Translator: CinderTL
The young man's lips trembled. He didn't just recognize Xu Sanyan; he knew him all too well. He had witnessed Xu Sanyan single-handedly defeat four opponents, including Luo Qingwei, a renowned disciple of the Prayer Path Sect, whom he had beaten unconscious and then drained into a desiccated corpse. The sight had left him utterly shaken.
"This humble one is Wang Xinglu... a rogue cultivator. Greetings, Brother Xu."
He dared not reveal his affiliation with the Source Worship Sect, fearing Xu Sanyan's wrath.
"Heh, so you're Brother Wang..."
As he spoke, a Demonic Seed materialized in the void and slowly imprinted itself on Wang Xinglu's forehead before vanishing.
The Demonic Seed carried the concept of "awe."
With only Foundation Establishment Perfection cultivation, Wang Xinglu couldn't resist the Seed's invasion. By the end of the night, he would likely be completely under Xu Sanyan's control.
A flicker of confusion crossed Wang Xinglu's eyes as he recalled the recent battle. He imagined himself in Luo Qingwei's place, being pinned to the ground and brutally beaten by Xu Sanyan. The more he relived the memory, the more terror gripped his heart, causing his body to tremble uncontrollably.
When he regained his composure, his gaze now held a mixture of fear and reverence.
"Let's go," Xu Sanyan said, striding ahead.
"Yes."
"Tell me again, which sect are you from?"
"This humble one is Wang Xinglu, the 137th generation disciple of the Source Worship Sect."
"Ah, so you're Fang Qingge's Junior Brother. I've heard he's quite the womanizer. Is that true?"
"Yes, it's not just the sect disciples—even some of the elders..."
"Ooh, how scandalous..."
Luo Qingwei had recovered from her injuries and her Spiritual Power was fully replenished. She rose to her feet and said, "We shouldn't delay any longer. Let's go in now."
"Agreed," Fang Qingge replied.
Fang Qingge and his group stepped into the courtyard. Originally, entering the residence wasn't strictly necessary, but it had begun with one disciple getting trapped inside. When others went to rescue him, the number of those needing rescue only grew, until now they had no choice but to enter en masse.
One person hesitated at the gate, a conflicted expression on their face, before finally sighing and following the others inside.
This was the dilemma of righteous dao sects: they couldn't stand by and watch their fellow disciples face danger without intervening. If no one were watching, they might have gotten away with it, but with a large crowd present, anyone who refused to help would be ostracized within the sect—a social downfall, as it were.
If Xu Sanyan were in such a situation, he could abandon others without a shred of guilt, and no one would criticize him. After all, he was already a ruin, with no reputation left to collapse.
"Senior Brother Fang, look!" someone exclaimed in surprise, pointing at the withered tree in the center of the courtyard.
Fang Qingge turned to see a sleeve of clothing fluttering from a branch.
"It's Senior Sister Sun's sleeve," Junior Sister Yu said, recognizing the fabric. Her heart clenched as she looked at the sleeve, worry creeping in. She and Senior Sister Sun were close.
Luo Changtian's expression turned solemn. He slowly closed his eyes, his fingers curling slightly as he held them before his chest. Spiritual Power flowed through his body. Luo Qingwei stood silently beside him, guarding him.
After a moment, Luo Changtian opened his eyes and shook his head at Luo Qingwei. "No sound, no scent of blood. Nothing."
He possessed a secret technique that greatly enhanced his senses of smell and hearing. If anyone in the courtyard had been injured, it would not have escaped his notice.
"So many people... how could they vanish into thin air?" Luo Qingwei frowned deeply.
"Let's get out of here. Something's wrong," Fang Qingge said, his face grim. He closed his folding fan, and a Jade Clarity Longsword materialized in his hand.
No one objected; in fact, most secretly breathed a sigh of relief. They had long wanted to leave this place.
As the first person stepped through the courtyard gate, their figure vanished abruptly. Fang Qingge's pupils contracted, and he roared, "Everyone, stay put!"
The Junior Brother's aura... it was gone!
The gate seemed to separate two worlds. Crossing it might lead anywhere.
Luo Changtian said solemnly, "Those who disappeared earlier likely vanished in the same way."
"Mm."
"What do we do now? We can't just stay here forever, can we?" someone asked, their gaze inadvertently sweeping over Fang Qingge.
Fang Qingge pondered briefly before turning to Junior Sister Yu. "You all stay here. I'll go ahead and scout. Junior Sister, use your Golden Binding Rope to tie it around my waist. If anything happens, I'll tug on the rope, and you try to pull me back."
"Mm."
With a flick of her small hand, Junior Sister Yu conjured a golden light that fastened around Fang Qingge's waist, the other end clutched firmly in her hand.
Fang Qingge nodded slightly to the Luo Family siblings, stepped through the doorway, and vanished instantly.
Snap!
Junior Sister Yu stared in bewildered dismay at the severed Golden Binding Rope in her hand.
This was a magic artifact! How could it break so easily?
Luo Changtian's heart tightened. Without further hesitation, he declared, "Since we've come this far, we must press on! My sister and I will scout ahead first!"
With that, he and Luo Qingwei clasped hands and stepped through the doorway.
The remaining members exchanged uneasy glances before, one by one, they couldn't resist the urge and followed through the courtyard gate.
On the southern streets of the city, night had fallen completely, leaving the streets deserted. Even ghosts seemed to fear the darkness.
Xu Sanyan led the way, carrying a copper gong, while Wang Xinglu followed closely behind.
"Do you know how to strike the night watch?" Xu Sanyan asked curiously.
"Uh... I've heard it a few times," Wang Xinglu replied.
"Come on, give it a try."
"Ahem..." Wang Xinglu cleared his throat. "First watch, nine o'clock. Dry weather, be careful with fire..."
Clang! The sound of the copper gong echoed far through the night.
Xu Sanyan gave a thumbs-up. "Professional."
Before Wang Xinglu could respond modestly, a strange giggle drifted from behind them.
"Heh heh~ hee hee~~"
Wang Xinglu froze, slowly turning his head. He saw a woman in white, her face partially hidden behind her hand as she giggled softly. Her beautiful eyes stared unblinkingly at him.
Without a word, Xu Sanyan turned and fled.
He finally understood why the Old Ghost at the tooth shop had asked if he was a fast runner. This female ghost was the answer.
They hadn't noticed when she appeared. Xu Sanyan had no intention of fighting her; this was the Soul Refining Secret Realm, after all. It was obvious the female ghost's cultivation level was at least at the Soul Refining Realm.
Wang Xinglu desperately wanted to run, but his limbs refused to obey. He mentally screamed, Move, you useless legs!
"Hehe~"
The female ghost ignored Xu Sanyan, her gaze fixed solely on Wang Xinglu. She slowly lowered her long sleeves, revealing a delicate beauty mark beneath her exquisite eyes, adding a touch of allure.
As her sleeves slid further down, they revealed a high, elegant nose, smooth cheeks, full, slightly upturned lips, and jagged, fang-like teeth...
My fate is sealed!
Watching the female ghost draw closer, Wang Xinglu felt despair rising in his heart.
"Aaaah~!!"
A bloodcurdling scream pierced the night. Xu Sanyan heard it clearly and could only mourn silently for the fallen man, pushing himself to run even faster.
He hadn't expected his newly acquired lackey to die so quickly. He'd hoped to trade Wang Xinglu for some soul crystals.
What a waste...
Xu Sanyan reached the mouth of an alley and, seeing the female ghost hadn't pursued him, let out a small sigh of relief. He also gleaned a crucial piece of information:
After dark, the authorities seem to lose control...
Suddenly, a woman's startled cry echoed from the depths of the alley: "Where am I?"
Xu Sanyan whipped around. When he recognized the figure, a sly smile crept across his lips...
He knew this woman.
(End of the Chapter)
---
📖Read (HB) on Pa.treon@CinderTL - c274. [+2]
🔑Early Access at $5.
✍Translated (6) Series, (4.1K+) Chapters, (5.8M+) Words.