The faction that could occupy an entire street of the underground black market to run a live-creature trade was no ordinary rabble. As that shout fell, cultivators surged in from every direction, closing in on Yu Zhao’s group with murderous momentum. Dao intents bloomed all at once; space shuddered violently, and even the ground above the market trembled in response.

Ling Long showed not a trace of fear. A faint flush rose on her cheeks, her eyes blazing as she snapped: “Stay close to me!” Battle intent spiked; the shadow of her long whip swelled severalfold. Wherever the whip-shadow swept, people and beasts alike were sent flying as screams burst one after another.

Ancestor Sui Bian and the Old Black Daoist flanked the team left and right, forcing back any fish that slipped the net. Meanwhile, Senior Xiu Yu shielded Yu Zhao with one hand and scanned the surroundings with the other, ready to strike at any moment. Thankfully, other captives pitched in and spread the pressure, and the group hacked its way forward until the exit of the underground market finally came into view.

The exit, however, was already blocked by dozens of cultivators, led by the same black-robed and white-robed guards who had stood at the gate earlier. Ling Long barked, her voice cracking like a thunderclap: “Out of the way!” Sound waves rippled; ears rang, blood and qi heaved, and many found a tremor of fear stirring in their hearts. The black-robed cultivator forced himself to steady: “You cause trouble and still think you can run? Not so easy.” He gestured, and the others pressed in.

Ling Long snorted coldly and flicked her long whip like a venomous snake toward his neck. The black-robed man brought his palms together and then thrust them apart to raise a vast shield of spiritual power. There was a deafening boom. The shield shattered into quarters, and the shards shot like arrows at Ling Long. Light flared; her whip split without warning into several phantoms. With one sweeping lash, the phantoms snapped out like a nest of spirit serpents at the onrushing foes. For a time, only the hiss of cleaving air and the wails of cultivators could be heard.

Ancestor Sui Bian yelled, and Ling Long answered in kind: “Old Black Daoist, the door!” The Old Black Daoist’s expression tightened. He poured spiritual power madly into the flying sword Madam. The pitch-black blade took on a bright gilt edge, a harsh chill flashing along its length. His aura surged; his hair whipped wildly; his broad Daoist robe snapped in the wind. He gripped the hilt in both hands and roared: “Cleave!” Gold radiance burst from the blade and left the metal, slamming straight into the market gate as Madam returned to her original form.

There was an earth-shaking crash. The heavy stone gate exploded, shards pelting the air. Ling Long gave the order: “Move!” They sprinted into the passage, and the shouting behind them faded with every step. They did not dare stop. In a single rush they burst up into the bazaar, then slipped into the alley that led down to the black market. Choosing a crowded corner, they halted to catch their ragged breath, ignoring the curious stares.

Only after a long while, when nothing stirred around them, did they dare believe the pursuers from the underground market had not followed. Clearly, those people had their scruples and would not cause a public scene. Even so, no one relaxed. Today’s commotion had been too great; they had very likely earned someone’s hatred.

Ancestor Sui Bian sighed, guilt shadowing his eyes as he said, “We really poked a hornet’s nest this time, and dragged you into it too.” By “you,” he meant Ling Long and Xiu Yu. If Ling Long had not led the charge, he and the Old Black Daoist would never have gotten Red Tail out of the black market in one piece. The two women had not needed to be involved at all.

Ling Long ignored his sentimentality and cut him off: “We leave first, then talk somewhere safe.”

The bazaar rented out small courtyards for rest. They hurriedly took a secluded one. As soon as they entered, Ancestor Sui Bian activated the courtyard’s defensive array, shutting out prying divine sense. Only then did everyone exhale.

Red Tail slipped gently from Yu Zhao’s arms, bowed with solemn gratitude, and said, “My thanks to you all for risking yourselves to save me. I will never forget this debt.” Ancestor Sui Bian waved it off with a flourish: “No thanks between us. If you must thank someone, thank Ling Long and Xiu Yu. If those two weren’t beautiful and kind enough to step in, we would have died with you down there.” Red Tail immediately bowed to Ling Long and Xiu Yu as well.

Ling Long did not dwell on courtesy and asked, cool and direct: “Save the gratitude for later. How did you fall into their hands?” Red Tail’s smile turned bitter, anger flashing in her eyes as she said, “They are repeat offenders. Bookworm and I came to the Myriad Realms Treasure Fair to try our luck. We were ambushed midway. They were clearly prepared, numerous, and had set a trapping array. We were careless and blundered in. I severed one tail and used a secret technique to force a breakout, but their net was too tight, and I failed. Bookworm had a chance to run, but when he saw me captured, he turned back to save me and was taken as well.”

The Old Black Daoist frowned: “And after that? You were not imprisoned together?” Red Tail shook her head: “No. They separated us at once, and I never saw him again. So I do not know if what that elder said is true.”

Ancestor Sui Bian raked his hair in frustration: “So we cannot confirm Bookworm’s whereabouts. How are we supposed to find him?” Senior Xiu Yu’s voice was gentle: “I can try, but I will need an item that belongs to Bookworm as a medium.” Ancestor Sui Bian brightened and patted himself down, only for his expression to dim a beat later. Close as he was to Bookworm, he had nothing of the man on him, and the Old Black Daoist was even less likely.

He turned to Red Tail: “Do you have anything of Bookworm’s?” Red Tail hesitated, then shook her head apologetically. As disappointment spread, Yu Zhao lifted a small hand and pointed at Senior Red Tail: “Bookworm was with Senior Red Tail right until he was taken. Could we try using Senior Red Tail?” Ancestor Sui Bian blinked, then, thinking it through, decided Yu Zhao had a point. He looked at Senior Xiu Yu. Senior Xiu Yu nodded: “We can try.” Ancestor Sui Bian immediately scooped up Red Tail, eager as a child: “How do we try, what do we do?” Red Tail felt a little awkward but did not struggle, watching Xiu Yu with hope.

Xiu Yu drew a bronze mirror from her storage, plucked a small tuft of Red Tail’s fur, set it on the mirror’s face, formed hand seals, and chanted softly. Ripples spread across the bronze, and a blurred image began to surface.