Chapter 534 487: Fan Xuan: Oh No! My Cover Is About to Be Blown in Front of Pei Yuhang

"Saint Master, I have been staying at the Dao Sect in recent years because a great opportunity awaits me there... That is why I haven't returned to the Sacred Land."

Shang Miaoyan pressed her lips together, giving her answer with feigned composure.

WHOOSH—

A fragrant breeze swept past, lifting the countless red gauze curtains before her. The layers of red gauze billowed like waves of blood, vaguely revealing a graceful figure languidly reclining behind them, one pale, elegant foot pointed upward.

The crimson, fragrant wind blowing toward Shang Miaoyan then transformed in mid-air, creating one beautiful arm after another, which gently hooked a strand of black hair that had fallen over Shang Miaoyan's shoulder.

Just as Shang Miaoyan's heart leaped into her throat, the fingers teasing her hair dispersed in mid-air, as if melting back into the wind.

"So be it."

A languid sigh echoed from within the hall.

"Since you have your own plans, then go and do as you please. As the Holy Daughter of the Yin Yang Sacred Land, you have matured enough to stand on your own. There is no need for me to interfere with you anymore."

"Thank you, Saint Master."

The tension in Shang Miaoyan's heart finally eased. Only then did she realize her back was soaked with sweat.

She rose, bowed once more, and slowly walked out of the hall.

After Shang Miaoyan left, the layers of gauze curtains stirred on their own, as if a beautiful, noble lady deep within the palace was whispering to herself.

'Miaoyan's Dao Heart is now approaching perfection, and her Dao Foundation has been supplemented by pure Yang Qi. She must have been cultivating the profound arts of Yin and Yang quite a bit recently...'

'And the only man who could satisfy her and make her so content to stay in a foreign land is probably that beautiful young man from all those years ago.'

In just a few brief thoughts, the Saint Master of the Yin Yang Sacred Land saw through all of Shang Miaoyan's secrets.

'Back then, to prevent him from dying at the Holy Daughter's coming-of-age ceremony, you let him go. You were melancholic for a century, and now you have met him again, your fates entangling once more... Perhaps this is also a kind of destiny.'

'After I finish discussing the important matter of the Abyssal Sea Palace with the Taoist Lord of the Xuanyuan Dao Sect, perhaps I'll go and meet that young man, too~'

'It's been a long time. I actually kind of miss that stubborn little fellow.'

...

...

Shang Miaoyan walked out of the great hall. As the brisk wind brushed against her face, her restless heart calmed slightly.

"Holy Daughter, I did not expect the Sect Leader to be here in Lotus Heart City. Please forgive me."

Shang Miaoyan turned and glanced at Fan Ya, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, kneeling on the ground.

Her head was bowed, and a few stray strands of hair on her forehead were ruffled by the wind, giving her a pitiable appearance, as if ready to accept any punishment.

Shang Miaoyan snorted coldly. "Get up."

"Even if you had known the Sect Leader was coming in secret, I doubt you would have had the courage to tell me."

"...Thank you, Your Highness."

Fan Ya slowly rose to her feet. She subconsciously looked toward Jiu, who wore the mask of a Red Lotus Guard and stood watch on Shang Miaoyan's other side.

Sensing Fan Ya's gaze, Jiu's tall figure remained perfectly still. She was like an unsheathed sword, guarding Shang Miaoyan's side and exuding a frigid aura that warned others to keep their distance.

Seeing that Jiu had no intention of responding, Fan Ya's eyes flickered for a moment before she impassively withdrew her gaze.

Just then, Shang Miaoyan's somewhat impatient voice sounded.

"Fan Ya, go back and handle the Red Lotus Guard's affairs for now. As for what the Saint Master is here at the Xuanyuan Dao Sect to do, you'd best find out something by tomorrow."

"Yes."

After Fan Ya left, Jiu—or rather, Fan Xuan under the mask—remained standing as still as a statue.

Her eyes beneath the mask were slightly downcast. Only when Fan Ya's figure had completely vanished at the end of the long corridor did she slowly turn her head, silently gazing in the direction her sister had gone.

A faint, almost imperceptible smile played on Shang Miaoyan's lips as she said slowly,

"What, do you want to reunite with your sister Fan Ya?"

Fan Xuan's back instantly tensed, and her slender frame trembled imperceptibly.

She immediately dropped to one knee, bowing her head to show her loyalty.

"Holy Daughter, we of the Red Lotus Guard are your shadows. We have no names and no identities. We only follow your orders."

Shang Miaoyan chuckled softly. She reached out and lifted the ponytail tied at the side of Fan Xuan's shoulder, wrapping a strand of hair around her fingertip and rubbing it slowly.

"Don't be so nervous, Fan Xuan..."

Shang Miaoyan's voice was gentle, yet it carried an undertone that defied resistance.

"I can let you reunite with Fan Ya. Your sister isn't as cold and selfish as you think.

Ever since I spread the news of your execution, she has been secretly searching for you."

Hearing this, Fan Xuan's breath hitched. Beneath her mask, her lips pressed tightly together, and she swallowed hard.

With a light flick of her fingertip, Shang Miaoyan released the strand of hair and instead traced the edge of Fan Xuan's mask, a half-smile on her face.

"By now, she's probably already suspicious of your identity as 'Jiu'.

After all... who else but you would I send to be by Xiaohan's side?"

Fan Xuan's fingertips grew cold. She knew that the "favors" bestowed by Shang Miaoyan never came without conditions.

Sure enough, Shang Miaoyan's next words made her heart sink—

"Fan Xuan, as long as you do everything in your power to help me completely win over Xiaohan..."

Shang Miaoyan suddenly leaned in close, her red lips almost brushing against Fan Xuan's ear. Her voice was soft and low, yet it felt like the hiss of a venomous snake.

"Not only will you be able to reunite with Fan Ya, but I can also help you... go much further on your cultivation path."

Fan Xuan's pupils contracted slightly, and her face beneath the mask grew a shade paler.

She slowly closed her eyes. When she opened them again, they were filled with a cold emptiness.

"...This subordinate will obey the Holy Daughter's command."

Shang Miaoyan nodded in satisfaction. She patted Fan Xuan's shoulder and said,

"Return to the Cold Palace Sword Mansion for now. While you're at it, tell Xiaohan that the Sect Leader of the Yin Yang Sacred Land has arrived. Tell him not to go out for a while, lest he be discovered by that dangerous woman."