Chapter 45: Hetong's Scheme

They're too absurd!

Hetong sat beneath the courtyard pavilion, her small face cold and flushed red.

There was no way; with her cultivation, the other party hadn't deliberately blocked sound, yet she heard everything clearly.

No, that's not right—how could my state of mind be affected?

Suddenly, Hetong reacted, her expression abruptly changing.

Is it that this little crane's inadequate mental cultivation affected me, or is there a problem with my own holy awareness?

In an instant, a flicker of annoyance appeared on Hetong's face; she felt her state of mind growing increasingly chaotic.

This situation can be said to be extremely dangerous.

Although Saints are called invincible to myriad calamities, that's because Saints can prepare in advance to avoid the influence of calamitous qi.

If calamitous qi entangles the body, even a Saint would likely struggle to remain unharmed, just like the impending Investiture of the Gods Calamity—over on the Tongtian side...

Originally, she resided high in the Nüwa Palace, needing only to close her doors and avoid disciples' influence, she could rest easy.

However, a red embroidered ball struck her head, inexplicably adding this marital bond.

This shattered her wish to remain uninvolved!

Only because, if the marital bond isn't broken, flaws will appear on her, making her easy to scheme against.

By then, if calamitous qi is drawn into her body, even though she is a Saint's body, she also risks disaster!

Now, the real trouble is still that marital bond on this Saint's body!

In Hetong's eyes, astonishing light flickered, as if she were calculating how to break this marital bond on herself.

"Hetong'er, come help me!"

Just then, Consort Huang's voice interrupted Hetong's thoughts.

Looking at the unsteady Consort Huang, Hetong flashed a hint of shyness in her eyes, yet still stepped forward to support her.

"Let's go, we're heading home!"

Consort Huang said with a satisfied expression.

Hearing that, Hetong secretly rolled her eyes.

She didn't understand why such a boring affair would make these mortals so obsessed.

"How could that compare to the joy of cultivation?!"

……

"Is she truly not recognizing me, or is she pretending?"

Ao Yifan always felt that this appearance of Hetong felt somewhat weird.

But he couldn't tell what exactly was wrong with her.

In short, this matter exudes eeriness everywhere.

"Forget it, I won't think about it; with Hetong's meager cultivation, she still can't threaten me."

Ao Yifan shook his head; this stems from confidence in his own strength!

However, Ao Yifan never realized that it was precisely this confidence that made him suffer a great fall, and also bear the sole humiliation of his life.

……

"Well, Runrun is about to give birth? How can it be so fast?"

Upon receiving news from the East Sea, Ao Yifan's face showed a moment of astonishment.

What's more surprising is that Ao Guang's side said Ao Run specially invited him over to witness her child's birth!

"How could Runrun specially invite me? Could it be she's discovered that it was me back then? No way—I have the Yin Shang national fortune protecting me; even a Saint couldn't scheme against me, and I've hidden myself well, so she couldn't possibly find out it's me."

Ao Yifan thought for a moment, shook his head, and said: "Forget it, I won't think about it; I really should go see my daughter's birth—come to think of it, this is my first daughter!"

Ao Yifan had already secretly used the Heavenly Dao Eye to look at Ao Run; the dragon baby in her belly is a daughter.

After briefing Lady Yin, Ao Yifan employed the Void Claw and arrived above the East Sea.

But what Ao Yifan never expected was that, at the instant he was about to step out of the void, suddenly, from within the void, countless large red ribbons shot out, lunging to entwine him.

"An ambush?"

Ao Yifan hadn't expected that someone would actually ambush him.

With almost no hesitation, Ao Yifan took a step and instantly manifested three thousand bodies.

"Huh, not bad an escape technique—I underestimated you, but…"

A clear, cold voice came from within the void.

Immediately, a finger lightly pointed, and the ribbons in the air instantly transformed into myriad forms, continuing to entwine Ao Yifan.

The sudden change startled Ao Yifan.

However, his reaction was swift; with a flip of his right hand, a large yellow seal appeared in his hand.

"Go!"

The Heaven-Opening Seal swelled in the wind, instantly covering heaven and earth; wherever it passed, countless ribbons turned to ashes in an instant.

"Such a minor Golden Immortal actually has such methods; this treasure even possesses a hint of Heaven-Opening power—how interesting!"

Facing the descending Heaven-Opening Seal, that finger slowly rose to meet it.

Next, an astonishing scene appeared to Ao Yifan: his Heaven-Opening Seal was actually shaken back by that finger, flying backward.

At the same time, the power of the Heaven-Opening Seal also broke through the opponent's disguise.

"Hetong, it's you!"

After seeing the opponent's appearance clearly, to be honest, Ao Yifan was truly startled.

However, in that instant Ao Yifan also reacted, coldly saying: "No, impossible; you absolutely cannot be Hetong—I still know her strength!"

"Oh? I forgot to investigate this little crane's memories; I didn't expect you two to actually know each other."

Hetong spoke.

"Who exactly are you?"

Ao Yifan said in a deep voice, and at the same time had already secretly used the Void Claw to prepare to leave.

There was no way; although the exchange just now was quick, the opponent's strength far exceeded Ao Yifan's expectations.

He was simply no match for the opponent!

"Do you want to use that spatial immortal technique again to escape?"

Just then, Hetong's voice came again.

"Give up; although your immortal technique is exquisite, your own strength is too weak. I only need to change the rules of this space, and you simply cannot use that immortal technique again."

Upon hearing this, Ao Yifan's face turned somewhat grim.

"Sir, who exactly are you? We have no grudge; why do you scheme against me like this?"

Ao Yifan said.

"No grudge? Oh, it seems you don't realize that you inadvertently offended someone who must not be offended. Never mind, I don't need to explain to you; I only need to use this little crane's body to settle a karmic debt!"

Saying this, Hetong waved his right hand.

Seeing this, Ao Yifan became highly alert.

But just as he thought the opponent was about to unleash some powerful immortal technique, a shocking scene appeared before Ao Yifan.

Amidst the flying crane feathers filling the sky, Hetong's fairy maiden robe actually flew away.

"This..."

Ao Yifan was utterly stunned; fighting is fighting, but bare-armed fighting— isn't that a bit inelegant?

"As expected..."

Seeing Ao Yifan's dazed look, Hetong's face broke into a smile of a scheme succeeding.

The next moment, before Ao Yifan could react, Hetong shook his wings and was already behind him.

"Oh no, I've fallen into a trap!"

Ao Yifan never expected the opponent to use such despicable means to distract him.

"Just as I expected, you person, your mind and cultivation are too poor; indeed you are bewitched by this meaningless body, so..."

Saying this, Hetong waved his right hand, and brought Ao Yifan down onto a rock.