AUOF - 75

Sang Li was still immersed in drowsiness and hadn’t fully woken up when Ji Hengyu hung a token around her waist. A flash of light later, she transformed into the junior disciple’s appearance, while Ji Hengyu took on Huai’an’s visage.

The sudden change jolted her awake.

“What is this?”

“It’s time to go.” Ji Hengyu didn’t elaborate further and walked out first.

Sang Li hurriedly followed behind him.

After they descended the stairs, another person joined them. He was completely unaware of what had happened to his fellow disciples and yawned while stretching lazily. “I’m so tired. Why do we always get stuck with these unlucky tasks?” His words carried resentment, but he had no choice but to continue with the mission.

The young man approached Sang Li, naturally attempting to sling an arm over her shoulder, but Ji Hengyu intervened just in time. “Don’t waste time. Let’s go.”

As the three conversed while walking, the young man said, “By the way, I think I heard some noise from the neighboring room earlier. Did you two sneak off and sleep with someone’s sister?”

Facing the grinning, squinting eyes, Sang Li immediately realized that “sister” referred to herself.

She exchanged a glance with Ji Hengyu and shook her head. “No.”

“I thought so. If something good like that happened, how could you not call me?”

Sang Li felt nauseated.

Though she didn’t know exactly what had transpired while she slept, she could easily imagine it. The tokens were now in their possession, likely meaning those who had snuck in during the night were discovered and killed by Ji Hengyu.

They deserved it.

Sang Li cursed them silently in her heart but outwardly pretended nothing was wrong as she asked, “Are we sticking to the original plan?”

“Yes,” he nodded. “A group will act as bait, luring the malevolent force toward the array entrance. We’ll seize the opportunity to retrieve the Floating World Bell.”

Their task was to wait patiently for the right moment to strike a fatal blow when the malevolent force was at its weakest.

As they spoke, the trio arrived at the checkpoint. After showing their tokens to the guards, they entered smoothly.

Outside the gate, yellow sand flew through frost-filled skies; inside, the atmosphere was solemn, desolate, and fraught with danger. Everyone moved quickly, their expressions tense. A quick glance at the crowd told Sang Li that this malevolent force was no ordinary opponent.

Could it really be Lu Qinghe?

Sang Li wasn’t entirely sure.

The two disguised as disciples of Wuding Sect quietly followed beside the young man.

Fortunately, he wasn’t particularly sharp. Though he found tonight’s silence between the brothers unusual, he didn’t dwell on it and continued chattering about their plans.

“Do you see the altar? That’s the Inescapable Death Array. Even immortals wouldn’t escape if they fell into it.”

The Inescapable Array required at least ten high-level formation masters working for three nights to set up.

Once activated, the array allowed entry but no exit. Once the malevolent force entered, an inferno would burn it until its soul dispersed completely.

At the center of the altar stood a towering black structure amidst the ink-black night, resembling the gaping maw of an abyss, exuding immense pressure.

“That side is where the bait is.”

Sang Li turned her gaze and saw the bait—a male and female pair dressed in identical robes. The shawl draped over the female bait made her feel momentarily disoriented.

It looked familiar, much like the style Lin Xiang’er had worn.

“What are they wearing?”

The young man gave her a suspicious glance but still explained, “Have you forgotten, Brother? This malevolent force specifically targets male-female pairs. I suspect it’s still searching for…”

Searching for what? He didn’t continue, seemingly avoiding the topic intentionally.

Sang Li’s suspicions grew larger and larger, almost to the point of being unable to contain them.

The clock struck midnight, and the war drums sounded.

The extermination mission officially began.

“This is our one chance. Brothers, we must not be careless.”

The young man soared into the air on his sword, following the bait.

Sang Li was pondering how to take off when Ji Hengyu pulled her onto the same sword with him.

The three hid in the shadows, waiting quietly for the opportune moment.

The malevolent force was driven over by several other cultivators, combined with the lure, and it wasn’t long before movement appeared.

A deep, bluish-black shadow gradually emerged from the fog.

It chased the fleeing male-female pair through the night. As the shadow drew closer, Sang Li narrowed her eyes. When she finally saw the face of the malevolent force, she couldn’t help but gasp.

It was a horrifying visage that defied description.

It had human limbs and a human head, yet it could no longer be considered human. Its body was covered in gray-green, moss-like decaying flesh. The skin couldn’t hold the rotting meat, which flowed like mud across its entire body. Its features were distorted, exposing sharp teeth, and it vaguely resembled a lizard.

A lizard?

At this thought, Sang Li’s heart skipped a beat.

The monster moved with mountain-like momentum, its left hand wrapped in wind, its right hand wielding rain. With a single swipe of its palm, it unleashed a bolt of lightning. Just looking at its techniques, it bore a striking resemblance to the Mirror Demon.

The bait frantically ran toward the altar. The young man locked his gaze on the approaching malevolent force, seemingly noticing something, and pointed excitedly at its waist. “Look! It’s the Floating World Bell!”

Hanging crookedly from the malevolent force’s waist was an unassuming little bell.

The silver bell was engraved with incomprehensible runes. No sound could be heard from it as it moved, nor did it sway even slightly. From the outside, it didn’t appear particularly special.

“One of you provide cover, the other distract it. I’ll seize the opportunity to snatch the Floating World Bell!”

Their goal wasn’t to confront the malevolent force head-on but rather to stealthily steal the bell while it was distracted.

The trio had already planned their strategy beforehand. Without any suspicion, the young man charged out from the protective barrier first.

Sang Li and Ji Hengyu remained where they were, unmoving.

“Should we follow him?” She sought Ji Hengyu’s opinion.

“It’s up to you.”

Ji Hengyu handed the decision over to Sang Li.

This left Sang Li scratching her head in frustration, her brows furrowed tightly. “If he really is Lu Qinghe, then perhaps… he’s no longer human.”

Sang Li sighed, feeling an inexplicable sense of regret.

Lin Xiang’er’s belongings were still in her backpack, untouched and undelivered, and now she was faced with this monstrous transformation.

“We’ll go straight for the Floating World Bell.”

Sang Li made up her mind.

“Alright.”

Ji Hengyu’s gaze didn’t waver as he instantly dropped his disguise, reverting to his original form.

With a flick of his fan, a soul-locking curse struck the young man’s vital point. The sudden pain caused his figure to stagger, and he turned around in disbelief, staring at the two who remained within the magical barrier.

After a heavy silence…

The young man fell silent, collapsing without a sound.

Such malevolent forces were disasters for ordinary cultivators, but for Ji Hengyu, it was a trivial matter requiring no effort—just one move to kill.

The spell gathered in his fan, ready to strike with a single blow.

Unexpectedly, a sudden change occurred.

A torrent of thick black mist poured down upon them, instantly blinding their vision and cutting off all sight.

Ji Hengyu’s figure was enveloped in the oppressive fog. His stance remained steady as he calmly observed the sounds coming from all directions.

It was eerily quiet.

Too quiet.

His jade-bone fan transformed into the Chi Evil Sword, which he gripped firmly in his hand.

Here it comes—!

Ji Hengyu shifted his footing slightly. With a sharp clang , the sword vibrated as it deflected a poisoned dart.

But it wasn’t over yet.

Whoosh whoosh —several more projectiles flew out of the mist, countless and dense, like rain pouring down from the sky.

This wasn’t a technique that an ordinary demon cultivator could produce. Ji Hengyu immediately had a name in mind.

Ji Wu: [Little fox is gone.]

Ji Hengyu’s expression was no longer as nonchalant as before.

His demeanor remained calm, but cold fury gathered in his eyes, the corners of his eyes tightening with suppressed anger.

With a single slash of his sword, a radiant arc of light cut through the thick fog. Amidst the swirling sand, several figures gradually emerged around them.

One, two, three…

Eleven puppets in total.

To stop him, Yan Jinglou had unleashed all of his puppets!!

“Ji Hengyu, I never expected a pawn I’ve long discarded to catch your eye.”

As the puppets approached, they mocked—

“When did you develop such peculiar tastes?”

Mockery filled the faces of the puppets.

Ji Hengyu’s temperament was usually calm and collected, immune to taunts. But now, facing these eleven faces resembling Yan Jinglou, a rare trace of disdain and irritation flickered across his features.

“Ji Wu.”

Ji Hengyu summoned Ji Wu.

Clad in red, Ji Wu stood by his side, his expression one of amused curiosity.

“Don’t take longer than half an hour.”

Ji Hengyu spared him no further glance, turning to chase after Yan Jinglou’s true form.

The puppets, of course, knew his intent. They activated a barrier, forcibly trapping him within to delay him.

•

Meanwhile, Sang Li had already run some distance away.

The sudden appearance of the thick fog had completely disrupted their plans. The bait was long gone, and the malevolent force had lost its scent and trail within the mist. In its rage, it slaughtered many of the lurking cultivators.

Sang Li considered herself lucky, relying on the big-eyed creature to avoid losing track of it.

The malevolent force found the female bait hiding among the rocks. With a piercing scream, it grabbed her arm and dragged her out, sniffing her frantically. This caused the female cultivator to cry out in terror, hurling one spell after another in panic.

The chaotic barrage of spells disoriented the malevolent force, causing it to release her and stumble back a few steps.

“Go.”

Sang Li carefully summoned the Huagu Ling, transforming it into an invisible white thread that slowly extended toward the Floating World Bell hanging from its waist.

However, the malevolent force seemed to sense something and abruptly turned its head.

Oh no!

Sang Li inwardly cursed.

Realizing that the target was the Floating World Bell, the malevolent force erupted in fury. Its legs transformed into mist as it charged forward with incredible speed, like a streak of flying light.

Seeing the situation, the big-eyed creature swiftly flew out of her body, reverting to its original form to intercept the first wave of attacks.

“Roar—!”

Enraged, the malevolent force let out a thunderous roar, immediately clashing with the big-eyed creature in fierce combat.

The two monsters exchanged blows rapidly, leaving Sang Li momentarily dazzled. However, she gradually noticed something amiss. While the malevolent force’s moves resembled those of the big-eyed creature, they also contained certain spiritual techniques that only cultivators could execute. This put the big-eyed creature, which hadn’t yet fully recovered, at a disadvantage.

She scrutinized the malevolent force once again, carefully examining it from head to toe.

Upon closer inspection, the tattered cloth hanging from the malevolent force resembled clothing, with patterns identical to the robes of the Wuding Sect. Combined with Huai’an’s earlier conversation and the attire of the female bait, Sang Li was almost certain.

She clenched her jaw, deciding to test her theory.

“Die!”

The malevolent force’s roar carried indistinguishable human speech.

As it gathered lightning fire in its palm, about to hurl it at the big-eyed creature’s face, Sang Li swiftly stepped in front of the big-eyed creature. The Huagu Ling in her fingertips unfolded layer by layer, forming a protective dome of pure white feathers around them, blocking the attack.

She raised her head and asked—

“Lu Qinghe, are you looking for Lin Xiang’er?”

Those words were like a bucket of water, instantly extinguishing the savage ferocity in its eyes.

Visibly, it calmed down. A look of confusion and bewilderment spread across its grotesque, decaying face, like a fire that had been completely snuffed out, losing all aggression.

Sang Li knew—her gamble had paid off.