Chapter 16

Chen Zhao's heart sank. This novel is originally published on TianTian Kan XiaoShuo, offering you a smooth reading experience with error-free, properly ordered chapters.

Previous divination omens at least revealed who was responsible, but this time they were unexpectedly vague.

"Is it due to great misfortune, or is there another hidden cause?"

He rubbed his chin, utterly baffled.

Unfortunately, the sect had issued an order he could not refuse—he could only enter the situation first, then break it.

Fortunately, the "cause of death" had already been identified; he needed to prepare some antidote pills.

Half a month later, Chen Zhao gathered twenty-four bottles of Qi Gathering Powder and arrived at Wan Bao Lou.

He exchanged them for exactly one hundred and sixty-eight Low-grade Spirit Stones.

Unfortunately, Wan Bao Lou did not sell Spirit Pill Prescriptions; he could only obtain one First-grade Mid-tier Warm Sun Pill, several Healing Pills, and a Jade Slip containing the Concealment Technique.

He also spent one hundred and forty-five Low-grade Spirit Stones to purchase two Low-grade Magical Tools.

Qingfeng Blade: a blade-shaped attack Dharma Treasure, long and straight, with perfect balance and decent quality.

Golden Cicada Robe: a protective Dharma Treasure capable of withstanding attacks from Qi Refining Mid-stage cultivators, prized for its lightness and concealment—it could be worn underneath clothing, feeling like nothing at all.

Both were crafted by Chen Qingmeng.

He possesses a Second-grade Refining Master's lineage; his items are of higher quality than those on the first floor of Wan Bao Lou.

Chen Zhao had originally intended to shamelessly borrow these two Dharma Treasures, but since he was not under Su Muqing's command, the owner refused him.

As a result, he now had only twenty-six Low-grade Spirit Stones left.

"Though my Mental Power is exceptional, allowing me to barely wield a Mid-grade Dharma Treasure with only Qi Refining Initial Stage cultivation, the Spirit Qi consumption is enormous—better to use Low-grade Dharma Treasures and supplement them with Talismans."

He sought out Liu Chen.

He lavished praise upon the other, speaking for a full half-hour.

Liu Chen was deeply flattered, his grim face breaking into a smile.

In exchange, he obtained three Thunder Arc Talismans and one Deceleration Talisman.

Thunder Arc Talismans could paralyze enemies and were especially effective against Yin-type targets, while Deceleration Talismans slowed their targets.

In total, four First-grade Low-grade Talismans cost him twelve Low-grade Spirit Stones.

Liu Chen's lineage was strong; the Talismans' quality was flawless.

Another half-month passed.

Chen Zhao completed the consecration and refined some Soul-Returning Pills and Bigu Dan.

He met with Liu Chen and the others at the sect gate.

Of the six present, besides himself, Liu Chen, and Zhao Dehai, all were acquaintances from Su Wanyao's group.

Also present was the dusty and disheveled Zheng Daocai, assigned to lead the way.

This is bad.

Chen Zhao scanned the group.

All members from the original "slay beast" mission, except Su Wanyao, were here.

I hope we don't find another ancient Cave Abode!

"The wind rises, clouds fly high—how can we find brave warriors to guard the four corners? These robbers must be exterminated—only without Robber Cultivators can there be peace!"

Zhao Dehai held the Token and rallied the group:

"This is the Silver Talisman of Command."

"Anyone who disobeys orders or slacks off will be reported afterward, and punished by the Discipline Hall."

Then he ordered them to set out.

The group rode horses through the night, arriving at the outskirts of Fulong Mountain within five days.

The outskirts had few demon beasts and Spirit Medicines, but the terrain was complex and ideal for ambushes.

"Zheng, did you get ambushed right here?"

Zhao Dehai looked around, frowning.

The area was densely wooded and a necessary route—perfect for setting an ambush.

After a moment's thought, he chuckled softly:

"Let's use you as bait to lure the Robber Cultivators here, then we'll set the trap."

According to intelligence:

None of the Robber Cultivators were Qi Refining Fifth Layer, and though numerous, they couldn't catch up to Zheng Daocai.

But—

Zheng Daocai had just escaped from Robber Cultivators, and now hearing he was to be bait again, he gritted his teeth.

Yet among the six, Zhao Dehai was the strongest and held the Token—he had no choice but to comply.

He sighed.

Shouldering his bamboo basket, pretending to be a medicinal apprentice, he walked into the mountains.

Chen Zhao leapt onto a tree branch.

He did not use the Concealment Technique.

The Spirit Qi concentration here was lower than at the sect; recovery was too slow.

This mission rewarded based on kill counts, and all these people had histories of internal conflict—if they started fighting over heads...

He needed to conserve Spirit Qi for self-preservation.

One hour later.

Shadows moved through the forest, dust rising.

Everyone activated the Concealment Technique, waiting for the moment.

Only then did Zheng Daocai lead the charge, leaping among the treetops, while five streaks of light followed closely behind him.

Chen Zhao looked out.

All five Robber Cultivators wore hoods covering their faces; from their qi signatures, they were all familiar faces from the gathering outside the city.

Long unseen, two of them had reached Qi Refining Fourth Layer—no doubt they'd made a fortune through plunder.

The leader drew nearer, forming a hand seal and launching a Wind Thorn.

In an instant.

The gale-force wind had reached three inches behind Zheng Daocai's back.

Boom!

No one moved to help.

Zheng Daocai was blasted backward.

Zhao Dehai finally roared and charged forward, facing two Qi Refining Fourth Layer cultivators head-on.

Seeing the tide turn, the Robber Cultivators scattered in panic—but were immediately surrounded.

Taking advantage of the chaos, Chen Zhao pulled out the Qingfeng Blade and slashed straight at the back of a tall, thin man.

The man was only Qi Refining Second Layer; he hadn't even reacted—how could he resist the power of a Dharma Treasure?

The blade cut through like bamboo split by a knife, piercing his chest without a trace of spiritual force.

Chen Zhao kicked off the tall man's body and retreated.

The man reached for medicine in his Storage Bag—only to realize his waist was empty—and died in bitter resentment.

The rest were locked in chaotic combat; the Robber Cultivators hurled spells in all directions, while the sect disciples conserved their spiritual power.

"Monster! How dare you kill my third brother!"

Among the Robber Cultivators, a slender woman's eyes turned red; she flung three Fireball Talismans. Chen Zhao chuckled softly, stepped on her shoulder, and leapt over her.

Yet the woman did not rage—she smiled instead, seizing the moment he dodged, burning her essence to flee at top speed.

Zing!

A Purple Blue Long Sword unsheathed, its Qi Refining Fourth Layer spiritual pressure pinning the woman in place.

One strike, one death.

Chen Zhao was slightly startled, and turned to look.

It was Liu Chen.

This man, wielding a long-sword Dharma Treasure, moved through the Robber Cultivators, having already severed two heads.

In an instant.

Three Robber Cultivators lay dead on the spot; only Zhao Dehai remained, fighting two alone.

The two Robber Cultivators had never wished to fight; seeing the tide had turned, they both burned their essence and fled in separate directions.

Zhao Dehai launched a Wind Blade, beheading one Robber Cultivator—but when he turned back, the other had already vanished far away.

Count the enemy heads.

One Qi Refining Fourth Layer, two Qi Refining Third Layer, the rest were all Qi Refining Second Layer.

Nine more needed to be slain to complete the mission.

Robber Cultivators had chaotic spiritual energy and unstable foundations; even at the same level, they couldn't match sect disciples—let alone when the sect had both level and numerical advantages.

Seeing the mission go so smoothly, the group began chatting and laughing.

Liu Chen had the most kills and had just advanced to Qi Refining Fourth Layer—he naturally became the center of attention.

Everyone lavished praise upon him; Liu Chen basked in the glory.

Except Zheng Daocai and Chen Zhao.

Zheng Daocai's face was as dark as water—he'd been forced by circumstance to act as bait, yet when he was attacked, not one of them moved to help.

He himself was unharmed, but a deep sense of injustice choked him.

This bitterness felt familiar.

Chen Zhao was different.

On paper, this mission seemed easy enough.

The strongest among them was only Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

But he knew these Robber Cultivators had all attended that gathering.

And at that gathering, there were three Qi Refining Fifth Layer cultivators!

Not to mention the withered old woman whose cultivation was utterly inscrutable.

Chen Zhao always prepared for the worst.

If they had moved, the six of them would have been nothing but snacks.