Chapter 104: You Are Not Allowed to Touch Him!

Liu Xiaoxiao had also awakened by now. Her beautiful eyes gazed unblinkingly at Long Yun, a complex emotion flitting across them before quickly vanishing. Seeing him walk toward her, she smiled warmly, a faint flush rising on her pale face. She tried to speak, but the effort aggravated her injuries, causing her to cough a few times.

"Xiaoxiao, how are you?" Long Yun crouched down, pressing his palm gently against her shoulder as he channeled a dense, vast stream of true qi into her body.

Liu Xiaoxiao trembled violently. She felt Long Yun's true qi like a massive hand gripping her throat. Not daring to resist, she could only carefully withdraw all of her own energy back into her dantian. As she allowed his true qi to sweep through her meridians, waves of shock crashed through her mind. How could his true qi possess such a powerful, sacred aura?

Seeing the expression on her face, Long Yun hastily withdrew his energy. Xiaoxiao had once mentioned her background, revealing that she possessed bloodlines of the dark path. His own true qi was the natural bane of all dark and malevolent energy; forcing it to heal her might have the opposite effect. Thus, he stopped.

Liu Xiaoxiao gave an apologetic smile, gently patting the back of Long Yun's hand with her slender fingers. She forced a playful laugh. "Senior Brother Long Yun, you have saved my life once again. I have nothing to repay you with. Why don't I offer myself to you in marriage?"

"No!" Yan Qingqing interjected hastily from the side. Blinking her bright, expressive eyes, she said, "He is my brother. I won't let you offer yourself to him!"

Long Yun smiled bitterly. Looking at Yan Qingqing's pouting lips and slightly reddened eyes, a wave of tenderness washed over him. He had always felt a unique connection to her, an inexplicable urge to be close to her. However, he had never thought of it in terms of romantic love, for his heart had always been occupied by a certain figure in white.

Liu Xiaoxiao glanced at Yan Qingqing with curiosity and smiled. "Senior Brother Long Yun truly lives up to his reputation. Not only is your cultivation formidable, but after disappearing for just a few days, you've brought back such a beautiful and adorable little sister!" With that, she gently rested her hand on Long Yun's arm, looking extremely intimate.

"You are not allowed to touch him!" Yan Qingqing pouted, and large tears began to fall. She stamped her feet in anxiety, but fearing she might anger Long Yun, she did not step forward to pull them apart.

Long Yun shook his head with a smile, subtly pulling his arm away from Liu Xiaoxiao's grasp. He turned to Yan Qingqing and said, "Alright, Qingqing. Xiaoxiao is my junior sister, and you are my sister. You two must get along well from now on."

Seeing Long Yun pull away from Liu Xiaoxiao on his own, Yan Qingqing felt a sudden surge of joy. She nodded obediently, a faint smile gracing her face. Long Yun could not help but sigh inwardly. A woman's mind was truly unpredictable; the transition between tears and laughter was dizzyingly fast.

"I'm going to help the other senior brothers. Qingqing, guard them for me first!" Long Yun looked around. After Shadow Kill's death, the Blood Origin Sect had almost no powerful experts left. Yet they still refused to retreat, stubbornly attacking the experts of the righteous path.

This filled Long Yun's heart with doubt. The Blood Origin Sect's strength was far greater than this, and their top experts had likely not even arrived. But it made no sense for them to send these disciples to their deaths like this. Furthermore, a mere Yan Sect was not worth such attention. What was their true goal? The Blood Origin Sect must be brewing a massive conspiracy.

With this in mind, Long Yun did not delay. He had to handle the situation here as quickly as possible to have time to investigate what was really happening. The Qinghe Edgeless Sword transformed into streaks of brilliant light as he charged toward the disciples of the Blood Origin Sect.

After a brief period of meditation, Shangguan Yu awoke from his trance, and Xiao Leng also recovered. As the two of them joined the fray, along with the aid of Long Yun—whose strength was no less than that of a Connate Heaven-Reaching Realm expert—the tide of battle was quickly stabilized, and they gradually gained the upper hand.

The battle raged on for nearly another three hours before it finally ended. The Blood Origin Sect disciples fought until the very last man died, never once retreating. This only strengthened the suspicions in Long Yun's heart.

Yan Quanzhen walked over with faltering steps. This time, the one who had helped the Yan Sect the most was undoubtedly the Jade Sword Sect. It could be said that without the Jade Sword Sect, the Yan Sect would never have held out until now.

"Thank you, Sect Leader Shangguan, for your generous assistance. Though the Yan Sect is small, if the Jade Sword Sect ever needs anything in the future, we will stand by your side without hesitation!" Yan Quanzhen was a man who repaid his debts of gratitude, and this statement made his stance clear.

Shangguan Yu smiled slightly. "The Blood Origin Sect's attack this time does not seem so simple. Everyone is exhausted from this battle. I will take my disciples back to the Jade Sword Sect now. Sect Leader Yan, please take care of the aftermath."

Yan Quanzhen nodded slightly. Looking at the corpses strewn across the ground, he sighed. "Indeed. Not only did my Yan Sect suffer heavy casualties, but the disciples of the other major orthodox sects also suffered great losses. This old man is deeply ashamed!"

Shangguan Yu laughed. "True gold fears no fire. This tribulation might not be a bad thing. At the very least, after this experience, the disciples will cultivate even harder. This is a form of wealth for us, is it not?"

Yan Quanzhen shook slightly and actually bowed to Shangguan Yu, saying, "Thank you, Sect Leader Shangguan. I have learned much."

Leading the disciples of the Jade Sword Sect, Shangguan Yu left the Yan Sect. He also secretly transmitted his voice to Long Yun, telling him to leave with them.

Having survived a great battle, the disciples were filled with the joy of survival. Consequently, no one noticed Long Yun's movements. Long Yun was glad for this, blending into the crowd as they walked out of the Yan Sect.

"Long Yun, what do you think of the Blood Origin Sect's attack on the Yan Sect this time?" Shangguan Yu suddenly asked.

Long Yun frowned. "It's not that simple! Sect Leader, I think this attack on the Yan Sect is highly likely a distraction. I won't return to the Jade Sword Sect with you. This matter must be investigated thoroughly."

Shangguan Yu nodded. "Indeed. If the Blood Origin Sect wanted to destroy the Yan Sect, the Yan Sect would have perished long before we could arrive to rescue them. The forces they sent to attack the Yan Sect were clearly meant only to put pressure on us, not to wipe them out."

Long Yun agreed. "I understand. Sect Leader, as soon as I have news, I will send word to you. However, during this time, the Jade Sword Sect must rest and recuperate. The Blood Origin Sect's massive assault on the righteous path is a warning to us. Perhaps before long, the righteous path will no longer be peaceful."

"The fact that you still call me Sect Leader shows that you still recognize the Jade Sword Sect. Long Yun, your ambitions lie beyond our sect. I am well aware of this, and the Jade Sword Sect cannot hold a genius disciple like you. However, I have one favor to ask of you." Shangguan Yu's gaze fell upon Long Yun, and he sighed heavily.

Long Yun simply smiled. "Only if I perish will the Jade Sword Sect fall."

Shangguan Yu trembled. He suddenly threw his head back and laughed heartily, his laughter filled with an indescribable relief. Long Yun had understood his intentions and given the answer before he could even ask.

Shangguan Yu knew that Long Yun had left the Jade Sword Sect, and that the sect had chosen to protect itself during his time of greatest peril. Although this was Long Yun's own request, Shangguan Yu still felt deeply guilty. Now, faced with his request, Long Yun had volunteered the answer himself. Shangguan Yu felt immensely comforted, and for a moment, he did not know what to say.

"Long Yun, the Qingshan Domain is so vast. Do you have a destination?" Shangguan Yu changed the subject.

Long Yun sighed softly, then said, "The Qing Sect. If the Blood Origin Sect truly has a conspiracy and has hidden so many experts, only the Qing Sect can contend with them!"

Hearing Long Yun's words, Shangguan Yu's expression turned somewhat bitter. He said, "You and the Qing Sect are already in a state of irreconcilable enmity. Be as careful as possible, and avoid meeting Qing Sect disciples head-on. After you finish this matter, I hope you will return to the Jade Sword Sect. The position of Elder of the Heart Sword Lineage will always be reserved for you!"

Long Yun nodded, a smile playing at the corner of his lips. "I have already agreed. As long as the Jade Sword Sect still dares to take me in, I, Long Yun, will return!"

"Good! I will wait for your return at the Jade Sword Sect!" Shangguan Yu exhaled a long breath and, laughing heartily, walked quickly down the mountain.