The little one trembled all over, a great fear gripping its heart. However, clear applause sounded from within the divine artifact.
A familiar voice came through, "As expected of my elder sister, truly exceptionally intelligent."
As Mo Ze's voice rang out, everyone around them became instantly vigilant, their gazes fixed intently on the thumb-sized divine artifact.
Qing Feng slowly approached and exchanged a glance with Qing Yue, but Qing Yue couldn't decipher the complexity in his eyes.
"Qing Hua and Qing Xue are in your hands, aren't they?" Bai Ran narrowed her eyes, a look of fury appearing on her face.
Hearing this, Qing Yue was startled and abruptly turned to look at Qing Feng, "Qing Feng, weren't those two with Master?"
Qing Feng lowered his head, his hands clenched tightly by his robes, his voice very low, "Yes..."
"Master... he is the Master's enemy..."
Her beautiful peach blossom eyes filled with shock, Qing Yue swayed weakly, her face ashen.
"How could this be... but he clearly showed us the memory water screen!"
The memory water screen could never lie! Master's relationship with the Master was clearly excellent!
Qing Feng's head was bowed low, his teeth clenched tight.
"That was all in the past..."
"Now he has become the Master's enemy... we were deceived..."
From the divine artifact's side, Mo Ze's deep laughter echoed, "Still calling me Master? Did Sister not tell them my identity?"
His laughter laced with immense sarcasm, Bai Ran's face was covered in icy coldness as she stared motionlessly at the communication artifact.
"So, what are your conditions." Her indifferent words conveyed Bai Ran's endless forbearance and rage.
Mo Ze's voice paused, as if contemplating. "How about this, Elder Sister, you dig out your own dantian and give it to Ze'er as a reunion gift!"
What! Dig out the dantian alive!
Jing Feng's rage could no longer be suppressed. He snatched the divine artifact and began to curse, "Mo Ze! You are her blood-related brother! How can you treat her like this!"
Phoenix's hand gathered divine fire. If Jiang Ye hadn't held her back, Phoenix might have burned the divine artifact to ashes with a single flame.
To dig out the dantian alive would mean enduring a lifetime of pain, not to mention all spiritual energy would dissipate in an instant!
Bai Ran would have no possibility of cultivation from then on, becoming a complete cripple!
"You mongrel! You dare say anything! Just you wait until I get to the Nine Heavens!"
Phoenix, held back by Jiang Ye, had veins bulging on her forehead.
Unexpectedly, as soon as Jing Feng finished speaking, the other end of the divine artifact fell silent for a long time.
A chuckle echoed, and then the laughter grew more rampant, more unrestrained, "Blood-related? Her and me?"
"Hahahaha! That's truly the most amusing truth I've ever heard."
"Indeed, we share the same father and mother, but what does that signify?"
Mo Ze's voice paused for a moment. "A tainted demoness's bloodline, how can it be worthy of standing on equal footing with me?"
The courtyard fell into silence for a moment, a deathly stillness, and then everyone could no longer suppress the anger in their hearts, cursing as they moved to snatch the communication artifact.
"Give me the artifact! See if I don't curse you until you cry for your mama and papa!"
"Damn mongrel! Such a foul mouth!"
Qing Yue's body swayed, and slowly, he too understood the truth of the matter.
"Qing Feng... have we... caused trouble for the Master...?"
From beginning to end, Qing Feng had endured in silence, only his eyes were bloodshot, his fists clenched tightly.
"Yes..."
They had trusted the wrong people and pushed the Master into an abyss...
Bai Ran pursed her lips and, without a word, snatched the divine artifact over.
"I should at least confirm the safety of Qing Xue and Qing Hua."
Miss Bai...? What did she mean by that...?
Jing Feng stared blankly at Bai Ran. After confirming their safety, what would she do?
Mo Ze snorted, and then the other end fell silent. Bai Ran knew that the divine artifact was now in Qing Xue's hands.
Qing Xue's temperament was cold and she spoke little. Even if she knew her predicament now, she would never cry for help.
"Qing Xue, are you injured?"
Bai Ran's gentle voice rang out. Qing Xue bit her lower lip, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth, yet she still refused to utter a word.
"Listen, live well."
Qing Feng opened his mouth, but no words came out. He only felt an immense ache in his throat, accompanied by a hint of a sob.
As for Qing Xue on the other end, she was already sobbing uncontrollably.
It had been a long time, but the Master was still so gentle. Yet, at this moment, Qing Xue wished the Master would be more indifferent and not bother with their lives.
That way, the Master wouldn't be coerced by Mo Ze...
Qing Yue patted Qing Feng's back. For some reason, his expression became considerably more relaxed, as if he had found release.
"Master, may I have the divine artifact for a moment?"
Qing Yue smiled at Bai Ran. Bai Ran hesitated, but still handed the artifact over.
"Qing Xue, it's me."
"Qing... Yue?" Qing Xue finally spoke.
"Mm, we've seen the Master..."
"The Master is very powerful, and has gathered many companions..."
Qing Yue's tone was very relaxed, as if chatting about everyday matters.
"The Master, she will go higher, further. That place..."
"Is not somewhere people like us can go..."
Qing Feng stared directly at him, and suddenly, he lowered his gaze and smiled, as if he had understood something.
"Qing Hua, did you hear that?" Qing Yue asked with a smile.
Qing Xue on the other end replied, "I'm listening."
Bai Ran stood aside, feeling that Qing Yue's words were somewhat amiss, but still couldn't grasp the fleeting clue in her mind.
Likewise, Mo Ze seemed to have sensed something strange. He snatched the communication artifact from Qing Xue's hand, preventing them from continuing their call.
"Sister, if you want all four of them to be safe, you should know what to do, right?"
"Miss Bai! You absolutely cannot do this!"
"Yes, Master. There must be another way to save them!"
However, Little Zi looked at Qing Feng and Qing Yue with a frown. Four people? Logically, only Qing Xue and Qing Hua were in danger.
Had something happened to Qing Feng and Qing Yue as well?
What Little Zi didn't know was that if Qing Feng and Qing Yue didn't obtain the Rejuvenation Technique, they wouldn't have much time left to live.
But the Rejuvenation Technique was now also in Mo Ze's hands.
Bai Ran had checked Qing Feng's pulse and therefore knew everything.
The surrounding voices of dissuasion rose one after another. She only sighed softly, making no move.
"Master." Qing Yue handed the artifact back to Bai Ran, a smile on his face, just as she had first seen him.
"Master, have we always been your people?"
This seemingly nonsensical question seemed particularly abrupt in the tense atmosphere.
"Yes, never changed."
Qing Yue walked to Qing Feng's side. The two of them smiled at Bai Ran, their smiles exceptionally bright, as if it were a final farewell.
"You! You actually!" From the other end of the divine artifact, Mo Ze's incredulous roar also came.
Bai Ran's pupils trembled, and a guess vaguely surfaced in her mind.