Bai Jingqing's body tensed. Being discovered by these few scoundrels was not a good thing; it was better to leave quickly.
If Qin Yi hadn't been petrified, she wouldn't fear even a Mo Tianhao and Nancheng Fei. But now, she couldn't handle two people whose cultivation was similar to hers by herself.
Seeing Bai Jingqing ignoring them, Nancheng Fei and Mo Tianhao directly chased after her.
Bai Jingqing, dragging five people, couldn't move fast and was quickly stopped.
"Fairy Bai, our Five Great Families have always been united in purpose. Why run so fast when you see us?" Mo Tianhao said with a smile.
Then, they instinctively looked toward the people on the ground.
"Qin Yi?"
A person's reputation is like the shadow of a tree, especially when Qin Yi appeared before them.
Nancheng Fei and Mo Tianhao were terrified of Qin Yi. Seeing Qin Yi coldly glaring at them, their souls nearly flew away in fright.
"Retreat."
Mo Tianhao shrieked and turned to flee.
Nancheng Fei and the others reacted a bit slower, hesitated for a moment, and then turned to run madly like mad dogs.
They had suffered losses at Qin Yi's hands before and knew how terrifying Qin Yi was. At this moment, there was no time to think more, only one thought—they needed to quickly get away from this demon.
Bai Jingqing was dumbfounded. She turned to glance at Qin Yi, her eyes curious.
But she also knew she had to leave here quickly. If Nancheng Fei realized something was wrong and came back, it would be bad.
Bai Jingqing dragged the five people forward.
However, more than ten minutes later, Mo Tianhao and the others really caught up.
"Sister Bai, what's the rush? Why are you moving so fast? Need our help?"
Nancheng Fei and Mo Tianhao weren't fools. Earlier, they had suddenly seen Qin Yi, leaving no time to think; they only thought of escaping then.
After escaping, they thought carefully and realized something was amiss. Why was Bai Jingqing dragging Qin Yi and the others bound by a jade belt? There might be something wrong.
So, they chased back, following the deep drag marks on the ground, which weren't hard to track.
They had observed from behind for a long time and noticed Qin Yi and the others seemed petrified, confirming that something was wrong with Qin Yi, so they dared to come closer.
Bai Jingqing showed no expression, but internally she was on full alert. She said coldly, "What does this have to do with you?"
"Of course, it's related. Our Five Great Families have always been friendly. Before entering, the elders specifically instructed us to help each other. If you, Fairy Bai, encounter any difficulties, we naturally won't stand by and watch." Mo Tianhao smiled sinisterly.
"No need, you can leave now." Bai Jingqing said calmly.
"Oh, isn't this the famous Qin Yi?" Mo Tianhao acted as if he had just seen Qin Yi, clasping his hands in salute, "I've long heard of Young Master Qin's reputation, and seeing you today is truly a blessing."
Qin Yi smiled bitterly inside. He had been trying to recover throughout the journey by moving his energy, but the petrifying effect of the lake water was astounding. Up until now, it hadn't made any difference, not even being able to move a finger. However, his eyes could move, and he coldly glared at Mo Tianhao, his gaze as sharp as a knife.
Mo Tianhao inexplicably felt a chill down his back. He knew how terrifying Qin Yi was, previously nearly being killed by Qin Yi in one move, leaving a deep scar in his heart. This glance from Qin Yi frightened him.
"Hmph."
Qin Yi snorted coldly, using his cultivation to amplify his voice like thunder, shaking the yellow sand on the ground into the air.
Mo Tianhao and Nancheng Fei's expressions changed drastically, retreating in panic.
"Get out."
Qin Yi could now only utter single-syllable sounds or words, one by one.
A single "get out" boomed like rolling thunder, exploding, causing Mo Tianhao and the others to turn pale, their blood boiling with fear on their faces.
Mo Tianhao and the others nearly fled in terror.
But they weren't foolish. They had previously watched and saw that Qin Yi and the others were like stones, only able to be dragged by Bai Jingqing.
Now it seemed, only his mouth and eyes could move.
"Young Master Qin, such a mighty presence. We treat you with courtesy, yet your attitude is overly distant, isn't it?" Mo Tianhao sneered.
He was sure because of the bewildered expression on Mo Wuji's face. Mo Wuji was usually expressionless and couldn't maintain such an expression for long. Clearly, something was indeed wrong with these people.
"Qin Yi, stop pretending. You can't move, can you?" Nancheng Fei laughed sinisterly.
"Young Master Nan, it seems we've all been deceived. This woman claimed she got Qin Yi drunk and stole the incomplete map from him. Now it appears they had long colluded." Mo Tianhao's face twisted.
Nancheng Fei looked at Bai Jingqing, "Fairy Bai, Qin Yi is our enemy. He killed your Baihua Pavilion's Flower Demon. Yet you collaborate with the enemy; your heart is truly big. This is a betrayal of the Five Great Families."
"Don't pin big labels on me. I think Qin Yi is far better than you beasts. At least he wouldn't harm the female disciples of our Baihua Pavilion."
Nancheng Fei's eyes turned sinister, "Do you know how many of our Five Great Families Qin Yi has killed? Fairy Bai, you are the Holy Daughter of Baihua Pavilion. By collaborating with the enemy, if this gets out, even Baihua Pavilion can't protect you."
"It seems now, Qin Yi's sneaking into the Secret Realm must be due to you and Mo Wuji?"
"Fairy Bai, I now give you a chance: kill Qin Yi, and we'll keep it a secret as if we never knew this happened."
Qin Yi's heart tightened, his eyes moving to look at Bai Jingqing.
"Fairy Bai, think carefully. Once Young Master Mo and I make a move, not only Qin Yi but others might die as well. Your beauty might meet the same fate as your Senior Sister Lin Yan."
Bai Jingqing's pretty face filled with anger, "Beasts."
"Hahaha..." Nancheng Fei laughed wildly, "Here, completely isolated from the outside world, whether we're human or beast doesn't matter. Know that we have admired Fairy Bai for a long time, and if you don't do as we say, I can't promise what might happen?"
Mo Tianhao sneered sinisterly, "Sister Bai, why not kill Qin Yi, and I will kill Mo Wuji. When we leave, we can blame everything on Mo Wuji, saying he colluded with Qin Yi. Killing Qin Yi is a great deed. This opportunity is golden; Sister Bai should know what to choose, right?"
Swish!
Bai Jingqing's longsword emerged from its sheath, the sword qi chilling as she stepped closer to Qin Yi.
Nancheng Fei and Mo Tianhao were slightly startled, then exchanged glances, their faces revealing subtle, sinister smiles.
Qin Yi felt a chill in his heart; in this situation, killing him was indeed Bai Jingqing's most correct choice.
"Qin Yi, I'm sorry."
Bai Jingqing's eyes turned steely as she thrust her sword out, quick as lightning. But instead of striking Qin Yi, she turned at the last moment, swift as the wind, the sword tip approaching Mo Tianhao's throat in an instant.