Before the Azure Ox Beast could get closer, Yun Xiao preemptively unleashed her Thunder Fury.
However, this strike landed on the Azure Ox Beast like a gentle tickle; the ox’s lifted head and eyes, fixed on her, were full of contempt.
Yun Xiao did not lose heart. She slightly tugged at the right corner of her mouth and said, in a tone of challenge, “Don’t rush; that was just an appetizer. The main event is coming next.”
Before her words faded, a move called Thunder Spread attacked the Azure Ox Beast. To maximize its effect, she superimposed a Rain-Summoning Talisman onto the move.
A’Luo had told her that these low-level talismans were useless to her, but she had still kept some in reserve; they were cheap anyway, and what if they came in handy?
Seeing that the talisman indeed enhanced the power of Thunder Spread, she immediately threw five more Rain-Summoning Talismans in rapid succession to increase the output of thunder spiritual power.
No matter how tough the Azure Ox Beast’s physical body was, it could not withstand repeated strikes of lightning.
After this exchange, blood could be seen on the Azure Ox Beast’s body.
This gave Yun Xiao an idea: she began to stack the Rain-Summoning Talisman and the Iron Wall Talisman onto her Thunder Roar.
Water and iron both conduct electricity. Under her doubled output of thunder spiritual power, the move’s force was even greater than before.
Fifty miles away, Fang Zhiluo frowned as she looked at the flashes of lightning and rumbling thunder high above the dense forest.
Even from such a distance, she could still feel the strong aftershocks of the fighting, indicating the ferocity of the demonic beast.
Recalling that several disciples of the Tianyan Sect had previously died in the aftershocks, she immediately ordered, “Retreat quickly.”
“But, Senior Yun—”
Fang Zhiluo interrupted Chu Hui before she could finish, “It’s a tenth-tier demonic beast. Not to mention you, even if I went, I wouldn’t be of much help.”
She had very little chance of winning against a ninth-tier Vajra Ape, let alone a tenth-tier demonic beast.
If she went, she would only cause trouble for Yun Xiao.
It would be better to retreat early so that Yun Xiao had no worries.
Meanwhile, the Yun Xiao whom Fang Zhiluo spoke of poured a large gulp of spiritual spring water into her mouth.
The effect of high-grade spiritual spring water was excellent; in just over ten breaths, it replenished the spiritual power she had consumed, much like a health potion in a video game.
Growing braver with each fight, she threw a Rejuvenation Pill into her mouth when injured and drank the spiritual spring water when her spiritual energy consumption was severe.
The Azure Ox Beast had neither Rejuvenation Pills nor spiritual spring water. After more than two hundred rounds, its skin was lacerated, and the spiritual energy within its body was rapidly dwindling.
Yun Xiao blocked the Azure Ox Beast’s path and proposed a condition: “You can leave, but you must pay the toll.”
The Azure Ox Beast snorted a mouthful of foul air at her.
Yun Xiao covered her nose in disgust, refusing to back down, “Then we’ll keep fighting. If I can’t kill you, I’ll definitely exhaust you.”
The Azure Ox Beast glared at Yun Xiao with eyes larger than a human fist, wanting to tear her to shreds.
Yun Xiao was not afraid of the Azure Ox Beast and conceded a step: “How about this: the contents of this dense forest are for us to take, and you must not interfere. Whatever we find is due to our own ability. If you try to stop us, we’ll just continue fighting. Anyway, I have plenty of spiritual spring water left.”
This scoundrel-like demeanor infuriated the Azure Ox Beast, yet it was helpless against Yun Xiao.
With the spiritual spring water, Yun Xiao’s spiritual power was inexhaustible, and ultimately, it would be the one to suffer.
The Azure Ox Beast spoke in human language, “I will trade with you for the spiritual spring water.”
A tenth-tier demonic beast’s intelligence is comparable to a human’s, so speaking human language was not unusual.
Yun Xiao’s eyes darted. She took out the spiritual spring water and shook it in front of the Azure Ox Beast before quickly returning it to her inner space. “Yes, but you must offer something of higher value. Otherwise, the deal is off.”
She added, “To prevent you from using my spiritual spring water to wage a war of attrition against me, this transaction can only be finalized before we leave.”
She was not stupid; she knew what the Azure Ox Beast was planning.
With its scheme foiled, the Azure Ox Beast, though annoyed, still agreed to Yun Xiao’s terms.
This Azure Ox Beast was quite cunning, and Yun Xiao did not dare to turn her back to send a message to Fang Zhiluo. In the end, she simply directed her thunder spiritual power into the sky, spelling out three characters: 安, 速來 (Safe, Come Quickly).
She clapped her hands and said nonchalantly, “I’m a guest, after all. Aren’t you going to invite me to sit down in your cave dwelling?”
The Azure Ox Beast watched her warily.
“Don’t worry, I always keep my word. If I said I’d look for treasures in the forest, I’ll look in the forest,” Yun Xiao’s tone changed. “However, I must keep a constant eye on you.”
After a moment of deadlock, the Azure Ox Beast compromised. It reduced its size and led the way.
Yun Xiao was the type to take advantage of any opportunity. She flew up and sat on the Azure Ox Beast’s back, complaining, “You hit too hard; I need to rest.”
With that, she leaned down and handed the Azure Ox Beast a bottle of Rejuvenation Pills. “Don’t call me stingy. This is your hardship allowance.”
The Azure Ox Beast used a spell to take the bottle but did not consume the pills.
Yun Xiao didn’t mind. She tossed a Rejuvenation Pill into her own mouth and sat cross-legged on the beast’s back.
Before leaving, she did not forget to leave a message for Fang Zhiluo, informing her of the transaction between herself and the Azure Ox Beast.
As for what heavenly treasures Fang Zhiluo and the others could find, that was none of her business.
Of course, she wouldn’t shortchange herself either.
Since the Azure Ox Beast had been in this forest for so long, its cave dwelling must contain many treasures. When the time came, she would display her alchemy skills in front of the Azure Ox Beast, and the beast would surely want to trade its treasures for her elixirs.
A demonic beast’s physical body is as strong as, or even stronger than, that of a demon cultivator. Although they can directly absorb the medicinal properties of spiritual herbs, not every herb can be refined by them. Furthermore, the higher the grade of the spiritual herb, the longer the time required for refinement, and there is a risk of spiritual energy exploding in the body during the process. Elixirs, on the other hand, are gentler and can shorten the refinement time.
If the Azure Ox Beast had any sense, it would not refuse her.
Upon seeing Yun Xiao’s signal, Fang Zhiluo pondered for a moment before leading the disciples of the Green Cloud Sect to the dense forest with great speed.
She took down the message Yun Xiao had left for her, her expression one of surprise. Yun Xiao had actually persuaded the tenth-tier Azure Ox Beast!
She didn’t know what method Yun Xiao had used, but the opportunity was rare. She immediately turned back to the crowd and instructed, “Split into two groups. Remember not to act rashly. Once you encounter a demonic beast stronger than yourselves, do not engage in a prolonged fight.”
This dense forest was vast. The letter said that the Azure Ox Beast would not interfere with their gains in the forest, but that did not mean they could let their guard down, as the forest contained more than just the Azure Ox Beast.
Fang Zhiluo’s group had a bountiful harvest, and Yun Xiao, through a combination of coaxing and trickery, also obtained many excellent items from the Azure Ox Beast.
The greatest gain was the small sapling of the Enlightenment Tea that the Azure Ox Beast gave her—a highly sought-after and incredibly rare spiritual herb.
Legend says that drinking this tea can deepen one’s comprehension of the Dao.
A month quickly passed. Even with Yun Xiao’s thick skin, she felt it improper to continue imposing here.
Accompanied by the Azure Ox Beast, she successfully met up with Fang Zhiluo’s group.
Due to the presence of the Azure Ox Beast, Yun Xiao was unable to speak much with Fang Zhiluo. The group spent five days traversing the dense forest.
She gave Fang Zhiluo a look, and Fang Zhiluo immediately led the disciples forward.
Once she confirmed that Fang Zhiluo and the others were far enough away, Yun Xiao took out fifty bottles of spiritual spring water and exchanged them with the Azure Ox Beast as promised.
The Azure Ox Beast accepted the spiritual spring water and coldly snorted, “Other beasts are not as easy to deal with as I am.”
Without giving Yun Xiao a chance to inquire further, it enlarged its size and quickly vanished from Yun Xiao’s sight.
Yun Xiao stood frozen in place. What did that ox mean?
Were there more tenth-tier demonic beasts ahead, or were there other tenth-tier demonic beasts in this secret realm?
One tenth-tier demonic beast had already required her to use every trick she had. If several came, or even a whole pack, how could they fight?
She decided not to worry about it for now. She needed to go find A’Luo first.
She had been stifled for too long this past month.
As she approached, Yun Xiao glimpsed a face filled with disgust. She didn’t hold back and sneered, “Isn’t this the self-assured and arrogant Fellow Daoist Xie? Tsk, tsk. It looks like you’ve done too many universally detested deeds and are suffering retribution.”
Xie Yunfan was already seriously injured. Hearing Yun Xiao’s mockery now made his anger surge even higher.
He glared at Yun Xiao, “A vanquished foe! What right do you have to be so presumptuous in front of me?”
Yun Xiao smiled, turning to face Fang Zhiluo. “A’Luo, you were there that day. You tell this Fellow Daoist Xie, who seems to have a problem with his memory, who exactly won or lost that day?”
“Speaking of which, I was also seriously injured that day, just like Fellow Daoist Xie. This isn’t a market town, so we don’t need to worry about being arrested by the City Lord’s Mansion. How about we settle the score right here?”
Fang Zhiluo sighed helplessly, “Yun Xiao.” She then turned to the murderous Xie Yunfan and said earnestly, “You two did not determine a winner that day, and you did not show any mercy just because Yun Xiao was injured.”
Hearing this, the disciples of the Green Cloud Sect, who were already more supportive of Yun Xiao, couldn’t help but flash a look of disdain.
Attacking someone who is seriously injured goes against the principles of a righteous sect disciple. If it were them, they would have probably already made a move against Xie Yunfan.
Xie Yunfan’s face turned ashen. He cursed, “Don’t forget, you are my fiancée! Now I am being humiliated by this despicable wench, and not only are you not united with me, but you’re also throwing mud at me!”
He turned his head away in distaste. “I do not have a fiancée like you.”
Yun Xiao clenched her hands by her sides. She lifted her leg and fiercely kicked Xie Yunfan to the ground. “You really think you’re a big shot! You call me a wench and then point fingers at A’Luo? I’ll kill you right now!”
Before her words finished, she rushed forward again.
Fang Zhiluo raised her hand and dragged Yun Xiao back, shaking her head.
“Stop with the hypocrisy! Don’t think I don’t know you’re all in cahoots with this wench!” Xie Yunfan furiously drove away Bai Mofeng, who had tried to help him up. He struggled to sit up from the ground, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and provoked, “Go on, do you dare to kill me? Do you dare to become enemies with the entire Tianyan Sect?”
Yun Xiao had never intended to let Xie Yunfan off the hook so easily. She bypassed Fang Zhiluo and swiftly rushed up, delivering slaps to Xie Yunfan’s left and right cheeks. “What ‘Heaven’s Chosen One’ garbage? You’re a trash! If you can’t win, you run back to your master and your sect! Go find them now! Go on, find them!”
In just a few blinks of an eye, Xie Yunfan’s face was severely swollen.
Fang Zhiluo quickly stepped forward to pull Yun Xiao away, persuading her, “That’s enough. You’ve vented your anger, and he has paid the price for his harsh words.”
She frowned and looked coldly at the glaring Xie Yunfan. “I have recorded what just happened with a memory stone. I believe the Venerable Sovereign of Cloud-Splitting and your Sect Master are not people who confuse right and wrong.”
Xie Yunfan repeatedly used the vulgar word wench. Even a mud puppet has three parts of spirit; being beaten by Yun Xiao was not an injustice.
The disciples of the Green Cloud Sect who witnessed the scene had complex expressions, but none felt that Yun Xiao had done anything wrong. If they were wrongly accused and then humiliated with foul language, they would only hit harder.
Because Fang Zhiluo spoke up for her, the anger in Yun Xiao’s heart dissipated by more than half. She also, copying Fang Zhiluo, took out a memory stone from her storage bag and aimed it at Xie Yunfan’s pig-like face. “Come on, keep cursing! Once we leave the secret realm, I’ll broadcast this ugly face of yours to the entire Heavenly Origin Realm.”
She gave Xie Yunfan no chance to refute, continuing, “You utterly hypocritical trash! You viciously attacked the severely wounded me, and although I didn’t lose ground, you self-assuredly claimed I was your vanquished foe. When your lie was exposed, you became enraged and cursed me as a wench. Others might tolerate you, but I will not.”
She pointed her finger at the contorted Xie Yunfan and continued, “You should be thankful that A’Luo stopped me today, or I would definitely have killed you. And don’t mention your backers to me; who doesn’t have a backer these days?”
She pulled a Rejuvenation Pill from her storage bag and flicked it into Xie Yunfan’s mouth. She said generously, “Don’t thank me. I’m not as petty or despicable as you; otherwise, you would have already died here and certainly wouldn’t have the chance to go back and complain.”
The reason she said all this was, first, to clarify the context, and second, to detach the people of the Green Cloud Sect from the incident, while also making it clear that she was not a nobody and had people supporting her.
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