Chen Ye’s gaze swept over the Manor Master and the stewards behind him, whose faces were equally filled with panic. His Divine Sense cautiously scanned the manor’s entrance area, but he didn’t detect any excessively strong fluctuation of Spiritual Power.
"We must not be careless. If a Demon Cultivator could infiltrate Moon Rhinoceros Lake District, there must be some means on him that makes it hard to detect,"
Chen Ye transmitted his voice to everyone.
Behind him, Xu Changhe and two Xu Family cultivators were disguised as ordinary attendants.
These two Xu Family cultivators are both Foundation Establishment Cultivators, specifically sent by Xu Changhe’s brother to help, and they still carried a True Seal left by Xu Henshan on them, with remarkable power.
Additionally, there were two Profound Scale Guards.
The Profound Scale Guards have a special bloodline and have practiced the Shadow Escape Technique from the Ruins Country, currently hidden in Qing Jun’s shadow.
"Alright. I want to see which big shot from the Emotion Crossing Sect it is!" Xu Changhe transmitted his voice, his tone fierce.
He already suspected in his heart, most likely Mei Suxin.
The person is a troublesome figure placed by the Emotion Crossing Sect in the Yan Kingdom, who two years ago, seized the opportunity of the cold disaster to incite Beast Tides everywhere.
The Third Elder personally intervened but unexpectedly allowed her to escape alive...
"Manor Master, do not panic," Chen Ye’s voice was calm, comforting, "Steward Sun’s disappearance involves many, our Herb Pavilion will investigate the truth. Manor Master, lead the way, we’ll go to where Steward Sun last appeared."
"Yes, yes, Guardian Chen, please follow me!"
The Manor Master, relieved as if granted amnesty, hurriedly turned to lead the way, guiding everyone through the manor’s front courtyard towards the central Spirit Plant Garden.
The interior of the manor was unusually quiet, with servants hiding in the shadows, watching this group of distinguished people.
They arrived at an elegantly decorated side hall, and the Manor Master stopped, pointing inside, "Guardian Chen, Steward Sun was here checking accounts with us, and then..."
Before finishing his sentence, the panic on his face turned into a mocking smile,
"And then... he became my bait!"
A sharp, piercing laugh echoed.
The muscles on the Manor Master’s face melted like wax, and the entire human skin peeled off from the top of his head!
Underneath the human skin was a shriveled old man with dark green skin covered in black patterns.
"Little brats of the Lingyin Sect, didn’t expect this, did you? Old Skin Peeler has been waiting here for quite some time!"
The Demon Cultivator laughed fiercely, his withered palm carrying a pungent rancid wind, directly reaching for Chen Ye’s face.
The claw wind contained such filthy Demon Essence, sufficient to corrode the Protective Spiritual Light of ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators!
His eyes were full of bloodlust, already envisioning Chen Ye’s flesh mangled under his claws, terrified.
"Hmph!"
A cold snort sounded.
From behind Chen Ye, a follower stepped forward, an overwhelming Spiritual Pressure erupted like a dormant volcano!
The simple Disguise Technique on his face instantly shattered, revealing Xu Changhe’s stern face.
Xu Changhe formed seals with both hands, a True Seal with brilliant golden light and thunderous momentum blasted towards the Skin Peeler.
This seal is named the Sky Drum Seal, the most vigorous and yang among the Xu Family’s True Seals, specifically countering Demon Cultivators.
"Boom!"
A heavy thunderous sound exploded.
The fierce shockwave shattered the elegant room inch by inch.
Skin Peeler’s expression turned to astonishment, forced to retreat several steps, blood oozing from the corner of his mouth.
"Old Demon Skin Peeler!"
Xu Changhe’s beard and hair stood on end, eyes wide with anger, shouting,
"I had not expected it would be you! You slaughtered dozens of my Xu Family back then, blood debts in abundance! Today, falling into Xu Changhe’s hands is your death day! Pay with your life!"
As Xu Changhe erupted, the other two "attendants" behind him also instantly tore off their disguises, both Foundation Establishment Cultivators, guarding him on the left and right,
"Xu Changhe?!"
Skin Peeler steadied himself, his face filled with shock and doubt,
"What Mei Daoist said wasn’t false! Your Spirit Plant Cultivator is indeed cautious to an astonishing degree, actually calling Xu Family for assistance! But... do you think this is enough?"
Three additional cold, overwhelming Middle Period Demonic Qi erupted from shadowy corners of the manor!
Three Demon Cultivators, clad in black robes with ferocious faces, appeared from the shadows, each occupying a spot, faintly encircling Chen Ye’s group.
Among them, one person was Hee Qi.
Only his gaze was scattered, apparently being manipulated by the Emotion Crossing Seed.
"Heeheehee... Exciting, truly exciting!"
A seductive, bone-chilling voice rose from the rooftop of the side hall.
She wore a pink-purple gauze dress, her figure curvaceous, her face alluring, exactly Mei Suxin.
She lounged lazily on the rooftop, gazing down at Chen Ye from above:
"Tsk tsk tsk, Chen Ye... you really have tough luck. Back in Yunxi District, I sent someone to assist the Wei Family in killing you, yet you could escape alive; later outside Lisong Valley, I let Yuan Hao Xuan take action, yet you escaped again; in Songyang Cave Heaven, you were bold beyond measure, ruining my good plan!"
Mei Suxin’s voice was sweet and carried an intoxicating charm, attempting to drag people’s Divine Soul into an endless sea of desires.
"Just right, by order of the Venerable... if Xu Changhe is killed, it will certainly shock the entire Xu Family, which is quite satisfying."
"Take action! Kill them all!" Mei Suxin commanded.
The great battle erupted in an instant!
"You demon cultivators, prepare to die!"
Xu Changhe shouted furiously, his entire body glowing gold like a miniature sun, as he directly charged at the strongest among them, the Skin Peeler. In an instant, they were locked in fierce combat, the clashing of metal and roaring of Demonic Qi echoing thunderously.
Two cultivators from the Xu Family faced off against two other early-stage demon cultivators, their sword light dazzling like a rainbow as their techniques rang out, tightly binding their opponents.
Mei Suxin gazed coldly at Chen Ye, but inside she breathed a sigh of relief:
"Luckily, I was cautious! If it were only me here, I fear I’d be ambushed and killed by these three Xu Family cultivators along with Chen Ye..."
Her gaze swept over Chen Ye and the two frail female apprentices at his back, a cruel smile curling at her lips.
Capturing Xu Qingjun would surely please the Venerable.
As for the one with black hair, tormenting her before Chen Ye’s eyes would satisfy the hatred she held for Chen Ye for ruining her plans!
"Little nemesis."
Mei Suxin’s voice was seductively bone-chilling, Demonic Qi swirling around her, forming alluring dancing demoness phantoms, emitting soul-stirring moans, transforming the place into a demon realm,
"This time, no one can save you. And your little prized apprentice..."
Mei Suxin’s figure flickered, and the next moment, she was already a few feet away from Chen Ye!
She reached out a slender jade finger, a strange pink light gathering silently at the tip, pointing silently at Chen Ye’s forehead!
Simultaneously, the enchanting magic sound and demonic illusions surged forward, aiming to assault the minds of the three.
"Master, be careful!"
Qing Jun’s small face tensed, reacting swiftly.
The Wind Manipulation Order at her waist shone brightly, flying out spontaneously, stirring up wind and thunder to shield her.
At the same time, she rapidly made hand signs: "Array Destruction Seal!"
This seal can disrupt spiritual power and break formations!
Zhiwei called out sharply: "Slash!"
Three piercing sword beams flew out in response, their azure, crimson, and blue hues dazzlingly brilliant.
Despite her low cultivation, Zhiwei could barely harness its superficial power, her control appearing clumsy, but after all, it was a second-tier top-grade magical treasure!
"Ridiculous!"
Mei Suxin sneered coldly, mere Qi Cultivation cultivators were just like ants trying to stop a cart in her presence!
Her fingertip’s pink light stayed its course, but she flicked her finger, sending out three concentrated winds to intercept the sword beams.
"Ugh..."
At the first clash, although Mei Suxin dispelled the sword lights, she suffered a backlash, her blood and energy churning.
She suddenly realized something was amiss.
That Xu Qingjun’s True Seal unexpectedly disrupted her spiritual power in an instant, and coupled with those three sword lights being far sturdier than imagined, remarkably a second-tier top-grade magical treasure!
An array of unexpected elements stacking together.
Causing a dignified Foundation Establishment cultivator like her to suffer a hidden loss at the hands of two Qi Cultivation girls!
Chen Ye also made his move simultaneously!
A flash of light atop his head revealed the ancient and heavy Hundred Herbs Furnace,
The lid popped open, and a rich azure Dan fire poured down!
This Dan fire was supremely yang and righteous, imbued with the essence of a hundred herbs, scorching the surging illusions to ashes.
"Jade Treasure! Release!"
Chen Ye shouted lowly, as a sword light flared from his waist.
The upper-grade second-tier Jade Treasure Sword transformed into a streak of cold brilliance; within the transparent blade, the gold slurry refined from Sinking Gold burned fiercely.
Wherever the sword light passed, the Dan fire opened its path, attempting to forcibly tear apart Mei Suxin’s demon realm!
"Hmm?"
Mei Suxin’s brow furrowed slightly, not expecting Chen Ye to have such countermeasures.
She waved her jade hand, instantly forming a pink peach blossom barrier to block the Jade Treasure Sword.
Who would have expected, the Jade Treasure Sword light, despite its swiftness and grace, was as heavy as a thousand pounds and had the effect of breaking techniques!
"Clang—!"
The peach blossom barrier trembled, forcibly split open by the overwhelming power contained within the Jade Treasure Sword!
The momentum of the sword light continued unabated, directly piercing towards Mei Suxin’s face!
Mei Suxin was filled with rage and shock, never imagining that with her cultivation at the Middle Period of Foundation Establishment, she would be pushed into such a dire situation!
"Courting death!"
She shouted harshly, steeling her heart.
Finally, she summoned the treasured item the Venerable had entrusted to her for this mission!