“I never thought the Phoenix Young Master was actually missing.”
Zongzheng Huangyue pursed her lips and shook her head. “They might be related to this matter, but they didn’t necessarily kidnap the Phoenix Young Master. Now that the Dragon clan and the Nine-Tailed Fox clan are forming an alliance, it will inevitably pose a threat to the isolated Ancient Phoenix clan. At this time, the Phoenix clan should be stabilizing their people and showcasing their strength, not broadcasting the disappearance of their Young Master to the point that everyone knows.”
“It’s been four days from when we arrived to when Master left. For something as important as the disappearance of the Young Master, they should have closed the Teleportation Pavilion and sealed the entrances and exits. But look, other than occasionally increasing the number of eye-catching guards to conduct searches, what other overt actions have they taken? The Phoenix clan is putting on an air of tension and pressure, but in reality, they aren’t panicking.”
“S-so... either the Phoenix Young Master i-i-isn’t missing, or... even if he is, it was within their expectations. It might even be s-s-something they arranged on p-p-purpose.” Gu Linshu understood.
“Either way, there’s something fishy going on. Let’s follow them from a distance and see. If there’s danger, we run; if not, we’ll kill them and search their souls for memories to see what secrets they’re hiding.” Zongzheng Huangyue’s eyes flickered as she spoke nonchalantly.
Gu Linshu nodded. “Alright.”
The two of them followed from a distance on their swords. Fortunately, the cities of the Phoenix clan were surrounded by mountains and dense forests, providing enough cover to avoid being discovered.
They tracked Meng Qiaojiao’s group of seven until they reached a desolate mountain forest.
Seeing them stop, Gu Linshu and Zongzheng Huangyue pulled up at a distance and hid behind a large tree.
Unexpectedly, the seven people suddenly turned back.
Not good.
Now, Gu Linshu and Zongzheng Huangyue were directly in their path and couldn't leave easily. The two had no choice but to conceal their auras and hide deep within the branches of a thick, sturdy tree, using the lush leaves to mask their presence.
The seven people drew closer and closer to where the two were hidden.
Zongzheng Huangyue and Gu Linshu grew alert, holding their breath and focusing their minds.
Twenty meters.
Fifteen meters.
Ten meters.
Five meters.
Finally, the seven people flew directly over them. Their movements didn't stop as they sped past.
Watching them go, Gu Linshu breathed a sigh of relief beneath the dense foliage.
But he suddenly realized something was wrong—only six people were flying ahead! Where was the other one?
It was Meng Qiaojiao!
“There are two little mice here.”
A quiet voice suddenly drifted from behind Gu Linshu.
Damn it, they were discovered!
Gu Linshu’s pupils constricted. He instantly drew his sword and swung backward.
Boom!
A burst of sharp sword qi instantly slashed through the leaves behind him, heading straight for Meng Qiaojiao, who was dressed in light blue robes.
Zongzheng Huangyue struck at the same time. However, she didn't use the Moon Soul Arrow. Instead, she took out a Mid-Grade magical artifact, the Cold Rain Thousand Needles. Her hands blurred through seals, and in an instant, thousands of needles fell toward Meng Qiaojiao like a downpour.
Whoosh!
Meng Qiaojiao, with her short hair and androgynously handsome features, hovered in the air. She pressed her palms together, and a surge of light purple spiritual energy transformed into a ten-meter-wide array in front of her, blocking both attacks.
As the clash occurred, the six people who seemed to be flying away turned back immediately. They formed a perimeter, surrounding Gu Linshu and Zongzheng Huangyue.
At this moment, Zongzheng Huangyue finally sensed Meng Qiaojiao’s cultivation. “You aren't at the Early-Stage Foundation Establishment.”
No, she was at the Early-Stage Foundation Establishment, but the spiritual energy fluctuating around her felt like that of a Golden Core realm cultivator. What was going on? Since she had been able to pass through the Qisu Kingdom’s boundary with them, she shouldn't have been able to hide her cultivation.
Unless... she could do the same thing as Master!
Meng Qiaojiao’s cold face remained expressionless. “Move. Capture them alive.”
With a wave of her hand, the other six people stepped forward to block any further attacks directed at her. She retreated behind them, waiting for them to act.
Seeing this, Gu Linshu and Zongzheng Huangyue realized they had been deliberately lured into a trap.
Zongzheng Huangyue raised both hands toward the sky. Several streams of spiritual energy shot upward, forming a barrier twenty meters above to protect them from the onslaught of the six Foundation Establishment cultivators.
She glanced at Gu Linshu. “Don’t you have talismans? Give me two Golden Core Early Stage Talismans. I’ll hold them off. You run and send word to Master.”
“Alright!”
Gu Linshu’s eyes flickered. He understood something from her gaze and didn't hesitate, immediately tossing two talismans to her. The moment the barrier shattered under the combined attacks of the six cultivators, he sprinted away as if his feet were greased.
Meng Qiaojiao saw him trying to flee and immediately shouted, “Go catch him!”
“Yes!”
Two of the six cultivators broke away to pursue Gu Linshu.
“Go!”
Unexpectedly, Zongzheng Huangyue lunged forward. She immediately threw a Golden Core Early Stage Talisman and activated it with hand seals.
Boom! The talisman expanded ten times until it was a hundred meters tall, directly transforming into a yellow giant sword that lunged toward the two Mid-Stage Foundation Establishment cultivators.
Pfft!
The two were completely unable to withstand a blow from a Golden Core talisman. The barriers in front of them were pierced, and the yellow giant sword tore through their bodies. They coughed up blood and plummeted from the sky.
Zongzheng Huangyue then activated the second Golden Core Early Stage Talisman, sending it toward the other four coming her way. While they were busy combining their strength to block it, she immediately turned and flew in the opposite direction.
However...
“Thinking of leaving? You’d better stay.”
Meng Qiaojiao moved.
She formed hand seals, and a flag flew out of her storage bag. It split into four in mid-air, their speed surpassing Zongzheng Huangyue. They fanned out in four directions around her, and the four flags simultaneously emitted red light lines that connected to form a cage.
The flags rotated continuously. With no way to escape, Zongzheng Huangyue could only bring out the Moon Soul Arrow.
Meng Qiaojiao’s eyes brightened slightly when she saw the arrow. “As I thought, you carry the aura of someone from my Phoenix clan.”
“You lured us here specifically for this arrow? Then let me show you how it’s meant to be used.”
Zongzheng Huangyue held the arrow in her left hand before her, her right fingertips resting on the string. She pulled back into the air, and a long blue arrow radiating a cold light abruptly appeared.
Zongzheng Huangyue put all her strength into the draw and suddenly released her fingers.
Swoosh!
The long arrow instantly tore through the air, ignited with a brilliant and dazzling ghost-blue flame wherever it passed.
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