Chapter 199 - 146: Corner
Inside the great hall of the Saint Demon Sect.
Lu Changfeng frowned at Lin Erfeng, who stood before him with a bowed waist.
Someone as clever as Lin Erfeng had already guessed that Ni Wei was very important to him.
But he couldn’t entirely blame Lin Erfeng. He had never explicitly told him to keep a close watch on Ni Wei.
From Lin Erfeng’s perspective, however, it was a failure on his part—a sign that he wasn’t adept enough to analyze Lu Changfeng’s intentions.
Lu Changfeng still had to return to Qin City to keep an eye on Wei Hex.
He needed to find Ni Wei as soon as possible to finish consolidating his Supreme Talent.
Lu Changfeng spoke. "Where did she go? Who was she with?"
Lin Erfeng replied, "About half a month ago, she headed toward Jiangnan Prefecture. She said she wanted to experience a real Battle Array. She was with Qing Mang, a True Disciple of the Heavenly Corpse Demon Sect; Jueming of the Dark Buddha Demon Sect; and Yui Shex of the Taotie Demon Sect."
"How did they all end up together? You didn’t stop her?" Lu Changfeng asked, frowning.
Lin Erfeng explained, "It seems Ni Wei was the one who arranged it. Before you left, didn’t you grant her the right to seek guidance from any of the major Demon Sects?"
"As a result, several of the major Demon Sects sent Disciples to instruct her in martial arts."
"I’ve been rather busy with other matters recently. By the time I remembered to check on your Disciple, she had already left Yong City."
Lu Changfeng nodded slightly. ’Even though she’s only my Named Disciple, none of the Demon Sects or Demon Generals would dare to disrespect her. Their actions were understandable.’
’But what was Ni Wei thinking, leading them straight to Jiangnan Prefecture? To experience a Battle Array? Such a naive child.’
"Forget it. I’ll go find her myself."
Lu Changfeng stood up.
Lin Erfeng asked, "Should I notify the other Demon Sects and Demon Generals to mobilize?"
"There’s no need to make such a scene."
"If you get any news, just inform me via messenger scroll."
Lu Changfeng shook his head. ’The Rebirth Realm experts should just stay dormant and focus on increasing their strength.’
’They might be needed on the battlefield again soon enough.’
Lu Changfeng tossed out the Ancient Fire Qilin.
The Fire Qilin transformed in mid-air into a three-meter-long beast, and Lu Changfeng leaped onto its back.
Riding the Fire Qilin, Lu Changfeng headed south.
The characteristics of those from the Heavenly Corpse, Xuansha, and Taotie Demon Sects with Ni Wei were quite distinct.
A chameleon, a monk, and a madman, plus Ni Wei, a woman.
’It shouldn’t be hard to find them; it’ll just take some time.’
Lin Erfeng was very quick to act.
An hour later, Lu Changfeng received a message from Lin Erfeng on his messenger scroll.
A scout had reported seeing the group of four cross the border just this morning, heading toward Xing City in Jiangnan Prefecture.
’Xing City?’
Lu Changfeng had been to that city several times.
He had passed through it on his first trip to Jiangnan Prefecture.
The second time was for the Demon Cave gathering, where he had killed the leader of the Soul Suppressing Demon Sect and brought the Saint Demon Sect completely under his control...
’Wait, the Soul Suppressing Demon Sect.’
A bad premonition flashed through Lu Changfeng’s mind.
He patted the back of the Ancient Fire Qilin. The clouds beneath the Qilin’s hooves grew denser, and its speed surged dramatically!
「Several hours later.」
Lu Changfeng arrived in Xing City.
He landed outside Xing City and, after a moment’s thought, changed his appearance, transforming into a haggard, middle-aged Swordsman.
Only then did he walk toward Xing City.
For now, Xing City had not yet been captured by the Daliang Army.
But it was only a matter of time.
As a result, large numbers of Xing City’s residents were fleeing.
Some ran toward Cyan Mountain Prefecture, others toward Yunyang Prefecture.
Upon entering the city, he could see that its population had visibly plummeted. More than half the shops on the streets were closed.
The remaining shops were, to varying degrees, also preparing to close down and leave.
Lu Changfeng found an alley and awakened Hua Chengyu.
The blue wreath on the Fire Qilin’s head shimmered and transformed, finally taking the human form of Hua Chengyu, who landed in front of Lu Changfeng.
"Do you have the ability to search for a target over a wide area?" Lu Changfeng asked.
Hua Chengyu, the Ancient Floral Fiend, did not disappoint Lu Changfeng.
"Hmm, I can speak with the plants within a certain range. The plant spirits retain memories for a period of time. I’ll give it a try. What are you looking for?"
"A group of four: a chameleon, a monk, a madman, and a woman," Lu Changfeng said slowly.
"Got it."
Hua Chengyu closed his eyes.
He began communicating with the nearby plants in his own way.
A moment later, Hua Chengyu opened his eyes. "They’re in a temple. But besides those four, there’s another group of people with them."
"Three of them have strength at or above the Rebirth Realm."
Lu Changfeng frowned slightly. "Take me there."
"Alright."
Hua Chengyu flew off, and Lu Changfeng leaped up to follow.
Before long, Lu Changfeng found himself in a familiar place.
Wuu Xing Temple.
The place the Soul Suppressing Demon Sect had once used as a Demon Cave.
Now, however, the main gates of Wuu Xing Temple were shut tight.
"They’re inside. Should I open it?" Hua Chengyu asked, turning to look at Lu Changfeng.
Lu Changfeng didn’t reply, but Hua Chengyu already understood his meaning.
BANG!
Hua Chengyu kicked the gate in.
In that instant, the scene inside the temple unfolded before Lu Changfeng’s eyes.
Inside the temple, Ni Wei and her three companions were in the center.
Only Ni Wei was standing; the other three were unconscious on the ground.
Surrounding the four of them was a group of people in gray robes.
Of the two leaders, one was a gray shadow completely enveloped in a gray robe. The exposed parts, including the face, were nothing but a cloud of gray mist. It was the leader of the Soul Suppressing Demon Sect, who he thought he had killed!
The other was a handsome, middle-aged man—none other than Xu Fan, who had escaped from Xuansha long ago!
And now, Xu Fan was a master of the Rebirth Realm!
’Soul Suppressing isn’t dead? And how did Xu Fan get mixed up with him?’
’These two are hiding in a corner, and they’ve dragged Ni Wei into it. Are they trying to plot against me again from the shadows? Truly courting death.’ Lu Changfeng took in the entire scene within the temple.
"Who’s there?! Are you looking to die?" a group of Soul Suppressing Demon Sect disciples roared at Hua Chengyu.
As a dignified Ancient Demon Fiend, Hua Chengyu was naturally not going to be intimidated by these members of the Human Race.
"What did you say?"
A terrifying aura erupted from Hua Chengyu. A vine suddenly shot out from under the feet of the disciple who had spoken, swiftly coiling around him and sucking him dry, leaving behind a desiccated corpse.
The expressions on Xu Fan and Soul Suppressing’s faces changed drastically. They both retreated to create distance, watching Hua Chengyu with vigilance.
At that moment, Lu Changfeng, having reverted to his appearance as the Saint Master, slowly stepped into the temple.
When Ni Wei saw Lu Changfeng, she instantly collapsed to the ground. "Master, save me!"
She didn’t know, however, that Lu Changfeng had already noticed something was wrong with her through the interface.
Name: Ni Wei
Root Bone: Middle A Class
Talent: High-Grade Talent [Soft Body]
Bloodline Talent: [Ancient Purple Lotus Demon 10%]
"Come here."
Lu Changfeng beckoned slowly, acting as if he hadn’t noticed anything unusual about Ni Wei.
In the distance, Xu Fan and Soul Suppressing watched Lu Changfeng, their gazes also flickering to the temple entrance as they tried to gauge how many people had come today.
Ni Wei came to Lu Changfeng’s side. He gently patted her head.
He had already activated his replication ability and copied Ni Wei’s [Soft Body] Talent.
"Go outside and wait for me," Lu Changfeng said slowly.
"Understood, Master!" Ni Wei obediently left the temple, even thoughtfully pulling the gates closed behind her.
Lu Changfeng looked at Soul Suppressing. "It seems your talent, combined with the bloodline of the Purple Lotus Demon, has given birth to a rather unusual ability."
The gray mist within Soul Suppressing’s gray robe trembled. "Saint Master," he said, "if I were to bow my head and admit my mistake right now, would you accept the Soul Suppressing Demon Sect back into the fold?"
Lu Changfeng’s expression remained impassive, but inwardly he thought, ’You’re dreaming. No one who plots against me gets to live, no matter how clever their schemes are.’