Murders and treasure snatching are rampant in the cultivation world. Demonic cultivators and monster cultivators often act on the spot, while spiritual cultivators are more reserved, valuing dignity and preferring to act in secret. Such a direct attack, especially in the Treasure Pavilion guarded by a Nascent Soul stage expert, was unprecedented.
The attacker used a treasure that blocked divine sense, so no one could see her appearance. The sudden and swift attack caught even the Nascent Soul stage expert off guard.
The long sword aimed directly at the throat, the strike was ruthless, clearly intended to kill in one blow.
However, no matter how fast he was, he couldn’t be faster than Jiang Yin, who was always on guard.
Sensing the sudden killing intent, Jiang Yin’s heart tightened. Without thinking, she summoned her divine weapon, firmly shielding Tang Muxi.
Clang~ The clash of metal resounded, producing a sharp, piercing sound.
Jiang Yin, with her shallow cultivation and the suddenness of the attack, barely managed to block the full-force strike.
Fortunately, Bai Ling reacted just as quickly. Seeing the attack, she immediately condensed ice spikes to strike at the assailant. The attacker had to dodge, retracting his force.
Missing the first strike, he lost his opportunity. The attacker, being meticulous, turned to flee without hesitation, breaking the window with his sword.
Just as he was about to roll away, still no one stopped him. Jiang Yin angrily shouted, “Why aren’t you acting yet?” This was directed at the Nascent Soul stage cultivator who had yet to move.
The sudden attack had stunned the Nascent Soul stage cultivator. Hearing the shout, he snapped back to reality and immediately took action.
A barely perceptible spatial fluctuation appeared, and a powerful force slashed down.
The Nascent Soul stage cultivator’s strike could have killed the attacker on the spot, but the Treasure Pavilion had rules: unless under special circumstances, troublemakers should not be killed outright but captured for questioning and compensation.
Thus, the Nascent Soul stage cultivator aimed at the attacker’s leg, intending to disable his escape.
Unexpectedly, the attacker was ruthless. Knowing he was outmatched, he abandoned his leg without hesitation and escaped.
In the blink of an eye, the turmoil subsided. When everyone recovered from the terrifying pressure, only a severed limb remained, and the attacker had long vanished.
Jiang Yin, cold and furious, couldn’t tolerate letting the tiger return to the mountain. She couldn’t help but mock, “How benevolent of you, Exalted One, to spare even a villain who tried to kill a guest.”
Wang Yan, who had been guarding the Treasure Pavilion for years without a mishap, was highly respected, even by the shopkeeper. His pride was well-established. Now, being reprimanded by a young girl, his face changed instantly, “Insolent! How I handle matters is none of your concern!” His overwhelming pressure poured out.
As a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, he was proud and arrogant, not feeling the need to apologize to a young girl even if he made a mistake. Moreover, it was just a slip-up in letting someone go, nothing significant.
However, to his surprise, while everyone else trembled under the vast pressure, drenched in cold sweat, Jiang Yin, who had criticized him, remained unaffected.
If an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator were here, they would have already been crushed by the fierce pressure, spitting blood. But Jiang Yin had the Imprisoning Demon Blade protecting her. Although her cultivation was shallow and she couldn’t contend with a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, the protection of the divine artifact allowed her to ignore the pressure.
Not to mention just the aura, even if he attacked now, he wouldn’t be able to easily take Jiang Yin’s life in a short time.
Wang Yan and the others didn’t know that Jiang Yin possessed a divine artifact. Seeing her still standing firm against the Nascent Soul pressure, they were all a bit shocked.
Even a Nascent Soul alchemist couldn’t resist Wang Yan’s domineering aura, yet this little Foundation Establishment female cultivator could! Thinking about how she had blocked the sneak attack that no one else had reacted to, everyone had different thoughts.
Most believed that another powerful figure was hiding their cultivation and wandering among mortals.
The situation became tense.
Tang Muxi saw Jiang Yin’s sharp eyes on the verge of acting and quickly grabbed her hand, urgently saying, “Senior Sister!” Others didn’t know, but she did. Jiang Yin was only safe because of the divine artifact. If it came to a real fight, she was definitely not Wang Yan’s match!
Wen Mingyu was discussing matters with the shopkeeper of the Treasure Pavilion when she suddenly felt the overwhelming pressure spreading out. Her face changed instantly, she closed her fan, and pushed the door open to go out.
Shopkeeper Wu Yuan was also alarmed and anxiously followed her.
When they reached the third floor, Wen Mingyu pushed through the crowd, with Wu Yuan close behind, and saw Wang Yan confronting two female cultivators. The scene was tense, just a spark away from erupting into chaos.
Wen Mingyu recognized Jiang Yin and Tang Muxi’s faces and was surprised, “Miss Jiang? Junior Sister Tang?”
Tang Muxi was also surprised, “Miss Wen, why are you here?”
“I came to see an old friend,” Wen Mingyu smiled lightly, her dark eyes scanning the people. Noticing that Wang Yan hadn’t withdrawn his aura, her delicate brows furrowed slightly, “What… happened here?”
Tang Muxi was worried about how to persuade Jiang Yin and quickly explained everything from start to finish, “Senior Sister and I came to draw a lottery, and we were lucky to win the first prize. Unexpectedly, someone got greedy and wanted to kill us for the treasure. Senior Sister saw through it and resisted. That cultivator failed to kill us and let the attacker escape. Senior Sister blamed him, and they had a dispute.”
“Miss Wen, please help persuade my Senior Sister.”
Wen Mingyu glanced at the trembling little fox on Tang Muxi’s shoulder and the people around who were affected, her face gradually darkening, but she said nothing.
Wu Yuan, following closely, naturally understood the cause and effect. Now he even had the urge to kill Wang Yan. Before the pavilion master could speak, he scolded first, “Why haven’t you stopped yet!”
He had worked in the Treasure Pavilion’s branch for many years without any mistakes. This time, the pavilion master came, and he wanted to take the opportunity to say a few good words to seek promotion. Unexpectedly, such a mishap happened at this critical moment.
And it just so happened that they provoked the pavilion master’s friends! He heard the term “Junior Sister Tang” clearly.
Wang Yan didn’t recognize Wen Mingyu, but seeing Wu Yuan defer to her, he knew she must be someone important. He snorted coldly and withdrew his pressure.
The surrounding cultivators immediately felt a weight lifted off their hearts, the intense oppression finally gone.
Seeing someone trying to kill and rob in the Treasure Pavilion, they had truly broadened their horizons this time.
Bai Ling also breathed a sigh of relief, looking resentfully at Tang Muxi and Jiang Yin.
Why were they both fine, while it, a poor little fox, was trembling pitifully?
Thinking of the culprit, it glared fiercely at Wang Yan, full of hostility.
Wen Mingyu’s face remained unchanged, her gentle voice turning cold, “Manager Wu, disperse the crowd first.”
With so many people watching, the negligence of Jubao Pavilion would soon spread.
—A Nascent Soul cultivator failing to guard properly, getting angry and implicating others instead.
As the pavilion master, she couldn’t afford to lose face like this.
Wu Yuan quickly responded, “Fellow Daoists, we apologize for the fright today. Jubao Pavilion will compensate each of you with half a month’s use of the training rooms. Please go to the first floor to register your names. We hope for your understanding regarding today’s incident.”
This was an obvious hush money, but everyone was delighted upon hearing it and rushed to the first floor to register.
Getting half a month’s use of Jubao Pavilion’s training rooms for free was like a windfall for them.
Once the crowd dispersed and only a few of them were left on the third floor, Wen Mingyu still didn’t look at Wang Yan. She simply clasped her fists and apologized to Tang Muxi and the others, “Today’s incident was our fault. Miss Jiang, if you have any requests, I will not refuse.”
Tang Muxi hadn’t yet realized Wen Mingyu’s identity and quickly said, “How can we blame Miss Wen? It wasn’t your fault to begin with.”
Wen Mingyu was momentarily speechless, her composed expression slightly cracking.
Jiang Yin, who had been filled with anger, was now deflated by Tang Muxi’s foolish words. She pulled Tang Muxi behind her, took a deep breath, and said, “I hope Miss Wen will capture the culprit and hand them over to me personally.”
Wen Mingyu nodded, “It’s my duty.”
Seeing her agree, Jiang Yin glanced at Wang Yan and couldn’t help but mock, “Jubao Pavilion is renowned; it shouldn’t be so arrogant.”
Wen Mingyu’s face was strained, but she forced a promise, “I will handle it.” After speaking, she noticed Jiang Yin didn’t mention compensation and glanced at Bai Ling. After a moment of thought, she handed over a token, “With this token, Jubao Pavilion will do its best to assist you.”
“Wu Yuan, find someone to escort Junior Sister Tang and the others out, and give them the newly supplied Cold Spirit Fruits.”
Wu Yuan quickly complied, and as he passed Wang Yan, he unceremoniously dragged him away to prevent further trouble.
Outside Jubao Pavilion, Tang Muxi held the exquisite token Wen Mingyu had given her, staring at the gold-embossed “Ju” character in the center. She belatedly realized, “Senior Sister, I think Wen Mingyu’s status is quite special. She can command the manager and even gave us a token.”
Jiang Yin was speechless, silent for a moment, then said, “Someday, I’ll find some spirit fruits that can enhance comprehension for you.”
Tang Muxi was delighted, “Really? That’s great. But why would you…” Before she could finish, her smile froze, and she angrily reached out to hit the demon, “You jerk! I won’t eat it!” How dare she call her stupid! She’s not stupid! That demon is so mean, insulting her indirectly.
Tang Muxi didn’t want to talk to her anymore. She took out a Cold Spirit Fruit and petted Bai Ling’s fluffy fur, feeding it to him.
With the experience from last time, she already knew this thing was for the little fox.
Bai Ling really liked the Cold Spirit Fruit. After eating it, she felt a cool sensation all over her body, which was very comfortable. Recently, her throat had been slightly itchy, and she estimated that it wouldn’t be long before she could speak.
Happily finishing one, she comforted, “Don’t be afraid, I just realized Wen Mingyu’s identity too.”
Bai Ling had a good impression of Wen Mingyu because she always brought her delicious food.
Tang Muxi was finally happy.
Jiang Yin watched from the side, unsure whether to remind Tang Muxi that Bai Ling’s words were almost like an insult to her.
After all… how could a normal person be compared to a little fox cub that couldn’t even speak yet? But in the end, she didn’t say anything.
After wasting half an afternoon, when Jiang Yin and the others came out, it was already late afternoon, and the sun was gradually setting in the west.
They were still twenty or thirty miles away from Misty Peak and needed to speed up.
Jiang Yin took out the carriage, got on first, then turned around and extended her hand, “Get in, it’s time to go.”
Tang Muxi obediently took her hand.
