Chapter 164

Chapter 164: An Ambush Prepared in Advance

Yu Qing Cheng lightly furrowed her delicate brows, worry clouding her eyes as she said, “Senior Brother Liu’s concerns aren’t without reason. We’ve all forgotten that Yun Xi is only fifteen years old. Though she is a Golden Core Daoist Master, she is still the youngest among the four of us. Seeking aid is necessary, but we cannot make it widely known. If we alert those lurking demonic cultivators, our plans will surely crumble.”

Liu Hao Tian nodded solemnly in agreement, quickly drawing out his identity jade token from Hundred Flowers Pavilion and sending a message to his master. Raising his head, he said to the others, “I’ve informed my master. He should be arriving soon. Until then, we must keep close watch on these demonic cultivators.”

Hearing Liu Hao Tian had even alerted his master, Yu Qing Cheng promptly replied, “In that case, we’ll follow Senior Brother Liu’s lead.”

After the three made further detailed plans, they separated and disappeared silently into three different directions.

Meanwhile, Yun Xi still lay peacefully in the carriage, quietly passing through the barrier alongside the other Flower Queens, returning from the mortal realm back into the Cultivation World.

The moment she crossed the barrier, Yun Xi felt all her pores open, absorbing spiritual energy eagerly into her body. It was a wonderful sensation, as though the spiritual energy itself recognized her and rushed willingly to embrace her.

This movement of spiritual energy immediately drew the attention of the demonic cultivator driving the carriage. He hadn’t anticipated that this batch of captives would include such excellent “goods.” A girl who attracted spiritual energy even before cultivation would certainly become a top-quality cauldron once she began training. [It seems this mission will be a guaranteed success.]

Feeling she couldn’t pretend unconsciousness any longer due to the obvious disturbance caused by the gathering spiritual energy, Yun Xi acted as if she were slowly awakening under its influence.

She opened her eyes, glanced around cautiously, and noticing the scenery had changed and the other Flower Queens still unconscious, she feigned concern and gently nudged the person beside her. Naturally, the woman remained asleep, prompting Yun Xi to call out, “Stop the carriage! Someone here has fainted!”

The demonic cultivator continued to drive onward, replying coldly, “You’re quite early to wake. Your potential must be quite impressive.”

Yun Xi continued her performance, deliberately distracting him, “You aren’t Boss Zhao! Who are you? Where are you taking us?”

“To a good place, naturally,” the demonic cultivator replied indifferently.

“What sort of good place requires drugging and kidnapping us?”

“Tsk,” the demonic cultivator clicked his tongue, sounding amused. “You’re more perceptive than expected. How do you know you’ve been drugged?”

Yun Xi’s eyes flickered as she asked with feigned resignation, “I couldn’t wake them up, so of course you’ve drugged us. Where exactly are you selling us?”

“Haha! What I’ve chosen for you is the path to immortal ascension. You’ll thank me later,” he replied arrogantly.

“The immortal path? You mean we can become immortals?” Yun Xi continued probing innocently.

“You ask too many questions. You’ll understand when the time comes.” The demonic cultivator, having lost his interest in further conversation, waved his sleeve, causing Yun Xi to fall unconscious again.

Yun Xi secretly clenched her teeth in annoyance, but cooperatively “fainted” once more.

The carriage traveled onward for another half-hour before finally stopping deep within a secluded forest.

A quarter-hour later, a group arrived to meet the demonic cultivator driving the carriage.

Through the eyes of the Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly, Yun Xi observed five newcomers—three men and two women. The men wore black robes with white trimming, while the women wore robes of red bordered with black. Each wore a Yin-Yang jade pendant at their waists, clearly indicating their affiliation with the Yin Yang Sect of the cultivation world.

She immediately thought to herself, [These demonic cultivators have colluded with a cultivation sect! It seems this Yin Yang Sect isn’t as innocent as it appears!]

As far as Yun Xi knew, Yin Yang Sect was merely a third-rate sect, similar to the Blossoming Harmony Sect, using dual cultivation to improve strength. Established late, its standards for accepting disciples were lower, mostly recruiting those discarded by Blossoming Harmony Sect. Its reputation was mediocre, but it hadn’t previously been linked openly with demonic cultivators.

[Could these people be demonic cultivators in disguise?] Yun Xi hesitated briefly, uncertain of their identities. It was certainly possible they would disguise themselves to avoid suspicion.

Just then, the conversation reached Yun Xi’s ears clearly.

“Did things go smoothly this time?”

“Yes, very smoothly. There’s even a pleasant surprise among these girls—a young woman with a special physique who draws spiritual energy without even cultivating. You should pay special attention to her.”

“Understood. I will inform the master. He will personally train her and ensure the master’s plans are not disrupted.”

“There’s one more matter I need clarification on. Has any Divine Transformation expert recently visited the mortal realm from the Cultivation World?”

Upon hearing this question, the Yin Yang Sect disciples hesitated briefly before answering, “As far as we know, none have. Why do you ask?”

“Recently, we sensed a Divine Transformation-level pressure in the mortal realm. Worried we’d attract attention from the Cultivation World, we’ve halted many activities. This time, we selected people with special physiques through the mortal Flower Queen competition to avoid suspicion.”

“If that’s the case, we’re uncertain. Ever since the incident at Rosy Cloud Valley’s transfer station, Lofty Cosmos Realm cultivators have been extremely vigilant. It’s possible they sent an expert to patrol the mortal realm.”

Yun Xi instantly understood why the demonic cultivator had asked this. It was caused by her own Golden Core breakthrough. Back then, she had endured nine extra heavenly lightning tribulations and bravely tempered her body with Nine Heavens Mystic Lightning. This had not only ruined the Golden Core Demonic Cultivator’s hidden arrangements but had strengthened her body significantly. At that moment, she deliberately released suppressed spiritual awareness, giving the demonic cultivators active in the mortal realm the illusion that a Divine Transformation expert had descended.

Now she clearly understood why City Lord Li had fled earlier. He must have thought a Divine Transformation cultivator had discovered the Corpse Nurturing Ground, abandoning even his son to escape quickly.

After concluding their brief conversation, the two groups completed the handover. The demonic cultivator who brought Yun Xi prepared to return along his original path.

Yun Xi decided it was time to act. She quickly instructed the Flying Rosy Cloud Butterfly to signal Liu Hao Tian and the others to prepare. Then she stood up suddenly, lifting the curtain as she called out, “Wait, young sir!”

Her sudden voice startled everyone, especially the demonic cultivator who had spoken with her earlier. His spiritual awareness swept over her suspiciously as he asked sharply, “Why have you awakened again?”

Yun Xi stepped out of the carriage, feigning ignorance as she replied, “I woke up earlier when you were talking. I heard you treating us like goods. You’re definitely bad people!”

In an instant, the demonic cultivator appeared beside her, gripping her wrist as he coldly threatened, “I advise you to behave wisely. The more you know, the quicker you’ll die!”

Yun Xi pretended to struggle fiercely, shouting repeatedly, “Let go of me!”

Amidst her yelling, she secretly grasped the demonic cultivator’s wrist in return. In the next breath, his entire body convulsed, terror flashing through his eyes before he fell unconscious to the ground.

Realizing the situation had changed, the five from Yin Yang Sect swiftly moved to surround Yun Xi. But in that moment, golden formation runes erupted from the ground, enclosing them all instantly. In the blink of an eye, Yun Xi vanished from their sight.

“This isn’t good! We’ve walked into an ambush!”