Translator: Jon Editor : Dhael Ligerkeys Lu Ye followed the woman and went further into the cave. After moving across 90 metres, they reached the end of it. Presently, they were supposed to be in the middle of the mountain, and it was not spacious. Although the light was dim, Lu Ye could clearly see his surroundings. When they arrived at such a dead end, Lu Ye almost suspected that the mysterious woman had taken a fake Heavenly Oath. He initially thought that they would arrive at a hidden place or somewhere safe. Now, it did not seem to be the case. Fluctuations of Spiritual Powers could be felt coming from behind, and he heard some people conversing. Apparently, those from Thousand Demon Ridge had arrived. However, before they could confirm there were no traps, they dared not to barge into it. Nevertheless, they would certainly get into the cave sooner or later. By then, Lu Ye could not continue moving forward, and there would be enemies behind him. He would be doomed. “Come here!” When the woman saw Lu Ye spacing out, she beckoned to him. Although Lu Ye was doubtful, he still walked up to the woman and stood behind her. “Come closer!” The woman appeared impatient. She was displeased at the fact that Lu Ye seemed wary of her. In truth, since the place was not spacious and Lu Ye did not want to get too close to her. Upon hearing that, he decided to move closer to her, after which he caught a whiff of a pleasant fragrance. The Spiritual Power around the woman surged all of a sudden, and as that happened, the Glyph beneath their feet radiated a glow and illuminated the dim space. Lu Ye looked at the intricate Glyph in shock and shifted his attention to the woman in disbelief. Since she was wearing a mask, he could not observe her expression. Before he could ask anything, the space that had been engulfed in the light started contorting. The next moment, they vanished into thin air. The noise alerted the cultivators from Thousand Demon Ridge, who were outside the cave. They scanned the cave, and upon making sure that there were no traps or wards inside, they streamed into it. They soon moved across the 90-metre passageway and arrived at the end. However, there was no one inside. “Where are they?” someone asked puzzledly. They had seen Lu Ye and the mysterious woman entering the cave, and there was no path ahead. How did they disappear all of a sudden? It was not like they could disappear from this place without leaving any traces. “There’s a Teleportation Ward here!” Someone squatted and studied the traces of the ward before pointing out what it was. Another person realised what had happened upon hearing that. “I’ve heard that Lu Yi Ye is able to set up Teleportation Wards. That seems to be true!” Since it was a dead end, there was no way two people had vanished for no reason. Everything made sense if the duo had used a Teleportation Ward. However, they were puzzled about one thing. “Did Lu Yi Ye leave behind a Teleportation Ward here? When did he build it?” Lu Ye had been on the run since leaving the City of Heavens, so it was quite clear that he could not have built it in a short time. The only explanation was that he had left behind this ward before the whole ordeal. “Regardless of when he built it, he’s still not a powerful cultivator. Even though he has left behind a Teleportation Ward, he can’t have teleported that far. I’m sure he’s still within a radius of 300 kilometres!” Therefore, these cultivators hurriedly left the cave and spread the news around. Then, many people from Thousand Demon Ridge came over and searched for Lu Ye within a radius of 300 kilometres. Meanwhile, in another hidden place, Lu Ye sported a conflicted expression. His enemies believed that he had left behind the Teleportation Ward in the middle of the mountain, but it was far from the truth. That was also the reason he was shocked earlier. He had always believed that throughout Jiu Zhou, he was the only one in the Cloud River Realm who could build Teleportation Wards. It was not until this moment that he realised he had overestimated himself. He was not the only one in the Cloud River Realm who could set up Teleportation Wards. At the very least, the woman before his eyes could also do so. Jiu Zhou was a vast area with countless talented people. It seemed that he was no different from the frog at the bottom of the well. He did not feel dejected because he did not have the monopoly on Teleportation Wards. Instead, he was elated. After the discomfort of teleportation eased off, he turned to look at the woman and asked, “Hey, about the Teleportation Ward…” “I didn’t set it up,” the woman replied before he could finish his words, as though she already knew what he wanted to ask. “Then…” “I have no idea who built it either, so stop asking.” Lu Ye was rendered speechless. It was the first time he came across a woman like her. Moreover, how could she say that she had no idea who built the Teleportation Ward? In that case, how did she even bring him to that place and make use of the ward to flee from their enemies? Lu Ye subconsciously thought that the woman just was not willing to tell him more, which was odd. The woman took the initiative to save him and even exposed a hidden place to him. Nevertheless, she did not treat him passionately. Lu Ye wondered what the woman was after. Also, the woman appeared condescending and aloof, making Lu Ye feel that he was not facing a cultivator in the same Realm. Instead, he had the illusion of dealing with a Real Lake Realm Master or even a Divine Ocean Realm Master. He suppressed his doubts and asked, “Thanks for saving my life. May I know your name?” “I’m just following orders, so you don’t need to know my name.” The woman replied as she scanned the surroundings. It seemed that it was her first time coming to this place, which somehow made Lu Ye believe what she had said. However, he was puzzled as to why she said she was merely following orders. [What does she mean? Whose orders is she following?] Since she had saved him, she must have realised his potential or wanted to strike up a relationship with him. As such, what was the point of her hiding her intentions? Not only was not she willing to tell him her name, but she had also concealed her face. Lu Ye was perplexed as to what was going on. Although Lu Ye would not marry the person who had saved him, he wanted to know whose favour he owed. Just then, the woman turned around and moved in a particular direction. They were inside a cave. Although it was dim, it was not damp. The place was also more spacious than the one they were in earlier. In such a quiet place, their footsteps were clearly audible even though they were walking lightly. Lu Ye had many questions to ask as he followed the woman. However, she appeared cold and distant, so it was apparent to him that his attempt would be futile. Soon, they arrived at the bottom of the cave. The woman stopped in her tracks and glanced at him. “You’re supposed to return to Jiu Zhou. Many people from Thousand Demon Ridge have been looking for you. Once you show up, they’ll hunt you down. As such, you’ll only be safe by going back to Jiu Zhou.” Obviously, Lu Ye was not willing to go back to Jiu Zhou. Otherwise, he would have returned long ago. The woman knew nothing about the tricks up his sleeve. She thought that he was powerless to defend himself. In truth, even though he was in a perilous situation, everything was still within his control. Furthermore, even if he was willing to return to Jiu Zhou, he did not think he could do so in such a place. Nevertheless, he soon appeared dumbfounded. That was because a Divine Opportunity Column was right in front of them. [I can’t believe there’s a Divine Opportunity Column here!] They were not in the Divine Trade Association or any Arcane Glade. The Divine Opportunity Column in such a hidden place was obviously used to deal with dangerous situations like this one. First, there was a Teleportation Ward, and now, there was a Divine Opportunity Column. Lu Ye wanted to find out about the person who had been lending him a hand in secret. The woman said she was merely following orders. Who was the person behind the scenes? What were their intentions? The location of the Teleportation Ward had been exposed, and now, the Divine Opportunity Column was right before Lu Ye’s eyes. The person had exposed some of their secrets, but they did not have the intention of revealing their identity. [What is the mastermind up to?] When the woman saw Lu Ye spacing out over there, she could not help but urge him by saying, “What are you waiting for?” “No!” “What?” “I’m not going back to Jiu Zhou.” Behind the mask, the woman appeared surprised as she studied Lu Ye. She then said patiently, “Perhaps you don’t understand your situation yet, or I didn’t make myself clear. You just have to know that it’s dangerous for you to stay on the Cloud River Battlefield.” “I know.” [Why aren’t you leaving with me, then?] The woman thought. Since she had run out of patience, she demanded impassively, “It’s not up to you.” The next moment, she extended her hand towards Lu Ye. It seemed that she was ready to capture him and bring him back to Jiu Zhou. Lu Ye was already aware that the woman was powerful when she was dealing with the Eighth-Order and Ninth-Order Masters from Thousand Demon Ridge. However, he did not have a clear picture of how formidable she truly was until this moment! When she extended her fair hand, Lu Ye did not have time to react at all. A saber cry was heard just then as a red Saber Light slashed across the air. Lu Ye had instinctively wielded his saber. It was the power of the Mind’s Eye Technique. The woman did not dare to deal with the attack head-on. She shot her sword forward to fend off the attack. As their weapons clanged, sparks flew in all directions. Lu Ye moved backwards with an embarrassed expression. “I’m sorry. It was on reflex…” [Wait a minute. She took a Heavenly Oath and swore that she didn’t have any ill intentions against me. But now, she’s attacking me. What’s going on?] “No one can stop me from completing my task!” The woman appeared dispassionate with the sword in her hand. “I’ll give you two options. You’ll either follow me back to Jiu Zhou, or I’ll knock you out and bring you there!” Lu Ye replied obstinately, “You shouldn’t force your will on me, young lady.” He reckoned there was something wrong with the woman as she insisted on bringing him back to Jiu Zhou. She had just saved his life moments ago, but now, she was going hard on him. Nevertheless, Lu Ye was certain that she did not have any bad intentions. After all, she had taken a Heavenly Oath. If she wanted to harm him, she would be punished by the Heavens.