23: rescue

The news was intermittent.

Lu Xian's brows furrowed; someone dared to target his people?

In the past six months, he had earned nearly seven hundred Spirit Stones, but Du Qinghong had shouldered all the risks alone.

According to Du Qinghong's brief mentions, he had been targeted three times during that period, but he had easily resolved them each time without ever troubling Lu Xian to take action.

Now, it had actually attracted a Late Stage Qi Refining Bandit Cultivator!

"The situation is urgent. If Little Fatty Du really undergoes a soul search, it will inevitably raise suspicion. I have to go there; if it doesn't work out, I'll flee." Lu Xian pondered.

The spirit eggs themselves weren't the most critical part.

One had to realize that ensuring a production of a hundred eggs every ten days meant, under normal circumstances, that at least a hundred Spirit Bird were being raised behind the scenes!

At thirty Spirit Stones each, that was a full three thousand!

Who wouldn't be envious?

Even Lu Xian himself was deeply tempted, although there were only twelve Spirit Bird in his Chicken Coop, each laying one egg punctually every day.

However, in another part of the backyard, over thirty more were kept in pens, intended to be slaughtered for food in an attempt to break through to the sixth layer of the Spirit Devouring Bone Transformation Scripture.

In these six months, Lu Xian's blood and Qi had completed their second transformation, and his Physical Body's strength was comparable to the eighth layer of Qi Refining!

This was also the source of his confidence.

But thorough preparations were still necessary.

Lu Xian stood up abruptly.

Talismans, Concealed Weapons, Formation Plates—all ready!

Spreading out a map, five retreat (fleeing) routes were also planned!

Healing Medicine, Qi Recovery Pills—correct!

The mana in his body was full, his body had no negative effects, his Sea of Consciousness was clear, and his Divine Sense covered a radius of over twenty zhang.

Set out!

Having made his decision, Lu Xian did not hesitate.

If he was late, he would likely only be able to collect Du Qinghong's corpse, and he himself would be targeted.

...

Lu Xian traveled swiftly, dressed in efficient black clothing and wearing a specially made mask that could block Divine Sense probes.

The sky was clear and the air was crisp.

It was a fine day for killing.

When he approached the agreed location outside the North Gate, he did not rashly draw close.

His Divine Sense swept over, only to see a large pool of blood remaining on the open ground.

Little Fatty Du's situation looked grim.

"This is definitely a trap intended to draw me out, but... they have absolutely underestimated my strength..." Lu Xian analyzed privately.

The Xuanpin Qi Concealment Art continued to operate.

Lu Xian quietly investigated, leaning against the scattered courtyards.

Sure enough, before he had gone far, his Divine Sense captured two Cultivators lurking in a courtyard, with another one on the roof.

Seventh Layer of Qi Refining, Fifth Layer of Qi Refining, Fifth Layer of Qi Refining.

Additionally, inside the house, another person lay on the ground at death's door; it was Du Qinghong. Blood overflowed from his mouth and nose, and his already round face was even more swollen.

Lu Xian was somewhat puzzled; with Little Fatty Du's skill at fleeing, he shouldn't have been captured so easily.

Could it be that the opponents just relied on their superior numbers?

Despite thinking this, he did not underestimate the enemy.

In a life-and-death battle between Cultivators, a thunderous strike was required!

According to his plan, he would first deal with the one on the roof, then attempt a tactical retreat to wait for a chance to defeat them one by one...

"Brother, will that contact person show up? I'm waiting so long I'm about to fall asleep."

The person on the roof complained with utter boredom.

"Do your job. I deliberately leaked the rumor of the Soul Searching Technique. As long as that person has any temper at all, they will definitely come to avoid exposure. As soon as they show up, report immediately!"

The leading Seventh Layer Cultivator scolded.

But after waiting for a while, the subordinate on the roof did not reply.

He jerked his head around, only to see a black-robed figure cleanly twisting his subordinate's neck off and then kicking the body away!

"Hehe... hello everyone. Taking a nap in broad daylight? I'll help out a little, you don't mind, do you?"

Lu Xian laughed, though his smile was hidden behind the mask.

Before his voice faded, he leaped down from the roof and fled toward the backyard.

The cultivation level he deliberately displayed was only the Fifth Layer of Qi Refining.

"Chase him!" the leading Seventh Layer Cultivator ordered sharply.

The remaining subordinate: "Huh? Me? Second Brother just had his head twisted off by him."

"Damn it, go when I tell you to! It's just a Fifth Layer of Qi Refining sneak attack. With your skills, capturing him should be as easy as pie."

"Boss, why don't you go? Seventh Layer against Fifth Layer should be even easier."

"Are you stupid? Does the one in the house not need guarding?"

A cold light flashed in the leading Cultivator's eyes, followed by a faint sneer.

Although he felt something was strange.

But the trap was already set... it was fine to let this idiot go and probe.

Just as he was thinking, from the corner of his eye, he saw the subordinate beside him was now just a headless corpse, blood spraying out with a hiss!

He was scared out of his wits!

Damn it, when did this happen?

"So it's just the three useless brothers. I might have overthought it."

Seeing that no one had chased him for a while, Lu Xian slowly stepped out from the shadows of the courtyard corner.

In his palm, he held a small Formation Plate shimmering with green light.

Just now, it was a wind blade sneak attack from the Minor Wind Thunder Killing Formation!

He had originally intended to defeat them one by one, but unexpectedly... these two brothers were arguing.

He could only send one of them on his way.

"Brother, it's a misunderstanding!" The leading Cultivator retreated repeatedly; he had indeed been frightened just now.

But seeing Lu Xian appear, a fierce light suddenly flashed in his eyes, and he abruptly threw out two Low Grade Ice Spear Talismans, then quickly took out a Jade Tablet to send a message: The fish has taken the bait, come quickly!

Lu Xian's figure swayed slightly, easily dodging the two ice spears. Seeing this, his heart chilled.

Not good!

Sure enough, within a few breaths, a figure from both the east and west directions, a hundred zhang away, rushed over swiftly, instantly entering the range of his Divine Sense.

Two Seventh Layers of Qi Refining! Including the one in the courtyard, that made three!

The three Bandit Cultivators converged, brimming with Killing Intent. The one in the middle, holding a longsword Magical Artifact, grinned hideously:

"Kid! Hand over all the Spirit Bird and the cultivation method, then you can go on your way in peace. Your Spirit Stones, your grandpas will spend them for you! Hahaha!"

Lu Xian scanned them coldly.

The man in the middle held a longsword Magical Artifact, while the other two were empty-handed.

He said casually, "Your Excellency uses your own brothers as bait; don't you find it shameful?"

"Hahaha, with these two useless things gone, we can divide an extra share! Why not?" the original leader laughed wildly.

"Don't bother struggling."

The longsword-wielding Bandit Cultivator added, "I've already investigated thoroughly; you're just a lone brat! If you hadn't taken so many detours after every transaction, we would have found your nest long ago. Why would we have needed all this trouble!"

Lu Xian's expression darkened. He had originally wanted to fake a small clan background to stall for time and wait for a chance to sneak attack another person.

It seemed the three had been lying in ambush for a long time, and the relaxed appearance they initially showed was all for show.

Among Bandit Cultivators, there were indeed no shortage of ruthless characters.

Those without means had all died long ago.

In this battle, he could only fight it out.

Lu Xian was fully prepared and was not afraid.

No more words were needed.

Lu Xian activated the Minor Wind Thunder Killing Formation, and several Spirit Stones embedded in the Formation Plate were quickly drained.

Seeing this, the three of them attacked simultaneously!

Just as they approached within two zhang, Lu Xian grinned, "Here's a greeting gift for you all!"

"Not good, it's the Minor Wind Thunder Killing Formation. Its offensive power is extremely fierce; it cannot be resisted head-on!"

One Bandit Cultivator recognized its power and cried out in alarm!

Blue and purple light flashed violently in front of Lu Xian!

In the next instant, more than a dozen sharp wind blades, accompanied by dazzling lightning, wove into a net and crashed toward the three!

"Boom—Rumble—!"

The leader hurriedly activated a Golden Gang Talisman, but it was shattered in an instant as if it were rotten wood. Wind blades struck his body, leaving it covered in bloody gashes!

The one who had first recognized the Formation Plate had only suffered minor injuries because he dodged in time.

The most miserable one was the one who had charged at the front with his sword!

He was at the very front, and his sword tip was originally less than half a foot from Lu Xian's throat, but when the wind and thunder struck, he had no time to defend.

Lightning swept through his entire body, causing his flesh to split open!

The following wind blades shredded half of his body into a bloody mess!

A scent of charred meat wafted through the air.

"Thud!" The longsword Bandit Cultivator crashed to the ground.

Lu Xian seized the opportunity, and an Ice Spear Talisman flew from his hand, completely ending the man's life!

"Brother Ze!" "No, A-Ze—!"

The remaining two were terrified beyond measure, panting like oxen.