Chapter 297: with translation of chapter title

The number of foreign cultivators entering the Yunshui Realm is growing, and among them are many from the Eighth Continent.

At this moment, dark currents stir in the Two Continents region.

As time passed bit by bit, it gradually grew late into the night.

Meanwhile, Yuan Yao and her three companions, wandering outside the Xue Nu Chang, had seen no movement from the place, and thus they also grew worried.

The messages Song Yan sent them all vanished like stones sunk in the sea, receiving no reply.

Had they not learned from Li Ergen that the tower's basement chamber in the Xue Nu Chang was sealed by a restrictive formation that blocked sending or receiving messages, they would have thought Xiao Lingwei and her four companions had met with misfortune.

But after so long, they still hadn't escaped, indicating they either encountered some danger in the basement chamber or were lying in wait.

Yuan Yao and her companions wandered about while gathering news of the Two Continents region.

In the shadows, some demonic cultivators had set their sights on them.

Because the garments worn by Yuan Yao and her companions were extraordinary, they surely carried considerable wealth.

On a dark, windy night, a few demonic cultivators silently followed Yuan Yao and her group; upon reaching a deserted spot, they revealed themselves and attacked without a word.

Before Yuan Yao could act, Song Yan had already drawn his sword and swung; in an instant, those demonic cultivators lay dead on the ground.

Yuan Yao looked at Song Yan with some surprise.

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

Without needing Yuan Yao to answer, he knew her thoughts and said, "Since demonic cultivators do evil, we as righteous cultivators ought to intervene."

Although Song Yan could sometimes be indecisive or soft-hearted, when facing these sinful demonic cultivators his heart felt no pity, only a steadfastness like a rock.

Yuan Yao said, "Eldest Senior Brother, I admit I hold a slight bias against you."

"I too once held a bias against you." Song Yan sheathed his long sword and sighed, "A few months ago, I didn't believe you would truly apply yourself to cultivation."

The two exchanged a glance and both couldn't help but smile lightly.

Lin Xuechen gave a light cough and said, "To be honest, we aren't entirely sure either."

Yuan Yao raised an eyebrow: "Are you sure now?"

Lin Xuechen nodded: "Sure."

Yuan Yao and her companions waited until the next day, yet still saw no movement from the Xue Nu Chang.

That day happened to be the day the Xue Nu Chang held its auction.

Li Ergen finally managed to obtain four invitation cards, and reluctantly handed them to Yuan Yao and her companions.

"My lords, I have done everything you ordered; I only hope you won't expose me, otherwise I will surely meet a bad end."

Zong Yu'er heard this and snorted coldly: "You've harmed so many people, yet you still hope for a good outcome?"

Li Ergen straightened his expression and retorted, "I too am left with no choice—if others don't die, I must. I admit I am selfish and base, but who in this world doesn't want to live? Do you, my lord, wish to die?"

Zong Yu'er was left speechless.

Yuan Yao glanced coolly at Li Ergen and said, "Being forced into becoming a demonic cultivator?"

Li Ergen felt a chill run through him upon meeting her gaze.

"... Yes." He said, holding his neck stiff.

Yuan Yao let out a soft sigh: "If I were forced to kill you, you wouldn't blame me, would you? After all, I am selfish too."

Li Ergen understood her sarcasm, and his face darkened.

Yuan Yao shifted tone: "Li Ergen, if you are sensible, we will absolutely not kill you."

Upon hearing her assurance, Li Ergen's expression eased somewhat.

"My lord, I know that he who knows the times is a hero; you can rest easy." Li Ergen's attitude toward Yuan Yao also changed—it was no longer mere contempt and scorn, but apprehension and fear.

Lin Xuechen and Zong Yu'er, seeing the junior sister once again discipline this wicked person into obedience, couldn't help but think: the junior sister seems to have changed; formerly gentle and harmless, she now gradually reveals her sharpness, making one dare not look down on her.

Before, the junior sister inspired affection and fondness; now, though she shows her edge, she gives them a sense of reliable security.

Li Ergen whispered, "Yesterday, when I went to exchange the invitation cards, I heard a piece of news: it is said that the grandson of the Water Mirror Immortal Academy's dean, Ao Su, will be auctioned tonight as a 'blood slave,' and many have come for him, since he might know the whereabouts of the other half of the treasure map."

Yuan Yao frowned: "Don't the masters of your Xue Nu Chang know that Ao Su is the fourth disciple of our Carefree Sect's sect leader?"

"That surely means they checked his identity before putting him up for auction." Li Ergen said: "Even though Ao Su is a disciple of the Carefree Sect's sect leader, what does that matter? The master of our Xue Nu Chang is certainly far stronger than your sect leader, and besides, your Carefree Sect has only over three thousand disciples, whereas the Xue Nu Chang's master commands over seven thousand demonic cultivators."

"Even though your Carefree Sect has the Thousand Mountain Immortal Lord, would he really come personally to our Two Continents region for just a single disciple and then unleash a massacre?"

"Unless your sect leader acts foolishly, committing the entire sect's strength against our Xue Nu Chang, ending in mutual ruin—would that be worthwhile?"

"Moreover, that scrawny kid barged into our territory first; he is the prey, we are the hunters, and hunters hunting is perfectly normal." Li Ergen felt this was entirely justified.

These words left Yuan Yao and her three companions silent.

"Unless you can invite the Thousand Mountain Immortal Lord over, have our Xue Nu Chang master give him face, and release that scrawny kid." Li Ergen said.

Without waiting for Yuan Yao and her companions to answer, his tone carried a hint of mockery: "But can you actually summon the Thousand Mountain Immortal Lord?"

The Carefree Sect has many disciples; if every incident required the Thousand Mountain Immortal Lord to personally intervene, wouldn't that be chaos?

Thus, the Thousand Mountain Immortal Lord's reputation would suffer, and it would also cause sect disciples to become arrogant and overbearing, relying on their power to bully others.

Yuan Yao and her companions naturally understood this in their hearts.

Seeing them silent, Li Ergen assumed they could not summon the Thousand Mountain Immortal Lord, so how could they possibly stop that scrawny Ao Su from being auctioned as a blood slave?

If these Carefree Sect disciples were lucky, perhaps they could truly rescue Ao Su.

But even if they managed to rescue Ao Su from the Xue Nu Chang, how could they escape the Two Continents region under the watch of those coveting the treasure map?

Now, Ao Su is a hot potato.

Thinking of this, Li Ergen's face inevitably darkened.

He felt his days were numbered.

Unless these few are willing to hand over the antidote.

Li Ergen said, "If things succeed, will you give me the antidote?"

Yuan Yao saw his resigned attitude and spoke calmly: "The antidote is with my third senior brother; if we succeed in rescuing Brother Ao, I will certainly have him give you the antidote."

"You, these upright people, always keep your word; I trust you," Li Ergeng smiled, and placed them on the moral high ground.