Chapter 17 (1/2)

Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios

“Charge four feet towards the south. Retreat six inches towards the west. The poisonous beast is beginning to move towards its left.”

Li Changshou remained in the warm and comfortable tree trunk of the old cypress tree as he kept sending voice transmissions to Youqin Xuanya.

Youqin Xuanya was now about 3,000 feet from the old cypress tree.

This cliff was a protruding, horizontal structure. At that moment, the Three-Eyed Blue Wave Serpent was slithering out from the narrow slit in a rock, where it had been hiding. It kept close to the stone wall below the cliff and stuck its head out beside the old cypress tree trunk.

It was already alerted by Youqin Xuanya and her six attackers. However, Yuwen Ling, who was still in the sky, still had not noticed it.

This saved Li Changshou the ha.s.sle of coming up with more plans and schemes.

Li Changshou was already working at full capacity. Firstly, he had to actively keep his aura hidden. Secondly, he had to keep guiding Youqin Xuanya. Thirdly, he had to keep an eye on the poisonous beast’s movements—he could not allow Toxic Xuanya to be harmed.

The flour had not even been milled—he could not possibly give the donkey up to be barbequed¹.

‘She’s coming.’

Youqin Xuanya was only 1,000 feet from the old cypress tree now!

The Three-Eyed Blue Wave Serpent was captivated by the few people who were engaged in battle. It stuck close to the rock wall and slowly slithered forward, blocking their path to the Immortal-Emanc.i.p.ating Herbs, but not wander too far away.

It was an experienced hunter, well-versed in the art of ambush. It remained patient as it waited for Youqin Xuanya and her attackers to come closer. At that moment, these people were as good as a meal on a plate for the serpent.

Li Changshou could already imagine how horrific and exciting it would be once this three-feet-long serpent jumped out without warning.

This world was just that terrifying.

After this…

As he chanted the Wood Escape mantra, Li Changshou wandered freely up and down the trunk of the old cypress tree. Slowly, he dove into one of its stolons.

Li Changshou kept sending voice transmissions to Youqin Xuanya.

“Advance three feet to the east. Retreat nine feet, south-west. The poisonous beast already has its eyes on you. Listen to my directions closely. When I say jump, use all of your energy to burst up into the sky. Do not hesitate.”

Youqin Xuanya muttered a sound of acknowledgment in her heart. She kept waving her hands around, directing the flaming, flying swords around her to shuttle back and forth.

Her rapidly developing sword defense and her dress fluttering in the wind made her look like an immortal dancing in flames. She looked exceptionally charming and captivating.

In the air, Yuwen Ling held onto Yuan Qing’s shoulder, helping to s.h.i.+eld him from the surrounding Miasma Qi.

Yuan Qing kept his eyes on Youqin Xuanya underneath him. There was obvious infatuation in his eyes.

“General Yuwen! Do not let Xuanya escape this time!”

“Don’t worry, Fourth Young Master. We neglected that she had a Precious s.h.i.+fting Talisman the previous time,” answered Yuwen Ling in a low voice. “She does not have many Dharmic powers. Once she gets to the edge of the cliff, I will step out to pressure her further. Fourth Young Master, you can then appear by her side and protect her. If she only has hatred for you, Fourth Young Master, the Love Parasite will only be half as effective. We have to turn that hatred into positive feelings towards you.”

Yuan Qing’s expression twisted as he nodded and said, “Thank you for your hard work, General Yuwen.”

Yuwen Ling replied in a low voice, “I’m confused about how you did it as well, Fourth Young Master. Even after 60 years, you did not manage to move the Sixth Princess. If we fail today, or if the Love Parasite does not work, we will have to kill the Sixth Princess on the spot. Fourth Young Master, please be prepared.”

Yuan Qing clenched his fists, his eyes filling with fury. However, he said nothing in response.

Underneath him, Youqin Xuanya was already nearing the edge of the cliff. She approached the shade of the huge, old cypress tree.

Li Changshou was already in the roots of that tree. All of a sudden, his eyes lit up. The words ‘jump’ traveled into Youqin Xuanya’s ears through Li Changshou’s voice transmission!

There was an explosion of light as the flying swords rushed under Youqin Xuanya’s feet, carrying her body up into the air. The beams of light that were directed at her hit the ground one by one!

The six people, who had been attacking Youqin Xuanya, had no idea about the dangers in front of them. Thus, they charged straight into the shade of the old cypress tree!

They did not even think about stopping. All they thought about was charging forward and jumping up to continue their attack. Little did they know that within the tree hid the line between life and death!

Hu—

There was the sound of something cutting through the air. The Three-Eyed Blue Wave Serpent, which had been waiting at the edge of the cliff, jumped out without any warning!

“Retreat!” Yuwen Ling shouted from mid-air, but the poisonous beast had already clamped its teeth down on the masked man on the far left!

The serpent’s sharp teeth cut through the flesh as it flung its head violently. The top half of the man’s body was torn off at once.

From inside the roots of the old cypress tree, Li Changshou considered what his own fate would have been if he had fought the poisonous beast alone. It would not have been easy for him to win.

The remaining five people tried to retreat at once, but how would the Three-Eyed Blue Wave Serpent allow these delicacies to escape?

Several shadows shot out of the serpent’s tail, causing one of the men to fall down on the ground, thus blocking the others’ escape route. The scales on its body opened up, emitting rich, poisonous fog, which engulfed the group of men.

“How dare you, wretched beast?!”

There was a furious howl in the sky. A tall and st.u.r.dy figure cut through the clouds and cast his broad axe to the side as he charged towards the Three-Eyed Blue Wave Serpent.

The Three-Eyed Blue Wave Serpent, which had a fleshy horn on the top of its head, immediately felt threatened. Thus, it raised its head to knock away the broad axe.

The evil-looking bulge on the top of its head was the hardest part of its body!

The sound of metal hitting metal echoed throughout the surroundings. The broad axe had been deflected, while the Three-Eyed Blue Wave Serpent’s head thrashed around on the ground. A huge gash had appeared in the bulge, and golden blood was gus.h.i.+ng out of the wound.

The poisonous beast cried out in rage, and its tail leaped up all of a sudden.

Yuwen Ling had finally landed from the sky. He raised his hand to summon his broad axe back. Once again, he was ready to strike with it!

Inside the root of the tree, Li Changshou held three paper dolls in his right hand. He hesitated for a couple of seconds, before pulling out a fourth one. He paused again and then pulled out a fifth and a sixth!

In his left hand, he held his strongest incapacitating agent—his supreme-grade Soft Immortal Disperser.

Li Changshou waited for the right time to use his Soft Immortal Disperser. He wanted to be sure that the Three-Eyed Blue Wave Serpent was dying before he stepped out.

The Three-Eyed Blue Wave Serpent would not be affected by poison, but Yuwen Ling would.

At the same time, Li Changshou did not neglect to expand his spiritual awareness and keep an eye on the area within a five-kilometer radius. He was looking for any hidden dangers.

On the other side, Youqin Xuanya had already acted according to Li Changshou’s instructions. She had retreated all the way to the back of the cliff, just like Li Changshou had told her.

Without Yuwen Ling protecting him, Yuan Qing did not dare to remain among the clouds. Finally, he had to make his move. He charged towards Youqin Xuanya from the sky, his three-feet-long green sword at the ready. He wanted to stop Youqin Xuanya from leaving.

However, Youqin Xuanya had no intention to leave. She directed all of her flying swords towards Yuan Qing, suppressing him at once.

Even though Yuan Qing’s cultivation level was slightly higher than Youqin Xuanya’s, it was extremely difficult for him to defend himself against her attacks.

Yet, Youqin Xuanya was very distracted. She was keeping an eye on the battle taking place near the edge of the cliff with her spiritual awareness.

She could sense that Li Changshou, who had been sending her voice transmissions the entire time, was there. However, at that moment, she did not know his exact position. As a result, she became increasingly anxious.

Little did she know that the entire situation was in the palm of Li Changshou’s hands.

The Three-Eyed Blue Wave Serpent took Yuwen Ling, an early-stage Essence Immortal, as its biggest threat. It had no intention of retreating and continued to guard the Immortal-Emanc.i.p.ating Herbs faithfully.

Yuwen Ling held onto his broad axe and attacked the serpent relentlessly. He was protecting his three subordinates, who had been knocked out cold by the serpent’s poison.

Under these circ.u.mstances, Yuwen Ling could not show mercy—both sides had to fight till death!