In an instant, a thick smoke spread across the clearing.
This kind of sleep-inducing smoke, if used covertly and released slowly, is actually colorless and odorless, but there was clearly no opportunity for that now.
The opponent, also a Foundation Building cultivator, reacted the moment the smoke appeared, quickly covering their nose and mouth.
The smoke not only disrupted everyone’s vision but also caused confusion. Several of the controlled righteous cultivators even fainted on the spot, while the demonic cultivators, having reacted in time, charged through the smoke towards Tang Xin.
Boom boom!
Several spells descended from the sky, the enemy not caring whether they hit anyone, seemingly wanting to leverage their numerical and realm superiority for an indiscriminate attack.
“Be careful!”
Tang Xin grabbed Zhou Yu, who was closest to her, and dodged the first wave of the demonic cultivators’ attack by conjuring a lotus platform under her feet.
On the other side, Shangguan Qing’er and Liu Mei joined forces, unleashing the strength befitting top cultivators of the Demon-Slaying Alliance, blocking the spells.
This intervention scattered the four-person team’s formation instantly, with the demonic cultivators positioned in the middle, locking their energies towards both sides.
Now, to regroup, they would have to confront the demonic cultivators head-on.
“Let’s split up,” Shangguan Qing’er shouted from the other side, “Meet at the agreed location!”
Tang Xin glanced at the situation on the field and nodded.
“Okay!”
Rather than fighting head-on and being delayed by the enemy, it was a better choice to retreat separately and regroup in the marshland.
Having spent some time together, the group had developed a certain level of understanding. At the same time, they launched various spells at the demonic cultivators in the center.
Boom—
The attack didn’t cause much damage, but it was enough to buy them time to turn around and retreat.
Zhou Yu looked towards Shangguan Qing’er, worry evident in his eyes, but thinking of his own strength, he shook his head and quickened his pace.
In the thick smoke, Tang Xin, who possessed the Spirit Eye Technique and the Seven Lotus Steps, had a much greater advantage than the others. After a chase, the demonic cultivators gradually lost their trail.
They dared not relax until they were sure no one would catch up, then they stopped to catch their breath.
“The entire team was controlled,” Tang Xin said breathlessly, “The situation for the cultivators who entered the mountain doesn’t look optimistic…”
“Is Shangguan Sister in danger?”
Zhou Yu looked in bad shape, gasping for breath, his face pale.
“She should be fine; both her and Liu Mei’s strengths are quite strong, retreating probably won’t be a big issue.”
She explained.
“That’s good…”
Zhou Yu managed a weak smile.
Then, she collapsed to the ground…
Even though she had taken the antidote pill in advance and held her breath, the sleeping smoke still had some effect.
For people like Tang Xin and Shangguan Qing’er, who were of higher realms, they could resist it somewhat, but Zhou Yu, being the lowest in realm, inevitably succumbed.
“When I bought the sleeping smoke, I never thought I’d use it on my teammates…”
Tang Xin had no choice but to carry her to the side and rest herself.
The sleeping smoke made her head dizzy too.
Realizing this, she quickly sat cross-legged, circulated her Qi, and hastened the elimination of the substance from her body.
Beside her, Zhou Yu had already entered deep sleep…
…
Zhou Yu’s consciousness, under the influence of the sleeping smoke, was blurry.
After an unknown amount of time, as if summoned by a voice, he seemed to “wake up” suddenly.
No, this wasn’t waking up, it seemed like… a dream?
She found herself back at Qingxin Pavilion, atop the mountain where Senior Sister Shangguan lived and practiced. Everything around her was incredibly familiar.
As a “Direct Disciple Assistant,” Zhou Yu’s duties were numerous and varied, from sweeping the courtyard, washing clothes, watering flowers, and planting grass, to running errands for her senior sister and communicating with the elders. Anything the direct disciple needed, she had to accomplish.
Zhou Yu didn’t feel tired; having a direct disciple senior sister who treated her well was already very fortunate. To ask for more would be greedy.
“Junior Sister Zhou Yu,” Senior Sister Shangguan came out of the house and said, “Come help me, I am working on a new research project.”
“Is there any good news?”
Seeing an uncontrollable smile on Senior Sister Shangguan’s face, Zhou Yu couldn’t help but ask.
“Yes,” her senior sister nodded gently, “If the research is successful, I can advance to a higher realm… But right now, I really need your help.”
Her senior sister needed her?
This was the first time she had ever said such a thing.
A feeling called “happiness” stirred in her heart.
Without a second thought, Zhou Yu entered the wooden house.
Thud—
The wooden door closed, and a faint glow appeared, filling the room with an extraordinary aura.
“Senior Sister, how can I help you?”
Zhou Yu asked with a smile.
“Well,” Shangguan Yuer’s smile grew more uncontrollable, “It’s simple… give me your talent, okay?”
“What?”
She didn’t quite understand what the other meant at first.
“Give me your talent,” Shangguan Qing’er laughed heartily, “Little Yuer, you’ve kept it quite hidden, haven’t you? It was only recently that I discovered your special constitution… Even hiding it from your most trusted senior sister? Isn’t that a bit like biting the hand that feeds you?”
“I,” Zhou Yu’s face twisted, “I didn’t mean to hide it from Senior Sister…”
“But you did hide it from me!” Shangguan Qing’er sharply rebuked. “Come on, Zhou Yu, haven’t I always treated you well? Even though you are nothing more than a useless tool in my eyes, I rarely bully or insult you… And yet, you hid something so important from me!”
“No, that’s not it, Senior Sister,” Zhou Yu hurriedly explained. “I respect you immensely, and I’ve always wanted to repay your kindness…”
“That’s perfect,” Shangguan Qing’er said. “I’ve recently developed a new secret technique, and your unique physique is just what I need. Since you respect me so much, offer it up… That way, you can at least be upgraded to a ‘useful’ tool in my eyes.”
“Tool…?” Zhou Yu’s voice was hoarse.
“What else? Did you have some unrealistic fantasy?” Shangguan Qing’er’s palm began to emit a white light. “Hurry up and let me take your physique, or else, just die!”
“Senior Sister,” Zhou Yu said in despair, “you…”
…
“You… don’t do this… I…”
In the real world, Zhou Yu was rolling around on the ground, a spectacle that had been going on for quite a while.
Sweating profusely, babbling nonsense, his expression one of terror.
Tang Xin had been disturbed from her meditation by the noise.
“I remember now, I bought some fear-inducing sleep smoke…”
She said with a headache.
If she had known her own people would be affected, she definitely wouldn’t have bought so many strange gadgets.
“Whimper? Whimper—”
The little fox was vigorously rubbing against the hem of her clothes, its eyes glowing an abnormal pink.
“What’s the matter, I’m already annoyed… Damn, why are you burrowing into my chest?”
“Whimper~~~”
Its condition seemed very abnormal.
“Damn,” Tang Xin’s face changed dramatically, “Did I also buy the Lustful Slumber Smoke?”
As soon as the words left his mouth, Zhou Yu, who had been having a nightmare, leapt up from the ground.
“Ah—”
The next moment, she fiercely pounced towards Tang Xin!
