Chapter 2 The Ambush
The next morning, a small hill beside a wide, paved road suddenly revealed three furtive heads.
These were Ji Yuan, Zhao Yuansong, and Zhou Yuyan, who had hurried along for a day and waited through most of the night.
At this moment, after gazing towards the end of the official road, the three turned their attention to Song He, who was diligently setting up a formation on the road.
"Are we... really going to do this?"
Zhao Yuansong suddenly sighed, his eyes appearing somewhat hesitant.
Before Ji Yuan could reply, Zhou Yuyan spoke first, "Cultivation is not just about meditation and qi refinement; it is full of cruelty everywhere. Even if you do nothing, misfortune will still find you."
"Not to mention that these factions had ill intentions from the start. Tens of thousands of commoners are suffering in dire straits. No one would say anything if we ignored it, but to try and profit from such a disaster..."
She let out a cold snort. Although she didn't continue speaking, the coldness in her eyes was enough to convey everything, not to mention the fleeting killing intent that flashed across her face.
As Zhou Yuyan finished speaking, Ji Yuan coughed dryly and subtly shifted his body, which was still lying on the hill, closer to Zhao Yuansong.
"Since the big shots in these prefectural cities think these commoners are merely tools for them to harvest merit and achievement, then let's help them wake up from their sweet dreams."
He laughed heartily, "Anyway, this batch of supplies will ultimately be used by the disaster-stricken people."
It was merely a change of hands in usage, and it made no difference to the commoners; they would still receive ample help.
As for whether the various factions in the prefectural cities would be furious about this, it had nothing to do with them. As long as the deed was done cleanly, no one would know who was responsible for this good deed.
This was also one of the reasons Ji Yuan had specifically gone to Luohun Slope to invite Song He and his wife.
With Song He, a formation master, present, it could greatly limit the opponent's experts and conceal their identities. With a sword cultivator of immense killing power guarding them, this endeavor could be considered safe.
Not to mention the presence of a second-realm cultivator from an immortal sect, and himself, someone who could contend with a second-realm cultivator at a critical moment.
Zhao Yuansong, on the side, had clearly thought things through after listening to their words. However, as a disciple of a renowned orthodox sect, he had never done anything so "sneaky" before, and he couldn't help but feel a little excited.
At this moment, his state of mind was quite similar to a few children gathering together to do something their parents had forbidden.
"Sister-in-law, may I ask you a question?"
Ji Yuan, as if recalling something, turned to look at Zhou Yuyan beside him.
Seeing this, the latter smiled lightly, "Is it about sword cultivators?"
She seemed to have been prepared, showing no surprise in her eyes. Instead, her expression suggested a hint of "You're asking now?"
However, it was understandable. Earlier, when Ji Yuan was fighting, both the white jade flying sword and the vast sword energy that poured out from his purple mansion made it difficult not to associate him with sword cultivation.
With these two aspects alone, he could be considered a sword immortal in the making. If he didn't pursue the path of sword cultivation, Zhou Yuyan would feel it was a waste of such talent.
Ji Yuan nodded beside her. After learning that she was a sword cultivator, he had already developed this idea. However, at that time, he was severely injured, and the situation was also more complicated, so he had temporarily set it aside.
The person they were waiting for had not yet arrived, so there was time to ask a few questions.
"Speaking of sword cultivators, it all boils down to treating oneself as a sword sheath, wholeheartedly nurturing a flying sword."
Zhou Yuyan pondered for a moment before slowly saying, "During this process, unique sword techniques and sword intent are indispensable."
The reason why sword cultivators possess immense killing power is that this wholehearted dedication is crucial; everything they do is for the flying sword they are nurturing.
Compared to the myriad means and spells of other cultivators, although a sword cultivator's sword moves are unpredictable in combat, they ultimately rely on just one sword.
"To take the first step, the most crucial thing is to find a sword technique."
The cultivation methods of ordinary cultivators mainly focus on nurturing the physical body and refining spiritual power, and at higher realms, they emphasize the comprehension of Dao principles.
However, the sword techniques of sword cultivators are somewhat different. Besides recording specialized methods for forging flying swords, everything else is for nurturing the flying sword.
Even when their cultivation reaches an extremely profound level, they need to imprint the sword intent they have comprehended onto the flying sword. Only then can it possess the power to break myriad techniques with a single sword.
Furthermore, the medicinal pills consumed during the process of nurturing a flying sword are also particular; they are not aimed at increasing one's own spiritual power.
As the saying goes, everything is centered around the flying sword, even the medicinal pills and other insights are meant to increase the flying sword's sword qi and its sharpness and toughness.
"This 'Profound Moon Sword Technique', although it can only be cultivated by women, the parts related to forging and nurturing flying swords can still be used for reference."
Zhou Yuyan took out a jade slip and handed it to Ji Yuan.
Seeing this, his eyes lit up immediately, but then he hesitated. He understood the principle of not lightly imparting profound techniques and knew the immense value of a sword cultivation technique if it were to be leaked.
"Don't worry, just take it. Why are you being so polite with us?"
She smiled faintly and placed the sword technique directly into his hand.
Looking at the jade slip in his hand, Ji Yuan felt a surge of warmth. Setting aside the value of the sword technique itself, this act alone was a display of extreme trust.
After all, this was Zhou Yuyan's cultivation method, considered her fundamental practice. If it were to spread, she could be targeted based on it.
Generally speaking, even close friends would rarely tell each other their cultivation methods.
"Then thank you, sister-in-law. I will destroy it after I've memorized it."
Ji Yuan smiled.
However, Zhou Yuyan didn't seem to mind much, stating that he could dispose of it as he pleased. She planned to switch to another sword technique anyway.
This was also a necessary measure, as she was now a ghostly being, and human cultivation methods were no longer suitable. For her future path to the Dao, she had to switch to a ghostly cultivation method.
"Both of you are potential sword cultivators. Don't let your talent go to waste."
Zhou Yuyan seemed to recall something and earnestly admonished them.
In fact, it wasn't just Ji Yuan; Zhao Yuansong, beside him, was also a rare potential sword cultivator. Even without having encountered any sword cultivation methods in the first realm, he had independently comprehended mountain-like sword intent.
Upon hearing this, both of them nodded solemnly. In fact, the latter had already made up his mind to exchange for a sword technique from the library using his accumulated contributions once he returned to the Nine Profound Sect.
"Someone's coming!"
Ji Yuan's expression changed, and he immediately looked up into the distance.
At the end of the distant official road, a team of several dozen people was slowly moving along the road, escorting numerous horse-drawn carriages laden with goods.
These people were dressed in fine clothing, clearly not ordinary merchants, nor even ordinary martial artists. Their movements showed that they had received rigorous training.
Such an unusual convoy was impossible for any faction within a few hundred miles of Qianyu City to assemble. And this place was a mandatory route to the prefectural city. Combined with the current situation, their identity was self-evident.
"It should be the people we're waiting for!"
After a sweeping glance, Ji Yuan confirmed in a low voice.
Zhao Yuansong and Zhou Yuyan on either side also nodded. The official road they had chosen led directly to Qianyu City, and at this time, only the major powers of the prefectural city would appear here.
About half an incense stick's worth of time later, the convoy slowly approached. Although they weren't flying banners, it was evident at a glance that they belonged to different groups. Despite their disciplined movements, they lacked cohesion.
"Two martial artists of the Bone Tempering realm, one cultivator of the Spirit Awakening realm."
Zhao Yuansong said in a low voice after a careful observation.
The entire convoy consisted of three second-realm cultivators, twelve first-realm cultivators, and the rest were martial artists with combat skills. Ordinary factions could not field such a force.
"Something's not right. Given the resources of the prefectural city factions, they shouldn't only have this much manpower."
Zhou Yuyan frowned slightly, finding it inconsistent with the behavior of the prefectural city powers.
While these experts seemed numerous, any single faction in the prefectural city could easily deploy this many. With more than a dozen factions cooperating, they should have allocated more experts.
Even if a dozen second-realm cultivators appeared at once, she wouldn't find it strange.
"Then what do you say, should we still act?"
Zhao Yuansong asked.
Hearing this, Ji Yuan's eyes flickered, and then he nodded heavily, "Act!"
Regardless of the situation, they had no reason to stop. The formation had already been set up, and even if there were traps or ambushes, they could retreat or leave as they pleased.
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Yuansong and Zhou Yuyan immediately rose and leaped down the hill.
As the two appeared and let out a long roar, the convoy on the official road reacted instantly. Everyone dispersed at the fastest speed, shielding the carriages.
Simultaneously, two second-realm martial artists rushed out from the convoy and headed towards the two figures ascending the hill.
As for the one second-realm cultivator, he immediately formed hand seals, chanting incantations, and his spiritual energy surged out, as if preparing some technique.
But at this very moment, light suddenly erupted from beneath everyone's feet, followed by countless complex patterns rapidly spreading. Countless white mists appeared out of thin air, obscuring everyone's vision.
"A formation master!"
A cultivator in the middle stage of the Enlightenment realm shouted, rapidly scanning his surroundings as if trying to locate the person controlling the formation.
The second-realm cultivator who was casting a spell remained indifferent to this, and under the protection of several first-realm martial artists around him, he focused on preparing the technique that was about to be completed.
However, at this very moment, a chilling sensation suddenly surged through his heart, and he felt as if he had plunged into an ice cave.
Without thinking, and enduring a slight backlash, he forcibly dispelled the technique he was preparing. Then, his spiritual energy solidified, and he retreated backward at the fastest possible speed.
*Swish!!!*
Almost simultaneously, a stream of light shot out from the dense white mist. As it passed, cold air permeated the air, and two first-realm martial artists who couldn't dodge in time instantly turned into two ice sculptures.
Seeing this, the second-realm cultivator's gaze sharpened, and he immediately sent a wooden ruler flying from his sleeve.
With several hand seals, the wooden ruler slammed heavily onto the stream of light. However, the expected thunderous sound did not occur. With a flash of blue light, the wooden ruler was sealed by thick ice crystals!
His expression changed drastically. That wooden ruler was his personal magic artifact, which had achieved countless merits in previous battles. Yet, in the blink of an eye, it was sealed by an unseen enemy!
Even the connection between him and this artifact was severed instantly, no matter how he manipulated his hand seals, he could not get any response.
However, he was ultimately a second-realm cultivator. Within a few breaths, he made a decision. He no longer attempted to retrieve the wooden ruler but rapidly retreated towards the people behind him.
Vaguely, a figure appeared in the white mist, slowly walking towards the convoy.
"Directly ahead! A strong bow!"
The person, seeing this, immediately shouted.
However, there was no response. The expected volley of arrows did not appear. Just as he was filled with suspicion, muffled thuds suddenly reached his ears.
The person quickly turned to look, and immediately saw figures in his field of vision sway a few times before falling straight to the ground, even the ten first-realm cultivators met the same fate.
Feeling a great sense of foreboding, he finally sensed something was wrong. In the white mist pervading the heavens and earth, there seemed to be a faint fragrance. The more he inhaled, the more his consciousness became blurred.
And in that moment of distraction, a whistling sound suddenly reached his ears. Before he could even turn his head, a chilling sensation enveloped him, instantly engulfing his entire body.
Half an incense stick's time later, the white mist covering the official road rapidly dissipated. Song He stood beside the second-realm cultivator who had been frozen into an ice sculpture, continuously forming hand seals to retrieve the formation he had previously set up.
As for the twelve first-realm cultivators, except for the two who had turned into ice sculptures from the cold air, the remaining ten, along with the others, had all fallen to the ground.
"Your sleeping incense is truly ruthless!"
On the side of the official road, three figures slowly walked over. Zhao Yuansong, one of them, couldn't help but exclaim.
Ji Yuan was also greatly surprised. While his sleeping incense was effective, using it on such a large scale, and in an open, airy environment, would at most incapacitate ordinary people, even with Song He's formation assisting.
He never expected it to have such a miraculous effect, even incapacitating first-realm cultivators. Within moments, they had all fallen unconscious.
"These two second-realm martial artists are abnormally weak."
Zhou Yuyan waved her hand, tossing the two unconscious martial artists onto the ground.
Hearing this, Song He also chimed in, "This second-realm cultivator is the same. His realm is flimsier than paper. He possesses spiritual energy but cannot exert its due power."
With such cultivation, he could only deal with first-realm cultivators. But when facing cultivators of the same realm, he was truly like paper, almost breaking with a single poke.
With such strength, let alone the major powers of the prefectural city, even ordinary mountain and wild hermits would be countless times stronger than them!