Yet, it was precisely because of its overly sensitive perception that it was assailed by the agonizing pain, causing it to instinctively pause for a moment.
Seizing this fleeting chance, Wang Yu shot out like an arrow. In the blink of an eye, he was beside Xue Yu a thousand meters away, scooping up his beloved companion and tossing it into his spirit beast pouch.
It was then that his gaze briefly brushed past a pair of astonished eyes.
A stranger, spying on him!
The commotion from the battle with the Poison-Fire Toad was simply too great; it was perfectly normal for other cultivators also exploring the Heavenly Demon Bone Forest to be drawn to it. There was no need to worry too much about attracting other third-tier demon beasts.
Once a demon beast awakens its intelligence, it develops an extremely powerful sense of territory.
It was common knowledge that within a thousand *li* of the Poison-Fire Toad, there wouldn't be a second third-tier demon beast. Of course... nothing was absolute. Sometimes, things that defied common sense could occur.
Among Foundation Establishment cultivators, Wang Yu's speed couldn't be called number one or two, but it was certainly considered upper-tier. His Frost Moon Wings had long since reached perfection.
With a single swoop, he could cover several thousand meters. Sooner or later, he would shake off a demon beast like the Poison-Fire Toad, which was not skilled in escape arts.
The giant toad came leaping and bounding after him, the special, toxic, and fiery fluid spurting from its back leaving a trail of burning ground in its wake.
The time it takes for one incense stick to burn later.
Wang Yu concealed himself behind a massive boulder. Layers of spellcraft, combined with the effect of the Earth Net Ghost Mask, made him seem like an unremarkable, stubborn stone in the mountain forest. He waited for a good while.
The Poison-Fire Toad croaked its way past him, continuing its pursuit into the distance.
"Hah... finally shook it off."
Through this battle, he realized that a conventional third-tier demon beast like the Poison-Fire Toad was a notch weaker than a Core Formation cultivator from the outer sect of the Netherworld Spring Abbey.
But it hadn't used its innate demon treasure, and he didn't know if that large-scale ring of fire technique was its innate supernatural ability.
Therefore, this fight could only serve as a reference. If those conditions were factored in, and the influence of the Yin Corpse's Malevolent Curse was removed, it might very well be a level stronger than a Core Formation expert from the outer sect of a major power.
Third-tier demon beasts were truly difficult to deal with. If he wanted to kill one, relying on the Grand Yin Corpse to entangle it in battle was sufficient, but he still lacked a definitive, finishing blow!
After waiting a while longer, confirming the Poison-Fire Toad had no intention of doubling back for a surprise attack, he relaxed considerably.
The Crimson Flame Scarlet Stone, worth over a million spirit stones, was more than he could earn from two or three years of honest business operations in Gui Ling.
It really was necessary to venture out more often. Opportunities wouldn't just come knocking at your door.
He was just about to continue towards his target depression.
A figure flashed beside Wang Yu. A young woman, dressed in a tightly fitted, high-necked long gown that revealed not an inch of skin beyond her face, abruptly appeared just three meters away from him.
Her features were delicate and petite, her cheeks pink and flawless, exceedingly lovely and lively. A pair of eyes sparkled like polished glass, and a distinct sensation of being probed arose within him.
Wang Yu snorted coldly.
The faint mark of a crescent moon shimmered in his eyes as he directly unleashed the Moonlit Illusion Realm, glaring back at her. His hands came together, countless ice spikes on the verge of erupting from the earth in the next instant.
"Wait—"
This delicate young woman actually broke through his Moon-Illusion Pupil Technique with startling speed. Her feet moved in profound, mysterious steps, as if she were traversing space itself, appearing fifty meters away without any visible sign of movement.
Wang Yu halted his actions.
Years ago, in the Scripture Exposition Hall, he had read a vast number of ancient texts. A significant portion of that study had focused on detailed intelligence regarding the five Demon Sects and the seven Righteous Path sects.
The peculiar footwork the young woman had used was precisely the top-tier movement supernatural ability of the Thunderfire Temple from the Tai Lake Spirit Domain—[Shrinking the Earth to an Inch]!
Judging by her external aura, she was merely at the peak of Foundation Establishment.
Yet, her mastery of this supernatural ability had already reached the Minor Achievement stage, surpassing even his Netherworld Spring Great Palm Seal cultivated through the Placement Slot.
It was on the same level as his Minor Asura Slaughter Fist, which he had cultivated for many years.
After a moment of silence, he was the first to speak.
"A disciple of the Thunderfire Temple?"
The young woman was taken aback, then quickly shook her head.
"I am not. I obtained this movement technique within an ancient secret realm."
"Oh? I never said it was your movement technique that gave you away."
"..."
Her clumsy acting and deliberately innocent gaze were off-putting, not to mention her probing his secrets the moment they met. Fortunately, he was wearing the Earth Net Ghost Mask now, so there was no worry of his true identity being exposed.
He was here to seek opportunities. The appearance of someone from the Thunderfire Temple here had little to do with him, and he rarely had contact with cultivators from the Tai Lake region.
"Regarding the offense earlier, if you leave now, I, Zhuo, will let bygones be bygones."
"I didn't mean to, I apologize."
With that, the young woman actually apologized. She stared at Wang Yu's mask and said, "I wish to ask Fellow Daoist Zhuo, where did you obtain that mask?"
It was from an assassin organization that had perished many years ago.
—The [Mara Multitude]!
Such intelligence shouldn't be something the Tai Lake region would concern itself with. After all, it was just a third-rate Core Formation organization.
Even if all thirty-six of its assassins possessed Core Formation cultivation, it shouldn't be the focus of investigation for a hegemonic power from that region. Keeping a close eye on the Nascent Soul experts of the five Demon Sects should be the priority.
It was like a major power from his previous life keeping tabs on a small tribe in Africa, asking if they had changed their chieftain yesterday.
Absurd!
Puzzled, Wang Yu retorted, "What concern is that of yours, Fellow Daoist?"
Perhaps feeling guilty over her earlier intrusion? The young woman actually offered an explanation: "Many years ago, a person very important to me came to the Yunling Province. She wore a mask exactly like the one on Fellow Daoist Zhuo's face. I wish to find her."
Wang Yu quickly pieced together a story in his mind.
This young woman before him hailed from the Thunderfire Temple, and she was undoubtedly an extremely important core disciple. Otherwise, she wouldn't have received the inheritance of a top-tier supernatural ability while still at the Foundation Establishment stage.
That point was beyond doubt. However... she had actually come here to look for someone?
Those born into extraordinary circumstances often possessed trump cards that defied conventional standards. Wang Yu didn't want to invite trouble, so he said, "The person you're looking for was likely one of the assassins of the Mara Multitude."
"The Mara Multitude? Assassins? I beseech you, Fellow Daoist, to tell me how to contact this organization."
Wang Yu's gaze turned strange. She truly knew nothing, yet had rushed out here in such a hurry to find someone. This didn't align with his understanding of Tai Lake cultivators.
That Moonlight Fairy, Changxi, had left an exceptionally profound impression on him, and later, that Lan Boting had completely shattered any idealized notions he might have held about righteous path cultivators.
It seemed she wasn't just a simple noble lady. She had probably lived under the protection of her elders since birth, which had cultivated such a temperament.
If the Thunderfire Temple couldn't find her quickly, no matter what trump cards she carried, she would likely be hard-pressed to escape death. The rogue cultivators of the Scarlet Kite came in waves.
As long as you possessed that little lamb-like quality, trouble would never cease. Those people had viciously sharp eyes, specializing in picking the softest targets to crush to death.
No matter how many trump cards you had, they could be exhausted eventually.
After a long pause, he carefully chose his words. "I, Zhuo, can tell you everything I know. But... what can you offer in exchange?"
Only then did she seem to realize the nature of the transaction. But she wasn't foolish enough to pull out all her treasures for Wang Yu to pick from. Instead, she cautiously asked, "How many spirit stones?"
This feigned destitution was simply too amateurish.
He shook his head directly. "This is the Heavenly Demon Bone Forest. What use would I, Zhuo, have for spirit stones here? Do you possess any single-use treasures of great destructive power? Preferably of the third tier."
The young woman's heart fluttered with panic. The people of Scarlet Kite were indeed as cunning and sinister as her master had said. He was definitely testing to see if she had any trump cards.
If that was the case...
Why not deter him a bit, make him conduct the transaction honestly!
"I have a few Talisman Treasures here. I can use at most one to purchase this information from you, Fellow Daoist Zhuo."
Wang Yu's eyes lit up. As expected of a noble lady.
Talisman Treasures were at minimum third-tier artifacts, crafted only by extracting the essence from a Core Formation cultivator's bonded magic treasure. A complete Talisman Treasure could be used up to three times.
And she actually had several!
"What is the highest tier of Talisman Treasure in your possession, Fellow Daoist?"
"That is none of your concern, Fellow Daoist Zhuo."
*Infinite Talisman Treasure:* Mid-third tier. Contains three area-of-effect attack arts.
*Heavenly Thunder Talisman Treasure:* Mid-third tier. Contains three Heavenly Thunder Baptism arts. Exceptionally powerful against single targets.
*Dark Abyss Talisman Treasure:* Mid-third tier. Contains three Dark Abyss Seals. Can suppress a great demon for the time it takes one incense stick to burn.
The above three were the Talisman Treasures this noble lady of Tai Lake produced. None had been used even once, and they were all neatly mid-third tier, indicating she likely possessed even more, and even more powerful, Talisman Treasures in her possession.
These... were probably things she normally couldn't even be bothered to use.
While Wang Yu's eyes gleamed with desire, a tinge of regret also surfaced in his heart. He knew that her offering this grade of Talisman Treasure had likely reached her limit. Asking for anything better would be futile unless she was a complete fool.
"I want the Heavenly Thunder Talisman Treasure."
"Agreed."
With that, the young woman sent the Heavenly Thunder Talisman Treasure to Wang Yu on a gentle breeze. She didn't even make him sign a contract...
This honest, straightforward attitude felt like something from another lifetime!
He couldn't even remember the last time he had dealt with someone like this.
"Fellow Daoist Zhuo, please speak."
Seeing the trace of suspicion in her eyes, Wang Yu suddenly smiled slightly. He did not go back on his word. "A hundred years ago, the thirty-six assassins of the Mara Multitude joined forces to assassinate the sole son of a Nascent Soul elder from the Joy Union Sect. After succeeding, they were utterly annihilated, their bones ground to dust, by the father—[Yin-Yang Demon Lord]."
"The thirty-six Earth Net Ghost Masks began circulating throughout Scarlet Kite from that time. The one on my face was obtained at an auction."
"Impossible!"
Before Wang Yu could finish, the young woman became visibly agitated, her voice filled with disbelief.
"Sister Mu... she told me herself she was coming to Yunling Province. How could she go assassinate someone from the Joy Union Sect? Your information is wrong!"
"It is not mistaken."
Wang Yu spread his hands.
"In Scarlet Kite, others might lie, but I, Zhuo, value my reputation above all. Even if you are a cultivator from Tai Lake, once a transaction is made, I will not deceive you.
"The information came from the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion. If you wish to verify it, it shouldn't be difficult for you."
Wang Yu intentionally obfuscated the source. The intelligence had come from Jin Miaoshan; he couldn't let her go verify it at the Golden Abundance Pavilion and risk exposing his presence in the Heavenly Demon Bone Forest.
Even though she might guess, he had to at least try to keep up the pretense. With this layer of tacit understanding between them, she wouldn't actively try to contact him.
If a discrepancy arose, Wang Yu would undoubtedly become suspicious.
Hearing Wang Yu suggest she verify it at the Heavenly Treasure Pavilion, the young woman already believed him for the most part. In a daze, she began walking towards the mountains, clearly intent on verification.
Seeing this, Wang Yu offered a reminder.
"In your current state, it's best you don't enter Ten Thousand Poisons Town. You can go verify it in a larger city nearby."
There was no reply. Her figure gradually faded into the shadows of the dense forest.
In this transaction, Wang Yu had arguably gone above and beyond, acting with utmost benevolence.
It could be considered a tie of favorable karma.
It was purely because, since coming to the Heavenly Demon Bone Forest, he had first encountered the Ruan family team, and now this noble lady from Tai Lake. A long-buried sentiment within him had been stirred.
How long it would last, he himself wasn't sure.
Shaking his head, he continued on his way towards his destination.
A thousand people cultivating the demonic path resulted in a thousand kinds of demons. Selfishness and self-interest were demonic. Righting wrongs and settling grievances were demonic. Slaughtering all living beings was demonic. Following one's heart's desires without restraint was also demonic.
Even he, a demonic cultivator, found it somewhat difficult to see clearly into his own heart.
**(End of Chapter)**