Chapter 73: The Bold Xu Liangcai

Cheng Qingning nodded, fully convinced by Chu Huaizhou’s explanation, imagining how formidable the Sword Immortal Chu’s disciple training must be. She had no doubts about its authenticity—this was Chu Huaizhou’s unassailable reputation in Tianxing.

With this thought, she lowered her guard, her eyes gleaming with hope as she clasped her fists and smiled.
“Earlier, I suspected you might have ulterior motives, fabricating an identity to approach me. Sorry, Brother Ye, I overthought it!”

Chu Huaizhou helped her up, smiling.
“No worries. As righteous cultivators, we should help each other.”

Cheng Qingning nodded, her impression of “Ye Feng” improving. Despite her outward demeanor, she inwardly disdained the lazy sect members. Judging others by herself, she’d expected a genius like Ye Feng to be arrogant, but his approachable manner marked him as a good person.

At that moment, her junior brother, Xu Liangcai, who’d been feigning unconsciousness to assess the situation, “woke up.” Seeing no immediate danger and confirming the two strangers who’d joined the group weren’t threats, he pushed away the small cultivator carrying him and staggered to Cheng Qingning’s side, feigning confusion.
“Senior… Senior Sister, where are we? My head hurts…”

Unaware of his actions while she was unconscious, Cheng Qingning still saw him as the junior brother assigned by the Puppet Hall. She briefly asked about his condition, then glanced at Chu Huaizhou’s group, noting their presence during her blackout.

Chu knew Xu Liangcai’s duplicity but didn’t expose him—it wasn’t worth it. A Tribulation-stage cultivator should have keen judgment; such petty schemes weren’t worth mentioning. It’d be beneath him.

Xu Liangcai didn’t offer a handshake, only flashing a pained smile.
“Hey, hi, I’m Senior Sister Cheng’s junior brother. Looking forward to working together.”

His words were polite, but his gaze lingered not on Chu Huaizhou but on Xia Baiqian, with a look reminiscent of Ji Yifei’s earlier. Xu Liangcai genuinely didn’t take “Ye Feng,” a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator, seriously, scoffing inwardly.

So what if he’s the world’s greatest cultivator’s disciple? Only those who grow up are geniuses—those who don’t are just dust. The cave’s oppressive yin aura stifled even his late Foundation Establishment cultivation, slowing his spiritual energy flow. A mid-Foundation Establishment like Ye Feng must be struggling more.

The memory of the Youming Sect’s toxic mist replayed in his mind, confirming their identity. Ye Feng would likely die here, but that early Foundation Establishment female cultivator beside him—stunning as a blooming lotus—was worth saving… Heh.

Cheng Qingning, her senses dulled to mortal levels by sealed meridians, didn’t notice his lecherous gaze.

Suddenly—
“Aah! My eyes—what’s happening? I can’t see!”

Xu Liangcai, lost in improper thoughts, felt searing pain in his eyes, his vision blurring rapidly. His wicked notions vanished, replaced by panic.
Is the Youming Sect attacking? No, I’m not ready to die!

Xia Baiqian’s eyes remained calm, but a cold glint flashed within. He’s asking for it. She’d used a high-level gu curse, blending into his blood to cloud his vision, undetectable without at least Transformation-stage cultivation. More potent gu existed, but Xu Liangcai’s body couldn’t handle them.

Her outfit was chosen for Master, not this creep. If not for the situation, she’d have gouged his eyes out.

Cheng Qingning, seeing Xu Liangcai’s distress, pulled out a talisman to heal him but remembered her sealed meridians. Unable to activate it, she raised it to her chest, looking apologetically at Chu Huaizhou.
“Brother Ye, please apply this talisman to his eyes to heal him. Junior Brother’s late Foundation Establishment—maybe not as strong as you, but he’s still useful.”

Xia Baiqian shot her a look, inwardly rolling her eyes, pressing closer to Chu. Acting cute, huh? Just because you’re a bit more… endowed? Disgusting. Master had said he found smaller figures cute when alone.

Chu applied the talisman to Xu Liangcai’s eyes. Xu Liangcai, dismissive of him, didn’t resist, thinking this was fitting for a weaker cultivator in front of greater ones.

A soft green glow emerged, cooling Xu Liangcai’s eyes, calming him. Wanfa Immortal Sect’s talismans were top-notch. But when the talisman faded, his vision remained blurred, sparking panic again.

Cheng Qingning couldn’t help but roll her eyes. His resilience is pathetic. How’s he survived this long? With no other options, she deduced his spiritual energy was obstructed near his eyes, causing temporary blindness. Comforting him briefly, she told him to follow behind, then turned to Chu Huaizhou to plan their escape. Together, using their trump cards at the right moment, they could free everyone.

Though their sects weren’t always friendly, righteous cultivators united against demonic sects. The lead demonic cultivator was from the Youming Sect. Likely a branch of the Youming Sect, one of the Five Demonic Sects, with at least a Transformation-stage cultivator guarding it. If discovered, they’d have no chance of escape!

Sighing, Cheng Qingning glanced at Xu Liangcai, his strength halved, then at her sealed meridians. She reached out, grasping Chu Huaizhou’s hand.
“My strength’s limited. Please, Brother Ye, lend me your aid!”

If Xu Liangcai saw this, he’d be stunned. Despite many missions together, he’d never achieved physical contact with her. Yet Cheng Qingning, just meeting Ye Feng, did what he couldn’t despite all his efforts!

Chu Huaizhou felt nothing special. Surrounded by beauties like Xia Baiqian and Bai Li, a handshake with a talented but ordinary girl like Cheng Qingning stirred no ripples.
“I despise these demonic cultivators’ actions. Even if you hadn’t asked, I’d help.”

Cheng Qingning’s gratitude swelled, her impression of Ye Feng soaring. If favorability were visible, it’d be at 40%—a level taking a month in the game.