Chapter 109

For safety, Ye Qiao gave one of the remaining concealment talismans to Duan Hengdao. She waved at him and took him to the place where she had previously slept.

There, a concealment formation had been set up in advance, easily overlooked by those unfamiliar with formations.

“This is where you slept and avoided the calamity?” Duan Hengdao entered the formation, his mouth twitching slightly. So, the benefit of doing nothing is perhaps to stay away from the worldly clamor?

Ye Qiao nodded and asked him, “Who else hasn’t been caught?”

Saving one person is better than none; for those already captured, we’ll figure something out later.

“Shen Ziwei,” Duan Hengdao said. “My second senior brother and I ran in different directions. That man kept chasing me, and now that I’ve escaped, he’s probably turned to chase my second senior brother.”

Ye Qiao pondered.

It seemed like it wasn’t a complete loss.

Just as Ye Qiao was thinking about what to do, Duan Hengdao, who was sitting cross-legged in the formation, perked up. He shook off his previous lethargy and enthusiastically said, “Look, it’s just the two of us left. Let’s go save them together.”

“Listen to me,” Ye Qiao didn’t expect this person to still be in his middle-school phase. She cleared her throat, “If you see those two Nascent Souls, pick up your sword and fight them, then shout, ‘You are all my juniors!’ something like that…”

Duan Hengdao was very excited: “That way, we’ll achieve ultimate victory!”

Ye Qiao: “That way, we’ll die with some dignity.”

Duan Hengdao: “?”

Some cultivators watching couldn’t help but comment: “Although the situation is serious, seeing these two together still makes me want to laugh.”

“This duo indeed has a bit of a comedic vibe.”

“Some direct disciples have given up, while others still believe in the light.”

“Ye Qiao really can chat, huh? Is she that lonely? Given the situation…”

Duan Hendao Scratched his head, “I’m serious. The elders have shown no signs of movement until now. It seems it might be difficult for them to enter once the secret realm opens. Now, it’s just the few of us left. If we don’t think of something soon, I’m worried they’ll take the people straight back to the Demon Clan.”

At that point, rescuing them would be even harder.

Ye Qiao shook her head, “They won’t leave now.”

“You disappeared right in front of them. They have to find the person responsible.”

Thinking from their perspective, losing three direct disciples is unacceptable.

Moreover, considering their Nascent Soul cultivation level, how could they allow a Foundation Establishment cultivator to rescue their disciples right in front of them? They will definitely stay an extra day to find Ye Qiao.

What Ye Qiao needed to do was delay them in the secret realm, buying time for the elders to send reinforcements.

She had just inspected the barrier trapping the direct disciples. Song Hansheng had said it could not be broken from the inside, only from the outside.

Ye Qiao briefly explained her plan, “The first step to rescuing them is to break the barrier.”

“That’s possible,” Duan Hengdao, who had some expertise in this area, agreed. “When the time comes, you distract them, and I’ll rescue the others. But breaking the barrier with spiritual power might make too much noise. I’m afraid there won’t be enough time.”

Ye Qiao pondered for a moment. In theory, if there was enough force, the barrier could be broken. Could she use technology for this?

She took out some drawing paper from her mustard seed bag and began sketching with a wolf hair brush.

Soon, the shape of an electric drill appeared on the paper.

Ye Qiao had always been good at drawing. After finishing, she blew on the paper, “Can you forge this?”

Duan Hengdao was no longer surprised by her strange ideas. He nodded, “Yes.”

For artifact forgers, as long as there was a rough concept, they could create it, especially since Ye Qiao had provided a detailed design with all the necessary specifications.

“When the time comes, try using this to open the barrier.”

With their tasks divided, Duan Hengdao began forging the electric drill on the spot. Fueled by his determination to save the disciples, he worked like he was on a high, finishing it within the time it took to brew a cup of tea.

The drill had a silencing spell engraved on it and could be powered by placing a thunder crystal on it. Though not a magical artifact, it looked quite sophisticated.

Ye Qiao patted him, “Good job.”

She then took out a bamboo shoot and removed its seal. “Next, we’ll split up.”

“Here’s a concealment talisman. When things get chaotic, sneak in and drill through the barrier. Leave the rest to me.”

Duan Hengdao pursed his lips and sincerely said, “Thank you, Ye Qiao.”

Outside the realm, a cultivator howled excitedly, “Just do your part. Leave the rest to Ye Qiao. If I had such a direct disciple leading me in the secret realm, I’d cry and hug her leg.”

“Number one, Ye Qiao, lead us~”

…

After splitting up with Duan Hengdao, Ye Qiao opened a map showing that the beasts’ nests were mostly Golden Core level, usually in groups and fixed areas.

Nascent Soul level beasts’ locations were specially marked, but no direct disciple would dare provoke them, as they could be killed instantly.

Ye Qiao tied the bamboo shoot to a red bird and attached a demonization talisman, which she had taken from Song Hansheng’s mustard seed bag.

Yueqing Sect loved drawing these talismans. Though Song Hansheng was sinister, his talismans were indeed useful at critical moments.

The red bird flew off frantically, drawing the beasts away. Ye Qiao seized the opportunity to sneak into the beasts’ nests at night, her target clear: Nascent Soul level beasts’ nests.

To save people, she had to stir up trouble first. However, a large-scale beast tide was too dangerous; it could cost her life. Grasping a KFC drumstick in one hand, Ye Qiao quickly dashed towards the Nascent Soul beasts’ lairs.

This bold move caused quite a stir outside the realm.

“What’s she doing? Getting the beasts to chase that rod? Reenacting the first battle? But there are two Nascent Soul cultivators; they won’t fear a small beast tide.”

“If a Nascent Soul beast notices her, she’s dead. There’s no Zhou Xingyun to save her here.”

“What’s she thinking? Run! Get out while you can, or all the direct disciples stalling for her will be in vain!”

What was Ye Qiao up to?

She waited for a while until the beasts in the lair, like dogs smelling bones, all swarmed out. As the sky darkened, the secret realm grew chaotic, reminiscent of the first battle.

But this time, Ye Qiao tied the bamboo shoot to the beast, causing it to run wild, creating a chaos comparable to a large-scale beast tide.

After ensuring the nests were empty, Ye Qiao began to steal Nascent Soul beasts’ eggs from each nest without hesitation.

She moved from one nest to another, taking only the eggs, and then nonchalantly walked away with the eggs in her arms.

She left?!!

What the hell.

“Stealing Nascent Soul beasts’ eggs? That’s insane.”

“How can she be so reckless?”

“She’s always been like this. Remember, she’s Ye Qiao, infinitely audacious.”

If confidence is the peak, then Ye Qiao’s confidence is unmatched.

The large commotion in the secret realm immediately caught the attention of the two Nascent Soul cultivators. The Demon Clan Saintess frowned, “A beast tide?”

“Troublesome,” she muttered, “We’re still missing three.”

“Especially that Changming Sect disciple, Ye Qiao,” the Demon Clan Saintess narrowed her eyes. Given the situation, Ye Qiao should have already used her identification token to escape.

She couldn’t believe Ye Qiao would still be around.

Unless she had a death wish.

Trapped in the barrier, Song Hansheng moved his wrist. For some reason, he felt the Demon Clan seemed to harbor a deep-seated hatred towards Ye Qiao. Unable to hold back, he asked, “You know Ye Qiao?”

“Has Ye Qiao’s reputation spread even to the demon clan?”

“Not to that extent.”

The girl immediately gave him a cold look. “I am the Holy Maiden of the demon clan.”

She was furious at the person from the Changming Sect who had impersonated her. The girl’s main purpose in coming to the secret realm this time was to confront that person.

Song Hansheng was speechless. “My apologies.”

So, this Ye Qiao really is trouble.

No matter where she goes, she manages to offend people. Now, enemies surround her on all sides.

Even the demon clan has come.

*

Meanwhile, Shen Ziwei narrowly escaped an assassination attempt, his legs trembling in fear. The gap between the Nascent Soul and the Golden Core stages was overwhelmingly crushing. If not for his concealment artifact, he wouldn’t have survived this long.

Moreover, the timely arrival of the beast tide confused him. Shen Ziwei didn’t understand why the demonic beasts were in turmoil, but their presence disrupted human auras, buying him a lot of time.

Pale and trembling, the boy hid in a bush, paranoid at every sound, fearing it was the demon clan coming to kill him.

The cultivators watching sighed, “He’s still too young.”

“He’s never left his sect before.”

“He should learn mental resilience from Ye Qiao. She walks confidently with a few Nascent Soul demonic beast eggs, showing no fear.”

Ye Qiao remained unfazed even in the face of danger, casually chatting with people.

Shen Ziwei was unaware of how others viewed him. He was genuinely terrified. In a sect competition, no one would kill, but demonic cultivators aimed to kill. He was covered in wounds, one deep enough to expose bone.

Holding his breath, Shen Ziwei heard footsteps approaching, breaking out in a cold sweat, his heart pounding, thinking he was going to die.

After waiting for what seemed like forever, no one approached.

Opening his eyes, he saw a familiar figure. His voice was dry and raspy, as if filled with grit, “Ye Qiao?!”

“You’re alive?”

Ye Qiao rolled her eyes. “Of course I’m alive.”

Why was everyone so surprised to see her alive?

Finding Shen Ziwei had been quite a task. This guy really knew how to hide. After searching extensively, she finally found him thanks to Xiao Qi’s strong sense.

Shen Ziwei realized his words were ambiguous. His face pale, he weakly added, “I didn’t expect you to still be in the game.”

After all, she was targeted by four sects from the beginning.

“Let’s go.” Ye Qiao tossed him a pill. “We need to rescue someone.”

Shen Ziwei accepted it, murmuring a low thanks.

Despite cursing Ye Qiao many times with Qin Huai, in the end, she was the most reliable.

Ye Qiao’s spirit beast had already been swallowed by some demonic beast.

Fortunately, her bond with her spirit beast was strong, and she easily sensed its presence. She applied an acceleration talisman and, with a light step, intercepted the red bird.

It flew fast, chased by other beasts. Ye Qiao dared not approach, so she pulled out a spiritual bow from her bag.

Testing the bowstring, she aimed to shoot down the red bird holding her spirit beast.

But she couldn’t draw the bow.

Shen Ziwei, seeing her actions, though unsure of her intentions, explained calmly, “Cultivators’ artifacts can only be used by their owners.” As a skilled craftsman, he recognized the bow as belonging to the Bishui Sect.

“No one else can draw it.”

“You’d better use your time…”

Ye Qiao infused her spiritual energy, and as he finished speaking, she pulled the bowstring to its limit, shooting an arrow through the clouds, hitting the flying beast.

Quickly grabbing her spirit beast, she pulled Shen Ziwei into her domain just as the beasts charged.

Shen Ziwei was stunned.

Since meeting Ye Qiao, everything had been unexpected.

Where was this place?

How could Ye Qiao use someone else’s bow?

And what was she up to now?

“This is my domain,” Ye Qiao gestured a little, “Just a small trick.”

Shen Ziwei looked incredulous. A small trick?

A small trick could pull people into this strange place?

Ye Qiao could only scratch her nose and ask, “Do you have any artifacts left in your bag? We could use them to appease the two Nascent Souls.”

“No. My bag was taken.” Shen Ziwei felt dejected. During his escape, he tried to crush his identity token but was intercepted, losing his bag in the process.

If it weren’t for his heart-protecting mirror, he might have been dismembered.

Ye Qiao tutted.

She thought she had it bad, running around all the time, but someone had it worse.

“Don’t worry, I have some.” Ye Qiao showed off several bags. “After we rescue them, these will be mine.”

She deserved them.

Shen Ziwei’s eye twitched.

He stared blankly, picking up a bag, checking its contents.

“This is my third junior brother’s, this is my senior brother’s.”

“This one belongs to the Moonlight Sect, this one to the Bishui Sect, and this one to Ye Qinghan, right?”

His feelings grew complicated. “Ye Qiao, be honest, what were you doing while we were being hunted?”

It was supposed to be a joint effort against Ye Qiao.

How did she end up with bags from five sects? Why?!

The cultivators watching their situation fell silent. “This is what it means for Ye Qiao to have the upper hand all by herself.”

*

Good night. There will be no update tomorrow as I’ll be celebrating the New Year.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year in advance!