However, the middle-aged woman's strength was only at the early-stage Mystic Liquid Realm.
Given such power, Ye Yunfei naturally felt no fear. Thus, he stood still and simply stared at the woman, remaining silent.
"I am from the Su Clan of the Central Continent," the middle-aged woman said, having noticed Ye Yunfei's vigilance.
"The Su Clan?"
Ye Yunfei was taken aback.
Su Qing Luo was indeed from the Su Clan of the Central Continent.
"Qing Luo wishes to see you. She sent me to invite you. Please come with me."
The middle-aged woman gestured for him to follow.
"Where is she?" Ye Yunfei did not move, his gaze steady.
"Her family opposes her association with you. Qing Luo is under immense pressure.
It would be inconvenient for her to appear and meet you openly, lest it fuel gossip within the clan.
Thus, she can only meet you in a hidden location.
This hairpin belongs to Qing Luo. She said you would recognize it at a glance."
The middle-aged woman produced a jade-green hairpin and waved it in Ye Yunfei's direction.
"Correct.
This hairpin is indeed Qing Luo's."
Ye Yunfei nodded in acknowledgement.
"Good that you recognize it.
Then hurry and follow me.
Qing Luo has already been waiting for a long time."
A faint, mocking sneer flashed deep within the middle-aged woman's eyes.
"Wait."
Ye Yunfei remained planted in his spot, unmoving.
"Send a sound transmission to Qing Luo immediately and ask her," Ye Yunfei said, his gaze fixed on the woman, "back at the Yuanyue Academy, which row did Zhou Mu and I usually sit in during martial theory classes?"
"You...
What is the meaning of this? Qing Luo has waited so long for you, and you have the mood to ask such nonsensical questions?"
The woman stared in disbelief for a moment before growing angry.
"Can't you tell?
I don't trust you.
So, you'd better ask.
Otherwise, I won't go with you."
Ye Yunfei spoke calmly.
"You!"
The woman's face flushed with anger, her eyes boring into Ye Yunfei.
"Fine!
I'll ask."
The middle-aged woman produced a Message Jade Slip and began sending a message.
"Qing Luo has replied," she said angrily after a moment. "She is furious.
She says she was always very attentive in class and never paid any attention to which row you and Zhou Mu usually sat in."
Swish!
The moment her words ended, Ye Yunfei moved like a ghost, appearing right in front of her.
"You!"
The middle-aged woman exclaimed in shock. How fast was Ye Yunfei's movement?
His right hand shot out like lightning, imbued with terrifying physical strength, and clamped around her throat like an iron vise, lifting her up as easily as plucking a chicken.
Having broken through to the mid-stage Yuan Foundation Realm, Ye Yunfei's overall comprehensive strength had naturally improved. Dealing with an early-stage Mystic Liquid Realm cultivator had become even easier.
"Let me go, gurgle..."
The woman was both furious and terrified, glaring at Ye Yunfei with wide, angry eyes.
"Back at the Yuanyue Academy, during martial theory classes," Ye Yunfei's cold gaze pinned the woman, "I always shared a desk with Qing Luo."
His voice was icy.
"Speak.
Where were you trying to lure me? And how is Qing Luo right now?"
Ye Yunfei's question was delivered softly, almost casually. Yet, as he spoke, he suddenly increased the pressure of his grip.
Immediately, the woman's face flushed a deep crimson. She struggled to breathe, desperately trying to pry Ye Yunfei's hand away. But her body was already sapped of all strength; how could she possibly budge his iron grasp?
"Gurgle..."
The middle-aged woman wanted to say something, but she couldn't produce any coherent sound.
Finally, fear took hold. Her eyes filled with terror, and she began nodding frantically at Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei loosened his grip slightly.
"How is Qing Luo now?" His voice remained cold.
"Qing Luo has returned to the clan.
The clan Elders oppose her relationship with you, so they forcibly brought her back.
Qing Luo entrusted me to deliver a letter to you."
Struggling, the middle-aged woman retrieved a jade slip.
"Then, where were you trying to lure me just now?" Ye Yunfei took the jade slip and asked coldly.
"It wasn't my idea!
It was Elder Su Zhi! He ordered me to lure you to a nearby mountain range."
The woman hurriedly answered.
"Elder Su Zhi, him, I suppose."
Ye Yunfei's gaze abruptly shifted into the distance.
There, a black-robed old man stood looking coldly at Ye Yunfei.
This old man in black robes had been hiding atop a nearby mountain peak this whole time. He had only revealed himself upon seeing Ye Yunfei make his move.
This old man possessed the strength of the First-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm!
"Yes!
That is Elder Su Zhi. It has nothing to do with me! Please don't kill me!"
The woman pleaded, terror evident in her voice.
She had recalled the various rumors circulating about Ye Yunfei recently and couldn't help but feel immense fear.
In particular, the news of Ye Yunfei slaying seven Mystic Liquid Realm experts had already spread among several of the Central Continent's top powers. Moreover, Ye Yunfei's reputation painted him as merciless and someone who would kill without batting an eye. The middle-aged woman feared Ye Yunfei might kill her in a fit of anger.
"Ye Yunfei, hand over your cultivation techniques.
Perhaps our Su Clan may consider permitting you and Qing Luo to associate."
At that moment, the old man in the distance spoke, his voice carrying across the space.
As he spoke, he began striding forward, walking towards Ye Yunfei.
"Oh?
Your Su Clan also desires my techniques?" Ye Yunfei gave a cold laugh.
"Ye Yunfei, just agree to hand your techniques over to our Su Clan, and everything can be discussed."
The old man in black robes strode through the air, drawing closer and closer.
"In consideration of your service in delivering Qing Luo's letter, I will spare your life this once."
Ye Yunfei glanced dismissively at the middle-aged woman, his tone icy. Then, he released his grip.
Whew... Wheeze...
The woman, who had been flushed and red-faced from suffocation, now gasped desperately for air, her body trembling as she tried to recover.
"Heh, old man, I advise your Su Clan to stay out of this muddy water.
Otherwise, you will regret it."
Ye Yunfei looked towards the ever-approaching old man and offered another cold, mocking smile.
Then, without further ado, Ye Yunfei activated his Heavenly Shadow Robe, directly diving into space and vanishing from sight.
"You little whelp! Stay right there!"
The black-robed old man roared in fury. He accelerated, lunging forward while simultaneously reaching out towards Ye Yunfei's previous location and making a fierce clutching motion.
Instantly, a tremendous pressure of spiritual power erupted, causing the space where Ye Yunfei had stood to suddenly compress and sag.
However, by then, Ye Yunfei had long since disappeared.
"Damn it! Damn it!"
The black-robed old man stared fixedly at the spot where Ye Yunfei vanished, his rage reaching its peak.
Simultaneously, he released his Soul Power, extending his senses far and wide in all directions in an attempt to locate Ye Yunfei.
But there was no trace to be found.
"Hmph! Su Zhi, why did you make a move against someone from my Hudao Academy? When has my Hudao Academy ever provoked your Su Clan? You'd better give me a reasonable explanation."
Suddenly, Dean Shangguan appeared, glaring furiously at the black-robed elder.
In fact, Dean Shangguan had been secretly following Ye Yunfei all along and had witnessed the entire incident.
"Hmph!" Su Zhi snorted upon seeing Dean Shangguan, his expression turning somewhat unpleasant.
Boom...
An overwhelming spiritual pressure erupted from Dean Shangguan's body, radiating outwards.
"Su Zhi, my Hudao Academy is not some soft persimmon to be squeezed at will. You had best give me a reasonable explanation. Otherwise, the Academy will not let today's matter rest easily."
Dean Shangguan spoke with a grave, stern face.
"Second-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm! You've broken through!"
Su Zhi was startled, a hint of trepidation appearing in his expression.
Being fellow Grotto-Heaven Realm experts, he and Dean Shangguan were long acquainted. Previously, they were both at the First-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm, their strengths relatively equal; even if they fought, it would be hard to determine a victor. He never imagined Dean Shangguan had already achieved a breakthrough.
"Su Zhi, I'm waiting for your explanation." Dean Shangguan took several steps forward, tightly locking his gaze on Su Zhi, his voice growing several degrees colder.
"Dean Shangguan, do you intend to make a move against me? Don't forget, your Hudao Academy has already made enemies on all sides. Do you truly wish for my Su Clan to become another one of your foes?"
Su Zhi's expression shifted somewhat.
Dean Shangguan was now at the Second-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm. Su Zhi knew he was no match, so he dared not act recklessly.
"Regardless of how many enemies we have," Dean Shangguan declared, his eyes fixed intently on Su Zhi, each word deliberate and heavy, "my Hudao Academy will never allow itself to be bullied without consequence."
A rolling tide of spiritual pressure crushed towards Su Zhi, forcing him to grow pale.
"Fine.
Today's matter was my fault.
This is my compensation."
Gritting his teeth, Su Zhi retrieved a few spatial rings and tossed them to Dean Shangguan. Then, without looking back, he turned and left.
The middle-aged woman hurriedly scrambled after him.
Dean Shangguan watched Su Zhi's departing figure. Ultimately, he did not give chase.
He knew Su Zhi spoke the truth. Hudao Academy already had numerous formidable enemies.
"Dean Shangguan.
There's no need for you to follow me anymore.
Please return and safeguard the Academy.
I will be fine."
After Su Zhi had left, Ye Yunfei's figure reappeared before Dean Shangguan. A faint smile played on his lips.
In truth, Ye Yunfei had known all along that Dean Shangguan was secretly following him.