Chapter 39 : Sneak Attack

Chapter 39: Sneak Attack

Meanwhile, the disciples of the Pure Yang Palace were locked in fierce battle with Medicine Master Manor’s master, You Yiming.

The rogue cultivators, isolated outside by the surging waves of Spiritual Essence, looked at one another in dismay.

Some were still greedy, foolishly hoping to ride along with You Yiming for profit. Others cherished their lives and only wanted to escape as soon as possible. Having gathered temporarily, they were nothing more than a loose mob—none dared to act rashly, yet all felt endangered.

On the other side, Lü Muxue had no interest in the treasures of the Secret Realm.

But since Zhang Su had not been found, she had no intention of simply taking the key and leaving.

She looked toward the distant chamber shimmering with golden light.

Lü Muxue narrowed her eyes slightly, then turned her head toward Wang Yichen, who looked utterly dispirited.

“Senior Brother.”

Wang Yichen paused, then raised his head dejectedly. “Junior Sister Muxue, what is it?”

Lü Muxue pushed the twin-dragon grass talisman treasure at her waist toward him.

“Take this and pretend to assist the two disciples of the Pure Yang Palace. When they let their guard down, launch a sneak attack in secret and help You Yiming seize the key.”

“Ah? Why?”

“You idiot.”

Lü Muxue scolded, “My aunt has not been found yet, so naturally I cannot leave this place so quickly. But the reputation of my Taiyi Talisman Palace cannot be stained here with accusations of ‘selfishness’ or ‘abandoning fellow cultivators.’”

Wang Yichen was stunned. “Then what about me?”

“You’ll act like those rogue cultivators—pretend to be afraid of death, snatch my talisman treasure, and try to flee... Don’t worry, we won’t expel you. We’ll just say you’re some temporary outer disciple who recently joined. Later, we’ll pin a minor crime on you—face a few months of wall-facing repentance, and that will settle it. The rewards won’t be lacking either... But remember, do not strike to kill!”

“But I’m not even a disciple of the Taiyi Talisman Palace to begin with—”

“Enough nonsense! If it weren’t for the fact that you’re the only one here in the Fourth Realm, I wouldn’t even need you!”

Wang Yichen’s eyes widened.

A surge of fury rose violently in his chest.

His shoulders trembled uncontrollably, his clenched fists turning pale at the knuckles.

Suddenly, his posture collapsed. A strange trace of green flickered within his eyes as he miserably accepted the talisman treasure. “As long as Junior Sister Muxue is happy... this senior brother is willing...”

“Very good... And I’ve told you before—just call me Junior Sister.”

“......”

Brilliant sword light flashed through the corridor.

Mixed with emotions of longing unmet and bitter anger, the force surged upward toward the ceiling.

The energy churned like a tornado.

Sword light merged into the Great Sun True Fire and the countless strange branches and leaves, becoming both demonic and obstructive.

In an instant—

The Thousand Branches and Hundred Leaves, which had been barely holding back the Great Sun True Fire at the cost of the user’s body and lifespan, were instantly severed and suppressed by the sharp sword light.

You Yiming’s expression twisted savagely as violent Spiritual Essence mana surged out recklessly.

Though all of them were cultivators of the Fourth Realm Sitting in Forgetfulness,

The Hundred Herbs Path had always been a minor, obscure path.

Meanwhile, the three opponents were elite disciples from major orthodox sects.

If it had been a true life-and-death battle, he would have already been killed.

Fortunately, those of the Twelve Orthodox Paths rarely struck lethal blows against those outside the demonic paths. Especially the two from the Pure Yang Palace—because of their restraint, he had managed to hold on until now.

However, Wang Yichen’s involvement completely shattered the balance.

This brat from the Grand White Sword Sect seemed to have taken some kind of drug, acting like a mad dog without restraint.

But I, You Yiming, have nothing left to lose!

His foundation, his subordinates—even his daughter’s life or death was unknown.

You Yiming’s expression hardened. Enduring a sword strike head-on, he retreated several zhang in a single leap.

From his Spirit Pouch, he summoned a humanoid Huangjing. This Huangjing carried threads of sinister aura, its roots dense and numerous.

Then he bit the tip of his tongue, spat out a mouthful of essence blood onto the Huangjing’s forehead, and chanted a secret incantation:

“Essence exists between heaven and earth, gathering into form. Spirit exists within me, merging into one. Today I borrow your thousand-year Dao—tomorrow, my body shall be your body.”

The humanoid Huangjing was formed from the essence of the earth, absorbing the spiritual energy of sun and moon for a thousand years before developing rudimentary limbs and features.

This was a family heirloom spiritual object of You Yiming.

Now, in this desperate battle, he was forcibly absorbing its immense life-bound Spiritual Essence into his own body.

Such a secret technique—fusing a spiritual object with one’s own body—was in truth a forbidden art of the Hundred Herbs Path.

Once completed,

Its power would increase drastically.

But the user would also suffer curses and severe consequences.

The bearded disciple of the Pure Yang Path sighed. “Master You, why go this far?”

The Huangjing, infused with essence blood, burst forth with golden light.

Its primordial energy instantly washed through You Yiming’s limbs and bones.

All his injuries healed within three breaths, and his aura returned to its peak.

But wooden patterns grew across his face, sprouting fine roots like writhing tendrils.

“You great sect disciples—how could you understand me? Enough nonsense—let us settle this with strength!”

The Pure Yang disciple felt the ground begin to surge, as nearby life force was being drawn into the Huangjing.

He shook his head and looked toward Wang Yichen.

“Junior Brother Wang, this secret technique is no small matter. Do not hold back.”

Wang Yichen replied expressionlessly, “Understood.”

Hearing his response,

The two senior and junior brothers exchanged a glance, then both surged with Great Sun True Fire and charged forward.

And it was precisely at that moment—

They suddenly heard thunder roaring. The surrounding talismanic power surged violently. Before they could react, piercing, heart-rending pain erupted from their backs.

The two screamed miserably.

But immediately after, two streaks of sword light followed, piercing through the wounds created by the heavenly thunder and breaking through their tempered bodies of steel and bone.

The bearded disciple and his junior brother crashed heavily to the ground, coughing blood, disbelief written across their faces.

“Wang... Junior Brother?”

Wang Yichen’s eyes flickered with conflicting thoughts. Clarity struggled within—but was forcibly suppressed by that eerie green glow!

He cast a cold glance at You Yiming, who stood stunned in place.

“What are you waiting for? Go!”

You Yiming did not understand what was happening, but this was the best opportunity.

His figure shot forward like lightning, rushing straight toward the chamber.

The glowing key sphere was within reach—

Yet unexpectedly—

A woman suddenly appeared before the chamber!

She wore a bright yellow palace robe embroidered with peonies, her hair styled in a jeweled golden phoenix headdress. Her phoenix eyes lowered slightly, arrogance embedded within her gaze.

She was none other than the Yan Kingdom’s consort—the most inconspicuous figure at the rear!

“Out of my way!”

You Yiming shouted sharply.

In the next instant, Consort Ning vanished from her spot.

Before You Yiming could even react, a slender jade-like palm suddenly appeared before him, rapidly enlarging—its lines clearly visible.

“Bang!!!”

You Yiming was blasted like a cannonball into the distant rock wall. Stones crumbled and fell, burying him beneath the rubble.

At the same time, tremors from the Secret Realm’s self-destruction continued to spread.

Amid the settling dust, everyone saw Consort Ning standing where she was. Imperial Dragon Fortune and black aura intertwined around her, rising upward. On her bright and elegant face was an overwhelming arrogance.

At once, everyone recalled that night when the Yan Kingdom changed rulers—when someone had attempted to ascend by borrowing the Imperial Dragon Fortune.

None of the cultivators had interfered.

Because they knew it was impossible to succeed—and they had no intention of involving themselves with someone entangled in dragon fortune.

“Ning’er...?”

The Emperor of the Yan Kingdom stared into the distance in shock and confusion.

“Jade Planting Path...”

Lü Muxue looked over in astonishment, recognizing her method. “This path is already one of nine deaths for every life—yet you still dared to refine dragon fortune with it? You truly have no regard for your life?!”

A trace of pain flashed through Consort Ning’s phoenix eyes.

Then hatred.

The process of refining dragon fortune had not gone smoothly, leaving her stuck between the Fourth Realm and Fifth Realm.

Not only that, the backlash of dragon resentment had begun to manifest—even physically.

Now, she was plagued by nightmares every night. It felt as if countless ants crawled through her mind, bringing endless itching and agony.

“First, I’ll kill you—the treasured jewel of the Taiyi Talisman Palace!”

With a sweep of her sleeve, she swept away all the items within the chamber.

Then she raised her jade-like palm.

Violent black aura condensed into countless shrieking ghost infants, surging fiercely toward Lü Muxue.