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Qi Yuan immediately said, "If Senior Brother Ma has any ideas, then bring Fellow Daoist Lin along. The three of us are all in the middle stage of Foundation Establishment. Even if we encounter a demon cultivator in the late stage of Foundation Establishment, we can still fight him."
Ma Chen looked thoughtful and said, "Okay, I'll go tell Fellow Daoist Lin later."
After that, the two talked for a while, and then Ma Chen said goodbye and left.
The restriction in the hall was lifted. Qi Yuan had been pondering the recent robberies when suddenly a fragrant breeze swept in, and a plate of exquisite pastries appeared on the coffee table.
"Brother Qi, are you worried about the team that was robbed?" The woman's voice was gentle and melodious.
Qi Yuan looked up, picked up a piece of cake, and ate it without hesitation. With a smile, he said, "The cakes made by Junior Sister Nie are really unique."
He hadn't expected that Nie Ying, the talented girl who was rarely seen in Huangfeng Valley, would be sent here some time ago to assist with affairs.
However, her cultivation was only at the initial stage of Foundation Establishment. Even with good talent, given the many disciples in Huangfeng Valley competing for resources, it was impossible for the sect to invest everything in Nie Ying. What if she died or betrayed them? That would be a huge loss.
Only Qi Yuan and Han Li had golden fingers, so even without the sect providing elixirs, their cultivation could continue to improve.
Nie Ying chuckled, her eyes gleaming. "Are there any actions in the near future? Can you take me, your junior sister, with you?"
This woman had an ambitious heart. She had already sensed the tense atmosphere and wanted to earn some merits to exchange for pills to aid her cultivation.
To motivate their disciples, the six sects offered various magical tools, magic weapons, elixirs, mental techniques, spirit beasts, and other treasures.
Disciples were encouraged to kill the demon monks and exchange their military merits for the items they needed.
For instance, the Foundation Establishment Pill — originally out of reach for many disciples — was now attainable through merit.
If Nie Ying wanted extra elixirs to boost her cultivation, killing demon cultivators was the fastest and most convenient method.
Qi Yuan frowned slightly, gazing at her bright, fair face. He said seriously, "Junior Sister Nie, don't blame me for not warning you. The demon cultivators wandering Yue Kingdom have the cultivation base of the late Foundation Establishment stage. If you're unlucky enough to encounter one, I won't be able to save you."
With his current strength, if he encountered a late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, the best option would be to force them to retreat.
However, wealth should not be flaunted, and cards should not be revealed too easily. Even if something was within his abilities, it was wiser to refuse — otherwise, he would appear too eager.
Nie Ying felt a little embarrassed. She had some skills to fight against middle-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators but lacked confidence against those in the late stage.
Yet, this area was filled with demonic energy. Anyone with sense knew that demon monks were lurking nearby. Killing them would surely earn her some rewards.
Wealth comes with risk — it was worth the gamble.
At worst, she could use the escape talisman hidden in her secret pocket.
Nie Ying spoke firmly. "Brother Qi, I've made my decision. Please assign me a task."
Qi Yuan's eyes glimmered with amusement. He hadn't mentioned any relevant information — what task was she expecting?
Perhaps… a task involving the bed?
Nie Ying suddenly felt his gaze linger, and her cheeks flushed red like blooming peach petals. Her eyes flickered with shyness. She had heard of Qi Yuan's reputation in the valley. Although they hadn't interacted much before, seeing him now stirred her heart.
In a shy tone, she said, "Did I say something wrong, Senior Brother?"
Qi Yuan, sensing her embarrassment, shifted his gaze away. He took a sip of tea and said, "Junior Sister Nie, tonight you should take a team to guard the center of the formation. Don't let anyone destroy the Three Talents Formation."
Public facilities couldn't be damaged, and Qi Yuan had no interest in paying for repairs.
As for the demonic cultivators aiming to sabotage the formation, they likely wouldn't be stronger than a middle-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, so Nie Ying should be relatively safe.
If the demon monks intended to deal with Qi Yuan, Ma Chen, and Lin Que directly, occupying the Three Talents Formation briefly wouldn't achieve much. It was better to focus resources on taking down the leaders first.
Hearing her assigned task, Nie Ying looked a little disappointed. Tactfully, she said nothing more, stood up, bowed, and left.
Qi Yuan sat in the hall for half an incense stick's time before quietly sneaking out of the logistics point. He reached a dense forest, pulled out a short flute, and began to play.
After a while, there was a rustling sound, and a purple-clad woman in the early stage of Foundation Establishment emerged. She had a cold expression and knelt on one knee before Qi Yuan.
If the disciples of Yanling Fort had seen her face, they would have been shocked. When had their genius, Yan Ruyan, ever appeared like this?
Qi Yuan ignored her cold demeanor and said softly, "There's a cemetery to the west. There may be corpses appearing there tonight. Go and stop it."
Corpses and poison were common tactics of the demon monks. Every cemetery was a potential gathering point for cultivating corpses with some combat effectiveness. The demons wouldn't let such opportunities slip by.
Yan Ruyan's eyes flickered slightly. She bowed and agreed.
Part of her soul was in Qi Yuan's hands, so even if she had to face mountains of swords and seas of fire, she wouldn't dare disobey.
In Yanling Fort's downfall, the winner took all, while the loser was left to bear the consequences.
Even if she had grievances, she knew she couldn't change her fate.
Her public identity had been erased by Nangong Wan, and after living in obscurity for a while, she had been handed over to Qi Yuan.
"Wait..." Qi Yuan stopped Yan Ruyan, took out two Heavenly Thunder Seeds, tossed them to her, and said, "If you can't win, use these to escape."
Qi Yuan didn't want to let a cultivator with natural spiritual roots die in vain.
Yan Ruyan's cold face shifted slightly. She didn't express gratitude but took out a strange smiling mask, put it on, and disappeared into the dense forest.
Qi Yuan watched her leave, recalling how Nangong Wan had frightened him months ago when she brought Yan Ruyan here. Suddenly gaining control over a cultivator with natural spiritual roots had startled him.
All he could do was discipline Nangong Wan harshly to restore her obedience.
It seemed he still had a Duobao girl… servant?
The antidote for Huadaowu wasn't hard to find. He sensed her fear of him had diminished. When the chance arose, he should frighten her again to keep her in check — ensuring she wouldn't act recklessly and cause him trouble.
As for Ma Chen and Lin Que… who was the spy?
The timing of the logistics team's departures was highly confidential. Only the three of them and the team leader knew those details.
They had all secretly investigated each other countless times. If there had been evidence, action would have been taken long ago.
Whoever the spy was, they were hiding very well.
Qi Yuan's mind played through the appearances of Ma Chen and Lin Que, but he couldn't decide. Lin Que had always disliked him over the Taoist partner issue.
Ma Chen had maintained a cooperative attitude, and their working relationship had been relatively smooth.
The three had been stationed here for over a year. Whenever Qi Yuan was at the logistics point, he could sense their presence and had even tracked how often they went out.
They only left three or four times each month. Qi Yuan had cross-checked their outings with the times teams were dispatched — there was no clear connection.
Could he have been wrong?
Qi Yuan stared at the ceiling, still unsure. Perhaps Ma Chen's actions tonight would reveal the truth.
The golden sun set in the west, the night deepened, and the wind picked up...
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