Chapter 163
Chapter 163: Second Senior Sister, May I Join Your Team?
As the two Young Sect Masters decided to team up, their group of disciples showed no resistance.
Shi Zi Chu flashed a radiant smile, her voice gentle as she addressed Yao Ruo Ruo: “Ruo Ruo, would you like to join me in clearing the Blood Moon Eels?”
“Sure!” Yao Ruo Ruo responded without hesitation.
Yan Zhou Bai could only watch in silence. With her eager demeanor, it seemed she’d be the type to help count the money after being sold.
Shi Zi Chu and Yao Ruo Ruo immediately took to Sword Flight, their figures vanishing into the mist and pestilence. Occasionally, flashes of sword light pierced through the fog, illuminating the depths. Meng Xi Yu and Yan Zhou Bai, standing in the front, gazed at the distant mist with calm faces.
Within less than the time it took to burn an incense stick, the communication talisman at Yan Zhou Bai’s waist glowed.
Yao Ruo Ruo’s sweet, lively voice came through the talisman: “Senior Brother, it’s all cleared.”
Yan Zhou Bai responded with a nod, storing the talisman and turning to Meng Xi Yu. “They’ve cleared it. Shall we proceed with you leading the way and me covering the rear?”
Meng Xi Yu nodded.
Fu Qi Xiu, under the control of the master-servant Soul Contract, begrudgingly crossed the marsh, his steps unwilling.
On the green sward, the first to reach solid ground was Meng Xi Yu, who saw Shi Zi Chu manipulating the water to cleanse the spirit beast pills. As for Yao Ruo Ruo, she was continuously pulling out spirit beast pills.
Watching the seamless teamwork of the two, Meng Xi Yu fell silent.
The Blood Moon Eels in the swamp had been mostly cleared, though a portion had burrowed deep into the muddy ground. Aside from the Blood Moon Eels, other spirit beasts also inhabited the swamp, so the cultivators crossing the marsh dared not let down their guard.
Liang Wei Sheng, not yet at the Golden Core stage, rode Qing Yu across, attracting many envious glances.
When Yan Zhou Bai finally arrived at the green sward, Meng Xi Yu spoke, “There’s too little solid ground in Blue Rain Marsh. This could serve as a resting point.”
Yan Zhou Bai nodded in agreement before speaking his next plan: “I intend for them to adapt for two days on the outer edges before moving to the middle zone.”
In these two days, they also needed to find a place in the middle zone for rest.
“The middle zone is far more dangerous. It’s impossible to proceed without a solid resting point.” Shi Zi Chu volunteered, “I can go alone to explore the middle zone.”
“No.” Meng Xi Yu swiftly rejected her.
Yan Zhou Bai also disagreed. “It’s too dangerous alone.”
Turning his gaze toward the eager Yao Ruo Ruo, his voice was calm but slightly stern, “Junior Sister, your idea is not feasible.”
“Why?” Yao Ruo Ruo pouted, her voice tinged with frustration. “Both Zi Chu and I are at the Nascent Soul stage.”
Yan Zhou Bai’s voice remained even. “You’ve come here to consolidate your cultivation. Are you planning to rush into the middle zone before even adjusting to the outer regions?”
Yao Ruo Ruo sulked, her lips pouting.
“This matter is postponed for now,” Meng Xi Yu intervened.
Yan Zhou Bai nodded in agreement.
Turning to the disciples behind him, Meng Xi Yu ordered, “Form groups of four to begin your training. Do not venture into the middle zone, and do not relax your vigilance…”
After finishing his instructions, Meng Xi Yu turned to Shi Zi Chu, his meaning clear.
“Wei Sheng,” Shi Zi Chu waved at Liang Wei Sheng.
Liang Wei Sheng quickly approached.
Chu Zhi Rou moved swiftly, reaching Shi Zi Chu and asking, “Second Senior Sister, may I join your team?”
With the status of a Young Sect Master, it would certainly be safer to team up with her.
Shi Zi Chu smiled. “Of course.”
Watching Shi Zi Chu and Meng Xi Yu form their four-person team, many disciples couldn’t help but feel a tinge of regret.
Yan Zhou Bai grabbed hold of Yao Ruo Ruo, who was attempting to join Shi Zi Chu’s group. After he finished his instructions, the disciples of Limitless Sect began to form their own teams.
Shi Zi Chu glanced at Meng Xi Yu and Liang Wei Sheng. Seeing their obedient expressions, she turned her attention toward Chu Zhi Rou.
“Junior Sister Zhi Rou, what are your thoughts on the upcoming trial?” Her voice was soft and friendly.
Unsure of Shi Zi Chu’s intentions, Chu Zhi Rou smiled obediently, “Whatever Second Senior Sister decides.”
Since the Young Sect Master had not spoken yet, she figured she should wait and not rush to act.
Shi Zi Chu smiled helplessly and pointed to a direction. “Let’s head this way.”
No one knew what lay beyond the mist, and soon, the group’s figures vanished into the haze.
Meng Xi Yu, leading the way, took several detours, eventually warning, “This area is a large expanse of swamp, watch your steps.”
Shi Zi Chu responded with an acknowledgment.
Suddenly, rustling sounds echoed from all directions.
“Water Shield!”
Shi Zi Chu raised her hand and performed a hand seal.
“Go!” Meng Xi Yu’s life-bound sword unsheathed, slicing through a Blood Moon Eel attacking Liang Wei Sheng.
Noticing Chu Zhi Rou frozen in place, Meng Xi Yu barked, “Why are you standing there doing nothing?”
A mass of Blood Moon Eels emerged from the mud, their snake-like, boneless forms disgusting to behold.
“I-I…” The trembling voice of Chu Zhi Rou, filled with fear, stammered, “I’m scared, I’m afraid… wuwuwu…”
The number of Blood Moon Eels here had greatly increased compared to before. Chu Zhi Rou was already terrified of snakes, and now, facing these crawling creatures, her composure nearly shattered. If not for a sliver of remaining rationality, she would have likely fled already.
Meng Xi Yu, upon hearing this, almost laughed out of frustration.
These Blood Moon Eels were no stronger than the late-stage Foundation Establishment realm, so what was there to fear for a Golden Core cultivator?
Watching Chu Zhi Rou sobbing in fear, Shi Zi Chu suddenly withdrew the Water Shield.
Without the barrier, the horde of Blood Moon Eels surged toward Chu Zhi Rou and Liang Wei Sheng.
“Ah!” The terrified scream of Chu Zhi Rou pierced the air. “Help me! Save me!”
But she never had a chance to call for help, as the Blood Moon Eels were too fast.
Unable to rely on anyone, she could only shakily reach for her defensive magic artifact, channeling spiritual power into it. The rising barrier technique flung the Blood Moon Eels away.
Although Liang Wei Sheng found the creatures revolting, he did not freeze like Chu Zhi Rou. With Qing Yu, he sliced through the Blood Moon Eels.
Shielded by the barrier technique, Chu Zhi Rou finally felt a semblance of relief. Wiping her tears away, she turned to Shi Zi Chu.
All around Shi Zi Chu, aqua-blue silken threads swirled, cutting the approaching Blood Moon Eels into pieces with ease.
Watching Shi Zi Chu act so effortlessly, Chu Zhi Rou, accustomed to being protected, couldn’t help but feel a pang of resentment.
Shi Zi Chu had to be doing this on purpose! She just wanted to watch her make a fool of herself!
As for Fu Qi Xiu, venting his frustrations on the Blood Moon Eels, he took his anger out on them, severing them into pieces with swift strikes.
His movement technique was so fast that only afterimages remained, as though a ghost.
Shi Zi Chu stood there, arms crossed, her posture relaxed and calm, a stark contrast to the surrounding chaos.
Watching Chu Zhi Rou’s miserable state, her voice, gentle and reassuring, rang out: “Junior Sister Zhi Rou, don’t be afraid. These Blood Moon Eels are only at the late Foundation Establishment stage. Use your magic artifact to deal with them.”
At that moment, Shi Zi Chu’s soothing voice served as a pillar of calm. Chu Zhi Rou, emboldened by her words, shakily drew Yu Sheng from her storage ring.
The sharp life-bound sword in her hand gave her a semblance of courage. Gritting her teeth, she swung it.
The Blood Moon Eels that were sliced into pieces writhed for a moment before falling still.
Although still disgusting, Chu Zhi Rou was no longer as terrified.
Fu Qi Xiu, venting his frustration, glanced back. He saw Shi Zi Chu, standing gracefully, arms crossed, as if she were part of a painting, so out of place against the surrounding environment.
Mesmerizing!
Fu Qi Xiu sneered inwardly, and with a swift motion, the remaining Blood Moon Eels in front of him exploded into pieces.