106: Chapter 106 Being Watched

["Let's go. Be careful."]

[The three avoided that youth, but before they had gone far, a dark shadow leaped out from the ruins once more!]

[Blood Hand!]

["Kid, we meet again!"]

[He grinned savagely, revealing a mouthful of large yellow teeth. "Let's see how you run this time!"]

[Just as he finished speaking, another figure lunged from the side.]

[White Brows, Early Stage of Gu Zhen.]

[The two of them, one on the left and one on the right, blocked the path of retreat.]

[Zhou Wantang's expression changed, and she raised her hand to form a seal.]

[Chu Sheng pressed down on her hand.]

["Don't be in a hurry."]

[He smiled.]

["You two, I let you escape last time, and you still dare to come back?"]

[Blood Hand sneered.]

["Last time was my carelessness. You actually dared to deceive us! I've figured it out, how could a mere Condensing True Essence Cultivator like you have a heaven rank magic treasure? This time..."]

[Before he could finish, he saw Chu Sheng patting the demon refining pot at his waist.]

[The mouth of the pot opened.]

[Two streaks of light, one red and one white, rushed out!]

[Crimson Python, White Snake!]

[The auras of two Condensing True Great Demons erupted instantly, lunging toward Blood Hand and White Brows!]

["What on earth is this?!"]

[Blood Hand's expression changed drastically, and he turned to run.]

[It was too late.]

[The Crimson Python bit into his shoulder, and the White Snake's tail swept across, slamming him directly into the ground.]

[White Brows' situation was even worse; he was coiled by the Crimson Python's tail, strangled until his eyes rolled back, and his two white eyebrows were almost twisted into pretzels.]

["Spare... spare my life..." White Brows squeezed out a few words with difficulty.]

[Chu Sheng walked over and looked down at him.]

["Spare your life? That's not what you were saying just now."]

[He waved his hand.]

[Both snakes exerted force simultaneously.]

[After two screams, Blood Hand and White Brows completely lost their breath.]

[Chu Sheng fished out their Storage Pouches and opened them to see—]

["I'm rich!"]

[His eyes widened.]

[Inside were piles of Spirit Stones, Medicinal Pills, and several decent Magic Treasures.]

["As expected, 'murder and arson bring a golden belt'."]

[Murong Tian watched in a daze, his jaw nearly hitting the ground.]

["B-Brother Nie... you... you're too amazing..."]

[Chu Sheng patted his shoulder.]

["Learn from this. In the future, before you kill someone, check if they have any helpers."]

[They continued deeper.]

[Along the way, Chu Sheng discovered many people observing in secret.]

[There were Cultivators from Yunmeng Prefecture following from a distance, not daring to approach, like a pack of sneaky rats.]

[There were Body Cultivators from Juye Prefecture smiling at him foolishly, making his skin crawl.]

[There were also people from the Imperial Family passing by expressionlessly, like a group of emotionless robots.]

[Chu Sheng was vigilant.]

["Old Grandfather, are all these people targeting me?"]

[Old Grandfather said leisurely.]

["Nonsense. That move of yours just now, using two snakes to kill two True Firmament Cultivators, who wouldn't see it?"]

[Chu Sheng smiled bitterly.]

["Then what should I do?"]

[Old Grandfather chuckled.]

["Let them watch. You can't run away anyway."]

[Chu Sheng: "..."]

[This old man's words were becoming more and more unpleasant to hear.]

[A group of people suddenly appeared ahead.]

[People from Yunmeng Prefecture.]

[The leader was none other than Yun Qingshang.]

[She looked at Chu Sheng with a beaming smile, her gaze sweeping over him as if looking at a piece of fat meat waiting to be slaughtered.]

["Elder Nie, what a coincidence."]

[Chu Sheng hurriedly bowed.]

["Greetings, Commandery Princess Yun."]

[Yun Qingshang waved her hand, her smile blossoming like a flower.]

["There's no need for such formality. Elder Nie's move just now truly opened Qingshang's eyes."]

[Chu Sheng's heart tightened.]

[She saw it?]

["Commandery Princess overpraises me; it was just some insignificant trick."]

[Yun Qingshang's smile became even sweeter, cloyingly so.]

["Insignificant trick? Two Condensing True Great Demons killing two True Firmament Cultivators is quite impressive."]

[She waved her hand.]

["Qingshang still has matters to attend to, so I'll take my leave first. Elder Nie... have a safe journey."]

[Chu Sheng breathed a sigh of relief.]

[But Old Grandfather's voice suddenly rang out.]

["Don't be happy too soon. She sent someone to follow you."]

[Chu Sheng was stunned.]

[Sweeping his Divine Sense, sure enough, a faint aura was following behind like an unshakable tail.]

[A Yunmeng Prefecture Death Soldier, Blood Shadow.]

[Peak of True Firmament, he specialized in concealment and was said to be able to emerge from shadows.]

[Chu Sheng cursed inwardly.]

["This woman is truly a smiling tiger. The sweeter she smiles, the more ruthless her strikes."]

[After walking for another distance, they bumped into a group of Body Cultivators from Juye Prefecture.]

[The leader was none other than Xiong Lieshan.]

[When he saw Chu Sheng, his eyes lit up as if he had seen some rare curiosity.]

["Brother Nie!"]

[He strode over, each step thumping against the ground. "I was just looking for you!"]

[Chu Sheng was startled.]

["For what matter does Young Commandery Prince Xiong seek me?"]

[Xiong Lieshan walked up to him and stared at him for three seconds.]

[That gaze was direct, as if it wanted to see right through him.]

[Chu Sheng's heart tightened.]

[Zhou Wantang was already secretly forming a seal, ready to strike at any moment.]

[Xiong Lieshan suddenly sniffed.]

["On your body... there is the scent of blood."]

[Chu Sheng's heart pounded.]

[He can even smell that? Is he a dog?]

[He gave a dry laugh.]

["I just encountered two blind Loose Cultivators..."]

[Xiong Lieshan nodded.]

["Oh. Killed them?"]

[Chu Sheng remained silent.]

[Xiong Lieshan suddenly grinned, revealing a mouthful of large white teeth.]

["Spunky! I like it!"]

[He patted Chu Sheng's shoulder with such force that he almost knocked him down.]

["Brother Nie, let's have a drink together when you're free!"]

[After saying that, he led his people away, leaving behind a series of thumping footsteps.]

[Chu Sheng stood in place, rubbing his shoulder, feeling as if his bones were about to fall apart.]

["This guy... is he truly simple-minded or just acting?"]

[Old Grandfather said leisurely.]

["Truly simple-minded. But his intuition is terrifyingly sharp. This kind of person is the hardest to deceive."]

[Chu Sheng nodded.]

["Understood. I'll stay away from him in the future."]

"That Yun Qingshang sent someone to follow me; I have to find a way to shake them off. Xiong Lieshan's intuition is too accurate; I need to be on guard. As for the Third Prince's side... he'll probably come looking for me soon too."

He looked at the screen.

[Sure enough, before long, a figure blocked Chu Sheng's path.]

[Jiang Ping.]

[The Third Prince's guard, a taciturn assassin.]

[He expressionlessly handed Chu Sheng an invitation, his movements like he was executing some kind of program.]

["The Third Prince requests your presence."]

[Chu Sheng took the invitation and glanced at it.]

[The Third Prince's handwriting was as gentle as jade, and the wording was impeccably polite.]

["If Brother Nie is free, why not have a chat?"]

[Chu Sheng sneered in his heart.]

[Excessive courtesy without reason hides a malicious intent. This kind of smiling tiger inviting me to dinner surely means no good.]

[He tucked the invitation away and said to Jiang Ping.]

["Please tell the Third Prince that I have matters to attend to right now, but I will certainly pay a visit another day."]

[Jiang Ping nodded and turned to leave without another word, vanishing into the shadows like a ghost.]

[Triggered Critical Choice: Being targeted by multiple parties, how will you respond?]

[1. Proactive Strike: Strike first to gain the upper hand, take out the following Blood Shadow, and give Yun Qingshang a warning.]

[2. Use Strength Against Strength: Utilize Xiong Lieshan's intuition to let him discover Blood Shadow, using Juye Prefecture's hand to eliminate the spy.]

[3. Stay Put: Pretend not to know and continue exploring, waiting for the other party to make the first move.]

[4. Win Over the Third Prince: Attend the meeting and form an alliance with the Third Prince, using the Imperial Family's power to counter Yun Qingshang.]

Chu Sheng looked at these four options and fell into deep thought.

Select 2.

Using strength against strength seems the most secure.

Let that simpleton Xiong Lieshan fight Yun Qingshang's person like dog-eat-dog, and reap the benefits.

“Then select 2.”

[He intentionally walked in the direction Xiong Lieshan had left.]

[As he walked, he secretly released his aura to lure Blood Shadow to follow.]

[Sure enough, Blood Shadow followed closely behind, completely unaware that it was a trap, like a dutiful lackey.]

[Ahead, Xiong Lieshan was resting on a huge rock, wolfing down roasted meat he had obtained from who knows where.]

[Chu Sheng walked over and suddenly 'accidentally' exposed a trace of killing intent.]

[Xiong Lieshan snapped his eyes open, his gaze like lightning!]

["Who is it?!"]

[He shouted and threw a punch toward the darkness!]

["Boom—!"]

[The boulder shattered, rocks flying everywhere, as a figure scrambled out in a sorry state!]

[Blood Shadow!]

[His face was full of shock; he clearly hadn't expected to be exposed.]

[Xiong Lieshan sneered, revealing his sharp white teeth.]

["You dare to follow me?"]

[He took a step forward, his large hand grabbing toward Blood Shadow!]

[Blood Shadow's expression changed drastically, and he turned to run.]

[But Xiong Lieshan's punch had already arrived.]

["Bang—!"]

[Blood Shadow screamed and flew backward, hitting the ground and twitching twice before becoming still.]

[Chu Sheng watched from the side, feeling secretly delighted.]

["Killing with a borrowed knife. Perfect."]

[Xiong Lieshan turned his head and looked at him.]

["Brother Nie, that killing intent just now..."]

[Chu Sheng hurriedly waved his hands with an innocent look.]

["It wasn't me, it was that stalker. I was also being targeted by him and was worried about how to shake him off; thanks to Brother Xiong's intervention."]

[Xiong Lieshan suddenly grinned.]

["Alright, I believe you."]

[Chu Sheng let out a long breath.]

[This simpleton is truly easy to deceive.]

[In the distance, a massive palace was faintly visible.]

[There, treasure light soared into the sky, illuminating half of it.]

[Everyone was rushing in that direction, like a pack of sharks that had smelled blood.]

[Chu Sheng narrowed his eyes.]

["Phoenix Immortal Legacy... it's time to take a look."]

[He led the three of them and sped toward the palace.]

[Behind them, Xiong Lieshan also followed, wolfing down roasted meat.]

[Further away, Yun Qingshang stood on a ruin, looking at this scene with a beaming smile.]

["Interesting."]

[She murmured.]

[The Third Prince stood on another ruin, still wearing a smile.]

["It's getting more and more interesting."]