The White Jade Flying Ship landed before the vine cage, Lu Qian and Jiang Qingfeng disembarked, and Baitao had already been hidden away at a distance.
"We are cultivators passing through, who are you? Why use children as bait for wolves? This is not the conduct of a righteous sect. If you don't explain clearly, be careful I report you to the Golden Core Major Sect supervising this area!"
Lu Qian's face was full of indignation, taking the lead, making Senior Brother Fang's group's momentum falter, wondering how they attracted such a reckless youth.
Senior Sister Chen reacted quickly: "This fellow Daoist might not know, there is a snake demon causing trouble here. We've attacked several times, all to no avail, resulting in heavy casualties among the local villagers. They voluntarily want to use children as bait, to lure the snake demon out. We also find it difficult to bear, prepared to rescue when the time is right. Who knew the snake demon didn't come, but instead a few wolves arrived, just as fellow Daoist appeared."
Jiang Qingfeng cursed inwardly for their shamelessness, then heard Lu Qian with righteousness in his voice say: "As cultivators, we should safeguard the safety of the people within our territory. Even if the people voluntarily sacrifice themselves, it must not be accepted. Otherwise, how can one be called a righteous cultivator?"
Senior Brother Fang and others sneered in their hearts, seeing these two, a man and a woman, as rookies, ignorant of world affairs, easy to fool.
First Master Xuan Ji intended to stop, then stumbled upon passing cultivators, making the original plan impossible. Senior Sister Chen quickly changed tactics, saying with a smile: "Indeed, this is correct. Thank you both, fellow Daoists, for stepping in, otherwise the consequences would be unimaginable. However, the snake demon harms people, and must be eliminated. Could the two fellow Daoists lend a hand, let's remove the snake demon together?"
Indeed, Lu Qian responded loudly: "Slaying demons and removing evil is naturally our duty."
Master Xuan Ji kept silent nearby, his gaze constantly on Lu Qian.
Several people exchanged names. Lu Qian called himself Qi Kun, stating he was training with his senior sister, unwilling to reveal his sect, Jiang Qingfeng also made up the name Hex Banxia. On the opposite were Fang Lingkong, Chen Xingshan, Zhang Jiu, and Li Huan, disciples of the local lord Shengyi Sect. Two Late-Stage Qi Cultivation, two Mid-Stage Qi Cultivation.
When introduced to Master Xuan Ji, Lu Qian puzzledly asked: "Senior, why do you keep staring at me?"
Master Xuan Ji laughed: "Nothing, just find you pleasing to the eye."
Lu Qian felt wary, wondering if his disguise was flawed, revealing his identity. But seeing Master Xuan Ji not making any move, he temporarily suppressed his thoughts.
Chen Xingshan said: "This snake demon hasn't formed an illusion shape, nor speaks, seemingly at Late-Stage Qi Cultivation, not reaching Qi Cultivation Perfection, yet to refine the transverse bone in its throat. The havoc caused by this mountain serpent has been talked about for over a decade, mostly dragging away livestock, only recently turning to humans, especially fond of children. My master says it's due to insufficient spiritual energy, preventing advancement, thus supplementing with blood meals... Fellow Daoist what is it?"
It was her noticing Jiang Qingfeng barely listening, instead freeing the children from the vine cage and comforting them gently. Gradually, the children's cries stopped.
Fang Lingkong cursed trouble inwardly, yet smiled outwardly: "Fellow Daoist sure knows how to comfort children. We'll send these kids home later, preventing their parents from worrying."
Chen Xingshan continued: "Originally a Late-Stage Qi Cultivation snake demon, though physically robust, is not a match for cultivators. The situation changed due to this desolate mountain. This mountain has no vegetation, only jagged rocks, always uninhabited. Our sect disciples pursued the snake demon after it escaped to the mountain, only to be blocked by a Grand Array, unable to enter. This time we invited Master Xuan Ji, skilled in arrays, hoping to break it, kill the snake demon, and bring peace to the people."
Master Xuan Ji snorted coldly, walking with a swaying step: "This desolate mountain suddenly having an array is unusual. I reckon it was left by a hidden loose cultivator here, but gained accidentally by the snake demon. Yet demons are ignorant, how can they use array mysteries? Depending on the array's own changes, breaking through is surely not difficult. I only came because of your master Zhao Cang, minding your deceitful intentions, don't disturb my array breaking."
These words made Fang Lingkong's group's faces flush, though realizing they could only rely on the old Daoist now, forced themselves to endure it.
Master Xuan Ji swaggered forward, the group quickly followed. Meanwhile, the mist grew denser, scarcely seeing an arm's length away. Lu Qian felt alarm rising, the Niwan Palace throbbing, his Divine Sense spreading like threads, sensing the mist.
He said solemnly: "Senior sister, you send these children back first. Then find our junior sister to assist."
Jiang Qingfeng understood from his words, realizing Lu Qian deemed this place dangerous, instructing her to protect Baitao nearby.
She whispered for Lu Qian to be careful, then took the children, flying away on the Jade Boat.
Fang Lingkong and Chen Xingshan exchanged a glance, thinking having more helpers wouldn't hurt, thus continued forward.
The mountain was full of stone, difficult to traverse, after merely dozens of steps, the party had formed a line, led by Master Xuan Ji, Shengyi Sect group in the middle, Lu Qian at the rear. He already clutched the Starlight Needle, the Spirit Turtle Shield at his waist, carrying some talismans and elixirs.
Master Xuan Ji at the front, holding a small verdant Command Banner, fluttering and shaking, his Divine Sense probing the array's boundary cautiously.
Suddenly, he reacted, not touching the array, but faintly sensing some movement. He focused to discern it, when Lu Qian at the end shouted: "Watch out, something's coming from the northwest!"
Master Xuan Ji discontentedly said: "You rascal, shouting, I haven't confirmed—"
Suddenly, he looked to the northwest, indeed something was approaching.
How is it? This lad's Divine Sense is quicker and broader than mine?
Fang Lingkong's group was surprised, looking northwest, seeing only calm mist. Chen Xingshan discontentedly said: "Fellow Daoist Qi, don't get startled. We Late-Stage Qi Cultivation haven't sensed it, you mid-stage, just follow along quietly."
The thing paused, changed direction.
Lu Qian nodded honestly, the crowd continued forward.
Seems the snake demon, while unable to speak, understands, no more shouting.
Despite disdain for Shengyi Sect group's traits, presently unclear on the snake demon, required their combat power, couldn't let them die for nothing.
Due north, northeast, east, circling wide, nearing, coming!
Lu Qian raised his hand, releasing a needle, skimming past Zhang Jiu's cheek. Zhang Jiu startled, about to anger, suddenly smelling stench from behind, he turned horrified, seeing in dense fog, a giant mouth with sharp poisonous fangs lunging at him.
The Starlight Needle, unswervingly, entered the snake demon's giant mouth, exiting the lower jaw!
The giant snake roared in pain, turning its head, vanishing into the mist.
At that moment, a verdant Command Banner arrived, missing its mark.
Still slower? Master Xuan Ji was miffed.
Zhang Jiu trembled, visibly grateful, about to speak. Then heard Lu Qian shout: "Watch out, hasn't retreated yet!"
A crash sounded, stones flew, an ink-green snake tail shot out, wrapped Zhang Jiu tightly, dragged him into the mist.