Li Xun froze for a moment.
Then he heard Luo Qichang say, "Give me Yuji's earring."
"Huh?"
Maybe it was because he'd never seen Li Xun look so dumbfounded, but Luo Qichang actually smiled again. For someone known throughout the Tongxuan Realm for being all seriousness, that alone was rare.
Even rarer, he actually took the time to explain: "The Silken Flying Ring lets me project divine sense through space. I can use it to communicate with people from thousands of miles away. Without it, I'm no Water Mirror Sage....how else am I supposed to talk to someone in real time?
"You don't really want to wait three more days for a sword message, do you?"
Li Xun pulled the corner of his mouth into a faint smile, more or less acknowledging Luo Qichang's weak attempt at a joke.
He reached over to Yuji's ear and carefully removed the earring that dangled like golden thread, then tossed it over.
Luo Qichang caught it with one hand and immediately channeled his true breath. With a flick of his finger, he sent the earring flying into the air. No one knew what spell he used, but dozens of fine gold strands suddenly split apart, curving to the sides. In the center, an oval shape appeared, and then a small glowing screen unfolded.
With another flick, the screen quickly expanded outward, stretching in all directions until it became something like a strange mirror, about the size of a person.
Li Xun stared at the shifting lights and flickering images across the 'mirror', amazed despite himself. Just a few breaths later, there was a sudden thunderclap from the screen. A burst of multicolored light flared, startling him. In that brief flash, the pale and sickly face of Underworld Flame Yama appeared.
"Luo Qichang?" Underworld Flame Yama looked genuinely surprised. His expression, usually unreadable, actually showed a hint of emotion. His tone, however, wasn't exactly warm: "What do you want?"
Compared to Underworld Flame Yama's grating, raspy voice, the Eastern Emperor sounded much more pleasant. The metallic ring in his tone gave it an oddly musical quality. But his attitude wasn't much better. "If I didn't have business, I wouldn't bother you. It's your disciple who has something to say."
With that, he stepped aside so Underworld Flame Yama, thousands of miles away, could see the situation for himself.
Li Xun smirked, stretched out a hand, and offered an awkward bow... just enough to subtly draw attention to the unconscious Luo Yuji cradled in his arms. "Greetings, Sect Master. Your disciple Hundred Ghosts pays his respects."
Underworld Flame Yama was no ordinary figure. Just one glance, and he'd more or less pieced together what had happened. It was clear they held the upper hand. Though he quietly approved, his expression turned thunderous.
"You little bastard! What are you doing holding your niece lady Yuji like that?" he snapped. "The sect sent you out on a mission, not to—"
He was so furious that he broke into a fit of violent coughing before he could finish.
Li Xun was laughing on the inside, but on the outside he quickly pulled a look of alarmed guilt.
Of course, he couldn't let the Underworld Flame Lord keep talking like that. If he really offended Luo Qichang's dignity, things would get way worse.
He quickly spoke up. "Forgive me, Sect Master. Lady Yuji isn't feeling well, and I was just helping her. As for the sect's mission, I've completed it.... with great thanks to Sect Master Luo and several of his fellow Daoists from the Three Sovereigns Sword Sect."
He took the nonsense he'd spouted earlier, dressed it up in slightly different words, and repeated it. At the end, he carefully described the three items they'd recovered, giving the Underworld Flame Yama a full account.
The explanation was so flimsy that not even a ghost would've believed it. Underworld Flame Yama's thin face twitched a few times. But he somehow managed not to laugh. Everyone else present, aside from Luo Qichang, looked more than a little awkward.
Right now, though, the one holding all the cards was Underworld Flame Yama. He showed the decisiveness of a true sect master. After a brief pause, he turned to Luo Qichang and gave a quiet smile.
"It's rare for the Eastern Emperor to lend a helping hand. We're grateful.
"So, here's what we'll do. That handwritten notebook and the Jade Elixir True Cauldron, those things belong to the Mystic Cycle Sect. Since you righteous sects like to look out for each other, why don't you do us the favor of returning them?
"As for the wheel pair, we'll consider that payment for our disciple's hard work. Sound fair?"
Underworld Flame Yama's words were razor-sharp beneath the polite tone. That one phrase, "look out for each other,"made it impossible for the Three Sovereigns Sword Sect to keep those items for themselves. Within a few days, the Mystic Cycle Sect would surely come knocking to reclaim their "lost property."
In other words, the Three Sovereigns Sword Sect wouldn't gain anything from this operation.... just a whole lot of trouble.
Luo Qichang's decisiveness was on full display in that moment; without a trace of hesitation, he simply nodded and agreed.
"That Hundred Ghosts disciple of ours has some brains, at least. Give the wheel to him." Underworld Flame Yama immediately turned to Li Xun with a side glance. "What are you sitting there for?"
"Yes, Sect Master," Li Xun replied.
Using a nearby tree for support, he pushed himself to his feet. His gaze swept across the crowd, silently reading every expression. Then he grinned and finally, inch by inch, began loosening the arm he'd had wrapped around Luo Yuji's neck all this time.
In that moment, even the sound of breathing around them seemed to vanish.
Li Xun had already loosened his arm enough to no longer pose a threat, but it still hovered across in a way that held her in place. Luo Yuji, too weak to stand on her own, slumped against him, her body limp and unsteady. Just then, Li Xun paused and shifted his gaze to the nearest female cultivator.
She had a poised, dignified bearing, and the sword aura emanating from her was sharp and intimidating. She was easily on par with Hu Buli. Clearly, a figure of some renown. The way she looked at Luo Yuji, however, was filled with urgency.
She didn't even realize Li Xun was staring at her until he gave a quiet cough.
He curled his finger, beckoning her over.
"Looks like you're the one I need for a little help," he said casually. Giving instructions to a beautiful female cultivator with deep cultivation like it was nothing; it felt pretty good. His smile was warm and completely harmless. "Would you mind supporting Miss Yuji for me? I'll need both hands free to sort out the loot, after all."
The ease with which he handed off his only real "shield," the one thing keeping him safe, all while staying so calm and collected, was something to admire. Even if he was faking it, you had to give him credit.
The woman hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward.
Without the slightest hesitation, Li Xun let go. With a quick nudge of his shoulder, Luo Yuji sagged into the woman's arms, who caught her just in time.
Almost immediately, faint sword cries sounded from all directions. Li Xun just smirked and didn't even bother to glance in their direction as he turned and started walking toward where Ming Li and his companion lay unconscious. Halfway there, he felt Luo Qichang's gaze on him. He turned slightly and called out with a grin, ""Sect Master Luo, the treasure's with my senior brother!"
Underworld Flame Yama let out two perfectly timed coughs.
Even Luo Qichang, who was known for keeping his emotions well-hidden, showed the faintest hint of a blush at the layered meaning behind Li Xun's words. As for everyone else, their reactions needed no explanation.
Li Xun pretended not to notice. Unhurried, he strolled over and retrieved the handwritten notes and the Jade Elixir True Cauldron from Ming Li's arms, then made his way back toward Luo Qichang.
When he was about five feet away, Li Xun respectfully followed sects' formal greeting. With his arm slightly raised above his shoulder and his eyes lowered, he presented the two items. This was the proper way for a junior to show respect to a senior; neither too humble nor too proud, but just right.
Luo Qichang swept his sleeve forward and took both items with a simple, "That's enough."
Li Xun smiled. Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of the female cultivator as she was about to unblock Lady Luo Yuji's meridians. He immediately shouted, "Wait right there!"
Li Xun's sudden shout startled everyone. The whole place tensed in an instant. A few of the more high-strung disciples even nearly drew their swords. The atmosphere broke into momentary chaos, and once again, every eye was fixed on Li Xun.
"Just a moment! Hold on!" Li Xun hurriedly waved his hands, gesturing frantically at the female cultivator. "Lady Yuji should probably rest a little longer before moving. Her… temperament…"
He trailed off mid-sentence, but the meaning was clear enough.
Luo Yuji shot him a vicious glare, her eyes already reddening with anger. The female cultivator supporting her looked over at Luo Qichang, and seeing him give a slight nod, actually stopped what she was doing. Instead, she leaned close and quietly murmured a few calming words in Luo Yuji's ear.
Li Xun let out a huge sigh of relief, like that spoiled and temperamental young lady was somehow a hundred times more dangerous than all the powerful cultivators surrounding him.
Right then, he looked for all the world like a flustered rookie.... nothing like the young man who had just stared down half the experts of the Three Sovereigns Sword Sect without batting an eye.
Luo Qichang felt a heaviness in his chest. Looking at the several disciples who were left completely confused by Li Xun's interruption, he couldn't help but sigh.
Deep and calculating as he was, Luo Qichang wasn't petty. He glanced over at Li Xun and murmured with quiet praise, "The Shadow-Devouring Soul Sect has raised a fine disciple. Hundred Ghosts, was it? Very good. I've got high hopes for you."
His voice was quiet, almost weary, but there wasn't a trace of real feeling in it. Yet the way he paused, the way he chose his words, it all carried a proud disdain that made it clear he meant every word.
Li Xun smiled warmly as he thanked them, then turned respectfully toward the Underworld Flame Yama to ask for the next instructions.
"Come back," Underworld Flame Yama said weakly. "The sect still has matters to attend to. Don't dawdle on the way. You're to return within twelve days!"
What he left unsaid was clear: If Li Xun and the others didn't return within twelve days, the Three Sovereigns Sword Sect would be held partly responsible.
How could Luo Qichang not understand? He gave Underworld Flame Yama a cold glance.
Seeing this, Underworld Flame Yama knew the moment had come. With a faint smile, he vanished.
Li Xun gave another respectful bow to the now-empty light screen before lifting his head to look at Luo Qichang, as if waiting for further instructions.
But Luo Qichang simply flicked his sleeve, and in the next moment, the two disciples collapsed on the ground nearby, Ming Li and his companion, both stirred awake.
Without another word, Luo Qichang turned and left. The members of the Three Sovereigns Sword Sect followed him one by one. As they did, each of them gave Li Xun a final glance.
The nearly identical look on their faces made it clear to Li Xun that this grudge had been now deeply set.
With all three of them flying at full speed, the Chicheng mountain range quickly disappeared behind them. Kitty, who had gone missing somewhere during the commotion, finally reappeared. Its instincts for survival and impeccable sense of timing were clearly honed to perfection.
Over an hour had passed since everything ended, yet Ming Li and You Wusheng still hadn't fully recovered from their shock and awe. They couldn't stop praising Li Xun for what he'd pulled off. But buried beneath their admiration, Li Xun caught faint traces of wariness… and caution.
That was textbook demonic sect behavior. Everyone was a potential rival. Struggles for power and position were the constant undercurrent of daily life. You had to stay alert to what was happening around you at all times
You watched those above for any sign of weakness to exploit. And you stayed alert for anyone below who might soon catch up... or worse, surpass you.
Li Xun, under the guise of "Hundred Ghosts," had just gone from an amusing underdog worth keeping an eye on to a genuine threat.... someone who might soon outpace them altogether. Of course they were on edge.
Li Xun noticed it all. And he understood it completely. He had no right to judge them. After all, he was no different.
As the Chicheng mountains receded into the distance, a few sword lights that had been trailing them dozens of li behind suddenly shifted course, veering away and out of sight.
So this was the Three Sovereigns Sword Sect's idea of an "escort." As long as Li Xun and his companions didn't get into trouble while still technically within their territory, anything that happened afterward was none of their concern. And they'd have every excuse to wash their hands of it.
Whether it was to make their situation worse or just a well-meaning reminder, the three of them picked up some important clues from the gesture.
Ming Li curled his lip. "Still scheming, aren't they?" he muttered as he turned to Li Xun. "What do you think, Junior Brother Hundred Ghosts?"
Li Xun gave him a look. He knew Ming Li was really asking about the danger up ahead. His brow creased slightly as he replied, "It's probably the Vermilion Hook Sect…"
Though confident in his judgment, he kept his tone deliberately vague. As he spoke, he turned to glance at You Wusheng. That quiet man simply gave a small nod, then said nothing more.
Li Xun smiled to himself and shifted his gaze back to Ming Li.
It was a gesture of "respect," and Ming Li appreciated it more than he let on. He gave a dry laugh, though a faint greenish aura began to rise from his face. "Yeah, it's the Vermilion Hook Sect all right. But the one pulling the strings behind them? That must be Emperor Luo. That man's a master at backstabbing. Dog eats dog, and he's made an art of it."
The three of them smiled grimly. They knew better than anyone. With the Vermilion Hook Sect's 'Hundred Endings Blade' and 'Bright Emperor Halberd' in play, their opponents held an overwhelming advantage.
Luo Qichang was hoping to use the Vermilion Hook Sect to do his dirty work, and frankly, they'd been hoping to use the Three Sovereigns Sword Sect as a shield to avoid Vermilion Hook Sect's blade. It was a game of borrowed knives on both sides.
Because of these calculations, their movements became even more elusive. They spent three full days weaving through the outer edges of Chicheng Mountain, hiding during the day and moving at night, slipping through gaps like shadows in a game of cat and mouse—until they suddenly made a break for it, launching toward their sect at full speed.
The tactic worked. By the time the Vermilion Hook Sect realized what was happening, Li Xun and his team were already a thousand li away.
Then came the chase.
The difference in cultivation was always going to show. After just a day and two nights of nonstop pursuit, the Vermilion Hook Sect's people caught up again.
At that moment, Li Xun and the others were passing through a stretch of unclaimed territory. A buffer zone where no sect was stationed. It was also the most dangerous part of their route.
And just as they'd feared, that's where the attack came.
....
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