Xizi Love Story works

Chapter 23: Siege of Cangting

    

ave, she sighed in relief and also returned to where she had been standing before.Shortly after the Fourth Crown Prince left, Crown Prince Ye Tianqiong arrived slowly.Cai Lian wondered what day it was...Chapter 23: Siege of Cangting Pavilion

Yun Muhuan looked at Yun Qianyue with surprise upon hearing her words.

Mo Ju's face turned pale when she heard that. She immediately said, "Miss, you can't do this! Master instructed you not to waste too much of your spiritual power."

"Human lives are at stake! Besides, the Southern Frontier Prince Uncle was poisoned while trying to save Shen Zhao." Yun Qianyue waved her hand to brush off Mo Ju. She calmly said, "I'll be fine. Your master has prepared a lot of good medicine for me. Even if I waste some spiritual power, it's not a problem as long as I adjust and recover."

Mo Ju looked at the Southern Frontier Prince Uncle, wanting to say something but feeling that she couldn't just stand by and watch him die. She could only hold her tongue.

"If Madam Chu can save your uncle, we should return to the inn now." Yun Muhuan picked up the Southern Frontier Prince Uncle and prepared to leave.

"It's too late for that! Let's do it here!" Yun Qianyue stopped Yun Muhuan. She told him, "Place him flat on the ground."

Yun Muhuan thought she was right when he heard this and immediately laid the prince uncle down.

"All of you step back a little," Yun Qianyue waved her hand at Shen Zhao and others.

Mo Ju, Shen Zhao, and Yun Muhuan all stepped back slightly.

Yun Qianyue gathered spiritual energy in both hands. In an instant, clouds condensed on the palms of her hands. Soon, these clouds formed into layers like flower petals. She turned her wrists to align the two cloud masses with the Southern Frontier Prince Uncle. Shortly after, black qi from his body flew towards Yun Qianyue's hand, as if myriad black threads were being pulled out of him and absorbed into the flower-like clouds in her hands. At first, there was a small black dot at the center of each petal. As time passed, these dots grew larger until they became a dense cloud that darkened the center of the petals.

Mo Ju watched anxiously from the side, not daring to blink an eye in case Yun Qianyue faltered or could no longer hold on. Although saving the Southern Frontier Prince Uncle was important, his life seemed less significant than Yun Qianyue's; her life equaled her master’s.

Shen Zhao stared intently at Yun Qianyue, clearly thinking similarly to Mo Ju—should anything go wrong with Yun Qianyue, he would immediately intervene and try another method to save the Southern Frontier Prince Uncle.

Yun Muhuan watched silently with a faint look in his eyes.

The seconds ticked by; Yun Qianyue's complexion began to pale.

"Miss Chu, stop! Let me take over," Shen Zhao said anxiously.

"No need, it won't be long. I can hold on." Yun Qianyue glanced at Shen Zhao and shook her head, warningly looking at Mo Ju when she made a move to intervene.

Mo Ju stepped forward but hesitated before retreating. Despite following his master's orders, whenever Miss Qianyue decided something or gave him that calm look, he found himself obeying her instinctively, and he felt somewhat defeated in the midst of anxiety.

A short while later, Yun Qianyue sucked the last bit of black qi from the Southern Frontier Prince Uncle into her hand. She withdrew her hands to see a large cloud of dark mist that had turned two-thirds of her petal-like clouds black. Her eyes narrowed and she pressed her lips tightly together as she continued to channel spiritual energy, slowly contracting the petals around the dark cloud until it was completely enveloped by flames burning in her palms.

Everyone watched with wide-eyed astonishment, including the rescued Southern Frontier Prince Uncle.

The outer layer of flames was covered by a thin veil of crystal-clear mist. Despite the fire burning within her hands, it looked incredibly beautiful. Were it not for the popping sounds from the dark cloud, this scene would have been exceptionally enchanting.

Shortly after, the dark cloud in Yun Qianyue's hands was completely consumed by flames. She withdrew her hand and her body collapsed towards the ground.

"Miss Chu!" Shen Zhao, being closest to her, caught her instantly.

The moment Shen Zhao held onto Yun Qianyue, Mo Ju pushed him away and took over, anxiously asking, "Miss, are you alright"

Shen Zhao was pushed back three meters but managed to steady himself. He looked at Mo Ju supporting Yun Qianyue in confusion.

Yun Qianyue shook her head and blinked before weakly saying, "I'm fine, just a bit dizzy-headed. Bring me back to the inn now."

Moo Ju understood that Yun Qianyue had overexerted herself spiritually and might not be able to maintain her disguise for long if they delayed. She immediately picked her up and flew towards the inn.

Yun Muhuan watched as Mo Ju left with Yun Qianyue, their figures disappearing in an instant. He turned back to help the Southern Frontier Prince Uncle stand up, asking, "Uncle, are you alright"

The Southern Frontier Prince Uncle nodded and said, "I'm fine!

Yun Muhan breathed a sigh of relief and looked in the direction where Yun Qianmo had left, asking, "Uncle, what sort of technique is this It's so miraculous"

The Southern Frontier’s Uncle Minister had an enigmatic expression as he said, looking in the direction Yun Qianmo had departed, "It seems to be a Divine Technique from two thousand years ago that was used by the Spirit Clan. Only such techniques can absorb and burn away such powerful curses. Curses are minor witchcraft; true divine techniques come from the Spirits. I thought there were no more of those in this world, but today I have seen one."

"Spirit Technique" Yun Muhan looked at Southern Frontier’s Uncle Minister. "Is it the technique that was used by the Yun Clan two thousand years ago"

“Mm!” The Uncle Minister nodded.

Yun Muhan was somewhat startled, but after a moment he regained his composure and let out a breath of relief. He said, "Thank goodness that Lady Chu is here; otherwise, if Ye Qian wasn’t here, I would have been in grave danger today."

"Yes, I didn’t expect this Ye Xiao to be so powerful! He learned the vile techniques from our Southern Frontier royal family!" The Uncle Minister said with some anger. "If we don’t get rid of him, it’s going to bring great calamity upon us. It’s good that Ouyang Zhao and I arrived in time; otherwise, today he would have used the Fen River water to flood Fen City."

"Uncle, tell me what happened at the scene," Yun Muhan said as his eyes flashed with a fierce light.

“When we went there, Ouyang Zhao was performing the technique and had already led out the souls of the Fen River. I don’t know much about water techniques; so Ouyang Zhao performed the technique while I guarded him. When he saw us, he released a poisonous curse, but I shielded Ouyang Zhao from it. But he didn't come off well either; that kid has a pure heart and the river souls were affected by his inner self, and they turned around to attack that old man, who was injured today as a result. He also received news of defeat from his forces in the area and ran away.” The Uncle Minister said.

Yun Muhan nodded and looked at Ouyang Zhao.

Ouyang Zhao seemed not to be listening but instead was worriedly looking after Yun Qianmo’s departure direction.

"Lady Chu is a remarkable person. Today, she identified the young officer leading the troops as Qin Yuceng and managed to injure him," Yun Muhan said again to the Uncle Minister.

“If it was sent by Crown Prince Jing, of course he’s extraordinary,” replied the Uncle Minister.

"Since Uncle is fine now, please stay here and organize the soldiers in the four cities. I will take Ouyang Zhao back and see if Lady Chu has suffered any severe energy depletion," Yun Muhan said.

“Mm, you go then,” said the Uncle Minister with a nod.

Yun Muhan walked up to Ouyang Zhao, took his wrist in hand and flew down from the wall towards the Cloud Soaring Tower Inn.

"I didn’t expect Lady Chu to be so powerful!" Ouyang Zhao lowered his head.

Yun Muhan turned his head to glance at Ouyang Zhao and said coolly, "He’s a man sent by Crown Prince Jing. His men are all capable people. Furthermore, she is the Pavilion Head of Red Pavilion and the lady in charge of Chu Family, which is the first family among the ten great families. How many such women can there be Do you think it’s possible for her not to be powerful"

Ouyang Zhao pursed his lips and remained silent.

Yun Muhan no longer spoke as he stepped on the roofs of houses, passing over streets where the panicked citizens were now settling down after driving off their enemies and there was no more shouting.

Arriving at Cloud Soaring Tower Inn, Yun Muhan brought Ouyang Zhao to land.

The moment Ouyang Zhao stood steady on his feet, he threw away Yun Muhan’s hand and rushed up the stairs. Yun Muhan looked back at Ouyang Zhao’s hasty figure before slowly following him upstairs.

When they reached the door to Yun Qianmo's room, Ouyang Zhao knocked on it with his fist and said, "Lady Chu!"

"Is that you, Ouyang Zhao I’m fine, don’t worry about me. You’re tired too; go back to your room and rest," came Yun Qianmo’s voice from inside the room still somewhat weak but much better than before.

"You really are okay" asked Ouyang Zhao with concern in his voice.

“I’m fine, don’t worry,” replied Yun Qianmo.

Ouyang Zhao did not insist on going inside, and he turned around to look at Yun Muhan who was following up the stairs.

Yun Muhan slowly said, "Lady Chu, thank you for saving Uncle Minister. Do you need me to bring some fine medicinal herbs"

"No need, I just need to rest a bit. Marquis Yun, go and take care of things! Qin Yuceng’s troops haven’t retreated far; we still can’t relax our guard here in Fen City yet. Besides, be careful of the three young lords from I Family, Hua Family, Ling Family as well as their men. Cang Ting and Lan Yi should also have arrived at Southern Frontier territory now," Yun Qianmo said.

"Alright, then Lady Chu please rest well. If anything happens, send someone to find me," Yun Muhan nodded in agreement.

"Hmm!" Yun Qianyue nodded.

Yun Muh寒 turned back to Shen Zhao, who was still uneasy: "You should rest too! You can't use curses for the next few days, but neither can Chancellor Qin. Your abilities are on par with each other. He'll need you later."

Shen Zhao pursed his lips and nodded.

Yun Muh寒 turned around and went downstairs, leaving the inn shortly after.

"Miss Chu, are you really okay" Shen Zhao looked at the tightly closed door and asked again with concern.

"I'm fine. You should rest too! Yun Fuma is right; they'll need you in a few days." Yun Qianyue shook her head.

Shen Zhao could only respond, then turned around and entered the room next door.

In the room, Yun Qianyue lay on the bed, already having returned to her original appearance. This time using spiritual techniques had indeed caused a great deal of damage; unlike previous times when she used them for small actions, this time she could clearly feel the loss from her body's essence. She gritted her teeth and endured it, barely managing to maintain her disguise without revealing herself.

Mojue stood at the table searching through Yun Qianyue's bag for medicine; he took out several bottles and poured a few pills each time. As he was about to walk towards Yun Qianyue’s bed, he heard Shen Zhao’s anxious voice outside, his expression immediately turning sour. After waiting for quite some time and hearing Yun Muh寒 leave and Shen Zhao return to his room, Mojue lowered his voice: "Miss Shallow Moon, this Shen Zhao can no longer stay by your side!"

Yun Qianyue glared at him, “He’s just a decent person with a pure heart. Put aside the weird ideas you have in your head like those of your master.”

Mojue's well-defined features instantly showed displeasure: "But he cares too much about you!"

"You care too much about me as well! Should I write a letter to tell your master that you’re interested in me, so he can take you back" Yun Qianyue immediately retorted.

Mojue was startled and nearly dropped the pills in his hand; he quickly put on a bitter face: "Miss Shallow Moon, I dare not have any thoughts about you. You mustn't frame me falsely, or Master will punish me."

Yun Qianyue huffed, “Since that’s how it is, don’t wrongfully accuse others’ good intentions either.”

"But he really does care too much about you; it's not normal. Moreover, he doesn't call you 'Mrs Chu', but always addresses you as 'Miss Chu', which clearly shows disrespect for Master." Mojue said.

Yun Qianyue rolled her eyes: "He’s addressing me properly anyway! I haven’t married your master yet!"

"That may be the case, but people already know you as the head of the Chu family's main wife." Mojue said.

"Alright, don't talk to me about this anymore. Shen Zhao is very admiring towards your master; in his heart, my ten toes can’t compare with your master’s little finger." Yun Qianyue waved her hand and interrupted him, extending it: "Give me the medicine."

Mojue could only stop talking, walked up with a bitter face and placed the medicine into her hand.

Yun Qianyue frowned at seeing so much medicine in her palm: “Mojue, won’t all these medicines drug me”

"No, they’re all supplements. Master instructed me to give you these once you use spiritual techniques; he prepared them knowing that you would definitely need them." Mojue explained.

Yun Qianyue cracked a smile: "But it’s too much!"

"It's not much, the two of us will just drink it down," Mojue stood by the bed watching her as if supervising her to take the medicine.

Yun Qianyue looked at Mojue and sighed helplessly; she divided the medicine into two parts and swallowed them in large gulps. She immediately felt bitter, repeatedly saying: "Get me some water."

Mojue handed her a cup of water.

Yun Qianyue drank it down quickly but still found it unbearably bitter; she kept sticking out her tongue and complained: "Why is this medicine so bitter"

Mojue looked at her with amusement, saying: “Master said these medicines are extremely bitter. If you don't want to suffer, then try not to use spiritual techniques in the future.” He added: "Today it's unavoidable; if there’s even a slight chance of avoiding using them in the future, you shouldn’t." Yun Qianyue still felt bitterness on her tongue and was somewhat annoyed: “Controlling me from afar when I’m so far away. This heartless guy.”

"Master cares for you deeply; he doesn't even look at other women," Mojue said discontentedly.

Yun Qianyue rolled her eyes again, knowing that what others say is true and unable to refute it. She yawned and waved a hand at Mojue: "You can leave now! Keep an eye on the situation everywhere; if anything seems amiss, report back to me immediately.

Moyue nodded and left the room.

Yun Qianyue's body couldn't withstand it anymore, she was too exhausted to care about what happened now with Chancellor Qin or Qin Yuning, the three young masters of the Yi Family, Hua Family, and Ling Family, Cangting, Lan Yi, and Mo Li. She closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

She had expended too much energy and slept heavily; she woke up only when it was noon.

When she opened her eyes, she saw someone sitting at the desk writing something that resembled a letter. Blinking in surprise, she asked, "Feng Jin, what are you doing here"

Feng Jin looked up and snorted, “Somebody doesn’t trust you and is worried you might get involved with unwanted trouble, so he sent me to keep an eye on you."

Yun Qianyue rubbed her forehead. "When did you come here"

"An hour ago," Feng Jin replied.

Thinking she had slept too heavily and didn’t feel his presence when he arrived, Yun Qianyue shook her head. “That’s not what I meant. When did you arrive in Fenwater City”

"I came a day before you," Feng Jin said.

Yun Qianyue nodded. "Besides you, is anyone else here What about Mo Li"

"He’s not here; only I am." While speaking, he continued writing the letter without delay.

The three young masters of the Yi Family, Hua Family, and Ling Family had all taken action. The five major noble families—Feng Family, Chu Family, Hua Family, Feng Family, and Mo Family—were only represented by him Yun Qianyue arched an eyebrow. Rong Jing was being overly arrogant in using a single noble family to counter the five.

"Aren’t you Lady of the Chu Clan You represent the Chu Family!" Feng Jin put down his brush, folded the letter, and said indifferently.

Yun Qianyue was silent for a moment. The paper in his hand looked special; she asked, "Is it a letter to Rong Jing"

"Yes!" Feng Jin nodded.

Although Yun Qianyue was curious about what Feng Jin had written across two pages of the letter, she didn’t ask. Sitting up from her lying position, she asked, "What’s going on outside"

"Chancellor Qin and Qin Yuning have withdrawn their troops ten miles away to camp in southern Fenwater Bay, blocking all entry into the capital," Feng Jin reported. "Marquis Yun and Southland’s Imperial Uncle are organizing the military deployments within Fenwater City."

Yun Qianyue raised her eyebrows. "Chancellor Qin and Qin Yuning aren’t afraid of Ye Qian attacking from the capital while they’re besieging Fenwater City"

"He wishes for just that, to lure Ye Qian out to kill her," Feng Jin said. "If she dies, it goes without saying."

“Ye Qian will attack with troops from both the capital and Fenwater City. How can he guarantee killing Ye Qian" Yun Qianyue frowned.

"He has a spell unique to the Southland royal family that even Ye Qian doesn’t possess. Spells, like martial arts, differ by just millimeters yet result in miles of disparity. If he has a move that can counter Ye Qian’s magic, she won’t be able to withstand it and will surely die," Feng Jin said while summoning a bird into the room. He tied the folded letter to its leg and added, “He didn’t attack Ye Qian at the palace because Southland’s capital is the most powerful place for his royal family's spirit energy. It wasn’t advantageous for him as a branch that had been away for a hundred years to kill her there. Moreover, since he excels in water-based spells, Fenwater Bay gives him an advantage to use them effectively. So he intercepted Marquis Yun and Southland’s Imperial Uncle here, thinking if he could sever Ye Qian's support, she would be isolated and unable to take over the Southland."

Yun Qianyue nodded. "He does have a good strategy."

"Yes, human calculations aren’t as effective as fate. No matter how much he calculates, he never expected Shen Zhao to suddenly appear, someone who’s equally proficient in water-based spells," Feng Jin said with a cold laugh. “Otherwise, yesterday when he used his water spell at Fenwater Bay, Southland’s Imperial Uncle and Yun Muhuan, along with the two thousand soldiers in Fenwater City, might have been consumed by his water spirit.”

“Shen Zhao is indeed unexpected; no one would have thought it,” Yun Qianyue said with a smile. “This time, Shen Zhao gained fame across the nation because of the Fenwater River incident!”

Feng Jin gave her a sidelong glance and said coolly, "Yun Qianyue, you’re really something; even in a mountain household, you found such a treasure. It’s understandable that the vinegar bottle is worried about you."

Yun Qianyue glared at Feng Jin. "You were pulled out of a pile of dead bodies by me and still managed to be a treasure!"

Feng Jin snorted, “How many years did it take you to groom me It’s much more satisfying to reap the benefits without effort.”

Yun Qianyue was speechless for a moment. "Although he is the one I found, the benefit isn’t mine but Rong Jing's. Everyone admires him."

Feng Jin looked at her with deep meaning and said, "That’s not certain; this might be someone else’s gain.” Then he stood up and told her, “Since you’re awake now, don’t be lazy anymore. We should set off right away!”

"Where are you going" Yun Qianyue was momentarily taken aback.

"You secretly went around the mountain to find Ye Qian in the southern capital," Feng Jin said, "I'll stay here and take charge."

"Then Shen Zhao Is he also leaving with me" Yun Qianyue raised an eyebrow.

"Of course, Shen Zhao will naturally remain here. With him restraining Chancellor Qin's old man, it stops him from immediately returning to swallow up Fen Shui City," Feng Jin shook his head. "I've just received news that Cang Ting and Lan Yi have gone around the mountain towards the southern capital palace. Ye Qian is alone in the palace now; you should go help her."

Yun Qianyue nodded, got up from bed, and said to him, "You need to protect Shen Zhao well, don't let him get hurt. Uncle and Auntie Shen only have this one son."

"Understood. Talent like that must be protected properly; worry about yourself instead!" Feng Jin said.

Yun Qianyue walked in front of the mirror, took a look at her appearance, thinking it necessary to brief Shen Zhao, she tried activating some spirit techniques, although not fully recovered, she was still rather weak but enough for transformation. Just as she had just condensed her spiritual energy, Feng Jin interrupted her, "Shen Zhao was taken by the southern capital's imperial uncle to the post station to research water techniques before you woke up."

Yun Qianyue stopped and walked over to wash her face at the basin, then simply finished her meal and packed her belongings in preparation for departure.

Feng Jin threw a veil to her, "Take this. Your spirit technique should be used sparingly if possible. I'll remind you: if you accidentally die, Rong Jing might not follow suit; perhaps he'd marry ten or eight wives instead! So take care of yourself. This place in the southern capital isn't worth risking your life for Ye Qian. Now that you've helped her so much already, if she can't protect herself, it's her own incompetence. Your main mission is to restrict Cang Ting and Lan Yi; not to throw your life away helping her."

"Understood! If you're worried about me just worry about me, no need for these unpleasant words," Yun Qianyue glared at Feng Jin. With the package in hand and veil on face, she flew out through the window.

Feng Jin hummed slightly and closed the window.

After leaving Dengyun Tower, Yun Qianyue used her light-footed skills to head towards the northern city; at a house not far from the northern city, she leaped down into a secret passage under a huge stone protecting the back garden of the residence.

This secret path led outside the city to Fen Shui Bay. She had traversed it once when infiltrating the southern capital, so she knew her way around well.

After half an hour, Yun Qianyue exited the passage and glanced at Fen Shui Bay. The Fen Shui River was quite wide, straight through to the southern capital city and Fen Shui City; as traveling between them by road was difficult, this river became a canal for transportation of people or goods, bustling but also prone to accidents due to its heavy traffic, hence there were many water spirits here with abundant yin and yang energy.

Across the Fen Shui River, military posts were clearly visible in tents scattered about.

Yun Qianyue stood at the exit of the secret passage for a moment before turning into the mountains above the riverbank.

Fen Shui City was separated from the southern capital by seven large mountains. Each mountain was vast, dense with vegetation and without paths; naturally, riding horses wasn't possible here. However, since Fen Shui City was only 200 li away from the southern capital city, she could walk through the rugged terrain in just over a hundred li, reaching her destination within half a day if she hurried.

The mountains were rarely visited by humans; the thick forest and undergrowth made this place unusually humid even during the dry winter months.

She encountered many venomous snakes and insects along the way, but they all avoided her path.

Yun Qianyue recalled the cloth bag Shen Zhao gave her; since it could restrain centipedes and block tracking techniques on her body, it might also repel these poisonous creatures. Hence, these toxins naturally stayed away from her.

The medicines Rong Jing prepared for her were excellent quality, plus she had slept well, feeling light-footed again, although her spiritual energy was somewhat lacking, her physical martial arts skills remained unaffected.

About four mountains in, a familiar cry echoed on the other side of the mountain. She stopped and listened carefully, hearing faint voices: one being Cang Ting and the other Lan Yi.

Yun Qianyue realized they were here; it seemed that Lan Yi had encountered some venomous creatures causing her alarm but no harm so far. Her gaze turned thoughtful; if she could trap them in this mountain, it would be to Ye Qian's advantage. With this thought, she approached them.

The poisonous insects still avoided her wherever she went, thus she easily drew near the two of them.

When at a suitable distance, she took out the Southern Capital Imperial Uncle’s centipede from her bag and released it; obviously weakened by captivity, when she infused some spiritual energy into its head with her fingertip, it immediately sprang to life. She used her knowledge of hypnosis techniques on the centipede, hypnotizing it: "Go intercept those two people, bite that male."

The centipede shot out of its box towards Cang Ting and Lan Yi.

Yun Qianyue found this method effective; she gathered some spirit energy in her fingertips to hypnotize the venomous snakes and creatures nearby: "All of you, go intercept those two people, bite that male."

Moments later, poison insects and creatures from all directions converged towards Cang Ting and Lan Yi.

Yun Qianyue was surprised at how effective it was; she thought about the rumbling sounds around her, suspecting that every venomous creature in this mountain had been directed to Cang Ting and Lan Yi.

She didn't expect her hypnosis to be so effective...

No, hypnosis couldn't have such an effect. Yun Qianyue immediately rejected this idea and lowered her head to look at her fingertips where there was still a faint blue light. This should be the result of the spirit technique she had just used. She didn't expect that the spirit techniques her father taught her could actually have such effects

She remembered what her father said when he originally taught her about spirit techniques, that one can use natural spiritual energy to cultivate spirit techniques for better results. Now, surrounded by dense trees and lush grass in a mountainous area where poison creatures thrive the most, she felt that the spiritual energy her body had consumed yesterday had not only been replenished but was also gradually increasing. She stood there in disbelief.

"Ah! Cang Ting, how could this happen Why are there so many poisonous creatures" Lan Yi's shocked voice echoed.

"Yes, why so many poisonous creatures" Cang Ting's voice sounded as well, but he was more composed than Lan Yi.

"These poisonous creatures are all coming towards us. What should we do" Lan Yi asked anxiously.

"Kill!" Cang Ting uttered simply.

Immediately after, the sounds of them drawing their swords were heard.

Yun Qianyue remained in shock as she heard the sounds of blades and swords cutting through, and the smell of blood from the poisonous creatures. She then regained her senses and looked towards where the sound was coming from. The distance was still quite far, with trees and foliage covering everything so that she couldn't see what was happening there. But she could imagine the current situation.

She stood still in the same spot, contemplating that maybe she should thoroughly study the spirit techniques her father taught her. She then heard Rong Jing's words after he learned about the day Yun Qianyue had learned these spirit techniques from her father:

"Two thousand years ago, it was said there was a clan of spirits called the Cloud Clan, who were proficient in the ways to reach the heavens and lived off spiritual energy. Later on, they disappeared, but after the unification of the world by an emperor, all records about the Cloud Clan were destroyed, leaving them no trace among mortals. Everyone says that the Cloud Clan is a lost place from the Immortal Realm..."

It seemed someone had also said: "The witchcraft in South Jiang is just minor witchcraft!"

What then was major witchcraft The spirit techniques she learned

Furrowing her brows, Yun Qianyue looked at her hands. Earlier when leaving the city, she still felt weak from her body's exhaustion, but now after walking through three mountains, she felt energized as if wrapped in a warm cloud.

"Ugh..." Cang Ting let out a stifled groan.

"Cang Ting, what happened Did you get bitten" Lan Yi exclaimed in alarm.

"Yes!" Cang Ting responded through gritted teeth.

"Where were you bitten" Lan Yi asked urgently.

"My leg!"

"Why do these poisonous creatures seem to be targeting you specifically What are you carrying with you" Lan Yi questioned again.

"Apart from the detox pills, they're just common accessories," Cang Ting replied.

"Is it a problem with the detox pills" Lan Yi asked doubtfully.

"I don't know. It shouldn’t be. We walked for such a long time without incident, and Chancellor Qin's detox pills wouldn’t harm us," Cang Ting seemed to endure his pain while speaking.

"You're right, but why is this happening" Lan Yi seemed anxious. "Quickly eat the antidote and expel the poison with your inner strength. I’ll cover for you."

“I don’t know either, let’s deal with these poisonous creatures first,” Cang Ting said: “There are too many of them for you to protect yourself alone; a little poison won't be my end.”

Lan Yi didn't speak again as the sounds of swords cutting through flesh and blood grew heavier.

Yun Qianyue was startled by their voices. Cang Ting had already been bitten, so her objective had been accomplished. These poisonous creatures were also living beings; if she didn’t stop them, many more would be killed under their blades. This large-scale killing wasn't a good thing. She gathered her spiritual energy on her fingertips and whispered silently: "That's enough, back off!"

Instantly, the poisonous creatures besieging Cang Ting and Lan Yi withdrew.

--anned by him since last year's autumn. This was something she didn't know about."The sound they heard wasn't coming from inside the silo but on top of it. Someone went up to the roof and made a commot...