Chapter 95: Nangong Mingyue's Identity

Bu Yaolian rushed forward, his entire being radiating a formidable strength, when a graceful figure darted out as well, accompanied by a man. These were, of course, Nangong Mingyue and Xuan San.

The two of them charged straight at Bu Yaolian, unleashing an overwhelming power in an instant. Thunder exploded across the sky. Waves of terrifying force spread in all directions, tearing the very air asunder and illuminating the heavens with dazzling light.

Petals swirled in the air, and stars seemed to fill the sky. The combined effect was like a raging tempest, a majesty both resplendent and awe-inspiring.

“Flank him from both sides, buy us time, and eliminate the disciples of the other sects!” Nangong Mingyue instructed Xuan San. Though both were only at the early stage of the Celestial-Human Realm, four minor levels beneath the Sage Lord Realm, they pressed forward with unyielding, fearless momentum, forcing Bu Yaolian to retreat step by step.

“Hmph! Do ants dream of shaking an elephant?” Bu Yaolian was driven back, watching as his disciples were grievously wounded, their numbers decimated by the pills and spiritual artifacts wielded by the two. His fury only grew.

Countless rays of light erupted, shining like beacons in the night. A gigantic hand, as if to hold up the heavens, descended from above.

“Die!”

“Step aside, Third Brother, let me handle this!”

“Second Sister…”

Xuan San stubbornly shook his head, standing by Nangong Mingyue’s side.

“Old Three, I have ways to protect myself. Move!” Nangong Mingyue’s gaze fixed on the descending palm, her voice crashing like thunder. With a swift motion, she pushed Xuan San aside.

“Token of the Palace of Heavenly Inquiry, arise!”

Suddenly, a finely crafted token appeared in Nangong Mingyue’s hand, exquisite as a work of art. It slowly rose into the air.

With a resounding explosion, blinding light burst from the token. From within it, a figure emerged, condensing into a cold, austere face filled with murderous intent.

“Who dares harm my daughter?!”

The stern visage spoke, its voice rolling like thunder, erupting in a terrifying shockwave that swept out in all directions.

Everyone trembled in that moment.

“How terrifying.”

“That’s Second Sister’s father?”

“Second Sister hails from the Palace of Heavenly Inquiry?”

“That second-rank sect?”

The disciples of Tongxuan Sect were all incredulous, while Nangong Mingyue managed only a bitter smile. Her father was as protective as ever.

Yet it was this very protectiveness that had caused her to lose the one she loved most, separating them into two worlds.

But she… did not hate him.

“Se… Senior?!” Bu Yaolian seemed to recognize Nangong Mingyue’s father and stammered in terror, his voice trembling.

“It’s you? Bu Yaolian?”

“Senior, yes, it’s me, it’s me…” Bu Yaolian was both excited and fearful to find Nangong Mingyue’s father recognized him. But a finger pointed at him.

“You hurt my daughter… you deserve to die!”

In the next instant, the father’s demeanor turned cold.

A finger descended.

Radiance blazed at its tip.

A beam of light shot forth, striking Bu Yaolian’s body and unleashing a wild storm.

“No!”

Bu Yaolian roared in despair, his face twisted with unwillingness. He had come on orders, only to meet his end. He… was not resigned.

But before overwhelming power, his protest vanished like mist, dissipating into the void.

“What a terrifying force!”

“So this is the power at the peak of the Sage Lord Realm?”

…

“Is Second Sister’s father truly so powerful?”

“No wonder she’s different—her family is so strong.”

…

The crowd buzzed with discussion, and disciples of every sect, terrified, began to flee in all directions. The leaders of the eighth- and ninth-rank sects had already started their retreat the moment Bu Yaolian perished.

Chaos reigned.

“Mingyue, it’s time to go home.”

“Yes.” Nangong Mingyue didn’t say much more. She knew that if she stayed, disaster would surely befall Tongxuan Sect.

For a second-rank sect to interfere in matters below the fourth rank was forbidden. If she remained, other second-rank—and even the transcendent first-rank—sects might intervene, and then things would spiral out of control.

So she had no choice but to leave.

“Let’s go.” A vortex appeared before Nangong Mingyue, swirling with spatial energy; clearly, it was a portal of some kind.

Just as she stepped forward to enter, a voice thundered out.

“Second Sister, wait!”

The newcomer was Ye Jiuyou.

Just then, Ye Jiuyou and his companions saw Nangong Mingyue about to enter the vortex and hurriedly called out.

“Sorry I’m late…” Nangong Mingyue said helplessly.

“Nangong Xing, are you forcing your daughter again?” As the two hesitated, Mu Wan stepped out from behind Ye Jiuyou, her tone full of challenge.

Nangong Mingyue looked at Mu Wan in surprise. In her memory, only her mother had ever spoken to her father in this manner—she’d never seen anyone else dare.

“Who is so bold as to speak to me like that?!” Nangong Xing’s voice was tinged with anger.

“Oh, look at you, barking at me now? Believe it or not, I’ll come to your Palace of Heavenly Inquiry and teach you a lesson—none of you would dare stop me.”

Mu Wan stepped in front of Ye Jiuyou, her eyes meeting Nangong Xing’s projected face, a broad smile on her lips.

“You… you’re out?” Nangong Xing stammered.

“Why shouldn’t I be?”

“Nangong Xing, you really are something. Pulling this kind of stunt again—have you forgotten what I told you?”

“My lady, could you at least save me some face in front of others?” Nangong Xing suddenly pleaded for mercy, his expression darkening with embarrassment. There were two people he hoped never to cross in this life: his wife, and Mu Wan.

His wife, at least, he could reason with. But Mu Wan—she was a veritable tyrant.

“Fine. I’ll give you face. This girl—I like her. She’ll stay here for now. When she wants to return, or when the current score is settled, I’ll bring her back myself. Any objections?”

“I… I… I… sigh, no objections…” Nangong Xing stammered but finally sighed and acquiesced. He dared not defy her.

The memories were still fresh, haunting him like a nightmare, leaving him no choice but to yield.

“Then off you go. We have business to settle.” Mu Wan waved her hand, dispelling Nangong Xing’s projection, then turned to the people of Tongxuan Sect.

“As for those eighth- and ninth-rank sects—just behead their leaders. Go.”

“Mother, you stay here. Qingyu, keep Mother company. I’ll be right back,” Ye Jiuyou said to Mu Wan.

Meanwhile, Nangong Mingyue, Xuan San, and the others were still marveling at Mu Wan’s intimidating presence.

That awe-inspiring figure who had just annihilated a Sage Lord with a single finger had been driven away without the slightest resistance.

Nangong Mingyue was especially stunned by Mu Wan’s identity. There were very few people in the world who could make her father so wary.

“Let’s go. Don’t just stand there—my mother is always this formidable,” Ye Jiuyou said again, snapping everyone from their reverie. They followed him in a daze, minds still whirling with what had just transpired.