Chapter 51: Originally, We Were the Real Target (Begging for Follow-Reads)

Less than five breaths passed, and indeed a figure staggered swiftly through the night.

Zhou Qing immediately looked at Li Daoxuan with admiration.

No wonder he’s the top senior brother of Shenyue Peak—his spiritual sense far surpasses mine.

“Wait, that person is Shi Zhen senior sister!”

At that moment, Zhou Qing suddenly noticed golden characters hovering above the disheveled figure’s head.

Those were notes visible only to Zhou Qing.

Though the night was hazy and he couldn’t make out her face, he had bound only five people total.

Three were beside him now; Second Uncle didn’t need to be considered—he was untouchable—so only one remained.

“Are you sure?” Li Daoxuan narrowed his eyes, but the figure seemed to sense spiritual fluctuations ahead in the forest and immediately turned to flee.

Zhou Qing didn’t hesitate—he instantly mounted his sword and rose into the air.

“Shi Zhen senior sister—!” Zhou Qing shouted.

The fleeing shadow halted at the sound of her name; when she saw it was Zhou Qing, her body went limp and she plummeted from the sky.

Zhou Qing moved swiftly, catching her mid-air.

Seeing Shi Zhen’s pale face and blood-soaked robes, Zhou Qing was stunned.

Shi Zhen was already at the peak of Jin Dan cultivation—nearly at the pseudo-Nascent Soul stage—who could have wounded her so badly?

“It really is Shi Zhen junior sister—what happened?”

Li Daoxuan and the others rushed over; the other True Disciples immediately went on guard, scanning the surroundings.

But Shi Zhen had pushed herself to this spot with her last strength, and now, severely wounded, she had fainted.

“Her internal spiritual power is completely depleted—she needs immediate replenishment!” Zhou Qing checked her and found not a trace of spiritual energy left in her meridians; he couldn’t imagine what kind of willpower had carried her here.

At that moment, Li Daoxuan sensed something and immediately pulled out his token.

Soon, a message appeared.

【I’ve found clues to the Qingyu Immortal Sect’s whereabouts, but they’re trapped—hurry to Qingniu Ridge!】

Li Daoxuan frowned at the message; when he saw the sender, he instantly turned to the unconscious Shi Zhen.

Yan Xiaohu sensed something was wrong.

“What’s wrong?”

Li Daoxuan said: “This message was sent by Shi Zhen junior sister right now—trouble—”

As he prepared to warn everyone, another message arrived.

【The Qingyu Immortal Sect’s comrades are trapped in a formation—any senior or junior brothers skilled in breaking formations, hurry to Qingniu Ridge!】

Yan Xiaohu received the same message.

Identical content—it was clearly a mass broadcast.

“It’s Bai Xi junior sister—this time, the team leader for Yuqing Peak was Shi Zhen and Bai Xi!” Yan Xiaohu said grimly.

Lu Yaoyao looked at the unconscious Shi Zhen and understood instantly what had happened.

Fortunately, Li Daoxuan had many friends across the peaks—he quickly sent warnings to everyone except Shi Zhen and Bai Xi’s tokens.

After a brief pause, he also sent coordinates to all, ordering them to gather here secretly and avoid detection.

Lu Yaoyao searched Shi Zhen’s body and found her storage bag missing.

Given her condition, the rest of Yuqing Peak’s members must already be dead.

Zhou Qing slowly infused spiritual energy into Shi Zhen’s body, then frowned and analyzed: “The enemy knew we were helping search for people—and instead of retreating, they escalated their killings and lured us to converge here.”

“It seems Qingniu Ridge has already been set with a trap designed to wipe us all out.”

Li Daoxuan nodded in agreement: “Moreover, since they’re confident they can eliminate all of us, the trap must have been prepared in advance—and to prevent escapees, there’s likely an Elder stationed there.”

Yan Xiaohu felt his throat go dry.

Old Mo’s warning had come true—they’d been planning to wipe us all out from the start.

This is insane!

He couldn’t even imagine the devastation if thirteen peaks lost so many core and True Disciples—it would be a generational collapse.

What would the peak masters do to avenge their disciples? What would they stumble into?

“I get it now—the Qingyu Immortal Sect is just bait; we’re the real target!” Yan Xiaohu slapped his thigh.

What a grand scheme—who is behind this?

Cangyan Dao Palace? Jin Leizong? Tianji Gate?

Or perhaps Qingyu Immortal Sect allied with others?

Too terrifying to even think about.

At this moment, everyone sensed the gravity of the situation—luckily, Li Daoxuan was here, and Zhou Qing recognized Shi Zhen immediately.

Otherwise, whether Shi Zhen fled in panic or we learned the truth too late to warn others, it would have been catastrophic.

Yan Xiaohu felt immense relief—he was glad he’d added few friends, so fewer people could deceive him.

“If the enemy is setting a trap, they’ll leave clues to lure us in like moths into a web,” Lu Yaoyao said, frowning.

Zhou Qing nodded: “Right—so the missing Qingyu Immortal Sect members might be at Qingniu Ridge… or they’re part of the setup.”

Li Daoxuan rose solemnly: “This has slipped beyond our control—we must notify the sect immediately and prepare, but we’re too far from the sect—”

Before Li Daoxuan finished speaking, several whistling sounds pierced the dark night.

The pursuers who hunted Shi Zhen had arrived.

Shiiii!

Dozens of black-robed figures hovered on swords; their leader radiated Nascent Soul-level cultivation.

It was unimaginable what Shi Zhen had sacrificed to escape them.

Everyone immediately formed a circle around Shi Zhen.

“Be careful—they must have planted a mark on Shi Zhen; otherwise, they couldn’t have pinpointed this location so precisely!” Li Daoxuan whispered.

Everyone nodded.

Neither side moved—both chose to stand their ground.

“Brother Xue, what do we do? That’s Li Daoxuan from Shenyue Peak!” one black-robed man whispered.

The leader hesitated, regretting his mistake—he’d turned a simple cat-and-mouse game into a disaster.

If they rescued Shi Zhen and she revealed what she knew, the rest of the plan would collapse.

“No—everyone here must die. I, Xue Yi, am no weaker in cultivation or status than Li Daoxuan!”

Instantly, the black-robed leader made his decision.

The air filled with lethal intent.

Simultaneously, Li Daoxuan’s face darkened—he quickly transmitted a message to all.

“Brothers and sisters, this battle is unavoidable—we must eliminate every last one of them, and take prisoners.”

“I know it’s hard, but if even one escapes—or if we accidentally kill them—the masterminds may realize the fake Shi Zhen and Bai Xi plan has been exposed, and they might strike first.”

“Then our scattered brothers and sisters across the thirteen peaks could be picked off one by one. Please—help me.”

No one answered, but every eye burned with resolve.

October 1st, wishing all masters a joyful holiday. For Sanxing, it’s time again to beg for follow-reads.

Today is Tuesday again—the editor’s chosen recommendation day—please make sure to read the latest chapter and show you’re among the first to follow.

Also, recommendation votes, monthly votes, tips, and comments are all crucial.

Please help Sanxing—let “Female Disciples” go further.

Thank you all!

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(End of Chapter)