Chapter 41: Chapter 40: The Wickedness of Human Heart
“Oh?”
Ning Daoran furrowed his brows and responded telepathically as well: “Thank you for the Fairy’s care… In that case, if something really happens later on, I will act according to the Fairy’s cues, and the three of us will advance or retreat together!”
“So it is very good.”
Ning Jiaojiao turned her face away and flashed him a heartwarming smile.
It seemed the woman had cultivated some sort of bewitching technique; her casual smiles and laughter had a seductive charm that swayed one’s heart.
Soon after, another telepathic voice reached Ning Daoran’s ears.
“Fellow Daoist Ning, I am Purple Light Master. To be frank, within this group, only Elder Wang and I are close friends of many years, and when the prohibition is opened later, there may be complications. Please take extra care.
If there truly is an incident, the three of us should join forces against our enemies! Beware of Ning Jiaojiao and Zhu Ya, it is said that they were once Robbery cultivators.”
Ning Daoran’s heart chilled. Good gracious, such a small five-person team, and yet there were so many factions?
He immediately responded telepathically: “Rest assured, Daoist Zi Guang, I will be on my guard. Should we truly need to take action later, I will follow your lead. United, we shall advance or retreat together.”
“That’s best. We are out here seeking opportunities, and our own safety is the most crucial matter.”
“Your words are most apt!”
Ning Daoran took a deep breath, continued to steady his mind, and followed the others on the Green bamboo leaves through the clouds toward the deep reaches of the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range.
Before long, a third telepathic message entered Ning Daoran’s ears.
“Fellow Daoist Ning, I am Wang Chongyan. I agreed to join forces with Daoist Zi Guang and Ning Jiaojiao to break the prohibition simply in search of opportunities for Foundation Establishment.
I have only met them briefly, and seeing that you are an Outer Disciple from the Chaotic Sect, since it’s a reputable and orthodox sect… if there is an incident later, perhaps you could collaborate with me, Elder Wang?”
“Understood!”
Ning Daoran immediately replied telepathically: “Rest assured, Fellow Daoist Wang. If it indeed comes to a fight later on, I hope we can support each other and avoid losses.”
“Good, we should indeed act this way!”
A gentle breeze brushed past his ears, and Ning Daoran’s mood turned slightly resigned.
The makeup of this five-person squad was too complicated, and he could no longer analyze it, unable to distinguish the real from the fake.
With no other options, he could only take things one step at a time, cautious and self-preserving above all.
Evening.
In the depths of the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range, the foliage was dense, a lush, verdant green.
“It’s here.”
Purple Light Master steered his magic tool to dive and landed within a dense forest.
One after the other, everyone also landed.
There were no paths in the mountain forest, only thorns spreading everywhere under the green canopy.
“Open!”
Purple Light Master pinched a spell and pointed forward, and in an instant, a stream of mana flied out, parting the dense foliage in front of them, revealing a patch of green that still seemed to be more forest.
But everyone could sense that tens of feet ahead, where it seemed to be just forest, there was a faint fluctuation of spiritual power. An invisible prohibition was situated right there.
“Fellow Daoists, please look!”
Purple Light Master cast several spells in succession, swirling the ripples and revealing what lay beyond the prohibition.
Patterns of Liuhe Stone were embedded in the mountain wall, exuding an ancient air; above the mountain wall, a misty prohibition shimmered, and behind it was a Cave Mansion, sealed for many years.
“It really is an Ancient Cultivator’s Cave Mansion!”
Wang Chongyan couldn’t help but smile, his face full of excitement.
“That’s right.”
Purple Light Master said: “A Cave Mansion of a Late-stage Foundation Establishment Ancient Cultivator. After this Great Cultivator passed away here, surely all of their legacy remains within this Cave Mansion, and it is indeed an opportunity for us all!”
“If that is the case, let’s not waste any more time.”
With a smile curling at her lips, Ning Jiaojiao said, “Let’s go now and open the prohibition with our respective Five Elements Magical Power, and together we will divide the chances left behind by the Foundation Establishment Expert!”
“Correct!”
Eager, Zhu Ya took out an iron hook magic tool from his Storage Bag and laughed: “Thanks to Daoist Zi Guang, otherwise how could we have such an opportunity!
I suggest, after entering the Cave Mansion, we divide the opportunities within into eleven parts, with Daoist Zi Guang taking three parts, and the rest of us taking two parts each. What do you think, fellow Daoists?”
Everyone nodded in agreement: “Daoist Zhu Ya speaks reasonably!”
“Let’s go.”
Purple Light Master strode forward with a smile, “Fellow Daoists, follow me. Within ten feet of the prohibition, we will stimulate our mana to break the prohibition together. Once the prohibition is undone, perhaps all of us will have a chance at Foundation Establishment!”
Ning Jiaojiao, with her dimples showing through her faint smile, sneakily cast a glance at Ning Daoran and sent a telepathic message: “Fellow Daoist Ning, stay close to me. Even though they say so, you must not take it lightly.”
“Alright, thank you for your concern, Fairy.”
Ning Jiaojiao smiled sweetly, like a spring breeze over the surface of a lake.
Ning Daoran stepped forward.
Wang Chongyan gently flicked his sleeve, revealing a Magic Tool Duster in his hand as he also proceeded forward.
“The prohibition is strong, fellow Daoists be cautious.”
Walking at the front, Purple Light Master stated solemnly: “The time needed to break the prohibition might last about half a day. Please, fellow Daoists, be prepared and ensure that you do not run out of mana.”
“Don’t worry, fellow Daoist.”
Each person nodded in turn.
“Rustle rustle…”
Stepping on fallen leaves in the jungle, Ning Daoran moved lightly. Though his eyes faced forward, his powerful Divine Sense had already spread out, seeing everything hidden within his vicinity clearly.
“Fellow Daoists, get ready to begin.”
Purple Light Master raised his finger and sent out a Fire Attribute Magical Power towards the prohibition.
Ning Jiaojiao and Zhu Ya also sent out their mana.
Wang Chongyan nodded lightly, lifting his finger.
Just as he was about to send out a Water attribute power, suddenly, an iron hook whizzed through the air and plunged into his neck—”thwack”—it was the very iron hook magic tool of Zhu Ya!
Blood splattered everywhere as Wang Chongyan was so shocked he couldn’t even speak.
“Rise!”
Purple Light Master suddenly struck the ground with two spells, and instantly, green bamboo leaves rose up, creating an extraordinary Killing Array from the ground, trapping everyone inside.
The bamboo leaves turned into flying swords, instantly shredding Wang Chongyan’s body into pieces. He died on the spot, his cultivation dissipating!
However, when Purple Light Master turned to look at Ning Daoran’s position, he only saw an afterimage.
“Not good! That kid…”
Purple Light Master was greatly alarmed.
Ten breaths earlier, Ning Daoran had already sensed some fluctuation of spiritual power from a First-tier Array beneath the ground with his Divine Sense. Coupled with the odd behavior of Purple Light Master, Ning Jiaojiao, and others, he had long since sensed something was amiss.
The trip was supposedly for breaking through the Prohibition to take the opportunity of an Ancient Cultivator’s Cave Mansion, but the real target was likely just the two of them—himself and Wang Chongyan!
From beginning to end, Purple Light Master, Ning Jiaojiao, and Zhu Ya were in cahoots!
“Don’t let him get away!”
Purple Light Master hastily cast a spell to dissipate the chaotic array of bamboo leaves, producing a First-tier High-Grade Frost Freeze Talisman from his sleeve. He ignited it and launched it directly towards Ning Daoran’s direction!
Presumably, Purple Light Master had been observing Ning Daoran for a long time, knowing that he must have a substantial amount of Spirit Stones, which was why he was willing to spend so lavishly!
Using a First-tier High-Grade Frost Freeze Talisman to kill someone in the Qi Refinement Realm was a bit extravagant.
“Boom!”
The Frost Freeze Talisman exploded mid-air, spreading ice and frost in all directions.
Nevertheless, Ning Daoran used the Perfect Level Wind Riding Leisurely Technique, his body like an afterimage, and in a blink of an eye, he disappeared into the woods nearby, making the First-tier High-Grade Frost Freeze Talisman miss its mark!
“Fellow Daoist Ning.”
Ning Jiaojiao held a blue small sword, ready to strike, the corners of her mouth slightly curved into a seductive smile as her enchanting eyes gazed into the distance, and she cooed like an orchid:
“Didn’t we agree to advance or retreat together? Why did Fellow Daoist leave on his own? Do you no longer want me?”
Her voice was soft and sweet, yet her eyes were filled with murderous intent.
“Fellow Daoist, you can’t run away.”
Purple Light Master leapt up onto his Flying Artifact, holding a First-tier High-Grade Tracking Talisman in his hand. After imprinting Ning Daoran’s aura on it, he turned it into a flash of light that pierced into the woods.
“Don’t let him escape!”
Zhu Ya laughed wildly, his Mana bursting out arrogantly.
The woods were silent.
“Where did he go?”
The Tracking Talisman disappeared along with Ning Daoran, and Purple Light Master stood atop his Magical Artifact, his face full of suspicion.
“Swoosh!”
At that moment, a figure suddenly leapt out from an ancient tree nearby—it was Ning Daoran in light blue robes, with the reforged Azure Dragon Spear in hand, carrying a sharp roaring sound as it thrust straight towards Purple Light Master’s head!
“Watch out!”
Ning Jiaojiao let out a shrill scream.
Purple Light Master was terribly startled; he never would have expected that Ning Daoran’s Wood Escape Technique could be so divine. It was utterly silent!
He had no time to react and could only flip his wrist, summoning a ring Magic Artifact that cast a yellow light around his body for protection.
This was a rare First-tier Mid-grade Protective Magical Artifact, and also the most valuable thing on Purple Light Master.
His eyes were almost bursting as he hoped against hope that this artifact could block Ning Daoran’s spear.
“Boom—”
The Azure Dragon Spear had enormous force and a vast strength as it swept past!
The yellow light shattered instantaneously, and Purple Light Master’s head disappeared along with it, turning into a bloody mist!
“You!”
Ning Jiaojiao’s face drained of color, her beautiful eyes filled with shock and disbelief.
She was not only Purple Light Master’s disciple but also his Daoist couple.
If it weren’t for Purple Light Master taking nourishment from all places to supplement her cultivation over the years, Ning Jiaojiao could not have reached the Ninth Layer of Qi Refinement.
As for Zhu Ya, he was merely another Registered disciple of Purple Light Master.
“This isn’t good!”
Zhu Ya was greatly alarmed, gripping an iron hook and angrily exclaimed, “Daoist sister, this child is too much for us, let’s go quickly!”
Biting her silver teeth, Ning Jiaojiao turned to leave.
“Old Lu!”
Ning Daoran shouted loudly.
Big Stupid Deer’s sturdy body silently sprang from the ground, surrounded by the blood-colored shadow of a huge bear, and struck Zhu Ya at the waist, instantly causing sounds of bones cracking!
Ning Daoran descended from the sky, thrusting his spear heavily toward Ning Jiaojiao’s crown.
“Fellow Daoist Ning, please don’t…”
While Ning Jiaojiao begged for mercy, she conjured a Brocade handkerchief that transformed into an enormous fabric, wrapping itself around the Azure Dragon Spear.
The spear seemed to sink into a sea of mud, unable to land for a short moment!
“Swoosh!”
Silently, Ning Daoran’s figure appeared directly in front of Ning Jiaojiao as if a ghost, his left fist wrapped in a whorl of deep red flames.
Samadhi True Fire!
With one punch, everything below Ning Jiaojiao’s neck and above her waist evaporated!
“Daoist sister! Jiaojiao…”
Zhu Ya’s eyes filled with despair.
At that moment, Big Stupid Deer had crossed veins bulging on its forehead, its hind legs stood upright like a human, and its muscular front legs locked Zhu Ya’s head, then suddenly twisted!
“Crack!”
Zhu Ya’s head dangled lifelessly down.