Chapter Fifty-Five: The Focus of All Eyes

City Lord’s Mansion.

Qu Yi Qiu stole a furtive glance around her, a faint unease fluttering in her heart.

All she had done was boast about using her beauty to uncover the demon lairs, so why was everyone staring at her with such peculiar eyes?

Moreover, why were all the leaders of the thirteen squads gathered here, standing in neat ranks with their disciples? Was such a grand reception truly necessary for her arrival?

Qu Yi Qiu blinked in confusion.

Something felt off about this situation. Should she perhaps return to the ranks of the Second Squad?

Within the crowd, Luo Yingying gazed at her figure, unable to conceal her excitement.

Junior Sister Qu was truly remarkable—she had forced all the demonic cultivators out into the open by herself!

What Qu Yi Qiu did not know was that, because of her jade slip’s sudden appearance, the demonic sects—who had believed themselves hidden beyond discovery—were now living in terror, seeing shadows behind every tree and blade of grass.

As one lair after another was eradicated, none could remain at ease, each fearing they would be the next to be found.

Rather than sit and wait for doom, better to act first!

With the mounting destruction of their lairs, the demonic cultivators lurking in the darkness emerged like bamboo shoots after the rain, taking the initiative to confront the disciples of the Celestial Divination Sect.

A final battle erupted at night and ended with the sunrise.

Hesitant, Qu Yi Qiu shifted her steps, intending to blend back into the Second Squad.

Yet just as she moved her right foot, the squad before her parted, clearing a path just wide enough for her alone.

A flicker of surprise crossed her face, but she feigned composure and pressed forward along the path they’d made.

Jiang Shuangyan stood at the front, her eyes alight with faint flames as she watched Qu Yi Qiu’s graceful approach.

Xia Changhan wore a faint smile, his gaze filled with pride, yet his thoughts were tangled and complicated.

Chi Yushu’s face remained calm with a gentle smile, betraying nothing of his mind.

Qi Yongfeng and the others, like everyone present, were dazzled by Qu Yi Qiu’s beauty at first sight, but in the next moment, he collected himself and regarded her thoughtfully.

Under the gaze of all, Qu Yi Qiu walked to the very front of the grand hall.

Cheng Changsheng watched her with a beaming smile, though his heart was full of grievance.

He never imagined this woman would have the audacity to devise such a plan to trace the demonic lairs. Now she was the top contributor in battle achievements; how much harder would it be for him to get close to her once they returned to the sect!

And that damned Luo Tangyu had even assigned him to present the rewards—was this not deliberately letting him look but not touch?

Qu Yi Qiu glanced up at Wang Shaoyang and Cheng Changsheng standing at the top of the hall, her eyes betraying a second of surprise.

“Qu Yi Qiu, you have rendered great service in Qunan City. The sect has prepared a special reward for you,” Wang Shaoyang’s usually stern face softened with a rare warmth.

Cheng Changsheng forced a smile. “Congratulations, Fairy Qu. You’ve claimed first place on the battle merit rankings and routed all the demonic cultivators, uncovering their hidden forces for the sect.”

Qu Yi Qiu instantly understood why everyone had gathered here.

So the chaos in Qunan City had already been quelled? No wonder Wang Shaoyang was present.

“This is the reward for ranking first in battle merit. In addition, the other storage pouch is an extra gift from the sect,” Cheng Changsheng said, handing her two storage pouches.

Qu Yi Qiu accepted them with a radiant smile, her movements graceful. “Thank you, elders, for your generous favor.”

Wang Shaoyang nodded, his eyes filled with approval. “You’ve done well. The swift resolution of Qunan City’s unrest exceeded the sect’s expectations.”

Qu Yi Qiu bowed her head shyly.

Behind her, a sea of burning gazes nearly made her shiver.

Heavens save her! She had hoped to slip away quietly ahead of everyone, but the chaos had been resolved even faster than she anticipated!

She never meant to become the center of attention!

Wang Shaoyang, observing Qu Yi Qiu’s modesty, grew all the more pleased. Looking at the assembled disciples, he announced, “The chaos in Qunan City has been quelled. Each of the thirteen squads dispatched by the sect has performed admirably—the Sect Master and the elders have witnessed your deeds. Today, I am here to lead you all home. You have all worked hard.”

“It was no hardship, elder!” the squads replied in unison, their voices echoing to the heavens.

As the heated gazes shifted away, Qu Yi Qiu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Let’s hurry back!

Wang Shaoyang nodded happily, then turned to Cheng Changsheng. “City Lord Cheng, the city is now in your hands.”

Cheng Changsheng withdrew his lingering gaze from Qu Yi Qiu and replied solemnly, “It is my duty.”

Wang Shaoyang nodded again and, with a sweep of his sleeve, transformed the scenery around them.

Strands of playful golden light danced beneath the disciples’ feet.

“There’s a formation here!” one of the disciples whispered in awe.

Qu Yi Qiu, too, was startled by the spectacle.

In the blink of an eye, Cheng Changsheng vanished.

Wang Shaoyang calmed the crowd and led everyone out of the City Lord’s Mansion to the outskirts of Qunan City.

He summoned a flying vessel etched with the sect insignia, and the squad leaders organized everyone aboard.

Qu Yi Qiu, not having returned to her squad, remained close to Wang Shaoyang.

She stared absentmindedly at the flying vessel, unaware of the fleeting hesitation on Wang Shaoyang’s face.

“Qu Yi Qiu, do you understand your current situation?” His lips barely moved as he watched the marching ranks, yet his voice reached only her ears.

Qu Yi Qiu started, then realized he was transmitting his voice directly.

“Yes, elder,” she replied softly.

Wang Shaoyang’s gaze never wavered as he continued, “Good. The major demonic sects suffered greatly at your hands; their surviving remnants will not let you go. For the time being, no matter what happens, you’d best remain quietly within the sect.”

Qu Yi Qiu glanced at him in confusion. Did he know something more? But then, seeing him board the flying vessel at a measured pace, she abandoned her suspicions.

If Wang Shaoyang truly knew about the Ghost Cultivator’s Paradise, he wouldn’t merely offer a warning—he’d have already seized the Underworld Domain.

What was he trying to say? Perhaps it was simply a kind reminder.

She shook her head and followed him onto the flying vessel.

All would become clear soon enough.

The vessel sped through the sky, returning them to the familiar Celestial Divination Sect in less than half a day.

As soon as Qu Yi Qiu disembarked, she felt countless gazes converge upon her.

“At last! That’s her—the woman who captivated thousands of demonic cultivators singlehandedly!”

“Heavens, she truly is beautiful… I once saw her from afar!”

“Our sect has finally raised a true fairy!”

“Hmph, she just seduced those demonic cultivators with her looks—what’s so great about that?”

“…”

Amid the crowd gathered at the sect’s grand mountain gates, the whispers rushed over her, making her feel as if she were a celebrity taking the stage.

Among them were her detractors and her devoted admirers alike.

But honestly, was this not far from what she had expected?

Her original plan had been to quietly amass four hundred thousand battle points and slip away using the teleportation array—then no one would have caught her.

But perhaps she’d been too forceful; in the end, she brought all the squads back with her!

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(End of chapter)