Chapter 31 Sister Zhao Yurou

Early in the morning, a drizzle of autumn rain fell.

The Outer Door Hall was filled with Sect Disciples, all dressed in light blue robes.

Despite the many disciples present in the grand hall, it was remarkably quiet; all of the disciples looked solemn, with few speaking.

Everyone understood well that although numerous Outer Elders of Foundation Establishment were accompanying them on the mission, they were pursuing the legendary Old Demon Ye, a figure who was extraordinarily strong even among those in the early stages of Foundation Establishment. This mission was fraught with extreme danger!

Ning Daoran stroked the Big Stupid Deer's neck, already well-aware of the situation.

All present were Outer Disciples; there wasn't a single Inner Sect Disciple, a clear indication that the Outer Disciples were being sent as cannon fodder.

"All disciples, heed my command!"

An Outer Elder appeared at the far end of the hall, and his gentle voice spread out through mana, "Old Demon Ye has slain our Sect Disciples. The Chaotic Sect will not sit by and watch. After you enter the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range, be very cautious.

If you find Old Demon Ye or assist in capturing him, you will not only be promoted directly to Inner Sect Disciple, but the Sect will also reward you generously!"

"Yes, Elder!"

The disciples' eyes lit up as they saluted in unison.

At that moment, not far from the Outer Foundation Establishment Elder, an Inner Sect Disciple who was tasked with counting the numbers suddenly noticed Ning Daoran's figure and was stunned.

It was Zhao Lichen.

"Why is Junior Brother Ning here?"

He quickly turned to the Outer Elder Xu Ning: "Martial Uncle Xu, why is Ning Daoran among those leaving?"

"Oh?"

Xu Ning narrowed his eyes, "Why can't he be? Isn't Ning Daoran an Outer Disciple?"

"But…"

Zhao Lichen frowned tightly, "Junior Brother Ning has cultivated the Rain Transformation Technique to the Fourth Level and has been contributing Second-tier Spirit Rice to the Sect annually, he..."

"Zhao Lichen."

Xu Ning spoke indifferently, "The list of disciples for this mission was decided by ten Outer Elders together. Do you have an objection?"

"I dare not, but…"

"Enough, we are about to depart, don't cause trouble now. The Court officials are already waiting."

"Yes, I understand…"

Zhao Lichen no longer spoke, but walked straight into the crowd, grabbed Ning Daoran and Big Stupid Deer by the neck, and whispered, "Once you're in the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range, prioritize your safety, do not think of pursuing the mission. Even if you encounter Old Demon Ye, your safety comes first."

Ning Daoran was touched and nodded in agreement, then left the hall with the crowd.

…

Outside, fine rain continued to fall between heaven and earth.

The Chaotic Sect dispatched four Outer Foundation Establishment Elders, all early-stage Foundation Establishment Cultivators. The four Elders swept their long sleeves, transforming into tunneling lights leading the way for the disciples.

The sound of horses' hooves suddenly rose; the Court's men also began to move.

Led by Lei Chong, a Condensed Liquid Realm Martial Artist, nearly a hundred cavalry charged toward the depths of the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range.

Ning Daoran summoned a green bamboo leaf, flying at a low altitude with the Big Stupid Deer at a leisurely pace. Along with him flew a group of Outer Disciples, all at least in the mid-stages of Qi Refining, making up about half of the group.

Overlooking the land below, the figures of early-stage Qi Refining Outer Disciples were sparsely distributed; these people would have no chance to fight back if they encountered someone at the Foundation Establishment Stage.

One of the Foundation Establishment Elders shouted loudly, "Disperse and search for Old Demon Ye. If you spot him, do not act recklessly, instead immediately shriek to signal a warning.

Additionally, do not act alone; it's best if every three to four people form a team to avoid being instantly killed by Old Demon Ye."

"Yes, Martial Uncle!"

The disciples responded loudly.

"This Senior Brother."

In the woods, a female Outer Disciple dressed in a green skirt looked toward Ning Daoran, "Senior Brother, would you care to form a team?"

"Sure."

Ning Daoran did not refuse.

The female disciple, who was only at the Qi Refining Second Layer, timidly said, "My name is Zhao Yurou; may I ask for Senior Brother's name?"

"My name is Ning Daoran."

"Senior Brother is in the mid-stage of Qi Refining, please take good care of me during this mission."

"I will do my best."

At that moment, another brawny Outer Disciple approached, wielding a battle hammer and emanating an aura of the Sixth Level of Qi Refining.

"You two Junior Brother and Sister, would you like to form a team? I am an Outer Disciple named Lei Chong, at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining."

Ning Daoran and Zhao Yurou immediately nodded, as having someone at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining with them was certainly beneficial.

"Junior Brother Ning's Spiritual Beast…"

Lei Chong glanced at the Big Stupid Deer, grinned, and said, "it's quite interesting—it seems to be some kind of mixed-blood of an Ancient True Spirit, only its lineage is impure, hence no antlers have grown."

"Ow~~~"

The Big Stupid Deer tried to argue, implying it originally had antlers, but they were broken off by a powerful individual, and for some reason, they had not grown back.

"Haha~~~"

Lei Chong looked towards the distant rain curtain, laughing, "Since the three of us have decided to team up, why don't we get to know each other's Magical Treasures and Magic Techniques a bit more?

Let me start. I'm at the Sixth Level of Qi Refining, practicing the Body Tempering Technique and Thunder Flame Technique, and this hammer in my hand is my Magical Artifact, a First-tier Middle-grade one."

Ning Daoran responded, "I don't have many Magical Treasures; just this sword behind me, also a First-tier Middle-grade, and I practice the Body Tempering Technique and Evergreen Technique."

"Oh, Junior Brother Ning practices the Evergreen Technique? It looks like you've reached the first level. The second level is probably not likely."

"Senior Brother sees through everything; nothing can be hidden from you."

Both of them then turned their attention to the Junior Sister.

Zhao Yurou said softly, "I'm at the Qi Refining Second Layer, for Magical Treasures… I only have a Brocade handkerchief, a First-tier Lower Grade Magical Artifact mainly for defense. The sword in my hand is just a common item."

"Given that, Junior Brother Ning, the two of us in the mid-stage Qi Refining should take extra care of Junior Sister Zhao."

Lei Chong suggested, "How about you and I control our artifacts along the sides at a lower altitude while Junior Sister stays in the middle as we gradually advance forward?"

"Senior Brother Lei…"

Ning Daoran furrowed his brows. He had initially planned to lay low; he had never intended to push forward and search in the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range.

Searching for a Foundation Establishment Expert at the Qi Refining Middle Stage was utterly absurd, with a basic safety index of zero.

"Senior Brother Lei, have you considered the peril of this journey? I suggest that after we advance ten miles, we find a concealed place to hide. We can wait until the Elders announce that the operation is over and then return to the mountain. This would be the safest approach."

"Ah?"

Lei Chong was initially stunned, then a hint of disdain flashed through his eyes, and he laughed, "Junior Brother Ning, you must be joking. Since we have already accepted the mission, we shouldn't shirk our duties like this.

Moreover, if we truly find Old Demon Ye's trail, it would be a great service to the Sect, so much so that we might even enter the Inner Sect or receive additional rewards. Shouldn't we cultivators strive for that?"

Zhao Yurou also softly said, "Senior Brother Ning, actually, Senior Brother Lei makes some sense…"

Ning Daoran sighed, "Since both Senior Brother and Junior Sister feel this way, let's set off then."

"Alright!"

Lei Chong grinned and immediately flew out with his flying artifact.

...

The woods were moist, the autumn rain drizzled incessantly, and the continuous mountain range was entirely dyed with red leaves.

Ning Daoran controlled the Green Bamboo Leaf to fly slowly, while the Big Stupid Deer tunneled underground to coordinate from below.

Unconsciously, it was already afternoon, and the three had ventured over a hundred miles deep into the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range.

Although Zhao Yurou was only at the Qi Refinement Second Layer, with a physical body and spiritual power far surpassing ordinary people, she was still exhausted, her pretty face flushed. Thus, Lei Chong and Ning Daoran had to repeatedly slow down their flying speed.

"Junior Sister."

Lei Chong frowned, "If Junior Sister doesn't mind, you could ride with me."

"Ah?"

Zhao Yurou was startled, her cheeks immediately flushed red, "Senior Brother… can I?"

"Why not?"

Lei Chong, having figured out her thoughts, patted his chest and laughed, "Riding with Senior Brother, I can protect Junior Sister even better."

"If that's the case..."

Zhao Yurou was half-persuaded and half-reluctant.

Ning Daoran pretended to see nothing.

In the world of cultivation, it's survival of the fittest. Zhao Yurou was clearly a child selected from an ordinary family without a clan to rely on, and with inferior spirit roots. She naturally wouldn't get much cultivation resources in the Sect.

Lei Chong was different; still young, he had already advanced to the Sixth Level of Qi Refining and owned both an offensive magic tool and a flying artifact. His family's foundations couldn't be too weak.

If Zhao Yurou could climb her way up through Lei Chong, she would have a backer, and her cultivation resources… would somewhat increase.

Moreover, Zhao Yurou's appearance could only be considered ordinary; Lei Chong taking interest in her was actually an opportunity that she couldn't afford to miss.

...

Not long after, a rush of urgent hooves sounded through the woods.

A horse-riding figure appeared among the trees and eyed Ning Daoran's group at first sight.

It was none other than Colonel Li Jue, a Condensed Liquid Realm practitioner.

"It turns out to be Lord Li Jue."

Lei Chong controlled the magic artifact to lower their altitude and respectfully said, "We have searched up to here and still have not seen any trace of Old Demon Ye."

"It doesn't matter."

Li Jue's lips curled into a cold smile, his gaze, however, turned towards Ning Daoran as he laughed, "Coming to the Yellow Dragon Mountain Range, it's not necessarily just about catching Old Demon Ye."

"Oh?"

Lei Chong was surprised. "My lord, what do you mean…"

Before he finished speaking, Li Jue's figure burst with blood qi, soaring into the air, and his waist saber flashed like lightning across the sky, immediately emitting a swath of saber light!

"You!"

Lei Chong and Zhao Yurou were in shock.

The saber light flashed, and both were sliced at the waist and fell to the ground.

Neither of them were even dead yet.

"Senior Brother Ning…"

Zhao Yurou lay in the mud, her eyes full of tears, reaching out a hand toward Ning Daoran, "Save… save…"

"Junior Brother..."

Lei Chong also, eyes filled with unwillingness, "Save me…"

"He can't save anyone."

Li Jue spread his hand in midair, and a palm print fell to the ground, smashing the bodies of Lei Chong and Zhao Yurou into mush.

Nobody expected that this court Colonel would actually lay a hand on a Sect Disciple.

Back then, the founding Emperor of the Great Xia had issued a decree to "govern the world together with the Sects," and traditionally, the cultivation world's Sects and the court had always stayed out of each other's way.

However, Li Jue's action was something Ning Daoran had anticipated.

...

Ning Daoran slowly landed, retrieved the Green Bamboo Leaf, and watched the other warily.

"Is that secret technique on you?"

Li Jue asked indifferently. "Give it to me, and you can avoid death."

"So, why did my lord want to kill my Senior Brother and Junior Sister?" Ning Daoran asked with a frown.

"Why?"

Li Jue scoffed. "Gongyang Yan, this old fellow, wouldn't take personal action even when Old Demon Ye insulted the face of the Chaotic Sect. He just sends these Outer Disciples as fodder to die. Does he think Li Jue is so easily fooled?

Here, any Chaotic Sect disciple that dies will be blamed on Old Demon Ye. The more disciples die, the more likely the Chaotic Sect will dispatch Foundation Establishment Mid-stage or higher experts to chase after Old Demon Ye. You should understand this, right?

That secret technique isn't on you, then it must be with Old Demon Ye. Forcing Old Demon Ye out, I, too, will have a chance to obtain the secret technique."

Saying this, his eyes gleaming with a cold blood-thirsty smile, "What do you think? Will you hand over the secret technique? If you don't want to, it's okay, if the secret technique is on you, I can still search it out from your corpse."

"Wait, my lord, I did indeed obtain an item recently, but I do not know if it is what you seek."

Ning Daoran appeared submissive, reaching into his Storage Bag. Just as Li Jue moved forward in his eagerness, Ning Daoran suddenly pulled out a black long spear from the Storage Bag and immediately swung a smooth strike towards his head!