Chapter 372 - The Fierce Battle in the Forest (1/2)
Everyone fell silent because they knew Luo Shangyan was referring to Xiao Chen. Yu Yifeng said, “Come on, Junior Sister Luo. Let’s go. Lil Chen…”
“No! It’s him!” Luo Shangyan began yelling like a madwoman. “Junior Brother Xiao, I know it’s you! Come out! Come out!”
Her voice echoed in the empty valley. Mu Shaoai was alarmed. He glared at Luo Shangyan and chided, “Luo Shangyan, are you insane? Shut up! Not only will you catch the devils’ attention, but you’ll even attract vicious beasts…”
Yu Yifeng held up a hand and shook his head, stopping Mu Shaoai from continuing. Luo Shangyan immediately fished out a jade note from her bosom and crushed it. Xiao Chen had given the note to her a long time ago. She could still remember what he told her then: “Crush this jade note and I’ll come to you immediately…”
She felt a sense of anticipation after crushing the jade note, anticipation for someone to make a sudden appearance. Whichever direction there was a gust of wind, she would immediately turn to look. However, it was always just leaves rustling in the wind. She waited for a long time, but he was still nowhere to be seen. There were only the bleak wind and icy rain.
“Why? Why won’t you meet us? Why?” She trailed off and squatted down, hugging herself. The rain, along with her tears, slid down her cheeks and fell on the ground.
Mu Shaoai sneered. “Lunatic…”
Moments later, Yu Yifeng sighed. He pulled Luo Shangyan to her feet and the group began moving in another direction. It wasn’t until the group disappeared amid the rain and boundless mist that a man in a woven raincoat slowly stepped out from behind a large tree nearby.
The man was, of course, Xiao Chen. He strolled up to where Yu Yifeng and the rest previously stood and slowly squatted down to pick up the pieces of the crushed jade note from the muddy water.
Just then, the charming voice of a woman came from behind him. “I bet if they meet Seven Killings, they’ll die within 30 minutes.”
Xiao Chen turned around and said emotionlessly, “What are you trying to say?”
A pretty young woman in her early twenties strolled to him. The woman was dressed in a lilac dress and her hair was as dark as ink. In her hair were jade-green and cyan accessories. Underneath her right eye was a vermilion tear-shaped mole. In her left hand was a purple reed made from jade and in her right hand was a jade-green and cyan-colored oil-paper umbrella.
For every step she took, the muddy water on the ground would move away. Raindrops would also be blocked by an incorporeal power whenever they came close. The umbrella was unnecessary.
“A lonesome man in a raincoat walking among the bleak wind and icy rain. I never expected such a sentimental side from you, God of Murder.”
The young woman in lilac slowly walked up to Xiao Chen and stretched her right hand, partially shielding him from the rain with her oil-paper umbrella. There was a very faint smile on her face. Her eyes, like two pools of rippling green-jade water, were so alluring that one look was enough to lure one into the depths of worldly desire, never to seek immortality again.
Xiao Chen’s expression was icy and without emotion. He turned around. With his hands clasped behind his back, he stared at where the mountains met. All he could see was a misty veil. He said placidly, “Few know the true use of this reed; from the frigid jade comes autumn breeze. I never imagined that the fearsome Ice Jade Fairy would save a stranger.” Upon closer look at Xiao Chen’s abdomen, there was indeed a bright red bloodstain on it.
Four hours prior.
After meeting and leaving Seven Killings from the Bloodied Fiend Sect behind, Xiao Chen traveled solo for more than ten miles until he heard human voices up ahead. Finding the voices familiar, he secretly went closer and saw Xiaoyue, Su Zimu, Bai Yushu, and Zuoqiu Yang.
Xiaoyue was still clad in cyan. Even knee-deep in a treacherous place, she remained as expressionless as ever. She was still the fairy that he knew. The elegant and confident Su Zimu held his Mystic Heaven Fan, disregarding the hidden dangers here. Bai Yushu, the chief disciple of the Immortals’ League’s Third Elder, was comparatively more cautious. Meanwhile, Zuoqiu Yang had been rapidly progressing in his cultivation lately and looked much sturdier as well. There was an ominous glint in his eyes.
Xiao Chen was confused. Everyone wanted the extraordinary treasure on this mountain range, he thought. How did these four, all serving their respective interests, get together? He assumed that they had merely stumbled into each other and forming a group wasn’t their plan. He shed his aura and secretly followed them, wanting to eavesdrop on their conversation.
He heard Xiaoyue say, “I’ve long heard that the Su family, as the chief of the ten major clans, possesses countless rare treasures. Are you interested in an object born out of this treacherous place as well, Young Master Su?”
Su Zimu waved his folding fan. With a raised brow and a smile, he replied, “When it comes to rare treasures, I suppose we’re no match for an Ancient Immortal Clan like the Thousand Feathers Sect. Let’s just talk about the Autumn Water Ancient Sword. In this world, who can rival such a weapon?”
Xiaoyue smiled. “You overpraise, Young Master Su.” She turned to look at Bai Yushu. Bai Yushu smiled and said, “I heard that there were traces of Devil’s sects here some time ago. Coupled with the disappearance of thirty-one people half a year ago, I fear it must have something to do with the Corpse Refinery Sect that had occupied this mountain range. That’s why I was sent here to take a look. As for the extraordinary treasure, well, I wouldn’t dream of it with you three here.”
Zuoqiu Yang snickered. “Instead of investigating it half a year ago, you chose to come when the extraordinary treasure is about to show up. The Immortals’ League knows how to pick their timing!”
Xiao Chen focused harder on their conversation. What exactly was this extraordinary treasure? Why was everyone so desperate to obtain it? It seemed that the treasure wasn’t simply a fake rumor.