Chapter 11

Chapter 11

The thick spiritual energy surged wildly in all directions like a tidal wave. To the group's astonishment, the pure white epiphyllum fully bloomed, instantly resembling starlight falling, radiant and resplendent, as if a celestial beauty from the moon palace were dancing gracefully.

The rich fragrance permeated the air, refreshing the soul, and the surrounding Spirit Beasts stared at the Heavenly Fragrant Epiphyllum with fervent eyes, restlessly pawing the ground, their bodies low, crouching low as they crept toward the cliff edge, driven by instinctive greed and desire.

Within just a few breaths, Lu Yuanyin sensed several teams drawn by the burst of spiritual energy, converging on the cliff.

Scarface, detecting the swiftly approaching auras and the lurking figures in the forest, grew increasingly solemn. He said in a low voice, "You go dig up the plant; we'll hold these guys off!"

With that, they formed hand seals, and faint light flickered over the runes drawn around them. A massive spirit array slowly emerged above the cliff. The group stepped forward to block the agitated Spirit Beasts.

Seeing this, Lu Yuanyin hesitated no longer. She channeled her spiritual energy and soared upward, carefully examining the plant's condition. The Heavenly Fragrant Epiphyllum grew between several rock crevices.

Scattered around were traces of crimson, like dried blood. Below the cliff sprawled a tangled mass of vines, some thicker than her waist, lush and dense.

Lu Yuanyin thought it odd but, after a moment, dismissed it. She took out a shovel and carefully chipped away at the surrounding rocks.

Suddenly, a sharp whistling sound came from her side. Lu Yuanyin's expression shifted drastically. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught the glint of a sharp fang under the moonlight!

She quickly dodged to one side, landing on a protruding boulder on the cliff. Just as she prepared to counterattack, a massive, colorful shadow moved faster than her.

Her heart leaped. A giant python, several zhang long, slithered out of a crevice in the rock, its thick tail brushing past her cheek and smashing heavily into where she had just stood. Rocks shattered, and the wind howled!

Lu Yuanyin clung tightly to the protruding rock beneath her hand, cold sweat instantly breaking out on her back. If she hadn't dodged in time, she might have had her skull crushed by that snake's tail!

A wave of lingering fear washed over her.

Before she could catch her breath, the python shot out from the cliffside with incredible speed, heading straight for the Heavenly Fragrant Epiphyllum. As it prepared to swallow the flower whole, Lu Yuanyin swiftly drew her sword and thrust it at the python's eye, channeling spiritual energy into the blade.

Seeing this, Scarface also flew forward, his blade blocking the python's path. He growled, "I'll hold it off—go dig it up!"

Sensing the rapidly approaching auras, Lu Yuanyin had no choice but to scramble toward the Heavenly Fragrant Epiphyllum. The python tried to advance but was firmly engaged by Scarface, unable to break free. It hissed in fury, its cold vertical pupils tinged with red.

The two formation masters summoned their compasses from their sleeves. The rusted compasses floated in the void. As spiritual energy poured into them, intricate patterns began to glow faintly. The runes on the cliff flashed violently. With a deep rumble, several spirit arrays rose up instantly!

The arrays expanded with the wind, and dazzling spiritual energy, mixed with sword light, swept across the entire cliff. The Spirit Beasts wailed and were flung away, thick trees snapping in half, dust flying. But in the blink of an eye, more Spirit Beasts, drawn by the fragrance, pressed forward again, their eyes tinged with red.

The two formation masters struggled to fend off the increasingly frenzied beasts. Endless waves of Spirit Beasts surged from the forest, the ground trembling violently.

Sensing the almost tangible spiritual energy around the Heavenly Fragrant Epiphyllum, they were alarmed. They hadn't expected such a spectacular commotion from the epiphyllum's bloom!

The closer she got, the more overwhelming the fragrance became. Lu Yuanyin felt dizzy, almost drowsy. She bit her tongue to stay alert, took out a shovel from her storage pouch, and prepared to dig up the Heavenly Fragrant Epiphyllum along with the surrounding rock.

But behind her, the sound of several sharp sword strikes cut through the air. A killing intent, riding on sword aura, rushed toward her. Lu Yuanyin quickly sidestepped to dodge. Several teams were sprinting toward the cliffside.

A few familiar faces appeared over the edge. One exclaimed in surprise, "There's a Heavenly Fragrant Epiphyllum here?!"

Then Lu Sisi popped her head over the cliff edge. Seeing Lu Yuanyin clinging to the rock face, she widened her eyes in surprise. "A Yin, what are you doing here too?"

Her gaze flickered between Lu Yuanyin and the Heavenly Fragrant Epiphyllum, her expression darkening. For a moment, she could barely keep up her pleasant facade.

She had thought that after Lu Yuanyin left the team, she would regret how she had treated them when she saw their points soar, but she never expected Lu Yuanyin to find such a treasure in just one night...

Tong Lanyi's face fell immediately. She all but snarled, "Why is it you again? Everywhere I go, I run into you—what bad luck!"

"If you don't help us find the tokens but go digging for herbs instead, don't expect any rewards from us!"

Lu Yuanyin's expression turned cold as she looked at them.

Seeing Scarface and his group struggling more and more, she swiftly cut out the Heavenly Fragrant Epiphyllum and agilely jumped back onto the cliff. "Let's go!"

Scarface saw she had retrieved it. They all formed hand seals, and a stream of mystical runes flowed from under their feet, merging into the spirit array. The faltering array solidified again, and with a thunderous roar, a sword light surged forth from the array, devastating everything in its path. The Spirit Beasts howled and were forced back dozens of steps!

Taking the chance, Scarface and his men flew out, running toward Lu Yuanyin. But Lu Sisi suddenly lifted her head, drew her sword, and blocked their path.

Scarface's group looked grim.

Lu Sisi stared resolutely at Lu Yuanyin, a stubborn look on her face. "A Yin, this Heavenly Fragrant Epiphyllum can save Brother Yuan and the others. I can't let you take it."

Then, as if realizing her tone was too harsh, she softened. "A Yin, if there's anything you want in the future, I'll yield it to you. But not this—this one I can't give in on."

"?"

Lu Yuanyin nearly laughed at her ridiculous logic. She stored her pouch and said sardonically, "This was our spirit herb to begin with. What do you mean, 'let you have it'?"

Lu Sisi bit her lip, aggrieved. She tried again. "A Yin, we really need this Heavenly Fragrant Epiphyllum. You..."

But Lu Yuanyin cut her off. "None of my concern. Step aside."

"I can't let you go. Since it's come to this, don't hold it against me!" Lu Sisi exchanged looks with her companions, and they surrounded Lu Yuanyin's group with drawn swords. "Sorry for the trouble!"

Lu Yuanyin's grip on her sword tightened as she stared at Lu Sisi, a dark glint in her eyes.

Scarface's group grew guarded. They held their compasses and glared at Lu Sisi's group. "You want to rob us? You'll have to ask us first!"

As he spoke, ripples spread over the rusted compasses.

The tension was palpable.

Someone shouted, and with a flash of sword light, the two sides engaged. Dense spiritual energy erupted, and with a heavy boom, the forces collided, kicking up a chaotic storm of wind!

Tong Lanyi, standing behind the group, patted the mountainous male cultivator beside her. A venomous expression crossed her face. She called out, "Brother, help us grab that herb. Teach that bitch a lesson!"

The male cultivator's dull eyes locked onto Lu Yuanyin in the crowd. She wore a simple disciple's robe, with a fair, flawless face and red lips. Her eyes sparkled, and the mountain breeze lifted her long black hair, making her eerily beautiful.

Compared to two years ago, she had grown even more radiant, so much so that everyone around her seemed like mere backdrops. Tong Jinyu licked his purple-black lips, his eyes full of lust.

Seeing his lecherous expression, Tong Lanyi hid her disgust and coaxed in a low voice, "Brother, teach her a good lesson. I'll get her for you when we get back..."

Tong Jinyu's eyes lit up, and he grinned lecherously. "Deal!"

Noticing that more and more Spirit Beasts were being drawn by the spiritual energy, Lu Yuanyin wanted to leave this cursed place as soon as possible. She felt something ominous. She fended off Lu Sisi with her sword and prepared to take the opportunity to escape.

But a mountain-like figure suddenly shot toward her like a cannonball, swinging a heavy hammer at her back. She could hear the air tearing from the force.

Startled, Lu Yuanyin hurriedly raised her sword to block. Under the immense force, she was sent flying backward, skidding dozens of steps before stopping. A dull thud echoed, her palms numb, arms trembling. Her sword strained under the hammer's blow, then, with a sharp crack, it snapped in her astonished gaze.

A sharp pain shot through her chest, blackness swimming before her eyes. She tasted blood in her throat, and a trickle of red seeped from her lips.

Tong Jinyu twirled his hammer, his eyes burning as he looked at Lu Yuanyin. "Long time no see, Junior Sister Lu!"

Lu Yuanyin swallowed the rising blood, raising her eyes to glare at the mountain of flesh before her. He was grossly overweight, his face flushed purple with dark circles under his eyes, looking dissolute. He seemed vaguely familiar.

Tong Jinyu bared his teeth in a savage grin, his attack relentless. His gaze roamed over her slender waist with undisguised lust and arrogance. "If you had gone with me back then, you'd be living high on the hog now, not scraping by like this!"

Tong Lanyi sneered icily. "Junior Sister Lu has high aspirations. She wants someone like Immortal Lord Changye, a prodigy of heaven..."

Lu Yuanyin, hearing his rough voice, suddenly recalled: Tong Jinyu had once publicly professed his love for her at the mountain gate. At the time, she was only focused on alchemy and cultivation, with no interest in romance. Besides, Tong Jinyu was repulsive in appearance and character, so she had directly rejected him.

She also knew that Tong Jinyu had spoken ill of her behind her back, calling her blind and a social climber who fawns on the rich.

She had once wondered why Tong Lanyi kept targeting her, but now, seeing her by Tong Jinyu's side, she understood everything.

Lu Sisi stepped forward, her face full of pleading, "A Yin, don't force me. Brother Yuan and the others really need this Heavenly Fragrant Epiphyllum. If you leave the Heavenly Fragrant Epiphyllum now, I'll let you go, okay?!"

"I hope you won't drag others into this just because you're mad at me..."

Even as she said this, her attacks kept pressing forward relentlessly, almost every strike aimed at Lu Yuanyin's vital spots.

Seeing that Scarface and the others were also stuck and unable to break out of the encirclement, and the faint fragrance around her seemed to grow stronger, Lu Yuanyin felt a rising irritation. She looked at Lu Sisi, Tong Jinyu, and the others blocking her way, a flicker of disgust flashing in her eyes.

She let out a cold laugh, "Lu Sisi, you're so hypocritical you make me sick."

She didn't believe Lu Sisi truly cared about that so-called Brother Yuan.

Or rather, from the very beginning, whenever she liked something, Lu Sisi would stop at nothing to take it. What Lu Sisi wanted was simply whatever she possessed.

Including Gu Lingqiu.

Lu Sisi froze, clearly not expecting Lu Yuanyin to say that. She suddenly met Lu Yuanyin's gaze—that gaze was clear and pure, as if it could reveal every stain and dark thought in her heart. Her expression twisted for a moment, almost unable to maintain her usual demeanor.

Lu Sisi stared fiercely at Lu Yuanyin, then curved her lips and reverted to her earlier innocent, soft look. She said softly, "Since you're so stubborn, I won't hold back anymore!" The next moment, a dark gray mist emerged from her palm, and the massive phantom of a Black Flood Dragon slowly materialized behind her.

The dragon phantom let out a low roar, its form flickered and dissolved into wisps of mist that coiled around her sword, instantly filling the air with sword aura.

A terrifying pressure slowly spread across the forest. The Spirit Beasts, sensing the Black Flood Dragon's fearsome aura, retreated a few steps in fear, but their craving for the Heavenly Fragrant Epiphyllum kept them lingering in the forest, unwilling to leave.

Tong Jinyu also swung his iron hammer, smashing it in Lu Yuanyin's direction. Every move from them was vicious, all aimed at killing her.

Scarface and the others were held tight by Tong Lanyi's group, unable to help her. With her only sword broken, Lu Yuanyin could only dodge frantically.

She looked at those loathsome faces; countless voices seemed to scream in her ears, screaming for her to kill Lu Sisi, kill them all, kill these shameless bitches!

She hadn't wanted to clash with them now, but they had pushed her way too far!!

This Heavenly Fragrant Epiphyllum was tied to Granny's old injury; she absolutely could not hand it over to Lu Sisi...

Past memories flooded into her mind like a kaleidoscope. Lu Yuanyin stared hard at them, and as Lu Sisi and Tong Jinyu closed in simultaneously, she found herself with her back against a sheer cliff with a thousand-foot drop, nowhere to run!

The fierce sword aura and the heavy iron hammer surged toward her; blinding spiritual light completely engulfed her figure. Lu Yuanyin's whole body ached, her pupils contracted, and the figures before her slowly loomed larger.

She formed a hand seal, and a rust-covered alchemy furnace slowly appeared before her.

Tong Lanyi watched Lu Yuanyin with smug satisfaction. That disgusting Tong Jinyu was born with freakish strength and was already at the Great Perfection of the Foundation Establishment stage. With the Black Flood Dragon aiding her, Lu Sisi was nearly invincible below the Golden Core stage—let alone against a useless piece of trash like Lu Yuanyin!

She could almost picture the miserable scene of Lu Yuanyin's blood splattering on the spot. A triumphant smile curled her lips.

A heavy boom echoed as vast spiritual energy exploded, the blinding light dazzling everyone. Dust flew, and a figure shot out, crashing heavily into a giant tree before finally stopping. The thick tree collapsed. The figure stared in disbelief at his torn thumb-web, then vomited a mouthful of blood with a "wah."

Tong Jinyu's eyes bulged, nearly popping out of his head. He stared at the now-deformed iron hammer, his face flushed red, veins bulging on his forehead.

Lu Sisi also staggered back dozens of steps before coming to a halt. Blood dripped from the corners of her mouth. She stared blankly at Lu Yuanyin, her face full of confusion.

Hearing the crowd's disbelieving exclamations, Tong Lanyi's smile froze.

How is this possible?!!!

The noisy cliff fell into a moment of dead silence.

A rust-covered alchemy furnace—so shabby it looked like a pickle crock—suddenly shot out from the dust.

Lu Yuanyin casually wiped the blood from the corners of her mouth. She looked at Lu Sisi and the others, then hoisted the furnace onto her shoulder. "I'll smash you little bastards dead!"

Author's note:

I'm here~

Tonight, everyone who leaves a comment gets a little red envelope, xoxo!