NOVPUBJust like before when facing Wang Ba and another person, the An-surnamed cultivator had a solemn expression, filled with caution:
"Sirs... Have you come here for an important matter?"
The leading cultivator from the Wanxiang Sect glanced over at the approaching Wang Ba and Zhao Feng, his face suddenly becoming anxious as he said:
"We just received news that a thief from the Daosheng Continent has sneaked into the vicinity of Xugou County amidst the chaos, wishing to wreak havoc in the capital of the West Sea Country. The Guardian has specially ordered us to go and investigate!"
Upon hearing this, the An-surnamed cultivator’s face hardened, but he quickly proceeded with caution and asked:
"Do you have proof?"
The Myriad Phenomena Sect disciple didn’t hesitate and quickly spoke a passphrase, just like Zhao Feng had mentioned earlier.
After exchanging a few words with the An-surnamed cultivator, his face relaxed, and he apologetically raised his hand:
"Gentlemen, I have urgent duties and was indeed rude."
"Not at all, we can all understand."
The leading Myriad Phenomena Sect disciple quickly waved his hand and said.
As he spoke, his gaze once again subtly swept over Wang Ba and Zhao Feng, then he addressed the An-surnamed cultivator:
"Fellow daoist, the matter is urgent, so we will be on our way."
The An-surnamed cultivator nodded and reminded, "I still need to stand guard here and cannot go, but if you encounter any trouble, remember to notify me immediately."
The leading Myriad Phenomena Sect disciple solemnly raised his hand in salute and then signaled to the people behind him, "Let’s go!"
The few people behind him quickly followed.
They were about to fly swiftly towards the distance.
But just at that moment, the voice of the An-surnamed cultivator suddenly arose from behind.
"Wait!"
The leading Myriad Phenomena Sect disciple paused for a moment, then turned around.
A trace of confusion appeared on his face:
"Fellow daoist, is there something else?"
Behind him, the four people’s expressions didn’t change, but their hands quietly retracted into their sleeves.
The An-surnamed cultivator, oblivious, smiled and said:
"Hehe, I just remembered, these two here are also disciples from your sect."
The expression of the leading Myriad Phenomena Sect disciple faltered, and he looked somewhat unexpectedly towards Wang Ba and Zhao Feng.
"Is that so? They do seem... somewhat unfamiliar."
"No worries, if they are free, they might as well go with you to check on the situation. More people might be good for mutual support."
The An-surnamed cultivator said in a relaxed tone.
As he spoke, he quickly waved to Wang Ba and the other nearby:
"You two, are you in a hurry now?"
Wang Ba and Zhao Feng exchanged a subtle glance, Zhao Feng gave a slight nod, and then both of them floated over.
Wang Ba took the initiative to raise his hand in salute, smiling at the other party:
"I am Ji Yuan from Tiandao Peak..."
"So it’s Fellow Daoist Ji from Tiandao Peak, my apologies, my apologies."
The leading Myriad Phenomena Sect disciple hurriedly returned the salute and then, looking anxious, said:
"I need to go to the capital of the West Sea Country to prevent those Thief Cultivators from the Dao Sheng Continent from harming mortals. Fellow Daoist Ji, if you are not busy, you might accompany us. If you have other important matters, please forgive me for not being able to keep you company."
Hearing the other’s words, Wang Ba’s smile grew wider as he looked at Zhao Feng, then said, "Hehe, as it happens, my fellow disciple and I have no pressing matters. How about we accompany you?"
The leading cultivator didn’t hesitate and immediately showed a happy smile:
"That would be for the best!"
"We should set off without delay."
Wang Ba immediately nodded: "Good!"
Having said this, he took the lead in flying over.
Zhao Feng, without saying a word, followed right after.
However, just before leaving, he silently and subtly conveyed a glance towards the An-surnamed cultivator.
The An-surnamed cultivator’s heart jolted, his expression unchanged, as he watched the seven figures disappear from sight.
He then opened his palm, and from within, a white messenger bird quietly emerged.
Muttering incantations, he gave a light blow.
The messenger bird swiftly took flight, transforming into a flying bird and moving at speeds far exceeding that of a Sound Transmission Talisman, darting into the distance.
The An-surnamed cultivator’s face eased slightly, but then it became grave again:
"These five... are they puppets or the actual beings?"
"If not for the reminder from the two from the Wanxiang Sect, I would have nearly failed to notice..."
Just as he was about to look around, a pained cry sounded in the distance!
The An-surnamed cultivator looked up sharply.
But he saw the bird that had just flown out was silently bursting into flames in the sky, plummeting and burning to ashes...
The An-surnamed cultivator suddenly went cold, sensing danger!
He was about to fly skyward in haste.
However, the next moment, the leg of an iron-clad spider revealed itself in the air, brutally penetrating the cultivator’s Dantian!
"Noticed, have you? This is a bit troublesome..."
A voice with a strange accent rang out behind the An-surnamed cultivator.
The An-surnamed cultivator’s face shook violently.
But the next moment.
His body suddenly exploded into countless paper birds, flying off in all directions!
On the ground, only a spider several meters in size, its body shimmering with a wooden pattern, slowly retracted its leg.
The spider exuded a Class IV aura.
Its cold, vertical pupils swept over the hundreds of birds in the sky.
A cold laugh came from the void behind it.
The next moment.
Dozens of expressionless figures in black emerged from the air, enveloped in mana like an encircling net, swiftly plucking the birds from the sky.
Boom!
The captured birds instantly burst into streams of Mana Turbulence, kicking up a large cloud of dust.
And at the same time, the Mana Turbulence abruptly disrupted spiritual sense and mana perception.
In this confusion, a hardly detectable small messenger bird sneaked away from the dust and quickly flew off into the distance.
