Hearing the Formation Master's explanation, Chu Feng roughly pieced together what had happened.
That Lady Suqing must be the aunt Long Muxi had spoken of.
That aunt had been following Long Muxi all along, serving as her protector.
And Long Rui must have known about this as well. That was precisely why, before deciding whether to betray them, Long Rui had repeatedly asked whether Lady Suqing was absent.
Because if Lady Suqing had been present, everyone from the Alchemy Dao Immortal Sect would have died today — and if Long Rui betrayed them, he would have died too.
Later, because Long Muxi had been grabbed by the throat by Jia Lingyi and Lady Suqing still hadn't appeared, Long Rui concluded that she wasn't here, and only then did he decide to betray them.
But in truth, Long Muxi hadn't lied. Her aunt — Lady Suqing — was indeed here.
It was simply that helping the Formation Master power the formation to suppress that dark purple aura had consumed so much of her energy that she couldn't sense Long Muxi was in danger, which was why she hadn't shown herself.
Before the Formation Master had moved to suppress the dark purple aura, he had thrown out a communication talisman. Presumably, that was to notify Long Muxi's aunt.
As for why the Formation Master had asked Lady Suqing for help, it was naturally because Lady Suqing was powerful enough to genuinely assist him in suppressing the dark purple aura.
However, the Formation Master hadn't anticipated that Jia Lingyi had a way to break through the delaying formation he had embedded within the Gate of All Beings.
While he was occupied suppressing the dark purple aura, Jia Lingyi had forced Chu Feng out of the Gate of All Beings.
By the time he realized what was happening, he had already been unable to extricate himself.
Though this situation had exceeded his expectations, it was precisely because he had asked Lady Suqing for help that he had nearly gotten Long Muxi and Chu Feng killed. That was why he felt such deep shame and self-blame.
"Senior, there's no need to blame yourself. We're all fine, aren't we?"
Chu Feng offered his reassurance. Seeing the Formation Master so consumed with guilt, even Chu Feng's face carried a trace of self-reproach.
But the Formation Master simply shook his head with a bitter smile, the shame on his face undiminished.
Before long, three figures came flying through the air.
It was Long Kui, who had departed just moments ago, and Long Muxi.
The third was a woman in a red robe, her figure alluring and brimming with feminine charm.
But despite her captivating appearance, this woman's aura was overwhelming.
"Long Suqing, former member of the Nine Banner Dragon Warriors."
Upon seeing this woman, many onlookers gasped, for Long Suqing was just as renowned as Long Kuitian.
Though at this moment, Long Suqing's face was also quite pale. It seemed that powering the formation to help the Formation Master suppress the dark purple aura had cost her no small amount of effort.
"Formation Master, you are truly reckless. Why didn't you tell me in advance that helping you power that formation would interfere with my observation of Muxi?"
Long Suqing turned her gaze toward the Formation Master, her eyes openly betraying her reproach and anger. It was clear she already knew what had just transpired.
But it was precisely because she knew Long Muxi had been in mortal danger that she was furious.
"My Lady, it was my negligence. I beg your punishment." The Formation Master dropped directly to his knees, confessing his fault.
"I agreed to help you, but you failed to inform me beforehand that powering this formation would consume such enormous energy that I would be unable to sense Muxi's situation, nearly causing a catastrophe. You do deserve punishment," Long Suqing said.
"Please, Aunt, let it go. It happened suddenly, and the Formation Master couldn't have predicted it would turn out this way. Besides, I'm perfectly fine," Long Muxi hurriedly pleaded.
Hearing Long Muxi speak, Long Suqing waved her hand. "Fine. Rise."
At the same time, a surge of martial power appeared, lifting the Formation Master back to his feet.
She was angry, but only because she was worried about Long Muxi.
And she herself knew that the Formation Master hadn't meant for any of it to happen, so she naturally wouldn't truly punish him.
Though she no longer held the Formation Master accountable, her gaze shifted toward Jia Lingyi.
With a flip of her palm, a golden whip materialized, and she lashed it straight at Jia Lingyi.
Pfft—
The whip cracked down, blood sprayed into the air, and Jia Lingyi's body was lashed cleanly in two.
"Aunt, leave her alive. This person is to be handed over to Chu Feng," Long Muxi quickly called out upon seeing this.