Chapter 201: Chapter 18: Fighting Side by Side with Madam Ye (2)
Fang Cheng finally relaxed after hearing Huang Shen’s words.
’If that’s really the case, then Huang Shen can take care of the Mad Daoist by himself. Why would we need to trouble Eldest Senior Sister?’
"There’s no time to lose. Senior Brother, shall we go to Xiaocang Island and work out the details?" Fang Cheng said decisively, preparing to bring Huang Shen along to formulate a plan.
To Fang Cheng’s surprise, Huang Shen just smiled calmly. "Not so fast," he said. "Since there’s a chance to get rich, we can’t forget our fellow disciples. Let me call for Number Three and Number Four."
As he spoke, he sent out two more Golden Sword Communications.
The two waited in the Cave Mansion, and after a few cups of tea, Third Senior Brother Feng Ziang and Fourth Senior Sister Master Wanqing arrived.
Feng Ziang stood as straight as an unsheathed blade, exuding a piercingly sharp aura. Standing beside him, Master Wanqing made them look like a father and daughter.
"Lao Qi is here too? Senior Brother, why did you summon us?" Feng Ziang entered the Cave Mansion and made himself right at home, sitting down casually and asking with a chuckle.
Huang Shen gestured toward Fang Cheng. "Lao Qi’s family, the Ye Family, is in a bit of trouble and needs some help..."
He went on to explain how the Mad Daoist had seized Jiachen Island and killed a Ye Family Elder. He concluded, "If you two come with me to ambush and kill the Mad Daoist, the Ye Family will give you each fifty thousand Spirit Stones."
Fang Cheng’s expression was odd, but he remained silent.
’The Ye Family’s offer was fifty percent of the annual profits from the Spiritual Ore. With an annual output of five hundred thousand Spirit Stones, fifty percent comes to two hundred and fifty thousand.’
’Over ten years, that would be more than two million.’
’And now, Huang Shen was using just one hundred thousand Spirit Stones to get his third junior brother and fourth junior sister to go with him to fight a Late-stage Life Talisman Cultivator...’
But Feng Ziang agreed without a moment’s hesitation. "With you here, Senior Brother, I’ll just be lending a hand. Besides, I haven’t had a decent opponent in years. The chance to trade a few blows with a Late-stage Cultivator is an opportunity in itself."
Master Wanqing’s youthful voice chimed in, "Same as Number Three. My hands have been itching for a fight lately."
Huang Shen glanced at Fang Cheng and chuckled. "We Sword Cultivators use powerful opponents to temper our Sword Techniques and look for a chance to break through to the next Cultivation Realm. That Mad Daoist will make for a fine whetstone."
Feng Ziang and Master Wanqing had been stuck at the bottleneck of the Early Life Talisman Stage for years, so they naturally treasured such an opportunity.
The Spirit Stone reward Huang Shen mentioned was secondary. Given that they both came from powerful families, fifty thousand Spirit Stones wasn’t a huge amount, but it wasn’t insignificant either. As a bonus, it was more than enough.
The four of them immediately began to discuss their plan.
In the end, they decided that Fang Cheng would use the Water Cloud Bead to carry Huang Shen, Feng Ziang, and Master Wanqing, allowing them to secretly leave Yinluo Island and travel to Cangwu Mountain.
「Half a day later.」
From Cangwu Mountain on Xiaocang Island, a Magnificent Jade Ship flew away from the island, heading northwest toward the Abyssal Marsh.
Those secretly monitoring the island saw this and immediately relayed the news to Ye Huang’s Cave Mansion.
At that moment, Ye Huang was in the middle of a chess game with Ye Junxian. When a subordinate came to report, Ye Junxian’s brow furrowed in confusion. "Don’t tell me Fang Cheng was actually right? Is Cai Li going to intervene?"
Ye Huang calmly placed a stone on the board. "Is the Mad Daoist prepared?"
"He’s already moved the Island Defense Array from Fallen Thunder Island there," said Ye Junxian.
Ye Huang gave a derisive laugh. "I asked one of the Inner Sect Elders from Demon Lion Peak not long ago. Cai Li acquired a powerful Yin Soul during her travels and is currently using the Law Enforcement Hall’s Grand Array to refine it. She won’t be free anytime soon."
Ye Junxian’s eyes lit up. "That Fang Cheng! He’s as cunning as they say!"
After speaking, he grew puzzled again. "Then, with Feng Qingyao and Fang Cheng heading to Jiachen Island this time... could they have some other trump card up their sleeve?"
Ye Huang mused, "That woman, Feng Qingyao, is full of schemes. We can’t let our guard down. You should go hide nearby and see what’s really happening."
Ye Junxian placed a stone on the board and said nothing.
Ye Huang glanced at him and continued, "Once I become the Grand Elder, I will use the full power of the Ye Family to help you reach the Late Stage. The position of Peak Master of Holy Spring Peak will be yours, sooner or later."
Ye Junxian smiled faintly and rose to his feet. "I hope that day isn’t too far off."
As soon as he finished speaking, an ancient stone bridge materialized beneath his feet. His body turned ethereal and faded, passing straight through the stone walls of the Cave Mansion as if they weren’t there, and vanished.
...
...
...
Fang Cheng and Madam Ye appeared in the sky above Jiachen Island, riding the Magnificent Jade Ship.
The island was now shrouded in dark clouds, which completely obscured the situation below, making it impossible to see anything clearly.
Flashes of lightning occasionally arced through the heavy, dark clouds, followed by deep rumbles of thunder.
Madam Ye, a tall and shapely woman, stood at the bow of the Jade Boat. Her dignified, beautiful face was frosty as she gazed down below. "That’s the Deep Abyss Yin Thunder Array from Fallen Thunder Island... Someone in the Ye Family really is a traitor."
Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with her, Fang Cheng asked, "Mother, do you have a way to break this array?"
The Deep Abyss Yin Thunder Array was a Second-Order Middle Grade Array that integrated both offense and defense. The power of its Yin Thunder was not to be underestimated.
"I can," Madam Ye replied. "However, after I unleash my full power in a single strike, I’ll be exhausted for a thirty-breath window. We’ll need to be wary of the Mad Daoist’s counterattack."
Fang Cheng nodded and whispered, "That’s the idea. We’ll lure the snake from its hole and then kill him when he least expects it."
Madam Ye gave a faint smile and glanced at him. "When the battle starts, you be careful."
Fang Cheng took out the Water Cloud Bead, holding it in his palm as he nodded.
Inside the tiny bead, Huang Shen, Feng Ziang, and Master Wanqing were watching the scene outside with great interest.
Just then, Madam Ye formed a series of hand seals and abruptly struck.
Outside Jiachen Island, within the vast expanse of the Abyssal Marsh, the water began to churn violently. A moment later, a colossal pillar of water shot toward the sky!
