Chapter 549 494: Shang Miaoyan First Meets Nangong Jin

Pei Yuhang pushed open the door and left the private room. At the entrance, Shang Miaoyan and Ye Liyuan, who had been waiting anxiously, both rushed forward to greet him.

"Ah Han, are you alright? Did that woman do anything to you?"

Ye Liyuan grabbed Pei Yuhang's hand, her teary eyes scanning him up and down as if afraid her Dao Companion had been wronged inside the room.

Shang Miaoyan, who was half a step behind, paused when she saw this. She pressed her red lips together slightly, a flicker of loneliness flashing in her downcast eyes, but she had already composed herself by the time she looked up again.

"...Palace Master Pei, the Saint Master offended you and Sister Liyuan just now. It was my lack of foresight."

Pei Yuhang shook his head at Shang Miaoyan's apology, unwilling to say more about his conversation with the Yin Yang Saint Master.

Especially... he couldn't let Shang Miaoyan know that Saint Master Yin had just tried to force him into becoming her Dao Companion.

'This woman is already pestering me relentlessly, even though I have a new life and want to forget my miserable past.'

'Even though I've clearly rejected her multiple times, and even though Qianqian stepped in on my behalf to suppress and humiliate her, Shang Miaoyan still haunts me like a persistent ghost.'

'If she finds out her own Saint Master supports her, she'll cause all hell to break loose.'

'Besides, the Sect's current crisis is far more important!'

"Business Saintess, Liyuan, you must have heard the bells just now. Those only ring when the Sect is being invaded by an external enemy. Saint Master Yin should be on her way to the Ancestral God Pavilion to see our Dao Sect's Saint Master now."

With that, Pei Yuhang looked at Ye Liyuan and said in a grave voice, "Liyuan, go find Xiaoxiao now. Take her back to the Cold Palace Sword Mansion, activate the Mountain Protection Array, and be careful!"

Hearing that Pei Yuhang was going to leave her, Ye Liyuan took a deep, panicked breath, her hand clutching his sleeve even tighter.

"What about you, Ah Han?"

"As a High Tier combatant of the Dao Sect, I must join the battle for the Sect!"

"Are you going to leave me behind again?"

Ye Liyuan murmured, her pale, thin lips trembling. Her voice was fragmented, like dandelion seeds scattered by the wind.

"You promised... you'd take me to see the lantern festival and the Spirit Bird show..."

A flicker of uncertainty crossed Pei Yuhang's eyes. He raised his hand, the pads of his fingers gently brushing against her wet cheek, wiping away a hot tear.

"Be good, Liyuan... When the Sect is invaded, Void Refining Powerhouses must be the first to go out and hold the line. Those below the Void Refining realm are to maintain stability within the Sect, forming a second line of defense. This is an ironclad rule of the Sect."

"To keep you from harm, I must stop the enemy outside the Sect's gates."

Ye Liyuan heard the resolve in Pei Yuhang's voice. Knowing she couldn't change his mind, Liyuan lowered her eyes in sorrow.

Pei Yuhang caressed her cheek, then leaned down and kissed her forehead.

"Be good, Liyuan... When this is over, I'll take you to the lantern festival and to see the Spirit Birds."

Seeing Ye Liyuan nod gently, Pei Yuhang hesitated no longer. He summoned his Silent Sword and flew into the sky with Sword Control.

However, he hadn't flown far before he sensed the persistent aura following him like a shadow. His brows furrowed as he turned to look at the stubborn figure.

"Shang Miaoyan, why are you following me?"

"I'm also at the Void Refining realm. And I have many Magical Treasures. Perhaps I can help."

Shang Miaoyan's red dress whipped in the wind as she spoke, flying to Pei Yuhang's side.

"This is the Dao Sect's business. You don't need to get involved..."

"Pei Yuhang... I'm going to help you, and I don't need your permission."

'As domineering as ever.'

Pei Yuhang's gaze lingered on her defiant face for a moment before he finally just sighed and said nothing more to dissuade her.

The two of them transformed into two streaks of light that cut across the firmament, leaving brilliant trails in the overcast sky. The two figures, one red and one white, rushed side-by-side toward the Dao Sect's main gate, as if to tear open the oppressive canopy of the heavens.

As Shang Miaoyan flew through the air, her robes fluttering, she couldn't help but glance sideways at Pei Yuhang.

The Moonlight cast a sacred white halo around his stern profile, and his sharp brows and bright eyes were filled with an awe-inspiring righteousness.

Ever since she was driven away by Lin Qianyan, she had rarely had the chance to observe him so openly and at such close range.

Her heart suddenly skipped a beat, and an unprecedented thrill surged through her like a tidal wave.

'Am I... about to fight side-by-side with Xiaohan?'

'After this battle, will he... be willing to give me a second glance?'

Shang Miaoyan took a deep breath, unable to stop herself from imagining a beautiful future with Xiaohan.

Just as her thoughts began to drift, she suddenly sensed a sharp aura tearing through the air toward her.

On high alert, Shang Miaoyan's pupils contracted. With a wave of her fair hand, Magical Treasures like the Yin Yang Glazed Cup and the Red Lotus Fire Silk instantly surrounded her, refracting a seven-colored light in the clouds.

However, Pei Yuhang raised a hand to stop her, signaling for her not to be rash.

The tip of a pristine white shoe landed first, followed by a voice as clear and cool as shattered jade breaking the still air.

"Brother Pei."

Nangong Jin's robes fluttered as if she were a Nine Heavens Profound Lady descending on a moonbeam.

'Brother Pei?'

Hearing Nangong Jin's form of address, Shang Miaoyan, who was behind Pei Yuhang, frowned.

She sized up the uninvited guest, noting her picturesque features that were as cold as frost. A Cinnabar dot on her forehead made her skin seem whiter than snow.

Shang Miaoyan wondered, 'So this is that genius junior sister of Pei Yuhang's that Fan Xuan mentioned, the one who left the Sect for many years?'

'She's certainly stunningly beautiful, in a cold way... but I heard she's walking the path of Forgetfulness and severing all desires. If that's the case, then she's no threat.'