses Pure Yang Physique or Pure Yin Physique, or has cultivated pure True Qi from the Five Elements Physique, they are absolutely no match for it.
Unfortunately, that kind of physique is extremely rare. You can only see a few people with Pure Yin Physique occasionally, but without the corresponding cultivation manual, Pure Yin Physique cannot cultivate Pure Yin True Qi.
"What an arrogant brat!"
Upon hearing Xu Long's words, Zhao Min gave a disdainful snort.
I've seen plenty of madmen, but Xu Long is a first.
Don't believe me? You can try it.
Xu Long smiled noncommittally and ate his chicken slowly.
"Let's give it a try!"
Zhao Min believes in everything except superstition.
Originally, she had decided to stay by Xu Long's side and devise a plan to scheme against him, but at this moment, she was provoked and turned to leave.
She needs to stay away from this person, the farther the better.
However, after walking less than ten meters, Zhao Min's legs stopped on their own.
No, it wasn't just my legs, but my whole body was unresponsive.
"What happened? What's going on?"
Zhao Min's face was filled with terror. She tried to control her body, but it seemed to have a mind of its own and walked back the way it came.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you, aside from being unable to use any power, I can control your body to do anything. Listen carefully, anything."