Chapter 12: Taking Advantage of Someone's Peril

Cang Li fell silent for a moment, then returned the beast pellet to Yuan Yao.

Keep it for yourself.

Yuan Yao raised her eyebrows, then affected a yin-yang tone: "As it turns out, Third Senior Brother looks down on my hard-won beast pellet; in that case, I'll take it back."

Upon hearing that, Cang Li snatched the beast pellet back, then quickly stored it in his storage space.

He raised his hand and lightly tapped her forehead, "Stop talking nonsense."

Yuan Yao, however, couldn't help but laugh.

The two walked side by side.

Cang Li silently slowed his pace, he looked up and said, "This place is like an underground labyrinth; finding the exit is difficult."

An underground labyrinth?

Well, I entered Wuduan Mijing together with Second Senior Sister and the others, but during the transmission we got separated. I was transmitted to this place, and already half a day has passed, yet I still haven't found the exit.

Can't find the exit?" Yuan Yao stroked her chin, thought for a moment, then smiled: "Since we can't find the real exit, why don't we create another one?"

You mean...

Yuan Yao extended her index finger, pointed above their heads, and astonishingly said, "Blasting through here should reach the surface."

Cang Li's face showed surprise, his eyes lit up.

This plan is great!

Yuan Yao, however, said: "It's good, but I have two concerns: first, whether we can really blast through here using the power of a high-grade magical artifact; second, whether blasting this place would cause the entire underground labyrinth to collapse. If the labyrinth collapses, wouldn't that kill many cultivators?"

"That's also true." Upon hearing that, Cang Li nodded in agreement.

Can we dig through the opening?

You dig?

Yuan Yao smiled: "You dig."

Cang Li's face darkened: "Yuan Yao, even tricking a senior brother isn't this low."

Finally, the two exchanged a glance and silently abandoned that unrealistic idea.

They honestly went to look for the exit of the underground labyrinth.

As they walked, Cang Li said: "It's said that within Wuduan Mijing lies the tomb of a Body Integration Realm expert. That tomb contains countless secret treasures, and what people most covet is a Saint-grade Sword Manual."

"A Saint-grade Sword Manual?" Yuan Yao raised her eyebrows slightly.

In the cultivation world, the grades of cultivation techniques and combat skills, from low to high, are: Yellow Grade, Mystic Grade, Earth Grade, Heaven Grade, Saint Grade, Divine Grade, Legendary Grade.

In the Ninth Province, an Earth-grade Sword Manual is already rare, let alone a Saint-grade one!

Cang Li tilted his head to look at her, "Do you want it?"

"Want." Which sword cultivator wouldn't want it?

Cang Li said, asking for a beating: "Just think about it and be done with it."

As soon as his words fell, Yuan Yao kicked him.

Cang Li took her kick, but wasn't angry, only explaining: "I'm doing this for your own good; even if you could obtain the Saint-grade Sword Manual, you might not be able to protect yourself. You'd likely bring disaster upon yourself. Besides, even your master might not be able to protect you."

"The innocent are blamed for carrying precious jade."

This is the norm in the cultivation world.

"I understand." Yuan Yao glanced at him.

Cang Li said: "You really understand?"

Yuan Yao nodded.

Seeing that, Cang Li finally put his mind at ease, wondering why the Little Junior Sister had suddenly decided to leave the sect and go out for training.

If he could choose, Cang Li would rather the Little Junior Sister continue living carefree in the sect as she used to.

Because outside the Carefree Sect, the world is full of deceit and the strong prey on the weak; a little carelessness will plunge one into an irredeemable situation.

They walked for half an hour, yet still couldn't find the exit.

Just then——

A fierce fighting sound came from ahead.

Yuan Yao and Cang Li exchanged a glance, then the two silently crept up close to the wall.

Only to see that not far ahead, the dark passage was no longer, but rather a place resembling an altar; upon the steps stood a forge-made altar of ten-thousand-year mystic iron, at its center set a top-grade spirit stone flashing with brilliant light.

At this moment, the few people fighting were clearly targeting this top-grade spirit stone for contention.

This top-grade spirit stone is worth a thousand low-grade spirit stones!

"Do you people of the Chixiao Sect not understand first come, first served?!" a young female cultivator in green clothes snapped through gritted teeth.

The young man with a square face opposite them snorted, "Heh, we only know the principle that the capable occupy."

"Despicable and shameless!" another male cultivator in green clothes cursed.

"You people of the Qingyun Sect only know how to wag your tongues."

Yuan Yao identified their identities.

This pair of green-clad man and woman came from the Qingyun Sect, while the other three blue-robed young men came from the Chixiao Sect.

At that moment, Yuan Yao's sea of consciousness indeed sounded the voice of the 250 System.

These five people are all her targets to conquer.

Yuan Yao looked toward Cang Li.

But she saw Cang Li give her a gesture, signaling her to hide.

Meanwhile, Yuan Yao heard noisy footsteps behind her.

She turned around and saw a large crowd coming over.

Cang Li obviously hadn't expected this either; he quickly grabbed Yuan Yao's arm, pulling her to stand behind him.

Afterwards, Cang Li pressed his palms together, smiling as he greeted, "Hello, fellow cultivators!"

The cultivators also saw the silhouettes of Cang Li and Yuan Yao, with Yuan Yao hidden behind Cang Li, completely concealed.

In their eyes, Cang Li was merely a handsome young man.

The young man had slanting sword-brows, eyes like bright stars, red lips and white teeth; his light smile revealed a suave, unrestrained charm.

Someone recognized Cang Li.

"He is the third disciple of the Carefree Sect's Senior Elder, Cang Li!"

Upon hearing this, everyone's expressions shifted slightly, and they felt wary.

The leading green-clad maiden spoke: "Cang Li, you had better not miss this year's Ninth Province sect tournament!"

"Do you know me?" Cang Li blinked in surprise.

Hearing that, the green-clad maiden's face instantly darkened.

Three years ago at the sect tournament, she was the one he knocked off the stage, yet he doesn't even remember her!

The green-clad maiden snorted coldly, "Listen up, I am the daughter of the Heavenly Cloud Sect's sect master, Weng Mingshu. Now I challenge you!"

As she spoke, she had already drawn her sword, a cold light flashing.

She lunged at Cang Li with extreme speed.

"Wait!" Cang Li reached out.

Weng Mingshu forced herself to stop, looking at him in confusion.

Cang Li said solemnly, "I haven't prepared myself mentally, so you're taking advantage of my vulnerability!"

Weng Mingshu's brow twitched.

"I'll give you time to prepare!" Having run into him today, she would absolutely not pass up this chance to probe Cang Li's strength.

Cang Li pressed his palms together, let out a soft sigh, "No need, thank you."

Weng Mingshu: "... You're toying with me?!"

Weng Mingshu suddenly noticed the girl he was protecting behind him, her eyes narrowing slightly, "Who is that person behind you? Why won't you show yourself?"

Cang Li replied without changing expression, "Who she is is none of your business."