Chapter Sixty-Four: Breaking Into the Xuancha Palace

The Red Cloud Deer King displayed a gloating smile. Though it had signed a master-servant pact with Ning Mofei and couldn't kill him, if Yu Youwei died, the little white bear would inevitably perish as well. Then, it could render him a fool, and he would no longer be able to command it. Scarlet Flame Guards? Hmph, let that fool's entire family become fools!

In a flash, the Azure Frost Sword on Yu Youwei’s wrist flew up and stood upright in the crocodile’s jaws. The venomous crocodile bit down with force, only to have the sword tip pierce into its flesh, causing it to howl in pain. Seizing the moment, she floated backward, and at the same time, the Scarlet Flame Sword soared up, stabbing directly into the crocodile’s eye.

Having suffered such a loss, the venomous crocodile retreated furiously, darting back into the lake. The water surged up onto the bank, carrying floating duckweed with it, while the heavy mist on the surface billowed toward them.

“Trying to escape? Is it really that easy?” A murderous intent surged across Yu Youwei’s face. Ever since she had used her blood to claim the Azure Frost Sword as her own, she had become immune to all poisons. The ground tainted by the crocodile’s venom sizzled and smoked, but she remained unharmed. The moment the Scarlet Flame Sword struck, the crocodile was wounded and fled, but she had no intention of letting it go, especially since her Azure Frost Sword was still clamped in its jaws.

Leaping lightly onto the crocodile’s head, she gripped the Scarlet Flame Sword and stabbed straight down. Sensing mortal danger, the crocodile suddenly rolled over, and the sword tip pierced into its left jaw. The beast struggled desperately, trying to shake her off but failed. Its body rapidly swelled to over a hundred meters long, making the wound from the Scarlet Flame Sword seem insignificant.

“Blaze Seal for a Thousand Miles!”

With a clear, ringing voice, Yu Youwei unleashed a torrent of flames from the Scarlet Flame Sword, which shot toward the crocodile’s pool and fanned out, quickly sealing off the entire surface. Flames raged atop the pool, and the other venomous crocodiles scrambled ashore elsewhere, fleeing for their lives. Only the one that had attacked her, restrained by the Azure Frost Sword, was unable to escape. Fire surged into its gaping jaws, burning it so fiercely that it screamed in agony, thrashing across the pool like a ball of fire. With a flick of her hand, she summoned Qinglin, who dragged the crocodile ashore and slammed it down. It bounced like a ball, letting out guttural, desperate cries.

The little white bear raised its paw ingratiatingly and said, “That crocodile was about to break through to the ninth tier, and you took it down. Amazing!”

“Enough chatter. Dig out its demon crystal, and get ready to leave.” Only then did Yu Youwei glance down and realize her robe had come undone at the chest, exposing her entirely. Embarrassed, she saw venom splattered across her fair, supple skin, forming sticky patches that made her want to retch. She pulled out a cleansing talisman to purify herself, then changed into a rose-red gauze gown. With a graceful turn, the golden-threaded butterflies embroidered on the hem seemed ready to take flight, while the delicate curves beneath the sheer fabric were faintly visible…

The Red Cloud Deer King stood motionless, gazing warily at Yu Youwei as she emerged elegantly from behind the trees, a deep apprehension in its eyes.

“Good thing you’re a deer, even if you’re a stag,” Yu Youwei murmured, her earlier embarrassment forgotten. She floated onto Chiyan’s back, and said to the little white bear, who was already seated on its head, “We need to act quickly this time. No one must discover us, understand?”

“Does Lord Bear need your instructions?” the little white bear scoffed, waving its paw dismissively. Imagining the chaos that would ensue among the crocodiles, it let out a most sinister laugh, sending a chill through Chiyan.

“Keep showing off, then!” Yu Youwei promptly recalled the little white bear into the Beast Command Token, preparing to subdue the thirty venomous crocodiles.

The little thunder eagle, seeing the white bear vanish, chirped as it circled above Yu Youwei’s head. She simply tossed the tiny creature in as well—under the white bear’s protection, even stronger crocodiles wouldn’t dare cause trouble.

Leaving from the other side of the Cloud Wilderness Marsh, Yu Youwei sent the Red Cloud Deer King back to find Ning Mofei, then retrieved a flying device, the Shadowglow Shuttle, from her storage ring. She and the little white bear leapt aboard in turn, urging the shuttle westward.

The Xuancha Palace was located three thousand miles west of the Cloud Wilderness Marsh, in the Emerald Serpent Valley, surrounded by undulating, perilous mountains. Before they were within a hundred miles of the palace, patrol disciples of Xuancha Palace intercepted them, rising into the sky to block their path.

“How arrogant! No one is allowed within a hundred miles of the Xuancha Palace? Well, today I shall force my way in!” Reclining on the Shadowglow Shuttle, Yu Youwei laughed seductively. The fox mask on her face made her seem mysterious, with a wild, flamboyant beauty.

The leader of the Xuancha Palace disciples held back her companions and said in a low voice, “Venomous Lady, our sect’s cultivators will be here soon. You had best leave at once.”

“You know me?” Yu Youwei was a little surprised.

“Xuancha Palace is no bandit lair like Yanyun Ridge. You won’t profit here.”

“Oh? Could it be you’re a survivor from that bandit den?”

“No, I was a rescued hostage. My name is Lin Xia. After returning home from Yanyun Ridge, my entire family was slaughtered by the deranged Mo Blackhawk. Mo Blackhawk was one of the thirteen old chieftains, and you killed all three of his sons and four disciples. He hates you to the core.” Her expression betrayed no sorrow; her tone was light and matter-of-fact.

“Do you think I was wrong?”

“Only that it’s a pity you didn’t kill Mo Blackhawk as well. But he’s a monster at the Integration stage and a lover of our palace’s Ninth Elder. If you encounter him, the farther you run, the better. That day, you were lucky he was out visiting and had not returned.” For a moment, a trace of regret appeared on her delicate, oval face, but it quickly vanished. Calmly, she said, “Venomous Lady, you should go.”

“Aren’t you afraid your Ninth Elder will punish you for telling me all this?”

“All my sisters here are unfortunate souls. None would betray me.”

“Move aside. Today, I am breaking into Xuancha Palace. If Mo Blackhawk is there, all the better.” Her voice softened yet remained resolute.

The disciples exchanged glances. An apple-cheeked girl stepped forward, cupped her fists, and said, “Senior Venomous Lady, my name is Ye Xiaoling. If you’ve come to rescue someone, let me guide you. I hope you can save my younger sister.”

Yu Youwei had come precisely to vent her anger over Mu Yuyan’s capture, intending to unleash the thirty seventh-tier venomous crocodiles in a rampage through the palace. Once the Berserk Pill’s effect wore off, the crocodiles would self-destruct, causing grievous damage even if all the sect’s cultivators turned out. She hadn’t planned on rescuing anyone, and eyed Ye Xiaoling with some suspicion. “You’re a disciple of Xuancha Palace and still can’t save your own sister?”

“We’re only low-ranking disciples. Any day, we might be slaughtered as blood slaves.” Fear flickered in Ye Xiaoling’s eyes.

“I’ll stir up chaos in your sect’s heartlands. You’d best use the opportunity to save people.” Time was short; Yu Youwei still needed to return to the Cloud Wilderness Marsh.

Ye Xiaoling’s face showed disappointment, but she didn’t press further. Pointing toward Xuancha Palace, she said, “Today there’s a Blood Pool Opening Ceremony at the main hall on the central peak. If you wish to cause chaos, go there.”

Lin Xia hurried to stop her. “No, Venomous Lady! Today, all our sect’s cultivators are gathered at the main hall. If you go, you’ll be walking into a trap. Ye Xiaoling, don’t lead her to harm!”

Tears welled in Ye Xiaoling’s eyes. “But my sister Xiaoxin is there, about to be offered as a sacrifice to feed the serpents.”

“Then make your preparations quickly. Once the fighting starts, your sister may be caught in the crossfire.” Ignoring Lin Xia’s protests, Yu Youwei urged the flying device toward Xuancha Palace.