Chapter 27: Ambush

“Only three days.”

Zhang Yujun trusted Chen Zhao’s words without doubt. The man bore many mysteries—he was no ordinary lower sect ascender.

But she had no intent to probe. Everyone had their own fate; no matter how great Chen Zhao’s opportunity, it couldn’t surpass an Upper Realm Immortal Sect Hall Master’s.

Zhang Yujun pondered, then asked:

“Senior Brother, has your technique succeeded?”

Chen Zhao helpless:

“Not yet.”

Even with Tianhe Profound Sand aid, shifting beyond sky, comprehending meteor mysteries—at the brink, still short of Earth True Light realm.

Zhang Yujun no hesitate, held Tianhe Profound Sand:

“This treasure—to Senior Brother.”

Chen Zhao’s cultivation insufficient for Earth True Light—but with sand to bridge, final gap no issue.

Chen Zhao stunned, shocked:

“This your spirit treasure, priceless—cannot accept.”

Zhang Yujun faint smile, cold beauty softened:

“Senior Brother no need polite. Know your character—no covet. Besides, if cannot pass this trial, what use treasures?”

Chen Zhao silent, gazed her wordless.

One spirit treasure outside—enough kin turn foes, endless strife.

Yet now lightly handed—though borrow, such thought rare.

Snake demon surprised: “Fool boy, hesitate what? Treasure before—even use—huge future cultivation benefit. Your Five Elements body lacks resources—grasp every chance.”

Chen Zhao eyes flickered, solemn bow to Zhang Yujun:

“Junior Sister grace—I repay later.”

Zhang Yujun silent, wrist flick—Tianhe Profound Sand void-bound, breaths later in Chen Zhao hand.

Touch—his Earth True Light blazed, dyed seated meteor new hue.

“Useful to Senior Brother—good.”

Seeing, Zhang Yujun eased, chatted more, cut link.

She mused—not just aid Chen Zhao, herself too.

Refined Tianhe Profound Sand years—bottleneck hard break.

But days contact Chen Zhao—bottleneck loosened.

Lend him—perhaps add new.

Win-win.

Hardest: trust.

Observed Chen Zhao days—knew no petty keep.

If mishap—her misjudge. But covet—hard survive sect.

Done, Zhang Yujun looked Hengduan again.

Now figure flashed—solo pinned six Corpse Kings.

Strained, but posture hold long.

Expected.

Corpse Kings sounded scary—newborn, barely city lord level, far below Foundation.

Vs Xi En source user—no advantage.

Without female Corpse King support—early defeat.

But she knew—days pass, differ.

Tide—Corpse Kings grow moment; eventually overpower.

Xi En knew—held back, delay only.

Then, Zhang Yujun finger point—void ripple.

Wei Qing City—instant hundreds more source users.

To her—trivial.

These days, tide essence clear.

Root: Tianhong Agent—evolve body, but overdose lose mind, walking corpses—current horde.

Besides, agent evolution cycle—tidal rise fall.

Fall—no effect; rise—burst accumulated.

Mind-born Kings deep accumulation.

To her—mana adjust cycle, no harm host, early trigger evolution.

“If stable for mortals—even no cultivation aptitude gain self-protection.”

Thought, but far—discarded.

Thought more, entered meditation.

Now Foundation First Realm.

Realm: mana accumulation.

Ask Immortal fundamental immortal art huge advantage here; plus Lunar body, Taiqing Jade Talisman aid—mana quality, quantity far peers.

Release now—vast sweep raze all.

But to Second Realm—master mana, perfect control—hard for her.

But no stop accumulation.

Knew: higher Upper Realm—deep foundation essential.

Path hard—but success vast reward.

Blink—three days.

Horde still besieged.

Careful look—figures shuttled wanderers, each strike accurate potential Kings.

Pre-mind birth—weaker elite wanderers.

Few done, withdraw pillars.

Then, ragged high-crown wanderer blocked return—expression human mockery.

“Bad—new Corpse King!”

Leader pale—three days they hunted, horde countered, hid one breakthrough—net them.

Corpse King mouth slight suck.

One stiffened, despair glance companions—body shatter, mist to mouth.

“Split escape!”

Instant decide—original plan return, likely none survive.

Corpse King half-rotten face dangling flesh, no hurry, chased one—breaths silent, others cracked eyes, helpless.

Dim eyes turn, mouth open again.

Suddenly—blinding lightning fell, Corpse King thunderstruck, flew back.

Spot: upright figure—support Mo Qing.

“You go first.” Mo Qing finger point, vast lightning flat ahead—thousands wanderers instant charcoal, path to array cleared.

“City lord careful.”

Crowd nod him, turned flee.

Then, struck-back Corpse King weird smile.

Shadow flash—instant, fleeing few soft collapse, rot from head.

Purple-robed near-human Corpse King stepped aside, looked Mo Qing, slow:

“City lord, waited long.”