Chapter 220: The Third Shadow

The Mò Family Patriarch had already inquired about the origin of the Phoenix Blood Stone. It was a bit tricky, purchased by a Foundation Establishment stage disciple from the Dao Seeking Sect, who was likely quite wealthy. Two other Dao Seeking Sect companions accompanied him.

A Foundation Establishment stage cultivator was nothing in his eyes, but adding "Dao Seeking Sect" made it extraordinary. The higher one's cultivation, the more secrets one knew, and the more one understood the terror of the Dao Seeking Sect. Therefore, he needed to handle this matter personally. He simply didn't believe that three Foundation Establishment stage Dao Seeking Sect disciples could discover a Soul Transformation stage cultivator attempting to steal.

However, he wasn't the only one stealing tonight.

"Little thief, how dare you lay hands on what I desire?"

"Leave immediately!" The Prefect and the Mò Family Patriarch simultaneously released directional pressure toward each other. An ordinary thief encountering such a level of pressure would be scared stiff and collapse to the ground.

The Prefect revealed a cold smile. He guessed that after yesterday's failure, the Mò family, not giving up, had sent more people tonight. What good would it do? Meeting him, they could only blame their bad luck!

Their pressures, almost equal in power, collided silently, causing both of them to frown.

"Hmm?"

Both realized the other's pressure was unusual, indicating they were no ordinary individuals!

"Old Monster Mò!"

"Old Devil Shī!"

They recognized each other, followed by a silence lasting over ten seconds. There were only two Soul Transformation stage cultivators in Luofeng County, making them easy to recognize. Both were individuals who held their status dear, disdaining petty theft. Meeting here was incredibly awkward. They certainly couldn't claim they were out basking in the moonlight.

"What a coincidence, you're here too."

"Yes, what a coincidence."

Another awkward silence lasting over ten seconds followed.

The Prefect preempted, seizing the initiative. He transmitted a mental message, his voice solemn and righteous: "I long ago calculated that petty thieves would come tonight. I've been waiting here, and sure enough, I've caught you, Old Monster Mò. Surrender at once!" The Prefect pulled out iron chains from who-knows-where and lunged to shackle the Mò Family Patriarch.

"Pah! Dressed like that, do you think I'm blind? How dare you claim you're waiting for prey?" The Mò Family Patriarch clearly wasn't falling for it. That scoundrel was dressed in black, just like him. Who was he trying to fool? He drew his weapon to fight back.

Both were worried about exposure, so they tacitly avoided using spiritual power. Their fight was silent and clandestine. They had been adversaries for decades, intimately familiar with each other's tactics. Knowing they couldn't defeat each other this way, they both stopped after dozens of exchanges.

"This won't lead anywhere. You're here for the Phoenix Blood Stone, aren't you? Let's just steal it based on our own abilities. Whoever gets it, it's theirs," the Prefect suggested.

"Agreed. It's a deal," the Mò Family Patriarch readily accepted.

The Prefect sneered inwardly. Even if the other party got the Phoenix Blood Stone, he'd find a way to snatch it back. His future was at stake; who would stick to a promise with you? Coincidentally, the Mò Family Patriarch was thinking the same thing.

In the shadows, Lù Yáng recorded everything with a recording orb.

Both had already used their spiritual sense to locate the Phoenix Blood Stone. Just as they were about to head to Mèng Jǐngzhōu's room, another dark figure scaled the wall and entered.

"Another one?" Not only were the Prefect and the Mò Family Patriarch confused, but Lù Yáng, Sū Yīrén, and Lǐ Hàorán, who were observing in secret, were also surprised.

"Is your home that attractive?" Lù Yáng asked Lǐ Hàorán.

Lǐ Hàorán rolled his eyes, not wanting to speak. "Is it my home that's attractive? It's clearly the Phoenix Blood Stone Senior Brother Mèng bought that's attractive."

Lù Yáng recalled the dark figure he'd glimpsed out of the corner of his eye last night while tracking those two Golden Core stage cultivators. Could it be the same person as tonight's third dark figure?

"The third dark figure is also at the Soul Transformation stage," Sū Yīrén reminded, making Lù Yáng wary. Who was the third dark figure? What was his purpose?

"What? Tonight, there's not only the Prefect, but also the Mò Family Patriarch and a third Soul Transformation stage cultivator?" Mèng Jǐngzhōu couldn't see the situation, and hearing their conversation made him incredibly curious. He really wanted to see what was happening outside.

The third dark figure showed no surprise at seeing the Prefect and the Mò Family Patriarch. He nodded: "Good attitude, a quarter of an hour early. Let's go."

The Prefect and the Mò Family Patriarch exchanged glances, realizing they couldn't discern the dark figure's cultivation level. Soul Transformation stage? But where would a third Soul Transformation stage cultivator come from in Luofeng County? The other party seemed to have mistaken them for someone else. They decided to play along and followed the third dark figure.

"Sir, I heard a Dao Seeking Sect disciple lives here. Is our operation safe?" the Prefect asked from behind.

The third dark figure dismissed it: "Just a Foundation Establishment stage disciple. What could happen? Everything is ready now; all we need is a top-grade Phoenix Blood Stone. The best quality Phoenix Blood Stone is in the hands of this Dao Seeking Sect Foundation Establishment stage disciple. After this is done, all three of us will be promoted. It's almost a success. Why are you two so timid and hesitant? Hurry up and follow!"

The third dark figure's goal was also the Phoenix Blood Stone that Mèng Jǐngzhōu had bought.

"What *is* this Phoenix Blood Stone you bought, attracting Soul Transformation stage cultivators specifically?" Lù Yáng grumbled. "Serves you right for showing off. Now everyone knows you have a top-grade Phoenix Blood Stone."

"Who knows? If I'd known it would cause so much trouble, I would've just thrown it in the trash," Mèng Jǐngzhōu complained.

The three Soul Transformation stage cultivators arrived simultaneously at Mèng Jǐngzhōu's guest room.

"The Phoenix Blood Stone!" The Prefect's eyes lit up when he saw the Phoenix Blood Stone placed beside Mèng Jǐngzhōu. It was indeed as he had suspected: the Phoenix Blood Stone that absolutely could not be allowed to enter the market. The Mò Family Patriarch noted the Prefect's reaction and knew he hadn't guessed wrong. The third dark figure's eyes also gleamed. Although he hadn't seen a top-grade Phoenix Blood Stone before, its quality was nearly top-grade, even if not quite, and it would suffice.

"By the way, sir, what do we need this Phoenix Blood Stone for?" the Prefect asked casually.

Perhaps with the target in sight, the third dark figure inadvertently lowered his guard and casually said: "Of course, it's to refine the phoenix beneath our feet into a corpse puppet, to overturn all of Luofeng County, and to expand the might of our Nine Nether Sect. The initial setup is complete; all we need is a top-grade Phoenix Blood Stone as the core."

"You're from the Nine Nether Sect?!" the Mò Family Patriarch exclaimed in shock.

"Isn't that obvious? If we're not from the Nine Nether Sect, could we be from the Immortal Sect...? Wait, who are you two?!" The third dark figure reacted, realizing these two were not his subordinates at all!

All three intruders in the house became highly vigilant, as if ready to fight at any moment.

"Since you've been discovered, you cannot be allowed to live!" The third figure fiercely attacked, revealing his peak Soul Transformation stage cultivation, intending to seize the opportunity to kill the two. The Prefect and the Mò Family Patriarch were not to be trifled with. Both at the Soul Transformation stage, it was not certain who would kill whom!

At the same time, space solidified, and none of the three could move, as if time had stopped.

Modifying rules, the power of the Integration stage.

Sū Yīrén made her move.