txolops Chapter 82: The Prey?
Chapter 82: The Prey?
Two months later, at the entrance to the cave.
Mu Chunfeng looked at Yuan Yao and Yanli beside him, his expression solemn, and earnestly instructed them:
"You two must diligently practice the *Wangshu Yinyue Jing* that I have passed on to you. In addition, remember to study the arts of talismans and formations in your spare time; learning more will not harm you. Oh, and the *Dayan Jue*—this technique is remarkably effective in strengthening divine sense and breaking through cultivation bottlenecks. Although it is extremely tedious to practice, you must not neglect it. And also…"
"Alright, alright, young master, we've noted it all down!"
Yuan Yao couldn't stand it any longer and stepped forward to interrupt Mu Chunfeng's incessant chatter.
She blinked her big, bright eyes, her expression a mix of conviction and coquettishness: "I promise I'll stay obediently in the cave and won't run around! For minor matters, I'll have the Snow Demon handle them; if anything serious happens, I'll just crush the jade slip and call Senior Star Palace for help. Is that alright?"
Although Mu Chunfeng had only said he would be gone for a short while and then return, his current manner of explaining everything in such detail made it seem as if he were going on a long journey of ten or eight years. This made Yuan Yao both amused and a little reluctant to part with him.
Seeing Yuan Yao's adorable appearance, Yanli smiled helplessly.
She stepped forward, took Yuan Yao's arm, patted it gently, and softly advised, "Alright, Yao-mei, say no more. The young master's instructions show he's worried about us. Let him finish speaking, so he doesn't leave with any concerns."
After saying that, Yanli turned to Mu Chunfeng and said, "Young master, rest assured, I will definitely urge Yaomei to cultivate, guard the cave, and wait for your safe return."
Looking at the two women before him, who had very different personalities but were equally captivating, Mu Chunfeng felt a warmth transform from her initial worry into a sense of comfort.
He smiled slightly and nodded, saying, "Alright, with you saying that, I'm relieved."
After saying that, he took out the sunglasses from his storage bag and put them on.
Although these sunglasses were only a top-grade magic artifact, under the deliberate concealment of Mu Chunfeng's powerful divine sense, which far surpassed that of his peers, ordinary Core Formation cultivators would not be able to see his true face even if they used their divine sense to scan him. In their perception, they would only see an extremely blurry human face.
After giving his instructions, Mu Chunfeng did not hesitate any longer. With a flicker, he transformed into a streak of crimson-gold light and soared into the sky, heading towards the fiftieth level of the Holy Mountain.
Watching the light gradually disappear from sight, Yanli's eyes flickered slightly, and she sighed softly.
Meanwhile, Yuan Yao, who was standing to the side, quietly put away her previous charming and impatient demeanor.
She gazed quietly at the sky, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, and murmured softly, "Young Master's trip this time is probably not just for personal matters, but also to resolve the troubles caused by the previous Core Formation phenomenon."
Over the past two months, most of the cultivators who had tried to attach themselves to or explore the cave have indeed dispersed, and on the surface, things seem calm.
But Yuan Yao also knew in her heart that in this cannibalistic world of cultivation, cultivators had no shortage of patience when it came to obtaining top-tier cultivation techniques and opportunities.
Especially after receiving the Wangshu Menstrual Scripture from Mu Chunfeng, she gained a clearer understanding of top-level cultivation techniques.
That was completely different from the common cultivation methods she used to practice.
"How could two months be enough to make those old foxes who were on the move completely give up? They've probably just retreated into the shadows or left spies watching this place."
The young master is now deliberately concealing his face with sunglasses when he goes out, which means he must have noticed the surveillance in the shadows and is preparing to take the initiative to eliminate these threats.
Hearing Yuan Yao's words, a hint of tenderness flashed in Yanli's eyes, and she was not surprised.
She knew all too well that her younger sister had always been "wise in disguise."
Yuan Yao is usually lively and loves to act coquettishly, but in reality, she is very perceptive and sees the dangers of the cultivation world clearly. However, in front of the young master, she always lets down her guard and acts like a carefree little woman.
Yanli stepped forward, gently took Yuan Yao's slightly cool hand, and softly comforted her, "Little sister, since you've seen through everything, you should have faith in the young master. He always plans carefully before acting and never fights unprepared battles. Since he dared to go out at this time, he must have already prepared a foolproof plan."
"Yes, I know."
Yuan Yao took a deep breath, and the worry in her eyes gradually turned into a look of determination.
She grasped Yanli's hand in return, a proud smile returning to her lips: "I just feel a little sorry for Young Master. He should be enjoying life after just achieving Core Formation, yet he still has to scheme outside for our safety. But Senior Sister is right. With Young Master's unfathomable methods and cautious nature, who knows who will end up hunting down whom among those scheming fellows outside!"
Upon hearing this, Yanli couldn't help but chuckle softly, her beautiful eyes filled with trust and tenderness: "Yes, we just need to guard this cave, cultivate in peace, and wait for Young Master's triumphant return."
The two women smiled at each other, then turned around side by side and walked back into the cave with leisurely steps.
Only the Snow Demon remained silently standing in place.
It silently gazed at the empty courtyard, its stiff face revealing no emotion, like a tireless and merciless guardian in the desolate mountain wind.
The wisp of spirit that Mu Chunfeng left in its body before leaving would dissipate on its own in a few months if it were not continuously nurtured by its master's divine consciousness.
But in the months before its consciousness completely dissipates, it will guard its master's cave dwelling with all its might.
……
After leaving the cave, Mu Chunfeng went straight to the Starry Sky Palace and successfully arrived at Kui Xing Island through the teleportation array.
As soon as he stepped out of the formation, the Foundation Establishment deacons stationed in the teleportation hall sensed the undisguised Core Formation stage spiritual pressure emanating from him.
The men's expressions changed drastically. They dared not be negligent in the slightest and immediately bowed respectfully, their demeanor extremely courteous.
Mu Chunfeng nodded slightly with a calm expression.
He stood outside the hall, briefly discerning the direction. The sea map of Kui Xing Island flashed through his mind. Then, with a flicker, he transformed into a streak of crimson-gold light and vanished into the sky in an instant.
However, less than half an incense stick's time after he left, the teleportation array once again burst forth with dazzling spiritual light.
Before the light had faded, seven powerful figures emerged from it.
Among these seven people, the leader was an old man in the mid-stage of Core Formation with a gloomy face. There were four others in the early stage of Core Formation, and the weakest of the remaining two were at the Pseudo-Core Formation level!
This lineup immediately startled the Star Palace stewards in the hall, causing them to gasp in astonishment.
On Kui Xing Island, it's rare to see even one Core Formation stage expert from outside the island every few months. But now, five of them have appeared all at once. Judging from their menacing aura and their way of traveling together, they are clearly up to no good.
Several deacons were about to step forward and pay their respects, but the gloomy old man took the initiative to attack.
His gaze swept over the crowd like a venomous snake, his voice icy: "In the past half hour, which direction did that masked cultivator who left through this teleportation array go?"
Accompanied by these cold words, an immense pressure belonging to the mid-stage of Core Formation descended suddenly, pressing down on the deacons like a tangible mountain.
With a "thump," several Foundation Establishment deacons felt their blood surging and their legs going weak, with one of them even kneeling on the ground.
They looked at each other, pale-faced, their eyes filled with struggle and fear.
The Star Palace has strict rules; revealing the whereabouts of other cultivators is a serious crime, but if one doesn't speak up...
Seeing the chilling killing intent gradually rising in the old man's eyes, the deacons trembled in their hearts and dared not hesitate for a moment. They hurriedly pointed out the direction where Mu Chunfeng had left.
After all, a major upheaval had just occurred on Kui Xing Island a few years ago. Now, the Star Palace's higher-ups are preoccupied with their own problems, and the Core Formation elders stationed here would never risk offending five mysterious Core Formation elders for the sake of a few insignificant lower-level deacons.
Even if the higher-ups investigate afterward, they would still have to be alive by then.
In the world of cultivation, rules are rigid, but people are flexible; preserving one's own life is the only ironclad rule.
Having obtained the answer he wanted, the gloomy old man snorted coldly, withdrew his oppressive aura, and led the other six people, transforming into several streaks of light, and chased after them in the direction indicated by the steward.