“Someone has been attacking other cultivators inside the secret realm and then taking all their valuables afterward?”
Looking at her junior sister who was sobbing and complaining right in front of her, Ling Long felt a faint pain between her brows.
Why did this behavior sound so familiar? Had she seen something like this somewhere before?
Besides that one person, it seemed like no one else would do such a thing, right?
“That’s right, Senior Sister, look at the back of my neck! There’s a huge bump!”
The girl, wearing nothing but a single skirt, turned around indignantly to show Ling Long the injured spot.
She had merely gone into a garden within the city to explore.
After encountering a Spiritual Flower, she approached it to pick one, but suddenly felt a sharp pain on her neck, and everything went dark.
She lost consciousness immediately.
When she woke up, all the storage bags containing her Spiritual Sword Alchemy Pills were gone, leaving her with just a single piece of clothing.
Who could be so heartless as to do something like this!
Staring at the large bump on her junior sister’s neck, Ling Long felt a bit confused. Were the methods of Hua Jian really this sinister?
She remembered that Hua Jian usually used a narcotic smoke to incapacitate targets, rarely causing any external injuries, whereas this junior sister seemed to have been bitten by some kind of poisonous insect.
Could it be that Hua Jian’s methods had evolved recently, and she had even learned to control poisonous insects?
“Senior Sister Ling Long, disciples from other sects have also encountered similar attacks recently. That thief seems to strike indiscriminately, sparing no one regardless of their sect.”
“Yes, she especially likes to use precious spiritual items as bait. She waits until everyone’s attention is on those items, then strikes with a sneak attack!”
Listening to the junior sisters chattering away, Ling Long’s expression became increasingly difficult to maintain.
No matter how unwilling she was to believe it, she had to admit that every detail pointed to that one person.
Using valuable spiritual treasures as bait, stealing without killing, and first incapacitating the victims—
If it were just one or two of these, Ling Long could still stubbornly deny that it was Hua Jian, but with so many details matching, no matter how biased she was, she couldn’t lie to herself that it wasn’t Hua Jian.
“I think I roughly know who’s behind this.”
Ling Long pressed her forehead and sighed lightly. “I’ll try to find her and get your things back.”
She knew Hua Jian liked spirit stones, so if she traded spirit stones for her junior sisters’ belongings, Hua Jian probably wouldn’t refuse.
“Huh? Senior Sister Ling Long knows that villain?”
Several junior sisters asked curiously.
“Mm, I’ve had a few encounters with her.” Ling Long nodded calmly.
“How did it go?”
“I won. She lost.”
“Senior Sister Ling Long is amazing!” The junior sisters’ eyes immediately sparkled like little stars.
Ling Long sighed and got up, walking toward the door.
She remembered that Hua Jian had mentioned some details about the Seizing Body Path before, and with that information, she could roughly guess where Hua Jian might be lurking.
–
The moment Ling Long left the Yaochi core camp in the secret realm, a black-haired girl wearing Yaochi Outer Sect Disciple Robes appeared at the door.
“Is Ling Long here?”
The Yaochi disciple standing guard tilted her head, finding this Outer Sect junior sister somewhat unfamiliar.
Moreover, she called Ling Long by her name directly instead of using the respectful title Senior Sister Ling Long, which was suspicious!
“Are you a disciple of our Yaochi Sect? Because I don’t remember you.”
“Oh, I’m not a Yaochi disciple yet.” Hua Jian openly admitted her identity.
She couldn’t exactly play the role of the main character in front of the real one.
Besides, her clothes weren’t stolen—they were forcibly given to her by a Yaochi senior sister. There was nothing to be afraid of.
“Then how did you get these…”
“Senior Sister Xia Xuan gave them to me.” Hua Jian mentioned Xia Xuan’s name.
Seeing Hua Jian’s fearless and straightforward demeanor, the disciple guarding the door was instantly intimidated, thinking Hua Jian was unlikely to be a liar.
Also, she was here to find Senior Sister Ling Long. If Ling Long didn’t know her, this lie would naturally be exposed.
“So, what does this junior sister want from Senior Sister Ling Long?”
“I have very important news to tell her.” Hua Jian lowered her voice and spoke mysteriously to the young disciple in front of her. “Please take me to see her quickly. The opportunity won’t come again.”
“But Senior Sister just left.”
“Huh?”
–
Once inside the Yaochi camp, after hearing the several girls chattering about the incident, Hua Jian’s expression became quite interesting.
If she said this matter had nothing to do with her, it would seem like she was passing the blame.
But if she said it was related, heavens be merciful—she had been staying on the secret realm’s outskirts all along. If it weren’t for that Youye’s coercion, she wouldn’t have dared to enter the perilous core zone at all.
So the events in the core zone had nothing to do with her. They couldn’t punish her just because the troublemaker was her well-trained good apprentice, could they?
“Little Sister Hua, do you think Senior Sister Ling Long can catch that villain?”
“Of course she can. She’s the Holy Maiden and has dragon bloodline. Ordinary sneak attack methods won’t work on her at all. Since that villain only dares to attack from behind, she must have no strong abilities for a direct confrontation…”
Hua Jian spoke at length about Ling Long’s advantages, implying that everyone should trust their Senior Sister Ling Long. The Holy Maiden’s combat power was extraordinary; dealing with a petty thief would be easy.
After hearing Hua Jian’s earnest analysis, the previously worried Yaochi disciples relaxed and looked at Hua Jian more warmly.
Everyone was a little fan of Senior Sister Ling Long. Well then, we’re all family now!
“Little Sister Hua, although you’re not yet a Yaochi disciple, you’re already one of us in our hearts!”
“It’s a pity Senior Sister told us to guard here and not let us watch her display her prowess…” A girl lowered her head, speaking regretfully.
For various reasons, Ling Long went out this time without any accompanying personnel, claiming it was to avoid scaring off the thief by sending too many people.
In reality, Hua Jian guessed Ling Long was probably trying to hide their relationship.
Sigh, so just trust me a little. Do I look like someone who can’t tell the weight of things and would act rashly in a place crawling with immortals?
While biting her finger, Hua Jian sulked, thinking about how to take revenge on Ling Long.
Soon, she had a good idea.
“I roughly know where Ling Long will go. I’m not too worried if she goes alone…”
A sly fox-like smile curled on Hua Jian’s lips as she looked at the girls before her.
“So, could a few of you please come with me to help Ling Long slay demons and eliminate monsters?”