The one who attacked was Mia Miao. When she heard Shayne Snow report that Lena Ling refused to return to the Miao Clan, Mia’s first reaction was that Lena was lying.
After confirming Lena’s location on the mid-mountain slope, she decided to come and take Lena away herself.
Unexpectedly, as soon as she arrived, she saw Lena Ling actually being held in a man’s arms.
You have to understand, Lena Ling is supposed to be used by her big brother for a marriage alliance with Prince Yue. If Prince Yue found out Lena had ambiguous relations with some man, he’d definitely be furious.
And marrying into Prince Yue’s household is a strategic move for the Miao Clan. If successful, the clan’s power would soar—they might even become the number one force in Yuyang Commandery.
She absolutely wouldn’t allow anyone to sabotage this plan. So, the moment she saw Ian Song holding Lena, she was furious, killing intent rising—she unleashed her magic treasure intending to end the boy’s life. As long as he died, even if Prince Yue heard about it, he wouldn’t care; after all, nobody worries about a dead man.
"No!"
Lana Snow and the others who came with Mia Miao were shocked when they saw her attack Ian Song. Lana, especially, cried out and released her own magic treasure, trying to intercept the white light.
Unfortunately, the gap in cultivation between her and Mia Miao was too great, and her magic treasure wasn’t as powerful. She simply couldn’t block that white light.
Her face turned instantly pale. She had placed great hopes in Ian Song, especially since he possessed the Spirit-Link Body. If he went to Myriad Spirits Island, he’d surely bring back more spirit beasts.
But now, she could only watch helplessly as Ian Song was about to die under Mia Miao’s magic treasure. The feeling of powerlessness and frustration was agonizing.
The seven elders, including Shayne Snow, all looked regretful at this scene—even Yara Snow was no exception this time.
Seeing the white light about to pierce Ian Song’s head, Lana and the others despaired and closed their eyes.
But just at that moment—
"Clang!"
"Pff!"
At the critical moment, the Silver-Hair Daoist Master appeared again. She struck the white light with her sword, but Mia Miao’s killing intent was too strong—she’d poured all her cultivation into the attack. The Silver-Hair Daoist Master only managed to deflect the white light, which still pierced Ian Song’s shoulder.
Blood sprayed everywhere as Ian Song’s body was sent flying, crashing several meters away.
Lena Ling, who had been sobbing, was stunned by the sight. Seeing Ian Song covered in blood, she screamed "Second Fool" and rushed to his side.
"Fellow Daoist Mia Miao, what do you mean by this? Why attack a junior?"
The Silver-Hair Daoist Master’s face was frosty as she demanded an explanation.
Seeing that Ian Song wasn’t dead, a trace of regret flashed in Mia Miao’s eyes. But when she heard the Silver-Hair Daoist Master’s question, her expression turned cold and she snorted, "Hmph, Lena Ling carries the noble blood of the Miao Clan. How could I let a bastard touch her? That’s why I had to kill him!"
"But he’s a disciple of the Jade Maiden Sect!" The Silver-Hair Daoist Master’s tone grew angrier. Lana Snow had already informed her and the other elders about Second Fool joining the sect, and they also knew about his exceptional cultivation talent and Spirit-Link Body.
Otherwise, she wouldn’t have intervened to save Ian Song.
Because for the Jade Maiden Sect, Second Fool was simply too valuable.
"Oh? Isn’t the Jade Maiden Sect supposed to accept only female disciples? Since when do you have a male disciple?" Mia Miao sneered.
"That’s an internal matter of the Jade Maiden Sect. It’s none of your concern!"
"Hmph!"
Mia Miao snorted again, then called out to Lena Ling, "Lena, I’m your aunt Mia Miao. Your father sent me to bring you home. Come with me!"
Lena Ling never had much affection for the Miao Clan. Now, after Mia Miao injured Ian Song without even asking questions, she was even more disgusted. She replied coldly, "Senior, you’ve got the wrong person. I’m not part of the Miao Clan!"
Mia Miao grew a bit anxious. "How could we have the wrong person? The Miao Clan worked tirelessly to track you down!"
"I don’t care what you found. The bottom line is, I’m not part of the Miao Clan, and I’m not going with you. Please leave!" Lena Ling’s tone was firm, cold and distant.
Hearing Lena’s words, Mia Miao grew angry and snapped, "Lena, I’m your aunt! How can you speak to your elder like this?"
"Senior, I’ve already said I’m not part of the Miao Clan! I hope you’ll stop bothering me!" Lena’s tone grew even sharper. Mia Miao’s attack on Ian Song had made her extremely displeased—if not for her lack of strength, she would have taught Mia Miao a lesson herself!
Mia Miao was truly angry now. "Lena, do you even know what you’re saying? Do you know what kind of status the Miao Clan holds in Yuyang Commandery?"
"No matter what status the Miao Clan has, I am myself and have nothing to do with you!"
"Childish!"
Mia Miao sneered, "Whether you admit it or not, Miao blood runs in your veins. Let me warn you: if you insist on staying at the Jade Maiden Sect, you’ll only bring disaster upon it. Your father, the head of the Miao Clan, will never tolerate his beloved daughter living outside!"
As soon as she said this, not only did Lena Ling’s expression change, but so did the faces of the Silver-Hair Daoist Master, Lana Snow, Yara Snow, Shayne Snow, and the others.
After a long silence, Lena Ling said, "This has nothing to do with the Jade Maiden Sect. Tell that man—if he wants my forgiveness, he mustn’t make trouble for the Jade Maiden Sect!"
"Heh!"
Mia Miao laughed proudly. "If you come home with me, your father won’t trouble the Jade Maiden Sect. On the contrary, he’ll thank the sect for raising his daughter all these years. But if you refuse, he’ll blame the sect for stealing you away. With the Miao Clan’s strength, wiping out the Jade Maiden Sect would be easy!"
By the end, Mia Miao’s tone had grown chilling.
Hearing this, Lana Snow and the others were deeply worried.
"Despicable!"
Lena Ling pointed at Mia Miao in fury.
Mia Miao was shameless, even proud of Lena’s scolding. She smiled, "My dear niece, have you decided? Will you obediently come home and acknowledge your family, or will you stay at the Jade Maiden Sect and let everyone be slaughtered because of you?"
Suddenly, Lena Ling dropped to her knees before Lana Snow, her voice trembling with emotion. "Master, please forgive me for failing you as a disciple... Today, I must rebel—I have to sever my ties with the Jade Maiden Sect!"
"What?!"
Lana Snow was stunned, her mind reeling, but in the next instant she understood Lena’s true intention—Lena was sacrificing herself so the Jade Maiden Sect wouldn’t be dragged down with her.
The thought stabbed at Lana’s heart, filling her with self-loathing. She couldn’t even protect her own disciple—what kind of master was she? She wanted to defy everything and keep Lena by her side, but she didn’t dare. If she did, she might bring ruin upon the entire sect.
The Silver-Hair Daoist Master watched, helpless, a deep sigh escaping her lips. Frustration and bitterness welled up inside her, but what could she do against the overwhelming power of the Miao Clan?
Watching all this, Ian Song’s eyes grew cold. Mia Miao’s arrogance was intolerable—unless she paid dearly, he’d never let this go. A dark resolve formed in his heart, promising future reckoning.