I Shall Be Everlasting In the World of Immortals 245

## Chapter 242: The Master Said

“Now, use the chaos to escape, no one can stop us!”

Yu Qin took out a near-third-order flying escape talisman, activated it with her spiritual energy, and after about half a breath, stuck it to her waist.

Low-cultivation practitioners often cannot instantly activate high-grade talismans because the spiritual energy they channel is too vast.

Whoosh!

In an instant, Yu Qin’s speed increased dramatically, exceeding the level of a late-Foundation Establishment cultivator.

The Foundation Establishment elders chasing after her were immediately left far behind.

A smug smile appeared on Yu Qin’s lips, her plan had been perfectly executed, a great feat accomplished.

Don’t think that she was just wreaking havoc in the Xia clan without killing anyone.

The young master of the Xia clan was the next leader of the Five Blessings Trading Company, a key figure carefully nurtured by the Xia family.

He was almost guaranteed to reach the late-Foundation Establishment stage, and had the potential to form a Golden Core in the future.

However, he had ingested the mixed poison she prepared, resulting in his failed breakthrough and severe backlash, inevitably damaging his foundation.

As a result, even if he managed to reach the late-Foundation Establishment stage, his chance of forming a Golden Core in the future would be extremely slim.

Xia Mingqu’s father, Xia Yongzhong, had failed to form a Golden Core years ago and was serving as the company’s chairman, mainly responsible for managing the trading company’s assets.

Clan leader Xia Hongyu, although skilled in longevity cultivation, had a much shorter lifespan than the fake Golden Core cultivator born in the Xin family.

Yu Qin’s secret scheme not only prevented the Xia clan from gaining another late-Foundation Establishment cultivator but also posed a risk of their top combat power facing a future gap.

Furthermore, Yu Qin had also shifted the blame onto Lu Chang’an, the strongest guest cultivator of the Xia clan.

The mixed poison she prepared contained certain ingredients specifically purchased from Autumn Wind Island.

Leaving this kind of trace, when the Xia clan’s high-ranking officials investigated later, they would be unlikely to trust Lu Chang’an completely.

“Xia Mingqu, don’t blame me for being cruel. Back then, your parents were also against us being together, looking down on my small family’s background.”

“This accomplishment will bring me great rewards from the New Moon Trading Company, and they will even accept my family through marriage.”

Yu Qin’s expression fluctuated, her mood complex, even a tinge of guilt.

Just now, when the young master failed his breakthrough and suffered backlash, she actually had the chance to kill him.

The reason she didn’t act was partly out of guilt, unable to bring herself to take his life.

On the other hand, as the young master, Xia Mingqu might possess powerful life-saving techniques.

“Stop her!”

As Yu Qin was about to fly out of the Xia clan’s territory, the protective array’s light barrier was about to activate.

With the aid of a near-third-order talisman, Yu Qin’s speed was too fast, the Qi Refinement cultivators on the way were either unable to catch up or were easily killed by her.

“The Xia clan’s protective array is near-third-order, but without a sufficient number of Foundation Establishment cultivators to control it, its power is greatly reduced.”

Yu Qin was confident, heading straight for the protective array’s light barrier.

As long as she broke through the array, she would be safe. There were other cultivators waiting for her outside.

…

Hum!

The protective array ahead emanated thick brilliance, thunderclouds gathered in the sky, brewing into cyan lightning as thick as a python.

“Something’s wrong!”

Yu Qin’s pretty face changed dramatically. Feeling the immense pressure from the celestial array, her breathing became oppressed.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!

The array activated, a sudden storm of thunder and rain covered the area she was flying through, reducing her speed by almost 80%.

At the same time.

Two breaking-air sounds came from behind, chasing after her.

“Xia Mingqu?! You…”

Yu Qin glanced back, her eyes widening in disbelief, looking at Xia Mingqu and Xia Shenglan who were unharmed.

Xia Mingqu and Xia Shenglan had also used near-third-order flying talismans.

In addition, they each held array flags in their hands, their spiritual energy surging, guiding the power of the near-third-order array to block Yu Qin’s escape.

Xia Mingqu’s expression was grim, his eyes cold as he stared at the alluring figure in the pink dress.

Yu Qin’s actions, for him, were not just betrayal… but a vendetta!

If she had succeeded, his life would have been forever stuck at the Foundation Establishment stage.

After being alerted by Lu Chang’an, even if he considered the worst possible outcome, he at most thought that Yu Qin might be an inside agent, using a strategy of sowing discord.

He never imagined that this woman would be so ruthless.

Because Yu Qin hadn’t used conventional poison, he hadn’t discovered the problem beforehand. He couldn’t make a definitive judgment between Lu Chang’an and Yu Qin.

After Lu Chang’an regained his identity, the second-order spirit contract he signed had been destroyed, and there was a possibility that he had been bought by an opposing force.

Therefore, the previous closed-door breakthrough was just an act by Xia Mingqu.

He used various medicinal baths to wash his body and expel the various components of the mixed poison.

Finally, he pretended to fail the breakthrough, pretending to be poisoned and suffering a backlash, solidifying Yu Qin’s identity as an insider.

“Yu Qin, the protective array is activated, you cannot escape today!”

Xia Mingqu’s eyes were fierce, controlling the array’s power to restrict Yu Qin’s breakout while flying.

Due to the hasty activation of the array, there weren’t enough Foundation Establishment cultivators, and the full power of the array couldn’t be unleashed.

Whoosh!

As he spoke, another breaking-air sound came from several miles away, emanating the powerful spiritual pressure of a late-Foundation Establishment cultivator.

“It’s Talisman Master Lu!”

Xia Shenglan and Xia Mingqu looked at each other, slightly relieved.

Lu Chang’an had come from the direction of Autumn Wind Island, flanking and chasing, his speed comparable to that of a late-Foundation Establishment peak cultivator.

Judging from the time and distance, Lu Chang’an had arrived immediately and hadn’t deliberately let her go.

It is true that Lu Chang’an didn’t use his trump cards, but as an outsider guest cultivator, he had fulfilled his basic duties.

…

“Old lady wants to go, you can’t stop me!”

Yu Qin noticed Lu Chang’an chasing from the side, showing a trace of panic for the first time.

Lu Chang’an’s fighting prowess was highly rated in the New Moon Trading Company’s intelligence assessments. It was said that it would take two or three late-Foundation Establishment cultivators to take him down.

Luckily, Lu Chang’an had come from the remote Autumn Wind Island, and was the furthest away from her at this time.

Boom! Zzzzt!

Under the onslaught of electric rain and lightning, Yu Qin’s top-quality magic artifact was damaged, and she had to use several top-quality second-order talismans.

Finally, she reached the light barrier of the array.

“Break!”

Yu Qin’s beautiful eyes flashed with a cold light, she flicked her finger and shot out a barrier-breaking talisman, a twisting beam of destruction tore a large crack in the protective array.

“Near-third-order barrier-breaking talisman!”

夏名曲 and Xia Shenglan were about to catch up, but upon seeing this, their faces became serious.

Barrier-breaking talismans were a scarce strategic type of talisman.

A near-third-order one was quite rare, even in the vast trading alliance.

“Heh heh… without this kind of trump card, how could I risk my life to carry out such a dangerous mission?”

Yu Qin quickly passed through the crack in the array with the aid of the flying talisman.

Her next step would be to fly freely, diving into the complex mountain terrain near the bay, she soon disappeared from sight.

“Too bad! Just one step away.”

Xia Mingqu sighed, following Xia Shenglan to the front of the array.

Currently, there were few strong figures stationed within the clan. If they flew out, it would leave the rear vulnerable.

“She actually got away?”

After a dozen breaths, Lu Chang’an landed on the遁光 and came over, glancing at the crack in the array that was about to close up.

Xia Mingqu’s handsome face flushed slightly, it was a bit embarrassing indeed.

Working together with the protective array, three clan elders had pursued, but let Yu Qin escape unscathed after wreaking havoc.

Xia Shenglan explained weakly, “That Yu Qin had a near-third-order escape talisman and barrier-breaking talisman, we were short-handed and hastily activated the array, so we were careless…”

Actually, Lu Chang’an could understand.

Except for him, none of Xia Mingqu and the others were late-Foundation Establishment cultivators. Facing Yu Qin, who was in the mid-stage, they didn’t have the power to crush her.

Yu Qin was a discarded disciple, not a weakling.

In a real one-on-one situation, disregarding their trump cards, Xia Mingqu might not be able to defeat her.

“Talisman Master Lu…”

Xia Shenglan hesitated for a moment, her expression unwilling, looking in the direction where Yu Qin had escaped.

Lu Chang’an immediately understood her intention.

Although Yu Qin had escaped, her magic artifact was damaged, and her life-saving talismans were depleted.

As a late-Foundation Establishment cultivator, if Lu Chang’an chased after her, there would be a good chance of catching her.

However, Lu Chang’an remained silent, pretending not to understand.

He became the guest cultivator of the Xia clan mainly because of his talisman master profession. In their previous agreements, he didn’t have the obligation to go out and fight.

Being able to help defend the clan territory was already fulfilling his obligations.

Moreover, Lu Chang’an had already made arrangements for Yu Qin’s fate.

“Shenglan, don’t bother Talisman Master Lu! Yu Qin’s actions this time might have had someone to help her, if we rashly pursue, what if we are ambushed…”

Xia Mingqu’s expression was serious, he dissuaded her.

“I was being reckless, blinded by hatred.”

Xia Shenglan realized.

“Just Yu Qin alone isn’t a threat. We have uncovered the New Moon Trading Company’s plot, preventing major losses for the family, we have not gained nothing.”

Xia Mingqu calmed down, he comforted her.

Xia Shenglan nodded, glanced at Xia Mingqu who looked dejected, and couldn’t help but think.

She could tell that Xia Mingqu’s killing intent wasn’t strong, and he was being cautious, disapprove of the pursuit.

After all, they had loved each other once.

Yu Qin hadn’t caused serious consequences, Xia Mingqu, after cutting off his feelings, had left a lifeline for her.

…

Qing Sha Bay, in the mountains hundreds of miles away.

The graceful female cultivator in a pink dress leaned against a towering tree, panting, fine beads of sweat forming on her forehead.

“Good thing Lu Chang’an had no intention to fight. The title of Turtle Talisman Master is well-deserved. I knew he wouldn’t go all out…”

Yu Qin felt relieved, her heart pounding.

She managed to escape, but at a considerable cost, her spiritual energy was depleted by more than half.

If Lu Chang’an, a late-Foundation Establishment cultivator, had chased after her, she would have been surely killed.

She, who had escaped, still had a sense of cleverness, after all, she had managed to escape unscathed from the pursuit of four Foundation Establishment cultivators.

Yu Qin’s delicate, melon-seed face revealed a faint smile, she thought about how to report back.

Suddenly, she felt the earth beneath her feet move.

Crack!

The next moment, Yu Qin’s slender legs in the pink dress froze, being brutally bitten off by a sharp, fanged maw.

“Ah! No—”

Yu Qin’s face turned pale, her body went cold, all her spiritual energy and blood coagulated, enveloped by a terrifying demonic power.

She was completely unable to move.

Amidst the desperate pain, she was only left with a sliver of conscious awareness.

Her beautiful body, from bottom to top, like a piece of white jade, was completely devoured by the blood-red maw in a few snapping sounds.

On the ground, Yu Qin’s figure no longer existed.

In its place, a giant earth rat demon, two zhang long, with a sturdy physique and orange-yellow fur.

Huff!

The giant earth rat demon opened its mouth and sucked in, swirling sand, swallowing the blood and various lingering traces on the ground.

“The master said, don’t leave any trace at the scene. It’s simple, I’ll just swallow her.”

The giant earth rat demon shrunk, quickly becoming the size of a ground dog, muttering to itself.

After a moment’s hesitation, it opened its mouth and spit out a storage bag.

It took out a pile of spirit stones, several spirit fruits and medicinal herbs from the storage bag.

The earth rat greedily chewed, making a series of crunching sounds.

After eating its fill, it showed a rare look of enjoyment.

Then, it reluctantly put away the remaining half of the spoils.

A flash of earthy yellow light, the earth rat burrowed underground.

…

Just moments after the earth rat disappeared, the sound of low-flying came from the other side of the forest.

Not long after, a burly man with a beard, surging with a fierce wind, floated in the air near where Yu Qin had died.

“Strange, the Xia clan’s protective array is activated, she managed to break through and escape, according to the agreement, she should be here…”

The bearded man furrowed his brows, his late-Foundation Establishment spiritual sense scanned the surrounding area.

The bearded man’s name was Kou Sen, he was the vice chairman of the New Moon Trading Company, responsible for coordinating Yu Qin’s operation this time.

Although Kou Sen was the vice chairman, he didn’t manage the company’s operations, he was mainly responsible for the escort organization. He was extremely skilled in combat, and was one of the top fighters in the Foundation Establishment stage.

Fang Zhong, the escaped cultivator who had signed a contract with the Liang Kingdom sect, although also a late-Foundation Establishment cultivator, couldn’t last ten breaths in front of Kou Sen.

Years ago, Fang Zhong had failed once near Qing Sha Bay, and Kou Sen was disappointed in him.

This plan was crucial, for the sake of secrecy and stability, Kou Sen had personally taken charge, without telling any of his subordinates.

Kou Sen searched the area for a long time, but couldn’t find any trace of Yu Qin.

He had a bad feeling, and was about to turn around and leave.

Just then, the ground shook.

Ssh!

A huge, jagged rock spike, like a illusion, suddenly pierced towards Kou Sen in mid-air.

“No good!”

Kou Sen felt a tremor in his heart, his scalp tingled, a sense of indescribable terror filled him.

He was a seasoned warrior, with keen intuition. The moment the rock spike broke through the ground, his spiritual energy surged.

Swish!

His figure trailed wind and electricity, Kou Sen moved horizontally six or seven zhang, narrowly avoiding the rock spike’s direct hit.

Kou Sen stabilized his figure, his face pale, his body covered in blood.

His entire right shoulder, including half of his torso, seemed to have been cut away, blood spattered everywhere.

Just now, the rock spike was too fast, even though he had dodged it immediately, he was still grazed on the shoulder.

As a result, his late-Foundation Establishment protective spiritual shield shattered instantly, and he almost lost half his life.

“…Third-order demon!”

Kou Sen had no chance to catch his breath, a look of despair crossed his face, looking at the earth rat demon appearing in the earthy yellow glow on the ground.

Although the demon was only the size of a ground dog, the spiritual pressure it emanated was comparable to that of a human Golden Core cultivator.

“A third-order demon… stealing an attack…”

Kou Sen was terrified, a bitter smile appeared on his face, he knew that he was finished today.

If he was at his peak, facing a fake Golden Core cultivator, he could still hold out for a while, even having a chance to escape.

With his current injured body, facing a third-order demon, was a hopeless situation.

He strained to wave his hand, summoning the rudimentary form of his magic artifact, taking out his life-saving third-order talisman.

Just at that moment, the earth rat on the ground was just a blur.

Poof!

Kou Sen’s body froze, looking at the sharp claw that had pierced through his chest from behind.

“The master said, if we can sneak attack, we will never fight head-on.”

The earth rat’s sharp claws slowly retracted, instantly crushing Kou Sen’s internal organs.

“Third-order demon… Lu Chang’an’s spirit beast earth rat…”

He widened his eyes, the last sliver of consciousness before death, revealed a terrifying truth.

He wanted to desperately transmit the message to the New Moon Trading Company, but it was too late.

The earth rat followed the same procedure, swallowing Kou Sen’s body and taking out the storage bag.

As the vice chairman, Kou Sen’s storage bag contained quite a lot of loot, far exceeding that of an ordinary late-Foundation Establishment cultivator.

“This human accidentally stumbled upon this, for the sake of security, I killed it, the master shouldn’t blame me.”

The earth rat swallowed half of the treasures in the loot, enjoying another delicious meal.

…

Half an hour later.

Autumn Wind Island, in the mansion’s private room.

Lu Chang’an’s face was expressionless, looking at the two storage bags presented by the earth rat.

He checked for a moment, the storage bag containing Kou Sen’s belongings brought a pleasant surprise.

It contained third-order talismans, talisman artifacts, rudimentary forms of magic artifacts, and other valuable items.

It also contained materials for puppets, third-order animal hides, minerals, and other things that Lu Chang’an needed.

The rest of the spirit stones, pills, magic artifacts, etc., were quite numerous.

“The vice chairman of the New Moon Trading Company…”

From the few ledgers and jade tubes, Lu Chang’an learned the identity of the person the earth rat had “accidentally” killed.

After killing Yu Qin, the earth rat had completely destroyed the body and left no trace.

That vice chairman didn’t actually need to be killed. His death would inevitably shake the high-ranking officials of the New Moon Trading Company.

Lu Chang’an understood that the earth rat wanted to replenish its food supply and boost its cultivation, so it had taken the initiative to kill one more.

Lu Chang’an didn’t blame it, including its private taking of some spirit stones and spirit objects, he turned a blind eye.

Although the New Moon Trading Company was powerful, it didn’t have a Golden Core cultivator, so Lu Chang’an didn’t take it seriously.

If there was any trouble later, he would let the earth rat have another extra meal.

“Next time you go out to collect loot, be careful to destroy any suspicious items, avoid being tracked later.”

Lu Chang’an took out a few suspicious objects from the storage bag, handed them to the earth rat, and passed on his insights.

“You are a third-order demon, your spiritual sense is strong and your sense of smell is sensitive. Learn more about human civilization, it won’t be difficult for you.”

吱吱!

The earth rat nodded its little head, humbly accepting the lesson.

It remembered, from now on, when it brought back loot, not only should it destroy the bodies, but also help its master destroy any suspicious items.

(End of Chapter)

Previous Chapter | TOC | Next Chapter