Shen Xuan quickly made a choice.
He lightly tapped the back of Zhu Yingying.
A stream of pure Spiritual Power penetrated into Zhu Yingyingâs dantian, quickly flowing through her meridians and into her Sea of Consciousness.
Zhu Yingying suddenly woke up.
Seeing her clothes half-undone, tightly embracing Shen Xuan, her pretty face turned crimson, and she quickly burrowed under the quilt.
She knew she had issues with her Charm Technique acting up.
Unexpectedly, she had taken the initiative to embrace Shen Xuan.
"Master Shen, I didnât do it on purpose."
"Go to sleep!"
Shen Xuan sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and sat solemnly.
Zhu Yingying peeked out from under the quilt, secretly glanced at Shen Xuan, and seemed to have thought of something.
Her pretty face blushed again, and she quietly hid under the quilt, covering her head.
The tent was filled with a faintly ambiguous atmosphere.
Morning.
Shen Xuan had just packed up and was planning to summon his Flying Ship to continue the journey.
A sudden sound of something breaking through the air came from not far away.
Initially, the sound was barely noticeable.
But in the blink of an eye, the noise grew louder, clearly indicating the flight speed was extremely fast.
Shen Xuan frowned.
"Foundation Establishment Cultivator!"
"Fellow Daoist Zhu, step back!"
Shen Xuan immediately summoned the Bishui Sword, ready for battle.
The Condensed Water Blade Technique and Water Spirit Gathering Essence Technique were simultaneously activated, with various talents boosting his strength.
A verdant ice-blue Divine Dragon condensed on the blade of the Bishui Sword, ready to strike.
Soon, the ice-blue Divine Dragon turned to a dark azure color.
That was due to being infused with a large amount of Silver Hook Poison.
Shen Xuanâs heart began to race.
Since arriving here, he had already killed two Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
But he still didnât dare to be careless.
Luckily, the Longze River was nearby, allowing him to easily mobilize the water Spiritual Qi within the river.
This gave him some confidence.
The sound of something breaking through the air came closer.
Stopping thirty zhang away from him.
"Shen Xuan!"
"Elder Zhu!"
The newcomer was Elder Zhu Qingsheng of the Five Poison Sect, Zhu Yingyingâs biological father.
His face was somber, staring intently at Shen Xuan.
"Was it you who killed Elder Wei?"
Shen Xuan didnât answer.
Sometimes, silence is also an attitude.
Zhu Qingsheng glanced at Zhu Yingying behind Shen Xuan.
"Yingying, are you alright?"
"Iâm fine!"
"Come over here!"
Zhu Yingying looked at Shen Xuan.
Seeing Shen Xuan slightly nod, she cautiously moved to her fatherâs side.
The two conversed for a while.
"I see! Many thanks to Master Shen for your assistance! However, I will take care of my daughter myself, so thereâs no need for you to trouble your friends!" Zhu Qingsheng said loudly.
He was fully aware of Shen Xuanâs strength.
Being both Water Cultivators, he had no chance of victory on the Longze River.
"Thatâs not up to Elder Zhu to decide!"
Shen Xuan said calmly, "Elder Zhu is a Foundation Establishment Cultivator; naturally, you have ways to protect yourself. Your daughter is only at the Qi Cultivation Fourth Layer; if abducted, sheâd reveal my identity with just a little coercion."
"Would you stake your life on others?"
Zhu Qingshengâs face turned extremely ugly.
Shen Xuan made it clear he intended to keep Zhu Yingying confined.
"Such boldness!"
Zhu Qingsheng pointed his fingers like a sword, and the Blood-Sucking Fork transformed into a bloody glint, shooting rapidly towards him.
He was a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, and a Poison Cultivator at that!
Even before the Blood-Sucking Fork arrived, a heavy stench of poison filled the air.
However, without any visible movement, Shen Xuanâs figure darted forward like lightning, facing the incoming Blood-Sucking Fork.
He treaded on the waves beneath his feet, seeming to merge with the river, controlling water with the speed and agility of a spirited fish.
"You..."
Zhu Qingsheng activated his Spiritual Power, continuously pointing at the Blood-Sucking Fork.
After uttering just one word,
a dark azure Ice Dragon roared from the Bishui Sword, rushing forward.
With just one strike,
the Blood-Sucking Fork emitted a mournful cry, its bloody glow dimming, and its Spiritual Qi scattered, faltering in mid-air.
The dark azure Ice Dragon continued to emit a blinding dark light, accompanied by a soul-stirring dragonâs roar, absorbing the nearby water Spiritual Qi as it charged forward.
Zhu Qingsheng coldly snorted.
Holding the Poison Blood Sword, he slashed a sword shadow violently at the ice dragon.
Fragments scattered in all directions.
A blue-green mist arose.
Zhu Qingshengâs face changed dramatically.
"Silver Hook Poison!"
He scooped up his daughter and fled into the air on his sword.
However, he barely stopped before seeing the composed Shen Xuan in front of him.
The exchange between the two had happened in the blink of an eye.
Yet Zhu Qingsheng clearly sensed Shen Xuanâs terrifying prowess!
He still had some Poison Cultivator secret techniques.
But even if he used them, he wasnât confident in defeating Shen Xuan.
He hadnât forgotten.
Shen Xuan possessed at least three Water Techniques at Great Success: the Water Control Technique, Water Repelling Technique, and Water Spirit Gathering Essence Technique!
Moreover, with his daughter beside him, he couldnât afford to fight desperately.
"Shen Xuan, what do you want?"
The voice was sharp, but hid underlying fear.
"Elder Zhu, I am doing this for my own protection. Donât push me!"
Shen Xuan sighed, "If it werenât for saving your daughter, why else would I need to do this?"
Zhu Qingsheng stared intently at Shen Xuan, his heart filled with shock and fear.
It was his first time seeing such a formidable Qi Cultivator.
No wonder he could leap across a Great Realm and kill Elder Wei.
"Shen Xuan, thereâs really no need for this!"
"Our Five Poison Sect is not a renowned Sect; the ties between master and disciple arenât strong."
Shen Xuan shook his head.
"What if, though?"
"When life is at stake, I, Shen, dare not take risks!"
Zhu Qingsheng gritted his teeth, wishing to take his daughter and escape.
Zhu Yingying suddenly spoke up.
"Father, Master Shen, actually, I have a solution!"
"I wonât go to Cyan Cloud Sect, nor will I return to the Five Poison Sect."
Zhu Yingyingâs pretty face flushed slightly.
"I can follow Master Shen, become his student, and learn talisman making."
Both Shen Xuan and Zhu Qingsheng were taken aback slightly.
This was indeed a solution.
Li Zhu Ying could stay safely in Shen Xuanâs home in Yunyuan City.
After returning to the Five Poison Sect, Zhu Qingsheng could work things out to settle the matter.
After all, a dead Elder was far less important than a living Foundation Establishment Cultivator!
"Father, I donât want to go back to the Five Poison Sect. Itâs nice living in Yunyuan Immortal City. Master Shen and sister Yuyao treat me very well."
Zhu Yingyingâs pretty eyes locked onto Shen Xuan.
"I donât take in students..."
The faces of Zhuâs family changed.
"I can teach Miss Zhu Talisman Art, and she can stay temporarily at my home."
Shen Xuan quickly said.
In fact, he didnât want to push Zhu Qingsheng too hard.
The death of Elder Wei could still be covered up.
If Zhu Qingsheng fell, even the Five Poison Sectâs stupidity couldnât ignore that he was the culprit.
As for Zhu Yingying wanting to practice Talisman Art, it wasnât a big deal in his eyes.
With Zhu Yingyingâs Cultivation Realm, starting from the Invisibility Talisman and Breath Concealment Talisman.
In ten years, if she could produce the Water Control Talisman and Rejuvenation Talisman, becoming a Middle Grade Talisman Master, it would be considered very successful.
The Water Escape Talisman she definitely couldnât learn.
Not to mention his unique Silver Hook Snake Poison Talisman.
"Let it be for ten years. After ten years, Miss Zhu is free to leave."
Zhu Yingying and Zhu Qingsheng whispered a few words.
Finally, Zhu Qingsheng cupped his fists in salute, "Master Shen, we shall do as you say! Zhu gives many thanks for Master Shenâs favor in saving my daughter!"
Having reached an agreement, both felt somewhat relaxed.
After all, neither wished to fight to the death.
The three gathered again to discuss the following matters.
"Rest assured, Master Shen! With me mediating within the Sect, I will ensure that Elder Weiâs demise will be enveloped in mystery. In a few years, no one will remember it!"
"Then I will trouble Elder Zhu!"
Shen Xuan knew full well.
Zhu Qingsheng also didnât want to expose himself.
He handed over a hundred prepared Silver Hook Snake Poison Talismans.
Subsequently, he presented Elder Weiâs two Magical Treasures and storage pouch, as well as Senior Brother Huaâs Magical Artifact and storage pouch.
In Zhu Qingshengâs eyes, a hint of greed shone.