Divine Transcendence

Chapter 318: Hunting

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"Daoist Yuan, are you not interested? This mission is a rare opportunity. I was only able to invite others because I have a connection with a steward at the City Lord's Mansion. Don't miss out on this chance," Cui Wuran said urgently upon seeing Yuan Ming's expression.

"Thank you for considering me, Daoist Cui. However, I have just broken through to the late Foundation Establishment stage, and my realm is still unstable. I must regretfully decline your kind offer. But I have two friends whose cultivation levels are slightly lower than mine, but their abilities are formidable. Together, they are no less powerful than I am. Could they take part in this mission? As for the reward, five thousand spirit stones for their combined efforts would suffice," Yuan Ming said after a brief contemplation.

"This..." Cui Wuran looked troubled.

"If it is inconvenient for you, Daoist Cui, then let's forget it. Please accept these three materials instead," Yuan Ming said.

"Since Daoist Yuan recommends them so highly, their abilities must be exceptional. I will mention it to the steward at the City Lord's Mansion. Wait for my message," Cui Wuran said, handing Yuan Ming a communication talisman.

Yuan Ming naturally agreed.

The two chatted casually for a few more moments before parting ways.

Yuan Ming returned to his residence and continued his meditation. Within an hour, he received a reply from Cui Wuran. The steward at the City Lord's Mansion had agreed, and they were to meet at the city gate entrance early the next morning.

"Master, the two people you mentioned to replace you, are they me and Vajra? I don't want to act together with that stinky monkey," Hua Zhi complained discontentedly.

"Vajra is currently in seclusion and won't be coming out anytime soon. This time, you will act with Zuo Qinghui," Yuan Ming said.

"Zuo Qinghui? Well, he's barely acceptable, better than that stinky monkey," Hua Zhi muttered through a voice transmission after a moment of surprise.

Over the past year, she had been continuously hunting various demonic insects, progressing rapidly in strength, and was now close to the upper second level, significantly stronger than the current "Zuo Qinghui."

...

The next morning, on a vacant lot not far from the City Lord's Mansion, Cui Wuran met Yuan Ming's two friends. One was a tall, thin figure wrapped in a black robe, and the other was naturally Zuo Qinghui.

At this time, Zuo Qinghui had grown his hair and beard, covering most of his face. Coupled with the change in his aura and appearance, even his direct disciples might not recognize him at a glance.

As for the figure in the black robe, it was naturally Hua Zhi.

"You must be Daoist Hua and Daoist Zuo? A pleasure to meet you. Let me introduce you to the steward of the City Lord's Mansion, Steward Liao," Cui Wuran said, introducing a short, dark-skinned, stout middle-aged man beside him.

This man was short in stature, standing with his hands behind his back, but his presence was anything but ordinary.

"Hehe, friends recommended by Daoist Cui are indeed extraordinary. Daoist Hua's strength is nearly at the late Foundation Establishment stage, and Daoist Zuo's cultivation is also impressive. With your help, this mission should be no problem," Steward Liao said with a laugh, showing no airs.

"You're too kind, Daoist Liao," Zuo Qinghui said politely.

Hua Zhi stood silently to the side, merely nodding slightly without greeting Steward Liao and Cui Wuran.

"Daoist Liao, Daoist Cui, Daoist Hua is mute and means no disrespect. Please don't take offense," Zuo Qinghui explained.

"No problem," Steward Liao said, glancing at Hua Zhi with a slight raise of his eyebrows.

"When do we set off?" Zuo Qinghui asked.

"There are still two more Daoists who haven't arrived yet. Please wait a moment," Cui Wuran said before Steward Liao could respond.

Zuo Qinghui acknowledged and stood aside with Hua Zhi.

The two soon arrived, and to Yuan Ming, they were familiar faces—Madam Gu San and the bearded man from the Fire Yuan Sect who called himself Shi Chuan, both of whom had attended the exchange meeting the previous day.

Zuo Qinghui's expression shifted slightly, realizing that Cui Wuran's invitation to the exchange meeting had a deeper purpose.

After a brief introduction, Steward Liao greeted the two newcomers politely.

"Now that everyone is here, let's set off," Steward Liao said, raising his hand. A phantom shot out, expanding in the wind into a white jade flying boat, which he then boarded with a single leap.

Cui Wuran and the other four followed suit, boarding the flying boat.

The flying boat hovered and then shot out as a white streak, quickly disappearing into the distant sky.

Steward Liao led the group northwest, flying for a full day and night before stopping in a desert canyon.

"Daoist Liao, isn't this beyond Zhao Country's territory?" Shi Chuan asked cautiously, surveying the surroundings.

"It seems we've reached Qin Country," Madam Gu San added.

Zuo Qinghui and Hua Zhi glanced around but remained silent.

"Hehe, you have sharp eyes. We are indeed in Qin Country, but only in the outer regions. We won't encounter cultivators from Qin Country's sects," Steward Liao said with a laugh.

"Let's hope so," Shi Chuan said noncommittally.

The Fire Yuan Sect had two cities in the Black Wind Desert and had had many conflicts with Qin Country's cultivation sects over mineral veins. If they encountered Qin Country's sect cultivators here, others might be fine, but he would be in big trouble.

"You've all had a long journey. Rest here for a while. The City Lord's Mansion has invited a few more Daoists who should arrive soon," Steward Liao said.

Shi Chuan said nothing and sat down nearby. Madam Gu San hesitated for a moment before sitting down not far from him.

Zuo Qinghui and Hua Zhi moved to another side, while Cui Wuran and Steward Liao stood chatting idly.

They waited for most of the day until sunset when three streaks of light appeared in the distant sky, quickly flying into the canyon and revealing two men and a woman.

The two men wore red robes and looked similar, possibly brothers, both at the mid Foundation Establishment stage.

The woman appeared to be in her mid-twenties, with delicate eyebrows, a jade-like nose, a voluptuous figure, and skin as smooth as jade. Her half-open, half-closed eyes seemed to draw one's soul with a glance.

Her aura had reached the late Foundation Establishment stage, and her attire was similar to Steward Liao's.

"Steward Yue, you're finally here. Any later, and we'd have missed the opportunity," Steward Liao said coldly, seemingly not on good terms with the voluptuous woman.

"Crimson Gold Centipedes are active during the day and return to their nests at night. Now is the perfect time to go," Steward Yue said with a charming smile, causing the men present to be momentarily dazed.

Hua Zhi was naturally unaffected, and Zuo Qinghui, having cultivated the Heart Cleansing Formula deeply, was also unaffected.

Steward Liao's expression froze upon hearing this.

"Steward Liao has invited so many Daoists. I am Yue Rong. Today's matter will rely on your efforts," Yue Rong said, bowing gracefully to the group brought by Steward Liao, almost as if she were the host.

"Of course, of course," Shi Chuan responded with a hearty smile.

Yue Rong smiled at Shi Chuan and waved her jade hand, summoning a large yellow sand boat on the ground ahead.

"The Crimson Gold Centipedes' nest is not far from here. Flying might alert them, so let's take this sand boat," Yue Rong said, boarding the sand boat.

The others followed suit.

Steward Liao's expression was somewhat displeased, but he did not argue with Yue Rong and boarded the sand boat.

Shi Chuan, seemingly captivated by Yue Rong's beauty, immediately struck up a conversation with her upon boarding.

Yue Rong chatted with Shi Chuan while steering the sand boat.

The yellow sand boat moved forward, gradually accelerating to a speed comparable to flying, quickly reaching a small stone mountain.

"The Crimson Gold Centipedes' nest is beneath this small stone mountain. These two demonic insects are highly intelligent and sensitive. Do not use your spiritual consciousness, or they might detect us," Yue Rong said through a voice transmission.

Everyone nodded.

Yue Rong stopped the sand boat in a concealed spot nearby and took out a set of yellow formation flags and a formation disk, quickly setting up a formation with practiced skill, indicating she was a formation master.

"Is this the Thick Earth Dual Aspect Formation?" Zuo Qinghui recognized the formation after watching for a while.

"Oh, Daoist Zuo also knows formations?" Yue Rong asked, glancing over with a smile.

"I wouldn't say I know them, just a bit of dabbling," Zuo Qinghui said calmly, seemingly unaffected by Yue Rong's bewitching eyes.

A hint of surprise flashed in Yue Rong's eyes as she continued setting up the formation, quickly completing it.

"Miss Yue, your skills are impressive. With this Thick Earth Dual Aspect Formation as our support, those two Crimson Gold Centipedes won't be a threat," Shi Chuan said flatteringly.

"You're too kind, Daoist Shi," Yue Rong said with a charming smile.

"Now that the formation is set, as per our previous plan, we'll split into two groups. I, Daoist Cui, and the Wang brothers will lure the Crimson Gold Centipedes here. You all stay here and prepare to assist," Steward Liao said.

"Luring the Crimson Gold Centipedes is quite dangerous. Steward Liao, you..." Yue Rong was surprised by Steward Liao's volunteering and hesitated.

"In terms of controlling the Thick Earth Dual Aspect Formation, I'm far inferior to you. It's better for you to handle it. Daoist Cui has a tunneling artifact, and the Wang brothers practice earth attribute techniques and are skilled in joint attacks. The four of us are the best choice," Steward Liao said decisively.

"Steward Liao is right. We'll leave it to you," Yue Rong said slowly.

Steward Liao said no more, calling the other three to sneak towards the small stone mountain.

Yue Rong activated the formation, and waves of yellow light, like sand, enveloped everyone present.

The yellow light of the formation blended seamlessly with the surrounding sand, making it indistinguishable and emitting no aura.

Everyone's spiritual consciousness was also blocked, with only Yue Rong closing her eyes, seemingly sensing the outside through the formation.

Time passed, and soon a quarter of an hour had gone by.

"They're coming. Get ready!" Yue Rong suddenly opened her eyes and said.

Everyone inside the formation perked up, summoning their artifacts and scanning the surroundings with their spiritual consciousness, ready for action.

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