Chapter 13: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind

Outside Butian Peak, more than ten formal disciples gathered together. Leading them were none other than Zhao Xuhe, Fairy Qingchen, and the elder of the Library Pavilion, Wang Bairong.

Among the crowd, only these three possessed the cultivation of the middle stage of Qi Refinement.

Standing at the very front, Zhao Xuhe spoke in a booming voice, "I am deeply honored that you, my fellow brothers and sisters, have accepted my invitation. I thank you all in advance."

Having finished speaking, he bowed to the crowd.

"To tell you the truth, I discovered a cave dwelling left behind by a predecessor outside Butian Peak. Unfortunately, it is guarded by an outer formation that I lack the strength to break."

Fairy Qingchen spoke up at the opportune moment, her voice soft and gentle, enough to make one's skin tingle: "That is why Qingchen has sought out all of you. If we work together to break the formation, we can share the spoils within the cave dwelling equally. Senior Brother Zhao is a member of the Sanhe Society; you all know his reputation well, and he certainly won't let anyone suffer a loss."

Zhao Xuhe clearly possessed some skill.

He and Fairy Qingchen coordinated perfectly, while Wang Bairong, the Library Pavilion elder, played the part of the supporting actor, quickly binding the scattered crowd into a single cohesive unit.

Immediately following this, the group departed Butian Peak on their遁光 (escape lights).

The "Jietian Cloud Sea" where the Chusheng Sect was located was vast, stretching almost beyond sight. The group flew on their escape lights for fifteen minutes before coming to a halt in a section of the cloud sea.

"This is the place."

With a thought from Zhao Xuhe, his true qi parted the clouds, revealing a magnificent mountain with excellent feng shui. At first glance, it resembled a coiled old dragon.

"This place is called Panlong Island," Zhao Xuhe introduced proactively. "I have investigated it; it was once the cave dwelling of the sect's former true disciple, Perfected Panlong. The outer feng shui formation was once a Foundation Establishment-grade formation, but over many years, the ley lines supporting the formation have dried up, and its power is less than ten percent of what it once was."

"Everyone, please follow me to break the formation."

As his voice fell, Zhao Xuhe took the lead, being the first to enter Panlong Island. Seeing this, the others naturally dared not fall behind and flew in one after another.

After a moment, a figure quietly emerged.

"Interesting..."

Lu Yang looked down at Panlong Island, but he had no intention of entering. Instead, he took out four black banners and began to set them up outside the island.

"In any case, the repayment deadline is approaching, and there isn't much time left in this life."

"Might as well pull off a big score!"

"However, Panlong Island is unpredictable and treacherous. Zhao Xuhe has the advantage of numbers, while I am alone and unable to hold my own. I have no chance of winning if I go in to compete for opportunities with them."

After much thought, Lu Yang came up with a good idea.

First of all, he didn't believe a word of the claim that there were "good people" within the Demonic Sect, so he was certain that Zhao Xuhe's plan to lure people into the cave dwelling was driven by ill intentions.

However, with so many people coming, including the Library Pavilion elder Wang Bairong, even if Zhao Xuhe could swallow the whole prize, he would surely lose a few teeth in the process; he couldn't possibly come out unscathed. Since that was the case, he might as well set up a formation outside the island first, waiting in ease to ambush those who emerged.

This was far more profitable than going in to explore.

To this end, Lu Yang even used his last 100 contribution points to exchange for a set of Maze Formations.

The four "Maze Banners" locked heaven and earth, reversing directions. Although they lacked offensive power, they could trap a person within, making it difficult to escape in a short time.

"Now, I just need to wait quietly... No rush, slow and steady wins the race..."

Lu Yang patiently set his ambush.

"Zhao Xuhe! What is the meaning of this!?"

"If you kill us and our life lamps are extinguished, the Sacred Sect will not forgive you!"

Inside Panlong Island, blood was currently flowing like a river.

The group of formal disciples who had just been working together with one heart were now fighting for themselves, their screams continuous as they were repeatedly harvested by a streak of blood-light.

Away from the crowd, Zhao Xuhe and Fairy Qingchen stood side by side.

The two wore playful expressions, their brows arrogant, exuding a sinister evil aura. Their mannerisms were completely different from the sincere persona they had used to invite the crowd just moments ago.

Facing the angry shouts of the crowd, Zhao Xuhe merely sneered, his voice cold: "Do not struggle. This place was meticulously arranged by me, and this 'Blood Demon Soul-Slaying Blade' cost me a full 3,000 contribution points. Today, not a single one of you will escape Panlong Island!"

As he spoke, several more people lost their lives.

A streak of blood-light flashed through the air, instantly sucking their flesh and blood dry before revealing its true form—it was a crimson flying dagger.

"You! Scoundrel!"

In the crowd, the only one still capable of resisting was the Library Pavilion elder, Wang Bairong. However, Zhao Xuhe was in no hurry to kill him; he merely continued to wear him down.

While wearing him down, Zhao Xuhe continued to mock him with cold laughter: "Wang, do you truly think that after taking my money, you'll still have the life to spend it? The reason I bought the Substitute Death Yin Remains from you back then was specifically for today! Otherwise, if you had a pile of Substitute Death Yin Remains in your hands, I don't think it would have been easy to take you down."

"Now, all your Substitute Death Yin Remains have been bought by me."

"Once I kill you, I can simply take back the contribution points I gave you before. It's equivalent to me getting a pile of Substitute Death Yin Remains without spending a single cent."

"Looking at it this way, I should actually thank you!"

Zhao Xuhe's heart-piercing words enraged Wang Bairong to the point of nearly vomiting blood. Zhao Xuhe seized the opportunity; the flying dagger flashed and immediately plunged into his chest.

*Thud!*

Wang Bairong's lips twitched with a face full of resentment, but before he could utter even half a sentence, he was sucked dry of his blood and qi by the flying dagger, finally collapsing to the ground.

With Wang Bairong dealt with, the matter was settled.

After another moment, the wailing gradually ceased.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother!"

Fairy Qingchen was also drenched in sweat. The Blood Demon Soul-Slaying Blade consumed a massive amount of energy, and Zhao Xuhe's ability to slay so many people was naturally partly due to her contribution.

"I must thank Junior Sister as well."

Zhao Xuhe smiled slightly, retracted the Blood Demon Soul-Slaying Blade into his hand, and inquired, "How is it? With its current power, can it break through that restriction?"

Fairy Qingchen observed it for a moment, her beautiful brows furrowing slightly. "It seems to be just a little short..."

*Swish—!*

The blade went in and out. Fairy Qingchen's beautiful face turned blank, her eyes staring vacantly at the crimson flying dagger that had plunged into her lower abdomen. In the blink of an eye, she too was sucked dry into a corpse.

"Now it is not short."

Zhao Xuhe looked at the Blood Demon Soul-Slaying Blade in his hand and nodded with satisfaction. He then walked to a tightly closed quiet room deep within Panlong Island.

Without a word, he raised his blade and struck.

*Boom!*

With a thunderous roar that shook the earth and mountains, the door to the quiet room shattered, revealing its interior. Inside, a jade box was placed prominently.

With a face full of wild joy, Zhao Xuhe walked up and opened the jade box, only to find a two-volume Daoist book inside.

The upper volume was titled *Nine Transformations Dragon Transformation Manual*.

The lower volume was titled *Ten Thousand Chariots Dragon-Governing Ascension Treasure Scroll*.

Looking at the two Daoist books in the jade box, Zhao Xuhe's hands trembled with excitement: "Third-grade True Cultivation! It really is a third-grade True Cultivation technique that points directly to the Great Dao of the Golden Core!"

"Master truly did not lie to me."

"Master said that through my bitter cultivation across three lifetimes, I have accumulated merit for Perfected Panlong, and in this life, my merit is finally complete. The inheritance of Perfected Panlong is my opportunity."

"After today, as long as I cultivate with focus, refine 'True Dragon Qi,' and build the 'Ten Thousand Chariots Dragon-Governing' Dao foundation, I will surely find my true self in the future, completely transcend my tribulations, and return. And with a third-grade True Cultivation technique, not only will the path to Foundation Establishment be smooth, but the Great Dao of the Golden Core is also within reach!"

The more Zhao Xuhe thought, the more excited he became, and he immediately put away the Daoist books.

"Changing cultivation techniques requires dispersing my current cultivation. There is no time to lose; I must return to my cave dwelling immediately to enter seclusion. Once I emerge, I can formally join under Master's tutelage..."

Carrying his hopes for the future, Zhao Xuhe rode his escape light and quickly flew out of Panlong Island.

However, in the next second, Zhao Xuhe's expression changed drastically.

"Who is—"

*Boom!*

At that moment, Zhao Xuhe's eyes widened, but all he saw was a magnificent sword light, as fierce as a thunderbolt, instantly slashing right before his eyes!

(End of Chapter)