Chapter 44: Departure (Please Keep Reading and Collect!)

The market has a mountain-protecting grand formation; how could it possibly be broken so easily?

I don't know why.

Yunhe suddenly recalled that Shi-surnamed cultivator who wandered all day at the edge of the market's safety zone.

He also recalled Wei Qingfei, who led the Extermination Team and roamed the market's outskirts.

Especially that black water banner, a demonic cultivator's magical artifact of unknown origin belonging to Wei Qingfei.

Moreover, the market patrol team's activities became frequent, supplies of goods in the market's shops were insufficient, and there were changes within the Wang Clan.

It seemed many things were foreshadowing the occurrence of this event.

But when the event actually appeared, shock was still unavoidable.

The Wang Clan, which had governed the River Gully Market for decades, had a Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator holding the fort inside and a mountain-protecting grand formation protecting it outside—could it really be defeated so easily?

However, Yunhe's shock was nothing compared to Wang Jinglan's.

Just a moment ago, she had been full of vigor due to her imminent cultivation breakthrough; now she stood at the prow of the green bamboo boat, her expression dazed.

Just went out for a trip, and the home is gone?

Immediately, Wang Jinglan's delicate body trembled, as if she had suddenly thought of something; her voice squeezed out from between her teeth, even faintly carrying a hint of sobbing.

"Uncle!"

"Uncle?"

Hearing Wang Jinglan's words, Yunhe's pupils contracted slightly, then he showed a look of sudden realization.

It turned out to also be related to internal affairs of the Wang Clan.

For a cultivator clan's existence, compared to a cultivator sect, what is its greatest reliance?

It is the unity of blood-related kin, a blood relationship stronger than the fellowship among sect disciples.

But when an irreconcilable conflict arises within a cultivator clan and thus leads to strife, that clan's demise may not be far off.

Seeing Wang Jinglan about to steer the green bamboo boat forward, Yunhe involuntarily spoke:

"That... Fellow Daoist Wang."

"Huh?"

Wang Jinglan turned her head, her gaze toward Yunhe full of coldness, but she soon startled, took a deep breath.

"Fellow Daoist Yun, this matter has nothing to do with you; you'd better not get involved."

Saying that, she shoved two talismans over.

Yunhe opened his mouth, but for a moment didn't know what to say; he merely let out a soft sigh and then leapt down from the green bamboo boat.

Gazing at the green bamboo boat heading toward the River Gully Market where flames rose, Yunhe softly murmured:

"Take care, Fellow Daoist Wang."

What entered Yunhe's sight was the myriad facets of life.

Under the blood-red light cast by the flames, the entire market fell into chaos.

Everyone was running.

However, some faces showed excitement, restlessness, distortion.

This bore no resemblance to fleeing disaster; instead, it looked like they were eager to join a long-planned gluttonous feast.

The distant rumbling continued, as if heaven and earth were boiling.

Looting, spell battles, slaughter—no longer limited to the Wang Clan and the attackers, they spread to every cultivator present.

Even Yunhe felt something stirring within him at this moment.

But just as he subconsciously took two steps forward,

Boom!!

He saw not far from the market's center, where smoke and mist intertwined, a dark-blue giant sword looming like a mountain, appearing out of thin air and then crashing down with a roar.

Crack—crack—crack—

The ground split open into huge, bottomless chasms, and the shockwave's aftershocks swept outward in all directions.

"Hahaha—Old Wang ghost, I guessed you were still alive!"

From afar, a wantonly arrogant voice came.

"Hmph!!"

A cold snort seemed to ring in everyone's ears.

It was precisely because of this sound that Yunhe was suddenly jolted awake.

"Foundation Establishment Great Cultivator!"

Afterward, Yunhe saw several flying boats speed out from within the market.

"This matter has nothing to do with my Cinnabar Cauldron Workshop!"

"My Hundred Refines Pavilion did not participate!"

"."

Some large shops in the market withdrew one after another, putting up their own signs to try to reduce trouble.

"Fellow Daoists, why rush off so hastily? Better wait until this affair settles, then have a cup of celebration wine before leaving—it's not too late!"

Yet those shop signs were useless; they were still intercepted.

Moreover, those who intercepted them appeared to be a Foundation Establishment cultivator bearing a huge banner.

Seeing this, Yunhe knew his hesitation to move forward could end.

The truly valuable things in the market had long been eyed by the force that attacked the market.

Even if they loot amid the chaos, they can only snatch some small shops.

But the risks they face are immeasurable.

Encountering cultivators at late Qi Refinement, perfected, or even Foundation Establishment stage is possible.

Realizing this, Yunhe completely extinguished the thought of entering the market again.

He turned and left.

"I have a Demon Beast Body, with abundant lifespan. Moreover, as my cultivation base rises, the quality of what can be transmitted between the two bodies will also increase, so there is no need to take such a great risk."

However.

Fleeing does not mean one will not be dragged into the chaos.

Swish!!

Just like this moment.

Yunhe unhesitatingly slashed his sword across the neck of a cultivator trying to block him.

At the same time, he skillfully and effortlessly snatched the opponent's storage bag.

"The Azure Scale Sword is indeed much sharper than the Golden Killer Sword."

What he held in his hand was precisely the middle-grade Magical Artifact flying sword, the Azure Scale Sword, gifted by Wang Jinglan.

"Although it does not match my spiritual root and cultivation method attributes, the advantage brought by its grade and level still far surpasses the Golden Killer Sword."

His footsteps did not stop.

This was already the fifth cultivator he had disposed of with ease, and also the third storage bag he had obtained.

"I feel that the Eight-Bag Elder is not far away."

The wind carried hot waves, howling as it passed.

"Big Brother, I see that kid has hunted quite a lot."

At that moment, a black iron boat flew through the air, with two cultivators standing on it, their gazes continually scanning the fleeing cultivators, specifically seeking out wealthier cultivators to plunder.

And Yunhe, who had already endured several collisions yet remained spry, was targeted by them.

"What cultivation base?"

"Big Brother," the muscular man with arms crossed, controlling the flying boat, asked in a deep, resonant voice.

"Hey."

The slender man who had spoken earlier, with a ferocious scar running from his forehead to the tip of his nose, said rather smugly:

"That kid doesn't know what spell he used to conceal his cultivation base, but just now when he made his move I used a Reveal Spirit Talisman and found he is at Qi Refinement Fifth Layer."

The burly man narrowed his eyes, grinning broadly, and said:

"Good, let's attack!"

Immediately, the black iron boat pursued Yunhe.

"Huh?"

Yunhe, while running, sensed something was off.

He glanced behind and saw a flying boat hovering in midair.

His heart sank instantly.

He took two Reveal Spirit Talismans from his storage bag and ignited them with a wave of his hand.

"Both are mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivators, at the sixth layer."

Yunhe secretly let out a breath of relief.

Even.

"A flying boat!"

Seeing that Yunhe had discovered them, the two no longer bothered to conceal themselves.

They fully drove the flying boat to give chase.

But Yunhe had no intention of paying them any heed, and dove straight into the woods.

"Chase!"

Seeing this, the two bandit cultivators exchanged a glance and, without hesitation, pursued.

After entering the forest for a distance, the commotion from the distant market faded, no other cultivators were around, and Yunhe's steps slowed.

At the same time, the flying boat finally caught up to him.

"Hey, kid, pretty smart, knowing to run into the woods to avoid the flying boat, but your speed, tsk tsk," the slender cultivator jeered, his face full of mockery.

"Gentlemen, I have no grudge with you; how about letting me go?"

Yunhe narrowed his eyes and said.

The burly man looked at him, faintly sensing something was off.

After a brief ponder, he said:

"Very well, if you place all your storage bags on the ground, my brother and I will—"

But before he could finish his words, an extremely dense buzzing sound came from all directions.

The burly man's face changed abruptly.

The slender cultivator also widened his eyes, glaring angrily.

This fellow, though appearing kind on the surface, shows no hesitation when he strikes, actually deliberately drawing their attention to launch a sneak attack.

He is almost more like a bandit cultivator than they are.

However, the two are also seasoned veterans; although caught off guard, their reaction speed is not slow at all.

The burly man formed a seal, his mana surging, and soon a layer of protection resembling pangolin armor coiled around the flying boat.

While the slender cultivator flicked his storage bag, six ink-black willow-leaf flying knives shot out, their sound tearing through the air.

It turned out to be a complete set of magical artifacts.

Quite evident.

The two opponents worked together seamlessly.

One defends while the other attacks.

They planned for the sturdy man to fend off the bee swarm while the gaunt cultivator would deal with Yunhe.

But Yunhe, who had prepared to meet the enemy, how could he possibly only arrange this one move?

While the two were activating their techniques and magical artifacts, he without hesitation took out a black small banner from his storage bag.

Black Water Banner!

Although it is a demonic cultivator's magical artifact, now that River Gully Market is gone and there is no one around, as long as we kill these two, no one will know.

Moreover, given the current situation, even if someone noticed, they could do nothing about him.

Quickly dealing with the opponents and then fleeing the scene is the top priority.

Splish-splash—

In an instant, the black water surged.

"Black Water Banner?!"

"How is that possible?!"

What surprised Yunhe somewhat was that these two bandit cultivators instantly recognized the "Black Water Banner," their faces filled with astonishment.

But now is obviously not the time to think about these problems.

The sudden "Black Water Banner" indeed caught the two bandit cultivators off guard; the gaunt cultivator didn't even have time to retrieve his magical artifact, and that set of flying knives was swept into chaos by the black water.

Hiss—

Likewise, the technique upheld by the sturdy man was also washed away by the black water.

Both men showed looks of horror.

No one expected that Yunhe, who was only at the fifth layer of Qi Refinement, would pull out a high-grade magical artifact.

And it was precisely the "Black Water Banner" that so restrains cultivators.

As the black water surged past, the sturdy man's defensive technique became shattered and ruined.

The Red Pattern Spirit Bees, which had long been poised to attack, surged forward under the leadership of the bee king.

Both men simultaneously unleashed the "Diamond Talisman."

But they found it had no effect at all.

The protective golden light instantly shattered.

"What kind of bees are these?!"

Only now did they realize that the bee swarm they had not valued was actually Yunhe's greatest trump card.

The two still wanted to struggle, but given the destructive power and eating speed of the Red Pattern Spirit Bees, without the protection of magical artifacts, everything was futile.

A red cloud flashed by.

Only two bloody, mangled corpses remained.

Yunhe hurried forward, grabbed the two storage bags, picked up the flying knives on the ground, and also a black boat the size of a palm.

Fortunately, without magical power to sustain it, the flying boat returned to its original size; otherwise he wouldn't know how to carry it away.

After doing all this, Yunhe then completely vanished into the mountains and forests.

By this point, River Gully Market probably had little to do with him anymore.

(End of chapter)