Chapter 32

It was night. It seemed everyone in the entire village had already fallen asleep. The whole night was very quiet. Beneath the hazy moonlight, there seemed to be a figure watching Fu Yan and the others’ convoy from afar.

That person did not dare approach. She merely looked over from a distance, separated by several houses, as if wanting to confirm whether the people inside had all returned to their rooms to rest.

This person was precisely the girl from the evening, Chun Hua.

She looked at the houses ahead and saw that the candlelight inside had already gone out. Then she looked at the guards keeping watch in the courtyard. Only then did she once again sneak quietly into the darkness of the night.

After hurriedly returning to her own house, Chun Hua confirmed that she had not been followed. Only then did she go to the back room and open an underground passage. Beneath the passage, it was so dark one could not see their own hand in front of them.

However, Chun Hua still did not bring a candle down. Instead, she followed the wall of the passage and walked down bit by bit. She seemed to have long been familiar with this place, moving along the route with ease. On her calm face, there was not the slightest trace of panic or fear.

Very soon, a faint light finally appeared at the end of the passage. Chun Hua walked down the stairs and looked at the door before her. She very easily reached out and pressed a groove.

In the next moment, the door before her slowly opened. Chun Hua hurriedly stepped inside.

The room beneath the passage was not very large. The things inside were also very simple. There was only one stone table, one stone chair, and one stone bed. On the table, an oil lamp was slowly burning.

A figure was sitting on the bed. He seemed to be injured and was currently meditating to regulate his breath. His face also showed some pain. The movement Chun Hua made when she came in was not small, yet that person seemed long used to it and did not make any extra movements.

Seeing that he did not open his eyes, Chun Hua normally would never have stepped forward to disturb him so easily. But thinking of the group of people outside, she could not help anxiously calling out, “Qiu Lang.”

Hearing this, the person on the bed called Qiu Lang finally calmed the aura inside his body. Under Chun Hua’s [Read on BaiLianTales]anxious expression, he opened his eyes. Perhaps because he had been disturbed, his expression was somewhat impatient. “What is it now?”

Chun Hua had no time to worry about anything else and directly told him what had happened above during the evening. “I saw that they looked extraordinary. I guessed they should all be cultivators. If they discover something, what should we do?”

As soon as the words fell, Qiu Lang clearly paused slightly. There was not the slightest relaxation on his resolute face, and his brows furrowed so tightly they could have crushed a mosquito.

“Cultivators?” Qiu Lang slowly said. “How could so many cultivators come at once?”

“I’m not sure either. They also brought several carriages of things and said they’re going to Chaoyang City.” Chun Hua did not know what to do at all. She could only tell him everything she knew, then looked at Qiu Lang somewhat helplessly.

“Heh.” Qiu Lang seemed to think of something and could not help sneering. A trace of viciousness flashed through his eyes as he said, as if talking to himself, “In that case, perfect. Let them run into Lie Yan and the others tomorrow. It would be best if both sides suffer heavy losses.”

“This…” Chun Hua was still somewhat frightened.

Although Qiu Lang before her was from the demon race, he was also the person at the tip of Chun Hua’s heart. She did not want him to suffer any harm, so she quickly pleaded, “Qiu Lang, let’s leave this place. If they want to fight, let them fight. Let’s go far away together, all right?”

“Then am I supposed to have suffered these injuries for nothing? This place was clearly raised by us. Why should they get the benefit of it?” The hatred in Qiu Lang’s eyes was exposed without the slightest concealment. His whole person looked especially terrifying.

The oil lamp burned quietly, casting the shadows of the two people in the room onto the stone wall.

After two soft knocks, the door before her was opened from inside. Fu Yan outside happened to meet Bai Yueli’s gaze inside the room.

“Senior Sister.” Fu Yan smiled and greeted her first.

Seeing Fu Yan’s figure, Bai Yueli did not seem surprised that she had come. She merely turned slightly to the side, leaving some space, and said, “Come in.”

“Thank you, Senior Sister.” Fu Yan quickly thanked her, then stepped in swiftly from the side.

Bai Yueli closed the door again, then turned and returned to the room. The Yueyao Sword was lying on the table. Seeing this, Fu Yan also placed the Linglong Sword in her hand to the side.

The two swords quietly faced each other, while the red sword tassel in the middle was unusually conspicuous.

However, the two people in the room did not notice these things. Fu Yan pulled out a chair and sat to the side, then raised her eyes to look at Bai Yueli and said, “Tonight, I’ll just sit here and meditate. I won’t disturb Senior Sister’s rest.”

“It’s fine.” Bai Yueli sat down at the edge of the bed and did not seem to intend to rest either. It seemed she was also preparing to meditate and cultivate.

“You guessed it?” Bai Yueli suddenly asked again.

Fu Yan froze slightly, then nodded. She had only been a little distracted in the hall just now, yet Bai Yueli had actually seen through it. It had to be said that this surprised her somewhat.

“I heard people mention the demon race raising mortals in captivity before. I also thought about it for a long time before guessing it.” Fu Yan felt that talking with Bai Yueli was very comfortable. There was no need to be too tangled, nor did she need to deliberately beat around the bush.

Clearly, she and Bai Yueli had not known each other for long, yet being together inexplicably made one relax. Perhaps this was that kind of indescribable trust.

Since the two of them had brought up this topic, Fu Yan thought for a moment and still asked, “Senior Sister… why not compete for the demon core?”

Bai Yueli did not seem surprised that Fu Yan would ask this. Her expression did not change much. She merely said calmly, “A demon core is useless to me.”

Bai Yueli did not lack spirit stones. The mid-grade spirit stones she had were completely enough for her own cultivation. This time, in going down the mountain to train, her only ​Read on BaiLianTales​purpose was to find an opportunity to break through to great perfection of Illumination stage.

Hearing this, Fu Yan paused slightly, but did not continue asking.

The night was already deep. The two of them did not say anything else. They understood that tomorrow morning, there should be a fierce battle to fight, so they both entered seated cultivation.

At the same time, the door to one of the rooms downstairs opened. Fang Yu’s figure walked out from inside, then crossed the courtyard and disappeared into the darkness.

This night was peaceful and calm.

Early the next morning, everyone naturally did not do as Chun Hua had said and hurry away before daybreak. Wang Qingyang sat quietly in the hall of the house, waiting calmly for the demon race members to arrive.

After a night’s time, the cultivators from the various major sects had also roughly learned about the matter of captivity. Immediately, all of them were extremely furious.

“This group of demon race members is truly audacious. They actually dared to openly raise mortals in captivity here and absorb their essence blood. Today, we absolutely cannot let them off!”

“That’s right. As cultivators, we should uphold the heart of eliminating demons and defending the Dao. People of the demon race like this deserve death at everyone’s hands!”

“But… can we really beat them?”

“What are you afraid of? Don’t we still have Young Master Green Bamboo and Fairy Bai Yueli? With the strength of those two, what demon race members? They’re just coming to deliver their heads.”

“That’s true. Look at Young Master Green Bamboo. Ever since last night, he had already known about the demon race’s scheme, yet he has still looked calm and composed. He must have confidence.”

“That’s right, that’s right. What kind of person is our Green Bamboo Sect’s eldest senior brother? They’re only a few demon race members. What is there to fear?”

“…”

Amid everyone’s discussions, Han Shangzhi and Han Shangde also walked out. As Luanjin Fort’s young master, Han Shangzhi naturally did not want to delay the delivery. However, since they had encountered such utterly heartless demon race members, they could not turn a blind eye.

So he could only hope that Wang Qingyang could quickly resolve the trouble here, so their group could continue on the road.

“There’s the aura of the demon race!”

At this moment, someone shouted. As soon as the words fell, everyone felt the whole house tremble slightly. Then a burst of loud laughter rang out outside.

“Hahahaha!! I didn’t expect my luck today to be this good. So many human cultivators have actually appeared!” That person’s laughter was exceptionally arrogant, and every word fell clearly into everyone’s ears.

The door on the second floor was pushed open, and Fu Yan and Bai Yueli both walked down.

“The demon race members are here! I didn’t expect them to come so quickly!”

“Let’s go, follow me out!”

“…”

Compared to everyone’s high fighting spirit, Wang Qingyang in the hall merely put down his teacup and chuckled softly, muttering to himself, “They’re finally here!”

After saying that, in the next moment, he shot straight into the sky, breaking through [Read on BaiLianTales]the roof. Holding his Green Bamboo Sword, he landed steadily on the rooftop.

After Fu Yan and Bai Yueli exchanged a glance, they also swiftly flew out of the wooden house.

At this moment, in the vast village, the outside was surrounded by a dense black mass of demon beasts. Standing at the head of that group of demon beasts was a middle-aged man in black. Clearly, the laughter just now had come from him.

After receiving Chun Hua’s news, Lie Yan had quickly gathered all his demon beasts and surrounded the place. Although the essence blood of mortals could strengthen his cultivation, the essence blood of cultivators was the true great nourishment. How could he possibly not be tempted?

Although the other side had many people, Lie Yan had gathered even more demon beasts. Moreover, they were all second-level demon beasts, equivalent to warriors at middle Illumination stage.

He had already been stuck at great perfection of Illumination stage for half a year. Today was the best opportunity Heaven had given him. As long as he could absorb the essence blood of these cultivators, Lie Yan felt that he would definitely succeed in breaking through to the Dao Integration stage.

In his territory, as long as there was no Dao Integration cultivator, Lie Yan had never feared anyone. Just like when he had snatched these captive villagers from Qiu Lang.

After Fu Yan came out and looked at the crowd of second-level demon beasts outside, she was also startled. Could a demon race member at mere great perfection of Illumination stage summon this many demon beasts?

It seemed there truly was a fierce battle to fight.

“You demon race members really can’t change your habit of eating shit. After so many years, you still dare to use such a vile method as raising mortals in captivity!” Qian Xun of the Green Bamboo Sect was the first to curse loudly. After all, with Wang Qingyang present, he naturally had no worries.

Lie Yan, however, was not angry and instead laughed. “In that case, all of you can stay here too. Being able to witness me break through to the Dao Integration stage can also be considered the blessing of three lifetimes for you humans!”

“Bullshit! Today, we’ll let you demon race members properly see the strength of us humans!” Another Zilan Sect member also stepped forward.

On the rooftop, Wang Qingyang looked calmly at Lie Yan before him and immediately could not help curling his lips into a smile. He had not expected that this time, there really were demon race members at great perfection of Illumination stage. Then his demon core would be worth even more.

“Since you’ve come, I’ll accept your demon core!” Wang Qingyang smiled and pointed his sword at Lie Yan in midair, his gaze full of determination to win.

Hearing this, Lie Yan’s face immediately turned ashen. He had been scheming against these people, but he had not expected the other party to dare scheme against his demon core. His anger instantly surged. In the next second, the group of second-level demon beasts all attacked.

The crowd below also raised their swords to meet them one after another.

Seeing this from behind, Fu Yan swiftly raised her sword and began fighting these demon beasts.

“Ripples of Water!”

Bai Yueli charged forward with her sword and swept horizontally. A whole circle of second-level demon beasts fell one after another, making everyone’s faces fill with envy. They thought that Bai Yueli truly deserved to be a genius of the Northern Region’s younger generation.

Meanwhile, in the air, Wang Qingyang had already begun fighting fiercely with Lie Yan.

Because the place where they were was coincidentally the direction of the village exit, this battle did not affect the mortals in the village.

Fu Yan did not know how many second-level demon beasts she had killed before she belatedly discovered that the male lead, Fang Yu, had vanished. Thinking carefully, it seemed she had not seen him since morning.

“Bamboo Leaves Transform Intent!”

At this moment, Wang Qingyang’s explosive shout came from the air. He broke through Lie Yan’s defense with one sword strike and actually cut off one of Lie Yan’s arms directly. Blood immediately gushed out.

Fortunately, Lie Yan swiftly pulled back and retreated, successfully opening up distance between the two of them. He stared at Wang Qingyang before him in shock, unable to understand ​Read on BaiLianTales​no matter what why they were both at great perfection of Illumination stage, yet he had been falling into a disadvantage the entire time.

What Lie Yan did not know was that since Wang Qingyang could be called “Young Master Green Bamboo,” his strength and talent were naturally first-class. Among those of the same stage, it was almost difficult for him to encounter an equal opponent.

“Very good. Do you think this is over?” Lie Yan suddenly laughed. In the next moment, he abruptly formed a hand seal. The entire village instantly surged with a sheet of dazzling red light.

Lie Yan smiled somewhat ferociously. “Sacrificial Blood Array!”

So this village that had been raised in captivity had long since been set with a sacrificial array by him. At this moment, everyone was enveloped by the array, and red light filled every corner of the village.

Very soon, the demon beasts within the array let out painful cries. They seemed to be sacrificed alive to death. Yet the human figures inside the array all remained as if nothing had happened.

Lie Yan: “…”

Fu Yan also found it somewhat strange. Cultivators trapped inside a sacrificial array should feel their true essence slowly disappearing until they were sacrificed at the final moment. But aside from those demon beasts just now, who directly died, they had not been affected in the slightest.

“What’s going on?” Someone voiced the same confusion, but the only answers they received were blank looks.

Suddenly thinking of something, Fu Yan hurriedly raised her eyes and saw Fang Yu appear outside the array.

Sure enough…

“This person… should not be simple.” Bai Yueli had appeared at Fu Yan’s right side at some point. Her gaze fell on Fang Yu as she spoke with some deeper meaning.

Fu Yan paused when she heard this. The male lead held stolen contenta golden finger and was himself a monstrous genius. How could he possibly be ordinary or simple? It was just… could she still not escape the power of the plot?

Would Bai Yueli still ultimately be attracted to the male lead?

For some reason, the moment this thought appeared in Fu Yan’s mind, she felt that things should not develop this way. She looked deeply at Bai Yueli beside her and always felt…

In Fu Yan’s eyes, Bai Yueli was someone with broad horizons and her own opinions in everything. She was not someone who clung to power or compromised herself. How could such a person bend herself to become part of someone else’s harem?

“What’s wrong?”

When Bai Yueli withdrew her gaze, she saw Fu Yan staring at her. Fu Yan’s gaze was deep, carrying many complex emotions Bai Yueli could not understand. Bai Yueli could not help pausing slightly before asking in confusion.

Bai Yueli’s clear voice sounded beside her ear, and only then did Fu Yan quickly come back to herself. She hurriedly moved away her intense gaze and explained somewhat unnaturally, “No… nothing. Senior Sister is right. This person is indeed not simple. That demon race member’s array should have been tampered with by him ahead of time.”

Bai Yueli still looked steadily at Fu Yan, seeming to want to see something. However, Fu Yan no longer had any strange expression. That glance just now seemed as if it had been her imagination.

Outside, Lie Yan looked at the figure who had suddenly appeared. What else could he not understand? He immediately stared at Fang Yu with a face full of disbelief. “Impossible… impossible! How did you tamper with my Sacrificial Blood Array, yet I didn’t notice even a bit?”

As soon as the words fell, Fang Yu could not help laughing softly. He looked leisurely at Lie Yan opposite him, his eyes filled with teasing. “Maybe it’s because your cultivation isn’t good enough yet.”

Just a few short words were enough to anger someone to death.

“Only middle Illumination stage, yet you seek death!” Lie Yan was furious. He immediately burst forward and directly charged toward Fang Yu to kill him.

But Fang Yu in midair had no intention of dodging at all. He actually raised his sword and ​unauthorized copy​met the attack directly. The two collided in the air, yet Fang Yu’s aura was not inferior to the other party’s, stunning everyone watching.

“This… I’m not seeing things, right? Who is this person? Why have I never heard that Fengling Sect had such a person before? Is his cultivation really only middle Illumination stage?”

“What’s so strange about that? That demon race member was injured by our eldest senior brother just now. If it were me, I could also exchange a few moves with him.”

“Even if great perfection of Illumination stage is injured, it still isn’t something an ordinary middle Illumination cultivator can contend with!”

“Hmph, if not for my eldest senior brother being entangled by the array, he would have killed that demon race member with one sword long ago!”

“…”

Wang Qingyang in midair followed the battle opposite him, and his gaze could not help falling on Fang Yu. His eyes were somewhat dark and unreadable. Today’s limelight had been stolen by this person instead. Interesting.

Just as everyone’s attention had landed outside, Bai Yueli at the side suddenly furrowed her brows. However, before she had time to say anything, Fu Yan beside her swiftly vanished from where she stood.

Immediately after, the other disciples before her also vanished one after another. Bai Yueli also felt the world spin around her, and the scenery before her eyes changed rapidly.

In almost the blink of an eye, everyone disappeared from the village at once. Even Lie Yan and Fang Yu, who had still been fighting, were the same. Very soon, the village that had just been filled with fierce battle instantly returned to its former quiet.

Fu Yan only noticed something wrong at the final moment before she disappeared. However, after she reacted, she found that she was already in an unfamiliar place.

All around her, everything was a vast expanse of white, like a huge fog had suddenly risen and covered the entire world.

This place was…