Chapter 31: Capturing Cultivators

And Lin Yang finally arrived at the location of the new disciple.

At this moment, he was standing on the branches of a great blue-sky tree, watching four fifteen- or sixteen-year-old youths setting traps beneath the tree.

"Sister Xiao Zhi, the traps we've set should be able to catch those cultivators, right?"

The girl called Sister Xiao Zhi was a girl dressed in hemp clothing.

Although her attire was that of an ordinary village girl, her eyes were clear and bright, revealing something extraordinary, like a dust-covered pearl waiting for its moment to burst forth in splendid radiance.

She should be the leader of this group of youths.

She arranged: "Er Dan, go over there and set another trap pit, fill the bottom with sharpened bamboo slices, cover it with branches, then lay some dry leaves on the branches, making sure to camouflage it well."

"Tie Zhu, spread a fishing net under the big tree over there, cover it with leaves; when the cultivator comes, we'll pull the net and hang him up in the tree."

"Xiao Hua, go over there and set up several more crossbows, making sure to coat the arrows with poison, apply a generous amount so that the cultivator has no return."

"Good!"

"Yes!"

"Hmm!"

The three repeatedly nodded, obeying Sister Xiao Zhi's arrangements.

And Lin Yang, watching this scene, slightly furrowed his brow.

【Recruitment Target: Ye Xiao Zhi】

【Cultivation: None】

【Talent: Unmeasured Spirit】

【Blue Trait: Resourceful and Brave】

【White Trait: No One Can Move My Brother】

【Black Trait: Cold Poison Entering the Body】

"System, are you sure this person is the disciple whose trait meets the standard?"

Ye Xiao Zhi's traits like this are inferior even to the misshapen melon and cracked date Shi Hao; at least Shi Hao still has a purple trait.

And what about her? An unrefined melon seedling that hasn't cultivated can still grit its teeth and endure a bit, but she only has one blue trait: resourceful and brave.

And cold poison entering the body?

How can such traits meet the standard?

【Ding, Ye Xiao Zhi's traits meet the standard, fulfilling the recruitment requirement.】

Upon hearing the system's prompt, Lin Yang was instantly speechless.

"System, what is the basis of your judgment?"

【Host, when looking at problems, don't just look at the surface; you have to look at night.】

"Shouldn't we look at the inner self?" Lin Yang, his head big: "How come we're still looking at night?"

【Host, don't ask further; you'll know when night comes. Please, host, quickly complete the second recruitment task; the system will reward the Nine Dragon Profound Heaven Flag.】

Although he doubted the system's decision, since the system said so, he could only nod in acceptance.

This little girl, although her talent is somewhat lacking,

but she dares to capture cultivators and set these traps, which is somewhat confused, yet also fits the resourceful and brave trait.

Thus, he accepted her, bringing her back to Tian Dao Peak to as much as possible help her increase her cultivation and resolve the cold poison within her body.

Immediately, Lin Yang descended to be beside Ye Xiao Zhi and the few youths.

His sudden appearance frightened the youths, making them jump up.

"Oh my, a ghost!"

"Sister Xiao Zhi, there's a ghost."

Thus, the several boys all hid behind Ye Xiao Zhi's back.

And Ye Xiao Zhi, this little leader, is indeed not bad; she gripped a wooden stick, although trembling, she still bravely stepped forward to confront Lin Yang.

"Who are you, and why did you suddenly appear here?"

Lin Yang smiled and said, "Everyone, don't be afraid; I'm a hunter from nearby, seeing you set traps here, I came out of curiosity to have a look."

One couldn't say he was here to take Ye Xiao Zhi as a disciple, right? That would be too direct, and moreover, Ye Xiao Zhi, at such a young age, dares to lead the capture of cultivators, suggesting she may have some antagonism toward cultivators.

Thus, he casually found an excuse to respond, and then observed why they wanted to capture cultivators.

And after hearing Lin Yang say he was a nearby hunter, several people relaxed their vigilance a bit and weren't as afraid.

"Sister Xiao Zhi, he's a hunter; he probably won't harm us, right?"

"Yes, it seems just a false alarm."

The few people spoke, one saying a word, then another.

And yet Ye Xiao Zhi's wooden stick in her hand once again pointed at Lin Yang.

"You're lying; a hunter wouldn't dress like you in such fine clothes."

"Speak, who exactly are you, and why did you come here?"

Upon hearing that,

Lin Yang smiled; this girl truly lives up to her blue trait of being resourceful and brave—she indeed has something.

He said, "Actually, I want to join you."

"Not needed." Li Yilan said cautiously.

Lin Yang was somewhat speechless; this child is too smart, making it hard to sway her.

"I despise cultivators." Lin Yang said again.

Upon hearing this, Ye Xiao Zhi's behind, Er Dan said: "Your dad too was seized by those cultivators and forced to mine."

Lin Yang startled; it turned out they set traps here because cultivators had seized their fathers to make them mine.

Yeah, my dad was seized by them to work in the mines. Lin Yang said, feeling deeply sympathetic.

Sister Xiao Zhi, he's just like us, he looks so pitiful. Er Dan also said.

Don't speak, he's deceiving us.

Ye Xiao Zhi solemnly looked at Lin Yang and said: "We don't need your participation. If your dad and my dad belong to the same mining area, I can conveniently rescue your dad as well."

But I won't agree to let you join us; you're an adult, we don't trust you, please leave.

Lin Yang chuckled; he grew fonder of this disciple—quick-witted and a man of action.

Alright, I hope my dad and your dads are in the same mining area; I hope you can rescue my dad. To show my sincerity, I'll also set a trap here and contribute my effort.

Immediately, Lin Yang grabbed a few branches and placed them on a tree fork, thus completing a trap.

He also said: "I'll be hiding nearby; if you need me, just call out."

After Lin Yang left, the several people still looked at each other, puzzled.

Sister Xiao Zhi, what do you think that person does?

Ye Xiao Zhi shook her head: "I don't know, but he looks rather unintelligent."

Look at the trap he set up—what kind of trap is that?

Let's go, we'll also hide; everything will proceed according to plan.

Yes!

The several people immediately hid in the nearby bushes.

——————————

About half an hour later, a group of seven appeared before them, disciples wearing the Jade Clear Palace insignia strutting along arrogantly.

Wherever they passed, even the saplings nearby had to endure two strikes.

Jade Clear Palace?

Lin Yang, perched in the treetops, frowned slightly; he had no memory of this sect.

However, they were surely doomed.

First, they dared to let his disciple's father work in the mines; given his protective nature toward his offspring, they could only end up as corpses.

Second, within Azure Prefecture, only the Azure Cloud Sect would swagger about so arrogantly; they've gone overboard.

Everyone hurry up; if this batch of ore isn't delivered on time to the sect leader, we'll definitely be punished.

The portly elder leading them spoke up to urge them on.

Understood, Grand Elder. A disciple replied afterward.

Soon.

They then entered the trap area set by Ye Xiao Zhi and her group.

Ah!

With a miserable scream, a Jade Clear Palace disciple instantly fell into a two-meter-deep pit.

The pit had already been filled with sharpened bamboo shards, which instantly pierced him, leaving his flesh mangled.

Watch out, there's an ambush! the Jade Clear Palace Grand Elder shouted.

Ah!

Another miserable cry rang out as a disciple was hoisted up.

The next second, a barrage of poison arrows flew toward him.

In an instant, the Jade Clear Palace lost two men.

At the same time, hidden arrows shot out unexpectedly.

Leaving the Jade Clear Palace disciples unable to defend against them.

Damn it!

The Jade Clear Palace Grand Elder snorted coldly and roared: "Who dares, who dares to ambush my Jade Clear Palace's people?"

However, only hidden arrows responded to him.

After dodging a hidden arrow, the Jade Clear Palace Grand Elder angrily gathered a mass of spiritual power, his body shook, and a strong force burst outward.

Boom—

Under that force, all the surrounding traps were instantly shattered.

Oh dear!

Even Ye Xiao Zhi and her group, hiding in the bushes, were flung outward.

The sudden movement also let the Jade Clear Palace Grand Elder see Ye Xiao Zhi and her group; he coldly told the disciples behind him.

Go kill them all.