I Became a Rare Species in the Immortal Cultivation World

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Chapter 68: Hiding from Pursuers Together

“Let’s take another route.” You You unfolded the map, studying it as she spoke, “There’s a narrow path fifty meters ahead. This way.”

She tugged Shui Yan’s sleeve and veered sideways, her eyes darting between the map and the surroundings. Her heightened senses painted a clear picture of every ripple in the air. After navigating a maze of twists and turns, they finally escaped the shadow of the Xuan Yue Building.

Shui Yan bit her lip, anxiety tightening her features. But after narrowly dodging multiple patrols, she fell silent, trudging forward with the group. Only when the clamor of the Xuan Yue Building faded completely did she glance back. Flames clawed at the distant tower, and her eyes burned.

“Where… where do we go now?” A trembling voice broke the silence. One of the sisters hugged herself, staring into the ink-black night.

Shui Yan snapped to attention. “East of the Xuan Yue Building,” she declared, squaring her shoulders. “There’s a cave at the mountain’s right foot. They’ll seal the Ming You Valley now that we’re missing. We’ll hide there until the moment is right.”

You You’s finger traced the map. “Which cave? The empty left one? The middle one with the monster? Or the right one behind three trees and thick brush?”

Shui Yan gaped. “The… rightmost one,” she managed.

“Three trees it is!” You You marched ahead, dragging Shui Yan along. The group scurried after them, soon arriving at a discreet cave mouth framed by three gnarled pines. The cramped entrance opened into a sprawling limestone labyrinth, its tunnels branching like veins.

Shui Yan conjured a floating flame. After scrutinizing the shadows, she led them down a winding passage. Half an hour later, she halted. Her palm pressed a hidden groove in the wall. Light pulsed beneath their feet. “A concealment formation,” she explained. “Even if found, the complex tunnels will buy time.” From a crevice, she produced vials. “Fasting pills. Three months’ worth.”

“Three months?!” Panic rippled through the group.

Shui Yan nodded grimly. “Either we wait for guards to lower vigilance, or…” Her gaze swept over them. “For rescue.”

The sisters clasped hands, voices quivering with desperate hope:

“Our families will come!”

“The immortal sects won’t abandon us!”

“So many missing – they must already be searching!”

Shui Yan turned away. Five years of watching sisters die without intervention had killed her faith in rescuers. The Xuan Yue Building’s crimes remained buried too deep. Their only hope was escape – even one messenger could alert the sects.

Her eyes narrowed at You You. “Are you from an immortal sect?”

“Zhen Yan Sect. You You.”

“Zhen Yan?” Shui Yan frowned. Unfamiliar. “How do you know this terrain so well?” Even veteran captives didn’t know those hidden paths.

(Does she have a real-time map? Ridiculous.) You You scratched her neck. “Memorized the area’s maps earlier.”

“Oh.” Disappointment dulled Shui Yan’s eyes. Not a rescuer after all.

You You thumped her shoulder. “We’ll get out. Promise!”

Shui Yan forced a smile before slumping against the wall. The others distributed pills and huddled together, fear clinging like mist.

You You chewed her lip. Escaping alone? Easy – another reckless flight would do. But with this many? Her gaming skills were unpredictable, her spell knowledge nonexistent.

A voice pierced her thoughts: “You You! Where are you?”

“Papa Zhao Cai?” She spun. Empty air.

“It’s Yuan Qi.” The voice buzzed in her skull. “Using the contract mark. Respond if you hear this!”

She focused inward, finding the mental thread. *Yuan Qi?*

Relief flooded the connection. “We’ve searched everywhere! Your location!”

“Xuan Yue Building in Ming You Valley.”

A hissed curse. “That’s an evil cultivator den! Status?”

After her quick summary, Yuan Qi’s tone turned grave. “Stay hidden. We’re coming. No risks!”

The link severed. You You turned to share the news –

Shui Yan choked. Blood sprayed as she crumpled, clawing at her chest. Beneath her fingers, a crimson sigil glowed.

“Sister!” You You caught her. “What’s happening?!”

Shui Yan writhed, tendons standing stark as the mark pulsed like a poisoned heart.