Chapter 75: Danger Approaches
To avoid alarming the snake, Cheng Hongling did not release her Spiritual Sense to investigate, but relied solely on her senses to monitor the other party’s every move.
After a night, Cheng Hongling learned the identities of these people. They were from Tuchengmen in the extreme north. Their strength was at least in the top two in Yongning Prefecture, and they were also somewhat famous in the entire Xihui Dynasty. It was precisely because of this that they had the courage to rob Shuiyu Valley.
Even though the people from Tuchengmen were doing illicit deeds, and tried to be as careful as possible, there were too many disciples. Thus, their movements were inevitably clumsy, and they could not escape Cheng Hongling’s ears and eyes.
Because Cheng Hongling knew that Elder Han was a cultivator of the Huashen Realm in advance, she was not able to follow too closely. After the other party had moved more than a hundred Zhang away, she opened her window and soared into the sky, then followed from above.
The distance of one or two hundred Zhang was no different to a cultivator like Cheng Hongling at the Huashen Realm than looking at an object within a Zhang. Therefore, maintaining a slight distance had no impact at all.
Led by Elder Han, the people from Tuchengmen left the town and headed north. Because they were there to rob, they had all changed into plainclothes.
Gradually approaching Yuxiao Sect, Cheng Hongling found that there were more cultivators along the way. Many major sects had even cordoned off areas and did not allow outsiders to enter. Of course, they also did not allow that Nine Nether Demonic Cat to come out, effectively turning the area within dozens of miles around Yuxiao Sect into an impenetrable fortress.
Of course, doing so required strength. Without strength, it was simply courting death.
“Stop! This place has been occupied by our Gaoyuan Sect. Idle individuals are not allowed to enter.”
At this moment, four disciples wearing blue uniforms jumped out of the dense forest and blocked the path of Elder Han and his group.
“What? Gaoyuan Sect? Never heard of them!”
Elder Han did not immediately attack, as he did not know the other party’s background.
“You frogs in a well! Our Gaoyuan Sect is the tenth-ranked Immortal Sect in Yongning Prefecture. Looking at the clothes you are wearing, they are so varied and yellow like dirt, as if you just came back from working in the fields?”
“It must be so. Hearing about the Nine Nether Demonic Cat, you couldn’t wait to come, not even having time to change your clothes.”
“The Cultivation World does not care about who comes first, but about strength. No matter how fast you run, what is the point if you cannot enter and can only stand here and glare? This Nine Nether Demonic Cat is not something country bumpkins can get their hands on.”
…
The four disciples blocking the way had mocking expressions on their faces, and they became more and more animated as they spoke.
“What you fellow Daoists have said is extremely true. The Cultivation World indeed values strength, not who comes first! This old man is enlightened!”
Elder Han praised politely. His beard and hair were all white, making him appear genuinely humble.
“Since you know, then scram!”
“Of course, if you insist on entering, it’s not impossible. Just leave enough toll money.”
…
Several disciples in blue uniforms laughed triumphantly.
“Too bad! You probably don’t have the strength!”
Elder Han sighed, and his powerful Spiritual Sense suddenly emerged from his body, crushing forward.
How powerful was the Spiritual Sense of the Huashen Realm? It was absolutely impossible for the body of a Juling Realm cultivator to resist. The four disciples in blue uniforms immediately became as if their bones had been drained, or like mud figures washed away by a flood, turning into soft bloody mud and collapsing on the ground.
“Hmph! What top ten in Yongning Prefecture? In my eyes, there is only HuXiao Sect in Yongning Prefecture!”
Elder Han snorted coldly, his expression suddenly turning grim, a stark contrast to his previous humble demeanor.
“A bunch of ignorant fools, with such little strength, you dare to claim territory.”
“It’s not surprising. This Yongning Prefecture is a wild land. All the cultivators are frogs in a well. In these years, only a handful of them can break into the top 100 of the Xihui Dynasty’s Immortal Seed Ranking.
“Moreover, the strongest person in Yongning Prefecture now is the Grand Elder of HuXiao Sect. I heard he is only at the eighth level of the Huashen Realm. Unless he personally shows up this time, who can be a match for our Elder Han? That Nine Nether Demonic Cat is simply ours for the taking.”
…
Seeing Elder Han display his divine might, the disciples all had arrogant expressions.
“Speaking of the Evergreen Convention, it reminds me! Six years ago, that little girl who entered the top sixty of the Immortal Seed Ranking at the age of twelve, she should be from this Yongning Prefecture, right?”
Elder Han said thoughtfully.
“Yes! Martial Uncle! I still remember that little girl. Her name seems to be Cheng Hong Ling.”
Senior Brother Pan beside him replied respectfully.
“Why are you so clear about it?”
Elder Han asked in surprise.
“Because she is from Huang Tian Prefecture! Throughout the entire Xihui Dynasty, perhaps someone might not know where Yongning Prefecture is, but no one would not know Huang Tian Prefecture.”
Senior Brother Pan had a mocking smile on his face.
“Huang Tian Prefecture? Isn’t that the infamous rat’s nest? I heard that both men and women there are all short, and their cultivation talent is extremely poor.”
A disciple exclaimed.
“I went there a couple of days ago, and it was indeed as the rumors said. With my height, I couldn’t even find anyone on the street, haha…”
“What’s so funny! It’s because of these rats that our Xihui Dynasty is discriminated against in the entire Western Continent.”
“Yes, sometimes I really wish a great natural or man-made calamity would befall that place. As long as Huang Tian Prefecture disappears, our Xihui Dynasty’s reputation would skyrocket.”
…
The disciples chattered, their words filled with not only contempt but also hostility towards Huang Tian Prefecture.
“But it’s precisely from such a place that a genius like Cheng Hongling appeared. At the age of twelve, she entered the top sixty of the Immortal Seed Ranking, not much different from the top immortal seed of our Tuchengmen. I’m curious about how she is now. I didn’t see her at last year’s Evergreen Convention.”
Elder Han stroked his beard and said.
“I heard that she didn’t even qualify for the Prefecture-level Immortal Seed last year, so it seems to be just a fleeting moment. There are not many such geniuses in the Xihui Dynasty.”
Senior Brother Pan introduced, it seemed he had done his homework before coming to Yongning Prefecture.
“It can’t be considered a fleeting moment. I heard that she has now grown to be as beautiful as a flower, and is known as the ‘Twin Beauties of Closed Moon’ of the Xihui Dynasty along with Mu Ruoyi in Yongning Prefecture.”
A disciple interjected.
“You must be joking. What kind of place is Huang Tian Prefecture? How can a phoenix truly emerge from it?”
“There’s nothing to be surprised about. I’ve said it before, the people here are all frogs in a well! Most people probably haven’t even seen Mu Ruoyi, and they are amazed by any woman they meet who has some looks.”
“Yes, I haven’t seen any beauties since I’ve been here for so long.”
…
As the disciples of Tuchengmen spoke, they began to disparage Yongning Prefecture again.
“You’re still discussing women. Aren’t the many women in our Immortal Sect enough to satisfy your desires? Don’t you remember why we came this time?”
Elder Han reprimanded impatiently, then showed a hint of regret on his face. “I was thinking that if that Cheng Hongling was outstanding enough, perhaps this time I could reluctantly take her back to Tuchengmen for cultivation. Since she did not even obtain the qualification for the Prefecture-level Immortal Seed last year, then there is no need for it.”
Thus, the group from Tuchengmen walked and discussed, heading towards a canyon not far away. As they neared, they all took out masks and put them on, preparing for a surprise attack that would happen without anyone noticing.
And in the canyon, a group of female disciples from Shuiyu Valley were sleeping soundly in their tents. Even the four people responsible for standing guard were drowsy, completely unaware that danger was approaching.
And just at this moment, a “meow meow meow” sound came from a tent. That was the only Nine Nether Demonic Cat of Shuiyu Valley, which was brought by Mu Ruoyi to lure the female cat from Yuxiao Sect. Although the risk was very high, if successful, the reward would also be astonishing!
