Chapter 442: Reaping the Blood of the Sparrow Fairy (5K)

Chapter 442: Reaping the Blood of the Sparrow Fairy (5K)



Facing the sudden deadly attack from the demon, Zheng Qian was visibly shaken.

These demons were evidently seasoned fighters. From the moment she struck to the moment the moonlight cleaved the old sparrow demon in two, they had not only maintained their formation but had also come up with such a treacherous scheme.

What surprised Zheng Qian even more was the young sparrow that had launched the sneak attack. Despite its faint aura, the claws that had just grazed her revealed a formidable and terrifying demonic body that set it apart from the other Golden Fire Sparrows.

That was close!

Fortunately, Shen Yi was there.

Not only had he provided crucial information, giving her the upper hand to severely wound the fourth-level Returning Void old sparrow demon, but he had also acted promptly to intercept the young sparrow's ambush.

His seasoned actions far surpassed her own by a wide margin.

No wonder he was able to escape from a place where his legacy was cut off.

No wonder he hadn't paid much attention to her commands; Shen Yi probably already had a detailed plan in mind, but due to his outsider status, he refrained from saying too much and had only been subtly reminding her all along.

Thinking back to how she had just snapped at him, Zheng Qian felt a strange flush of embarrassment.

With these thoughts in mind, she suddenly glared at the old sparrow demon, channeling all her awkward anger into the Daoist techniques in her hands.

The moonlight gathered once more, filling the air with a sharp aura.

In that instant, the entire four-story Daoist palace shone brilliantly!

"Fellow Daoist Shen, there's something odd about that young sparrow. Hold it back for now, and I'll come to help as soon as I finish off this old thing!" Zheng Qian shouted, as her finger techniques unleashed a barrage of attacks.

At that moment, under Liu Qianyun's watchful eye, Yan Wencheng skillfully began to set up a formation. One by one, formation objects flew out from his storage treasure artifact, scattering across the mountain peaks in a mysterious trajectory.

Although he tried to focus, he couldn't help but sneak another glance at the stone puppet in the sky.

He was stunned.

To be honest, for a Qingyue Sect cultivator, puppets weren't exactly unusual.

Some direct disciples also possessed similar abilities, and they were even stronger than those at the fourth level of Returning Void.

But the difference lay in their origins.

The puppets of the direct disciples were gifts from their elders.

However, what was Shen Yi's identity... He had just come out of the Nanyang treasure land, and he was already the highest cultivator among the Nanyang Sect.

His puppets must have been refined by his own hands, which was a completely different concept.

A loose cultivator whose legacy had been cut off not only overwhelmed her, an inner sect disciple, in the art of formations and techniques but also possessed puppet techniques far beyond his own cultivation level. It was truly embarrassing.

"Focus on setting up the formation. It's not over yet," Liu Qianyun said gravely, glancing at Yan Wencheng before turning her gaze toward the right peak.

Initially, she had been the most confident one.

Having seen Lao Gou's capabilities, along with Zheng Qian, two fourth-level Returning Void cultivators handling such a simple task almost certainly guaranteed success.

But now, the situation seemed different.

On the right peak, two sparrow demons had yet to make their appearance.

Looking at the young sparrow in the air, although it was bitten by Lao Gou and frantically struggling, upon closer inspection, it seemed unharmed. It was merely unable to break free due to its inferior strength.

How strange! Too strange!

These Golden Fire Sparrows weren't just a scattered group of wandering demons; they were clearly cultivated demons with a legacy.

As if to validate Liu Qianyun's thoughts, the old sparrow demon let out a long cry. Its body was once again engulfed in golden flames, as if it had used some secret technique. Its originally emerald eyes turned scarlet, and the golden flames surged even higher, forcibly fusing its bisected body back together.

"Young Master! We can't wait any longer!"

"I will help you escape this predicament, Young Master."

They had originally come to this place to take refuge, but they had unexpectedly discovered the Yu clan's presence.

This group of half-demons contained the essence of aquatic creatures, making them tender and juicy. Consuming them would greatly benefit one's cultivation realm.

Especially that old thing called "Yu Zu."

If they could devour him, it would not only help the Young Master recover from his injuries but also propel his cultivation to new heights.

Unfortunately, the old thing's body was too heavy with water, making it unsuitable for direct consumption.

That was why the sparrow demons had planted the Golden Fire within Yu Zu, hoping to cleanse that fishy smell from his body.

To prevent the old thing from committing suicide, they had also intentionally left him with several hundred clan members so that he would have something to live for, even if it meant enduring the torment of the Golden Fire.

Unexpectedly, Nanhong Qizi was so meddlesome, reaching even into this remote place.

"I understand..."

The Golden Sparrow Young Master glared at the old dog with resentment. If it hadn't interfered, after killing the Qingyue Sect cultivator and consuming Yu Zu, not only would his injuries have been healed, but his cultivation realm would have also advanced significantly.

Now, he was forced to consume Yu Zu prematurely.

At best, he would barely break through to the fourth level of Returning Void, and his injuries might not even fully heal.

"Get out of my way!"

The Golden Sparrow Young Master suddenly employed the same secret technique, but instead of scarlet, his eyes shone with a golden light.

With a mighty strike, he managed to temporarily repel the old dog, sending it flying dozens of feet away.

This simple action, witnessed by everyone, caused the pupils of the two women to constrict simultaneously.

The aura emanating from the old dog was undoubtedly that of the fourth level of Returning Void, clearly suppressing the Golden Sparrow Young Master. Yet, this young sparrow had forcibly broken free from its restraint through its demonic body alone.

This was no joke! The gap between the third and fourth levels was an incredibly terrifying chasm.

"..."

Zhang Laifu licked his lips, his eyes gleaming with increasing ferocity.

He, on the other hand, remained the calmest.

Due to the inferiority of his bloodline, this wasn't the first time the old dog had been surpassed by others. The last time, he had been pinned down by his master and hacked to death.

"Jin Yi, Jin Kui, go and bring that Yu clan old thing over here!" the Golden Sparrow Young Master shouted, his mind calm and clear. He knew that there was only one way to defeat this old dog.

This didn't seem like a typical distribution of power within a demonic clan; instead, it appeared they had been specifically chosen to serve as escorts.

The two demons dove towards the mountain below!

At the same time, the Golden Sparrow Young Master desperately dodged the old dog's claw strikes, maneuvering and flying downwards.

"Huh! Huh!"

Zheng Qian's movements became increasingly agitated. Unfortunately, under the enhancement of its secret technique, the old sparrow demon, also a fourth-level Returning Void cultivator, was able to withstand her moonlight attacks with preparation and even had the strength to counter-attack! This was something the usually unmatched Xianzong cultivator had never experienced.

Zheng Qian's sense of unease grew stronger.

Instead of rescuing the Young Master, he was focusing on Yu Zu... Something was amiss.

"Qian Yun, stop that young sparrow! Kill it first!"

At her command, Liu Qianyun glanced at Yan Wencheng beside her, understanding Zheng Qian's intention to temporarily give up on the formation master. However, she trusted her fellow disciple's judgment as the leader of their group: "Be careful yourself."

"Understood."

Yan Wencheng nodded; the formation was almost complete.

In an instant, thick water vapor filled the surroundings, converging into a mighty river that enveloped the area. Tumbling waves rose, taking on the shape of dragon heads, as if countless water dragons lurked within the murky river.

As this grand formation took effect, the flames on the two Golden Fire Sparrows dimmed.

No wonder he was the disciple most favored by Elder Yang.

He effortlessly deployed a suitable restraining formation for the current situation, which required an extensive repertoire of formation patterns and relentless practice day and night.

"Fellow Daoist Shen, I'll help you. Focus on maintaining the formation to protect Yu Zu. Please buy us some time." Without hesitation, Liu Qianyun soared into the sky.

At that moment, the old sparrow demon boldly withstood a moonlight strike, its shoulder tearing open. Then, it fiercely charged towards Yan Wencheng!

"..."

Liu Qianyun's figure stalled slightly as she tried to turn around.

Unlike Zheng Qian, her lack of experience showed, and she had finally made a mistake.

When it came to putting her fellow disciple in danger, she instinctively hesitated.

"Stupid!" Zheng Qian grit her teeth, almost cursing aloud.

In situations like this, whoever showed more concern would be at a disadvantage. Yan Wencheng was indeed her fellow disciple, but the Golden Sparrow was their Young Master. Would this old sparrow demon dare to take such a risk?

Boom!

Suddenly, another surge of golden flames violently erupted in the field, transforming into dazzling wings that were purer and hotter than the red flames emitted by the Golden Fire Sparrows.

Everyone thought that the figure manipulating the formation, with his black robe billowing, had vanished into thin air, leaving behind only purple and white rays.

Taking advantage of the moment when the Golden Sparrow Young Master was focused on the old dog...

Shen Yi mercilessly lashed out with a whip kick, striking the young sparrow's heart. A fierce and sinister aura burst forth, comparable to a second-level Returning Void cultivator.

With a single kick, Shen Yi sent the Golden Sparrow Young Master flying backward.

The distance it had struggled to create was instantly erased, and it found itself back under the old dog's claws.

"Hiss!"

Zheng Qian never expected this turn of events.

A loose cultivator who had emerged from the Nanyang treasure land, proficient in formations and puppetry, now revealed a body-refining technique.

Was he insane? Did he intend to squander his lifespan like this?

What was even more terrifying was his repeated display of cross-realm combat prowess.

Compared to the Golden Sparrow Young Master, who relied solely on bloodline secret techniques, Shen Yi's move was clearly based on his perfect grasp of timing, and his intention was evident even before he struck.

He knew exactly what he wanted and was not greedy for more, maintaining a terrifying calm.

The demeanor of a peerless genius!

"Young Master!"

The old sparrow demon, abandoning its previous aggressive stance, turned back fearfully as the old dog swiped its claws. Mustering all its golden flames, it tried to repel the old dog.

However, the old dog didn't even spare it a glance.

Being an inanimate object, it had no fear of injury.

It forcefully endured the golden fire column, and its claws tore open the Golden Sparrow Young Master's chest, mimicking its master's action of attempting to extract the demon core.

Unfortunately, it lacked proficiency and grasped at thin air.

"Jin Yi, Jin Kui, what are you waiting for?! Hurry up!" The old sparrow demon shrieked in despair.

Suddenly, rumbling sounds erupted from the mountain below, continuous and deafening.

"..."

Yan Wencheng's expression turned grim as he looked downhill.

The Five Elements Treasure Lotus Formation, though complex, was ultimately a formation designed for the early Returning Void stage. Moreover, the most crucial point... it was not a defensive formation, and it couldn't withstand the relentless onslaught of two third-level Returning Void demons.

Furthermore, the one manipulating the formation was currently raining punches on the Golden Sparrow Young Master like a storm.

It seemed that he didn't care about Yu Zu's survival at all.

"Fellow Daoist Shen... Let Qian Yun handle it. They're up to something. You just need to maintain the formation." Zheng Qian's tone had noticeably softened.

The old dog, driven mad, tore at the Golden Sparrow Young Master's body, causing it to shriek miserably.

Just as it was about to finish it off, it heard its master's calm voice.

"Go. I'll take care of it."

Without hesitation, the old dog withdrew and pounced on the old sparrow demon.

"Ah?"

Zheng Qian's face betrayed her surprise, even as her hands continued their intricate movements.

Not only had Shen Yi not stopped... he was about to help her again?

With Zhang Laifu's assistance, the old sparrow demon, already struggling against Liu Qianyun and the Flood Dragon Formation, was now in a dire situation and continuously retreating.

However, it didn't give up and instead turned its hopeful gaze towards the mountain below.

That was where the true deciding factor lay!

Just then, the rumbling sounds abruptly ceased.

"Roar!"

Zhang Laifu didn't react at all. His eyes were fixed on the old sparrow demon's neck, and when it least expected it, he bit down hard.

Shen Yi stared at the dying Golden Sparrow Young Master.

He leaped up, and the Scarlet Daoist Palace unfolded beneath him. Several blood-colored eyes opened swiftly, their pupils moving eerily.

All Demons Bow, Break the Illusion.

A bloody thunderbolt engulfed the Golden Sparrow Young Master.

At the same time, right before everyone's eyes, Shen Yi's fingertips once again exuded golden threads, and at a speed invisible to the naked eye, he set up the Iron Painting Silver Hook Grand Formation.

It was as if this grand formation was already engraved into his instincts, as he executed it flawlessly without the slightest hesitation.

However, this time, the three members of the Qingyue Sect couldn't bring themselves to feel happy.

Shen Yi's re-arrangement of the formation could only mean one thing—the Five Elements Treasure Lotus Formation protecting Yu Zu no longer existed.

"Kill!"

Yet, Shen Yi seemed completely unfazed by the two sparrow demons on the mountain. His gaze remained calm as he focused on the bloody thunderbolt.

He pinched his sword fingers and swung his hand down.

The gigantic brush swept through the air, leaving behind streaks of scarlet ink that resembled bloodstains. They converged into a cage-like structure and enveloped the bloody thunderbolt.

The old sparrow demon was pinned down by Zhang Laifu, rolling and struggling on the ground.

The gash on its neck grew larger.

It stared fixedly at the bloody thunderbolt and glanced downhill, searching for the two sparrow shadows it had imagined. However, they seemed to have vanished without a trace, like mud bulls entering the sea, and had not returned until now.

What exactly is going on?

Could they be afraid of the Qingyue Sect and have fled?

Impossible.

Crack!

As the old sparrow demon watched in disbelief, Zhang Laifu finally bit through its neck.

Almost simultaneously,

Shen Yi stepped on the bloody marks and fearlessly leaped into the bloody thunderbolt. His five fingers clutched the Golden Sparrow Young Master's neck, and he dove out of the thunderbolt, slamming the young master viciously onto the mountain range.

Boom! Boom!

Golden flames swept through the mountains, and the powerful force shattered the mountain ridges.

As dust filled the air, Shen Yi dragged the Golden Sparrow Young Master's corpse and strolled out slowly.

"..."

Zheng Qian fixed her eyes on the ink-clad figure, then glanced at Zhang Laifu, who was holding the old sparrow demon in his mouth.

In the moment of silence, she suddenly wiped the sweat from her forehead.

Who is the real Mid-Stage Returning Void Executor here?

"Down the mountain!"

Liu Qianyun suddenly realized something and flew straight downhill.

"This is bad."

Zheng Qian also hurriedly shifted her gaze from Shen Yi and followed closely behind Liu Qianyun.

Yan Wencheng intended to catch up, but as he watched Shen Yi's unhurried movements, a bold guess suddenly popped into his mind.

He stammered, "Sect Master Shen, those two demons... could they have..."

Shen Yi summoned the Peacock Red Light and massaged his sore arms. He nodded slightly, "Indeed."

"I haven't finished my question yet."

Yan Wencheng forced a bitter smile. Although it sounded incredibly unbelievable, seeing Shen Yi's composure made this absurd idea seem more plausible.

However, Shen Yi didn't think much of it.

With the assistance of the Bihu Hamsters and the Lingyun Deer Demons, and after maneuvering the two sparrow demons into the Five Elements Treasure Lotus Formation while utilizing the cover provided by the Suppressing Stone, he had initiated a sneak attack. If he still couldn't emerge victorious, then his entire life would have been for naught.

The two of them headed downhill.

Soon, they returned to the muddy area where Yu Zu had been hiding.

The first thing that caught Yan Wencheng's eye was the stiffened figures of the two executors standing in place. At their feet lay the two sparrow demons, lifeless, with wounds on their backs...

Even though he had already guessed the answer, seeing this scene before him made it hard for him to breathe.

This Sect Master Shen, just how many secrets is he hiding?

Who is the true disciple of the Xianzong?

"Thank you for your help. I'm in need of fire-attributed bird demon blood, so I'll repay you with this. As for the other treasures and moon pearls, please distribute them among yourselves."

Shen Yi stored the corpses of all four sparrow demons into his finger rings and then took out a section of the Green Sun Branch, offering it to the three of them.

He understood that receiving this information was thanks to Liu Qianyun's efforts.

It was only fair to reciprocate in order to continue utilizing the Qingyue Sect's intelligence network.

"You shouldn't say that."

Zheng Qian waved her hand, looking somewhat dejected.

As fellow youths, her cultivation was far superior to Shen Yi's, yet the gap between them was so vast.

It was evident that Shen Yi possessed more than just a stone puppet.

Forget about taking advantage of his lower cultivation, even in a fair fight, she might not be a match for him.

"If it weren't for you today, we might not have made it back alive," Liu Qianyun also shook her head. She handed the Green Sun Branch back to him, "Moreover, you've just come out of the Nanyang treasure land and are in need of treasures."

Shen Yi no longer refused and put away the Green Sun Branch, "If there's a similar situation in the future, you can look for me."

After saying this, he transformed into a stream of light and entered the mud cave.

With the harvest in hand, he only needed to return and refine the Tianhuang Dan again. He was curious to see if these sparrow demon bloodlines could further enhance his Tianhuang Undying True Body.

However, before that, he was quite interested in the Yu clan.

"..."

Watching Shen Yi disappear from sight,

Zheng Qian awkwardly lowered her hand, "Did I offend him before?"

Upon hearing this, Yan Wencheng couldn't help but laugh.

He felt that the current Executor Zheng was very similar to how she had been when lecturing them in the hall earlier.

"Then I won't take anything. Consider it an apology."

Zheng Qian glared at him and muttered, "I thought he was using me as a cheap henchman, but it turns out he just needed a guide."

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end