Chapter 094

Chapter 94: Stranded in Treasure Blossom

Wei Yun Xi quickly tucked the Seven-Star Fatal Staff into her storage ring, then swiftly opened the room’s formation and darted outside. She wanted to see how much damage she’d caused and if her newly mined spirit stones would be enough for compensation.

By the time Yun Xi reached the courtyard, the other fellow disciples staying in the same compound had also stepped out of their rooms, all curious about what had happened.

“Senior Brother Sheng, what’s going on?”

Everyone steadied themselves, turning their gazes toward Sheng Yu Hong.

Sheng Yu Hong’s face was solemn as he answered, “Something seems to have happened in Treasure Blossom Range. Senior Uncle Feng and I will investigate. Stay here and do not act recklessly.”

With those words, he flashed away and vanished from sight.

Yun Xi secretly glanced around and noticed the earlier shaking had already ceased, with no cracks visible in the courtyard’s ground. She breathed a sigh of relief, glad that her staff swing wasn’t the cause.

She quickly moved to Qin Tong Shuang and Mu Ning Zhu’s side, asking with furrowed brows, “Senior Sister Mu, could this disturbance be linked to the secret realm?”

Mu Ning Zhu shook her head, uncertain. “I’m not sure. We’ll know when Senior Brother Sheng returns, but it must relate to that unopened secret realm.”

Qin Tong Shuang knitted her brows in deep thought, remaining silent until Mu Ning Zhu finished. Then she whispered softly, “Senior Sister Mu, Yun Xi, I think perhaps the realm’s emergence startled the demon beasts within Treasure Blossom Range. It might have caused a beast riot.”

“You mean a beast tide?” Mu Ning Zhu responded immediately.

“Just a guess,” Qin Tong Shuang admitted without denial.

Long Dao Yu, who had been quietly eavesdropping, suddenly gasped in fright. He rushed over and nervously spoke up, “Senior Uncles, if that’s true, we’d better leave Treasure Blossom City now. Qi Refining small fries like us staying during a beast tide is just courting death!”

This time, Qin Tong Shuang remained quiet, but Yun Xi gave a slight nod of agreement.

Mu Ning Zhu abruptly looked up to the sky, took a deep breath, and sighed, “Too late!”

“Huh? Why?” Long Dao Yu exclaimed.

Yun Xi, sensing something, also raised her eyes skyward, observing the shimmering gold patterns as the grand formation above the city closed fully, sealing Treasure Blossom City.

“The city-protecting grand formation has been activated. None of us can leave now until the formation is lifted,” Mu Ning Zhu explained solemnly to those beside her.

Long Dao Yu opened and closed his mouth several times before finally muttering weakly, “Then we’re staying here to resist the beast tide?”

“Probably,” Mu Ning Zhu replied grimly.

A heavy silence fell across the courtyard. Everyone knew the terrifying dangers of a beast tide.

Yun Xi felt a pang of guilt, [Did I flap my butterfly wings too strongly, causing even a beast tide? I wonder if we’ll survive this trial.]

At this moment, Sheng Yu Hong swiftly returned, his voice heavy with authority. “Treasure Blossom City’s protective formation is activated. Cultivators previously exploring Treasure Blossom Range are retreating rapidly, pursued closely by a sudden beast tide. The City Lord’s guards alone aren’t enough; all cultivators within the city will need to help resist.”

“Soon, tasks to fight the beast tide will be issued. I will accept this city-defense mission in the name of Grand Righteous Sect. Prepare yourselves and don’t miss this chance to temper your skills. While cultivators have not yet crowded in, quickly replenish your resources. If your spirit stones run short, shop at our own stores.”

“Yes, Senior Brother Sheng.”

Under Sheng Yu Hong’s guidance, everyone began moving urgently. Qi Refinement disciples flocked toward the front courtyard, while Foundation Establishment disciples quickly grouped and left the compound to replenish their supplies in town.

Yun Xi didn’t dare underestimate the situation. She grabbed Qin Tong Shuang and headed once again toward Overlook Terrace Pavilion. The same Qi Refining stage attendant greeted them, but without his earlier welcoming smile.

“Two fellow daoists, what do you need?”

Not wanting to waste time, Yun Xi directly requested, “I need a defensive treasure, a flying artifact, two thousand sheets each of first and second-grade blank talisman paper, and some beast blood for talisman-drawing. Fetch these first; if I remember anything else, I’ll tell you.”

Beside her, Qin Tong Shuang also quickly listed her needs—a defensive treasure and an offensive formation disk.

“Understood. Fellow daoists, please wait a moment. This humble one will prepare your items now.”

Yun Xi and Qin Tong Shuang exchanged glances, stepping into a private room.

“Do you think we’ll return to the sect safely?” Qin Tong Shuang softly asked.

“Definitely,” Yun Xi reassured her. “Since there’s a beast tide here, the sect will send disciples as backup. We just need to withstand the first wave.”

“I understand. If we leave the city to fight demon beasts, we should team up,” Qin Tong Shuang suggested.

“Yes. But I’m already at Foundation Establishment, so we might not end up together. Be careful out there,” Yun Xi reminded gently.

“I will.”

Both feeling anxious, neither spoke further. When the attendant returned with their requested items, they quickly selected and paid without bargaining, sweeping everything into their storage bags.

Yun Xi realized Qin Tong Shuang certainly wasn’t lacking spirit stones either—she casually took a fourth-grade formation disk and a bell-shaped defensive treasure capable of blocking a Nascent Soul cultivator’s strike without hesitation.

Ironically, while Yun Xi was quietly marveling at Qin Tong Shuang’s wealth, Qin Tong Shuang was secretly astonished by Yun Xi’s extravagance.

After all, Yun Xi had chosen an unassuming white jade magnolia hairpin—a high-grade defensive artifact able to withstand three full-strength strikes from a Nascent Soul cultivator—and a Cloud Mist Flying Skiff. Although small enough to carry only two people, it could be powered by spirit stones or spiritual energy and matched the fleeing speed of an early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, a perfect escape tool.

After leaving Overlook Terrace Pavilion, the two immediately headed to Hundred Pill Hall. Pills for healing, replenishing spiritual energy, and detoxification were essential, and both made substantial purchases before hurriedly returning to their base.

The city’s cultivators all moved swiftly, crowding shops selling pills, talismans, artifacts, and formations. Clearly, many others had also realized the danger and rushed to stockpile resources.

Upon returning to the courtyard, Yun Xi separated from Qin Tong Shuang. They both needed to refine their newly acquired treasures, as stepping into battle unprepared was akin to suicide.

Entering her damaged room, Yun Xi activated her isolation formation and slumped onto her meditation cushion, rubbing her forehead tiredly.

Just then, Dian Dian cautiously poked its tiny head out from Yun Xi’s collar, whispering through telepathy, “Master, has something bad happened?”

Yun Xi had felt Dian Dian stirring earlier, yet it remained hidden until now. Gently pulling Dian Dian out, she explained, “The anomaly in Treasure Blossom Range triggered a beast tide. Fellow disciples and I are trapped in Treasure Blossom City, preparing to face the beasts rushing from the mountains.”

Dian Dian’s ears twitched nervously. [Master truly has terrible luck!]

“I forgot to buy a spirit beast pouch. You’ll have to stay and cultivate here. I may have to leave for battle at any moment.”

“Master, Dian Dian wants to stay with you!” Dian Dian quickly expressed loyalty.

“Fine, decide for yourself.”

Yun Xi placed Dian Dian beside her and immediately began refining her new defensive treasure.