Chapter 546: Decoy Attack to the East

Zheng Nation is a subordinate power of Myriad Flowers Palace, and it is only natural for them to obey its commands.

Wang Changsheng and Huang Fugui were not under the jurisdiction of Myriad Flowers Palace, but a reward of a million spirit stones was truly tempting.

The red-robed elder glanced at Wang Changsheng and Huang Fugui, then secretly transmitted a question to the middle-aged man: "What's going on? What crime did these two Core Formation half-demons commit that warrants a reward of a million spirit stones for their capture?"

The middle-aged man explained via spiritual transmission: "They attacked a branch of Myriad Flowers Palace and injured an elder, which is why Myriad Flowers Palace is offering such a substantial reward. A few days ago, two half-demons were discovered in the cultivation world of Chen Nation, and Core Formation cultivators from Chen Nation injured them. Since Chen Nation borders our Zheng Nation, they are very likely to flee here. Myriad Flowers Palace has commanded us to kill these two half-demons at all costs, ensuring they do not escape. However, our personnel are not sufficient, so let's have these two help us search for them!"

The red-robed elder nodded and said to Huang Fugui and Wang Changsheng: "Fellow Daoist Huang, Fellow Daoist Wang, two Core Formation half-demons have likely fled into our Zheng Nation. We are ordered to apprehend them, but we are short-handed. We request your assistance."

According to regulations, Zheng Nation was required to dispatch two Core Formation cultivators to accompany Huang Fugui in escorting supplies to the front lines. If Huang Fugui were to depart immediately, Zheng Nation would indeed need to send two Core Formation cultivators with him.

Huang Fugui looked troubled. While he was interested in the bounty, he knew his own limitations. Half-demons who dared to cause trouble deep within human territory were certainly not weak. Moreover, he was tasked with escorting a batch of supplies to the front lines and dared not be careless. He clearly understood which matter held greater importance.

He shook his head, saying with a troubled expression, "Fellow Daoist Zheng, I'm afraid we cannot help with this. We are being pressed hard by our superiors and must deliver these supplies to the front lines as quickly as possible. We wouldn't be able to explain ourselves if we were to be blamed."

The red-robed elder frowned, then glanced at Wang Changsheng and said, "Fellow Daoist Huang, how about this? Fellow Daoist Chu will accompany you. According to regulations, three Core Formation cultivators are responsible for escorting supplies. With Fellow Daoist Wang already present, if we send one more Core Formation cultivator, that should be acceptable, shouldn't it?"

"This might not be ideal," Huang Fugui replied. "Who knows if we might encounter more half-demons on the way? If the supplies were lost, I wouldn't be able to explain myself to my superiors."

Huang Fugui still looked troubled; he simply did not want to get involved.

The red-robed elder then took out two storage bags, giving one to Wang Changsheng and one to Huang Fugui.

"We also have our own difficulties, Fellow Daoist Huang, and hope for your understanding."

Huang Fugui swept his divine sense through the storage bag, and his face lit up with joy. Squinting, he said, "Fellow Daoist Zheng, you are too generous. It truly is not easy for you. Very well then! Fellow Daoist Chu will accompany us."

Wang Changsheng also had no desire to stay; his storage bag contained ten thousand spirit stones.

He hoped to reach the front lines as soon as possible to look after Wang Qingshan and the others. The last time he managed to kill two half-demons, it was primarily because their cultivation was not high. For Myriad Flowers Palace to offer a reward of a million spirit stones for their capture, these two half-demons must be formidable. While a million spirit stones was indeed tempting, one needed to be alive to enjoy them.

Once the agreement was reached, Huang Fugui, Wang Changsheng, Wang Ruyan, and the middle-aged man set off on their journey.

After leaving Beauty Valley, Wang Changsheng released a blue flying boat, which carried everyone high into the sky.

The East Wasteland, Black Tiger Mountain Range.

This area was home to a large population of tiger demons, serving as the main base of the Black Tiger Clan.

Tiger Head Mountain, the sacred land of the Black Tiger Clan, was heavily guarded.

Two faint, almost invisible shadows appeared at the foot of Tiger Head Mountain. They exchanged glances before silently rushing up the mountain.

Numerous restrictions had been set up on the mountain, yet the two dark figures moved unimpeded, heading directly for the mountain peak.

A short while later, they appeared at the entrance of a sprawling courtyard. Two massive demon tigers, merely third-tier high-grade demonic beasts, lay sprawled there.

At the courtyard entrance, a faint white light screen, covered in runes, clearly indicated a powerful restriction.

One dark figure flicked a finger, and two white lights shot out, instantly vanishing into the bodies of the two demon tigers. The tigers remained motionless, their eyes somewhat vacant.

White and grey lights flared on the bodies of the two dark figures, allowing them to pass easily through the white light screen.

The moment the two dark figures passed through the white light screen, countless runes illuminated on the ground, transforming into four gigantic tiger claws that seized the legs of the two figures.

The two dark figures then revealed their true forms: a white-robed elder and a grey-robed elder. Neither of them showed any trace of spiritual power fluctuation.

Simultaneously, a gigantic black tiger claw suddenly appeared above their heads and swiftly slammed down.

They quickly summoned their magic treasures to defend themselves.

With a deafening roar, their protective spiritual shields instantly shattered, and they were smashed to bloody, indistinct pieces by the black tiger claw.

With a flash of spiritual light, the bodies transformed into two faint silver talismans, which spontaneously combusted into ash without any wind.

Old Ancestor Black Tiger and Old Ancestor Azure Flower emerged, both with grim expressions.

"Puppet Spirit Talismans! Aren't these the three great secret talismans of the Shangqing Temple?" Old Ancestor Black Tiger sneered. "Those old fellows are getting increasingly timid, aren't they? They don't dare to come in person, merely using two Puppet Spirit Talismans."

"They aren't being timid," Old Ancestor Azure Flower said, her gaze dark. "They're probably trying to feign an attack to divert our attention."

Just as she finished speaking, a series of urgent, shrill chirps sounded from her bosom. She took out a small green mirror, its back intricately carved with a pattern of nine small green snakes.

Old Ancestor Azure Flower cast a spell, and a panicked female voice suddenly rang out: "Old Ancestor, something terrible has happened! Two Spirit Transformation cultivators broke into the clan, injured several clansmen, and stole three Azure Snake Fruits!"

The Azure Snake Fruit is the sacred fruit of the Azure Python Clan, blossoming every six hundred years, bearing fruit six hundred years later, and maturing after another six hundred years. For demon beasts in the Nascent Soul stage, consuming this fruit is beneficial for their advancement.

"Was the fruit tree damaged?"

"No, they snatched the Azure Snake Fruits and immediately fled."

Old Ancestor Azure Flower sighed in relief, saying, "It's good that no one was seriously harmed. I'll return immediately."

"Weren't they supposed to be collecting Dragon Glaze Fruit? Why Azure Snake Fruit?" Old Ancestor Black Tiger was utterly confused.

Old Ancestor Azure Flower rolled her eyes at Old Ancestor Black Tiger and said, "That was a smokescreen they put out. Thinking about it, it would be foolish for them to go to such lengths to control a Nascent Soul stage demon beast just to have him steal Dragon Glaze Fruit. We're not the only ones who know how to feign an attack; they understand it too. Alright, I need to rush back. By now, your subordinates should have also succeeded."

After saying this, Old Ancestor Azure Flower transformed into specks of green light and vanished.

On the border of Zheng Nation, in a lush mountain range, a streak of green light swiftly swept across the high sky.

"Fellow Daoist ahead, please stop. I am Huang Fugui, the conscription envoy of the Seven Great Immortal Sects."

A somewhat mischievous voice suddenly emanated from the sky. A yellow light appeared there and, with extreme speed, intercepted the green light.

The yellow light was indeed Huang Fugui, while the green light belonged to a tall, thin, green-robed elder.