CHAPTER 282: CHAPTER 282: THE THING DELIVERED TO THE DOOR (5)_1

"Hmph, dare to claim what is mine as yours," Shangguan You’s aged voice rang out once more. She had already felt the powerful Spiritual Energy emanating from the elder. Now is a good time to run, she thought. I can figure out a plan later. No wonder Ouyang Xuan told me not to leave Beijing. Just one day after leaving, so many powerful individuals have already emerged in B City.

"Don’t think that just because there are many of you, you can rob me of my possessions! Hmph, dream on if you want my things," Shangguan You snorted coldly. As she cursed, she deliberately included Ye San Shao in her tirade, not wishing to cause him any trouble.

Ye San Shao’s piercing eyes narrowed, and he watched Shangguan You’s dark silhouette with a cold gaze. Does this girl really want to distance herself from me?

Such a dangerous move by Ye San Shao effectively dispelled the crowd’s suspicions that he was allied with Shangguan You. When the old man had first arrived, he had attacked from a distance. Ye San Shao and Shangguan You had appeared to be trading blows. As the elder’s Spiritual Energy pressed in, Ye San Shao’s throne was destroyed. Now, with Shangguan You’s deliberate misdirection and Ye San Shao’s arrogant nature, no one suspected they were working together.

"Hmph, such arrogance! I would like to see for myself what kind of person could bury my two disciples alive. What gives you the confidence, what abilities do you possess, to claim both the Earth and Fire Spirit Pearls as your own?"

"Why don’t you take a trip underground first? If you come out alive, then we’ll talk," Shangguan You said with a cold laugh. The ground immediately began to loosen once more. Despite their preparations, the swirling earth enveloped them from above and dragged them underground.

"Thinking you can rob me? You don’t even know your own limits! Hmph, overestimating yourselves. Go enjoy digging your holes," Shangguan You’s mocking voice echoed. Immediately, her figure flashed and she darted into her space. I’d like to see what kind of monster this Zhuge Ao really is, she thought.

With three loud THUDS, Ye San Shao and Zhuge Ao burst from the earth amidst flying mud. By the time they reappeared, Shangguan You’s figure had vanished without a trace. This mysterious "old man" who had appeared so suddenly became one of the most enigmatic figures in the Jianghu.

Ye San Shao cast a cold glance at Zhuge Ao, then his figure flashed rapidly and he disappeared from the spot, leaving behind the mud-covered Zhuge Ao and his two disciples.

"Who was that old man in black?" Zhuge Yang stroked his grizzled beard, looking at his two disciples kneeling on the ground. These two incompetent disciples are the greatest regret of my life, he fumed internally. To think I, Zhuge Yang, not only took on two disciples who couldn’t shape up, but am also someone who was expelled from my own clan!

He looked at his eldest disciple, who appeared even older than himself, and couldn’t help shaking his head. Then, seeing his second disciple, pale-faced from having his Fire Spirit Pearl stolen, Zhuge Yang’s expression darkened further.

"We don’t know either. She just appeared suddenly, dragged us underground, and snatched my Fire Spirit Pearl! Master, you must avenge me!" cried the second disciple.

"You’re useless, and you still have the nerve to talk about revenge?" Zhuge Yang bellowed angrily. "You couldn’t even manage a small place like the Inferno Sect, letting that brat Fengfeng usurp your position, and you still dare to speak? If you were actually capable, the Fire Spirit Pearl wouldn’t have been stolen! Hmph, why did I ever take on such worthless disciples like you two?"

"Master, this isn’t the time to scold us!" Shen Po interjected urgently. "The Water Spirit Bead is what’s most important right now! We must hurry and seize it, or that old man will get it if we’re too late!"

Shen Po quickly added, "That’s right, Master! The Water Spirit Bead is crucial!"

"Useless fools, hurry up!" Zhuge Yang snarled, already speeding towards the location they mentioned. Along the way, Zhuge Yang got a general understanding of what had transpired and began to formulate a plan concerning this mysterious figure who had suddenly appeared.

The three of them had just rushed into Lotus Villa when they were met with a scene of chaos: a feeble-looking Shangguan You was being protected by Shangguan Qing. Right before their eyes, the old man in black snatched the Water Spirit Bead and then bizarrely vanished into mid-air, leaving behind echoes of arrogant laughter.

Such a huge commotion hadn’t alerted anyone else. The three pursuers exchanged glances and quickly chased off into the darkness. Watching them disappear, Shangguan You finally breathed a sigh of relief and slumped to the ground. Thank goodness, thank goodness, that Illusion Technique was really effective, she thought.

Only when she could no longer sense any of their auras did Shangguan You wave her hands, dispelling the illusory scene she had deliberately created outside the villa. The entire villa sank into silence. I know Zhuge Yang and his disciples won’t be back, she mused. Their target now is that fictitious dark figure, someone who doesn’t even exist.

Only by making them witness the Water Spirit Bead being snatched by someone else could I ensure my own safety.

Shangguan You let out another sigh of relief. Her figure flickered, and she returned to her room, then immediately entered her space. Bit by bit, she began to absorb the Spiritual Energy. I really didn’t expect an opponent as strong as Zhuge Yang to appear, she reflected. This world is truly teeming with experts.

How many more things are there in this world that I don’t know about? Shangguan You had originally planned to stay here for a few more days, but a single night had drawn countless powerful individuals. She suddenly felt it would be best to maintain a low profile until she cultivated the Medicine King Canon to level 6.

Within her space, suffused with rich purple light, Shangguan You sat cross-legged atop the enormous Purple Lotus, frantically absorbing the ambient Spiritual Energy. An hour later, her closed eyes snapped open, a streak of light flashing through them.

She exhaled a long breath of turbid air and hopped down from the Purple Lotus. After taking a rejuvenating bath within her space and changing into comfortable clothes, she returned to the side of the Purple Lotus. She gazed at the fiery red pearl—the Fire Spirit Pearl—atop it, which was now encircled by a faint purple glow.

Shangguan You cast a deep, indifferent gaze at the pearl, then her figure flashed as she entered the Medicine King Tower. The Fire Spirit Pearl is currently absorbing the Spiritual Energy within the space, she noted. Once it’s fully saturated, this pearl will be mine to command. I’m in no hurry. I will never relinquish something that has already fallen into my hands.

She tossed the Marrow Cleansing Pill recipe into the Medicine King Cauldron once again. The Spiritual Energy within her slowly activated the cauldron. I refuse to believe I’ll fail again this time!

With a loud BANG, the Medicine King Cauldron shuddered, and Shangguan You’s attempt to create the Marrow Cleansing Pill ended in failure once more.