Chapter 451: Lying In Wait (II)

Chapter 451: Lying In Wait (II)

Li Yuanjiao's suspicions arose, and he replied tactfully, "Your sect has many Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators... Why not seek their help?"

Kong Tingyun pursed her lips and answered, "There are many factions within the sect, and not all get along harmoniously... I have always stayed neutral and don't want to be seen as favoring any particular peak..."

This explanation slightly alleviated Li Yuanjiao's doubts. With the mirror in his possession, he felt confident in his abilities, and besides, knowing Profound Peak Gate's good reputation, he could not help but ask, "What kind of demonic creature is it?"

Kong Tingyun looked up with bright eyes and explained, "It is a Hooked Serpent that resides at the bottom of Lake Xian. It fled there after losing a battle to the Azure Water Serpent Dragon of Wave Island in the sea... I wish to obtain the two hooks on the snake's tail."

Li Yuanjiao nodded, then answered with a smile, "I do have time to assist, but I must visit an old friend along the way first."

Kong Tingyun nodded slightly and said softly, "That's fine! I await your arrival in Profound Peak."

After a brief chat, Li Yuanjiao departed on the wind. Kong Tingyun watched him disappear into the sky and paused among the clouds, musing to herself.

"What a cautious person he is..."

————

Leaving the Shanji Prefecture of Profound Peak Gate, Li Yuanjiao found a deserted mountain in a remote area and landed there. Reluctant to use his Qingche Sword, he summoned his mana to form a cave dwelling. After setting up a simple Embryonic Breathing Realm formation around it, he settled down and began to cultivate in silence.

He had no old friends in the northern Yue State; he had only mentioned that to Kong Tingyun as a precaution—to let her know that someone knew of his whereabouts, should he meet an untimely end.

Sitting in the cave, he thought to himself, Although the estuary is currently under the control of the Profound Peak Gate, that doesn't mean I can't intercept someone midway... Even if it's not as busy as the estuary, catching one or two passersby would be worthwhile.

I'll spend some time cultivating on this deserted mountain path and see if I'll find one or two trying to escape... If it's a devil cultivator, I'll take them down with a palm strike, and if it's a rogue cultivator... I'll assess the situation further.

After waiting a day, the distant surge of spiritual qi and energy signaled the fall of a grotto heaven. Estimating the time it would take for those from Mount Dongli to reach here, Li Yuanjiao then closed his eyes and cultivated for over a day before taking out the mirror. He invoked it, activating its ability that allowed his consciousness to travel between heaven and earth.

Xianjian's current range of vision was vast, covering an entire county's land. It encompassed not only the large area from Yufu Prefecture to Shanji Prefecture but also the border city of Yufu Prefecture and a considerable portion of Shanji Prefecture.

The range of the immortal mirror now spanned an entire prefecture, covering a vast expanse within Yufu Prefecture and Shanji Prefecture. In fact, it even provided clear views of Yufu Prefecture's border town and half of Shanji Prefecture.

He smacked the bottle, sending it flying to the ground while simultaneously tossing his storage pouch aside. Without wasting another moment that would allow Li Yuanjiao to unsheathe his sword, he quickly clasped his hands together and performed a hand seal to cast a spell.

Profound Yang Li Fire!

Li Yuanjiao caught the jade bottle with one hand and drew his sword with the other. However, the devil cultivator had already unleashed his secret technique, transforming his entire body and facial features into blood. Surging blood flames enveloped his ghostly pale head as it flew away at a speed surpassing that of typical Qi Cultivators.

Clang!

Green and white sword arc from Li Yuanjiao's Celestial Moon Slash technique whistled through the air, blowing the man's head up. The blood flames had fizzled into black smoke before pieces of the poor man's head could even touch the ground.

How ruthless... You could have escaped if your opponent were any other early-stage Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator!

Li Yuanjiao marveled at his own decisive actions, grateful for the supremacy of his sword which had narrowly prevented the cultivator's escape.

"Drat!"

While he was engaging with the man, the remaining devil and rogue cultivators had long fled. None of them were visible through the immortal mirror. Li Yuanjiao landed to collect the discarded storage pouch, stashing it swiftly into his chest pocket.

Without further delay, he soared on the winds, tracing the predicted route of the fleeing cultivators. Soon enough, he spotted a rogue cultivator flying cautiously on the wind.

"Excellent!"

Pleased, fog swirled on his face, concealing Li Yuanjiao's face as he descended in front of the man and bluntly made his demands.

"Storage pouch."

The rogue cultivator jumped like a frightened bird. After scanning with his spiritual sense, his legs buckled as he landed, hastily untying the storage pouch from his waist with a pitiful plea.

"Senior, s-spare me! Everything I have is here!"

Noting the kneeling rogue cultivator's shaky voice but stable hand on the ground, Li Yuanjiao chuckled. He took the pouch, laughing hoarsely as he mocked, "No mediocre cultivator could escape from Mount Dongli. Drop the act... You're just afraid I'll kill you."

The rogue cultivator's heart pounded as he repeatedly pressed his forehead to the ground. Li Yuanjiao peered into the pouch, finding only a Yang Nourishing Technique—a cultivation method from Dongli Sect, a portion of Fire Baleful Qi, and nothing else useful save for a bunch of insignificant items owned by the rogue cultivator.