Chapter 288: Tit for Tat

Bai Meiniang exclaimed in shock, "It’s you?"

"You were the one who poisoned from the shadows!"

"You’re not afraid of the White Bone-Erosion Heart Poison!"

Bai Meiniang stared blankly at the loose cultivator Shen Fei before her, looking astonished.

A mere Foundation Establishment Realm loose cultivator, how could he possess such strength?

Are all the sects in the Song Country blind, to let such a person become a loose cultivator?

"Useless thing, step aside!" Bai Hanmeng shouted.

Bai Meiniang obediently closed her mouth and stepped aside.

She dared not talk back to her sister.

At this moment, Bai Meiniang understood.

The strength of the loose cultivator Shen Fei far surpassed hers.

Even her sister’s Nine Nether Corpse Qi could not harm him in the slightest.

"May I ask, Daoist friend, who might you be?"

"Loose cultivator, Shen Fei."

Bai Hanmeng sneered.

"Profound Celestial Golden Sun, Divine Sword Beast Emperor, Thousand Mechanism Cyan Cloud Medicine God. Clearly disciples of the seven sects of the Song Country, why do you not dare to reveal your name openly?"

"Hiding and revealing, aren’t you afraid of disgracing your sect?"

She would never believe that such strength belonged to a mere loose cultivator.

Shen Xuan’s expression tightened, and he bowed with cupped fists, saying, "Profound Celestial Sect, Chi Zhenzi."

"White Bone Saintess, for the sake of Daoist friend’s face, I grant you a way out."

"Leave quickly and don’t return."

"Otherwise, today you shall fall here."

Bai Hanmeng did not speak.

She just kept staring at Shen Xuan.

Their Divine Senses clashed silently in the air.

The temperature plummeted.

Snowflakes began to fall from the sky.

The sound of "rustling" was heard as countless tiny flying insects were encased in frost, drifting down.

The previously pervasive Nine Nether Corpse Qi suddenly froze, turning into drops of deathly pale corpse liquid, falling down.

A series of azure blue lightning arcs suddenly flashed around Shen Xuan, growing larger and larger, as thick as a barrel, and several feet long, enveloping him.

Bai Hanmeng looked coldly at Shen Xuan, her robes fluttering, as dense Nine Nether Corpse Qi continuously emanated from her body.

Like an arrow on the bowstring, ready to be released.

Shen Xuan remained calm, gazing steadily at Bai Hanmeng.

The atmosphere was tense.

Time seemed to freeze.

A long time passed.

Bai Hanmeng’s dress suddenly became still, returning to calm.

All the Nine Nether Corpse Qi returned to her body.

Bai Hanmeng slightly bowed.

"It is a great honor to meet Daoist friend Chi Zhenzi of the Profound Celestial Sect today."

"Menghan has urgent matters at hand, until we meet again!"

With that, she turned and left.

Bai Meiniang took a glance at Shen Xuan and quickly followed.

Wen Wanyu looked confused.

Shen Xuan gently pointed.

A strand of Spiritual Power entered through her back, guiding the flow of Spiritual Power in her body to dispel Bai Meiniang’s Demonic Qi confinement on her.

Afterward, Shen Xuan approached Wen Zijian’s side.

He lightly patted his head.

A pure Water Spiritual Power spread from the Hundred Meeting acupoint on his head through the meridians to his internal organs,

"You are..."

Wen Zijian seemed to understand something, becoming very excited.

"Don’t speak, focus on circulating your energy to expel the poison!"

Shen Xuan interrupted him.

The Divine Hidden Sea Technique inherently had health care and treatment effects.

Shen Xuan added the Immune to Poison skill, containing special substances, with a very strong detoxifying effect.

Wen Zijian circulated his energy for half a stick of incense, and his face soon regained color, with the white spots in his eyes gradually fading away.

"Chi Zhenzi has finally completed the task entrusted by Senior Brother Chiyangzi. Daoist friend Wen, you’d better return with your daughter and disciple early."

"I, sigh! Wen is deeply grateful to Daoist friend Chi Zhenzi."

Wen Zijian said with gratitude.

He glanced at Shen Xuan, and for a moment their eyes met.

Usually proud, Wen Zijian was now full of shame.

In his mind, the cautious blue figure emerged.

His heart felt empty, like a child caught doing something wrong by an adult.

Perhaps, he discovered my weakness.

Wen Zijian thought.

He wanted to say something, but at the moment, he had nothing to say.

He suddenly remembered something.

"The life-saving grace of Daoist friend is beyond repayment. Wen has a treasure obtained from an ancient cultivator’s cave mansion, to offer to Daoist friend for your amusement!"

He took out a small purple gold seal from his Storage Pouch with both hands.

Shen Xuan didn’t hesitate, took it over, and felt slightly surprised.

"So heavy?"

"Daoist friend, don’t underestimate this item. This is the Purple Gold True Water Treasure Seal! Although it’s only a Spirit Embryo and not yet fully formed, it’s a rare quasi-tier three Spiritual Artifact treasure!"

Shen Xuan was surprised.

Only a Core Formation True Master could control a Spiritual Artifact.

Looking closely again.

The Purple Gold True Water Seal was not fully formed, with the magic patterns on its surface appearing faintly.

If a cultivator could refine it and nurture it with the Dao Foundation Spirit Sea day and night, given time, there was a certain chance of advancing to a Spiritual Artifact.

It’s a top-grade treasure that many cultivators dreamt of!

To think Wen Zijian could take out such a treasure as thanks!

Shen Xuan was quite astonished.

"I originally thought it was a Gold Technique treasure. Who knew, after obtaining it, I found out it was a Water Technique treasure!"

Wen Zijian said with a smile, "It seems this treasure is fated to be with Daoist friend! Wen is merely offering flowers to Buddha by proxy." Shen Xuan’s expression slightly changed.

He saved Wen Zijian and his daughter without any intention of gain.

It was nothing more than an old friend, lending a helping hand.

Though the White Bone Sect Saintess Bai Hanmeng was formidable, and at the late stage of Demon Foundation.

If truly engaged in battle, Shen Xuan was fully confident he could make her retreat embarrassed.

Though the Demon Sect Techniques were strange, filled with many secret techniques, they might not be able to claim her life.

But severely wounding Bai Hanmeng was still achievable.

At most, losing a Divine Thunder Treasure Talisman.

Never thought, Wen Zijian would offer a Spirit Embryo.

And just so, it was the Water Technique treasure he needed.

Does one’s fate dictate every outcome, every sip and bite?

Thus, does kindness toward others bring favor from Heavenly Dao fortune?

Shen Xuan didn’t think much about it.

"Daoist friend Wen is right, this item is fated with me. Thank you, Daoist friend Wen!"

Shen Xuan glanced at the sky.

"Chi Zhenzi has urgent matters, farewell for now. Until we meet again!"

With that, Shen Xuan’s figure disappeared into the void.

Leaving no trace at all.

As if he had never been there.

Wen Zijian shook his head.

"Still so cautious!"

At this moment, Wen Wanyu walked over.

"Dad, this elder Chi Zhenzi is really strange. Do you know him?"

"Hmm."

"Even mom can’t beat him?"

Wen Zijian lovingly patted his daughter’s head.

"Wanyu, your training is not yet over."

"Wait, you..."

After hearing this, Wen Wanyu first looked astonished, then nodded resolutely.

"Dad, don’t worry, I can do it."

"Good child!"

Wen Zijian walked to Yuan Huaixin’s corpse, took his magical treasure and storage pouch, and searched his magic robe.

He activated a fire talisman, burning it to ashes.

Once he saw the battlefield was clean with no traces remaining.

"Follow me!"

Wen Zijian stepped on the Moon Blade Wheel and flew into the depths of the Shadow Forest.

Behind him, Wen Wanyu imitated him, also flying with a magical artifact.

...

Xu Qian’Er’s Flame Saber spewed flames, burning a nest of spider demons, causing them to shriek and scream.

In no time, the spider demons were charred.

Near the spider demon’s nest, there was a spirit plant with a few red spirit fruits about to ripen.

Xu Qian’Er happily picked the spirit fruit.

She then extended the Flame Saber, nudged the charred spider demon, and removed the poisonous fangs from its mouth.

Not a small harvest!

Xu Qian’Er packed up and was about to set off.

Behind her came the "whooshing" sound of something slicing through the air.

It was Wen Zijian and his daughter, flying with magical artifacts.

"Wanyu sister!"

Xu Qian’Er went up to them.

This time during their excursion, the two of them had been getting along like real sisters.

"Sister Qian’Er!"

Wen Wanyu stopped three feet in front of Xu Qian’Er.

The next moment.

A flash of golden light.

The Sun Blade Wheel descended from the sky.

Like a hot knife through butter, it sliced Xu Qian’Er in half.

Blood splattered everywhere.

Wen Wanyu stood stunned for a moment.

Letting Xu Qian’Er’s blood splatter onto her face.

It was her first time killing someone she was close to, inevitably causing some turmoil in her heart.

"Either don’t strike, or strike with no mercy!"

"Cultivators’ battles are life and death. If you hesitate, you’ll die without a grave!"

Behind her came Wen Zijian’s stern voice.

"Yes!"

Wen Wanyu wiped the blood from her face, performed a Purification Technique, and washed away the blood stains on her entire body.

She then collected Xu Qian’Er’s storage pouch and magical artifact.

Using a fireball talisman, she turned the corpse to ashes.

"Next!"

"Yes!"

This time, Wen Wanyu’s tone was much more resolute.

When the two of them found Wang Anchen.

Wen Wanyu’s strikes were even more quick and decisive.

Strike, kill, search the corpse, destroy the remains, all done in one smooth motion.

From start to finish, there was not a moment of hesitation.

Wen Zijian nodded slightly.

Only at this point did Wen Wanyu’s training become truly valuable.

"Let’s go!"

The two found Mo Qianshan and returned to Flowing Light Market together.

Shen Xuan watched as the three of them walked into the market, then felt at ease to return to Shadow Forest once more.

"Indeed, children are a burden!"

If not for his daughter, Wen Zijian, with his free and wandering nature, wouldn’t have lived so toughly.

...

Deep within the Shadow Forest.

Bai Hanmeng wandered aimlessly, her face ashen.

Behind her was Bai Meiniang, not daring to even breathe heavily.

At this time, a team of seven demon hunters approached.

The leaders were two Foundation Establishment cultivators.

"Hey, in front there are two immortal maidens!"

"They’re so beautiful! How could such beautiful immortals enter the Shadow Forest?"

"I heard there are immortals who specifically come to the Shadow Forest, seeking us demon hunters, to explore the Path of Yin Yang Dual Cultivation together!"

"Is there really such a good thing? Could it be our good fortune has arrived?"

"Silence! Stop talking nonsense. Those two are Foundation Establishment cultivators!"

One leading Foundation Establishment Demon Hunter shouted.

"I’ll go take a look!"

The other Foundation Establishment cultivator said, and then walked forward.

"Two immortal maidens, I am Zhu Changsheng..."

He revealed what he thought was a cheerful and sunny smile as he observed the ethereal white-clad, stunning female cultivator in front of him.

Before his smile could fade.

The mist in front of him grew thicker.

A piercing cold invaded.

A terrifying thought surfaced in his mind.

"You are... from the White Bone Sect... a Demon Cultivator..."

With difficulty, he forced out the words before he fell straight down.

The other six were shocked and each activated their magical artifacts, scattering to escape.

But they were gently enveloped by a mist that seemed almost tangible, forcibly pulled down from their magical artifacts onto the ground.

What seemed like mist was actually Bai Hanmeng’s Nine Nether Corpse Qi.

Appearing almost alive, it greedily devoured the cultivators’ bodies.

In just a few breaths.

The blood and flesh of the seven demon hunters were consumed, leaving only bare white bones.

Even Foundation Establishment Demon Hunters were powerless before the Nine Nether Corpse Qi.

Only then did Bai Hanmeng’s face reveal a trace of satisfaction.

As if she had just eaten.

With a graceful white hand, she gently pointed.

A white gourd was summoned, collecting the seven sets of white bones.

"Congratulations, sister, for finding blood nourishment and advancing your prowess!"

Bai Meiniang flattered.

"The quality is too poor!"

Bai Hanmeng stated coldly.

"To perfect the Demon Foundation, relying on such inferior blood nourishment is absolutely impossible!"

"Unless..."

Bai Hanmeng’s cold gaze turned ominously toward Bai Meiniang.