Chapter 98

Chapter 98

Numerous cultivators were leaving the city, and Wen Qiao and Sheng Yunsen blended in without drawing any attention.

Arriving at the forest thirty li east of the city, the guards from the City Lord's Mansion led the charge into the woods, with other cultivators following closely behind without hesitation.

Tang Honglin first guided them to where they had discovered traces of the demonic cultivator.

Tang Honglin said solemnly, "Everyone, please observe this area of vegetation."

Without him needing to say more, everyone had already noticed the faint demonic aura permeating that area. Observing the signs of battle around them, it was clear that a fierce struggle had taken place here before. Though the outcome was unknown, the fact that these traces of demonic aura remained indicated that the enemy, in their haste, had no time for anything else, leaving such obvious evidence behind.

It seemed Tang Yalin was in grave danger.

If Tang Yalin had been unharmed, he would have certainly notified his brothers about encountering the demonic cultivator.

But since the Tang group hadn't received any message from him, it was clear that when Tang Yalin encountered the demonic cultivator and fought against him, he was eventually overpowered and taken away by the demonic cultivator. Whether he was injured or controlled was unknown. However, it appeared that the demonic cultivator had discovered the Tang disciples coming to search for Tang Yalin and, fearing confrontation with them, hastily retreated.

Knowing that the other members of the Tang group had already entered the forest to search, the group didn't hesitate and followed deeper into the woods.

This forest was vast, serving as a training ground for the cultivators of Tai Zecheng. Cultivators below the Yuanmai realm often came here to hunt beasts and seek cultivation resources. With the elusive nature of the demonic cultivator, finding them in this vast forest wouldn't be easy. However, there were the unique tracking marks left by the pursuing members of the Tang group, allowing Tang Honglin to follow their trail deeper into the forest.

The group moved in a large procession toward the depths of the forest.

On their way, they encountered many low-level beasts that panicked and hid at their approach.

After an unknown amount of time spent traveling through the forest, Tang Honglin suddenly stopped, a look of uncertainty on his face.

"Mr. Tang, what is it?" asked a guard from the City Lord's Mansion.

Tang Honglin replied gravely, "Their trail ends here."

Upon hearing this, those present exchanged glances, looking around and realizing that they had ventured deep into the forest, surrounded by many beasts above the fifth rank.

A guard from the City Lord's Mansion pondered for a moment and suggested, "In that case, why don't we split up and search here? If anyone finds something, release a Spirit Light Grenade so we can quickly gather."

The Spirit Light Grenade was a signal flare made using essence spirit power. When released into the sky, even during the day, it could be seen clearly, commonly used by cultivators to communicate.

Everyone agreed, and soon they began searching in various directions.

Wen Qiao and Sheng Yunsen also chose a random direction and continued forward, occasionally paying attention to any abnormalities in their surroundings.

They didn't find any anomalies, but they did encounter a seventh-rank Blood Cloud Python.

The Blood Cloud Python, originally in the midst of hunting, fixed its blood-red vertical pupils on the two intruders with icy coldness, not hiding its hunger.

To beasts, a clean spirit body of a cultivator was considered a top delicacy.

Sheng Yunsen was sweating profusely.

A seventh-rank beast was equivalent to the Essence Void realm, far surpassing both their cultivations. Not to mention, the Blood Cloud Python was a carnivorous beast that relished fresh blood. Its scales were a vivid red like blood, with white patterns that resembled clouds in the sky, hence its name, Blood Cloud Python.

Moreover, it could control gravity around it, and facing it meant certain death.

Sheng Yunsen swallowed his saliva and whispered, "Junior Sister, we should..." retreat quickly.

"Senior Brother Sheng, I know. Let's go! Time to fight!"

With an excited expression, Wen Qiao shouted, using her foot as leverage to rush towards the Blood Cloud Python like the wind.

"Gugugu~~"

Wen Tutoo bravely called out and charged forward as well.

The rabbit and human ran swiftly, and Sheng Yunsen couldn't stop them. He could only watch helplessly as they charged towards the Blood Cloud Python, then saw them pummeling the python together.

The Blood Cloud Python, originally towering proudly with its thick blood-red body, looked down at the two cultivators from above, waiting to enjoy its feast. But it never expected that they would recklessly charge towards it. The python let out a chilling hiss, ready to teach the human cultivator a harsh lesson before devouring them.

However, before the Blood Cloud Python could exert itself, a ball of white fur landed on its flat triangular head, forcefully pressing its raised body down. It hit the ground with a loud thud, followed by a series of punches raining down on it. The Blood Cloud Python let out painful hisses as its long body writhed, snapping surrounding trees.

Seeing the Blood Cloud Python being beaten and rolling around, Sheng Yunsen suddenly became calm.

What was a seventh-rank beast? In the hands of Wen Tutoo and his Junior Sister, it was nothing but a punching bag.

Without a word, Wen Tutoo and Wen Qiao teamed up to thrash the Blood Cloud Python. The once robust python body swelled from the beating, and under unbearable pain, it finally lowered its proud head in submission.

There was nothing a good beating couldn't solve. If one wasn't enough, then two would do.

Look, wasn't this seventh-rank Blood Cloud Python submitting?

"Sssss..."

If the Blood Cloud Python could cry, it would have flooded the ground with tears, regretting its actions.

Wen Qiao pressed down on the python's vital spot and said seriously, "I just have a question. Once I'm done, I'll let you go, okay?"

"Sssss."

Wen Qiao asked, "Are there any demonic cultivators nearby?"

"Sssss."

"We have a companion who was taken by a demonic cultivator. We've been unable to find them. If you know where they are, could you lead the way?"

"Sssss!!!"

The Blood Cloud Python struggled violently, but its vital spot was held down firmly by a hand that looked soft and tender yet possessed immense strength. It couldn't break free, and the punches hurt terribly.

Indeed, the struggling Blood Cloud Python received another punch, accompanied by the girl's calm voice: "Behave."

The Blood Cloud Python suddenly stilled, hissing dejectedly.

Sheng Yunsen walked over and realized that his junior sister seemed to have reached some sort of agreement with the Blood Cloud Python. She turned to him and said, "Senior Brother Sheng, it's agreed to lead us to the fiend cultivators."

The Blood Cloud Python hissed several times, as if protesting: Wasn't it just supposed to answer a question, after which it would be released? When did it turn into guiding them after giving directions?

"We don't know the way, so of course you have to guide us," Wen Qiao said matter-of-factly. "Otherwise, should we beat you up again?"

Under the threat of iron fists, the Blood Cloud Python finally submitted.

Wen Qiao released it, jumped onto its head, sat cross-legged there, and called out to Sheng Yunsen, "Senior Brother Sheng, get on."

Sheng Yunsen: "... Oh, oh, I'm coming right away."

Sheng Yunsen was in a daze, and even when he stood on the Blood Cloud Python's body, his mind was still muddled, unsure how things had developed this way?

Ordinary cultivators would flee at the sight of a Blood Cloud Python.

His junior sister, upon seeing a Blood Cloud Python, would quickly give it a beating, then make it lead the way after the beating.

It didn't seem wrong.

However, he was still skeptical. "Junior Sister, can it really lead us to the fiend cultivators?"

"It can. It says it knows where the fiend cultivators are hiding."

Sheng Yunsen was instantly stunned. "There are really fiend cultivators?"

Although they had discovered traces of fiendish aura earlier, it was only suspicion. They were afraid it might be some kind of conspiracy. In fact, he wasn't certain. Not only did he think so, but other cultivators felt similarly; they didn't believe those fiend cultivators dared to cause trouble on righteous territory.

"Indeed. According to what it says, not only is there one fiend cultivator, but these fiend cultivators have been hiding here for quite some time."

After hearing Wen Qiao relay the Blood Cloud Python's words, Sheng Yunsen was both shocked and enraged. He never expected fiend cultivators to have mixed in undetected on righteous territory. After all, this was Tai Zecheng's domain, an affiliated city of the Crimson Heavens Sect, also considered part of the sect's territory. Those fiend cultivators were treating the Crimson Heavens Sect with too little regard.

If not for Tang Yalin's sudden disappearance and the anxious search by her friends, those fiend cultivators might have continued hiding here unnoticed, leading to who knew what terrible consequences in the future.

Sheng Yunsen soon calmed down.

Since there were fiend cultivators, they couldn't let them escape, or who knew how many righteous cultivators they would kill.

Fiend cultivators always acted erratically and brutally, mercilessly taking lives without regard. This was why the righteous path could never coexist peacefully with fiend cultivators.

And fiend cultivators also couldn't stand the pretense of righteousness among spirit cultivators, always spoiling their plans.

Suddenly, Sheng Yunsen thought of a question. "Huh, Junior Sister, you understand what the Blood Cloud Python is saying?"

"I do. It's pretty simple."

How was it simple?

Sheng Yunsen complained inwardly. Only a ghost could understand what that string of hisses meant. Being able to understand was what was abnormal.

After complaining a bit, Sheng Yunsen accepted that his junior sister could communicate with demonic beasts. He found it convenient. Without having to form a contract, she could understand the words of demonic beasts, saving a lot of trouble, just like now.

Still, optimistic Senior Brother Sheng said, "Junior Sister, don't expose your ability to communicate with demonic beasts in front of outsiders in the future. Don't let them know about it."

Wen Qiao responded with an 'oh,' saying slowly, "Senior Brother Sheng isn't an outsider."

Sheng Yunsen rubbed his face, feeling like a father whose heart was about to break. He would have to keep a closer watch in the future to prevent his junior sister from being bullied without knowing it.

The Blood Cloud Python swiftly navigated through the dense forest, faster than a cultivator traveling alone.

One sat on its head, the other stood on its body, as if on flat ground.

Soon, the surroundings began to subtly change.

Sheng Yunsen watched his surroundings warily, unable to ignore the odd feeling in his heart.

Wen Qiao released her senses and sniffed around, saying unhappily, "There's fiendish aura nearby, isolated by something."

Despite the isolation, you can still smell it. What kind of amazing nose is this?

Senior Brother Sheng sighed again, thinking that his junior sister was truly remarkable.

Wen Tuantuan lay on her head and hissed a few times toward the distance.

Wen Qiao said, "Wen Tuantuan says there's something going on over there. Blood Cloud Python, let's go there."

Wen Qiao pointed the way, directing the Blood Cloud Python to change direction.

The Blood Cloud Python reluctantly changed course, its speed visibly slowing as it hissed, seemingly protesting something.

Wen Qiao ignored it until the Blood Cloud Python continued walking, growing slower and slower. Then she called out to Sheng Yunsen, and the siblings leaped off the Blood Cloud Python.

"Forget it. Since you don't want to go in, we'll enter ourselves. You can go back. Be careful on the way, don't get killed by other cultivators." Wen Qiao waved at it.

The Blood Cloud Python hissed, did everyone treat it like her and that rabbit? Ready to fight at the slightest disagreement.

If it were other cultivators, it could battle them for hundreds of rounds instead of being pinned down and beaten while crying uncle.

Just as the Blood Cloud Python was about to leave, it was suddenly called back, and something was thrown towards it.

"This is a thank-you gift, for guiding us."

The Blood Cloud Python extended its tail tip to catch it and found it was a pill bottle, its eyes instantly lighting up.

Human pills benefited demonic beasts. Many demonic beasts attacked cultivators training in forests to specifically rob them of their pills. Unfortunately, most cultivators who came here for training were poor, with few good pills, so robbing them yielded little.

The Blood Cloud Python assumed Wen Qiao couldn't offer any good pills either. But when its flexible tail tip opened the pill bottle, it was surprised to find an Elixir Rank pill, and an excellent quality one at that.

The Bloodcloud Python opened its bloody maw, hiding the pill bottle inside, then calmly found a place to hide.

It had decided to wait here for the human to emerge and guide them once more.

***

Unaware of the Python's thoughts, Wen Qiao and Sheng Yunsen ventured deeper into the forest.

Indeed, they were now in the heart of the woods, surrounded by ancient trees. The beasts lurking deep within were stronger, and few cultivators below the Yuan Pulse realm dared to venture here. Those above the Yuan Pulse realm, however, found the offerings here unworthy of their attention.

They wandered around for quite some time.

"Junior Sister, it seems we've been circling the same spot," observed Sheng Yunsen perceptively. "Could there be some kind of formation here?"

Wen Qiao furrowed her brow slightly and shook her head. "I don't know; I'm not versed in formations."

The two, both lacking knowledge in formations, exchanged glances, simultaneously wishing their husband (Junior Brother Ning) was with them.

They regretted not inviting Ning Yuzhou along, but he was currently sequestered at the City Lord's Mansion, refining the Treasure Branch Lamp, unable to join them even if they called.

Despite the faint demonic aura floating around, they couldn't find the proper way in, causing frustration.

Sheng Yunsen, ever resourceful, came up with an unorthodox idea. "Junior Sister, since you can sense the demonic aura, why not lead us toward where it's strongest?"

He didn't want to admit that Wen Qiao could literally smell it, so he referred to it as sensing.

In truth, both demonic aura and spiritual energy were odorless. Cultivators could only rely on instinct to perceive them.

Yet Wen Qiao could actually smell them.

Junior Sister had many peculiarities, but Sheng Yunsen accepted them without question, too lazy to investigate further.

His father had once taught him that the world was full of countless secrets. If one tried to unravel every mystery, no amount of lifetimes would suffice. It was better to live happily and simply.

Wen Qiao deemed this method feasible and thus expanded her senses, employing all five.

With Wen Qiao leading the way, they moved toward areas where the demonic aura was denser.

This approach proved effective, as the air currents carried different winds and scents. Following the flow of the demonic aura, Wen Qiao ignored the surroundings.

Following behind, Sheng Yunsen watched as Wen Qiao meandered aimlessly, seemingly taking pointless detours, yet he held his tongue.

Not until they passed between two towering trees did the environment abruptly change.

Where lush spirit plants once thrived, a demonic aura now pervaded, corrupting the vegetation. The green veins darkened, showing signs of mutation into demonic plants.

Sheng Yunsen was again astounded, realizing they had stumbled upon the right path.

No, it was thanks to Junior Sister's acute perception that they had breached the surrounding formation and found where the demonic cultivators hid.

As newcomers, they recognized the environment had been altered by the demons. They couldn't estimate how many demonic cultivators might be lurking nearby, so they remained cautious.

"Junior Sister, that little rice ball must have been brought here by the demonic cultivators," Sheng Yunsen whispered.

Wen Qiao nodded, also speaking softly. "Not just Little Rice Ball, I suspect..."

"Who?!"

A voice boomed before the attacker could summon a weapon. A furry mass, courtesy of Wen Bunny, slammed down, incapacitating the assailant.

Wen Qiao and Sheng Yunsen rushed forward, restraining the fallen figure, quickly sealing his spirit orifices. Flipping the face-down body over, they discovered it was someone they knew.