Chapter 109: Agreement

Blood trickled from the corner of Ye Feng’s mouth as he scrambled to his feet. He ran off without looking back, leaving only a single sentence behind: "I will not abandon my sister; I will save her life!"

Ye Batian slumped in his chair, his former majesty vanished, and slowly closed his eyes, lost in thought.

Ye Feng stumbled out of the Ye residence, stepped onto his flying sword, wiped away his tears, and clenched his fists. He raced toward Tianxing Peak at the absolute limit of his speed. Upon arriving, he tucked away his sword and sent out a sound-transmission talisman.

He waited in silence for his beloved, his hands balled into fists so tight that his nails dug into his palms. *Ruyu, you must help me,* he prayed silently. *As long as you help, I will surely succeed.*

A moment later, a white rainbow streaked across the horizon, landing before him. The figure put away her sword and approached with elegant, icy poise. She was at the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Her beautiful eyes flickered as she spoke: "Junior Brother Ye Feng, by the look of you, have you suffered some grievance?"

Ye Feng longed to embrace Bai Ruyu tightly in this moment of helplessness and grievance to find some comfort for his soul. However, he lacked the courage; or perhaps, in her presence, he felt deeply inferior. Controlling his emotions, he said, "Senior Sister Bai, I have a favor to ask. I hope you will not refuse."

Bai Ruyu nodded. "Tell me what it is."

"Promise me first, and then I will speak," Ye Feng said stubbornly.

Bai Ruyu frowned. What kind of rule was this? Asking for a favor while demanding a promise beforehand? Did he expect her to agree even if he asked her to marry him? Yet, seeing the earnest look on his face, she relented: "As long as it does not violate morality or my conscience, I agree. Tell me."

Only then did Ye Feng speak: "My sister was ambushed by demonic cultivators in the Nine Dragon Valley and is afflicted with the Seven Killings Yin Poison. She needs Heart-Warming Grass from the Red Sands Desert to refine the medicine to purge it. I hope you will accompany me to the Red Sands Desert."

Bai Ruyu gasped. She had heard of the Red Sands Desert—it was known as the graveyard of righteous cultivators. The Old Monster of the Red Sands had once been severely wounded by He Changqi, the supreme ancestor of the Benevolence Sect, and had nearly perished. Since then, he had viewed righteous cultivators as thorns in his side, vowing that anyone who stepped foot in his desert would never return.

She was at a loss for how to refuse. Just then, a red-clad figure descended with a bright smile. She stowed her sword and said, "Senior Sister Bai, Senior Brother Ye, am I interrupting? I’ll head inside first." She looked back and offered a playful smile.

Ye Feng quickly called out, "Junior Sister Yingxue, wait! I have something to say."

Yingxue turned back, saying indifferently, "What is it? Make it quick, I’m busy."

Ye Feng repeated his request. Yingxue readily agreed: "Is that all? A trip to the Red Sands Desert? Senior Sister and I will go with you. We are both in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment now; it is time we gained some experience. Endless, bitter cultivation is not the way—one cannot break through a bottleneck that way."

Bai Ruyu, hearing this, could only nod in agreement.

Ye Feng’s face lit up with a smile. "I, Ye Feng, owe you both a great debt. When we return, I will certainly reward you with precious treasures."

Yingxue nodded. "Of course, you certainly can't leave me out. By the way, to save your sister, once we pick the Heart-Warming Grass, we must refine the pill immediately. I think we should invite one more person to ensure our success."

Ye Feng’s eyes brightened. "You mean Ge Qian?"

"Exactly him," Yingxue confirmed.

Bai Ruyu pondered for a moment. "Ge Qian is powerful and efficient, but I don't know if he will agree. I recall that back when he was in the Qi Condensation stage, he had some unpleasantness with your sister. Do you think he will help?"

Bai Ruyu knew this better than anyone; Ye Yu had even instigated her to eliminate Ge Qian. With Ge Qian’s intelligence, he would surely have guessed as much.

Yingxue waved her hand. "Leave that to me. Let’s go ask him together. If he refuses, we’ll figure something else out."

Bai Ruyu nodded. "Then it’s all up to you." She certainly hoped Ge Qian would join them, as his strength was enough to unnerve even her.

The three of them took to their swords and headed straight for the Chaotic Ridge. They stopped before the entrance of Ge Qian’s cave, and Ye Feng sent a transmission talisman. A moment later, Ge Qian emerged, smiling slightly. "Please, come in. You are the first guests I have had since I opened this cave."

Yingxue shook her head. "Ge Qian, you’ve reached the middle stage too? Your cultivation speed is quite fast. You didn't disappoint me. There are many places with pure spiritual energy in the Tianxing Sect, yet look at this place you’ve chosen—remote and chaotic. It’s not suitable for cultivation at all. I think you should move."

Ge Qian explained, "The technique I cultivate is suited to this environment. There is no place more perfect for me."

Once inside the cave, they sat in the living room. Ye Feng cupped his hands and said, "Senior Brother Ge, I have come to ask a favor. My sister was ambushed by demonic cultivators in the Nine Dragon Valley and is afflicted with the Seven Killings Yin Poison. She needs Heart-Warming Grass from the Red Sands Desert for the antidote. I hope you will accompany me there."

Since Ge Qian was now at the middle stage and Ye Feng was still at the early stage, the rules of the cultivation world dictated that strength was respected, and Ye Feng had to address him as Senior Brother.

Ge Qian pondered for a moment. "Junior Brother Ye, your sister and I have had our share of grievances. She tried to kill me multiple times. I sympathize with her injury, but I do not wish to save an enemy."

Bai Ruyu seemed to have expected this and did not show much surprise. Yingxue, however, was speechless with shock. She had not known about the life-and-death feud between Ge Qian and Ye Yu, and having boasted that she could handle it, she now felt trapped. Ge Qian had once promised her a favor, but she couldn't bring herself to force him to go. She regretted being so eager to show off.

Ye Feng frowned. Seeing Yingxue turn her head away, he realized there was no hope. He slowly turned back, knelt before Ge Qian, and struck his head against the floor three times. "Senior Brother Ge, I apologize on my sister's behalf. She is the only family I have in this world. I truly do not want her to die; if she does, I will never have peace. Please, I beg you to save her. I will do anything you ask, even if I have to trade my life for hers. She has never lived a single day of ease or happiness—it has always been killing, hiding, and gathering intelligence, all so I could sit in the position of family head. I cannot abandon her, not while there is a shred of hope. I beg you."

Ge Qian stood up and helped Ye Feng to his feet. "Ye Feng, you are a true man. You are willing to suffer humiliation and even sacrifice your life for your kin. I am an orphan and have never known familial love. I have decided—I will make you my friend, and I will save Ye Yu."

"Thank you, Senior Brother Ge. I will never forget your great kindness," Ye Feng said.