Chapter 148: First Encounter

It was nearly eight o’clock, and I was certain they were coming. I called on everyone to get moving.

This time, I was facing two or three experts at the Spirit Lotus Realm; I absolutely could not afford to slack off.

Before we set out, Chen Chen handed me a standard healing potion, telling me to take it only if things got desperate.

I accepted it and slipped it casually into my pocket.

“All right, let’s move. Be careful, and try to avoid any casualties.”

Honestly, I was somewhat confident about this ambush. After all, I had just mastered the power of my bloodline. As long as nothing went wrong, no one would make it through our path.

With that, Second Uncle led a team ahead, and the elders followed closely behind.

“Let’s go too.”

Since our route was nearby, the few of us took our time descending the mountain leisurely.

It was pitch dark at the foot of the mountain. To ensure absolute stealth, I ordered everyone not to use any lights.

Everyone was obedient, promptly stowing away their light sources.

As we neared the base, we slowed our pace again, making sure no one was around before crouching low and making our way to the ambush point.

We were all wearing white robes, which stood out in the darkness.

Fortunately, I had made the large trees here very concealed; even two people behind each tree wouldn’t be discovered.

I was the first to hide behind the outermost tree and beckoned Chen Chen to join me.

There simply wasn’t enough room for more than two.

Once everyone found their positions, I raised my hand to signal everyone to lie down, making not a sound.

At this point, some might ask: aren’t you afraid they might sense our presence?

I had thought about this, but it didn’t worry me.

First, there would be many of them, so their auras would blend together, causing confusion.

Second, even if they did detect our presence, it meant they were already close. At that point, hiding was pointless.

Not everyone had my ability to sense auras from afar.

Back to the matter at hand, after everyone was settled, I still couldn’t help but rise and look around. Seeing no one exposed, I lay down again.

“Feeling nervous?”

Since I hadn’t sensed any approaching aura yet, I quietly chatted with Chen Chen.

Birds chirped and crickets sang nearby, so no one could overhear us.

“Not too bad. You’d be nervous too, it’s your first time,” Chen Chen whispered.

I nodded and continued chatting casually. Perhaps only the two of us were this relaxed.

At that moment, I also thought of Cui Yuyao. If he hadn’t informed me, we’d be in real danger tonight.

I’d definitely thank him properly next time I saw him.

Time passed slowly, perhaps because of the tension. It felt like the world contained only Chen Chen and me.

A cool breeze rustled the treetops, shaking down more fallen leaves.

I couldn’t yet tell what the weather would be tonight, but I felt it gradually darkening.

“Don’t tell me it’s going to rain,” Chen Chen whispered.

“Whatever,” I replied indifferently, then lay quietly again.

Finally, what was to come arrived. Within half an hour, I sensed a dozen or so different spiritual auras in the distance—some strong, some weak.

Gradually, I heard footsteps and voices.

“Boss, the Dong family’s really rubbish, dragging us from the Shadow Mist Sect into this mess.”

“Enough, if they didn’t send us women every week, who’d help them?”

Hearing this, I clenched my fists tightly. These bastards really were a bad influence—like poison spreading by proximity.

After the so-called boss finished speaking, some behind him couldn’t help but retort,

“You’re the trash, how dare you talk about the Dong family?”

It seemed these people were dispatched by the Dong family, which made things easier—just as I hoped, they were fighting among themselves.

I still couldn’t see them clearly, but I sensed the Shadow Mist Sect members were angry. Thankfully, they hadn’t come to blows yet.

The group marched forward in a grand manner, soon entering my field of vision.

The man at the front was, like me, a Spirit Lotus First Rank expert—very likely the boss.

He wore a black-and-red robe, his long hair tangled and unwashed for months. Although not old, he looked weathered and worn.

Behind him was a young Spirit Lotus First Rank disciple, freshly promoted but with considerable strength.

The rest were about a dozen others, ranging from Spirit Flower Second Rank to Fifth Rank.

Just as the so-called boss was about to enter my sight, he suddenly stopped, cautiously looking around.

My heart skipped a beat—I thought he had discovered us.

But after a short pause, he moved forward again. His companion asked,

“Big brother, what’s wrong?”

The big brother frowned deeply and whispered,

“Don’t you feel several spiritual auras nearby?”

Upon hearing this, the companion instantly became alert, slowing his pace to sense around.

Suddenly, he blinked wide and exclaimed,

“Actually, yes!”

Regardless of whether they found us, they had already entered our trap.

I could no longer restrain myself. Gripping my still-unconjured Snow Blade, I leapt out, shouting,

“Attack!”

In an instant, the six of us hidden nearby all charged forward, weapons drawn.

I landed and immediately leapt again, this time successfully summoning the Snow Blade.

The blade responded to my call, glowing brightly enough to light up the dark night.

My targets were the two Spirit Lotus Realm experts ahead. They spotted me and quickly drew their weapons to block.

I raised my sword and slammed it down hard onto the weapon of the younger one, then flipped backward, landing before them.

Behind, the others engaged, while the three of us stood facing the enemy.

“You must be Lin Yao?”

The leader spoke first. I had nothing to hide, so I nodded.

He sneered,

“All right, you’re a man. Since you’re about to die, I’ll make sure you understand it.”

“I’m Zhang Changxi, and he’s Zhang Changshun. We’re brothers, and we’ve come to take your life.”

...

“Let’s see about that.”

Before they could finish, I charged. They hadn’t expected such decisiveness and raised their weapons defensively.

Zhang Changxi wielded a pair of crescent-shaped spikes—short but deadly.

Zhang Changshun carried a large fork resembling a trident of the sea god.

I wasn’t foolish; I went straight for Zhang Changshun.

He clearly lacked much combat experience. Seeing my speed, he became flustered and clumsy.