Chapter 175: Chapter 146: Missed a Good Opportunity?

In reality, this was to speed up the process and ensure Fang Jingchuan died a swifter death.

“Are you alright?”

Tian Yun’s task was also complete, so she didn’t need to take further action for the time being. She came over at the first opportunity.

Zou Feng shook his head. “I’m fine!”

“We missed that opportunity just now. I’m afraid…”

Evidently, Tian Yun also felt it was a great pity. After all, if they had coordinated their attacks, Yuwen Shuo might have already been killed.

“Honestly, the odds weren’t in our favor. Yuwen Shuo’s Magical Artifact can hold out for quite some time, and it’s very likely he has more than just that one…”

Zou Feng had actually been improvising a moment ago.

After seeing the power of Yuwen Shuo’s Magical Artifact, he had quickly decided it was safer to eliminate the remnants of the Ten Directions Sect first.

As for why the Celestial Essence Sword Sect was here, it was naturally because Tian Yun had met with Shen Xuan beforehand.

The Celestial Essence Sword Sect was deeply invested in exterminating the remnants of the Ten Directions Sect, so they had immediately agreed to cooperate.

However, Zou Feng and his group hadn’t known if the people from the Celestial Essence Sword Sect had actually caught up, so they had no way of predicting when they would strike.

And for Zou Feng, eliminating the Ten Directions Sect’s members first was a no-lose situation.

After all, if Yuwen Shuo had died, Fang Jingchuan and the other Guardian would have seized the opportunity to try and take him down as well.

As for Yuwen Shuo, after this incident, his trust in Zou Feng would surely increase.

This would naturally make it more convenient for him to carry out his next moves.

Killing Yuwen Shuo didn’t necessarily require a direct confrontation after showing his hand. A Poison Cultivator, naturally, had methods of assassination at which they truly excelled…

So, Tian Yun’s worries were actually unnecessary.

Right now, Yuwen Shuo was not only suffering from Chronic Poisoning due to the side effects of his Cultivation, but on top of that, Zou Feng had been using various movements to conceal his “Shaking Flower Hand” ever since they entered Qifeng Mountain.

After all, in a place like Qifeng Mountain, which was teeming with Demon Beasts, it was perfectly normal for some strange odors to appear from time to time.

It was worth mentioning that although the poison gas Zou Feng was currently releasing was indeed colorless and odorless…

…high-Realm Martial Artists would still eventually notice something was wrong if they were exposed to too much of it.

However, here in Qifeng Mountain, with its myriad of intermingling scents and in such an open area with a large group traveling together, one’s vigilance toward such things was greatly diminished.

When he came over to “protect” Yuwen Shuo and clashed with Fang Jingchuan just now, Zou Feng hadn’t forgotten to release more poison.

As a result, Yuwen Shuo was actually already quite heavily poisoned.

It was just that the poison had yet to be activated, and Yuwen Shuo wasn’t a genuine Gang Qi Realm expert either.

Relying on the protection of his Magical Artifact, he never imagined that anything could happen to him in a small place like Yuan Guang County.

The battle between the Celestial Essence Sword Sect and the Ten Directions Sect was almost completely devoid of suspense.

With the government constables and the Hunting Team blocking the escape routes and providing support, plus the aid of Yuwen Shuo’s Gang Qi Realm guard and Zou Feng’s redirected side effects, it wasn’t long before Shen Xuan felled the already-weakened Fang Jingchuan with a single sword strike.

He struggled to get up, his eyes filled with indignation as he tried to say something, but Shen Xuan gave him no such opportunity.

Two more sword strikes went straight for Fang Jingchuan’s brow and throat, finishing him off for good.

Zou Feng noticed that Shen Xuan didn’t actually have a sword in his hand.

Yet with a casual motion, Sword Qi crisscrossed the air. His techniques were completely devoid of flourish, just direct, straightforward applications of overwhelming power.

In comparison, the Gang Qi Realm experts from the Celestial Essence Sword Sect were clearly a cut above.

Of course, it was also possible that Shen Xuan was simply one of the best among the Sword Sect’s Sixth Grade disciples.

Before long, the other Guardian from the Ten Directions Sect was also killed.

The rest of the small fry had been dealt with long ago.

“Hahaha, satisfying!”

A loud laugh rang out. Everyone looked over to see that Yuwen Shuo had caught the Celestial Eye Cloud Pattern Deer.

He had the Cloud Pattern Deer in a tight grip, preventing it from moving, and looked utterly thrilled.

The members of the Celestial Essence Sword Sect, however, couldn’t be bothered with him. They were the only ones present who didn’t give a damn about the Governor of Jiangnan.

“We’ve finally taken care of that bastard Fang Jingchuan, all thanks to Master Tian for relaying the information!”

Shen Xuan took a few steps forward and thanked Tian Yun with a smile.

Tian Yun had no intention of taking all the credit and told him the truth. “Actually, the plan was General Zou’s idea.”

Shen Xuan glanced at Zou Feng a few times, ultimately just giving a slight nod without offering any thanks.

Sword Sect disciples had always looked down on those who practiced Evil Skills. That was why Shen Xuan was courteous to Tian Yun but didn’t give Zou Feng the time of day.

The next moment, a Sword Sect disciple ran over to report, “Brother Shen, on the bodies of these Ten Directions Sect remnants, we didn’t find…”

Shen Xuan’s brow furrowed at his words. “You mean not all of them came? Quick, search the area! There might be some who got away!”

Others might not have understood the exchange, but Zou Feng reacted instantly.

’These people from the Sword Sect… eliminating the Ten Directions Sect remnants is just a secondary objective for them. Their main goal is to find the Immortal Treasures that were scattered all over the place.’

’Back then, there was no helping it. The Immortal Treasures scattered, and both the Celestial Essence Sword Sect and the Ten Directions Sect managed to get their hands on some.’

’But they’re definitely not content to let the other side keep what they have. They’re both trying every trick in the book to steal from one another.’

Shen Xuan’s comment about “some who got away” served as a reminder for Zou Feng.

’Right, why didn’t I see Lu Sen?’

Zou Feng quickly focused his mind and checked the List of Gods.

Sure enough, Fang Jingchuan’s name was gone, but Lu Sen’s was still on the list.

’They didn’t mobilize their full force?’

’It seems they were worried about leaving the Immortal Treasure unguarded, which is why not all of them came.’

’Lu Sen had clearly stayed behind as well.’

’But it doesn’t matter. With Fang Jingchuan and the other Gang Qi Realm Guardian dead, a mere Seventh Grade Cultist like Lu Sen poses almost no threat to me.’

’Maybe… I could even try to find Lu Sen myself and get my hands on the Immortal Treasure the Ten Directions Sect has?’

“Master Tian, we must continue searching for any Ten Directions Sect stragglers. We’ll be taking our leave now!”

“Be my guest!”

Unable to find any Immortal Treasures on the cultists, Shen Xuan was impatient. He turned and left as soon as he finished speaking.

Yuwen Shuo, however, was quite displeased that the members of the Celestial Essence Sword Sect were leaving so abruptly. He called out loudly, “Everyone from the Sword Sect, you’re leaving already? Why not stay for a few drinks and celebrate with us?”

Shen Xuan didn’t even bother to look back, simply continuing on his way.

Seeing this, Yuwen Shuo looked utterly furious, but he ultimately didn’t dare to actually curse out loud.

He wasn’t so stupid as to throw his weight around in front of an Elite Disciple from the Celestial Essence Sword Sect.

Just then, Zou Feng noticed that while the Sword Sect disciples hadn’t found any Immortal Treasures on the cultists, they hadn’t touched a single one of the Evil Pills on their bodies.

Of course, that was perfectly normal. After all, under ordinary circumstances, nobody would want to touch those Evil Pills.

But this was definitely a windfall for Zou Feng.

Next, to avoid looking conspicuous, Zou Feng ordered the members of his Iron Blood Gu Poison Group to pile up the corpses of the Ten Directions Sect members and incinerate them.

His excuse was that since the Ten Directions Sect was so sinister, burning the bodies was the safer option.

While moving the corpses, his trusted subordinates would naturally pocket the Evil Pills and find an opportunity to hand them over to him later.

In truth, Zou Feng no longer had much need for ordinary Evil Pills.

What he truly coveted were the items on a Gang Qi Realm Cultist like Fang Jingchuan.

Upon reaching the Gang Qi Realm, the Evil Pills these cultists consumed were definitely of a higher grade. Zou Feng had no reason to pass them up.

The main objectives of the trip had been achieved, but Yuwen Shuo didn’t demand an immediate return.

Yuwen Shuo’s thinking was, since they had come all this way, how could they not hunt a few more impressive Demon Beasts?

Besides, when it came to a Demon Beast like the Celestial Eye Cloud Pattern Deer, the more, the better.

However, after the chaotic battle, a brief rest was unavoidable.

Yuwen Shuo was also getting hungry.

But the Celestial Eye Cloud Pattern Deer obviously couldn’t be killed for food, so his gaze naturally fell upon the Demon Bear that had been killed during the battle.

Zou Feng keenly perceived this and immediately stepped forward with a bow. “Young Master Yuwen, how about you allow this subordinate to prepare the paws of this Demon Bear?”

“You’ll prepare them?” For a moment, Yuwen Shuo didn’t understand what Zou Feng meant.

“Actually, before this subordinate began practicing martial arts, I also learned a thing or two about cooking. I believe I can prepare something to your satisfaction, Young Master Yuwen.”

Yuwen Shuo was accustomed to a life of luxury and had an incredibly discerning palate. Therefore, hearing Zou Feng volunteer to cook the bear paws immediately piqued his curiosity.

“Alright, give it a try. If you do a good job, this young master will reward you handsomely!”

’You’re the one who asked for this,’ Zou Feng thought.

’Daring to try food made by a Poison Cultivator… he’s certainly got a lot of nerve…’

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