Chapter 451: Waves and Twists

"Senior, such things are common in the world — no need to take it to heart."

Grandpa Zhang followed beside Shen Yi, offering a quiet word of comfort, then said, "I don't know what business you're seeking out Lady Baohua Sect for… don't blame this junior cultivator for speaking out of turn… I may not have much ability, but my information is still well-connected."

He'd just finished a run of goods, made quite a bit, and his channels with Lady Baohua Sect had been cut off again.

With nothing to do, Grandpa Zhang figured he'd try to cozy up to this senior — if there was a chance to be useful, that would naturally be a good thing, and even if there wasn't for now, getting familiar couldn't hurt.

"…"

Shen Yi did not respond, but slowly came to a stop.

He then turned to look at the figure standing far in the distance.

They'd been following him since the Guest-Welcoming Hall… tch, not wearing the Nanyang white robe, signet ring put away, and it's his first time leaving the sect alone — he'd very much like to know why he'd drawn someone's attention.

"Uh."

The young girl had been pricking up her ears to eavesdrop; caught red-handed, she gave two awkward chuckles: "Heh heh."

"I observe that you, Daoist friend, have a bit of a look about you… pah! I mean, an extraordinary bearing, yet you seem to have some worry on your mind — why not share it? I'm also a disciple of Lady Baohua Sect, who knows, I might be able to lend a hand."

She walked over with her hands behind her back, bold and brash.

Hearing this, Grandpa Zhang raised an eyebrow slightly, gave a respectful bow, then silently retreated behind Shen Yi.

The woman's reasoning sounded somewhat absurd.

But judging by his experience… he actually thought it was genuine.

"I wanted to ask about something concerning pill poison."

Shen Yi didn't hold back either — it wasn't exactly some unspeakable secret.

He happened to want to see if there was any way besides Baohua Xianzi.

"Pill poison?"

The young girl examined Shen Yi closely, then instinctively frowned: "Hiss! Where's this a case of pill poison — it's clearly a person grown on top of pill poison."

As her words fell, she suddenly rolled her eyes: "But the methods of my Lady Baohua Sect are renowned far and wide — one Lady Baohua Pill and I can at least help you ease thirty percent of it. Though what are you planning to trade for it?"

Hearing the name Lady Baohua Pill,

both Grandpa Zhang and Liu Jun's expressions shifted slightly — to ordinary people, this thing was practically a divine elixir, something only heard of in legends.

How did it sound, coming from this girl's mouth, as if she could actually produce one?

"What would you, Daoist friend, like to trade for it?"

Shen Yi noticed the change in expression on the two beside him; a touch more seriousness finally entered his eyes as he looked back at the woman.

The girl waved her hand, smiling brightly as she declined: "That Lady Baohua Pill is way too expensive — I can't afford to trade for it. Earn it yourself. The two of us team up to handle jobs for Lady Baohua Sect, I earn some reputation and contribution points, and the pill goes to you."

"How about it?"

"Senior…" Grandpa Zhang quietly shook his head at Shen Yi.

Setting aside whether something like the Lady Baohua Pill could really be obtained by running errands for the sect,

even if one did manage to trade for it, who could guarantee this woman wouldn't go back on her word?

When the time came, she'd just hole up inside the sect — who would dare cause her trouble?

"So that means you have a way, right?" The girl tilted her head and looked at Grandpa Zhang.

"I… how could I possibly have such ability?" Grandpa Zhang hurriedly stepped back in embarrassment — this thing, even if it cost him his life, there was absolutely no path to it.

"Well then, there you go." The girl smiled.

"Shen Qianbei, rest assured — if she goes back on her word, I'll have a way to deal with it then… this time I really do!" Liu Jun finally got a word in, looking for all the world like he was swearing a solemn oath.

He'd heard from his elder sister that Baohua Xianzi valued loyalty above all, and despised those who went back on their word.

If this girl dared to break her promise and sully Lady Baohua Sect's reputation, he only needed to pass a single word upstairs, and the Xianzi would never let her off.

"…"

Shen Yi gave the lad a wordless sidelong glance, pondered for a moment, then lightly nodded his chin: "Fine. When do we set out?"

He'd crossed mountains and seas to get here — couldn't come away empty-handed. Setting aside the matter of the pill, being able to use someone else's name to earn more demon-lifespan wasn't bad either.

"Right now works too."

The girl finally squeezed into the group, looking every inch the big-sister leader: "Hold on — you're Return-to-Void second layer, right? Let me first see what jobs are available."

Saying so, she took out a jade slip and began browsing through it.

In her heart, though, she was overjoyed.

As the most watched figure within the sect, she definitely couldn't take action herself — once the combo of a two-layer immortal palace plus a three-layer spirit palace was deployed, it would be easily noticed.

She wanted to play around for a while longer.

She definitely needed to find a hired thug from outside the sect.

Return-to-Void second layer was a bit low, but he wasn't bad-looking — not too tall, not too short, just right.

Anyway, she just wanted to experience the thrill of being a chivalrous hero, standing up for the weak against the strong — no need to actually go too big.

"Oh? The Xiao Family Fort job has been posted this long and nobody's taken it — these lazy bums."

She knit her delicate brows, then immediately followed up with full confidence: "Then let this heroine try her hand! Let's go!"

"…"

Shen Yi was silent for a long moment, then suddenly felt a twinge of regret.

Why did he get the feeling he was playing house with a little brat?

He was now a little unsure whether this woman could actually produce what he wanted.

Shen Yi gathered his thoughts, raised a hand to bid Liu Jun farewell.

Then he followed her and left the sect's blessed land.

……

Lady Baohua Sect was also a major power that possessed a Dao-Combining blessed land.

Though it couldn't compare to the grandeur of the Seven Sons of Yu Nanhong.

It could still shelter the four directions, its immortal name resplendent.

Yet, as a disciple born of such a great power, he actually didn't know the way.

"What are you looking at… You came in from outside, don't you know the way to Xiao Family Fortress?" Baohua Xianzi said, a little lacking in confidence.

"Shen Qianbei has only just arrived here, why not let this humble cultivator lead the way." Though Zhang Ye felt this Miss was extremely unreliable, precisely because of that he was worried she'd lead Shen Qianbei into a pit.

He himself had just been saved by the senior, so following along and reminding her of a thing or two was only right.

"Much obliged, much obliged." Only then did Baohua Xianzi breathe a sigh of relief, and with practiced ease cupped her fists: "So the Daoist friend's surname is Shen? Just call me Bicui."

Having said that, she continued: "Don't worry, I won't harm you. This errand isn't difficult — as long as you truly have the strength of a second-layer Return-to-Void cultivator, there definitely won't be a problem."

While speaking, Baohua Xianzi took out a few prepared waist-swords and casually handed them to the two: "Hang them at your waist, it makes you look more like a knight-errant."

Hearing this, Zhang Ye hurriedly and obediently took the sword.

Yet Shen Yi only stared quietly at this delicate Miss, until she grew a little awkward: "What are you doing? Is the sword not good-looking? I picked them all carefully."

"I don't like playing house."

Shen Yi shook his head and said softly: "Daoist friend, you'd best truly be able to produce the Baohua Pill."

In those concise words there was no deliberate hint of threat, as if he were simply reminding her of their agreement.

But Zhang Ye instinctively shivered.

The instincts he had accumulated over many years made him catch a whiff of danger.

"How boring."

Baohua Xianzi pressed her lips together, her smile vanishing as she muttered: "Suit yourself, it was just a joke, why so cold."

These cultivators only know how to cultivate day in and day out, not a single thought of chivalry and righteousness in them.

"……"

Shen Yi withdrew his gaze and followed Zhang Ye as they darted forward.

He actually hadn't found anything wrong with that ornamental sword; he just disliked treating others' suffering with the attitude of an outing.

"How strange."

Baohua Xianzi shrugged and followed along as well.

This little cultivator — not much strength, but quite the temper.

As for the pill-poisoning in his body, apart from her, the Baohua Sect truly didn't have many who could save him. Yet in such a critical situation, he still dared to treat her with this kind of attitude.

Fortunately, she didn't much care about such things.

As long as she could have fun, that was enough.

Thinking of this, she curiously looked around. Everything outside was, to her, fresh to the extreme.

……

Xiao Family Fortress was merely a collective name.

In reality it covered a vast area, with many earthen cities built within.

Zhang Ye had once run around here too, but later heard something had happened and kept well away.

The Lord of Xiao Family Fortress was a Return-to-Void realm powerhouse, said to be on close terms with the Baohua Sect, having once taken an inner disciple of the sect as his wife.

Even matters he couldn't resolve were, for loose cultivators like Zhang Ye, life-threatening affairs.

But that was until he saw the scene before him with his own eyes.

Zhang Ye still couldn't help the corner of his eye twitching twice.

He saw over ten demons swaggering out of the earthen city, each holding a platter, upon which lay glistening Dao Infants — their five viscera not yet dimmed, clearly still fresh.

They chatted and played as they walked past, with no sign of any fighting having taken place.

A crowd of people pressed at the gate, staring blankly as the demons walked away, yet not one dared to make a move.

"Hoo."

Zhang Ye silently stepped back two paces and whispered a reminder: "Senior, something's off. Things aren't as simple as Miss Bicui said."

The bearing of these demons was far too arrogant — it didn't match their Transformation of Spirit Realm strength.

The scene before him even made Zhang Ye suspect everyone inside Xiao Family Fortress was already dead.

"What's not right?"

Earlier on the road she'd been like a curious child, asking Zhang Ye about everything — but now Baohua Xianzi stared fixedly at that group of demons, her fingers unconsciously forming a hand-seal, her voice quickening several degrees.

It was absurd! Under the very nose of the Baohua Sect, such things could still happen. That bunch of disciples had time every day to pay their respects to her, but couldn't spare a hand to deal with this?

Singing and dancing in peace every day — she'd thought everything outside was perfectly tranquil!

Baohua Xianzi strode forward a step, hand-seal formed, preparing to call out to a few of the demons and question them.

Just then, the corner of her vision was suddenly filled with purple-gold.

A surging wave of fire instantly enveloped the area outside the earthen city, the searing aura making the surrounding temperature climb rapidly.

About a dozen breaths of time.

The wave of fire rolled back, pouring entirely into the space between Shen Yi's fingers.

He slowly lowered his palm.

He gazed calmly at the empty space outside the city, as if those dozen-plus demons had never appeared.

"Tch, that clean."

Baohua Xianzi was stunned for a moment — well, she had to admit, this hired thug really did look the part.

Strike when the moment calls for it, not a single wasted word.

Those demons that had set one's heart on edge were finally gone.

Her mood eased considerably as well.

He quickly adjusted the sword at his waist, waved rapidly toward the city gate, and exclaimed excitedly, "Do not fear! I have come to save you!"

The common folk inside Tucheng were clearly stunned in place.

Yet they showed no joy.

After a moment of silence, a cultivator finally walked out slowly, approached Miss, and bowed humbly, "May I ask where you come from, Senior?"

"I belong to no sect or school; I am merely a lone cultivator."

Baohua Xianzi, seeing that someone finally acknowledged her, patted her chest again and smiled, "Of course. Calling me 'Heroine Bicui' would work too."

She never expected that upon saying this...

... the cultivator opposite her, along with the onlookers in Tucheng, instantly turned deathly pale.

"Heroine, please leave quickly. There is nothing here that requires your help."

The cultivator waved his hands repeatedly, looking as though he wished to avoid her at all costs.

"Hey!" How could Baohua Xianzi have foreseen that her first act of chivalry would meet such treatment? She quickly grabbed the other person, "Speak clearly! There is nothing in this place I cannot handle."

"Do you see this person? With him here, what are you afraid of?"

As she spoke, Baohua Xianzi casually patted Shen Yi's shoulder and whispered via sound transmission, "Not bad, not bad. You really give me face."

"I... I..."

The cultivator looked at Shen Yi with awe; just from that single move earlier, he could already gauge how formidable the young man in the black robe truly was.

He sighed as if resigned, "Junior actually does not know what happened. Suddenly, a group of Water Clans appeared here. The Fort Master has yet to send anyone to deal with it, as if he tacitly approved..."

"This Xiao Yuanlin, is he trying to kill me with anger?"

Baohua Xianzi's temper flared again, her full chest heaving up and down.

If she recalled correctly, when the other party married her junior sister back then, she had personally offered her blessings.

Even if they encountered an opponent they could not defeat, surely they could think of a way and at least send her a message?

Seeing this Heroine Bicui directly address the Fort Master by name...

... a few glints of light suddenly appeared in the cultivator's eyes. Even if the other party was a lone cultivator, they must be of considerable strength.

Could there truly be hope?

"Heroine, please enter quickly." He hurriedly extended his hand to welcome them.

"No need for thanks. I will handle this matter today."

Facing the anxious gazes of the crowd inside the city, Baohua Xianzi raised her head and strode forward.

Old Man Zhang's face turned bitter.

Up to now, not even knowing what the matter was, yet daring to take full responsibility. Where exactly did such confidence come from?

Thinking thus, he quietly looked toward Shen Qianbei... True enough. With such a killing god standing beside him, anyone would have confidence.

Hearing such a promise...

... a clamor instantly erupted inside the city, as if they wanted to carry Baohua Xianzi inside themselves.

She also seemed to enjoy this feeling immensely. Slightly awkward, she adjusted her sword again and, with great generosity, clasped her hands and gestured to all sides.

"..."

Shen Yi watched the riverbank silently.

Clearly, such a high chorus of voices here had already attracted the attention of something in the water.

Before long, a figure slowly surged out.

It was an ugly demon with horns on its head, fish-like yet not fish, scanning Tucheng with those eyeballs in indifference, "What are you happy about? Speak it out so we can all laugh together."

A hoarse voice instantly spread around Tucheng.

Causing the surroundings to fall into silence at once.

"Tsk."

Baohua Xianzi, who was clasping her hands to gesture, froze in expression, seemingly very displeased that someone had interrupted her.

She looked toward the riverbank with slightly annoyed eyes.

After clearly sensing the aura on the other party, she lowered her hands, feeling slightly troubled.

Third Layer of Return to Emptiness...

Before coming, she had solemnly promised Little Shen that it would absolutely not exceed his capability range.

And now, she was proven wrong the moment she arrived.

When did the news from Baohua Sect become so outdated?

Does she have to act personally herself? If this leaked out and others guessed, the whole plan would be ruined.

Just as she hesitated, that Water Clan demon actually took out a jade slip and began transmitting a message, "Another unwise thing meddling in affairs..."

Upon hearing this, the crowd in Tucheng, who had just been cheering, seemed to recall something terrifying. All of them stumbled backward.

However, the voice cut off abruptly.

A figure carrying golden flames leaped through the air, its five long fingers joined into a palm, and slammed it ruthlessly onto the demon's face.

"Ah?" Baohua Xianzi was still torn over whether to act, or rather, how to act with the lowest risk of exposure, but she never expected that the Return to Emptiness Second Layer junior cultivator would attack without even summoning his Dao Palace.

The next moment, only a "Crack!" was heard.

The Water Clan demon's neck instantly bent over. With a dazed look still on its face, it instinctively gathered its palms, summoning immense demonic power to strike the youth.

Shen Yi seemed to have already anticipated its reaction.

His five fingers suddenly clamped onto its arm. With a sudden exertion of force, he severed both its arms in the most brutal manner.

The Golden Phoenix residing within Mount Wutong inside his body let out a long cry.

Shen Yi's expression remained unchanged; he reversed his hand and punched straight through, shattering its upper body!

The entire process was extremely fast, ending in the blink of an eye.

By the time Shen Yi landed once more.

He gazed at that unchangingly handsome face.

Zhang Ye couldn't help but swallow hard—three times now! Shen Qianbei had struck out right in front of him for the third time.

No matter the opponent, each one dropped dead in an instant.

Even now, he still hadn't seen what this senior's Dao Palace looked like.

"What on earth have I invited here?"

Baohua Xianzi parted her lips slightly; she didn't think slaying a third-layer Return-to-Void in an instant was all that astonishing.

The real question was the cultivation level of the one who'd struck.

What a bargain! Such face!

Forget the early Return-to-Void stage—even hiring a mid Return-to-Void cultivator would hardly produce such a fine result.

She suppressed her excitement and was about to continue soothing the crowd.

Then she heard a flat voice from behind: "I don't care what your cultivation is. If you don't intend to make a move, you can start calling for help now."

"Ah?"

Baohua Xianzi turned around in astonishment, meeting Shen Yi's pitch-black eyes.

What was going on?

She hadn't even stirred up much aura, let alone summoned her Dao Palace—how had he seen through it?

"…"

Shen Yi sat cross-legged and began recovering his aura.

He did need the Baohua Pill, but that didn't mean he'd throw his life away playing along.

The situation here clearly wasn't as simple as it looked.

It had already exceeded the scope of their original agreement; it was time to end it.

After the Outside Qingzhou incident, Shen Yi knew well: if you lack the strength to control the whole situation, then don't entertain thoughts of upsetting the balance.

That would only bring worse consequences.

"Indeed, not quite the same as what their message said."

Baohua Xianzi rarely heard such a blunt tone, but she didn't take offense. Instead she explained helplessly: "Let's leave it at this. Don't worry—the Baohua Pill I promised you still stands. Go back to your sect and wait for me."

One couldn't demand that everyone risk their life for strangers.

She could only blame her rotten luck—barely out of the sect and it was already over. She'd have to find another chance to slip out next time.

Thinking this, she showed no sign of turning back.

Since she'd said she'd handle it, she had to see it through. She refused to believe a mere Xiao Family Fort could really be hiding a cultivator above the seventh layer of Return-to-Void.

"Mm."

Shen Yi adjusted his aura, rose, and cast a glance at Zhang Ye.

He then immediately employed Dragon Leaping Heaven's Female.

"Take care, Senior Bicui." Zhang Ye had long been thinking of retreating; how could he hesitate now? He cupped his hands haphazardly and produced a cushion-shaped dharma artifact.

Just as he was about to take to the air.

A sky-obscuring great river materialized out of thin air, instantly transforming into a giant palm that swept down to cover the entire Tucheng!

"I told you—if you dare call for more people, for every one you call, I'll wipe out one city."

A frost-laden voice rolled across the heavens, brimming with endless killing intent.

"…"

Another twist.

Baohua Xianzi clenched her teeth; the vague unease in her heart grew stronger.

It wasn't because the newcomer's strength was overwhelming.

Rather—with such a grand display, why had Baohua Sect's intelligence not mentioned a single word of it? She refused to believe the sect knew nothing about this.

Only there was no time to hesitate now.

She rose straight into the air.

But before she could strike, she heard a piercing phoenix cry!

Screech!

A resplendent golden flame surged like a great river, spreading like a pair of enormous wings unfurling, and with fierce momentum smashed apart that sky-covering palm.

Within the golden wings, a figure in dark robes stood tall in the air.

In Shen Yi's pitch-black eyes, glints of light flickered; a golden flame leapt at his brow.

His thin lips pressed tight, adding a faint air of killing intent to that otherworldly, transcendent bearing.

Baohua Xianzi stared at him, somewhat baffled—wasn't it agreed that the Baohua Pill would be given as promised? Why was he still…

"…"

The giant palm dissolved into crashing waves, revealing behind it a burly figure that nearly burst its armor—a grotesquely fat catfish.

Aquatic demons held noble status within the Flood Marshes.

Moreover, this one had already crossed the watershed, a mid Return-to-Void demon comparable to the fourth layer.

No matter how you looked at it, it had no reason to have set its sights on Xiao Family Fort.

"No wonder you dare meddle—turns out you're relying on your Spirit Body Art."

The catfish great demon snapped out of its daze, then reached into the water and summoned a steel trident, gripping it tightly in its palm with a slap.

At the same time, three more figures emerged in unison.

Their auras were all comparable to the demon slain earlier.

"I'll put it plainly: I don't care what your background is or what backing you have. You cannot interfere in this matter today. If you doubt it, go ask the Lady Baohua Sect."

"We do not wish to make a scene."

"Withdraw now, avoid us henceforth, and I will spare your lives."

His words were brimming with confidence.

A demon that had just crossed into the Mid-Stage of Killed Fanxu daring to speak so arrogantly to the Lady Baohua Sect was, in itself, an absurdity to the extreme.

Yet, connecting it to the sect's strange intelligence and their ignoring the Xiao Family Fortress's request for aid...

Clearly stated as a task solvable by one at the Second Layer of Killed Fanxu, it had been left unattended for years.

The Flower Fairy suddenly fell silent.

It seemed she had caused trouble.

What to do... without revealing her identity... yet still resolve this matter...

To be honest, if she manifested her Dao Palace, this catfish would likely be reduced to tears.

But compared to merely seeking pleasure before, what she feared most now was her own identity as the Flower Fairy.

As the future heir to the Sect Master.

Every decision made by the Flower Fairy could represent the will of the Lady Baohua Sect.

She seemed to lack the courage to declare war on an unknown power on behalf of the Lady Baohua Sect.

"Five of those pills." Shen Yi suddenly glanced at her.

Although one pill could resolve thirty percent of the pill poison, for safety's sake, adding a bit more was acceptable.

"You!"

The Flower Fairy looked up in astonishment; even now, he was still being stubborn.

Second Layer of Killed Fanxu; even with the Spiritual Body Technique, was fighting four alone not going too far?

Thinking thus, she took a deep breath: "If we withdraw, can we pretend this never happened and let them go?"

The Flower Fairy's sudden retreat clearly made the hearts of everyone in Tucheng grow cold.

As expected, it was so.

Hearing this, the catfish pretended to ponder for a moment, then grinned widely: "No, you have no standing here."

"You..."

The Flower Fairy stared at him in disbelief, then looked toward Shen Yi.

"Ten. Only this one fight." Shen Yi's expression remained unchanged; he gave her only a concise reply.

Good things were never too few; storing a bit more would always come in handy.

"Only if we win!" The Flower Fairy also lost her temper, gritting her teeth: "If you can't, don't force it!"

Compared to risking the entire sect, what were ten Lady Baohua Pills?

If all else failed, she could only save the other party and leave first.

"You're even haggling." The catfish looked over with interest, but in an instant, only the golden Wang Yang remained in its eyes!

Amidst the sea of fire, Shen Yi seemed to transform into a Golden Phoenix.

His eyes were filled with indifferent killing intent; those black pupils seemed to have calmly witnessed countless wronged souls, and with a single glance, made one's whole body shiver with cold.

Boom—

He ruthlessly slammed a whip-kick into the catfish's body.

Golden, scorching flames instantly engulfed it.

Seeing the situation was unfavorable, the other three demons attempted to surround and assist, but saw a flash of light in Shen Yi's brow; the Black-Backed Yellow Dog instantly caught them off guard.

Solidified dog-paw shadows slammed down repeatedly, blasting the three demons all flying away.

Then it pounced and bit!

"Roar!"

Amidst the irritable barking, facing the steel fork the catfish thrust viciously, Shen Yi neither dodged nor avoided, but suddenly punched back with a crushing blow!

At the moment he exerted his full strength, the pill poison within his body suddenly grew violent.

Excruciating pain swept through his entire body, yet it only added a few more points of ferocity to Shen Yi.

Crack—

The steel fork pierced the flesh of his knuckles, but the vast force had already made this sharp blade treasure trem violently!

Until it could no longer withstand the Golden Phoenix's brutality and shattered completely.

Shen Yi's punch, like destroying withered wood, blasted into the catfish's chest, smashing it hundreds of zhang away.

"Pfft."

The catfish spat out a mouthful of blood, its hands rapidly forming hand seals.

Immediately, the Wang Yang beneath it suddenly erupted, transforming into dragon-serpents that attacked Shen Yi.

"Bind them for me!"

Facing the waves of water rolling down from the sky.

Ferocity surged in the corners of Shen Yi's eyes, stimulating the Heavenly Phoenix within his body once more; the next moment, the golden flames covering his body solidified several times over, resembling a pair of true Golden Wings!

Possessing the might to burn the heavens and boil the seas.

It evaporated all the water waves in the sky, and white mist filled the firmament.

"Hah..."

The catfish raised a hand to block the rolling heat waves, feeling as though its skin and flesh were about to be dried up.

Just then, a bark sounded in its ear: "You dare reach out to block my master's gift?"

As the words fell, two dog paws suddenly landed on its arms, forcibly tearing its arms apart.

"Take your reward honestly!"

Boom—

From within the white mist, a golden phoenix suddenly darted forth.

Caught off guard, the catfish widened its eyes, staring fixedly at that Bai Xi face.

Within his field of vision, only the golden flame dancing between the other's eyebrows remained.

Pfft!

Shen Yi used his hand as a blade, thrusting it into the catfish's throat bone, then fiercely severed it, splitting it cleanly in two!

(End of this chapter)