476: Startling the Snake
Mount Xuanyin was located in the west, making it much closer from Jiang Mo and her companions' current position than from Xuanqing Sect. After sending a ssage back to their sect, Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue were determined to first investigate Mount Xuanyin, later joined by You Yi who insisted on accompanying them, resulting in the three of them traveling to Mount Xuanyin together.
Notably, the group encountered several ambushes along the way, all from Tiandao Sect mbers infected with demonic patterns. Sotis Jiang Shen led the team, sotis an elder, and even when they eliminated everyone, another wave of ambushers would follow.
You Yi could only smile bitterly about this: "I was born in Tiandao Sect, lit the soul lamp, and left my aura behind—the sect has plenty of thods to find ."
Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue understood, now comprehending why You Yi had been hunted to this point. With them present, those sent by Tiandao Sect weren't a concern for now, but once Tiandao Sect sensed sothing was wrong, they would certainly dispatch more formidable individuals. That would be the better scenario—worse would be if Tiandao Sect deduced their purpose from their movent patterns, ultimately alerting their targets.
After a frank discussion among the three, Jiang Mo felt sowhat troubled: "This approach isn't working. Our whereabouts are exposed; won't we be walking into a trap when we reach Mount Xuanyin? Perhaps we should abandon the plan—friend, you shouldn't co with us."
These words sounded rather like abandoning him after crossing the river, since You Yi was under pursuit, and without their protection, he might not last long before eting misfortune. Moreover, they had already agreed to travel together, and now they were going back on their word. Despite her thick skin, Jiang Mo's face grew warm as she spoke, feeling deeply guilty.
You Yi didn't grow annoyed or resentful at Jiang Mo's attitude. He had already revealed all his misery to the two on the day they t. Perhaps having put life and death behind him, he had now regained so of his forr composure.
At this mont, he calmly opened his Mountain River Fan and waved it, his face even showing a hint of a smile: "Don't panic, don't panic, there's still room to maneuver. I didn't co along to be a burden to you." Without waiting for Jiang Mo to inquire further, he continued: "My whereabouts can't be hidden from Tiandao Sect, and neither can yours. From the mont you made contact with , the news probably already reached them."
In other words, even without You Yi present, Tiandao Sect would likely send people to hunt Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue. Additionally, Tiandao Sect would assu they knew what You Yi knew, and those at Mount Xuanyin would already be on guard.
Jiang Mo felt sowhat frustrated. A cool hand fell on the back of her neck and gave it a gentle squeeze, temporarily calming her emotions.
The little tiger crossed her arms and slightly raised her chin: "So what do you propose?"
You Yi indeed had a plan. He explained: "Mount Xuanyin, even if not the demon race's stronghold, is certainly an extrely important base, undoubtedly heavily guarded. We can use this to our advantage by startling the snake. When we reach the vicinity of Mount Xuanyin, we'll separate. I'll draw away as many people as possible, allowing you to investigate their lair... I've heard Mount Xuanyin is quite large."
He spoke calmly and with composure, as if it were as simple as leading people out for a stroll. But Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue knew that the demon race's forces on Mount Xuanyin must be substantial, and You Yi's approach was essentially suicidal!
Jiang Mo had never had a good impression of Tiandao Sect mbers, having perceived many unpleasant qualities in them from their first eting, such as greed and arrogance.
But now, faced with You Yi calmly preparing to et his death, she was deeply moved: "Have you given up on your life? If you don't go to Mount Xuanyin, you might still have a chance to survive!"
You Yi continued to smile, shaking his head: "There are things one should do, and things one shouldn't."
Jiang Mo wanted to say more, but before she could persuade him further, Yun Qingyue stopped her. She seed to understand You Yi's fearlessness of death and rely sighed, saying: "Since you've decided, I won't try to persuade you further. When the ti cos, we will create doppelgangers to accompany you, drawing people as far away as possible. As for surviving... do your best to stay alive."
This ti, You Yi didn't refuse and gladly accepted Yun Qingyue's arrangent. In reality, his cultivation was only at the Void Crossing stage; without Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue's assistance, even if he gave his all, he probably couldn't draw away many pursuers and would be eliminated in minutes.
Taking a step back, despite the demonic energy in his bones, he didn't necessarily have to seek death.
What if he could survive? What if...
· · ─────── ·??· ─────── · · · · ─────── ·??· ─────── · ·
The three traveled quickly. Despite occasional ambushes, they reached the vicinity of Mount Xuanyin after seven days.
This place had once been the battlefield between Crimson Blood Sect and Nine Abyss Sect. Because of Sect Leader Zhu, Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue had been here more than once and were sowhat familiar with Mount Xuanyin. Therefore, when they arrived near Mount Xuanyin and gazed from afar, they imdiately noticed sothing wrong—on the surface, Mount Xuanyin had returned to calm, but in reality, the shadow that had once covered it had beco even more pronounced.
Jiang Mo was surprised. She rembered that when the fierce beast erged, it had absorbed all the shadows above Mount Xuanyin. Not much ti had passed, yet not only had the shadows reappeared, but they had also grown denser.
You Yi noticed the surprise on their faces and followed their gaze, but saw nothing. So he turned his fan and lightly tapped Jiang Mo's shoulder, asking: "What's wrong? Can you see sothing amiss with Mount Xuanyin from so far away?" He looked around again, still seeing nothing: "It won't affect our plan, will it?"
Not everyone could see the shadows over Mount Xuanyin. Jiang Mo initially shook her head, then, recalling You Yi's resignation to death, explained: "Mount Xuanyin has seen too much death and injury before, and the death energy and fierce energy have ford a field. With Tan Xin's situation, the demon race likely has arrangents on Mount Xuanyin. In any case, it should be considered a dangerous place now."
This wasn't beyond You Yi's expectations, but as soone prepared to die, he didn't mind these details. After inquiring briefly, his expression grew more solemn: "We're not far from Mount Xuanyin now. It's ti to part ways."
With these words, the atmosphere imdiately grew heavy, with a sense of farewell spreading.
Jiang Mo wanted to say sothing but found herself at a loss for words.
Yun Qingyue was more straightforward. She channeled her spiritual energy and created a doppelganger. This doppelganger also wore a cyan robe, with a cold and otherworldly aura. Looking at her appearance, she was identical to Yun Qingyue, and could exert about fifty percent of her strength.
Seeing this, Jiang Mo followed suit. A small tiger leaped from her body and, upon landing, transford into another "Jiang Mo." The doppelganger looked at everyone present, then very naturally ran to Yun Qingyue's doppelganger's side and clung to her... Apart from appearance, Jiang Mo's doppelganger's personality was identical to her own, perhaps even bolder and more clingy.
Yun Qingyue glanced at them, feeling sowhat embarrassed, especially with an outsider present. Suppressing her reddening ears, she cast a light glance at Jiang Mo, who imdiately behaved herself, causing her doppelganger to beco considerably more proper as well.
You Yi vaguely sensed sothing, his suspicious gaze circling between the two. But as soone preparing to die, gossip didn't seem so important anymore. In the end, he didn't ask anything, only saying to them: "Ti is of the essence. I will now take them to make ourselves seen at Mount Xuanyin. Do you want to go ahead first, or follow behind?"
Going ahead had its advantages—if they could enter Mount Xuanyin early, they might be able to trace back to the lair when Mount Xuanyin's forces mobilized. But following behind also had its rits, at least preventing them from rashly intruding and alerting people prematurely.
After discussion, Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue decided to follow behind You Yi, as they didn't know Mount Xuanyin's current layout.
You Yi had no objections. He didn't even leave any parting words, casually leading their doppelgangers ahead. Left behind, Jiang Mo couldn't help but say as she watched his retreating figure: "This person, just leaving like that, without even a word of goodbye?"
Yun Qingyue sighed and said: "Who would he leave words for?"
Indeed, even if You Yi left behind final words, who would he leave them to? His closest relationship was with his sect, but now the sect had betrayed him, or perhaps he had betrayed the sect. Those fellow sect mbers willing to follow him had suffered because of him, all perishing earlier, leaving him completely alone—the junior sister who had always been by his side wasn't seen this ti either. Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue didn't ask, but in their hearts, they knew she likely t with misfortune as well.
Jiang Mo's mood grew heavier. She muttered, seemingly cursing softly, though it wasn't clear who she was cursing. Perhaps the demon race that had brought about this turmoil, or perhaps Tiandao Sect, which had fallen entirely due to weak resolve.
Yun Qingyue said nothing. She withdrew her gaze and said to Jiang Mo: "Let's go. We shouldn't fall too far behind."
Jiang Mo composed herself, concealed their presence, and followed along with Yun Qingyue.
……
You Yi had always played the role of the second senior brother in Tiandao Sect, but this didn't an he wasn't excellent. In fact, apart from his cultivation talent being inferior to Jiang Shen's, whether in terms of thoroughness in actions or interpersonal skills, he far surpassed him.
Such a clever person naturally excelled at acting as well.
Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue secretly followed behind him, watching as he silently infiltrated Mount Xuanyin, even exploring nurous locations and uncovering many clues about the demon race's lair. Then, during his investigation, he deliberately exposed his presence, imdiately drawing pursuit.
The doppelgangers protected You Yi as they fled, even causing a commotion before leaving, attracting a large group to chase after them.
Jiang Mo and Yun Qingyue appeared shortly after, watching the pursuing forces and inwardly feeling anxious. On one hand, they worried for You Yi, feeling his chances of escape were slim. On the other hand, they were also nervous for themselves—fortunately, You Yi had co and actively drawn away a large force; otherwise, they might have struggled to handle the situation.
Of course, now that You Yi had drawn people away, they couldn't waste this opportunity purchased with his life. Jiang Mo refocused and pointed in a direction: "Shall we go this way? I saw those people coming from here."
Yun Qingyue shook her head, pointing in another direction: "We'll go this way."
Reviews
All reviews (0)