Chapter 206: A Formidable Enemy Approaches

Chapter 206: A Formidable Enemy Approaches

A cold breeze rustled through the pavilion, causing the white curtains to flutter and chime like wind chimes.

Duanmu Linger bowed respectfully and said, "The Iron Coffin has been safely delivered to Tianlai Ancient City, Saintess. You may inspect it now."

"Did anything unusual happen along the way?" The Demon Sect Saintess sat within the pavilion, her voice even more enchanting than the earlier zither music.

Duanmu Linger hesitated slightly before finally recounting the eerie cries from the Iron Coffin and the incidents of Martial Artists being afflicted with Corpse Poison and Yin Evil.

After listening, the Demon Sect Saintess fell silent for a moment before speaking. "It seems Shang Pojun's corpse has undergone some inexplicable changes. It must be transported back to Nine Death Cliff immediately—not a moment can be wasted. Rest in Tianlai Ancient City for the night. Tomorrow, we depart for Nine Death Cliff."

"Everything shall be done as the Saintess commands," the three replied in unison.

As if remembering something, Duanmu Linger asked, "That Primary Heart Nurturer had some methods for dealing with Corpse Poison and Yin Evil. Should we bring him along?"

The Demon Sect Saintess replied indifferently, "A mere Primary Heart Nurturer is insignificant. If he wishes to come, let him. If not, there’s no need to force him. I’ve already subdued an Intermediate Heart Nurturer in White Dragon City. With their presence, we need not fear any further disturbances from Shang Pojun’s corpse."

To someone of the Demon Sect Saintess’s stature, a Primary Heart Nurturer was as insignificant as an ant, utterly unworthy of attention.

However, Duanmu Linger held a favorable impression of Ning Xiaochuan. After locating Cao Tuzi, she inquired, "Where has Ding Xiaosan gone?"

Cao Tuzi immediately knelt and saluted. "Reporting to the Desperate Ghost Envoy, Little Three mentioned wanting to purchase some mystic medicines. He’s likely gone to the Heart Nurturing Hall in Tianlai Ancient City."

"Understood." Duanmu Linger then made her way out of the manor.

The Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall had branches everywhere, and Tianlai Ancient City was no exception.

The Mystic Pill Ning Xiaochuan most desired to refine was the "Transcendent Pill," which could aid Martial Artists in the Transcendent Realm to cultivate, shed their Mortal Skin faster, and advance toward the Earthly Venerable Realm.

However, the most crucial ingredient for refining this pill was the Seven-Grade Mystic Medicine known as "Transcendent Pine Bark."

This particular medicine was exceedingly rare. Even the Golden Roc Heart Nurturing Hall in Tianlai Ancient City didn’t have it. Ning Xiaochuan visited two other major Heart Nurturing Halls but ultimately came up empty-handed.

Exiting the hall, Ning Xiaochuan felt a pang of frustration. "It seems I’ll have to rely on steady, gradual cultivation. Refining the Transcendent Pill feels like a distant dream now."

"Ning Xiaochuan!"

A petite figure suddenly soared through the air, accompanied by a fragrant breeze. A pair of bare, snow-white feet landed behind him, revealing slender, fair legs.

Zi Zhui'er lightly tapped Ning Xiaochuan’s shoulder, her eyes sparkling with delight.

Truly, destiny brings lovers together no matter how far apart they are—here they meet again!

"It’s you. What are you doing in Tianlai Ancient City?" Ning Xiaochuan frowned, his dislike for this bewitching girl evident. His impression of her remained poor.

Zi Zhui'er hugged a small fox, pitifully saying, "I only came all this way to find you, traveling thousands of kilometers from White Dragon City to Tianlai Ancient City. Do you know how much hardship I endured along the way? Chased by wild wolves, harassed by bandits, and nearly sold into a brothel by human traffickers. And you, this heartless scoundrel, still ask why I came to Tianlai Ancient City? Can’t you see how much I care for you?"

Ning Xiaochuan naturally didn’t believe her words and coldly replied, "You certainly have quite the collection of stories from your journey."

"Who told you I’m so beautiful and naturally charming? Wild wolves adore me, bandits pity me, even the brothel owner offered a high price for me. Yet, you, this heartless man, refuse to see my worth!" Zi Zhui'er blinked her eyes, her gaze tender and pitiful, like a heartbroken little girl.

"Sorry, Miss Zhui'er, but we’re not close. I have other matters to attend to." Ning Xiaochuan had no patience for this Demon Sect enchantress and stepped past her, intending to leave.

But Zi Zhui'er wasn’t about to let him go. She chased after him, saying, "Brother Xiaochuan, why did you stick on those two pieces of fake beard? Trying to hide your identity?"

"I like it."

"I love it too! I absolutely adore those two little whiskers—so manly! They’ve completely enchanted me!" Zi Zhui'er chattered on, "But honestly, even with those whiskers, you can’t hide. A man as outstanding as you is one in a million!"

"Where’s that little sweetheart of yours? Why isn’t she with you?"

"Why are you hiding your identity? Trying to avoid enemies? Oh, I know! You must be dodging the Demon Sect experts! I heard you defiled and then killed the Ruthless Ghost Envoy under the Saintess’ command. The Demon Sect’s elites will never let you go!"

Ning Xiaochuan abruptly stopped and turned. "What nonsense are you spouting? I have nothing to do with the Ruthless Ghost Envoy!"

Zi Zhui'er shook her head like a rattle drum, giggling. "I’m not lying! Everyone knows about it. Mu Honglai was the one who sent the Ruthless Ghost Envoy back to White Dragon City, and he’s the one who told everyone what happened. Given his status, he wouldn’t lie. Though… Mu Honglai’s now a stray dog—how pathetic! Serves him right for exposing your secrets. That’s what everyone’s saying."

Ning Xiaochuan took a deep breath. "There’s absolutely no connection between those things."

He found it utterly ridiculous—defiled and then killed? What kind of twisted imagination did these people have?

But once this rumor spread, the fallout would be disastrous. If Yu Qianqian and Yu Ningsheng heard about it, he could only hope they wouldn’t misunderstand.

Zi Zhui'er continued trailing behind him. "Even though everyone’s cursing you, I actually admire you! So manly!"

Ning Xiaochuan’s mood couldn’t be worse. He shook his head—women’s thoughts were impossible to decipher. Who knew what was true or false in her words?

Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine, freezing him to the core. He halted abruptly, sensing an overwhelming killing intent—directed squarely at him.

Zi Zhui'er was delighted to see Ning Xiaochuan stop and said, "Brother Xiaochuan, where are you going? Do you want me to accompany you?"

Ning Xiaochuan used mental transmission to finally locate the source of that murderous intent.

When Ning Xiaochuan's gaze locked onto him, their eyes met directly.

"Ning Xiaochuan, I've been waiting for you for a long time."

Xiao Cheng sat in a wine shed beside the ancient street, leisurely drinking from a jug placed on the table.

Xiao Cheng had ridden the Scorpion Lion all the way in pursuit of Ning Xiaochuan but failed to catch even a glimpse of him. In the end, he came to Tianlai Ancient City to wait, and sure enough, Ning Xiaochuan appeared.

"Xiao Cheng."

Ning Xiaochuan finally understood who Ji Hanxing had warned him about.

A faint smile appeared on his face. "The alliance leader traveled thousands of miles to Tianlai Ancient City just to wait for me. I’m truly flattered."

Xiao Cheng said, "You should know why I’ve come for you."

"Not entirely," Ning Xiaochuan replied.

"Tch. Will you surrender willingly, or shall I make you? You should know very well that, at your current level of cultivation, you’re no match for me." The Primordial Silver Ring on Xiao Cheng's wrist flickered, emitting a faint Profound Qi glow.

Zi Zhui'er glared at Xiao Cheng with disdain. "Hey, you’re way too arrogant! Do you even know that Brother Xiaochuan is my man now?"

Xiao Cheng lightly touched the tip of his nose and sneered, "I never expected Ning Xiaochuan to be such a ladies' man. Even I’m a little jealous."

The thought of Ji Hanxing deepened Xiao Cheng’s hatred for Ning Xiaochuan.

"Swish!"

Xiao Cheng swung his arm, condensing Profound Qi into a palm imprint that seized Zi Zhui'er by the throat from ten meters away.

Zi Zhui'er was no weakling and had intended to fight back, but Xiao Cheng’s power was overwhelming, completely suppressing her Profound Qi and leaving her no chance to retaliate.

"Crack!"

Zi Zhui'er’s neck was on the verge of being crushed, her life hanging by a thread.

"Boom!"

Ning Xiaochuan’s arm transformed into a blade as he unleashed an Annihilation Sword Wave, severing Xiao Cheng’s palm imprint.

Zi Zhui'er collapsed to the ground, her face pale, a bloody handprint still visible on her neck. "Someone… kill this… cough…"

A cloud of ink-black demonic mist surged from the other end of the street.

A group of Demon Sect experts riding Mystic Beasts charged out from the mist, wielding halberds as they surrounded Xiao Cheng.

"How dare you harm our Fox Immortal Dao’s little demoness? Death is the only mercy for you!"

An elderly man, his cultivation at the First Level of Transcendence, stood like a wrathful guardian deity, his Profound Qi as vast as an ocean. He thrust a spear wreathed in demonic fog straight at Xiao Cheng.

"Bang!"

The spear shattered.

The Demon Sect elder at the First Level of Transcendence was sent flying by a single palm strike from Xiao Cheng, his body torn apart, blood splattering across the ground.

Xiao Cheng stood up, silver radiance bursting from his body as he charged into the midst of the Demon Sect experts.

"Thud!"

"Thud!"

No one could stop his advance. With every step he took, another corpse fell.

In the span of a single breath, over thirty Fox Immortal Dao experts lay dead in pools of blood, not a single one able to withstand even a single move from Xiao Cheng.

Zi Zhui'er was utterly terrified. This man's cultivation was simply too high, almost no one could match him.

The Martial Artists on the street had all retreated far away. When faced with a battle of this level, it was best to stay as far as possible.

Xiao Cheng stepped over the scattered corpses, slowly walking until he stood opposite Ning Xiaochuan. He flicked a drop of blood from the corner of his robe and said, "Will you hand over the Northern Abyss Divine Art willingly, or shall I take it by force?"

.