Chapter 58: The Right Moment
As soon as he finished speaking, Jiang Yan turned his gaze to Wen Yue. “Fourth Senior Sister, which poisons do you carry with you?”
“Mind Confusion Powder, Spirit-Eroding Powder, Seven Souls Powder…”
“How long can our Antidote Pill ensure we remain unharmed?” Jiang Yan asked.
Wen Yue replied calmly, “Seven days.”
Jiang Yan’s heart gave a start. The antidote’s efficacy was astonishing—it granted immunity to all toxins for seven days. This was no ordinary pill!
He chuckled inwardly. Excellent, excellent—now there was nothing to worry about…
Ji Chuxue gently parted her lips and voiced her suggestion, “Shouldn’t we discuss our strategy for the next steps?”
A gleam flashed in Jiang Yan’s eyes. “I have an idea that might just work…”
Wu Qianqian laughed. “Sixth Junior Brother, your schemes are endless.”
“Hehe, Fifth Senior Sister flatters me!” Jiang Yan grinned.
He then turned to the little dwarf dragon nearby and waved. “Little Dragon, you are the divine beast of our team. This time, we’re counting on you.”
The little dwarf dragon’s eyes shone with pride. “If there’s a task, just say the word! I won’t let you down!”
Jiang Yan carefully explained the mission to the little dragon, detailing every aspect so there would be no mistakes in execution.
The little dragon’s big, round eyes widened, staring straight at Jiang Yan.
It had to be Jiang Yan! Only he could come up with such a plan!
…
Meanwhile, the sect disciples arrived at the site where Jiang Yan’s group had earlier witnessed the heaps of monster corpses.
Seeing the mountain of monster remains in the distance, the disciples began whispering among themselves.
“Senior Brother, look! So many monster bodies over there!”
“Could all of this be the work of Jiang Yan’s group? Their strength is truly astounding!”
“There are only a few of them—without real skill, they wouldn’t dare venture into the Death Desert.”
Master Xuanqing also saw the mangled monster corpses.
Moreover, his gaze lingered on the sand where the wagon tracks, though blurred by wind, could still be discerned with careful observation.
He commanded, “Move forward.”
The disciples immediately quickened their pace, ignoring the monster corpses as they pressed on.
As they drew nearer, the outline of the cliff grew clearer, and their steps slowed unconsciously.
“Master, we’ve reached the cliff ahead,” a disciple couldn’t help but remind.
Xuanqing’s eyes were deep as he swept his gaze over the bottomless precipice. His mind stirred—the wagon tracks ended abruptly here. There must be something unusual below.
“I’ll go first. Follow me by sword flight.”
With that, Xuanqing’s figure blurred into a stream of light, plunging toward the base of the cliff with lightning speed.
The disciples followed, riding their flying swords. In their sight, Xuanqing was already gone, leaving only a streak of light.
A male disciple’s eyes shone with envy. “Master’s speed is like lightning. If I could reach his level one day, I’d be satisfied.”
A female disciple teased with a smile, “Junior Brother, you’ll need to cultivate for another five hundred years before you can even hope for a minor achievement.”
The cliff was deep, and sword flight took time. The disciples chatted along the way.
Lin Ruyan, riding her flying sword, let her thoughts drift toward the cliff’s bottom, pondering whether the legendary Soul-Returning Flower lay hidden there.
The spiritual pearl had told her the Soul-Returning Flower could strengthen its power. If she obtained it, her ability to absorb fortune would greatly increase, converting more luck for herself.
Li Ziyun accompanied Lin Ruyan on his sword. Noticing her frown, he asked with concern, “Ruyan, is something troubling you?”
“Senior Brother, I’m just wondering if the Soul-Returning Flower is at the bottom of the cliff.”
…
On the green field, the Soul-Returning Flower exuded a strange fragrance.
Snow Eagle exclaimed excitedly, “Soul Hunter, do you smell it? The Soul-Returning Flower is about to bloom!”
“Yes, we’ll be able to pick it soon. But… why haven’t we encountered the mission target yet?”
Soul Hunter’s gaze was sharp as a blade, coldly landing on Iron Wing, with a hint of threat in his tone. “Iron Wing, are you sure you haven’t sensed your former master’s presence?”
Iron Wing sneered. “Not only have I not sensed it—even if I did, I wouldn’t tell you.”
A murderous glint flashed in Soul Hunter’s eyes, his lips curling into a cruel smile. “In that case, we’ll simply slaughter all who dare approach the Soul-Returning Flower. Perhaps your former master is among them.”
Iron Wing took a deep breath, suppressing his inner turmoil, and replied indifferently, “Do as you please.”
Seeing Iron Wing’s nonchalance, Soul Hunter felt a twinge of doubt: Could the mission target really not have appeared yet?
Jiang Yan’s group also caught the scent of the Soul-Returning Flower on the wind.
Zhou Yu’s expression was anxious. “The Soul-Returning Flower is about to bloom! Jiang Yan, how much longer must we wait?”
“It’ll be soon, brother. Don’t worry—the ones we’re waiting for should arrive any moment,” Jiang Yan replied.
No sooner had Jiang Yan answered Zhou Yu’s question than Master Xuanqing suddenly appeared before them.
Jiang Yan chuckled to himself. Speak of the devil, and he arrives!
Their strategy was already set—the only thing left was to ignite the spark. Hehe…
Master Xuanqing’s gaze swept over Jiang Yan and the others, his tone indifferent. “So you are here.”
Jiang Yan replied, “Naturally. This is the edge of the Death Desert. There might just be a Soul-Returning Flower here—how could we not come and investigate?”
Xuanqing’s eyes flickered. “Oh? Have you discovered anything?”
Jiang Yan deliberately kept them in suspense. “Indeed, we’ve found something—and it’s a major discovery. There’s a patch of grass, where the Soul-Returning Flower surely grows. However…”
Xuanqing raised his brows, pressing, “However what?”
Jiang Yan sighed lightly. “Ah, but two cultivators at the Nascent Soul stage are already guarding the flower.”
A cold gleam flashed in Xuanqing’s eyes. His cultivation far surpassed theirs; he would not be deterred.
He said coldly, “To claim the Soul-Returning Flower, it all comes down to strength! Who cares if they’re guarding it? I’ll take it.”
He vanished in a blur, racing toward the green field Jiang Yan indicated.
Watching Xuanqing’s retreating figure, Jiang Yan patted Zhou Yu’s shoulder. “The moment has arrived!”
…
As Xuanqing appeared at the edge of the green field, Snow Eagle and the others immediately sensed his presence.
Iron Wing’s gaze flickered as he pondered: Is it him?
Soul Hunter keenly noticed Iron Wing’s change and wondered: Has it already detected the mission target’s soul signature?
He scrutinized Xuanqing, noting the cold aura and impressive cultivation.
Soul Hunter asked in a cold voice, “Who are you?”
“I am here for the Soul-Returning Flower,” Xuanqing replied.
Soul Hunter’s lips curled into a bloodthirsty smile. “Such arrogance. Guess what I’m thinking?”