Chapter 203: Chapter 171: Catching a Turtle in a Jar

As she spoke, Guh Niqiang opened her phoenix eyes wide, pressing her fresh and tempting red lips together, her flawless cheeks tinged with a rosy hue due to anger, the flowing stream of light from the Flowing Cloud Immortal Robe made her skin appear snow-white and her beauty unrivaled, causing kingdoms to fall.

The beauty was slightly angry, of unmatched elegance, perhaps still affected by a Charm Art on her Divine Soul that was not fully removed, Lu Qian suddenly spoke without rhyme or reason: "You are a thousand times, ten thousand times more beautiful than Lady Ji, if I am swayed by beauty, shouldn’t I be enamored by you first?"

As soon as the words left his mouth, both of them were stunned.

They simply stared at each other in a daze, after a few breaths passed, Lu Qian felt a cold sensation rising from his tailbone, with a bang, a flame of gold and red suddenly exploded before his eyes!

"Go to hell!"

"No—"

With a thunderous sound, a flash of fire appeared in the center of Shuangye Square, and a huge hole appeared above the Central High Tower. A silhouette, like a shooting star, streaked across the night sky with five-colored gleams, causing the patrolling Shuangye Alliance disciples to be shocked.

Enemy invasion? Report immediately!

After a chaotic moment, orders were finally received from above: "Family matters of Yunshan Sect, hear less, see less, ask less."

When the morning sun rose, those embedded in Shuangye Square, hired by Lanfang Square and Jiuzhi Square, and Loose Cultivators, received the latest instructions one by one: "Message from Divine Flood Dragon Sect, plan changed, proceed to retreat from the marketplace, assemble one hundred miles northeast in the valley."

As the initiator of the action, Divine Flood Dragon Sect’s orders were naturally followed by all. In fact, many Loose Cultivators felt relieved at heart, as causing trouble in the marketplace posed a great risk; a slight mishap could lead to death. This time Lanfang Square and Jiuzhi Square promised great rewards, with two Foundation Establishment cultivators leading, only then did the crowd agree.

Now retreating from the marketplace naturally felt easier in their hearts. Mingling with the flow of customers, they gradually exited the marketplace, and by noon, they had all gathered in an unnamed valley.

A disciple from Divine Flood Dragon Sect shouted: "Fellow cultivators, we received notice, this action is canceled. As usual, we will distribute half of the reward now, please state your names, once everyone is present, the distribution will begin." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

The Loose Cultivators beamed with joy, cancellation was best, getting paid without lifting a finger, delightful!

Once that disciple finished checking names on the list, confirming everyone’s presence, they eagerly craned their necks waiting to receive their pay.

Unexpectedly, after waiting left and right, no one appeared, and upon looking again, even the disciples from Divine Flood Dragon Sect were nowhere to be found.

Just as the crowd was puzzled, the sky suddenly darkened; looking upward, they were horrified.

From behind the peaks surrounding the valley, a mighty Floating Battleship emerged quietly, breaking through the clouds!

With its head and tail combined, it measured fifteen feet long, at the masthead inscribed "Void Soaring," and at the stern "Distant-Guarding," imposing shadows covering the valley.

The sleek hull was extremely elegant, with the Cloud Pattern Banner and Shuangye Banner flying high, eighty Spiritual Power Cannons already flickering with ominous light.

Void-Soaring and Distant-Guarding Divine Ship!

"It’s Yunshan Sect’s Floating Battleship!" A Loose Cultivator recognized those banners, shouting in panic, they finally realized they had been betrayed!

Two conspicuous escape lights soared into the sky, representing the highest combat power of this sabotage action, two Early-Stage Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivators.

However, they heard a humming sound; five-colored spiritual qi rose to the heavens, and a grand array instantly formed, enveloping the entire valley!

A flash of fire soared through the sky, Guh Niqiang delivered a palm strike, cleaving a Loose Cultivator into the valley.

A gray talisman approached silently, with a boom, the defense of another Loose Cultivator’s Magical Artifact diminished drastically, as Zhuang Qing struck them downward.

Eighty Spiritual Power Light Cannons fired in unison, thunderous explosions echoed through the valley. Dozens of escape lights flickered, over a hundred elite cultivators plunged down from the Divine Ship!

The slaughter commenced.

Lu Qian stood atop a peak, observing the sounds of battle below, his heart secretly alarmed.

This time, Lanfang Square and Jiuzhi Square had actually hired sixty Late-Stage Qi Cultivation Loose Cultivators, primarily in the Late-Stage Qi Cultivation, and two Early-Stage Foundation Establishment as well! Such power, if unleashed in the marketplace unexpectedly, despite his ability to suppress it, would incur great damage, requiring significant efforts, and possibly causing patron casualties.

Fortunately, Divine Flood Dragon Sect had turned to the light...

While contemplating this, the coquettish Jade Flood Dragon Fairy approached: "Sect Leader Lu, how has my matter been handled, can you fulfill my wish as promised?"

Lu Qian treated her like she was air, ordering coldly: "Kill half of the Qi Cultivators, then broadcast, anyone skilled in Alchemy and Talisman Making, Planting and Refining, or any Hundred Arts of Immortal Cultivation can be spared, leave none of the others! Those two Foundation Establishment Feather Scholars should be severely injured, I have other uses for them."

"Sect Leader Lu, you’re so indifferent." Ji Yunrou suddenly noticed something, exclaiming, "Why is there a bandage wrapped around your chest? Who hurt you?"

Lu Qian’s eye twitched, quickening his pace, Jiang Qingfeng blocked Ji Yunrou with a cold face: "Sect Leader Ji, this is an internal affair of Yunshan Sect, no need for your concern."

Explosions and battle cries echoed in harmony, Magical Artifacts breaking the sky, Talismans flashing, Magic Techniques roaring, the entire valley draped in a haze mixed with fresh blood.

The Loose Cultivators, disorganized and lacking discipline, faced a surprise attack, their battle morale low, focused only on fleeing or pleading for mercy, resulting in over ten deaths in the first encounter, those remaining resisted desperately but futilely. Once half were killed, Shuangye Alliance disciples began broadcasting for surrender, everyone pleaded fervently, showcasing their proficiency in the Hundred Arts, hoping to survive.

Shuangye Alliance disciples sealed their Dantian Spiritual Roots and led them onto the Divine Ship heading for Bichao Mountain. There, their claims were tested, any lies would result in beheading, genuine skill meant a lifetime of servitude.

After half a cup of tea time passed, Guh Niqiang dragged the Early-Stage Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator, dropping them heavily before Lu Qian.

"Cough cough..." Perhaps Guh Niqiang felt somewhat apologetic for having broken three of Lu Qian’s ribs, she was generous today, and really refrained from fatal strikes, so this cultivator, though charred and bleeding profusely, retained clear consciousness.

"Your Excellency, you are the Sect Leader of Yunshan... I implore you to spare my life, I am willing to pay a great sum..."

Yet, Lu Qian did not respond, and soon, Zhuang Qing brought over the other Foundation Establishment Loose Cultivator. That person was in much better shape, with only several injuries, firmly bound by gleaming Talismanic ropes, one end inserted into their Dantian, sealing their Dantian’s Spirit Bud.

Originally that person’s complexion was grim, but seeing their companion lying on the ground, comparing the two, a hint of relief emerged within.

"Thank you Elder Zhuang for your assistance." Lu Qian cupped his hands politely.

Zhuang Qing chuckled: "My family is originally the second shareholder of the marketplace, acting to defeat the enemy is within my duty. Had Sect Leader Lu not been suddenly injured, it wouldn’t have fallen to this old bone of mine to act."

The captured Feather Scholars were both startled, unable to resist glancing at Lu Qian.

From the sound of it, this Yunshan Sect Leader was only at Qi Cultivation Perfection, yet had the ability to capture us?

Lu Qian spoke coldly: "You two, I will give you only one choice."