"Is everyone well rested?"

Everyone nodded their heads. Rong Hui went over the plan one last time before they set off. The first time they were caught off guard but this time they were prepared. The disciples of other sects decided to withdraw due to their heavy losses and injured states so it was only the Zheng siblings, Lin Yangqiu and the Rong siblings, Rong Hui and Rong Yunxi.

Rong Hui and Zheng Yingbiao would be at the forefront, attracting the snake's attention while Rong Yunxi and Zheng Xinqiao would provide support. That way, they would slowly whittle away its energy so that Lin Yangqiu could deal the decisive attack.

As they got into formation and began their attacks, everything was going smoothly despite the few bumps, but they were negligible for the big benefits they could reap if they succeeded.

With Rong Yunxi and Zheng Xinqiao grabbing the attention, Rong Hui was able to land a deep mark into the snake's body while Zheng Yinbiao landed a fatal blow, slashing through the scales and drawing blood.

HISSSS!

"Again!"

After an arduous amount of hours later of whittling the snake down, Rong Yuxin and Zheng Xingqiao activated the suppression array.

Rong Hui and Zheng Yingbiao retreated behind Lin Yangqiu as he nodded. "I'm ready."

The artifact in his hand was pulsating, when Lin Yangqiu aimed it at the snake, the qi condensed into the middle and shot out a powerful beam that pierced through the snake's horn.

Under rapid pressure and damage, the horn snapped while also erasing the last but of life within the creature.

THUD!

Everyone sighed and the girls cheered. It was finally over!

"Now we can get the Whispering Husk."

The Whispering Husk was a grey flower exuding yin energy, it's stem was like bone, the petals had holes as if it had been chewed on by bugs but this was not actually case, as if was formed naturally.

Lin Yangqiu stopped them from approaching the flower and explained, "If you pick it wrong then the effects and quality of the herb will decrease drastically."

As the only alchemist, they trusted his words. Lin Yangqiu approached the Whispering Husk and just as his foot stepped within five meters, his foot jerked and he unconsciously activated a talisman.

What was that? Something sharp just attacked his foot, and it was still stinging with faint pain. The others also saw Lin Yangqiu's strange movements.

"What's wrong?"

Lin Yangqiu was confused, was he just imagining it? Whispering Husks don't have offensive abilities, this he was absolutely sure of. He tried again, reaching his hand out but the attack this time was even more ruthless and a flash of light dashed at the speed of light, cutting a red mark on his hand.

He took his hand back instantly but still couldn't stop himself from being cut. Then wouldn't that mean...

Everyone's bodies collapsed at the same time. Lin Yangqiu was able to avoid falling to the floor but his knees were pressed against the ground. The pressure on his body was over three hundred kilograms and adding on to the injuries and exhaustion they were still facing, the majority couldn't handle the weight.

"What's... happen... ing..."

When did someone ambush them?

This was what was going through their heads. They couldn't muster up any strength at all.

And a few seconds later, a sound of rhythmic steps echoed at an unhurried pace.

"My my what do we have here? Is this the smell of wasted efforts?"

The fan swayed in front of the unknown face softly.

Lin Yangqiu tried lifting his head up through laborous means and managed to get a glimpse of the person's polished leather boots.

"Who are... you? Were you... The one... Who..."

With one more step, the unknown person was uncovered form the shadows, their fan moved slowly from their face, snapping a clear sound as it folded elegantly in the palm of their hand.

"There's no need to guess. The answer is self-evident."

"So you did-"

"Of course I didn't do it."

"...."

Well at least not on my own~

Lin Yangqiu chose to hold back his curses and ask politely. "Then this senior, can you help us break this array?"

"Why should I do that?"

"After an intense battle, we do not have the strength to do it ourselves."

Lin Yangqiu didn't hear a respond but the sound of his footsteps were particularly ringing in his ear. The unknown man was not in a rush and walked past them, calmly and lightly.

Lin Yangqiu was slowly losing patience already but someone else had even less patience than him.

"You, do you know who I am?! This princess orders you to break the suppression array on us now!!!" Rong Yuxin mustered all her strength just to speak that she lost all her other strength and plummeted further into the ground.

"This wandering immortal is not well versed in the mortal affairs. So your status as a princess... is of no concern."

Damn it. Lin Yangqiu cursed inwardly. So the royal family name isn't all that special.

"Wait... It's you!?"

Zheng Yingbiao? His abrupt shout was then replaced by a groan.

"What's the need to shout? No one has moved."

"You...!!"

Another cut added on to his face. Nobody understood why Zheng Yingbiao was making such a fuss until Lin Yangqiu blurted out in shock. "You're that man!"

Lin Yangqiu cursed to the high skies and regretted ever speaking nicely in that moment. It was that same white robed man that robbed him of his herb! And now he was planning to do the same yet again?! "You shameless person! You actually followed me all this time?!"

"Hahaha!" Rong Yuhang laughed sarcastically as if he had heard the biggest joke of the century. "Aren't you overestimating yourself? I don't even remember when we last met but I do have a faint recollection of beating a mannerless brat."

"What...!!" How dare he insult me! His fists clenched tightly.

"Ah, senior please. We mean no harm." Rong Hui spoke. "If you want you can take the flower but in exchange, I would appreciate it if you would let us go."

Although his words were of plea, his dignity and affluent voice did not show a hint of of embarrassment or fear. His bearing as royalty was a thousand times better than Rong Yuxin's, able to speak eloquently in a disadvantageous situation. Unlike the others, he was able to discern very quickly that this array was probably created by that immortal master and it was most likely when they had left to replan.

As for whether he would let them go... he was afraid this person may have been after them if he took up such means. Therefore, he had to sound him out a little, his temperament may not be so bad.

However, "Your highness, there's no point in reasoning with this thief. He stalked us and wants to make us count his money!"

Zheng Yingbiao exclaimed with indignation and rightful justice.

Rong Hui, "..."

"Ahahaha! Alright alright calm down everyone." Rong Yuhang waved his hand carelessly. "All you have to do is listen carefully to my words from now."

"No!" Lin Yangqiu's voice was a beat late in stopping Rong Yuhang.

He grabbed the Withering Husk and ripped it from its perch.

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