178: Chapter 178

Chapter 178

Li Yunshu picked up the white porcelain bottle from the box, a bad premonition in his heart.

Opening the stopper on the porcelain bottle, a rich Spiritual Qi wafted out.

This was a bottle of Spiritual Qi Liquid, containing much richer Spiritual Qi than Spirit Stones.

Sure enough, it had already been drunk. The bottle was empty, with only the lingering Spiritual Qi remaining.

Jun Qianzi's name was rarely unknown throughout the entire Longyuan Continent.

He was the most famous Great Master thief, having stolen from many Sect treasuries and was also keen on exploring various Secret Realms.

Because he possessed an incredibly fast flying ship, few could ever catch up to him.

Seeing the note he left, Li Yunshu knew that this place had long since been ransacked by Jun Qianzi.

"I hate people like you who scribble everywhere the most."

Saying this, Li Yunshu carved next to the note: "Li Yunshu was here."

After carving, he placed the empty bottle into his storage ring.

Beside the box, he discovered a Teleportation Formation.

This Teleportation Formation was likely left by Jun Qianzi when he departed.

However, the other end of the Teleportation Formation could be safe, or it could be dangerous.

He dared not enter rashly. He surveyed the surroundings, and eventually, he had no choice but to return to that Teleportation Formation.

This palace had no entrances or exits, only two narrow ventilation shafts leading to unknown places.

He released his Mental Energy, condensing Formation patterns beside the Teleportation Formation before him, setting up a receiving Formation for a one-way Teleportation Formation.

This was a Formation newly gifted by the System. It was called a one-way Teleportation Formation because it could only transport from one end to the other, with no way to return.

If he encountered danger after exiting through the Teleportation Formation left by Jun Qianzi, he could use his own one-way Teleportation Formation to come back.

With everything prepared, Li Yunshu stepped into the Teleportation Formation left by Jun Qianzi, forming hand seals.

The Formation emitted a burst of light, and Li Yunshu felt as if he was traveling through space and time.

When he opened his eyes again, he was back in the original basin.

Phew, he finally made it out.

The surroundings were empty and eerily quiet.

Li Yunshu had just let out a sigh of relief when his nerves immediately tensed up again.

After gaining Mental Energy, he became more perceptive of his surroundings. At this moment, someone was watching him from beside the bushes above the basin.

Ever since he encountered the three assassins who tried to kill him, Li Yunshu had felt someone following him.

Back then, it was just a vague feeling, but now he could clearly sense where that person was.

Could that assassin have stayed, waiting here?

Such persistence, what kind of hatred, what kind of grievance was this?

Li Yunshu pretended not to notice the person, walking unsteadily towards the bushes above, as if gravely injured.

Suddenly, he slipped and fell to the ground.

After falling, he lay motionless.

His Mental Energy slowly released, secretly setting up a Teleportation Formation on the ground. The receiving Formation for this Teleportation Formation was in the Underground Palace Secret Realm.

A moment later, he got up and consumed a Medicinal Pill to restore his Spiritual Qi.

Sitting in place, he circulated his spiritual arts in reverse.

The person hiding in the bushes did not immediately emerge when Li Yunshu first fell.

After a moment, seeing Li Yunshu get up by himself, he stood up and walked out of the bushes.

Li Yunshu's heart stirred, "He's here."

The person, holding a long sword, instantly appeared five steps away from Li Yunshu.

Li Yunshu opened his eyes, panicking, "Who are you?"

The person before him wore a black cloak and a ghost mask, making it impossible to discern his identity.

Only after this person approached did Li Yunshu sense that he was at the ninth level of the Xuan Ming Realm.

What a coincidence, Nangong Chu was also at the ninth level of the Xuan Ming Realm.

Because Li Yunshu was circulating his spiritual arts in reverse, his internal spiritual power appeared chaotic.

The black-clad figure replied, "The one who will kill you."

He forced himself to stand up and said, "Were those three assassins hired by you?"

"That's right."

"Why do you want to kill me?"

The black-clad figure said coldly, "Because you blocked my path."

Although the black-clad figure spoke with a hoarse voice, Li Yunshu could still detect a hint of Nangong Chu's accent.

There was a ninety-nine percent chance that the black-clad figure before him was Nangong Chu. The remaining one percent was just in case he was wrong, giving himself an out.

Originally, Li Yunshu had always wondered why Nangong Chu didn't act himself.

Even if he was initially wary of Elder Leng, which was why he hired three assassins.

But later, he had already delved deep into Mizang Forest, and Nangong Chu still hadn't made a move.

It wasn't until he met Yun Jianli in the Underground Palace Secret Realm that he roughly guessed Nangong Chu's thoughts.

He was afraid that Yun Jianli had been secretly protecting him. If he rashly attacked and was caught by Yun Jianli...

Given Yun Jianli's temper, he wouldn't care if you were Tuoba Canghai's disciple; he would surely strike you dead with a single palm.

Now that he dared to show himself, he must have personally seen Yun Jianli leave this place.

And covering his face was probably to leave himself a way out.

The black-clad figure's sword light flashed before Li Yunshu's eyes, pulling his thoughts back.

Li Yunshu quickly shouted, "Wait a moment."

The black-clad figure's sword paused in mid-air.

"Anything else to say? You will die today."

"I found a bottle of Spiritual Qi Liquid in the Underground Palace Secret Realm. I'll give it to you, and you let me go."

The black-clad figure was startled. Spiritual Qi Liquid was extremely rare. A single bottle of Spiritual Qi Liquid could allow one to directly Breakthrough to the Earth Realm.

Although he didn't lack Cultivation resources, ordinary Spirit Stones had long ceased to help him advance his Realm.

Especially after Breaking through to the ninth level of the Xuan Ming Realm, further advancement in Realm became even more difficult.

"You really found Spiritual Qi Liquid?"

Li Yunshu saw this and knew there was a chance.

So he slowly took out a white porcelain bottle from his storage ring and pulled off the stopper.

A rich Spiritual Qi instantly wafted out.

The black-clad figure was so excited he almost reverted to his original voice: "Quick—cough, cough—quick, give it to me."

Li Yunshu raised his hand and said, "Don't move. I just want to exchange it for my life, otherwise I'll crush it."

"Alright, I won't move. What do you want?"

The black-clad figure was determined to get that bottle of Spiritual Qi Liquid and then immediately kill Li Yunshu. For now, he just needed to stabilize him.

Li Yunshu, clutching the white porcelain bottle, said, "You retreat fifty steps. I'll place this bottle of Spiritual Qi Liquid on the ground, and you let me leave."

The black-clad figure secretly rejoiced.

How foolish. Even if you retreat five hundred steps, you won't escape my grasp. As soon as that bottle of Spiritual Qi Liquid leaves your hand, you're dead.

"Alright, I promise you."

Having said that, he began to retreat until he had moved back fifty steps.

"Alright, I've retreated fifty steps. Put down the Spiritual Qi Liquid in your hand and scram."

Li Yunshu slowly squatted down and placed the Spiritual Qi Liquid in his hand directly above the Teleportation Formation he had just set up.

He believed that Nangong Chu would definitely come for this bottle of Spiritual Qi Liquid first, and then pursue him.

Putting down the white porcelain bottle in his hand, he executed Like Shadow Following Form, instantly retreating to the position from which he had just teleported out.

The black-clad figure was in no hurry. In his opinion, no matter how fast Li Yunshu ran, he couldn't escape his grasp.

He flashed to the white porcelain bottle, bent down, and picked up the bottle from the ground.

At this moment, he noticed something was amiss. The bottle on the ground was empty.

He quickly picked up the bottle and examined it carefully. The bottle was empty, and at this point, not much Spiritual Qi was emanating from it.

"Li Yunshu, how dare you trick me!"

At this moment, how could he not understand that he had been played by Li Yunshu?

Li Yunshu immediately shouted, "Don't move! There really is Spiritual Qi Liquid. I just wanted to test if you would keep your word."

The black-clad figure said in exasperation, "Do you think I'll still believe you?"

"It's true. You felt the Spiritual Qi in that bottle, didn't you? I just put it in a different bottle, that's all."

Li Yunshu was distracting the black-clad figure, making him focus all his attention on himself, so he wouldn't notice the Teleportation Formation beneath his feet.

"Where is the real Spiritual Qi Liquid? Take it out, and I'll spare your life."

Li Yunshu formed a hand seal and said, "You said it. I'll give it to you now."

"You—"

The black-clad figure hadn't expected Li Yunshu to possess Mental Energy. He realized something was wrong, but it was already too late.

A flash of light passed beneath his feet, and he instantly vanished from his spot.

Li Yunshu circulated his spiritual power and stomped his foot on the ground. The Teleportation Formation left by Jun Qianzi beneath his feet was shattered.

The black-clad figure in the Underground Palace Secret Realm looked utterly bewildered.

In his impression, Li Yunshu had no Mental Energy and was completely ignorant of Formations.

Therefore, he hadn't released his Mental Energy at all just now; otherwise, he would have sensed the Teleportation Formation beneath his feet.

He knew this was not the time for regret. Only by leaving this place could he avenge this humiliation.

"Hmph, trying to trap me? Don't you know I also possess Mental Energy?"

The black-clad figure formed hand seals, intending to teleport back through this Teleportation Formation.

He formed hand seals for a long time, but there was no reaction.

What's going on?

He carefully looked at the Formation beneath his feet and realized that it was a one-way Teleportation Formation.

"Li Yunshu, I didn't expect you to be so devious. When I get out, I will tear you into a thousand pieces!"

Turning his head, beside this Teleportation Formation, he saw the Teleportation Formation left by Jun Qianzi.

He quickly stepped into that Teleportation Formation and once again formed hand seals.

The Formation beneath his feet lit up, and his heart filled with joy.

Hmph, hmph, Li Yunshu, just you wait. You're dead this time.

After the light flashed, he opened his eyes.

He had originally thought he had appeared in Mizang Forest, but the surrounding scenery told him he was still in the same spot.

What's going on?

He remained undeterred, concentrating his Mental Energy, and once again formed hand seals.

The Formation beneath his feet lit up again. This time, he didn't close his eyes.

After the Formation's light flashed, he didn't move at all.

The Teleportation Formation could be activated normally, but it couldn't transport him out.

At this moment, he understood that the other end of the Teleportation Formation had likely been destroyed by Li Yunshu.

Helpless, he could only search for a way out in the main hall, eventually finding that the main hall only contained two killing Formations, a box, and nothing else.

There was no entrance, and no exit.

He opened the box on the ground and found that it was indeed empty inside.

On the inside of the box lid was a piece of paper, on which was written: "Jun Qianzi was here."

And next to that paper was a line of characters carved: "Li Yunshu was here."

"I'll let you be here!"

The black-clad figure, furious, kicked and shattered the entire box.

At this moment, his two previously stationary killing Formations began to move.

The black-clad figure didn't know that a box was actually the trigger for the two killing Formations to move.

At this moment, his lungs were about to explode with rage, but he had nowhere to vent his immense anger towards Li Yunshu.

Ah—

The black-clad figure released his Mental Energy, looking at the Formation patterns of the killing Formations. However, the killing Formations moved very quickly; he would barely make out one pattern, and then it would be somewhere else.

Originally, trying to decipher the killing Formations before him was already somewhat difficult for him. Now that the killing Formations were moving and the Formation patterns were hard to see, breaking the Formation became even more challenging.

"Found it."

He finally managed to clearly see the core of the Formation, but he was swept into the killing Formation.

Countless light beams shot out, catching him off guard, leaving him no strength to attack the Formation core he had seen.

Suddenly, a beam of light swept across his Dantian, and he spat out a mouthful of old blood.

A protective jade token on his body shattered.

At this moment, an old man far away in Tianshui City seemed to sense something, looking towards Mizang Forest and saying.

"Chu'er, something has happened."

...Li Yunshu threw out his Starfall Sword and rode it.

He deliberately avoided the territories of high-tier Vicious Beasts and returned to the outer perimeter of Mizang Forest.

"Save me, save me..."

Not far away, a young girl's cry for help was heard. She had been snatched into the sky by a Vicious Beast.

Li Yunshu quickly rode his sword forward. That Vicious Beast was precisely the eighth-tier Vicious Beast he was looking for, a Thunderhawk.

"Thunderbolt Flash, Triple Slash."

The Thunderhawk seemed to sense the power of this strike, flapping its wings and fleeing into the distance.

Three Qi blades in the air moved even faster. With a mournful cry, the Thunderhawk's wings were severed by the Qi blades, erupting in two blood columns.

With a 'clang,' the last Qi blade cut off its eagle head, leaving its body, still clutching the person in its talons, to plummet rapidly.

"Ah—"

Ignoring the piercing scream, Li Yunshu clearly saw that the person snatched was Yuwen Xuanya, a Junior Sister from Lanque Pavilion.

The Starfall Sword dove down, quickly catching up to the plummeting Thunderhawk.

In Yuwen Xuanya's eyes, Li Yunshu at this moment was like a peerless hero descending from the heavens.

Li Yunshu flew in front of her and pulled her onto the Starfall Sword.

She sighed softly in her heart, thinking that this peerless hero was a bit lacking in tenderness towards women.

"Thank you, Senior Brother, for saving me."

Li Yunshu waved his hand, saying, "We are fellow disciples; how could I stand by and watch you die?"

She had many questions in her heart at this moment.

Why was Senior Brother here?

Why could he, at the Xuan Ming Realm, control a flying Magical Artifact?

Could it be that Senior Brother's Realm hadn't regressed, and he was still in the Earth Realm?

Hmm, it must be so.

As the Starfall Sword landed, she suddenly remembered something.

"Senior Sister Si and Senior Brother Yan encountered a ninth-tier Xuan Ming Beast. Senior Brother, quickly go save them!"

After witnessing Li Yunshu flying with his sword, she became convinced that Li Yunshu had deliberately hidden his strength.

If it were the Earth Realm Senior Brother, slaying that ninth-tier Xuan Ming Beast would be effortless.

"What?"

Upon hearing "ninth-tier Xuan Ming Beast," Li Yunshu's head exploded.

How could he, a first-level Xuan Ming Realm cultivator, fight a ninth-tier Xuan Ming Beast?

He released his Mental Energy and sensed that there was indeed a Xuan Ming Beast not far away, a Fire Salamander.

"Follow me."

At this moment, he didn't even have time to retrieve the Thunderhawk's Soul Crystal; those two people over there were about to collapse.

Fortunately, it was only two to three hundred meters away, and Li Yunshu arrived in an instant.