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The two Li brothers at the Jindan stage could handle Wang Chan, and even with the addition of the Yan family ancestor, they still had a fighting chance.
However, Tian Buque from the Hehuan Sect was also lurking in Yanling Fort. Given his noble status, it was unlikely he was without a Jindan stage protector. If battle erupted, could Fairy Nishang and Fuyunzi alone stand against three or four Jindan stage cultivators?
At that moment, Qi Yuan also considered escaping. If not for the solemn promise made by Nangong Wan before he left, he might have taken Dong Xuan'er and fled Yanling Fort under the cover of night.
Nishang's expression showed a flicker of surprise as she studied Qi Yuan. She recalled how he had boldly looked at her in the Bloody Forbidden Land. Though his interest had been due to her status as a Yanyue Sect disciple, that did not mean she had forgotten her irritation.
More importantly, why had Junior Sister Nangong chosen to involve him in this matter?
Fuyunzi, maintaining his usual serene demeanor, simply nodded, looking as mysterious as ever.
Nishang quickly masked her thoughts, keeping her expression calm. "Rise. You should already understand the reason for your presence here. The demonic sects are trying to dismantle the power of Yue Kingdom. As disciples of the six great sects, it is our duty to eliminate them. Here are three Qingxuan Jade Beads. Hold onto them. When the time comes, position yourselves accordingly, and they will break all the protective formations of Yanling Fort."
With a wave of her jade-like hand, three emerald-green beads, each the size of a pigeon egg, floated in her palm before drifting toward the three disciples.
The Qingxu Sect disciple eagerly snatched his, unable to hide his excitement. The Yanyue Sect woman in water-blue robes gracefully accepted hers, joy evident in her expression.
Qi Yuan, however, remained still.
Nishang's face darkened. "Qi Yuan, do you not want it?"
Fuyunzi's gaze also turned toward him.
Under the weight of their scrutiny, Qi Yuan pressed his hands together in respect. "I have a question. When I entered the city, I observed the cultivators coming and going, yet I found no trace of the demonic sects. I would like an explanation."
With his current cultivation, he lacked the ability to detect the hidden presence of Jindan stage figures. Nishang was his only source of answers.
In truth, Nishang had been equally puzzled when she received Nangong Wan's message. How had Yanling Fort become entangled with the Ghost Spirit Sect?
Upon infiltrating the fort with Fuyunzi, she had used a secret treasure to uncover numerous traces of demonic activity. It was then that she realized Yanling Fort had fully aligned itself with the demonic sects.
However, Junior Sister Nangong had miscalculated. There were at least four Jindan stage cultivators in the fort. With just herself and Fuyunzi, completing their mission would be near impossible.
Now, with the fort's protective formations fully activated, she had no way to send a message back to Nangong Wan. The only choice was to proceed with the plan and use the Qingxuan Spirit Light Formation to break through the fort's defenses.
The rest was left to fate.
Nishang rose, her graceful figure accentuated by her movements. A faint, alluring fragrance lingered in the air. She spoke softly, "The demonic cultivators are well hidden. I only found them with the help of a secret treasure. If you have no other concerns, prepare for the formation. Everything must go smoothly on the day of the treasure hunt."
Qi Yuan caught a hint of her scent, his thoughts momentarily clouded before quickly regaining focus. Guarding his mind, he bowed. "Thank you for the clarification, Senior Nishang. I will take my leave."
The other two disciples also bowed and exited.
Once they were gone, only Nishang and Fuyunzi remained in the room.
Fuyunzi sighed. "Nangong Wan miscalculated. We are too few to eliminate the demonic sects. When the battle begins, I fear few of the six sects' disciples will escape unscathed."
"We will have to take it one step at a time," Nishang replied, worry flickering in her gaze.
Fuyunzi's expression grew solemn. "When the time comes, I am prepared to sacrifice myself for the Dao. If needed, I will detonate my golden core to take a few of them down with me. That will give you the chance to escape."
Nishang's face changed slightly, but after a moment of silence, she sighed.
Late at night, in the tallest building of Yanling Fort, Feiyun Pavilion, nine or ten cultivators were gathered. Among them were five Jindan stage cultivators, four of whom were shrouded in a sinister black mist.
The Yan family's ancestor eyed a handsome man who was openly ogling a maid. Annoyed, he turned to a young man wearing a silver mask. "Young Master Wang, I trust you are aware of the two intruders in Yanling Fort. Are you confident in capturing them during the conference? I must complete my asset transfer before the six sects intervene."
The silver-masked young man chuckled. "Rest assured, Ancestor Yan. If we relied solely on the Li brothers, I would have some concerns. But with Brother Tian and his Black and White Impermanence, we have nothing to fear."
At his side, a middle-aged man with a cold expression and a woman in revealing clothing exchanged glances. The woman, wearing heavy makeup, smiled faintly.
The handsome young man, exuding noble arrogance, snorted but remained silent, focusing instead on toying with the maid, who blushed furiously.
Satisfied with the response, the Yan family's ancestor pressed further. "What if reinforcements arrive? This is Yue Kingdom's territory; they won't stay trapped forever."
The handsome young man finally spoke. "Old man, why so many doubts? The demonic sects will allocate forces to contain the Jindan cultivators of the six sects. If you weren't useful, do you think we would be here, offering you great benefits?"
The Yan family's members glared at him angrily, but the ancestor only smiled. "Very well. With Master Tian's word, I am at ease."
There was no choice. The power behind this young man could wipe out Yanling Fort effortlessly.
The secret meeting continued for another hour before dispersing.
Meanwhile, Qi Yuan returned to the inn and began working on his pangolin puppets. Though his puppetry skills were still rudimentary, he was skilled enough to modify their internal structure.
He wasn't sure if Nangong Wan had misunderstood him or simply not listened, but it was clear now that two Jindan stage cultivators would not be enough for Yanling Fort.
Next time, he needed to be clearer with Nangong Wan—and gentler.
For now, he had to make the best of the situation. His stock of Hanging Heavenly Thunder Devices was running low, and excessive use might attract attention. Instead, he planned to modify his puppets, creating hidden compartments for Thunder Seeds.
When the moment arrived, these self-destructing puppets could unleash devastating lightning power to eliminate pursuers.
Some readers suggested that Nishang is the senior sister and Nangong Wan the junior. The original novel does not specify, but based on other fan works, we will define them as such.
(End of Chapter)