“This is where the Mountain and Sea Map is kept, within the sect’s restricted area—the Heaven-Bearing Hall.”
Apart from the regular patrol disciples of the Lingyun Sect’s outer sect, no one was allowed to approach, all to prevent the Mountain and Sea Map from being stolen or damaged, which would break the grand formation covering the entire outer sect.
But today, someone had set out early, standing on a treetop not far away, observing from a distance.
Lin Huanhuan employed her unique Wind Path Concealment Art, masking all her aura until she blended in like a branch of the tree itself. Straining her eyes, she gazed into the distance, watching everything before her.
She waited quietly, silently recalling the scene from the original work where the Mountain and Sea Map would be stolen today.
‘In the original story, after Bai Lingfeng broke through to Foundation Establishment, he accidentally killed many people, caught the attention of the Punishment Hall, and was thoroughly interrogated.’
‘In the end, a senior sister from the Punishment Hall took a liking to him and invited him to stay and help. If he did well, he could formally join.’
‘The Punishment Hall, having learned in advance that someone would steal the Mountain and Sea Map today, set an ambush inside the Heaven-Bearing Hall, intending to catch these demonic path scoundrels like turtles in a jar and wipe out the sect’s demonic spies in one fell swoop.’
‘Among those lying in ambush was Bai Lingfeng.’
Lin Huanhuan prayed silently in her heart.
Suddenly, she spotted several furtive figures, and her mind was instantly set at ease.
“They’re here!”
The black-clothed leader, worried that his men would panic, reassured them as they walked:
“This theft of the Mountain and Sea Map was carefully planned by the sect. The probability of success is high. They’re not sending us to our deaths to reduce resource consumption.”
“Don’t worry. The disciples who were supposed to patrol the Heaven-Bearing Hall today have already been dealt with by other sect agents. Within the time it takes a cup of tea to cool, the Lingyun Sect won’t notice a thing.”
“All we have to do is go straight in and take the Mountain and Sea Map. Everything will go smoothly. No need to worry, no need to be afraid.”
Hearing this, the black-clothed men felt greatly relieved.
Red Hair let out a long sigh: “So that’s how it is, boss. Why didn’t you say so earlier? You had us thinking we’d have to fight our way in. If it’s this simple, that’s great. The Chaos Demon Mountain is still the Chaos Demon Mountain—it’s here to throw the Lingyun Sect into chaos.”
Daoba was also delighted: “Such detailed planning is rare within the sect. Normally, they just order a direct assault. It seems the sect really values this mission.”
“I wonder what rewards we’ll get when we return. Hope it’ll make our lives a little better.”
They arrived at the entrance of the Heaven-Bearing Hall. Sure enough, no disciples were patrolling.
Given the Lingyun Sect’s defense system, this was almost miraculous.
But without dwelling on it, they quickly filed inside.
Stealing the Mountain and Sea Map was the top priority.
The entire Heaven-Bearing Hall was forged from mystic iron, silent as the grave.
They marched forward and soon saw the Mountain and Sea Map spread out on a pedestal.
The map shimmered brilliantly. Within it, mountains, rivers, and peaks seemed to roil with thunderous wind, all sealed behind a transparent barrier.
The treasure they had schemed for so long was right before their eyes. Everyone was momentarily stunned.
“So this is the Mountain and Sea Map, a Semi-Treasure. Truly wondrous.”
“Just looking at it fills me with joy. If we could keep it for ourselves, would we have the combat power of a Peak Foundation Establishment master?”
“Yeah. If this thing were ours, why would we still be beholden to the sect? Even if we went to another realm and founded our own sect, it wouldn’t be impossible.”
Hearing this, the black-clothed leader frowned and scolded, “Stop daydreaming. The Mountain and Sea Map isn’t in our hands yet, and time is short.”
“If the Lingyun Sect people arrive ahead of schedule, we’ll be in big trouble.”
Fangs let out a faint laugh, stepped forward, and reached for the Mountain and Sea Map.
“Boss, you’re too cautious. This map is as good as ours. How could we fail to take it?”
But the moment before his hand touched the map, the jade pillar on the left suddenly emitted a faint glimmer.
It rapidly expanded, and a thin beam of light shot out, piercing straight through his hand.
“Aaaaah!”
Fangs let out a pained roar, snapping back to alertness.
Blood dripped from his hand.
Everyone was stunned. Fangs quickly withdrew his hand, used a spell to stop the bleeding, and temporarily sealed the wound to maintain combat effectiveness.
All of them drew their weapons and warily looked around.
“Ambush! Ambush! There are Lingyun Sect people lying in ambush here!”
Suddenly, light rippled ahead.
Nine disciples of the Punishment Hall stepped forward calmly, staring coldly at them.
“You are trapped like turtles in a jar. There’s no escape. Though you belong to the demonic path, if you surrender, you might still live.”
The black-clothed men’s pupils shrank sharply.
They recognized the concealment technique they had just used.
It was one of the functions of the grand formation built around the Mountain and Sea Map—capable not only of creating illusions but also of completely masking aura.
Such a meticulous setup was clearly not an accidental arrangement.
It was deliberate.
This was a killing game carefully designed for them, with the goal of burying them here.
And how could the Lingyun Sect have known about their operation in advance?
Obviously, there must be a traitor.
Who could it be?
The most likely candidate had already revealed themselves, hadn’t they?
It was the laziest member of the team, the one always thinking about sleeping. Maybe his betrayal was just to do less work and survive.
As these thoughts flashed through the minds of the black-clothed men, they all turned to glare at You Yuelan with murderous intent.
They were about to subdue her before she could launch a sneak attack.
You Yuelan backed away warily, feeling deeply wronged.
‘I haven’t done anything! Why suspect me?!’
Just as they were about to strike, the black-clothed leader suddenly moved.
An exquisitely clear lotus appeared out of thin air and exploded.
The transparent petals shot out like high-velocity sniper rounds, piercing straight through the black-clothed men.
Caught completely off guard, every one of them was hit. Blood gushed from holes all over their bodies.
Perhaps because You Yuelan was deemed the least threatening, the fewest petals headed her way, so her injuries were the lightest.
Everyone glared at the black-clothed leader in fury and confusion.
“Boss, why?! What did you gain from betraying us?!”
“Damn it, what did we ever do to you?!”
The black-clothed leader’s eyes held no guilt, only calm composure.
“Since we’re all going to die anyway when we go back, you might as well do me a favor right here.”
“If I help the Lingyun Sect kill you all, they’ll let me go for this merit and even give me a handsome reward.”
“We’ve been together for so long. It’s time for you to contribute your last bit of value to me.”
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