Unexpected Alliance

“We’ve arrived. It’s nearby. Ziyun Mountain…”

As the flying boat landed, the two followed Senior Uncle Zhang, arriving at a desolate, barren canyon. A cave was visible in the distance.

Luo Yingkong’s heart stirred. This sensation felt remarkably similar to Jiaofeng.

‘A Tier 2 demonic beast… Could it truly be him?’ Luo Yingkong wondered inwardly.

Although Jiaofeng had retrieved his Natal Core Token, a faint mental connection still lingered between him and Luo Yingkong.

“It’s inside that cave. Stay back, both of you. I’ll set up a formation to prevent its escape.”

Senior Uncle Zhang, who had a spirit mouse at his feet specifically for tracking demonic beasts, now put it away. He then flicked several small flags, planting them around the cave entrance.

Just then, the demonic beast within the cave seemed to sense their presence. It burst out abruptly!

It was an Ink Flood Dragon! Its aura was immense, indicative of a late Tier 2 beast, equivalent to a late Foundation Establishment cultivator!

Senior Uncle Zhang hadn’t even finished deploying his formation. Realizing the gravity of the situation, he cursed under his breath, swiftly pulling out a golden net and casting it towards the Ink Flood Dragon.

“Damn it! Did it detect us?!”

In truth, it wasn’t the Ink Flood Dragon that had discovered them. Rather, the mental link had sensed Luo Yingkong. This demonic beast was none other than the departed Jiaofeng!

He opened his maw and spat out corrosive green liquid, which instantly burned through the golden net. Ignoring Senior Uncle Zhang, he tilted his head, fixing his gaze on Luo Yingkong in the distance.

‘Why is she here? Did she bring someone to deal with me? Humans truly are despicable and ungrateful!’

Jiaofeng’s eyes turned cold. He lunged at the nearby Senior Uncle Zhang like a black cat, his massive body moving with surprising agility.

Senior Uncle Zhang was startled. That golden net was a top-grade magical artifact, yet it had been destroyed in a single blow! He was so anxious his heart bled.

However, he dared not engage Jiaofeng in close combat. The physical strength of a demonic beast far surpassed that of a human. He immediately retreated several zhang.

“Hmph! A mere human in the mid Foundation Establishment stage dares to call for help against me?” Jiaofeng roared inwardly, his wings flapping to conjure two hurricanes. His body shot forward like an arrow!

“Hmph! You wicked beast, taste this!” Senior Uncle Zhang retorted, producing a colossal cauldron. It hovered in the air, and with a wave of his hand, he sent it hurtling towards Jiaofeng.

Jiaofeng made no unnecessary movements. He met the massive cauldron with a clenching claw.

“Buzz!”

The cauldron was sent flying, emitting a resonant hum. Senior Uncle Zhang immediately stabilized it, biting his tongue to spray a mouthful of vital essence blood onto its surface.

As if invigorated by a potent tonic, the colossal cauldron began to vibrate gently. No matter how quickly he waved his hand, the cauldron kept pace without the slightest delay.

“Buzz, buzz, buzz!”

The man skillfully manipulated the massive cauldron, clashing with Jiaofeng without falling into a disadvantage. Luo Yingkong knew how immense Jiaofeng’s strength was, and now, at the late Foundation Establishment stage, it was likely even greater. Yet, he was only fighting Senior Uncle Zhang to a standstill.

“Foundation Establishment cultivators are indeed formidable. Even against a late Tier 2 Ink Flood Dragon, he holds a slight advantage. That enormous cauldron must be a magical treasure. The Ink Flood Dragon is surely doomed,” Li Yao analyzed.

“That’s not necessarily true. Look at Senior Uncle Zhang; using that cauldron consumes an astonishing amount of spiritual energy. The Ink Flood Dragon, while temporarily at a disadvantage, is still full of vigor. The tides will turn soon.”

Luo Yingkong clutched her storage bag, contemplating whether to offer assistance.

“Hey, whose side are you on anyway? If he can’t win, we should probably get further away.”

Senior Uncle Zhang was now drenched in sweat. He hadn’t anticipated a demonic beast at the late Tier 2 stage would be so tenacious. Continuing this stalemate was not an option.

“Demon Trapping Talisman!” Senior Uncle Zhang roared, two long talismans flying from his sleeve. They encircled Jiaofeng from both sides, while the massive cauldron surged forward, pushing him back a step!

This forceful collision consumed all of Senior Uncle Zhang’s strength. Jiaofeng was momentarily stunned for a breath, allowing the two long talisman ribbons to ensnare him.

‘This is… I can’t channel my spiritual energy!’ Jiaofeng inwardly cursed, realizing the danger. These talismans were merely strips of paper, yet no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn’t break free.

The man surnamed Zhang held the paper strips, continuously pouring spiritual power into them, visibly struggling.

“Little Friend Luo, help your Senior Uncle now! I can’t hold him for long!” As he spoke, an antique small bell flew from his storage bag and landed in Luo Yingkong’s hand.

“This is a low-grade magical treasure. Just imbue it with spiritual energy and throw it at the demonic beast’s head!”

A magical treasure was a grade higher than a magical artifact. Even a low-grade magical treasure was incomparable to an artifact. The colossal cauldron in Senior Uncle Zhang’s hand was also a magical treasure.

Luo Yingkong infused spiritual energy into the bell. The ancient small bell trembled slightly, and the distant Jiaofeng’s eyes narrowed, glaring fiercely at her.

“Go!”

The small bell was flung forth. Everyone present watched the magical treasure intently. As it flew above the combatants, it suddenly expanded! Following Luo Yingkong’s gesture, it descended directly!

The bell didn’t cover Jiaofeng. Instead, it dropped directly onto Senior Uncle Zhang’s head. Luo Yingkong had already planned to help Jiaofeng; this was the perfect opportunity. Besides, if this Senior Uncle died, no one would trace it back to her.

As the ancient bell descended, Senior Uncle Zhang initially felt a flicker of triumph, but seeing its trajectory clearly heading towards himself, his face instantly filled with alarm and suspicion!

Before he could even shout, the giant bell covered him. Luo Yingkong had also preemptively thrown a grenade at his feet. A grenade filled with spiritual energy was enough to kill him.

Jiaofeng and Li Yao were both stunned, never expecting Luo Yingkong to attack the man!

“Buzz, buzz, buzz!”

The grenade detonated with a violent explosion, its power amplified by the spiritual energy. Trapped beneath the ancient bell, the ground instantly rebounded from the blast, and the ancient bell itself was propelled high into the sky by the explosive pressure!

Dust billowed, and a column of fire and black smoke slowly ascended.

“Fellow Daoist Luo… what are you…?” Li Yao looked utterly bewildered. Luo Yingkong offered no explanation, and Jiaofeng emerged from the smoke.

He had now reverted to his human form, the talismans on his body torn to shreds.

“Cough, cough… Can you please not use that thing in the future? If that ancient bell hadn’t blocked it, I would’ve been blown to bits too.” Jiaofeng was utterly terrified of Luo Yingkong’s grenades.

“Are you alright?” Luo Yingkong walked over, waving a hand to dispel the smoke. Senior Uncle Zhang was nowhere to be seen in the crater.

“Who asked for your help? We agreed that the next time we met, we’d be enemies!” Jiaofeng grumbled, though a secret joy blossomed in his heart.

“Fellow Daoist Jiaofeng saved my life once. In my heart, that weighs far more than a Senior Uncle I’ve only met once.”

“Uh… let’s not talk about that for now. Your Senior Uncle isn’t dead yet.” Jiaofeng glanced towards the distant jungle.

“Not dead?!” Luo Yingkong followed his gaze. Senior Uncle Zhang, pale-faced, stood atop a tree branch. With a wave, he recalled the ancient bell, casting a resentful look at the two of them.

“How is he not dead?” Luo Yingkong asked, perplexed.

“Look at the dummy on the ground. He used a substitute wooden carving, which saved his life. However, it will consume a large amount of spiritual energy and vital essence blood, and his cultivation will also decrease.”

Senior Uncle Zhang put away the ancient bell, took out his flying boat, and ascended into the sky. Facing Jiaofeng alone offered little chance of victory, and with Luo Yingkong added to the mix, it was even more troublesome.

“Fellow Daoist Luo, aren’t you going to chase him? If he returns to the sect alive… you’ll have to live in hiding from now on.”

“Of course I’ll chase him!” Luo Yingkong knew the situation was dire. She produced two Thousand Mile Talismans, affixing them to her feet. With spiritual energy strengthening her, she executed her Cloud-Treading Steps and shot forward!

Senior Uncle Zhang looked back to see Luo Yingkong approaching at an incredible speed, a trail of dust and smoke kicking up behind her!

‘A Qi Condensation cultivator, running so fast!’ He took out a mid-grade spirit stone, absorbing it while infusing the spirit boat with energy. Its speed increased once more, gradually widening the distance between them and Luo Yingkong.

Jiaofeng also transformed into his Flood Dragon form and soared upwards:

“Fellow Daoist Luo, you won’t catch him at this speed. I’ll help you!” Jiaofeng flew at a low altitude. Seeing this, Luo Yingkong leaped onto his back, and they pursued through the air!

Li Yao stared dumbfounded at the three figures speeding away:

“Hey! Don’t leave me here!” His spiritual energy was sealed, and his body was bound by ropes, leaving him with nowhere to go.