Chapter 083

Chapter 83: Knowing One’s Weaknesses

When Yun Xi saw the two men’s threatening posture, she pretended to be frightened and stepped back, her voice trembling slightly as she asked, “Fellow daoists, why are you following this girl?”

One of them snickered and replied, “Isn’t it obvious? Be clever and hand over your storage bag. We’ll spare your life, or else don’t blame us for being ruthless.”

Their threat was clear and unmasked.

Feigning terror, Yun Xi stumbled another step backward, slipping quietly into the area she’d prepared with her array disk. Still feigning bravery, she warned, “I’m a disciple of Grand Righteous Sect. Don’t push your luck!”

“Hmph!” The other rogue cultivator sneered disdainfully, “You sect disciples are exactly who we target!”

He swiftly formed a hand seal, releasing a sharp blade of water toward Yun Xi. She dodged narrowly, turned swiftly, and ran. Without hesitation, the two cultivators pursued her, but as soon as they entered the array’s boundary, Yun Xi vanished from sight. Realizing their predicament too late, they halted abruptly.

“She tricked us!” growled one angrily.

“Indeed, a fat sheep worth taking down,” the other sneered maliciously.

“Xia, quickly release your Trail Seeking Mouse and find her hiding place!”

“Right!” The cultivator surnamed Xia immediately drew out a small white mouse with distinctive black ears—the reason Yun Xi hadn’t managed to lose them earlier.

Controlling the array, Yun Xi swiftly separated the two men, deciding to deal first with the cultivator who had initially threatened her, leaving the man surnamed Xia trapped behind.

The rogue cultivator smiled viciously when Yun Xi appeared before him, mocking her, “Little girl, small in stature yet cunning enough to ambush us!”

These two men had used their Trail Seeking Mouse many times, ambushing numerous sect disciples who ventured out alone, amassing significant resources. Both were at peak Qi Refining stage, intending soon to return to Treasure Blossom City and attempt Foundation Establishment. They only targeted Yun Xi because her solitary presence suggested easy prey, her valuable belongings only increasing their greed.

Yun Xi wasted no time replying, raising her sword and attacking. Truthfully, she had wanted an opportunity to test herself.

Aside from defeating the sinister Chen Feng previously, this was only her second battle against human cultivators. Over the past three years, she’d mostly battled demon beasts in the sect’s mountains, thus lacking experience in human confrontations.

Her opponent was obviously more seasoned. Though Yun Xi’s cultivation was higher, she initially struggled against his ruthless and unpredictable moves, becoming somewhat flustered. Thankfully, her technique Thousand Shadows Riding the Wind was reliable, allowing her to evade each attack safely.

Yun Xi quickly realized her shortcomings. Apart from direct attack spells, she lacked combat variety. Her sword skills, though powered by spiritual energy, lacked finesse and systematic technique.

Yet, during their exchange, she observed something else: speed was her ally. As long as she remained quick enough, she could avoid attacks—provided her spiritual energy reserves exceeded her opponent’s. Otherwise, against someone of equal cultivation, she would surely face severe injury or death.

Understanding this, Yun Xi lost interest in continuing the duel. In a swift flash, she appeared behind the rogue cultivator, piercing her sword cleanly through his heart.

As he fell, his eyes widened with disbelief. After hunting so many, he himself had been silently defeated.

After quickly looting his storage bag, Yun Xi moved toward the space holding Xia captive.

Xia Yang desperately swung an axe at the array, intent on escape. The moment he’d been separated from his companion, he’d realized they’d underestimated this young girl.

Upon seeing Yun Xi, Xia swung wildly at her, hoping to catch her off guard. Prepared, Yun Xi vanished, reappearing directly behind him. Her blade sliced horizontally, shaving off a handful of Xia’s hair as he ducked frantically.

Sweat poured from Xia Yang’s face as he immediately pleaded, “Fellow daoist, spare me! I’ll gladly surrender my storage bag in exchange for my life!”

Yun Xi paused thoughtfully, seeming to weigh the offer.

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Xia quickly added, “It’s difficult being a rogue cultivator. We only rob storage bags, never kill! Please spare me…”

Yun Xi impatiently waved her hand, interrupting, “Fine! However, I’ve taken a liking to your Trail Seeking Mouse. Break your contract and hand it over to me.”

Xia Yang grimaced inwardly, yet clenched his teeth and agreed, “Alright. I’ll remove the contract, but fellow daoist must swear not to kill me—”

His words were abruptly silenced by an icy spike thrown by Yun Xi, whose voice was icy cold. “Do you think you’re qualified to negotiate? If you value your life, hurry up, or you’ll join your companion.”

A dangerous glint flashed through Xia’s eyes, but he obediently produced the small mouse, quickly removing his master-servant bond, then gently pushed the tiny creature toward Yun Xi.

The mouse gazed curiously up at Yun Xi, black eyes glittering as if evaluating its new master’s strength.

Scanning carefully with her spiritual sense to confirm no deceit, Yun Xi picked up the palm-sized creature and squeezed it gently, enjoying its soft fur. Satisfied, she turned dismissively toward Xia, “Since you complied so nicely, I’ll spare your life. Now scram!”

The array opened a small passage, and Xia Yang exhaled in relief. Avoiding a fight to the death was preferable. But as he hurried through the opening, the array suddenly snapped shut, slicing him cleanly in half before he could even cry out.

“You—” was all Xia managed before collapsing lifelessly.

“Hmph! Don’t underestimate me just because I’m young,” Yun Xi muttered, collecting Xia’s storage bag. Inside she found numerous questionable items, including several embroidered bellybands belonging to female cultivators, proving their villainy beyond doubt.

She also found a third-grade Explosive Talisman clutched tightly in his hand, clearly his last-resort weapon. Had she hesitated, he might have used it.

“Whew, that was close!” Yun Xi sighed, safely tucking away the talisman among her spoils.

After meditating for a quarter-hour to replenish her energy, Yun Xi withdrew her array disk. Then, decisively, she revealed her cultivation at early Foundation Establishment—a carefully considered choice, perfect for openly entering the sect’s Inner Sect.

The Treasure Blossom Range held countless opportunities. She intended to grasp them all.

As she departed, Yun Xi turned, glancing meaningfully toward a certain tree. She flashed what she thought was a sinister smile, then swiftly vanished.

A male cultivator hidden behind the tree involuntarily shivered, deeply relieved he hadn’t rashly intervened. That young girl’s grin had been terrifyingly fierce.