Chapter 159 Encountering a Demonic Cultivator in the Desert, the Holy Maiden of Kunlun Appears
After leaving the territory of the Qingyun Sect, Lin Yue and Ye Qingcheng headed east, passing through a vast and boundless desert.
This desert was named the "Soul-Severing Sands." Yellow sand filled the sky, wild winds howled, and the air was thick with Evil Qi. Ordinary Cultivators not only found it difficult to fly here but also had to constantly resist the erosion of the Evil Qi.
"We'll rest here for a moment to avoid the poisonous midday sun." Lin Yue controlled the Silver-Armored Puppet to land behind a wind-sheltered dune. He put away the Puppet, took out some Evil-Warding Pills, and handed them to Ye Qingcheng. "The Evil Qi of the Soul-Severing Sands can erode spiritual power. Taking an Evil-Warding Pill will ensure your safety."
Ye Qingcheng took the Medicinal Pill and swallowed it. Feeling the warmth surging within her, she nodded and said, "The Evil Qi here is dense; we shouldn't stay long. We'll rest for half an hour and then continue our journey."
Not long after they sat down, they heard the sound of messy footsteps from afar. Lin Yue's eyes flickered, and he gave Ye Qingcheng a meaningful look. Both of them simultaneously suppressed their cultivation, disguising themselves as ordinary Foundation Establishment Cultivators.
Soon, a group of Cultivators appeared beyond the dune. There were about a dozen people with varying levels of cultivation, ranging from the Early Foundation Establishment Stage to the Early Golden Core Stage. Most of them looked exhausted, clearly having stopped here to rest as well.
"Fellow Daoists, may we borrow a place to rest?" The leader was an Early Golden Core Stage Cultivator dressed in a gray robe. He had a friendly expression and cupped his hands toward Lin Yue and Ye Qingcheng.
Lin Yue rose and returned the gesture. "Please, Fellow Daoist. In this desert, there's no need for such formalities."
The gray-robed Cultivator smiled and thanked him, then led the group to sit not far away, taking out water skins and dry rations to distribute. Lin Yue and Ye Qingcheng sat quietly to the side, seemingly resting with their eyes closed, but in reality, their Divine Sense was spread out, monitoring the surroundings.
Before long, a piercing whistling sound suddenly came from beyond the dune. Three figures in black robes came walking across the sand, surrounded by dense Devilish Qi. They were indeed Devil Cultivators.
The leading Devil Cultivator had a sinister expression and held a scimitar glowing with black qi. His gaze swept over the resting Cultivators, greed flashing in his eyes. "I opened this road, and I planted these trees! If you want to pass through, leave behind your toll!"
Ye Qingcheng's fingertips twitched slightly as the core spirit crystal of the Silver-Armored Puppet began to glow. She was about to strike, but Lin Yue pressed down on her wrist and whispered, "Don't be in a hurry. Their target isn't us."
Ye Qingcheng was startled and followed Lin Yue's gaze. She saw a Cultivator in ordinary cloth clothes and a bamboo hat sitting quietly with closed eyes among the crowd, seemingly oblivious to the Devil Cultivators' shouting.
This Cultivator's aura was completely restrained, appearing ordinary and unremarkable. However, Lin Yue's Divine Sense could detect a pure and majestic spiritual power hidden within, proving they were no ordinary Cultivator.
Sure enough, the leading Devil Cultivator's gaze locked directly onto the hat-wearing Cultivator. He sneered, "Kid, you look like you have an extraordinary bearing. You must be wealthy. If you're smart, hand over your Storage Pouch; otherwise, don't blame me for being ruthless!"
The hat-wearing Cultivator slowly raised their head, their voice as cold as ice: "Scram."
That single word, carrying a majestic spiritual pressure, caused the three Devil Cultivators to stumble back simultaneously. The leading Devil Cultivator was both shocked and enraged. "Refusing a toast only to drink a forfeit! Attack!"
The three Devil Cultivators attacked at the same time, their Devilish Qi transforming into three pitch-black Claw Shadows that lunged toward the hat-wearing Cultivator. The Cultivator's figure flickered, avoiding the Claw Shadows. Suddenly, a pure white wheel appeared in their hand. The wheel was covered in complex runes and emitted bright moonlight; it was the Kunlun Sect's treasure, the moon crystal wheel.
"Someone from the Kunlun Sect?" The leading Devil Cultivator's pupils shrank, a trace of wariness flashing in his eyes. Yet, he still hardened his heart and said, "Even if you're from the Kunlun Sect, you must bow your head to me here in the Soul-Severing Sands!"
The hat-wearing Cultivator didn't waste words. The moon crystal wheel spun in their hand, letting out a clear hum as a bright moonlight Sword Qi condensed. With a power that could cleave through anything, it lunged straight at the three Devil Cultivators. Their faces changed drastically as they hurriedly channeled Devilish Qi to defend. However, the moonlight Sword Qi was too sharp; it instantly tore through their Devilish Qi defenses, sending them flying back as they spat out black blood.
"So strong!" A look of admiration flashed in Ye Qingcheng's eyes. This hat-wearing Cultivator's strength was several times greater than that of an ordinary Early Golden Core Stage Cultivator.
The leading Devil Cultivator knew he was no match, but he refused to give up. He suddenly drew a scimitar from his waist. The scimitar was enveloped in dense black mist; it was the Devil Cultivator's famous Magic Treasure, the Night Fiend Scimitar. "In that case, taste the power of the Night Fiend Scimitar!"
The Night Fiend Scimitar slashed toward the hat-wearing Cultivator with a force that could tear apart the Divine Soul. The Cultivator's eyes sharpened, and the moon crystal wheel spun again, condensing an even more powerful moonlight Sword Qi that collided with the Night Fiend Scimitar.
"Clang!"
A massive metallic sound echoed through the desert. The Night Fiend Scimitar was knocked away, and the leading Devil Cultivator spat out another mouthful of black blood. Meanwhile, the hat-wearing Cultivator's bamboo hat was sliced off by the Saber Qi, revealing an exquisite face.
It was a cold and otherworldly face, with brows like distant mountains, eyes like cold stars, and skin as white as snow. Her jet-black hair fluttered in the wind. She was none other than the Kunlun Sect Saintess, Zhang Luoyan.
"It's actually a woman!" A flash of surprise appeared in the eyes of the three Devil Cultivators, followed by greed. "Such a beauty! If we capture her, she'll surely fetch a good price!"
Killing intent surged in Zhang Luoyan's eyes. The moon crystal wheel glowed brightly as several moonlight Sword Qi beams shot out simultaneously toward the three Devil Cultivators. Seeing this, the three realized they wouldn't gain anything by staying and quickly turned into three black shadows, fleeing in disgrace.
Zhang Luoyan did not pursue them. She simply put away the moon crystal wheel, her face slightly pale. Clearly, the battle just now had consumed a significant amount of spiritual power. She tidied her messy hair, her gaze sweeping over the surrounding Cultivators before finally landing on Lin Yue and Ye Qingcheng, a hint of wariness in her eyes.
At that moment, the System's notification sounded in Lin Yue's mind: [Detected ultra-high-quality Dual Cultivation partner candidate Zhang Luoyan, Kunlun Sect Saintess, Early Golden Core Stage cultivation, possessing a Lunar Spirit Body, compatibility score: 105. Mission requirement: Take her as a Dual Cultivation partner. Reward: Hongmeng Space upgrade authority, unlock Taiyin Sword Intent, and help the host achieve a Breakthrough to the Golden Core Middle Stage!]
A flash of joy appeared in Lin Yue's eyes. The Lunar Spirit Body was an ancient and rare Physique, sharing the same source as Taiyin Power. Through Dual Cultivation, it could not only help him reach the Golden Core Middle Stage but also make his Sword Intent even more cold and sharp. It was truly Heaven-Defying.
Noticing the change in Lin Yue's expression, Ye Qingcheng whispered, "What's wrong?"
"This woman is not simple. She is Zhang Luoyan, the Saintess of the Kunlun Sect. She possesses a special Physique that will be of great benefit for my Breakthrough to the Golden Core Middle Stage," Lin Yue sent a sound transmission. "Let's not reveal our strength for now. We'll follow her secretly and wait for an opportunity."
Ye Qingcheng nodded in understanding. The two continued to sit quietly with their eyes closed, as if everything that just happened had nothing to do with them. Zhang Luoyan observed them warily for a moment. Seeing no suspicious movement, she also found a corner to sit down and began to meditate to recover her spiritual power.
Half an hour later, Zhang Luoyan was the first to rise and head deeper into the desert. Lin Yue and Ye Qingcheng exchanged a glance and quietly followed. The wild winds of the Soul-Severing Sands continued to howl, and the yellow sand filled the sky. The figures of the three gradually disappeared into the desert, leaving behind a trail of footprints that were soon buried by the wind and sand.