Chapter 146: Encounter, Woman

Chu Yue's sudden move did not cause much shock.

Meng Po walked forward slowly, came to Chu Yue's side, and said respectfully, "Miss, these two clueless fools truly deserve death."

"Let's go, we should hurry to the Great Dao Peak of the Azure Cloud Sect to check it out."

Upon hearing that,

Chu Yue, however, slightly shook her head, her expression calm as she said, "Meng Po, according to Steward Liu's earlier report."

"That Azure Cloud Sect is merely a minor local power; there isn't even a Quasi-Emperor Realm expert in the sect. I think you should go investigate and clarify the situation."

Meng Po looked doubtful and asked, "Then what about you, Miss?"

"You... aren't you going together with this old servant?"

Chu Yue's beautiful eyes flickered, and she answered firmly, "Just now I heard those two say that a Lion King Bone has appeared in the Three Provinces."

"This bone is of great help to the cultivation of my dual-spirit-root physique; I intend to go to the Three Provinces to see for myself."

Upon hearing this, Meng Po's face filled with worry as she said, "Miss, the Three Provinces are by no means a peaceful land; they have long been called a lawless region."

"There, forces of all kinds are interwoven in a complex mix; all sorts of people gather there. Going alone would surely bring many dangers."

"Furthermore, the Sect Leader specifically instructed this old servant before departing to take good care of Miss; this old servant truly does not advise Miss to go to the Three Provinces alone."

"This old servant suggests that after investigating the matter of the Azure Cloud Sect's Great Dao Sect, we can then go together to the Three Provinces."

Chu Yue's face flashed with a hint of displeasure upon hearing Meng Po's words.

She spoke in a slightly cold tone: "Meng Po, don't forget your status; when did it become your place to meddle in my affairs?"

"Moreover, I can come and go freely in the Central Provinces; how could I fear this tiny Three Provinces?"

She let out a cold snort: "With my abilities and status, who in the Three Provinces would dare to offend me lightly?"

"I am merely going to verify the news of the Lion King Bone; there will be no other troubles."

Meng Po still felt uneasy, hesitated a moment, opened her mouth, and wanted to say a few more words.

But Chu Yue directly interrupted her, saying, "All right, Meng Po, you need not say more."

"The main purpose of this trip is still to investigate the killer of Steward Liu and Xiu Luo; besides, we had best also find Zhou Tianming's whereabouts."

"You first go to the Heavenly Dao Peak of the Azure Cloud Sect to check the situation."

Meng Po hesitated for a moment, then finally nodded helplessly.

"Yes, Miss; this old servant will now head to the Heavenly Dao Peak of the Azure Cloud Sect to investigate, and then hurry to the Three Provinces to meet with you."

Having said that, Meng Po turned into a stream of light and sped away.

Seeing this, Chu Yue also let out a cold laugh.

Afterward, she muttered in a low voice: "Lion King Bone?"

"Hmph, anything that this Miss takes a liking to naturally belongs to this Miss."

Immediately.

Her figure flickered, and she also turned into a splendid stream of light flying toward the Three Provinces.

——————————

At the same time, on another route heading to the Three Provinces,

Lin Yang was gracefully flying on his sword in the sky, sometimes flying low, sometimes high, sometimes diving into the clouds.

The next second, with a whoosh, he burst out of the clouds.

He also genuinely experienced the envy of watching Journey to the West as a child.

Just as he was gliding low, he suddenly halted, his gaze sharp as torches directed downward.

"Huh?"

"This is... the scent of the Leopard Spot Fruit?"

After carefully sensing and confirming it was the Leopard Spot Fruit, Lin Yang's face showed delight as he murmured to himself.

"Isn't this one of the ingredients needed to refine the Return-to-Origin Pill?"

Although the Leopard Spot Fruit is not the most precious among many rare medicinal herbs, its special growing environment makes it extremely hard to find.

When he first decided to refine the Return-to-Origin Pill, having failed to find the Leopard Spot Fruit, he had no choice but to prepare to use the Earth Core Fruit as a substitute.

Although the two have somewhat similar effects, if he could obtain the Leopard Spot Fruit for medicinal use, that would naturally be the best possible outcome.

Having said that, a glint of determination flashed in Lin Yang's eyes: "Since we have fortunately encountered it here, let's go down and see whether the Leopard Spot Fruit has matured."

Thus.

He controlled his flying sword and slowly descended into a hidden valley.

This valley is basin-shaped, the terrain slightly sunken, as if a gem embedded in the earth.

Its wondrous layout cleverly gathers the surrounding spiritual energy here, causing the spiritual power of this place to be abundant and pure.

It seems to be a pristine land untouched by human activity, and indeed it is an ideal environment for the Leopard Spot Fruit to grow.

However.

Lin Yang did not act rashly; he knew that in this fantasy world, wherever heavenly and earthly spiritual treasures are born, there must be ferocious beasts guarding them.

Moreover, for a treasure like the Leopard Spot Fruit, the strength of the ferocious beasts lurking around it is certainly not to be underestimated.

He carefully concealed his breath and then stepped cautiously deeper into the valley.

At the same time, he kept his full attention on the surroundings, missing not the slightest sound or change in breath, always ready to respond to any sudden mishap.

Just then, Lin Yang suddenly sensed intense energy fluctuations ahead.

Immediately after, the sound of fighting boomed into his ears.

Lin Yang's heart tightened: "Oh no, could someone have discovered the Leopard Spot Fruit before me?"

"Have they already clashed with the beast guarding the Leopard Spot Fruit? What can be done?"

"I also don't know whether the Leopard Spot Fruit is still safe and sound at this moment."

Thus, Lin Yang dared not delay in the slightest; he immediately quickened his pace, taking a few strides to pass through several lush trees.

Looking up, he saw a black leopard exuding a powerful aura, its lithe body locked in fierce combat with a mature, intellectual young woman.

The young woman was in her thirties, with a graceful figure, pretty features, dressed in a moon‑white long gown, her chest firm and her cleavage strikingly prominent.

Her figure, appearance, and demeanor were comparable to his wife's.

Her beautiful eyes were now full of vigilance and resolve; despite being in danger, she showed no fear as she maneuvered against the black leopard.

She emanated a cool, otherworldly aura, making it clear at a glance that she was no ordinary person.

However, the black leopard was strong, possessing quasi‑emperor level cultivation; with a fierce swipe of its claw, a tremendous force instantly sent the young woman flying.

The young woman crashed heavily to the ground and immediately let out a "wah," vomiting a mouthful of blood.

Seeing this, Lin Yang's gaze hurriedly swept over the young woman, his heart burning with anxiety.

"Oh no, could the leopard‑pattern fruit be on her? That blow from the black leopard just now might have smashed it to pieces,"

"If so, that would be a huge loss."

At this moment, the black leopard seemed unwilling to let the injured young woman go; its eyes flashed with ferocity as it lunged at her again.

Its bloody maw opened wide, revealing sharp fangs.

Lin Yang stood to the side, brows furrowed in silent observation, while he kept thinking, "Come on, little black leopard, kill her quickly."

"After you kill this young woman, I can search her body to see if the leopard‑pattern fruit is on her."

Lin Yang then gave a satisfied smile……