Chapter 121: Green Pearls
"So they did send some people out." Leo stepped out from behind a tree after the three Evil Valley cultivators emerged from the cave. Watching their retreating figures, he frowned. Their expressions showed no urgency—whatever was happening inside, the Evil Valley team was in a good position. Which meant the Palace team was in trouble.
He had no way of knowing how Vera's group was faring inside. If an entire squad couldn't get the Purple Ginseng, what chance did he have alone? Leaving the team earlier had been the smart move, but that didn't mean he'd given up on those herbs entirely.
He'd wait. If the opportunity came, he'd help Vera's people get out. If not—he'd look after himself.
"Better follow them first. See what they're up to." Leo made up his mind and slipped after them.
"Siren's something else—flirting with Senior Brother Blade right in front of her partner. And Junior Brother Lou just takes it. Pathetic." One of the men, a sleazy-looking type, snickered.
"Junior Brother Lou's weaker than she is. What's he going to do? Half the women in our squad have their eye on Senior Brother Blade. Siren's got the looks, and if cozying up to Blade gets her a bigger share of the herbs, she might just scrape together enough for a Foundation Establishment Pill. Compared to that, what's a partner?" another retorted.
"Enough. We're here to scout, not gossip." Lawr cut them off.
"Fair enough, Senior Brother Lawr. But those Palace disciples aren't going anywhere. Snakes behind them, Senior Brother Blade's formation ahead, plus the rest of our team lying in wait. They're not getting out." The sleazy one grinned.
"Exactly. Even if they grew wings, what good would wings do in a cave?" the other chimed in.
"Those Palace disciples aren't the problem. Other sects showing up—that's what we need to worry about. Someone catches us with our backs to the wall, we're in the same mess. Stop slacking. Keep your eyes open. And gather some food to take back. Those Palace disciples might hold out a few more days. We should be ready for a long wait." Lawr was about to say more when the hair on the back of his neck stood up. Danger. Close. "Who!"
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His yellow shield was up in an instant, covering his back.
Thud! A cyan dagger hit the shield—just a flicker of hesitation, then the force sent Lawr flying. The shield cracked.
"A magic artifact. You're from the Palace!" Lawr's eyes went wide. He reached for his own weapon, but the dagger, already through his shattered shield, punched into his chest. He crumpled.
Run. The other two didn't hesitate. If their senior brother died that fast, they had no chance. They split.
"Too slow." Leo pointed. The dagger curved through the air, caught the second man, and took his head.
Leo called the dagger back and ran after the last one—the sleazy talker. The whole thing had taken moments. The man was fast, but Leo was faster. He cut him off.
"Spare me. Please. Anything you want. I'll give you anything." The man's words tumbled out.
"I kill you, I get it anyway." The dagger flew again.
The man shouted, throwing out a gourd. A cloud of foul black smoke erupted. Leo snorted. He pointed, and the dagger shot through the smoke like a streak of light.
"I'll take you with me!" The man gritted his teeth, hurling two small green orbs as he scrambled backward. But the dagger was already upon him.
Boom. Boom.
Two explosions ripped through the air. Leo threw up his shield and dove back, but the blast still caught him, rattling his insides. The man went down in two pieces. Leo reached for the dagger—it wobbled back to him, sluggish, unsteady.
"The filth from those green pearls—it's that strong?" Leo examined the blade, then let out a breath. It was a magic artifact; its spirit was intact, but it would need cleansing. Anything less would have been ruined.
The other two had died too fast to use their tricks. He searched their belongings. In Lawr's pouch, he found two more green pearls. His face lit up. These things could foul a magic artifact, if only temporarily. In a fight, that was a game-changer. Most elite disciples didn't carry more than one artifact. These little orbs were worth more than their weight in spirit stones.
"Those Evil Valley disciples must have Vera's team trapped in the cave. But they're only Qi Refining cultivators. They need food. Their pouches won't last forever. They'll have to send people out—for supplies, to watch for other sects. They can't spare many, not with the Palace team to worry about. Three or four, maybe. I can handle that. Pick them off outside, and they can't hold out forever."
He weighed the odds. The question was whether Vera's team could hold. He'd help if he could, but he wouldn't throw his life away.
Small fireballs took care of the bodies. Leo headed back to the cave. An hour later, he took down two more. Then night fell.
Looks like they're done for the night. Leo yawned. He found a good spot to watch from—a thick tree, out of sight, where he could see anyone coming or going. The people in the cave, he figured, weren't sleeping much. He smiled and settled into the branches. Cultivators didn't need much rest, but they needed some. Years of fighting had made him a light sleeper. Any sound would wake him.