Chapter 228: Yuan Huatian

Two flying knives vanished instantly from his hands.

The next moment, twin cries erupted from the pink light spheres; the glow faded, and the two women fell from the sky, clutching their throats as they crashed heavily to the ground.

With the terrifying speed of these two second-rank flying knives, even the madman Zhu Wuyan would have been caught off guard—how much less these two ordinary Joy Palace disciples?

Ximen Mei, aboard the white jade airship, finally exhaled in relief, floating gently down to land on the emerald wooden boat.

"Ximen meizi, it's really you—thank heavens! Quickly help me remove these chains and let me out." The handsome youth had been startled by Wang Yu's sudden appearance and bloody rampage, but upon recognizing Ximen Mei before him, his face lit up with joy.

As for Zhou Chu beside him, though unfamiliar with Ximen Mei's attire, he immediately understood upon hearing the youth's address, bowing hastily to her: "Sister Ximen," then his gaze involuntarily drifted toward Wang Yu on the other side.

Wang Yu's earlier massacre had truly shocked Zhou, an ordinary inner-disciple.

Had he not known Wang Yu for years, he might have thought this man was a powerful true disciple from one of the Four Sects disguised as Wang Yu.

At this moment, Wang Yu merely nodded faintly to Zhou Chu, then descended directly to the ground, retrieved several storage bags from the corpses, unleashed several fireballs to reduce them all to ash, and finally floated back up leisurely.

Ximen Mei ignored the eager gaze of the handsome youth entirely, merely responding to Zhou Chu with a cool "Brother Zhou," then raised one hand, formed a seal, and struck the translucent red bell before her.

"Puh."

The crimson bell's phantom instantly dissolved and vanished, transforming into a small pale-red bell that flew back into her hand.

She then pulled two white talismans from her robes and slapped them onto the black chains binding the two men.

The chains detached themselves from their bodies, dissolving into threads of white light as the talismans burned away.

"Thank you, Sister Ximen."

Zhou Chu bowed again in gratitude.

"We're fellow sect members; if we meet, how could I not save you?" Ximen Mei smiled as she returned the bow.

"Ximen meizi, if not for you, I might have been in real trouble this time."

"Other demonic sects? Fine—I could just reveal my identity; they'd likely spare my life. But these Joy Palace witches—I truly can't handle them." The handsome youth stretched his numb limbs, grinning as he edged closer to Ximen Mei.

"Hmph, Yuan Huatian, you dare speak? Even if you revealed your identity, they'd still drag you back to a demonic sect as a hostage—your ancestral elder won't spare a fortune to ransom you." Ximen Mei snapped at him, her tone brimming with exasperation.

Zhou Chu, overhearing their exchange, could not hide his astonishment, casting another quick glance at the handsome youth.

He hadn't been captured alongside this man—he'd been ambushed and seized by demonic forces elsewhere, then transported to the wooden boat.

By the time he arrived, Yuan Huatian was already there.

Wang Yu had also returned to the boat, and upon hearing Ximen Mei's tone toward the handsome youth, he too felt slightly surprised.

Zhou Chu, seeing Wang Yu approach, stepped forward eagerly, bowing repeatedly with deep gratitude:

"Young Brother Wang, I am deeply indebted to you and Sister Ximen for saving me—I will repay this life-saving grace tenfold."

"Brother Zhou, we've known each other for years—why be so formal? If I were ever in peril, wouldn't you risk your life to save me?" Wang Yu returned the bow with a light laugh.

"Ximen meizi, is this gentleman also from your Four Symbols Sect? I've never heard your sect had such a powerful true disciple—I hadn't even reacted when this brother had already wiped out all the Joy Palace disciples."

"I am Yuan Huatian of the Thousand Bamboo Sect. May I ask your esteemed name, brother?" The handsome youth stepped forward, bowing to Wang Yu with genuine awe.

Wang Yu knew the man was of considerable lineage, so he did not dare be careless—he bowed in return, but before he could speak, Ximen Mei cut in impatiently:

"Young Brother Wang, ignore this fool. The moment he sees someone powerful, he clings on like glue, regardless of whether they want him there."

"Young Brother Wang isn't even a true disciple of our sect—how could you possibly have heard of him?"

So Wang Dao you's strength doesn't come from your sect's true disciples?

"Ah, I get it—Young Brother Wang must be a hidden prodigy secretly nurtured by your sect's ancestral elder, reserved for these life-or-death trials against demonic sects, to strike unexpectedly."

"Hmm, Young Brother Wang is surely the top Qi Condensation disciple of the Four Symbols Sect—otherwise, why would your ancestral elder hide him so thoroughly, leaving not a whisper to outsiders?" This Yuan Huatian, having concocted his own theory, nodded vigorously at Wang Yu, now even more enthusiastic.

Wang Yu was speechless.

Zhou Chu, listening, glanced at Wang Yu and felt a flicker of doubt.

He had witnessed Wang Yu's entry into the sect himself—his strength was ordinary then, yet in just a few years, he had surged to this level.

Could this Young Brother Wang truly be a hidden prodigy among the regular disciples, secretly cultivated by the ancestral elder with vast resources?

If so, Wang Yu's sudden strength would make sense.

"Young Brother Wang, ignore this idiot. Yuan Huatian, I don't care how you slipped in—get out of the secret realm right now."

"You got lucky this time, stumbling into me and Young Brother Wang. Next time you fall into demonic hands, you won't be so fortunate." Ximen Mei cut him off again, her expression full of disdain.

"Hey, hey—I'm Qi Condensation peak, and like you, I'm a descendant of a Jin Dan elder—don't look down on me! I only got caught this time because I was unlucky; under normal circumstances, two or three ordinary demonic disciples wouldn't stand a chance against me." Yuan Huatian raised his delicate eyebrows, displeased.

"Hmph, you probably haven't even killed anyone, let alone fought many battles. Enough talk—since there's nothing left here, leave immediately."

"Young Brother Wang and I have important matters to attend to—we can't stay with you. Brother Zhou, please escort this fool out." Ximen Mei's voice turned cold behind her veil.