199: seduction

"If you're going to put on a show, you have to go all out."

"If you want someone to take the bait, the more realistic, the better."

Outside the valley.

Shen Xuanzhao concealed his figure, his Aura not showing, as he pondered the Qingyang Li Clan's situation.

The Qingyang Li Clan's Foundation Establishment Cultivators were guarding all the essential passes at the border between Huang Prefecture and Luo Prefecture.

The three of them had served as Guest Elders in the Li Family, and after that, they had dealt with the Li Family for so many years.

The Li Family's Foundation Establishment Cultivators had long since sensed the Aura of the three of them.

Unless he perfectly concealed his Aura, it would be impossible to sneak through.

Shen Xuanzhao avoided the original route and headed towards the Tianduan Mountain Range.

Inside the Tianduan Mountain Range.

There were many Qi Refining Cultivators collecting Spiritual Plants or hunting Yao Beasts within it.

Shen Xuanzhao remained calm, hiding in the shadows, observing carefully.

After a long time.

Shen Xuanzhao selected several Qi Refining Cultivators.

These few people were all Mid-stage Qi Refining Cultivators, forming a team to enter the Tianduan Mountain Range.

Their cultivation was neither high nor low.

Their actions were also cautious, carefully avoiding territories where Cultivators with higher cultivation than them resided.

They specifically chose to hunt lone Yao Beasts around the Middle Stage Qi Refining level.

Shen Xuanzhao quietly followed behind them, doing nothing.

Instead, he noted down some of the actions of one of them.

A few days later.

The leading middle-aged Cultivator, Mu Yan, calculated for a bit.

After a short rest with the other four in a safe place, they prepared to leave the mountain and return to sell their harvest from this trip.

Far behind them, on a giant tree.

Shen Xuanzhao saw that the five people were ready to leave.

With a thought, he quietly departed.

Several hours later.

When the five people got up and prepared to leave the mountain.

"Fellow Daoist, what is your advice?"

The leader suddenly turned his head, speaking with a solemn expression.

The other four were startled, their magic power circulating, assuming a fighting stance.

In the eyes of the five.

An ordinary-looking man walked out from the shadows with a faint smile, approaching them.

He did not answer the middle-aged man's question.

The five felt a heavy weight in their hearts.

"The visitor bodes ill..."

The leading middle-aged male Cultivator gripped a magical sword in his hand, about to make the first move.

"Illusion God."

Then they saw the ordinary-looking man walking towards them softly utter these words.

A hazy scene invaded the Sea of Consciousness of the five people.

"Illusion Spell..."

The last thought flashed through the leading middle-aged man's mind before he fell into a daze.

The other four were also in the same state.

Shen Xuanzhao walked closer and nodded.

This was just a small Spell, but for these five people, who were only Mid-stage Qi Refining Cultivators, it was naturally not a problem.

He picked up the Cultivator among the five whose build was similar to his.

He knocked him out with a slap.

Then, in a few swift moves, he stripped off his clothes and put them on himself.

Afterward, he disguised himself.

He placed this person in a safe spot, then blended in with the four people who were standing dazed in place.

"Snap ~"

Shen Xuanzhao snapped his fingers.

The middle-aged male Cultivator's eyes gradually cleared.

"Strange ~"

Looking at the magical sword in his hand, the middle-aged male Cultivator was slightly puzzled, and after thinking, he found nothing unusual.

He looked at his four brothers, and seeing no abnormalities, he no longer thought much about it.

"Let's go."

The middle-aged male Cultivator said.

He took the lead and walked towards the Tianduan Mountain Range.

Shen Xuanzhao mingled among them, following along without a change in expression.

Someone struck up a conversation midway.

Shen Xuanzhao changed his voice to match that of the unconscious person, handling the conversation with ease.

A few days later.

Outside the Tianduan Mountain Range.

The border between Huang Prefecture and Luo Prefecture.

As soon as the five people emerged from the mountains.

Shen Xuanzhao felt a Divine Sense sweep over him.

He nodded slightly in his heart, revealing not the slightest flaw.

The five people did not stop.

They hurried in the direction of Qingyang City.

Shen Xuanzhao's heart stirred.

In a cave in the Tianduan Mountain Range, a small green flower suddenly transformed into spiritual light and dissipated, its Aura no longer present.

"Roar!"

Just then.

A huge beast roar echoed from the cave, filled with anger, its Aura powerful, a massive figure flying out, exuding the Aura of a Foundation Establishment Stage Great Demon.

Cultivators inside and outside the mountain range were all shocked.

Shen Xuanzhao was no exception.

He seemed to be startled by the sudden incoming Aura.

His perfectly concealed Aura actually leaked a subtle trace.

However, in an instant, this trace of Aura disappeared.

"Hmm?"

High in the sky.

A Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Elder dressed in Qingyang Li Clan attire suddenly changed his expression.

"How audacious!"

"I almost fell for your trick."

He muttered in his heart.

A Jade Slip was held in his hand.

"Snap ~"

The Jade Slip shattered.

After finishing this.

This Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator was about to make a move.

But he suddenly paused.

"Only one person..."

He dispersed the magic power on his body.

He did nothing else.

"He didn't make a move..."

"It seems he wants to use me to capture all three of us in one fell swoop..."

Shen Xuanzhao and the small team of four gradually moved away.

His expression changed slightly.

"Let's take a gamble."

Shen Xuanzhao's mind was made up.

He followed the group towards Qingyang City.

A moment later.

Three more Foundation Establishment Cultivators arrived beside the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Having received the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator's sound transmission in advance.

Therefore, all three had restrained their Aura and did not make a big show of it.

Among them was a Late Foundation Establishment Stage Clan Elder.

"Well done."

This white-bearded, elderly Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator nodded to the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivator.

Then, he gave an instruction.

This Late Foundation Establishment Stage Li Family Clan Elder quietly followed alone.

Outside Qingyang City.

Shen Xuanzhao and the four appeared.

Without stopping, they headed towards the city gate.

Shen Xuanzhao's face was relaxed, but he felt considerable pressure in his heart.

If he entered the city, he would truly become a turtle in a jar.

If the Qingyang Li Clan changed their minds then, he would be in danger.

He didn't think much further; since he had already decided to take some risks, he would just do it.

After paying the Spirit Stone.

The five successfully entered the city.

High in the sky.

"What courage."

The Li Family's Late Foundation Establishment Stage Cultivator, Second Clan Elder, praised slightly in his heart.

"The most dangerous place is the safest place, isn't it...?"

Second Clan Elder laughed dumbfounded.

"What a plan, I want to see what you all intend to do."

He quietly opened the Great Formation and entered the city.

After Shen Xuanzhao entered the city.

He quietly separated from the four.

He found various shops selling Spiritual Plants.

He divided the first-grade Spiritual Plants, spiritual fruits, spiritual materials, etc., that he had collected along the way into multiple batches and sold them through various shops.

Afterward, he used the obtained Spirit Stones to purchase some first-grade healing Medicinal Pills from other shops or stalls he hadn't visited.

The quantity was small, in multiple batches, so as not to attract attention.

"First-grade healing Medicinal Pills..."

"It seems someone among them is injured."

After Shen Xuanzhao left.

Second Clan Elder casually investigated.

"How cautious..."

The admiration on Second Clan Elder's face grew even stronger.

Shen Xuanzhao's actions could be described as extremely seasoned.

If he hadn't been following closely from the beginning, how could he have discerned the clues from these transactions?

Thinking of the Clan's previous arrangements, he couldn't help but shake his head.

So cautious and meticulous, no wonder they hadn't been able to catch these three for so many years.

"Hehe ~"

He suddenly chuckled, a hint of confidence on his face.

He seemed to have seen through Shen Xuanzhao.

His heart stirred, and his figure disappeared.