Chapter 16: How Dare You Take Advantage of the Situation?

“Your Tianyan Sect is already in the wrong for not distinguishing right from wrong, but how dare you force Junior Sister to admit her mistake?”

“Junior Sister hasn’t done anything wrong. Why should she apologize for something she didn’t do?”

Tantai Ming’s fiery temper could no longer be contained.

Hearing that the other side intended to take Junior Sister back, he couldn’t bear it any longer. Stepping forward, his usually carefree and smiling handsome face now showed undisguised anger. In a cold voice, he said, “Junior Sister has suffered countless injustices in your Tianyan Sect. Why should she return? To face more cold shoulders and bullying?”the

“Junior Sister possesses such exceptional spiritual roots, yet your sect turned her into a waste. And you didn’t even offer a reasonable explanation, instead choosing to expel her from the sect!”

His voice grew louder, each word resounding with conviction.

“Since your Tianyan Sect can’t take proper care of her, then our Lingqing Sect will!”

Although Tantai Ming usually appeared carefree, it didn’t mean he lacked insight. On the contrary, he was skilled at sensing others’ emotions.

Junior Sister had suffered greatly in that sect, yet these people were still being aggressive. How despicable and shameless!

Chu Sang’s nose tingled a bit.

Oh my, when Seventh Senior Brother gets serious, he’s actually quite handsome!

“This is an internal matter of our sect; it doesn’t concern an outsider like you,” Mo Qingchen said, attempting to take Chu Sang away.

A golden sword light forced him back three steps, nearly slicing his arm.

Tantai Ming raised his chin, “If you want to take Junior Sister away, you’ll have to ask my sword if it agrees!”

Mo Qingshen’s expression turned icy, “You’re courting death.”

Just as he was about to draw his sword, Qiu Xiude quickly intervened, “Senior Brother Mo, stop wasting time with them. Our mission here is to gather the heart nurturing spirit herb. Let’s finish this quickly before more complications arise.”

He was genuinely fearful. These three were cunning and treacherous; dragging things out might lead to even more unexpected developments.

Qin Xixue also lightly tugged on Mo Qingchen’s sleeve, speaking softly, “Brother Qingchen, this is the master’s order. My spiritual root is damaged and can only be repaired with the heart nurturing spirit herb. Let’s gather the herbs first.”

The female lead’s spiritual root is damaged?

Chu Sang withdrew her gaze, lost in thought. This wasn’t mentioned in the original story.

Surely the almighty female protagonist couldn’t have been as unlucky as her, a mere cannon fodder, to be attacked by a spirit beast?

Although the female lead had a heavenly fire spiritual root, her proficiency with it seemed like that of a three-year-old child. Chu Sang intuitively felt something was amiss with her spiritual root.

Coincidentally, shortly after she lost her own spiritual root, Qin Xixue was brought into the sect by Elder Changyu and was also found to possess a once-in-a-century heavenly fire spiritual root.

Although Chu Sang didn’t deny that coincidences happen, in this case, she preferred to believe there was human manipulation behind it.

As Qiu Xiude led his disciples to gather the spiritual herbs, he bent down, only to have a sword light slash through the air towards him.

Startled, he stumbled back several steps and glared at Tantai Ming. “Are you insane?”

He gritted his teeth, “Refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit^[1]You refuse the easy way and choose the hard way.! We were prepared to let you go, but now you’re courting death. Don’t blame us for being merciless!”

“Why would we need your mercy?”

Tantai Ming casually picked his ear, his nonchalant demeanor nearly making Qiu Xiude faint from anger, his fingers trembling with fury.

“We fought the Mud Linworm with our lives, sacrificing several disciples, while you three emerged unscathed. Have you no shame?” Qiu Xiude said bitterly. They were used to robbing others, but today, the tables had turned, and these three vile individuals had come to rob them instead.

Chu Sang glanced at the injured group before her and raised an eyebrow, questioning,

“Isn’t this just perfect?”

“…You’re trying to take advantage of the situation!” Qiu Xiude shouted.

“Correct,” Chu Sang clapped her hands as if to applaud him, smiling harmlessly. “Too bad there’s no reward for you.”

Tianyan Sect’s numbers had already been halved by the Mud Linworm, and the remaining disciples were injured and incapacitated, leaving them with little combat ability. The only ones left able to fight were Qin Xixue and Mo Qingchen, who had just arrived.

Tantai Ming faced Mo Qingchen head-on without hesitation. Qin Xixue cried out, “Brother Qingchen, be careful!” She rushed to help but was intercepted halfway by Chu Sang.

Chu Sang brandished a talisman between her fingers and smiled gently, “I wonder, Junior Sister, how your fire control skills have improved lately? Any progress? Or are you still as clumsy as before?”

The false smile on Qin Xixue’s face faltered, her expression turning grim. She attempted a sneak attack with one hand behind her back, but Chu Sang quickly saw through it.

Chu Sang scattered dozens of explosive talismans like flower petals. Qin Xixue couldn’t dodge in time and barely managed to raise a shield to absorb the impact.

Moving swiftly, Chu Sang appeared behind her, launching a sword strike from behind.

In just a few exchanges, Qin Xixue found herself completely overwhelmed, her body already hit by several sword strikes, no longer retaining her initial composure.

While Chu Sang appeared to be looking for a fight, it felt more like a cat toying with a mouse. She discovered that despite not seeing Qin Xixue for so long, the latter had only improved her cultivation level, with no advancement in other aspects.

Even with her exceptional fire spiritual root, Qin Xixue couldn’t manage to perform even the most basic fire control techniques when flustered. This only strengthened Chu Sang’s suspicions.

No longer holding back, Chu Sang knocked Qin Xixue to the ground with a sword strike, leaving her with an ambiguous smile. “Junior Sister, you really must work harder. That exceptional fire root of yours isn’t living up to its full potential.”

“…”

A trace of panic flashed through Qin Xixue’s eyes. “What are you talking about? I don’t understand.”

Chu Sang wiped the tip of her sword. “I believe you’re smart enough to figure it out.”

Meanwhile, Tantai Ming was locked in combat with Mo Qingchen. One was at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, while the other was nearly at the peak of the late stage, almost stepping into the Golden Core realm. The outcome of the battle seemed almost predictable.

Mo Qingchen’s Cangyue Sword unleashed a blast of sword energy, a chill spreading across the ground.

With one strike, he severed Tantai Ming’s Xuan Iron Sword.

He sneered, “trash.”

Tantai Ming tossed the broken sword aside and drew another.

The moment this new sword appeared, the surrounding spiritual energy began to surge violently, drawing everyone’s attention.

An unsheathed Xuan Iron heavy sword?

This broad sword, about four feet in length, appeared more imposing and majestic than other swords. Its scabbard, forged from molten iron refined over millennia, emitted a faint red glow through a slight crack.

A wave of murderous intent flooded the area, making everyone feel as if they were in hell, an uncontrollable fear gripping their hearts.

What kind of sword is this??

Even sheathed, it exuded such powerful and terrifying might!

No one noticed the blood dripping from Tantai Ming’s arm being absorbed by the sword, causing a flash of red light as its murderous aura intensified.

With a twist of his wrist, he struck through the air, forcing Mo Qingchen to defend against the blow.

Clang—

A force as heavy as a mountain crashed down.

Mo Qingchen felt unprecedented pressure.

His right hand suddenly slackened, losing much of its strength.

Tantai Ming’s swordsmanship grew more skillful as he pressed the attack, targeting Mo Qingchen’s right hand.

Mo Qingchen’s face paled dramatically. Despite his swift evasion, his right arm still got hit by the powerful and sinister sword energy.

The wounds on his arm, not yet fully healed, tore open again, emitting wisps of black energy.

“Stop fighting, all of you!”

Qin Xixue spread her arms protectively in front of Mo Qingchen, tears brimming in her eyes. “Senior Brother went to the demon realm just to collect immortal herbs for me. His right arm hasn’t fully healed yet. If this fight continues, his arm will be ruined!”

Chu Sang noticed Qin Xixue sneaking a glance at her. What’s this? She’s deliberately saying this for me to hear?

Why should she care?

Was she trying to make her jealous?

Leaving aside the fact that the female lead didn’t seem very confident in her own charm, revealing a weakness in front of the enemy was simply asking to be attacked.

“Fellow cultivators, please calm down,” said the eldest disciple of the Beast Taming Sect, who had been observing from the sidelines. He stepped forward with a gentle smile. “The secret realm closes in three days. Continuing this fight benefits neither side and wastes precious time. Why don’t we divide the spiritual herbs evenly?”

“Why should we give them anything? We were the ones who discovered this herb field first!” Tantai Ming protested, about to charge forward again.

Mu Chihuai stopped him just in time, unfurling his fan with a warm smile. “Our friend here makes a valid point. Further fighting serves no one. This herb field is vast enough for both sides. Splitting it isn’t unreasonable.”

Tantai Ming puffed out his cheeks in frustration, wanting to argue more. But then he felt a small hand gently tugging at his sleeve.

Looking down, he met his junior sister’s sweet face. “Senior Brother, what’s the harm in letting them have some? After all, we’re the good guys. Doing more good deeds helps us build positive karma.”

Tantai Ming snorted lightly, swallowing his anger, and sheathed his sword.

Shen Rufei fairly divided the herb field into two sections, and only then did both sides cease hostilities.

After the Tianyan Sect members left, Tantai Ming was still sulking.

Those people were already at their limit. If he had fought a bit longer, the entire herb field would have been theirs, and he could have refined more pills for his junior sister.

Seeing Chu Sang and Mu Chihuai in high spirits, he couldn’t help but ask, “What are you two smiling about? We just lost half of our spiritual herbs. How can you still be happy?”

Mu Chihuai glanced at him. “This young master has never suffered a loss since childhood.”

“…What do you mean?”

Tantai Ming was baffled. He turned to Chu Sang. “Junior Sister, are you two hiding something from me?”

“It’s nothing major, really. Sixth Senior Brother just sent them a little return gift.” Chu Sang shrugged.

Though Mu Chihuai appeared to be from an alchemist family, he secretly practiced both poison and medicine. His sinister nature enjoyed experimenting with various exotic poisons.

He had already laid some tricks on their half of the herb field when the Tianyan Sect members weren’t paying attention.

“Soul Devourer Powder, colorless and odorless. It takes effect after half an hour. By my calculations, it should be kicking in… right about now…”

At that moment, a sudden scream erupted from the forest. The Tianyan Sect members, thinking they had finally shaken off those troublesome individuals, eagerly opened their spatial bags. Instead, they were hit by a wave of intense stench as toxic fumes spread.

Where were the precious spiritual herbs? There was only a pool of foul-smelling black water, mixed with withered and decayed leaves!

Worse still, the toxic gas was corrosive!

“It’s poison! Cover your mouths and noses!”

But it was too late.

Everyone was caught off guard, especially Qin Xixue, who was closest. Half her face was corroded by the toxic fumes, and she let out an agonized scream.

“This is bad! The poison is too potent! We need to return to the sect immediately for treatment, or Junior Sister’s face might be permanently scarred!”

“No wonder they agreed so readily earlier. They had this vicious trap waiting for us! They’re even more despicable than the legendary demonic cultivators!”

Qin Xixue, terrified, clutched her face and sobbed. She had no time to think about other treasures; all she wanted was to leave the secret realm immediately.

That wretched woman!

Qin Xixue was furious. It must have been that vile person’s doing! She vowed to exact a hundredfold revenge in the future!

Mu Chihuai laughed so hard he was doubling over at the thought of those people fleeing in panic. No one had ever managed to provoke him and escape unscathed.

Thinking of his junior sister as an accomplice—watching his actions yet still maintaining an innocent face, repeatedly praising him as a good person—Mu Chihuai couldn’t help but chuckle again. He flicked her forehead. “I never realized before that you had such a devious side.”

Indeed, she was surprisingly compatible with his own nature.

Mu Chihuai found having a junior sister increasingly entertaining.

“I’m a model youth raised under the red flag,” Chu Sang said, rubbing her forehead. She looked at Mu Chihuai, whose corruption value had reached 20, and sighed. “Unlike you, Senior Brother.”

[Villain Tantai Ming’s corruption value -1. Host can randomly distribute +1 attribute point!]

[Villain Tantai Ming’s current corruption value: 10]

[Villain Mu Chihuai’s corruption value -3. Host can randomly distribute +3 attribute points!]

[Villain Mu Chihuai’s current corruption value: 17]

[4 points available for free distribution. Please choose attributes to enhance—]

This can reduce corruption values?

Didn’t they just set up a vicious trap for the male and female leads?

Hmm, Chu Sang felt something was off, but since she had earned points, it must mean this approach was… correct, right?

Yes! It must be right!

“Seventh Senior Brother, your sword looks extraordinary. It seems to have quite a history. How come I’ve never seen you use it before?”

“This is my natal sword, the Weeping Blood Sword. I’m not sure of its exact quality. I obtained it by chance in a secret realm,” Tantai Ming explained. “Strangely, the moment this sword saw me, it pursued me relentlessly. While I was distracted, it cut my finger and formed a natal bond with me.”

He sighed. “It’s the most shameless sword I’ve ever encountered.”

Tantai Ming didn’t seem too concerned about his natal sword, tossing it back into the Spatial Bag and pulling out a regular dark iron sword instead.

So it was the Weeping Blood Sword.

That’s a divine sword, known for its pride and power. Its persistence in clinging to Tantai Ming was likely due to his innate spirit body.

Chu Sang said, “Senior Brother, this is a divine sword. Its sword aura is extremely aggressive, perfectly matching your cultivation style. Why don’t you use it more often?”

“No way. The Weeping Blood Sword is far beyond my current level. I can’t unleash its full power yet, and it’s too hard to control. It’s always trying to backstab me when I’m distracted, so I don’t use it casually.” Tantai Ming wrapped a bandage around his arm. “This sword is very finicky. It only works properly when fed with blood.”

He had no intention of being drained dry at such a young age.