Chapter 143: Palace Mistress Jiu Lan Goes to Scout The Region

Confusion rippled through the gathered cultivators as the demonic sect members abruptly scattered. Unlike the righteous sects, who stood bewildered by this unexpected move, the demonic cultivators vanished like phantoms, their movements swift and silent.

"What in the heavens are they up to?" boomed Sect Master Deng of the Azure Peak Sect, his voice echoing across the desolate plain.

Palace Mistress Gao Ming of the Emerald Sea Palace, her brow furrowed in worry, chimed in, "Their sudden dispersal seems... calculated. Perhaps they have a plan."

A tense silence descended upon the group as the leaders of the five righteous sects exchanged glances, their faces etched with apprehension. The task at hand, hunting desolate beasts for points, was already daunting enough. Now, the threat of betrayal and ambush from the demonic sects added a whole new layer of danger.

"We need a strategy," declared the stoic leader of the Golden Bell Temple, his voice low and gravelly.

Murmurs of agreement rippled through the crowd.

Sect Master Deng, ever the pragmatist, cleared his throat. "Combining forces seems the most logical approach. A larger group would provide better protection against both beasts and potential attacks. What say you, esteemed colleagues?"

The other leaders pondered this suggestion. While collaboration offered a sense of security, trust wasn't a strong suit amongst these sects. The history between them was riddled with rivalry and suspicion.

Palace Mistress Jiu Lan, her ice-blue eyes glinting with a steely resolve, spoke in a voice that crackled with authority. "I disagree with pooling our forces. We are strong enough to manage on our own." Her words, however, harbored unspoken thoughts.

'Joining forces with these oafs?' she thought with disdain. 'They'll likely sacrifice our Jade Lotus disciples as cannon fodder to preserve their own hides. And these lecherous pigs from the other sects can't be trusted around my girls.'

Her confidence, however, remained unshaken. Her years of cultivation at the Soul Integration Realm instilled within her a sense of superiority. 'Besides,' she mused, 'with my Emerald Willow Blade for offense, the Nimble Spirit Cloak for evasion, and the Essence Rejuvenation Earrings for quick recovery, I can handle any threat that comes our way.'

After a tense deliberation, they reached an agreement. The Jade Lotus Palace, under Palace Mistress Jiu Lan's leadership, would head north.

The Azure Peak Sect and the Emerald Sea Palace would combine forces and travel south.

The remaining two sects, the Crimson Rock Sect and the Golden Bell Temple, opted for a mixed-group strategy, splitting their disciples and heading east and west respectively.

With a final nod of acknowledgment, the groups dispersed, each venturing into the unknown depths of the desolate world.

Meanwhile, Wang Li, concealed by his invisibility, couldn't help but grin at the turn of events. The fracturing of the righteous sects presented him with an unexpected opportunity. With his heightened senses, he tracked the movements of the Jade Lotus Palace group, keeping a safe distance while remaining hidden.

The desolate landscape stretched endlessly before them, a canvas of ochre sand and jagged rock formations. After a long trek north, Palace Mistress Jiu Lan, her ice-blue eyes scanning the horizon, declared, "This seems like a suitable location to stop for now. I'll scout ahead further to get a better sense of the beasts in this region and find a strategic place to set up camp."

"Don't worry, Xue. They're powerful healing elixirs," Li assured her. "I wouldn't want your master to sustain injuries during this trial. After all, a strong Palace Mistress is a Palace Mistress who can protect her most beloved disciple, right?"

A blush crept up Liu Xue's cheeks. Was Wang Li being a little forward? But she couldn't deny the warmth that bloomed in her chest. His concern for her master, in turn, showed his care for her. "Alright, Li," she whispered back, her voice firm. "I'll make sure she takes them."

There were thirty pellets in all, imbued with an energy Liu Xue couldn't quite place. But Li assured her they were safe and necessary. As they continued their telepathic exchange, oblivious to the world around them, Li couldn't help but smirk.

These weren't just ordinary healing pellets. They were infused with a potent dose of Yang Attribute energy, courtesy of his unique Yin-Yang cultivation technique. He knew the impact it would have on Jiu Lan. Once ingested, the Yang energy would seep into her cultivation base, creating a subtle imbalance.

And that's where he came in. Even the slightest touch from him, the one who originally held that Yang Attribute, would trigger a response within Jiu Lan - a powerful yearning, a near-uncontrollable urge.

He wouldn't force her, of course. But he knew that once she experienced the intensity of their contrasting energies, the power of attraction, she wouldn't be able to resist him for long.

In fact, it would be her very own cultivation that would be urging her to maintain more contact with him.

Of course, Liu Xue, his devoted love, wouldn't know a thing about his devious plan. She was his unwitting accomplice, a pawn in his elaborate game of seduction.

Wang Li was also aware that he needed to create an opportunity, a situation where Jiu Lan would be forced to expend her own healing reserves before ingesting the "special" pellets.

Thus, Wang Li set his plan in motion. He knew the desolate beasts were territorial and fiercely protective of their hunting grounds. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed several vials filled with potent beast baits, each infused with the essence of different creatures. His Yin Attribute aura cloaked them, making them invisible to the human cultivators but not to the beasts' keen sense of smell.

Within minutes, the air grew thick with tension.

In the distance, a low growl echoed, followed by another, and another. The sound grew into a cacophony as a horde of Razortooth Tigers, their sleek black bodies striped with vicious white markings, emerged from the rocky terrain.

These Nascent Soul Realm beasts, notorious for their razor-sharp claws and earth-shattering roars, charged towards the Jade Lotus Palace group's location.

Panic flickered in the eyes of the female disciples as they witnessed the monstrous beasts barreling towards them. Their shrieks pierced the air as the Razortooth Tigers launched a coordinated assault.

One of the larger males, the leader of the pack, unleashed a savage "Earthing Stomp," sending a shockwave vibrating through the ground and weakening the barrier's energy signature.

But the barrier held, the green light pulsing defiantly despite the onslaught.

However, Wang Li knew it wouldn't last long. He had purposely used a diverse mix of beast baits, each targeting a different species with a distinct hunting style.

As if on cue, a second wave of attackers materialized across the horizon.