Chapter 173
Chapter 173: The Mantis Catches the Cicada, Unaware of the Sparrow Behind
“Shi Zi Chu!”
“Zi Chu!!”
“Senior Sister Shi!”
“Fang Wei An, have you lost your mind?!”
Anxious, worried cries mingled with an angry, heated curse. Spiritual powers of all colors shot toward Shi Zi Chu, desperately trying to rescue her from the jaws of the Blood Moon Eel King.
But Shi Zi Chu moved faster than anyone expected.
She flew straight toward the Blood Moon Eel King. Seeing its prey willingly enter its mouth, the eel opened wide—only to receive a swift kick to its head.
In midair, Shi Zi Chu spun gracefully and slammed another powerful kick into the beast. Then, using the momentum, she swung Zi Yuan, still shaped as a pipa, down onto its head with a resounding “pang!”
The Blood Moon Eel King saw stars from the strike, its massive body crashing into the swamp below.
Meng Xi Yu fell silent. Yan Zhou Bai also fell silent.
Every disciple around them stood stunned and speechless.
[Was this really happening?!]
Ye Chi Wei’s lips twitched slightly, the worry fading into helpless amusement. Shi Zi Chu’s gentle and delicate appearance was truly deceptive. Because she always looked soft and kind, it was easy to forget she was the personal disciple of Venerable Xing Lan.
Shi Zi Chu paid no mind to anyone’s reactions and continued swinging the pipa, striking fiercely.
Qu Ru stared, eyes wide in admiration, her spirit sword slicing through Blood Moon Eels. Such elegance, such power—she longed to learn!
Fu Qi Xiu returned just in time to see Shi Zi Chu fighting like someone possessed.
[Wait—who provoked her now?]
When Yao Ruo Ruo returned from killing the Blood Moon Eel King, she froze, staring blankly as Shi Zi Chu wielded the pipa like a giant hammer, “Huh?”
Seeing Shi Zi Chu handle the Blood Moon Eel Kings with ease, Meng Xi Yu’s tense heart finally relaxed. Turning sharply, he struck Fang Wei An with a palm, sending him crashing violently into the grass. Before Fang Wei An could rise, chains swiftly bound him tight.
Fang Wei An’s attempt had been far from subtle. Many disciples tending wounds nearby saw clearly what happened, so no one tried to stop Meng Xi Yu.
“Fang Wei An attacked Zi Chu, hoping the Blood Moon Eel King would kill her,” Yan Zhou Bai explained quietly to Yao Ruo Ruo.
Yao Ruo Ruo grabbed her sword, ready to beat Fang Wei An. Yan Zhou Bai quickly caught her, saying calmly, “Junior Sister, you are Limitless Sect’s eldest miss.”
If she attacked, it would escalate into a conflict between Jade Void Sect and Limitless Sect.
“Ruo Ruo, I’m fine,” Shi Zi Chu’s gentle voice drifted over.
Yao Ruo Ruo was furious, glaring daggers at Fang Wei An, as if she could tear him apart with her gaze alone.
After taking down a few more Blood Moon Eel Kings, Shi Zi Chu gracefully jumped back onto solid ground. She put Zi Yuan away, gently touched the necklace on her neck, and said softly, “Let’s first handle the beast tide.”
Ye He Qi truly had many good treasures!
Seeing the situation under control, Qu Ru turned aside to ask worriedly, “Senior Sister Shi, are you hurt?”
“Not… hm?” Shi Zi Chu glanced down at the hem of her cloak and instantly wilted, “Why is there a tear here?”
Hearing her disappointed voice, Qu Ru wanted desperately to turn into an embroidery master to mend it, but sadly, she couldn’t even hold an embroidery needle properly.
Meng Xi Yu approached. Even though Shi Zi Chu’s aura was steady, he said softly, “Rest for a moment.”
Without waiting, he raised his sword and stepped forward to cover the gap in combat strength.
Although Shi Zi Chu had dealt with the Blood Moon Eel King, more Blood Moon Eels surged continuously, joined by creatures like Scorchblood Crocodiles. Disciples who had regained their strength through spirit pills rejoined the fight, while those who had grown weary retreated to recover.
Ban Xia’s supply of spirit pills was abundant, allowing them to fight in shifts, ensuring none grew overly exhausted, though injuries were inevitable.
Meanwhile, the damaged barrier technique was quickly repaired, easing the disciples’ burden significantly.
After resting a bit, Shi Zi Chu calmly approached Fang Wei An.
Facing Fang Wei An’s hateful, regretful gaze, Shi Zi Chu curved her eyes gently, silently mouthing the words: [The mantis catches the cicada, unaware of the sparrow behind.]
Knowing Chu Zhi Rou and Fang Wei An were in the group, how could she not be prepared? This situation was a good chance for Fang Wei An, but it was also a rare opportunity for her.
Peak Master Qin Tai Feng had plenty of precious items, but if Shi Zi Chu directly demanded them, she’d surely be chased out of Qin Tai Peak. Now, Fang Wei An had placed such a significant leverage in her hands. Peak Master Fang would have no choice but to beg her to accept compensation and spare Fang Wei An.
Understanding her lips, Fang Wei An belatedly realized.
[Shi Zi Chu, you wretch!]
She had planned this deliberately!
Fang Wei An struggled violently, but heavily injured, he spat blood instead.
Shi Zi Chu stepped back, acting startled, and lightly patted her chest as if frightened, “You truly refuse to learn your lesson.”
Fang Wei An coughed up more blood, gasping like a dying fish.
Nearby, Liao Xin swung his staff vigorously, delivering one “physical exorcism” after another, but seeing yet another Blood Moon Eel King appear, he nearly cursed, “Why are there so many Blood Moon Eel Kings?!”
Shi Zi Chu glanced around and volunteered, “I’ll go scout ahead.”
“Be careful,” Meng Xi Yu warned softly.
Determined not to let her cloak be damaged again, Shi Zi Chu tucked it safely away before leaping into the misty haze.
Floating midair, she extended her spiritual sense, scanning her surroundings. Countless spirit beasts were converging from every direction, a frightening sight.
“You finally came out.”
A gentle voice echoed softly through the dusk, followed immediately by an undisguised lethal strike.
Shi Zi Chu extended her fingers, delicate, pale silk threads instantly intercepting the fiery attack.
The expected result did not occur. Instead, Ye Qing Zi slowly emerged from the darkness.
Noting Shi Zi Chu’s complete lack of surprise, Ye Qing Zi feigned helplessness, saying softly, “Actually, I never wanted to hurt you, considering you’re Venerable Xing Lan’s disciple.”
Shi Zi Chu raised her brows slightly.
Ye Qing Zi dared to openly target her—it seemed she had planted many spies in Jade Void Sect.
“But I had no choice. You shamelessly cling to the Clan Chief, even dual cultivating with him!” Ye Qing Zi spat out her words through gritted teeth, barely concealing her envy.
Seeing Ye Qing Zi’s jealousy, Shi Zi Chu smiled gently, her voice soft yet provocative, “Speaking of that, I should thank Elder Ye. Without Elder Ye’s interference, how else could I have discovered Clan Chief Ye’s hidden beauty?”
Shi Zi Chu’s words enraged Ye Qing Zi, her eyes almost turning bloodshot.
The thought of her pure and noble Clan Chief tainted by Shi Zi Chu filled Ye Qing Zi with murderous fury.
Eyeing Shi Zi Chu’s silk threads, Ye Qing Zi smiled coldly, “A righteous disciple cultivating demonic arts? Excellent!”
She raised her magic artifact and declared righteously, “Everyone has a duty to eliminate evil cultivators. Today, I shall uphold heaven’s justice!”
Shi Zi Chu laughed calmly, her composed expression mocking Ye Qing Zi’s overconfidence.
Ye Qing Zi unleashed her oppressive aura, attacking fiercely, “Blazing Flames Across the Plain!”
A sea of flames burst forth, tearing through the darkness toward Shi Zi Chu.
“Sudden Rain Torrent!” Shi Zi Chu swiftly formed a hand seal, calling down an instant downpour that blocked the approaching flames like a silken curtain of water.
Refusing defeat, Ye Qing Zi poured more spiritual power into her artifact. The halted flames roared forward once more.
Shi Zi Chu knew that in pure spiritual strength, she couldn’t match a Spirit Transformation cultivator like Ye Qing Zi. Without hesitation, she leaped high, leading the relentless fire straight toward the approaching horde of spirit beasts.