Chapter 104

His spiritual sense exceeded 160 zhàng, far surpassing that of ordinary late Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Using the Earth Escape Technique to shuttle underground, Yunhe made a certain judgment about his own spiritual sense.

Moreover, not only was it far-reaching, the intensity of his spiritual sense was such that even some late Foundation Establishment cultivators could not detect it.

This was not his random guess, but a judgment based on the actual situation.

Because at this very moment, within his spiritual sense, there was a late Foundation Establishment cultivator!

He was not a cultivator of the Qingzong Sect, nor a demonic cultivator, but rather a late Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Spirit Beast Sect.

He himself had late Foundation Establishment cultivation base, not to mention, he was accompanied by a mighty demonic beast, the Twin‑Horn Rhinoceros Golden Turtle, which likewise possessed late Second Stage strength.

This demonic beast was precisely his spirit beast.

The two cooperated with seamless coordination, and with the Spirit Beast Sect's various beast‑enhancing arts, they exhibited a combat power where one plus one was greater than two.

Such a configuration, even among many late Foundation Establishment cultivators, could be considered fairly top‑tier.

Meanwhile, this Spirit Beast Sect cultivator was jointly pursuing three demonic cultivators together with Yunhe's two senior brothers—Huá Lín, who had mid‑Foundation Establishment cultivation base, and Chén Qí, who had early Foundation Establishment cultivation base.

The strength of these three demonic cultivators was not weak either; one of them was also a late Foundation Establishment cultivator, while the other two were early Foundation Establishment cultivators.

From their exchange, Yunhe discerned some of the reason.

It turned out that the late Foundation Establishment cultivator of the Spirit Beast Sect was named Xiāo Qǐyuǎn, the grandson of a Supreme Elder of the Spirit Beast Sect; he had been chasing two early Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators to this point, never expecting it to be an ambush—the late Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator suddenly sprang out and caught him off guard.

Later, Huá Lín and Chén Qí of the Qingzong Sect arrived; they not only helped Xiāo Qǐyuǎn stabilize the situation, but the three of them also launched a counter‑pursuit against the three demonic cultivators.

Most importantly.

That late Foundation Establishment demonic cultivator was actually originally a disciple of the Spirit Beast Sect, but due to certain reasons he had defected and fallen into the demonic path; this time he came deliberately to lure Xiāo Qǐyuǎn out, to avenge the humiliation he suffered in the Spirit Beast Sect years ago.

Of course, when these words came from Xiāo Qǐyuǎn's mouth, they meant something else.

"Wei Ming, all of that back then was due to your greed for the sect's techniques, framing fellow sect members; it was entirely your own doing, and even though I gave you a way out, you never repented."

"You're full of shit!"

Before Xiāo Qǐyuǎn could finish speaking, Wèi Míng's face flushed red as he angrily shouted and cut him off.

While fleeing, he simultaneously repelled Xiāo Qǐyuǎn's Twin‑Horn Rhinoceros Golden Turtle and shouted angrily:

"That technique originally belonged to my Wei family; I offered it to the Spirit Beast Sect! But what did I get in return? My Wei family declined midway due to an accident, and a son of my Wei family actually cannot obtain this technique from the sect!"

Xiāo Qǐyuǎn likewise refused to back down, saying:

"Although this matter was not initiated by our generation, as far as I know, your Wei family rose to the upper echelons of the sect thanks to that contribution and has since reaped countless benefits—isn't that a form of repayment?"

The more they spoke, the more heated they became.

But for the most part it was each side claiming its own right, making it hard to tell who was right or wrong at the moment.

On the other hand, Huá Lín and Chén Qí focused on dealing with the two early Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators and had already gained a considerable advantage.

And between Xiāo Qǐyuǎn and Wèi Míng, Xiāo Qǐyuǎn held the upper hand.

One could say that, given a little more time, the three of them at least had a chance to slay those two early Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators, while Wèi Míng likely still had some means to preserve his life, making it unwise to let him go.

"Something's off."

Yunhe, hiding underground via the Earth Escape Technique, sensed a hint of something amiss.

Clearly they were at a disadvantage, yet those two early Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators remained solemn and unpanicked; if it were a late‑stage cultivator like Wèi Míng, that might be understandable, but it is abnormal for early Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Yunhe's mind conjured the route he had taken all the way here.

Although the opponent was worn out from responding, their escape direction showed no disorder.

"So, they have a backup plan, and it might lie along their retreat route!"

With that thought, Yunhe furrowed his brow.

After a brief consideration, he decided to intervene.

As long as the battle ends before they reach the trap site, the danger should be minimal.

Moreover, Huá Lín and Chén Qí are fellow sect cultivators; if they were to die strangely here while I did nothing, the sect's law enforcement hall would likely come looking for a talk afterward.

Huáng Líng's death might be excusable, but this time it probably won't fly.

Having made the decision, Yunhe did not hesitate.

He pushed the Turtle Breath Body Forging Technique to its limit, and his earth‑escape speed suddenly surged.

He arrived upon the retreat path of the three demonic cultivators.

Waiting for them to draw near.

His voice suddenly rang out beside Huá Lín and Chén Qí's ears.

"Senior Brother Huá, Senior Brother Chén, these three are leading you into a trap—I'll come to your aid!"

Hearing the voice, Huá Lín and Chén Qí were startled, then showed delight, but quickly composed themselves.

To be frank, Huá Lín and Chén Qí had also vaguely sensed something amiss, but being focused on the fight, they lacked Yunhe's clear observation.

At this moment, hearing Yunhe's mental transmission, their hearts gave a slight start, and they realized the perfect moment had arrived!

Huá Lín and Chén Qí exchanged a glance.

The next second.

The two erupted simultaneously, unleashing their respective strongest and most proficient techniques.

They launched a fierce assault!

As the opponents of the two, those two demonic cultivators were also startled, not understanding why they suddenly began fighting desperately.

Although some were caught off guard, they did not panic.

However, as they dealt with Huá Lín and Chén Qí's sudden burst, a figure silently appeared behind them.

A massive water‑condensed bracelet hovered into existence out of thin air.

Xuanwu Bracelet!

This sudden rear ambush—let alone those two early Foundation Establishment demonic cultivators, even the late Foundation Establishment Wèi Míng failed to notice.

Boom!!

A dull thud sounded, and one of the early Foundation Establishment demon cultivators didn't even have time to react before being smashed to death by a single strike of the Black Tortoise Bracelet.

"Top-grade Spiritual Artifact!"

Another early Foundation Establishment demon cultivator shouted in surprise, slapped his chest, and immediately a surging black aura appeared.

"Top-grade Spiritual Artifact?"

The cultivators present were somewhat surprised, especially Hualin and Chenqi.

"Damn it!"

Weiming shouted angrily and slapped his waist Spirit Beast Bag.

Immediately a mid-stage Second Stage gray-white moth lunged at Yunhe.

Xiao Qiyuan's eyes flickered, his gaze with deep meaning sweeping over Yunhe and the Black Tortoise Bracelet.

Noticing Weiming's movement, Xiao Qiyuan, wielding the Twin-horned Rhinoceros Golden Turtle, tried to block, but was stopped by a spell Weiming cast.

And Yunhe's divine sense, which covered this place, naturally noticed the movements of Weiming and the others over there, his brows slightly furrowed.

Yet he paid no heed, again forming a seal that landed on the Black Tortoise Bracelet, and lowly shouted:

"Two senior brothers!"

Hualin and Chenqi understood.

He then slapped Hualin's storage bag, throwing out a golden weed-like magical artifact, but after forming the seal it turned into a giant net that covered the demon cultivator's escape route.

Chenqi then spat a mouthful of misty spiritual energy onto his spiritual artifact flying sword; the sword light surged and he slashed at the gray-white moth rushing toward Yunhe.

At the same moment, Yunhe's Black Tortoise Bracelet fiercely smashed into the demon cultivator who had employed an escape secret technique but was caught by the net.

Boom!!

The black aura scattered, and the demon cultivator wrapped within was inevitably slain in a single strike!

Meanwhile, the gray-white moth, facing the giant sword Chenqi slashed, waved its huge wings and scattered a large amount of phosphor powder.

As soon as the giant sword touched the phosphor powder, it emitted a 'hissing' sound.

Seeing this, Chenqi was startled, hastily recalling his flying sword, only to see that its originally sharp blade now bore a patch of rust.

He revealed a pained expression.

However, his slight hindrance also bought Yunhe some time.

He formed seals to cast the Water Escape Technique, evading the gray-white moth's attack while again continuously and swiftly forming seals to pour into the Black Tortoise Bracelet.

In the gap, he even didn't forget to snatch up two storage bags.

For a moment.

This spiritual artifact's power greatly increased.

After tracing a splendid arc in midair, it directly smashed toward the gray-white moth.

Seeing this, the gray-white moth tried to imitate the maneuver, but was startled when the Black Tortoise Bracelet drew near.

The water on this bracelet actually isn't afraid of phosphor powder?!

However, Weiming's reaction speed was also quick.

He immediately activated an unknown talisman, barely blocking the Black Tortoise Bracelet's strike for the gray-white moth.

Seeing this, Yunhe furrowed his brows.

He looked toward Xiao Qiyuan.

He saw Xiao Qiyuan's embarrassed face.

He also realized he had failed to restrain the opponent, causing Yunhe's originally continuous series of attacks to come to an abrupt halt.

Nevertheless, regardless of what is said, this ambush yielded brilliant results.

"Junior Brother Yun!"

"Junior Brother Yun!"

Hualin and Chenqi both immediately landed beside Yunhe, looking at him with great excitement.

Unexpectedly, this low-profile fellow sect junior brother not only possesses a top-grade spiritual artifact but also such combat ability.

Even as a sneak attack, being able to kill two early Foundation Establishment demon cultivators in a single blow each is already very formidable.

After all, in their eyes, Yunhe at this moment is merely an early Foundation Establishment cultivator.

"In this battle, Junior Brother Yun shall be credited with the chief merit!" Hualin said solemnly.

Chenqi opened his mouth, but for a moment didn't know what to say, only after hesitating did he utter a sentence.

"Junior Brother Yun, awesome!"

The resentful energy that had been guarding Yunhe earlier completely dissipated at this moment.

Because he clearly realizes he is probably not Yunhe's match.

When facing someone stronger than oneself, one inevitably unconsciously arouses complex emotions such as fear and awe.

Without waiting for Yunhe to speak, Xiao Qiyuan shouted loudly:

"Three junior brothers, come quickly help me slay this person! This person is a late Foundation Establishment demon cultivator of the Netherfire Sect; killing him will surely earn great merit!"

Hearing this, Hualin and Chenqi showed signs of being moved, while Weiming opposite them had a dark green face, glaring hatefully at Yunhe and the two.

"Senior Brother Huai, Junior Brother Yun, look" Chenqi couldn't help but ask.

"I, as the elder brother, feel."

Before Hualin's words were finished, Yunhe's expression suddenly turned grim, and he lowly shouted:

"Go!"

Having said that, he immediately formed seals.

This left Hualin and Chenqi astonished.

Even if I don't help, I still have to break through the formation, right?

But Yunhe had no intention of explaining at all.

Or rather, there simply wasn't any time to explain.

Boom—

Not far off in the woods, a stone pillar several zhang thick, carved with gorgeous patterns, suddenly thrust up from the earth.

The faint halo of light spreading out actually caused Yunhe's Earth Escape Technique to fail!

After another attempt failed, Yunhe's expression grew solemn; before he could continue acting, he heard Wei Ming's voice.

"Not bad situational awareness—it actually forced me to resort to this method ahead of time."

As he spoke, he slowly put away the ancient-looking token in his hand.

Yunhe had earlier, relying on his superior divine sense, noticed the oddness in his movements, which made him want to leave immediately, but it seemed he was still a step too late.

【Formation? The range is this huge?】

Yunhe glanced at the massive stone pillar.

To be honest, I had considered that the trap might be a formation, so I had earlier scanned with my divine sense but found nothing—until I saw that the opponent now held a strange token.

Sorry, I'm a bit late.

(End of chapter)