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Without an enormous favor, it was truly impossible to invite a King-rank Alchemist to take action.

Min Mubei looked at her with warmth, ruffling her hair, "Once your grandmother recovers, we will protect you from now on."

During this period, what made the couple happiest was Wen Qiao finally addressing them as "Grandfather" and "Grandmother." For this, Di Wan had secretly shed tears—moved yet sorrowful. These words also awakened their long-dormant sense of duty, compelling them to protect this child wholeheartedly.

Even if she had awakened her divine bloodline and would inevitably face the greedy desires of the world, they would stand by her side and protect her no matter what.

Wen Qiao wanted to say that they didn’t need to protect her—she only wished for them to be well—but seeing his joyful expression, she couldn't say it.

Min Mubei, accompanied by several Min clan disciples, set sail and left Chuanyun Island, heading for Shangze Island.

——

Shangze Island.

Min Sulin had just returned from outside when she noticed the Min clan disciples stationed on Shangze Island politely entertaining a guest.

She asked a passing junior disciple, "Who is that person?"

The junior disciple replied, "They say he’s an alchemist from the Alchemist Association of the Central Continent."

Hearing this, Min Sulin immediately understood that this must be the King-rank Alchemist from the Alchemist Association, invited by her grandfather to treat her mother. At this thought, her face fell, yet she found herself walking toward Dan Zheng.

"Senior," Min Sulin called out to Dan Zheng.

Dan Zheng turned to look at her. He was a somewhat gaunt old man, reeking of medicinal herbs. However, the scent was cluttered with too many scents—not refreshing but rather bitter.

Noticing that the one who had called out to him was a beautiful young woman, her robes slightly tattered but her noble bearing unaffected, he asked, "This young lady is…"

"This is the daughter of our clan leader," a nearby disciple quickly explained, though torn inside.

Due to the events during the Sea God Festival, cultivators across the Inner Sea now knew that rumors were circulating: Min Sulin might not actually be the daughter of the Min clan leader!

But since the Min clan had neither confirmed nor denied it, the disciples could only maintain their usual demeanor.

Dan Zheng gave a knowing nod and asked, "What can I do for you, Miss Min?"

Min Sulin had originally intended to inquire about her mother’s condition, but seeing the Min clan disciples around her watching closely, she decided it was inappropriate to ask in public and resolved to find another opportunity.

Returning to her room, Min Sulin changed out of her torn combat robes when she suddenly sensed an unfamiliar presence in the chamber.

She spun around, alert, and spotted a figure shrouded in black standing in the shadows of the room.

Chapter 389

The figure was completely hiding their figure. The cloak even had the effect of blocking spiritual sense, making it impossible to discern their appearance—even their gender remained unknown.

This was the Min clan’s outpost on Shangze Island, equipped with defensive formations and heavily guarded.

Yet this person had appeared in her room without a sound, unnoticed by anyone—showing their terrifying power.

Min Sulin remained vigilant, without hesitation summoning her weapon—the frost-glowing Plain Maiden Sword—and launching it at the black-clad figure.

The figure didn’t move, merely flicking a hand casually to send her crashing back.

Min Sulin crashed heavily onto the ground, her chest aching dully, gasping for breath.

She gaped in disbelief at the figure whose gender she couldn’t even discern. To defeat her so effortlessly, they must be at least Yuanchuang Stage.

"Yuanhuang realm..."

In an instant, a whirlwind of chaotic thoughts swept through her mind. The pain in her chest left her drenched in cold sweat, forcing her to crumple on the ground as she watched the black-clad figure approach.

The figure stopped before her, gazing down imperiously.

Min Sulin could sense the appraising gaze, as if she were being treated like an object, her value being weighed. This stirred anger within her, but more than that, it sharpened her vigilance.

Finally, the figure spoke: "Min Sulin?"

The voice was hoarse and low, deliberately disguised to hide their true identity.

Min Sulin remained silent, painfully hauling herself up.

As she rose, the figure made no move to stop her, but that calculating gaze never wavered, as if measuring something unseen.

"Who are you?" Min Sulin demanded, forcing down the blood rising in her throat. The white-hot agony in her chest made her wince, her slender frame trembling violently.

The black-clad figure let out a derisive tsk. "Min Sulin, you are the biological daughter of the former Holy Maiden of White Phoenix Island, inheriting her bloodline—"

"Don’t mention her!"

Min Sulin exploded, teeth clenched as she spat out each word: "My parents are Min Mubei and Di Wan of the Min clan!"

The figure seemed momentarily taken aback by her outburst, then scoffed. "Parents? Are you sure? Those two have never treated you as their own—yet you still claim them? How laughable!"

"What does it matter to you?"

Hit a raw nerve, Min Sulin’s rage flared hotter. She summoned her Frost Maiden Sword and lunged at the figure.

The black-clad one played with her like prey before sending her flying with a casual blow.

"What good are you with skills this pathetic?" the figure sneered. "As the daughter of White Phoenix Island’s former Holy Maiden, to think you’d turn out this mediocre—inheriting none of her power, just this weak... Min Sulin, I’m genuinely surprised you even dare to keep living!"

"Shut up!" Min Sulin roared.

Her pale face flushed with a sickly flush, her expression wild as she flailed her sword wildly, as if she could silence the one who shattered her illusions.

Seeing her descend into madness, the black-clad figure struck once more, sending her crashing to the ground.

Min Sulin coughed up blood—before everything went black.