Chapter 296: Malice

White Lotus frowned when the man she grabbed failed to respond.

“Don’t tell me I caught a mute!”

Peach Blossom Fairy took a step forward, waving her arm gently. Peach blossoms bloomed and drifted off her sleeve, each one as tangible as jade, yet floating like mist. As the man inhaled them, his eyes quickly became dull and lifeless.

“Who are you?” she asked softly.

“I am a disciple of the Blood Cloud Sect… Wan Feng…” the man murmured, trance-like, his eyes blank as though he’d lost all sense of self.

“Blood Cloud Sect? What are you doing here?” Peach Blossom Fairy’s brows furrowed.

“We are searching for the Blood Blo—AARGH!”

Before he could finish, his entire body tensed up and he let out a blood-curdling scream. His body convulsed, and before Peach Blossom Fairy could react, he collapsed—lifeless.

“Blood Blo…?”

Peach Blossom Fairy fell into thought. What was he about to say?

Meanwhile, at the moment the man died, Wang Fang, deep within the camp, sensed it immediately. His eyes snapped open.

“Who dares?! Do you have a death wish?!”

The intruders had clearly been discovered.

Soon, disciples of the Blood Cloud Sect began to encircle the area. They weren’t particularly powerful, but there were many of them. And more importantly, a series of powerful auras from the blackened depths of Starlight Forest had locked onto the invaders.

If a fight broke out, retaliation would be swift and overwhelming.

“Who dares cause trouble at our Blood Cloud Sect’s sacred grounds?!”

Wang Fang stepped out, face dark. But when he saw Peach Blossom Fairy, his expression faltered.

“Them?!”

His heart sank. Did news of the Blood Blossom Underground Palace already leak?

Peach Blossom Fairy also recognized Wang Fang—the Young Sect Master of Blood Cloud Sect. He was well-known, largely because of the treasures from the Blood Burial Secret Realm that his sect had contributed to the Sacred Gate. Those treasures had raised the entire Sacred Gate’s strength to a level capable of competing with the Sky Vault Holy Land.

“Young Sect Master, apologies,” Peach Blossom Fairy said calmly.

“We came here chasing someone and only wished to question this man. We had no idea he would suddenly die by internal rupture.”

She watched Wang Fang carefully, waiting to hear his response.

Wang Fang scoffed inwardly.

Do they think I’m stupid?

There were four experts here at the Mystic Realm level. Just these four could easily destroy any kingdom on the continent.

“So it’s Peach Blossom Fairy. But… may I ask who exactly you’re pursuing?”

He spoke cautiously—trying to feel them out. The location of the underground palace was already confirmed. If he could just get rid of these people peacefully, all the better.

If not…

Wang Fang lowered his head, not daring to meet their eyes, trying not to give himself away.

“Chen Fei,” Peach Blossom Fairy replied coldly.

Just saying the name made her grit her teeth. That slippery bastard had escaped her grasp so many times it was infuriating.

When Wang Fang heard the name “Chen Fei,” a cold, mocking smile appeared on his face.

So that’s the game they’re playing. How pretty, how cunning.

He was sure Peach Blossom Fairy had already investigated him and knew of his deep hatred for Chen Fei. Mentioning the name now was likely a ploy.

“You must be joking, Fairy. Would Chen Fei alone really warrant such a grand pursuit?” Wang Fang replied, masking his rising fury with a polite smile.

Peach Blossom Fairy met his gaze.

“I’m being very clear: the one we’re after is Chen Fei—and he may very well be hiding among your disciples.”

Wang Fang’s eyes turned icy cold.

So it was true. The news had been leaked.

Otherwise, how could they just coincidentally show up here?

“Fairy, there’s no point in discussing this further,” he said bluntly.

“This is a restricted area of the Blood Cloud Sect. Please, for the sake of future friendship, leave.”

That was a clear refusal.

White Lotus and the others all showed intrigued expressions.

“Young Sect Master seems very defensive,” White Lotus said with a smirk.

“Could it be there’s something valuable hidden here?”

The others looked on with playful interest. These were all Mystic Realm experts, each backed by powerful forces. Chasing Chen Fei was one thing, but now that they smelled benefits, they weren’t going to walk away empty-handed.

The Blood Cloud Sect had gotten famous recently, but compared to ancient Sacred Gate sects, it still lacked true foundation. Its recent treasures from the Blood Burial Secret Realm had only made it more of a target.

To discover treasure… without sufficient power… was basically a sin.

Nobody had moved against them yet, but now that an opportunity was in front of them, these top cultivators wouldn’t pass it up.

Peach Blossom Fairy sensed the shifting atmosphere and quickly interjected.

“Everyone, let’s not forget our actual goal.”

She turned back to Wang Fang.

“Young Sect Master, I only want Chen Fei. As for the rest, I give you my word—we will not interfere.”

Her statement annoyed White Lotus and the others, but due to her status, they held back their protests. Even so, Wang Fang frowned.

From her conviction, it seemed likely that Chen Fei really was here.

That bastard really is my nemesis…

Wang Fang sighed internally before raising his head.

“Very well. I trust you.

Disciples, gather everyone. Let Peach Blossom Fairy and her companions inspect the group.

If anyone resists… execute them on the spot!”

Better to kill the wrong person than miss the right one. If Chen Fei really was here, this was the time to act.

—

In the crowd, Chen Fei’s eyes flashed with disappointment.

Tch, I thought Wang Fang would have the guts to oppose them directly. Didn’t expect him to fold…

As everyone began assembling, Chen Fei had no choice but to step into the crowd too. Even though this increased the risk of exposure, he didn’t seem worried.

Who knows? Maybe I’ll give them a nice little surprise later.

Though Wang Fang had agreed to cooperate, he remained wary.

After all, inside the Blood Blossom Underground Palace was a treasure vital to his breakthrough. If it came to it, he was willing to even let Chen Fei go—but he would never allow these people to mess up his plans.

He was already considering… if he could eliminate all of them.

Sensing the malice in Wang Fang’s eyes, Peach Blossom Fairy chuckled lightly.

“Young Sect Master, don’t take it the wrong way.

Compared to your secrets, Chen Fei is far more important to us.

Don’t worry—we won’t delay you for long.”

Maybe the heavens favored Chen Fei after all, because just as she finished speaking, a violent tremor erupted through the ground.

Wang Fang’s expression changed dramatically.

No way… the Blood Blossom Underground Palace?!

It had finally opened.

Of all times… why now?