52: Chapter 52 Suspicion Arises, Murder Looms

"There is a Loose Cultivator from the market outside the mountain gate who specifically asked to see you, saying he has important matters to report," the Disciple said respectfully. "He didn't say what it was specifically, only that... it concerns your family."

Family? Su Yunling's heart couldn't help but tighten.

She was skeptical, but on second thought, the mountain gate of the Qingxuan Sect was not only a place of heavy traffic but also strictly guarded by many Disciples; nothing should go wrong there.

"Thank you for letting me know. I'll go take a look now."

Without thinking much more, she immediately set off for the mountain gate.

Upon reaching the mountain gate, she indeed saw a Loose Cultivator at the Qi Refining Fifth Layer waiting nervously in a corner.

Seeing Su Yunling, the Loose Cultivator's eyes lit up, and he hurriedly stepped forward. "May I ask if the Fairy is Su Yunling of the Tiangang Sect?"

"It is I. What business do you have with me?"

"Please do not take offense, Fairy," the Loose Cultivator said quickly. "A middle-aged Cultivator surnamed Su, who was quite generous, hired me to pass on a few words. He said he wanted to deliver some items to a Tiangang Sect Disciple named Su Yunling, and he is waiting for you at the 'Immortal Guest Abode' in the market at the foot of the mountain."

Surnamed Su, a middle-aged Cultivator, delivering items to her... could it be her father?

Su Yunling's brow furrowed.

Why would her father travel so far for no reason? This matter felt strange.

But seeing the sincere look on the Loose Cultivator's face and finding no flaws in his words, she found it difficult to judge the truth for a moment.

Clouds of suspicion rose in her heart. After some thought, she still felt the matter was too fishy to go alone.

Thus, she dismissed the Loose Cultivator and turned to head toward Wenren Zimo's residence, deciding to invite him to go with her.

"Senior Brother Wenren."

Inside the courtyard, Wenren Zimo was practicing sword techniques.

Seeing Su Yunling, he sheathed his sword and stood still, a gentle smile appearing on his face. "Junior Sister Su, is something the matter?"

Back in Qingyang Town, he had been hosted by the Su Family and had a very good impression of this exceptionally talented and steady-natured young girl.

After Su Yunling entered the sect, he had also looked after her often, essentially watching her grow up.

"Senior Brother, I would like to ask you to accompany me outside the mountain gate." Su Yunling told Wenren Zimo the whole story as well as her own concerns.

After listening, Wenren Zimo's brow also furrowed.

"This matter is indeed suspicious," he mused. "Regardless of whether it's true or false, we'll know once we look. I will go with you."

"Thank you, Senior Brother!" Su Yunling felt greatly reassured.

Wenren Zimo was powerful and upright; with him accompanying her, her safety was greatly guaranteed.

To be safe, before leaving, the two specifically went to the room of another familiar Senior Brother in the courtyard, informing him that they were going to the market at the foot of the mountain and would return soon.

Not long after the two left the guest courtyard, a figure stepped out from the shadows nearby—it was Chen Zifan.

He watched the direction they left, then glanced at the guest room they had just exited, a flash of thought crossing his eyes.

He stepped forward slowly and knocked on that Senior Brother's door.

"Senior Brother Wang, I just saw Junior Sister Su and Senior Brother Wenren leave your place. Is there some important matter?" Chen Zifan asked with a gentle smile, appearing casual.

That Senior Brother Wang suspected nothing and replied offhandedly, "Nothing much, they said they were going to the market at the foot of the mountain and would be back soon."

The market!

Chen Zifan's heart stirred, seemingly understanding something.

His smile remained unchanged as he exchanged a few more pleasantries before taking his leave.

The moment he returned to his own courtyard, the gentleness on his face vanished instantly.

The people from the Blazing Fire Sect have made their move, but they probably didn't expect Su Yunling to bring along a tough nut like Wenren Zimo!

Without hesitation, he took a special communication talisman from his Storage Pouch and quickly infused a message into it.

"One extra person in the target group, Wenren Zimo is accompanying her. Be prepared."

...

In an inconspicuous inn room at the market below the mountain.

Qi Yun received the message, and his expression turned somewhat ugly.

"She actually brought Wenren Zimo along!" he cursed under his breath.

Zhang Lie, sitting opposite him, also looked solemn. "Wenren Zimo... his cultivation is extraordinary. Although he's not my match, his 'Profound Water Sword Technique' is quite troublesome. While the two of us together could defeat him, taking him down in a very short time might be impossible, and this matter must be settled quickly."

"I have an idea." A flash of ruthlessness crossed Qi Yun's eyes. "Isn't Junior Brother Wang also here in the market? Let's find him, tell him about this, and invite him to strike together. Three at the Tenth Level of Qi Refining will be enough!"

Zhang Lie frowned upon hearing this. Finding another person meant the benefits they'd receive would have to be split further, so he was naturally a bit reluctant.

But on second thought, there was only one chance, and they could not afford to fail.

After weighing the pros and cons, he nodded and agreed to Qi Yun's suggestion.

With no time to lose, the two immediately found another Core Disciple of the Blazing Fire Sect who was also in the market.

After laying out the plan, that Disciple surnamed Wang, after a brief hesitation, was lured by the promise of profit and nodded in agreement.

"Good!" Zhang Lie decided. "The three of us will strike. Qi Yun and I will lead the attack on Wenren Zimo, making sure to heavily injure him in the shortest time possible to strip him of his combat power. Junior Brother Wang, you will be responsible for capturing Su Yunling."

His tone darkened as he warned, "Remember, Wenren Zimo can be heavily wounded, but he cannot die! We are currently in the middle of the Five Sect Martial Competition. While the disappearance of an Inner Sect Disciple is manageable, if a Core Disciple dies, the Tiangang Sect and Qingxuan Sect will certainly investigate to the end, which will cause a massive uproar. "

After catching Su Yunling, immediately take her to that Immortal Cave we prepared several hundred miles away. The concealment Formation there is already set up and is enough to block any detection."

With the plan settled, the three wasted no more time.

First, they each told the inn attendants where they were staying that they were going into closed-door Cultivation and were not to be disturbed.

Then, they secretly left the inn, changed into Loose Cultivator attire, put on ghost-faced masks, and quietly departed the market together.

They set up a killing trap on the path Su Yunling and her companion had to take down the mountain.

...

After leaving the Qingxuan Sect, Su Yunling and Wenren Zimo headed down the mountain.

Although the market at the foot of the mountain was within the Qingxuan Sect's territory, it wasn't close to the mountain gate; they had to cross several mountain ranges, a journey of nearly a hundred miles.

Cultivators in the Qi Refinement Stage could not yet fly on tools, so the two had to stick a divine movement talisman on each of their feet and move quickly along the winding ancient path.

The ancient forest path was silent, save for the sound of their footsteps and occasional conversation.

"Junior Sister, you don't need to worry too much." Seeing a bit of tension in Su Yunling's expression, Wenren Zimo spoke to comfort her. "This is, after all, Qingxuan Sect territory. I doubt any petty criminals would dare to be insolent here. We'll see if it's true once we get there. I'm here for everything."

"Thank you, Senior Brother." Su Yunling nodded, and the tension in her heart eased slightly.

Just as the two reached a turn where the forest was deep and the leaves were thick, a sudden change occurred!

Three figures erupted from the dense forest on both sides without warning, forming a triangular Formation and launching an attack instantly, giving the two no time to react!

The tall man in black at the lead (Zhang Lie) swung a crimson saber, and a domineering Saber Gang slashed through the air;

Another person (Qi Yun) performed hand seals, and a fire snake several yards long roared forth;

The last person (the Disciple surnamed Wang) summoned a large black net, which expanded in the wind and covered them from above!

The three attacks blocked all paths of retreat, and each carried the full force of the Tenth Level of Qi Refining!