181: Chapter 181 Gu Lingye's Ambush

Outside the pavilion.

Xu Changsheng chose an alleyway to return to the west side of the city.

Suddenly, as he walked past an alley entrance, his footsteps came to a halt.

He looked back.

The alley was pitch black, with no one in sight.

He spoke abruptly: "Come out, I have seen you."

A pretty figure stepped out from the shadows and entered Xu Changsheng's field of vision; it was none other than Chu Linger.

He watched her walk forward, looking somewhat awkward.

Xu Changsheng rubbed his forehead: "Is this about the Jiejing Pill?"

Chu Linger's expression was one of surprise: "Ma-Revered Master, how did you know?"

He sighed: "I have worked with you for so long, do you really think I wouldn't know what you are thinking?"

Recalling the way Chu Linger had looked forward to the Jiejing Pill, much like a child seeing candy, he knew she couldn't hide her thoughts at all.

Chu Linger's eyes curved into crescents: "Revered Master understands Linger best after all."

Xu Changsheng ignored her flattery: "Understanding is one thing, but that Jiejing Pill is expensive. You aren't planning to get something for nothing, are you?"

She hurriedly waved her hands: "Of course not, Linger will pay for it. It's just that Linger isn't like Revered Master, able to produce a quasi-third-rank talisman, so I wanted to..."

However, at this moment, her words were cut off by Xu Changsheng: "Stop."

"Eh, Revered Master..."

Chu Linger wanted to say something more, but seeing Xu Changsheng's face suddenly turn solemn, devoid of its usual warmth, she stopped.

A chill suddenly rose in her heart, thinking that Xu Changsheng was angry. She pressed her lips together tightly, not daring to utter another word.

She quietly dispersed her Divine Sense into her Sea of Consciousness, and seeing that the golden ring around her Sea of Consciousness remained still, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Looking at Xu Changsheng again, she found that his brows were furrowed into deep ridges, and his chest was heaving, as if he had encountered something extremely serious.

She didn't dare to speak, nor did she dare to leave, so she could only watch him trembling with fear.

At this moment.

Xu Changsheng was completely ignoring Chu Linger's thoughts; before his eyes, a blood-red screen of light had appeared.

His gaze was completely locked onto this screen of light.

[Daily Intelligence (Red): Gu Lingye's Stakeout]

[Gu Lingye has learned of the host's identity through the channels of Yinsha Pavilion, knows that the host has reached Foundation Establishment in Yellow Ox Immortal City and has been residing there for a long time, and also knows that the host has returned to Yellow Ox Immortal City from the Hundred Sects Trial. Consequently, she traveled a thousand miles, arrived at Yellow Ox Immortal City one day ago, and is currently waiting for the host in front of the host's Immortal Cave.]

He read the content on the screen of light several times over, his pupils constricting slightly.

"How ruthless!"

As expected of a veteran assassin from Yinsha Pavilion, she had dug up his background and residence in such a short time, and had even entered the Immortal City silently.

A fine layer of cold sweat had already broken out on his back.

The fact that the Locust Demon hadn't killed Gu Lingye earlier had already made him uneasy. He had planned to at least remain hidden for a while, but he hadn't expected Gu Lingye to come knocking after only a few months.

Facing a Golden Core Cultivator, he, an Early Foundation Establishment Cultivator, was like a mantis trying to stop a chariot; he was insignificant.

Not to mention she was a well-trained assassin.

If not for the intelligence alert today, he would certainly have perished.

But even with the intelligence alert, what could he do?

As an assassin, Gu Lingye must understand the principle of a wily rabbit having three burrows; the surroundings of Yellow Ox Immortal City might already be filled with her eyes and ears.

"I can't escape. Am I supposed to play hide-and-seek with a Golden Core Cultivator in the Immortal City?"

Then he would truly be a grasshopper in late autumn—unable to hop for many more days. The Immortal City wasn't exactly small; it was large enough for a Mortal to walk back and forth for several days.

But it wasn't exactly large either. A Golden Core Cultivator's Divine Sense far exceeded his own as a Foundation Establishment Cultivator, reaching a range of dozens of miles, and Gu Lingye most likely had other tracking methods.

Hiding was simply not viable.

But for now, this was his only option. Among the Star Pattern's Formation Legacy, there were a few Formations that could shield against Divine Sense, which should come in handy.

As long as he could hold out for a year or two, Gu Lingye might assume he had already left Yellow Ox Immortal City.

Only then would he have a chance to leave the Immortal City.

"Ma-Revered Master?"

Seeing Xu Changsheng's eyes regain their focus, Chu Linger tentatively waved her hand: "What's wrong with you?"

He shook his head: "It's nothing, just that I've encountered some trouble."

Chu Linger's pretty face turned pale: "What trouble? Can you tell Linger?"

"I went out traveling before and encountered a great enemy. I didn't kill her on the spot at that time, and now she has come to my door and is blocking the entrance to my Immortal Cave."

Hearing this, Chu Linger giggled: "Linger thought it was because my request just now was too excessive and made Revered Master unhappy; it turns out it's just such a small matter."

"A small matter?"

"Of course it's a small matter. Public order in Yellow Ox Immortal City has always been good. Wait a moment, I will notify the West District Guard Division."

As she spoke, she took out a crystalline communication jade talisman.

However, as soon as she took it out, it was pressed down by Xu Changsheng: "It's useless. That enemy of mine is a Golden Core Cultivator."

"Ah?"

Chu Linger covered her red lips lightly: "I, did I hear that right? A Golden Core Senior?"

"Mm, you heard right. She is a Golden Core Cultivator. No matter what Guard Division you have, they won't be able to deal with her. She is also very good at concealment; the people from the Guard Division probably wouldn't even be able to find her."

After finishing, he continued to add his request: "I definitely can't stay at that Immortal Cave anymore. Do you know if there is anywhere else in the East City where I can rent an Immortal Cave? I want to avoid the limelight."

Chu Linger frowned: "There are almost none left. Outside of Huangniu Mountain, Immortal Caves are rare, and they have all been carved up by the major forces. It might not be possible to rent one."

"That's a bit tricky then."

Chu Linger smiled sweetly: "Why does Revered Master worry about this? Linger has a way."

He didn't hold much hope. This girl was not deeply experienced in the world; could she think of a good idea? He replied absent-mindedly: "What kind of way could you have?"

Chu Linger hopped forward and came before him: "Has Revered Master forgotten that my Revered Master and Senior Brother are both Golden Core True Persons?"

Hearing this, Xu Changsheng's heart skipped a beat.

That's right. He had been trying to rely on himself to get rid of Gu Lingye, but that was too unrealistic, and the risk was too high. A single mistake would mean his death and soul dissipation.

But he didn't have enough influence to get a Golden Core Cultivator to help him, unless...

"What do you mean?"

"I will directly tell my Revered Master about the Golden Core Cultivator sneaking into the Immortal City. Given his temperament, he certainly won't sit idly by."

Xu Changsheng nodded: "Truly, one is often blind to one's own situation. I still needed Fairy Chu to provide some clarity."

Chu Linger was happy to be of help. She took out another communication jade pendant, then put it down again, looking at Xu Changsheng with some suspicion.

The latter asked in confusion: "What's wrong?"

Chu Linger's eyes held vigilance: "Wasn't Revered Master dining at the Zhaiyue Pavilion all night tonight? How did you know your enemy had come to your door? You aren't lying to Linger, are you? If Linger tells a lie, she will surely be punished by her Revered Master."

Xu Changsheng shook his head: "I wouldn't. I saw it through the surveillance Formation I set up in my Immortal Cave."

Seeing that Chu Linger still seemed hesitant, he added: "And regardless of whether Yellow Ox manages to expel my enemy, I promise you, I will help you obtain a Jiejing Pill!"