Chapter 13: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind
Outside Mending Heaven Peak, over a dozen formal disciples had gathered, led by Zhao Xuhe, Qing Chen Fairy, and the elderly Wang Bairong from the Library Pavilion.
Among them, only these three had reached mid-stage Qi Refining.
Zhao Xuhe stood at the forefront, his voice booming: "I'm deeply honored that all my fellow disciples could answer my invitation. Allow me to express my gratitude in advance."
With that, he bowed respectfully to the group.
"To be frank," Qing Chen Fairy interjected softly, her melodious voice sending tingles down spines, "Senior Brother Zhao discovered an ancient cave dwelling outside Mending Heaven Peak. Unfortunately, it's protected by formations we can't breach alone."
"That's why we've gathered everyone here," she continued. "By combining our strength to break the formation, we can share the cave's treasures equally. As a member of the Three Rivers Association, Senior Brother Zhao's reputation for fairness is well known—he won't let anyone suffer losses."
Zhao Xuhe clearly had some skills.
Working in tandem with Qing Chen Fairy while Wang Bairong played the straight man, they quickly transformed the disorganized group into a united force.
Soon after, the group departed Mending Heaven Peak on beams of light.
The Primordial Saint Sect occupied the vast "Sky-reaching Sea of Clouds," an expanse so immense it seemed endless. After flying for fifteen minutes, the group halted above a particular cloud bank.
"We've arrived."
Zhao Xuhe focused his will, parting the clouds with his qi to reveal a magnificent peak with excellent feng shui—at first glance resembling an ancient coiled dragon.
"This is Coiling Dragon Island," Zhao Xuhe explained. "My research indicates it was the cave dwelling of True Person Panlong, a former true disciple of our sect. The feng shui grand formation protecting it was originally Foundation Establishment level, but after all these years, the spiritual veins sustaining it have dried up, leaving less than ten percent of its original power."
"Everyone, follow me to break the formation."
With those words, Zhao Xuhe took the lead, entering Coiling Dragon Island first. Not wanting to be left behind, the others quickly followed suit.
Some time passed before another figure quietly appeared.
"How interesting..."
Lü Yang observed Coiling Dragon Island below but had no intention of entering. Instead, he produced four black banners and began setting up formations around the island's perimeter.
"With the repayment deadline approaching, my time in this life is nearly up anyway."
"Might as well pull off one last heist!"
"But Coiling Dragon Island is treacherous, and Zhao Xuhe's group has strength in numbers. Charging in alone to compete for opportunities would be hopeless."
After careful consideration, Lü Yang devised a brilliant plan.
First, he dismissed any notion of "good people" existing within the Demon Sect—Zhao Xuhe's scheme to gather people for cave exploration was undoubtedly malicious.
Yet with so many participants, including the elderly Wang Bairong from the Library Pavilion, even if Zhao Xuhe succeeded, he'd surely pay a heavy price. Therefore, Lü Yang decided to set up ambush formations outside the island, conserving his strength to ambush anyone emerging.
Wasn't this far more profitable than venturing inside?
For this purpose, Lü Yang spent his last 100 contribution points on a Maze Formation.
The four "Maze Banners" could confine heaven and earth, reversing directions. Though lacking offensive power, they could trap targets temporarily.
"Now comes the waiting game... No rush—slow and steady wins the race..."
Lü Yang settled in patiently for his ambush.
...........
"Zhao Xuhe! What's the meaning of this!?"
"If you kill us, our Life Lamps will extinguish—the Saint Sect won't let you get away with this!"
Inside Coiling Dragon Island, rivers of blood now flowed.
The once-united group of formal disciples had fractured into individuals fighting desperately, their screams punctuated by flashes of crimson light harvesting lives.
Away from the chaos, Zhao Xuhe stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Qing Chen Fairy.
Their expressions now brimmed with mockery and arrogance, radiating sinister energy—a complete reversal from their earlier earnest demeanor.
Facing the group's furious accusations, Zhao Xuhe sneered coldly: "Struggle all you want. This place was carefully prepared—this 'Blood Demon Soul-Slaying Blade' cost me a full 3,000 contribution points. None of you are leaving Coiling Dragon Island alive today!"
As he spoke, several more fell to the crimson streak that drained their flesh and blood before revealing itself as a scarlet flying dagger.
"You bastard!"
Among the group, only elderly Wang Bairong from the Library Pavilion still resisted, but Zhao Xuhe deliberately prolonged his suffering, wearing him down while taunting:
"Old Wang, did you really think you'd live to spend my money? I bought those Substitute Death Yin Puppets from you precisely for today! Otherwise, with a stockpile of puppets, killing you would've been troublesome."
"Now that I've bought them all..."
"When I kill you, those contribution points return to me—meaning I got a pile of Substitute Death Yin Puppets for free!"
"In fact, I should thank you!"
Wang Bairong nearly vomited blood from rage at Zhao Xuhe's psychological torture, creating an opening for the flying dagger to plunge into his chest.
Thud!
Wang Bairong's lips twitched with unspoken bitterness before the dagger drained his vital energy, leaving him to collapse lifelessly.
With Wang Bairong dealt with, the outcome was settled.
Soon after, the screams gradually ceased.
"Congratulations, Senior Brother!"
Qing Chen Fairy, now glistening with sweat, had contributed significantly to the Blood Demon Soul-Slaying Blade's deadly efficiency.
"My thanks to you, Junior Sister."
Zhao Xuhe smiled faintly as he recalled the blade. "Well? At its current power, can it breach that restriction now?"
Qing Chen Fairy examined it briefly before frowning delicately: "It seems slightly insufficient still—"
Swish!
The blade flashed in and out. Qing Chen Fairy stared blankly at the scarlet dagger embedded in her abdomen before shriveling into a desiccated corpse.
"Now it's sufficient."
Satisfied, Zhao Xuhe nodded at the blade before proceeding to a sealed meditation chamber deep within Coiling Dragon Island.
Without hesitation, he raised the blade and struck.
Boom!
An earth-shaking explosion later, the chamber's doors shattered, revealing a jade box inside.
Trembling with excitement, Zhao Xuhe opened it to find two volumes of Daoist scriptures:
The upper volume titled 《Nine Transformations Coiling Dragon Technique》.
The lower volume titled 《Myriad Chariots Dragon Ascension Treasure Scroll》.
His hands shook uncontrollably as he beheld them: "A third-grade true technique! A genuine third-grade true technique pointing directly to the Golden Core path!"
"The master didn't deceive me."
"He said my three lifetimes of arduous cultivation to accumulate merit for True Person Panlong would bear fruit in this life—that Panlong's legacy would become my opportunity."
"From this day forth, by diligently cultivating the 'True Dragon Qi' and establishing the 'Myriad Chariots Dragon Riding' foundation, I can surely recover my true self and complete my tribulation rebirth! With this third-grade true technique, not only will my Foundation Establishment path be smooth, but the Golden Core path will also be within reach!"
Overcome by excitement, Zhao Xuhe stored the scriptures immediately.
"Switching techniques requires dispersing my current cultivation—no time to waste. I must return to my cave dwelling for secluded training at once. Once I emerge, I can formally become the master's disciple..."
Filled with anticipation for the future, Zhao Xuhe soared from Coiling Dragon Island on a beam of light.
Yet in the next instant, his expression twisted violently.
"Who's there—"
Boom!
Zhao Xuhe's eyes widened in shock as a majestic sword light, swift as thunder, filled his vision before striking him down.