Chapter Seventy-Nine: Ambush

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"That's right. Although they haven't made any overt moves, all signs indicate that the Chen family is planning to take action. For some reason, however, they suddenly stopped. The chaos in the market last time also revealed certain truths to them, such as the true situation of the Bai family, whether the Bai family's patriarch was truly injured, or if his lifespan was running out... So now, they're making new moves."

Qian Xiaoyue spoke calmly. Most of what she said was hearsay, but given her position as a steward at Water Cloud Pavilion, her words carried considerable weight.

"But I don't think the Bai family will let the Chen family do as they please," Zhou Changwang said, frowning.

"Perhaps not. But during this period, the Bai family hasn't done much either. It's said they've recalled many of their younger members from the market back to their clan estate, as if they're preparing for something. I heard from the steward at Water Cloud Pavilion that everything will be decided in half a year. In half a year, the Bai and Chen families will truly settle their scores. However, the steward was only chatting with my sister at the time; I couldn't get a word in and didn't dare interrupt. She didn't explain why it would be half a year, so I have no idea..."

Qian Xiaoyue sighed and shook her head.

"In any case, we need to be cautious during this period. The market—whether the outer areas or the inner city—won't be very safe," Zhou Changwang said, echoing her concern. He thought for a moment, then took out a stack of talismans from his storage pouch. "Take these talismans. In a pinch, they'll be useful."

He handed over about ten talismans, all premium quality, crafted by himself. Though he'd sold a large batch earlier, his cautious nature meant he always kept some for himself, never selling everything. The ones he kept were of the highest quality—among the best of the best. He wasn't stingy in giving some to Qian Xiaoyue, especially as she'd once truly saved his life.

"These... Are these your talismans?" Qian Xiaoyue had been casual at first, but her expression quickly turned to shock. She hadn't expected Zhou Changwang to hand her nothing but premium talismans—protective, agility, lightning, warding, water, fireball—each one exquisite. She sensed that these talismans could unleash forty to fifty percent of the power of standard spells. In critical moments, such talismans could save lives.

Though she already knew Zhou Changwang was learning talisman-making—she'd even advised him a few times, but he'd insisted and she'd let it go—she never imagined he'd not only master the craft but also produce so many premium talismans.

"That's right. Apparently, I have some talent for talisman-making. Of course, crafting premium talismans is mostly luck. After all this time, I've only succeeded with about ten," Zhou Changwang replied with a faint smile.

"This is more than just talent! Premium talismans are precious—their prices have risen a lot lately. I can't take advantage of you. Here are thirty low-grade spirit stones; take them as payment," Qian Xiaoyue said, unable to help but marvel. She quickly took out thirty low-grade spirit stones she'd previously received.

"These talismans aren't worth that much. I'll take just ten spirit stones—consider it a bargain for you," Zhou Changwang said, knowing Qian Xiaoyue's character and that she wouldn't accept a gift. If he didn't take the stones, she'd be upset. So, he accepted ten.

Afterward, the two chatted a bit more, reminiscing and talking about daily life, before bidding each other farewell.

Not long after he stepped outside, Zhou Changwang spotted a shop selling spiritual rice. The ten low-grade spirit stones he'd just received were quickly exchanged for one hundred pounds of spiritual rice. Then, he made his way to the southern district, toward his own little courtyard.

...

"Is he here yet?"

"We've been waiting long enough."

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"We should've sent someone to follow him..."

...

The end of South Street.

Four people huddled in a corner. Among them, one was tall and robust, another lanky, a third with a youthful face, and the last with a sallow complexion. Three of the group were familiar faces—Wei, Liu Erhu, and Xu Jiang, whom Zhou Changwang had encountered before. The fourth was a sallow-faced cultivator in his thirties, at the third stage of Qi Refining.

"He's here!" At that moment, Liu Erhu gave a low shout.

The group instantly became alert. Wei lowered his voice, saying, "Daoist Li, we're counting on you for the formation. Don't make any mistakes, or if you alert the neighborhood, none of us will get off easy."

"Don't worry. The Mist Array and Soundproof Array are ready. As soon as he's within range, I'll activate them—no sound will escape," the sallow-faced Li replied confidently.

Wei nodded and looked ahead. A young cultivator was strolling toward the end of the street—Zhou Changwang.

The group held their breath, their gazes avoiding the target. Cultivators have keen senses, especially sensitive to others' attention, so caution was necessary.

One step, two, three...

Soon, Zhou Changwang entered the range of the array.

"Now!"

A low command was given.

Without hesitation, Li formed seals and activated the formation.

Whoosh...

Thick white mist surged up, enveloping the end of the street. At the same time, a transparent barrier rose, isolating the inside from the outside—no sound could escape.

It was the Mist Array and Soundproof Array.

Zhou Changwang was completely unaware of the ambush. Though he'd learned from Qian Xiaoyue about the power struggles among the market's elite, and knew the market was turbulent, he never imagined trouble would find him personally. That someone would target him.

How could someone as low-key as him attract such desperate, unscrupulous people?

Yet, here they were!

Almost the instant the formation activated, Zhou Changwang reacted. Instinctively, a transparent shield appeared around him—a protective spell.

Next, an agility spell.

He flipped his hand, producing a flying sword artifact, ready to use sword control. At the same time, his spiritual energy surged, activating the soft armor he'd purchased from Chen Yushu—a thin, transparent barrier enveloped him.

In his other hand, he held a small stack of talismans, ready to deploy.

Everything happened too fast.

It was as if Zhou Changwang had rehearsed countless times, swiftly and expertly deploying his defenses.

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Only then did he look ahead. Though the mist was thick and visibility low, he could make out several yards. He glimpsed a tall, muscular cultivator striding forward. As the figure approached, a low shout erupted.

"Die!"

A sharp, cone-shaped artifact shot toward him like a streak of light. Behind the tall figure, two others rushed forward, activating talismans—two ice arrows formed instantly and shot out.

Cultivator battles are always swift and deadly, with no time for words. Especially here, at the end of South Street—rarely frequented, but to avoid complications, they chose to strike quickly.

"It's you?" Zhou Changwang was stunned, immediately recognizing them as members of the Rakshasa Gang—the same ones who had demanded protection money ten days ago.

He was both shocked and angry. So, after collecting protection money, they still wanted his life?

Fury surged. A golden light flashed like a shooting star.

One after another.

He knew the burly cultivator was a leader of the Rakshasa Gang, a rare body cultivator—comparable to the fourth or fifth stage of Qi Refining. Not only could he wield artifacts, but once in close quarters, his physical prowess would be formidable.

So, Zhou Changwang, with a thought, unleashed three or four Metal Finger spells, already condensed as spell seeds, sending them out like bolts of lightning. At the same time, he retreated, trying to avoid their attacks.

But artifacts are swift. He had barely moved when the cone artifact was already upon him, striking hard.

Boom!

The defensive light shield around him flared brightly.

The cone failed to penetrate.

The two ice arrows followed, striking the shield and dimming it slightly, but the shield held strong, blocking the attacks.

"Advanced-level protective spell—the defense didn't disappoint me," Zhou Changwang breathed a sigh of relief. Though protective spells are basic, once mastered, they become extraordinary. He'd tested it himself—his flying sword, attacking at full force, took five or six strikes to break it. Now, in real combat for the first time, he wasn't sure what to expect.

Fortunately, the spell held firm, and he wasn't harmed.

On the other side, Wei was unimpressed by Zhou Changwang's Metal Finger counterattack. What truly surprised him was Zhou's casting speed—almost too fast, four golden streaks shot toward him in the blink of an eye.

But he wasn't worried.

Body cultivators, though their spiritual energy isn't as abundant as magic cultivators, can still use artifacts and talismans for survival. But their physical bodies are their greatest weapon.

(End of chapter)

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