Chapter 165

Chapter 165: Clash at the Border

Secretly controlling the formation disk, Liu Hao Tian breathed a sigh of relief. Thankfully, Yun Xi’s acting was convincing enough to trap all the cultivators within the formation. This made their following plans easier.

As there was only one Golden Core cultivator among the five, their approach had to be extremely cautious. Any mistakes could alert the enemy, wasting their earlier preparations.

Earlier, Liu Hao Tian, Yu Qing Cheng, and Xia You had split up to scout the surrounding area, searching for cultivators who were meeting secretly with the demonic cultivators. However, since the location bordered the mortal world, it was rare for cultivators to appear.

After finding nothing, the three regrouped, only to soon receive news from the Flying Rosy Cloud butterfly: a group of cultivators had appeared nearby.

Yu Qing Cheng immediately said with concern, “Senior Brother Liu, do you think they’re here to meet with the demonic cultivators?”

Liu Hao Tian frowned, replying, “It’s hard to say.”

Xia You softly proposed, “Perhaps we should have the Flying Rosy Cloud butterfly follow them secretly, while we take a shortcut to set an ambush ahead. Once we confirm they’re meeting with the demonic cultivators, we’ll coordinate with Daoist Master Wei to trap them first.”

Yu Qing Cheng quickly agreed, “Xiao You is right. Trap first, don’t kill. We need to search them for clues. If we find the demonic cultivators’ lair, it will be a huge contribution for us!”

Liu Hao Tian understood clearly. Facing five cultivators, the three of them alone had no chance of victory. Even with Yun Xi, they might barely manage—but if the enemy had backup, they’d face great risk. Therefore, trapping them was the safest method.

Thus, the three hurried to the dense forest, buried Yun Xi’s fourth-tier formation disk, and hid far away. Once Yun Xi sent her signal, Liu Hao Tian activated the formation without difficulty, thanks to Yun Xi keeping the attention of the cultivators.

Back in the present, Liu Hao Tian controlled the formation disk, allowing Yun Xi to exit along with the nineteen unconscious mortals, all flower queens.

Returning control of the formation disk to Yun Xi, Liu Hao Tian asked, “Daoist Master Wei, how is the situation? We were afraid of being discovered, so we didn’t dare follow too closely.”

Yun Xi explained seriously, “I confirmed initially that these five cultivators indeed have dealings with demonic cultivators. They recruit mortals with special physiques from the mortal world, then send them to Yin Yang Sect, specifically cultivating them as furnace cauldrons. It aligns exactly with our earlier speculation.”

Hearing this, Xia You gasped, “Then… if Yin Yang Sect is actually the nest of demonic cultivators, disguised under a righteous sect, that would be terrifying. An entire sect isn’t something we can easily handle!”

Yun Xi shrugged, replying calmly, “What I know for sure is that the master of these five is collaborating with the demonic cultivators. As for the other cultivators within Yin Yang Sect, we’ll need more evidence. Indeed, this issue is beyond our ability right now. It’s better to report to our sect.”

“Fortunately, I activated a Record Jade and captured their conversation. Next, we should capture them alive with solid evidence and hand everything over to our sect elders. They’ll certainly know how to extract information from these people better than us.”

“You’re right,” Liu Hao Tian nodded, “Let’s deal with the current trouble first.”

Just as Liu Hao Tian finished speaking, the formation trembled, clearly from people inside trying to break free.

Yun Xi gave a cold snort, manipulating the formation disk with her divine sense. She layered a killing array on top of the trap, instantly forcing the trapped six into defense, struggling against endless attacks.

As the four were entirely focused on the formation, a silent strike suddenly flew toward their backs.

Sensing the danger, Yun Xi immediately activated Thousand Shadows Riding the Wind, riding the force of the attack backward into the formation. However, she had no time to warn Liu Hao Tian and the others. As she fell into the formation, she saw clearly who had launched the sneak attack—it was City Lord Li, who previously escaped.

“Pff!” Yun Xi spat out blood upon landing inside the formation. She cursed softly, “What rotten luck!” This City Lord Li truly haunted her persistently. Likely, after fleeing, he’d stayed hidden near the border, hoping to discover which powerful cultivator entered the mortal world, only to stumble upon the four of them instead.

“I wonder how much this City Lord Li knows,” Yun Xi muttered anxiously. If he knew everything, then this matter couldn’t be settled peacefully.

She quickly swallowed a healing pill, rising swiftly from the ground.

“Hahaha! So you’re trapped here too! Now leave your life behind!” the male leader from Yin Yang Sect shouted fiercely, eyes cold with malice.

Yun Xi glanced at him, sensing that their cultivation levels matched—both Golden Core early stage. His arrogance stemmed solely from Yun Xi’s disguised cultivation level.

Wiping away the blood from her lips, she manipulated the Floral Forehead Immortal Ornament, removing the disguise to reveal her true Golden Core early-stage power. She grasped the Seven Star Fatal Staff tightly and sneered, “Let’s see who’ll be leaving their life behind!”

At her words, their attacks met in a fierce clash, blades and staffs colliding. The immense force drove both of them backward several steps. However, Yun Xi’s strength surpassed her opponent’s, forcing the Yin Yang Sect male cultivator to retreat further.

Standing firm, Yun Xi coldly said, “You chose to become a running dog for demonic cultivators rather than a righteous cultivator. Do you truly believe you’ll have a good ending?”

The Yin Yang Sect cultivator, seemingly touched on a sore point, replied hoarsely, “Hmph! You have no right to judge me. A favored child of heaven like you can’t understand the struggles of us lower cultivators! For a mere scrap of cultivation resources, we often risk our lives! I reached Golden Core after more than two centuries, yet look at you—a fifteen-year-old prodigy who only needs to cultivate obediently to receive endless resources!”

Yun Xi brandished her Life-Ending Staff, responding with indifference, “By your logic, all lower-level cultivators should collude with demonic forces for cultivation resources. Utter nonsense! Talent in cultivation is bestowed by the heavens. Yes, some are superior, others inferior, yet merely having spiritual roots makes you better off than countless mortals.”

“Cultivation is an act against destiny—to follow the Heavenly Dao while changing one’s fate. Lofty Cosmos Realm’s history spans tens of thousands of years, countless cultivators ascended to the spirit realm. Not all were exceptional geniuses; many were ordinary cultivators. Why not learn from them?”

“Before Nascent Soul, perhaps talent matters greatly. But afterward, understanding the Heavenly Dao matters far more. Your Dao heart is already twisted, and even if you cultivate for a thousand more years, ascension will remain impossible. You took shortcuts precisely because you know this truth—but you’re doomed to fail!”

“Shut up!” The Yin Yang Sect cultivator lost control, launching a sharp sword strike toward Yun Xi’s face.

Noticing his chaotic aura, Yun Xi skillfully blocked his sword with her staff, secretly directing a Cold Frost Mystic Ice Needle toward his dantian.

Outside the formation, Liu Hao Tian, Yu Qing Cheng, and Xia You were hit by City Lord Li’s attack and hurled backward, crashing through the trees rather than into the formation.

Staring grimly at their Nascent Soul attacker, Liu Hao Tian identified him at once: “You’re City Lord Li!”

City Lord Li’s eyes flickered with murderous intent—his identity couldn’t be revealed. Raising his hand, he prepared another lethal strike.

Unwilling to die so easily, the three desperately brought out their strongest protective treasures to defend themselves.

Just then, an imposing voice rang out, filled with icy fury: “Li Chang! How dare you attack my disciple!”