Chapter 29: Not Only Unscathed, But Stirring Up Trouble

After Xiao Baidao confirmed again and again that Feng Xi was safe and sound, his heart soared with joy!

His little apprentice was not only unharmed, but she had also stirred up quite a storm! At this rate, the Xuantian Sect would at least secure third place, tying their best historical record. It was truly a double blessing!

While chaos reigned outside, Feng Xi and her companions were having a grand time within the secret realm. Liu Shaobai and the others had long found Lu Xiuhan’s arrogant attitude insufferable, so they took immense pleasure in giving him a sound thrashing and dividing up his belongings.

Feng Xi blinked her eyes. "Senior brothers and sisters, it’s not time to celebrate yet. There’s still Shen Zhilan to deal with! Only by eliminating her can we harvest the remaining disciples of the Hunyuan Sect. She’s different from Lu Xiuhan—she’s extremely vigilant. The previous method won't work, so we need a new plan. How about this: we use a 'honey trap.' Brother Xing Wu, you’ll have to make a sacrifice!"

Xing Wu was stunned. "..."

He sneered, "Didn't you say she looks down on me? What good will it do for me to go?!"

Feng Xi smiled. "It seems you don't understand her at all! Although she looks down on you, she still wants to use you, so she acts very attentive on the surface, sometimes even showing a hint of affection. If you don't believe me, try it and you’ll see. Brother Xing Wu, I’d love to send someone else, but among those present, you are the most handsome, so you’re the only one who can complete this mission."

Even though Xing Wu knew Feng Xi was buttering him up, he still felt a bit flattered, especially when he saw the constipated expression on Jun Wen's face. "Fine, I’ll give it a try."

Seeing him agree, Feng Xi breathed a sigh of relief. In the book, Xing Wu was one of Shen Zhilan’s devoted sycophants who helped her repeatedly, only to end up being torn apart in the end. It had to be said that Shen Zhilan was poisonous; none of her followers ever had a good ending. Feng Xi wasn't trying to play the saint or save Xing Wu from his fate; she simply didn't want Shen Zhilan to have any more helpers. Whether it was the alliance or the division of Lu Xiuhan’s spoils, her goal was to drive a wedge between Liu Shaobai's group and the Hunyuan Sect. As long as they remained at odds, it would be difficult for Shen Zhilan to turn them into her loyal servants.

Once the plan was set, Feng Xi and the others set up an ambush, and Xing Wu went off alone to meet Shen Zhilan.

Shen Zhilan was in a good mood. Shortly after Lu Xiuhan had left, she had stumbled upon a mystical beast egg. It was circled by golden patterns, indicating it was no ordinary find. She felt very smug, convinced that she was favored by the heavens to find such treasure so easily.

However, as time passed and Lu Xiuhan didn't return, she grew impatient. He was just a piece of trash; did it really take him this long? She didn't intend to go check on him, however, as she needed to maintain appearances. If things went wrong, it would be that idiot Lu Xiuhan’s fault, not hers.

Just then, she saw Xing Wu. Her heart leaped with joy. Xing Wu had said some strange things earlier, surely because that vixen Feng Xi had been stirring up trouble. Now was the perfect time to explain herself. She put on a sweet smile and went to greet him. "Brother Xing Wu, I was just hoping to run into you. What did you mean by those things you said earlier? Did someone tell you something?"

Seeing her like this, Xing Wu felt a wave of disgust. Feng Xi was right—this woman looked down on him while acting so fawning to his face. Suppressing his revulsion, he replied, "It’s nothing. I was in a bad mood, so I spouted some nonsense. Where is Lu Xiuhan? Why haven't I seen him?"

Shen Zhilan’s heart stirred. It seemed Xing Wu had been jealous of Lu Xiuhan earlier. She told herself that no man could resist her. With a feigned look of helplessness, she said, "Brother Xing Wu, it is true that I admire Second Senior Brother, but it is purely for his cultivation. After you left, I explained this to him, and he just stormed off in a huff."

Xing Wu sneered inwardly. Lu Xiuhan had clearly gone to hunt down Feng Xi, yet here she was, painting it as him storming off in a huff? She truly didn't have a single honest word in her mouth! He had been so blind to think she was a good person!

Suppressing his rage, he said, "As long as it's cleared up. Since we are both alone, why don't we travel together?"

Shen Zhilan quickly agreed. After a few sentences, she added, "Brother Xing Wu, though it may be presumptuous, I must warn you: Feng Xi is cunning and full of lies. You would do well to keep your distance from her."

Xing Wu hummed in agreement, thinking, *Feng Xi might be a bit mischievous, but she’s warm-hearted and a hundred times better than a lying woman like you!*

Finally, they reached the ambush site. Xing Wu could no longer hold back and released his spiritual beast, the One-Horned Hurricane Wolf. "Shen Zhilan, don't you look down on our Beast Taming Sect? Today, I’ll show you what we’re capable of! One-Horn, attack!"

The beast shared its master's thoughts and had heard everything Feng Xi said earlier; it hated Shen Zhilan to the core. It bared its fangs and lunged at her.

Shen Zhilan was stunned! She couldn't understand why Xing Wu had suddenly turned on her, but she had no time to think. She formed seals with her hands, sending several water arrows toward the wolf and Xing Wu. She wasn't afraid of Xing Wu; although they were both at the third level of the Foundation Establishment stage, she was confident she could defeat him. Some men were just born to be dogs—it would be satisfying to beat him into submission!

Just as she thought this, several figures jumped out from the surroundings, bombarding her with spiritual talismans and flying swords. Shen Zhilan was completely bewildered. "Stop! There must be some misunderstanding, listen to me..."

Unfortunately, no one was listening! Everyone just wanted to eliminate her quickly and, if possible, split the loot among themselves.

Feng Xi stood to the side, cheering them on. "Put your backs into it, everyone! Hi-yah! Poke her in the eyes, hi-yah! Stab her in the stomach, hi-yah..."

Shen Zhilan was absolutely furious. "Feng Xi! This is definitely your doing! We are mortal enemies!"

Feng Xi scoffed, "Why stop acting like your precious white lotus self? Keep going! You stole my herbs, shattered my dantian, and pinned the blame on me, causing me to be demoted to a servant. Even then, you weren't satisfied and incited Lu Xiuhan to kill me. How can your heart be so black? Do you think no one sees your true face? Everyone has sharp eyes, and these senior brothers and sisters have long seen through you! Shen Zhilan, those who do evil will eventually suffer the consequences. Your retribution is here!"

Shen Zhilan gritted her teeth. "Stop talking nonsense! Everyone, listen to me..."

Her only response was a more violent onslaught. Shen Zhilan was smarter than Lu Xiuhan; she realized she was going to be eliminated, so rather than being defeated, she chose to eliminate herself. She crushed her jade token.

She hated Feng Xi to the core. She had thought Feng Xi was a piece of trash with no value, but she never expected her to bring so much trouble again and again. She had to be killed; she couldn't be left alive! And those idiots like Xing Wu—once they had no further use, none of them would escape; they would all die!

However, the more pressing matter now was how to explain everything to Baili Muchen.