Chapter 299
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Chapter 299: A Clever Smile
Su Yinxue rushed forward with Duan Chenfeng and Yu Minghong. Though her true qi hadn’t fully recovered, her spirit perception at the Foundation Establishment stage could still spread out, making nearly everything within ten zhang around her detectable.
Duan Chenfeng burned with urgency. Though his bond with Su Ling wasn’t as close as Ye Yun’s, this girl had journeyed with them through countless life-and-death trials. Without Su Ling’s aid, he, Ye Yun, and the others would’ve perished in the great tomb long ago.
His foremost desire now was to capture Jun Ruolan. She had to die—if the secret of Su Ling’s Demon Race Bloodline leaked, not just Su Ling but the entire Heavenly Sword Sect might face catastrophe.
Duan Chenfeng’s instincts rarely failed. When analyzing problems, his sharpness often surpassed others’, allowing him to spot angles most missed. He sensed this secret couldn’t stay buried forever.
But even if it surfaced eventually, he’d at least ensure everyone who learned it here in the Soul-Cutting Mountains would never speak again.
In his mind, not only Jun Ruolan but also the four Tian Shen Peak disciples must die. Even the True Fire Flying Lion—that so-called steed of the Fire God—deserved slaughter.
Yet Duan Chenfeng knew killing Jun Ruolan alone would prove difficult. Should they dare eliminate the other Tian Shen Peak disciples and word escaped, death would claim him, Ye Yun, and the rest without mercy.
As they ran, Duan Chenfeng’s eyes flicked toward Yu Minghong. His brow twitched faintly.
This junior brother had always unsettled him. Yu Minghong hid something—his true nature didn’t match the obedient facade. Over six months, while Yu Minghong showed respect and loyalty during crises, Duan Chenfeng sensed a stark contrast between his actions and hidden self.
The trio sped past hills, streams, dense woods, and meadows.
Abruptly, Duan Chenfeng halted. Su Yinxue and Yu Minghong stumbled to a stop behind him.
"Junior Brother Duan, did you notice something?" Su Yinxue asked, observing his tense expression.
After a pause, Duan Chenfeng pointed at a half-zhang-wide stream beside them. "Senior Sister Yinxue, Little Yu…doesn’t this stream seem familiar?"
"Familiar?" Yu Minghong frowned but shook his head after moments of thought.
Su Yinxue studied the water silently. Gradually, her eyebrows lifted. "You mean…we’ve passed this before?"
"Not once—three times," Duan Chenfeng stated slowly.
"Three?!" both companions gasped.
"Three encounters within one hour," he confirmed.
"Are you certain? I sensed familiarity but couldn’t pinpoint it," Su Yinxue murmured.
"Absolutely. What does this mean, Senior Sister?" A faint smile tugged his lips.
"I believe I understand now." Enlightenment dawned on her face.
"So the Soul-Cutting Mountains aren’t as vast as we thought!" Duan Chenfeng laughed abruptly.
"Then let’s search properly. Jun Ruolan can’t have gone far." Su Yinxue nodded, smiling.
Yu Minghong watched them blankly, comprehension eluding him. Yet he remained silent, prepared to follow without question.
Their pace slowed under Su Yinxue’s lead.
The Shadow Escape Talisman held extraordinary power. All Divine Talismans were rare treasures in the Jin Kingdom—precious single-use items consumed upon activation.
Yet Jun Ruolan had used Shadow Escape Talismans thrice. Only two explanations existed: either she possessed three such talismans (unlikely—if Tian Shen Peak’s Elder Shi gave her three, he must own more), or…
Jun Ruolan sat quietly, her bloodstained dress replaced during her escape. She waved her hand gently, summoning a copper mirror. As it floated before her, she combed her disheveled hair, securing it with a blue ribbon until her appearance regained its elegant composure.
“One hour remains before the Soul-Cutting Mountains reopen. To think the Heavenly Sword Sect harbors someone with Demon Race Bloodline… This will be amusing,” she murmured.
A faint red Divine Talisman materialized in her jade-white palm. “This isn’t a mere Shadow Escape Talisman,” she sighed. “It’s the Thousand Miles Shadow Escape Talisman, allowing instant travel across vast distances. A waste here, where these mountains span barely dozens of miles. Only one use remains before its spiritual power fades. Master must reforge it later.” She tucked a stray lock behind her ear, storing the talisman.
“Ye Yun’s strength defies his Qi refining stage. Neither Thousand Zhang Phoenix Silk nor Soul Capturing Bell subdued him. That True Fire Flying Lion fancies itself clever? Pathetic.”
She leaned against a large tree, resting on a Round Stone. “Perhaps I’ll leave the sect after this. Discovering their hidden half-demon is sufficient.” Her starry eyes closed beneath fluttering lashes.
A rustle approached through dense woods. Jun Ruolan’s eyes snapped open.
“You found this hidden space,” she remarked coolly as Ye Yun emerged, followed by Su Ling.
“Half an incense stick remains before my Master and the Four Peak Masters arrive,” Jun Ruolan said, unmoving. “Can you kill me in that time?”
Ye Yun’s gaze sharpened. “We’ll try.”
Her smile bloomed, disarmingly innocent. “You call this a Shadow Escape Talisman?” She displayed the crimson charm. “Its true name is Thousand Miles Shadow Escape Talisman. Three uses spent, one remains. Where might it send me now?”
“Perhaps somewhere nearby,” Ye Yun countered coldly.
“Let’s gamble, then.” Purple light shadow rippled from his sword as he shifted stance.
Jun Ruolan turned leftward. “Even Senior Sister Yinxue found this place?”
“It’s just an array eye!” Duan Chenfeng snarled, bursting from foliage. His black battle spear lunged murderously at her face.
*Clang!* Her fingertip met the spearhead. Immense power recoiled through the weapon, tearing Duan Chenfeng’s palms. Blood dripped as he barely kept hold.
“Still inadequate, Ye Yun. Don’t you agree?” Jun Ruolan smiled, unperturbed.
