Chapter 39

Looking into Shui Liuqing’s eyes, Fu Yan suddenly understood something.

Shui Liuqing, however, seemed not to care about Fu Yan’s gaze. She stared at Fu Yan without the slightest concealment, as if saying: I was the one who poisoned you. What can you do about it?

After knowing that Shui Liuqing had done something, Fu Yan did not feel particularly surprised. After all, from the very beginning, Shui Liuqing had been eyeing her like prey. Along the way, she had also tried every possible method to put Fu Yan to death.

What Fu Yan did not quite understand was when exactly Shui Liuqing had tampered with her qi sea. Ever since Fu Yan learned that Shui Liuqing was skilled in poison, she could be said to have been extremely cautious every time she came into contact with this person. Yet now, she had still unknowingly fallen into her trap.

Fu Yan felt that she had indeed underestimated her a little before.

The trace of black qi inside her qi sea was very strange. If she had to call it poison, it could not really be considered poison. Aside from stopping her qi sea from absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, the black qi did not seem to cause any other harm.

Precisely because of this, in the eyes of outsiders, Fu Yan’s body had no problem at all. No one would be able to detect any sign that Fu Yan had been poisoned.

It could only be said that Shui Liuqing’s methods were indeed brilliant.

Thinking of this, Fu Yan could not help furrowing ​bailiantales.com​her brows slightly. Since she still did not know what exactly this trace of black qi was, she did not dare act rashly toward her qi sea at all.

Although turbulent waves had already risen in her heart, Fu Yan’s expression did not change much. It was as if she really had only been a little too aggressive in cultivating, so she could only abandon meditating somewhat dispiritedly.

Bai Yueli turned back and glanced at Fu Yan behind her. Seeing that this person truly seemed fine, she finally breathed a slow sigh of relief. But… for some reason, she still felt that something was wrong.

Perhaps because she had been thinking about exactly what was wrong, Bai Yueli did not notice that she seemed to care more and more about the person behind her.

Fu Yan leisurely pulled up a foxtail grass and twirled it between her fingers. She did not raise her eyes to look at Shui Liuqing again. She seemed somewhat bored, but in truth, she was thinking about how to handle this matter, and also… Shui Liuqing across from her.

She had never had the personality of a pushover. Since the other party had provoked her, Fu Yan had always been someone who repaid grudges. Although Shui Liuqing was at late Illumination stage, she specialized in poison-making, so her actual strength was also very ordinary.

A breeze blew past. Everyone seemed to have rested long enough.

Very soon, Han Shangzhi at the very front stood out again. He looked at everyone and said, “Everyone, the Flowing Sand Gobi is not far ahead. It’s getting late too, so let’s continue setting off.”

Naturally, no one had any objections to this. After all, for these sect disciples, riding a horse was already rest. The time they had stayed here was only for the sake of taking care of Luanjin Fort’s ordinary guards.

As Han Shangzhi’s voice fell, Fu Yan also stood up from the ground again. She swiftly mounted her horse once more and came to the side of the Liuli ore carriages.

Just like this, the group completely left the border of the Shadow Forest.

Along the way, Shui Liuqing’s gaze landed on Fu Yan from time to time. She found it strange. After Fu Yan had already discovered what she had done, why could she still be this calm? Clearly, Fu Yan should have been panicked the whole way, trembling with fear and full of unease.

But the person on the wind steed opposite her, aside from being somewhat stunned when she had just discovered it, was especially leisurely the rest of the journey, as if she had not yet discovered the abnormality in her qi sea.

But Shui Liuqing understood. Fu Yan had definitely already discovered something wrong.

Could it be that Fu Yan had already resolved that aura?

Impossible. The moment this thought surfaced in Shui Liuqing’s mind, she swiftly denied it. Fu Yan could not possibly have a method to erase that black qi. She was merely forcing a smile.

Thinking of this, Shui Liuqing finally felt much more comfortable. When she looked at Fu Yan before her again, she felt the other party was nothing more than struggling on the verge of death.

Fu Yan truly did not know how to resolve the black qi inside her qi sea. She had indeed been carefully thinking it through from the beginning. Yet at this moment, Shui Liuqing’s voice suddenly sounded in her mind.

“Junior Sister Fu, why does your complexion look a little poor? Could it be stolen contentthat you really went a little qi-deviant while cultivating?”

Shui Liuqing was secretly transmitting her voice to Fu Yan, so naturally, only Fu Yan could hear these words.

Fu Yan paused slightly, then swiftly came back to herself. She raised her eyes and turned to glance at Shui Liuqing. The other party seemed to sense something too and turned sideways to look over. Her slender willow-leaf eyes were full of mockery.

“Thank you for Senior Sister Shui’s concern. I won’t go qi-deviant that easily.” Fu Yan also looked at her and smiled, pretending to be foolish as she replied.

Shui Liuqing, who had already thought things through, naturally would not get angry. Instead, she continued very cheerfully, “Junior Sister Fu, are you still wondering exactly when I made my move?”

Fu Yan had actually roughly guessed something, but she did not say much. Instead, following Shui Liuqing’s words, she transmitted, “When?”

“Since you knew I’m skilled in poison, Junior Sister Fu actually still dared to accept fragrant honey that had passed through my hands. That is truly admirable,” Shui Liuqing said leisurely, seeming very pleased with herself.

Hearing this, Fu Yan paused. Sure enough, just as she had guessed, there had indeed been something wrong with that bottle of fragrant honey. At the time, she had been focused on taking that swarm of Corrosion Bees into the illusion array inside the Xuyou Jade Seal and had indeed not thought too much.

Seeing Fu Yan sink into thought because of her words, Shui Liuqing immediately felt very pleased. What she wanted was to see Fu Yan suffer a setback. “As your fellow sect senior sister, I’ll kindly advise Junior Sister Fu: don’t even think of confronting it head-on. With Junior Sister Fu’s strength, you can’t do anything to it.”

“Of course, as long as Junior Sister Fu read the original at bailiantales.comno longer uses true essence and reduces the loss of true essence, I believe Junior Sister Fu can still live for a few months. But…”

“If a cultivator can’t use true essence, then what difference is there between them and a cripple? Don’t you think so, Junior Sister Fu?”

As she spoke, Shui Liuqing could not help looking at Fu Yan with amusement. What every cultivator hated hearing most was the word “cripple.” She was deliberately trying to strike at Fu Yan’s Dao heart.

After all, destroying Fu Yan’s Dao heart would bring even more satisfaction than killing her.

However, Fu Yan did not fulfill Shui Liuqing’s wish. She suddenly raised her eyes and smiled at the latter, then transmitted very calmly, “Then… many thanks for Senior Sister Shui’s reminder. We… still have a long future ahead of us.”

Shui Liuqing could not help pausing slightly, seeming not to have understood the meaning of Fu Yan’s final sentence.

In truth, Fu Yan indeed had no confidence that she could resolve the black qi inside her qi sea. However, she had already made the worst-case plan. Even if she died, she would definitely drag someone down with her.

“Hmph!”

Shui Liuqing only thought Fu Yan was still being stubborn. After letting out a cold snort, she finally stopped looking over. Fu Yan also did not say anything more.

After the group traveled for who knew how long, Fu Yan felt something mixed into the wind and [stolen content]blow directly toward her face. Fine grains swiftly brushed past her ears. She focused her eyes and discovered that what was in the wind was actually sand.

Raising her eyes and looking into the distance, she saw that the scene ahead had already lost any trace of vegetation. On a land of sand dunes, not a single living creature could be seen.

Fu Yan knew they had already stepped into the Flowing Sand Gobi.

The Flowing Sand Gobi, plainly speaking, was a vast desert. According to the information, although there were no particularly powerful demon beasts here, groups of horse bandits often appeared.

Because the Flowing Sand Gobi was the necessary route to enter Chaoyang City, many merchant caravans passed through here. As a result, it attracted numerous horse bandits who occupied this place. Robbing one caravan meant earning one fortune.

At this moment, within the Flowing Sand Gobi, a crowd of horse bandits had already gathered together and seemed to be preparing for some major action.

Under the blazing sun, a tall, burly man was hiding to the side, stretching his head out to look into the distance. However, what entered his sight was still empty. The burly man immediately lost patience.

“Didn’t they say there would be a huge Liuli ore convoy from Luanjin Fort today? Why is there still no movement? That bastard Wu Jin couldn’t have deliberately spread fake news, right!” The burly man turned his head to look at the scar-faced man beside him and said somewhat angrily.

The burly man was named Lang Meng. His cultivation was at late Illumination stage, and he was the third-in-command among these horse bandits. Two days ago, he had heard the news spread by the rogue cultivator Wu Jin, saying that Luanjin Fort had a huge convoy of Liuli ore that would soon enter Chaoyang City. However, the escort team included Young Master Green Bamboo Wang Qingyang.

It was precisely because of this that Lang Meng and the others had come to lie in wait again.

The scar-faced man was named Gui Sheng. He was the second-in-command among the horse bandits, and his strength had only just broken through to great perfection of Illumination stage a few days ago. Hearing Lang Meng’s words at this moment, he immediately furrowed his brows. “What are you so anxious for? It’s only a matter of today or tomorrow. As long as they want to enter Chaoyang City, are you still afraid they can run away?”

After being scolded, Lang Meng was not angry either. He still said carelessly, “Second Brother is right. I was too anxious. Although they have Young Master Green Bamboo escorting them this time, we have Big Brother and Second Brother, two experts at great perfection of Illumination stage. I believe this time, it will definitely be an easy matter.”

Gui Sheng, however, was somewhat disdainful. “What Young Master Green Bamboo? It’s only those sect disciples who have shallow knowledge. How can he compare to people like us, who spend years killing with our lives on the line?”

“That’s right. What Young Master Green Bamboo? Their sect only has better resources. Their strength isn’t worth mentioning at all. Last time, there was some sect disciple who claimed to be the number one late Illumination cultivator. Didn’t he fail to withstand even three punches from me?” Speaking of this, Lang Meng immediately became somewhat smug.

“All right. Keep watching. Report immediately if people come. I’ll go find Big Brother first!” After casually instructing Lang Meng, Gui Sheng turned and left.

Because the Flowing Sand Gobi was very vast, their group naturally had people lying in wait at various spots. Gui Sheng had merely just patrolled to Lang Meng’s side. Now, naturally, he was going to the other side.

Hearing this, Lang Meng could only continue leading his people to keep watch.

After who knew how long, in the quiet Flowing Sand Gobi, an escort team finally slowly appeared. That team led several carriages. At the very front were Wang Qingyang in cyan clothes and Han Shangzhi, the young master of Luanjin Fort.

“Third Boss, they’re here!” Someone swiftly ran over and reported to Lang Meng.

Lang Meng had never seen the so-called Young Master Green Bamboo, but he did know Han Shangzhi of Luanjin Fort. Combined with the fact that Wang Qingyang’s strength did indeed appear to be at great perfection of Illumination stage, that meant the group they had been waiting for was indeed this team.

Thinking of this, Lang Meng immediately felt delighted. He quickly said, “You all watch this place properly. I’ll go report to Big Brother and Second Brother first!”

After saying this, Lang Meng’s figure swiftly left the area.

Fu Yan was still following at the back of the entire team. Looking in the direction ahead, she truly felt somewhat troubled, because she knew they were about to start fighting.

From the moment they entered the Flowing Sand Gobi, their team had deliberately split into two groups. Because after being surrounded and attacked by a group of rogue cultivators in the Shadow Forest, Han Shangzhi understood that their whereabouts had long since been exposed. Therefore, in the Flowing Sand Gobi now, there would definitely be people lying in ambush.

In order to reduce entanglement with the horse bandits, they came up with a plan to make a feint in one direction while attacking in another. That was, Wang Qingyang and Han Shangzhi would lead the fake cargo team together and enter the Flowing Sand Gobi openly.

Meanwhile, on the other side, the real Liuli ore convoy was led by Bai Yueli and Han Shangde. They were only waiting for Fu Yan’s fake convoy to attract all the horse bandits over. Then Bai Yueli and the others would take the opportunity to directly pass through the Flowing Sand Gobi.

This idea was quite good, but Fu Yan had not expected that she would be assigned to Wang Qingyang’s team. If it had been before, it would not have mattered. The main problem was that right now, she basically could not fight.

Yet she had no way to explain it aloud.

The final result was the situation she now faced. Shui Liuqing beside her happened to have also been assigned to this team. At this moment, she was staring closely at Fu Yan with an expression as if she were watching a good show.

Fu Yan: “…”

Very soon, the group successfully walked into the trap array the horse bandits had set up in advance. Fu Yan had only just sensed something when she saw a crowd of horse bandits rush out swiftly from all directions.

The leaders were actually two experts at great perfection of Illumination stage. It could be seen that if they really had to clash head-on, it would indeed be an endless battle that consumed both time and strength.

Neither side said much. They directly entered the topic of robbery. Looking at the horse bandits already charging over, Fu Yan swiftly raised the broken Linglong Sword to defend herself.

In order to reduce the loss of true essence, Fu Yan basically did not attack. She could only passively use Wind Shadow Steps to dodge the horse bandits’ attacks. Watching herself, even she had no choice but to sigh: her positioning was coquettish!

Because the main battle was Wang Qingyang and Han Shangzhi facing the two great perfection Illumination-stage horse bandits, although Fu Yan was openly slacking off on her side, she did not attract anyone’s attention.

The battle ahead was already raging fiercely. Because Han Shangzhi’s cultivation was only at late Illumination stage, he very quickly fell into a disadvantage and was directly suppressed by the horse bandit.

Seeing this, Fu Yan knew it was time for them [stolen content]to abandon the carriages and “panic-strickenly” flee for their lives.

However, at this moment, Lang Meng’s gaze suddenly fell on Shui Liuqing. His eyes immediately went straight. Then he suddenly laughed loudly. “Hahaha! I didn’t expect there would actually be such a tender and beautiful woman here.”

Hearing this, Shui Liuqing’s face visibly darkened. This time, it was Fu Yan’s turn to watch the show leisurely from the side.

“Beauty, this big brother has taken a liking to you today.” After saying this, he turned to look at the horse bandits behind him and shouted loudly, “Brothers, watch me snatch that beautiful sect disciple over today and make her your fortress madam. How about it?”

As soon as these words fell, the group of horse bandits immediately grew full of fighting spirit. “Ooh, ooh… Fortress madam! Fortress madam! Third Boss is mighty! Third Boss is mighty!!”

“Pfft!” Looking at this scene, Fu Yan truly could not hold back and could not help laughing softly. This scene was really too funny!

Shui Liuqing at the side immediately looked at Fu Yan coldly. Then she directly raised her sword and attacked. “Shameless scoundrel, stop spouting nonsense!”

“Hahaha, this big brother likes this type!” As he spoke, Lang Meng directly met her barehanded.

For a time, sword light rose everywhere. Shui Liuqing swiftly cut a path of blood through the crowd, but when she truly faced Lang Meng, she soon fell into a disadvantage. After all, her strength was only at late Illumination stage, so naturally, she could not compare to Lang Meng of the same stage.

If not for the situation forcing her, Fu Yan really would have liked to watch this show properly. However, at this moment, their team had already been beaten into a scattered mess by the horse bandits. She did not hesitate and directly swept away, preparing to flee for her life.

Seeing this, Shui Liuqing had no choice but to withdraw her sword and break away from the fight. Then she glanced in the direction Fu Yan had left and swiftly chased after her.

“Eh, Beauty still wants to run?” Seeing this, Lang Meng immediately did not think twice and directly followed closely behind Shui Liuqing.

For a moment, the scene of fleeing became Fu Yan at the very front, Shui Liuqing following closely behind, and the horse bandit Lang Meng also closely following Shui Liuqing.

Fu Yan turned back and looked at this scene: “…”

Actually, according to Han Shangzhi’s original plan, they were supposed to be forced to abandon the carriages full of goods and flee in different directions. That way, it would be easier to shake off the horse bandits’ pursuit. But Shui Liuqing was clearly doing this deliberately.

She deliberately led Lang Meng to follow behind Fu Yan because she wanted to find a way to force Fu Yan to act. As long as Fu Yan acted, she would inevitably consume a great deal of true essence.

Moreover, this place was uninhabited wilderness. As long as Fu Yan was thoroughly dealt with, no one would know. Naturally, Shui Liuqing would not let this opportunity go.

Guessing Shui Liuqing’s thoughts, Fu Yan could not help cursing inwardly. She glanced back again at the two people behind her, and a thought stirred in her mind.

“Beauty, wait for me!”

Lang Meng was still relentlessly chasing from behind, while Shui Liuqing stared fixedly at Fu Yan ahead without turning back.

Fu Yan, however, raised the corners of her lips slightly and reached out to touch the Xuyou Jade Seal inside her robes.