Nothing to say.

No one had anything to say.

From the exquisitely beautiful face before him, Qian Que could clearly see countless words written densely across it – whether read horizontally or vertically, no matter how you looked at it, there was only one possible interpretation:

Shameless!

Compared to her unhesitating behavior of deceiving people, Qian Que felt that his earlier petty desire to trick the Jianzhu Sect was nothing. This person was brazenly planning to deceive the Jianzhu Sect!

A second-generation heir!

Really, a second-generation heir!

Qian Que’s evaluation of Jian Chou rose to another level. To be able to deceive the Jianzhu Sect so openly and fearlessly, she was either personally powerful or had powerful backing.

Without a doubt, the one before him was the latter.

Staring at Jian Chou for a long while, Qian Que wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and touched his chest, sighing: “My goodness, fellow cultivator, what deep hatred do you have with the Jianzhu Sect?”

Originally, Qian Que was just asking casually.

Unexpectedly, after hearing this, Jian Chou replied in a matter-of-fact tone: “Does Fellow Daoist Qian like the Jianzhu Sect? They spoke so arrogantly and rudely – we righteous cultivators should naturally uphold justice!”

The meaning was simple and clear: I’m standing up for you!

Qian Que was so frightened that his legs went weak, and he almost knelt before this person.

Half his face turned green as he cried out: “Fairy, please don’t scare me! This is a matter of life and death!”

There was such a person in the world!

Claiming to stand up for him?

Either her brain had problems, or her heart was too black!

Qian Que still believed the latter about the person before him.

Naturally, Jian Chou was joking, though to be honest, there was indeed some truth to it.

After all, back in the Killing Red Small Realm, Qian Que’s words telling Gu Qingmei, “if you’re not satisfied, hold it in,” had sounded quite pleasant to her ears. From this, Jian Chou knew that aside from being somewhat greedy for money, Qian Que didn’t have any bad intentions.

Such a person, who had once ventured through the Killing Red Small Realm together with her, though they didn’t know each other’s identities, still left her with quite a good impression.

Originally, Jian Chou had no grudge against those two female cultivators from the Jianzhu Sect. But when she heard them mention “Senior Sister Xu,” she almost immediately thought of Xu Lan’er. Seeing their eyes looking skyward with arrogance, and happening to encounter a suitable opportunity, she indeed managed to deceive that cultivator surnamed Shang with just a few words.

Jian Chou silently thought that losing one male cultivator at the late Foundation Establishment stage wouldn’t have too much impact on those two female cultivators’ affairs.

At most…

It would make things somewhat more difficult.

But then again…

The world is full of hardships, and suffering a bit more is always beneficial.

Jian Chou felt she was truly a good person who thought of others.

Seeing Jian Chou’s face full of satisfaction with her actions, everyone couldn’t help but feel a chill.

This young lady had a kind face but a black heart!

Even Pei Qian, who came from a major sect like the Northern Region’s Yang Sect, was seeing such a person for the first time.

This cultivator, who called herself “Wuchou” (No Worries), had initially seemed unremarkable, appearing to be nothing special. However, looking carefully at her style of conduct, she really didn’t seem like someone from an ordinary sect.

Her words were extremely composed and elegantly natural, showing no sign whatsoever that she was deceiving people.

Even when she mentioned the medicine women of Baiyue Valley, her tone was exceptionally calm. When she mentioned Yashan, she also lacked the natural exclamation that ordinary cultivators would have, merely describing things objectively and calmly.

You must know…

Even Pei Qian himself, when in the Northern Region and hearing people mention Yashan, would carry unconscious amazement.

This female cultivator…

What exactly was her background?

Pei Qian’s gaze, examining Jian Chou, became increasingly curious.

Such unconcealed scrutiny naturally caught Jian Chou’s attention.

She turned back to look and happened to see Pei Qian, immediately raising an eyebrow.

Being discovered, Pei Qian showed no embarrassment whatsoever. He smiled casually and said, “Fellow Daoist Wuchou truly helped that person greatly just now. Such righteous and direct action is truly a model for our generation.”

“…”

Everyone was speechless.

Qin Lang and Zhou Qingyun couldn’t help but exchange glances, sharing the same thought: they’d boarded the wrong ship.

But it was too late now.

Qian Que no longer had the energy to worry about such issues. He looked distantly at the horizon in the direction where Shang Liefan had departed, sighing deeply: “Nothing happened, and I saw nothing. Alright, let’s go. Let’s descend Sheshen Rock. I’ve learned about some other situations too – we’ll discuss them when we reach the cave entrance.”

With that, he took the lead and leaped down toward the cliff.

Having finished deceiving someone, Jian Chou didn’t waste words and followed him down the cliff.

The five people left one after another, riding the wind straight down from the high Sheshen Rock.

High in the sky, the bright moon hung suspended.

Its light slanted into the cliff. During the initial descent using magical artifacts, they could still see the shapes of the mountain rocks below. But once they were halfway down, the world plunged into complete darkness.

The glow of their magical artifacts could only illuminate a few feet ahead.

Each time Jian Chou flew past, she felt as if enormous wild beasts were crouching on the cliff face ahead. The deep and shallow shadows appeared particularly menacing under the fleeting glow of the magical artifacts.

The deeper they went, the more Jian Chou felt the howling wind in her ears grow louder.

When their feet finally touched solid ground, wild wind lashed their faces. It was like standing in a storm by the seaside, in boundless wildness.

Looking around, quite a few magical artifact lights were glowing in the surroundings, seemingly all waiting outside the cave.

Diagonally across from them, not far away, they could vaguely see a massive circular cave about ten zhang high. Inside was pitch black without any light, but fierce winds continuously blew out from within. The howling wind sounds that Jian Chou and the others felt all came from here.

This truly deserved to be called Black Wind Cave, an excellent place for body refinement.

Even without entering, just standing outside the cave, Jian Chou could already feel the power of the black wind inside.

The entire cave showed an irregular shape. At first glance, it appeared quite smooth, but upon closer inspection, one could see that the inner walls of the cave were covered with fine scratches – marks formed by the constant wind erosion of Black Wind Cave over the years.

Qian Que said, “Black Wind Cave grows larger each year, though the stone here is truly hard. In previous years, quite a few people brought stones from here back to try refining artifacts, but none succeeded. I heard they completely lacked spiritual essence and would destroy the spiritual nature of other materials. Such a pity…”

That the black wind blew and the cave grew larger each year was natural.

What could resist the erosion of the black wind was naturally all good material.

The Wind-Swallowing Stones that Qian Que needed were also good things that remained under such fierce winds.

Able to swallow the black wind and maintain their existence, they were considered quite mysterious objects among the Nineteen Continents.

Recently, a Nascent Soul stage cultivator had specifically requested this item, offering a high price. Naturally, Qian Que dared not delay.

Jian Chou withdrew her examining gaze from the Black Wind Cave entrance and immediately saw the various cultivators around them.

Qian Que explained: “Don’t think all these people outside are waiting to go in – some are also waiting for people to come out.”

“Waiting for people to come out?”

Jian Chou was puzzled.

Qian Que chuckled mysteriously, glanced meaningfully at Pei Qian, then said: “Waiting for people to come out to rob them.”

In that instant, Jian Chou understood.

Everyone said there were treasures in Black Wind Cave. Even if there weren’t any treasures, there were still some rare and strange materials that were considered valuable goods in the Nineteen Continents.

So there would be some opportunistic scoundrels who would wait like hunters outside, not bothering to make the effort themselves. They would watch for whoever came out, assess their chances, and then follow them to commit robbery.

Qian Que was quite capable.

Yet even so, he had found four people to accompany him, presumably to guard against such situations.

However, that meaningful glance Qian Que had given Pei Qian earlier seemed quite significant.

Jian Chou naturally knew that Pei Qian was the one with the highest cultivation among their group. If Qian Que ultimately obtained some good items and Pei Qian became greedy and decided to make a move, what then?

But after a moment’s thought, Jian Chou realized.

If Qian Que wasn’t confident, he probably wouldn’t dare let this person join him.

Each one was no ordinary lamp.

Jian Chou couldn’t help but sigh.

Little did she know that others thought she was no ordinary lamp either.

Having calculated his plans over and over in his mind, Qian Que felt that “Wuchou” and Pei Qian probably weren’t in league together. At least he still had many trump cards, so he wouldn’t fear them turning on him later.

Thinking this way, Qian Que sat down directly on the spot and pulled out a map from his robes, spreading it before him.

He held a large deep-sea pearl in his hand for illumination.

“Everyone, please look. This is a map of Black Wind Cave that I recently obtained from Zhilin Sou. In a while, we’ll form this formation to go in…”

Zhilin Sou was like a know-it-all figure in the Nineteen Continents, often having various kinds of information in his hands, especially maps.

This person loved to travel the Nineteen Continents. His real name was unknown to anyone, and everyone called him “Zhilin Sou.” He opened a small shop by Wangjiang Tower, with several disciples managing it. Various maps were often placed in the shop for consignment, but he was rarely there.

Maps from his hands, aside from certain untransmitted secrets of major sects, were the most complete available.

Since this map of Qian Que’s was obtained from Zhilin Sou, it must be the most comprehensive map of Black Wind Cave.

Jian Chou quickly walked over and looked down.

Originally, legends said that someone had once penetrated deepest into Black Wind Cave to five hundred chi inside. On this map, it showed up to one thousand three hundred chi!

The mountain peak shaped like an herb-gathering old man with a basket on his back was outlined in faint lines, with the slanted Sheshen Rock extending out below, beneath which was Black Wind Cave.

Black Wind Cave was shaped like a suona horn, extending downward at an angle from the bottom of Medicine Gathering Peak. The cave mouth was wide, becoming narrower the deeper it went. Looking at the dimensions marked on the map, the interior was less than one zhang wide at its narrowest point, barely able to accommodate one person.

The first section of the route was marked “wind extremely fierce.”

At the first hundred chi mark, there was a sharp blade symbol with the note: “Beyond hundred chi, wind like blades peeling skin.”

At five hundred chi, a bright red flame with the note: “Beyond five hundred chi, wind like fire burning flesh.”

At nine hundred chi, an ice crystal snowflake shape with the note: “Beyond nine hundred chi, wind like ice freezing blood.”

At one thousand three hundred chi, a skull shape with the note: “Friend reached this point, hesitated, and could not advance. The wind consumed the entire body’s bones. Helplessly returned. Regretful, regretful.”

Looking at this, Jian Chou immediately felt that the body refinement method of “Human Artifact” was truly not something ordinary people could endure.

Wind blades, wind like burning, wind like ice…

Finally, the black wind could even consume bone and flesh – truly hair-raising.

Black wind carving bone meant forming groove after groove on the bones. If beyond one thousand three hundred chi, the wind consumed the entire body’s bones, it must already be the limit of the fifth level “Black Wind Carving Bone” of the “Human Artifact” body refinement method.

Then…

What lay beyond one thousand three hundred chi?

Would there be even more terrifying existences?

The four characters “regretful, regretful” that Zhilin Sou noted at the end left Jian Chou with endless imagination. At the same time, she became curious: this friend of Zhilin Sou, who could walk to the one thousand three hundred chi mark, was no ordinary person.

Everyone who saw this map felt horrified.

At the same time, they all gained a new understanding of Qian Que’s capabilities.

Among all these people currently outside Black Wind Cave, how many could produce such a detailed map?

Qian Que feared that before the intense activity in Black Wind Cave, he wouldn’t be able to obtain the Wind-Swallowing Stones, so he didn’t waste words and directly began explaining what they should do after going in, including how to form the formation.

With a sound-isolation formation protecting them from outside, they didn’t need to worry about others overhearing.

Everyone already had cultivation experience, with comprehension far exceeding ordinary people. Plus, the formation was simple, so the group understood quickly. They then settled some simple matters: after Qian Que obtained sufficient Wind-Swallowing Stones, the rest could act freely. Even if others had their fortunes, it had nothing to do with Qian Que. Everyone couldn’t attack each other inside the cave. Essentially, the five would travel together, and if they could reach deeper places, everyone should benefit without any grudges.

Such an arrangement was perfectly suited to Jian Chou’s intentions.

She didn’t think their group would have any incidents of killing for treasure.

First, she wasn’t such a person and hadn’t come for treasures. Second, she observed that Pei Qian, who had the highest cultivation among the five, came from a prestigious Northern Region family and probably wouldn’t lower himself to compete with others for gains.

So their group of five was quite safe.

After finishing the briefing, Qian Que removed the sound-isolation formation and walked directly to Black Wind Cave, about to enter.

Unexpectedly, a voice suddenly called from behind: “Fellow Daoist Qian Que, please wait.”

Everyone was startled.

Qian Que turned around.

Hearing this voice, Jian Chou felt it sounded familiar. Already having a prediction in her heart, she turned to look and indeed saw the two female cultivators from Jianzhu Sect from before. The tall, thin one was precisely Zhao Yunbin.

These two Jianzhu Sect disciples seemed to have just come down from above.

But actually, they had come down earlier than Qian Que’s group of five.

So the only explanation was that they had gone back up.

Pei Qian and the others couldn’t help but turn back to look at Jian Chou. What the Jianzhu Sect people wanted to do was already obvious. They just wanted to know whether this fellow traveler “Wuchou” felt guilty or not.

Unexpectedly, when they looked, it was shocking.

Standing behind them, Jian Chou was looking at the two Jianzhu Sect members with a face full of concern, showing no guilt whatsoever!

Qian Que saw Zhao Yunbin from Jianzhu Sect walking toward him. Many people around also noticed this scene and looked over. Someone recognized the Jianzhu Sect and called out.

Zhao Yunbin stopped a few steps in front of Qian Que and looked him up and down. This time, she didn’t show her previous contempt, though she carried a kind of reluctant tolerance for speaking with him.

Qian Que’s heart was beating like a drum, but his face didn’t show it. He said, “Fairy Zhao, have you changed your mind about traveling with us?”

Travel together?

A trace of disdain finally flashed in Zhao Yunbin’s eyes.

She didn’t even glance at the people behind Qian Que, even though there was a Golden Core stage cultivator among them. But they were all trash from small sects or even unaffiliated cultivators – no need to pay attention.

“Fellow Daoist Qian misunderstands. We two aren’t here to join you, but to inquire about the whereabouts of my junior brother Shang. Just now at Sheshen Rock, he didn’t come down with us. We two waited for him below for a long time without news. He didn’t respond to messages either. So we went up to look, but unexpectedly found no one. When we left, you were all nearby. Do you know of his whereabouts?”

Qian Que’s expression finally became strange.

Behind him, except for Jian Chou, the other three couldn’t help but twitch inwardly.

What a trap!

The three of them had been planning to explore Black Wind Cave together nicely, but unexpectedly, Shang Liefan had been tricked away by Jian Chou with just a few words. Whereabouts? What whereabouts could they possibly tell?

Anyway, everyone had a bad impression of the Jianzhu Sect, so they might as well all watch the show.

If they approached it with a mindset of watching a joke, wouldn’t this scene be quite satisfying?

With matters not concerning themselves, everyone’s attitude immediately adjusted.

Jian Chou was the quickest to react. To prevent a prolonged silence that might arouse suspicion, she directly interjected: “Didn’t that Junior Brother Shang tell you? He went back to Feitian Town to investigate that matter about Junior Brother Sun.”

“What? Back to Feitian Town?”

How was that possible?

Zhao Yunbin’s face changed dramatically, her teeth clenched in hatred.

Shang Liefan was obsessed with Junior Brother Sun’s death, but they had to hurry to bring back the East Wind Candle.

The East Wind Candle was a type of crystal that grew in Black Wind Cave, about finger-length, with a flame-red tip. It was said to be found beyond the five hundred chi mark. Originally, to obtain the East Wind Candle, their sect had specifically developed a formation that could reach exactly that distance.

But now, missing Shang Liefan, with only two people left to maintain this formation, it was too strenuous.

In the current situation, could they successfully bring back the East Wind Candle?

Small impatience spoils great plans. Zhao Yunbin didn’t believe Shang Liefan would leave on his own. She suspected this junior brother had encountered something, and because of the previous slight conflict with Qian Que, she immediately suspected him.

Jian Chou couldn’t help but step forward, her face calm and composed as she explained: “The two fairies don’t know – just now at Sheshen Rock, several passing cultivators were discussing how Yashan would send people to investigate these recent cultivator deaths. Junior Brother Shang happened to overhear this. We saw him directly intercept the others to ask about the situation, and he muttered something about ‘Yashan.’ He stood there for a long time, then finally flew off toward Feitian Town. As for whether he went to Feitian Town, that’s just my guess.”

“Yashan?”

Zhao Yunbin frowned deeply upon hearing this.

She watched this female cultivator speak word by word without any confusion, with sound reasoning – it didn’t seem like a lie.

Moreover…

This was indeed the most likely thing to cause Shang Liefan to leave directly.

“Damn it…”

Unbearable. Zhao Yunbin couldn’t help but curse under her breath. Her pretty face showed uncertainty as she was thinking over the whole matter.

And now, without Shang Liefan, with Jian Chou having clearly explained his whereabouts, leaving only two people from Jianzhu Sect – should they go or not?

Oh my, what a difficult choice.

Jian Chou clasped her hands behind her back, unconsciously wiggling her index finger.

The three people behind her – Pei Qian and the others – seeing this, felt their hearts collapse.

This Fellow Daoist “Wuchou” not only showed no guilt but was quite pleased!

Look at this explanation – deceiving people without blushing or skipping a heartbeat, sounding more real than reality itself!

What passing cultivators – that was you!

What hesitating for a long time before leaving – you directly gave him strong medicine with one sentence, and Shang Liefan left!

It was all your doing, yet now you’re acting all righteous and pushing it onto others…

Truly worthy of prostrating in admiration.

Pei Qian even couldn’t help but murmur in a voice only he could hear: “Central Region’s Left Three Thousand is truly a place where talents emerge…”

Qin Lang and Zhou Qingyun also wore expressions of speechlessness.

Only Qian Que in front, standing before Zhao Yunbin, felt like he was dancing on a knife’s edge – thrilling enough, exciting enough!

He had almost thought they were about to fight, but unexpectedly, “Wuchou” had blurted out this explanation, immediately clearing herself of all responsibility. Completely shameless to the extreme!

Look at the faces of these two Jianzhu Sect girls…

Satisfying, so satisfying!

Qian Que lifted his eyelids, shook his golden abacus, looked at Zhao Yunbin, and chuckled slowly: “Two fairies, Fellow Daoist Shang probably really cares too much about that matter. Speaking of which, Feitian Town has indeed been quite unsettled lately. Unexpectedly, the Jianzhu Sect would encounter such things. Now that Fellow Daoist Shang’s whereabouts are clear and have nothing to do with us, we still need to hurry into Black Wind Cave, so we won’t chat with the two fairies. Farewell.”

I’ll call you girls in my heart and fairies with my mouth – come hit me if you dare!

Qian Que shouted this in his heart as he turned around.

Jian Chou glanced at the frowning Zhao Yunbin, then also turned and walked toward Black Wind Cave with Qian Que.

Where the two Jianzhu Sect members couldn’t see, Qian Que quietly gave a thumbs up and sent Jian Chou a look that said, “You’re an expert, I admire you.”

Seeing this, Jian Chou smiled.

The gazes Pei Qian and the others directed at Jian Chou had completely changed.

Poor Jianzhu Sect members…

Deceived so thoroughly for no reason. From their appearance, they seemed to have no impression of this “Wuchou” and completely didn’t know there was such an “enemy” hidden in the shadows.

So the question arose: who exactly was “Wuchou,” and what grudge did she have with the Jianzhu Sect?

Standing up for Qian Que?

Who’d believe that!

Jian Chou walked leisurely in front, feeling the fierce wind blowing against her face, the corners of her mouth curving up.

Outside Black Wind Cave.

The slightly plump female cultivator was also in a dilemma, trembling as she spoke: “Senior Sister Zhao, now with only the two of us left, Junior Brother Sun is gone, Junior Brother Shang has left too – do we still need to go?”

“Of course we’re going!”

Even if they had to crawl, they would crawl into Black Wind Cave!

Zhao Yunbin watched the disappearing figures of that group, her teeth itching with hatred.

She always felt something was wrong somewhere, but couldn’t pinpoint exactly what was wrong. This strange feeling made her indescribably irritated.

After pacing two steps in place, Zhao Yunbin turned back coldly: “Send another message to Junior Brother Shang!”

“Yes.”

The plump female cultivator quickly took out a communication jade slip and messaged Shang Liefan again.

“Junior Brother Shang, Junior Brother Shang, we’re already at the Black Wind Cave entrance. Where are you? Come back quickly!”

Previously, Shang Liefan had never responded to messages, but this time, whether by good luck or because Shang Liefan had reached his destination and finally had time to deal with them, Jianzhu Sect’s side received a reply.

“Two senior sisters, Liefan, have already returned to Feitian Town.”

“What?”

It was true!

Zhao Yunbin snatched the communication jade slip and said sternly: “Who permitted you to return privately? Senior Sister Xu’s matter isn’t finished yet. How dare you act on your own – when you return—”

“Junior Brother Sun is dead – can’t that outweigh one East Wind Candle?!”

From the communication jade slip came a voice mixed with grief and indignation, roaring out.

Zhao Yunbin was stunned.

The next moment, all communication in the jade slip was cut off.

Shang Liefan, on the other end, had destroyed the communication jade slip.

Her fingers trembling, Zhao Yunbin’s face was slightly distorted: “Good, good, very good…”

The plump female cultivator was frightened and trembled, stepping forward to ask: “Se-senior sister, what… what do we do now?”

“What do we do?”

Zhao Yunbin looked at Black Wind Cave ahead, put away the jade slip, and suddenly laughed: “I’ve been clever all my life, yet I was deceived by someone.”

She knew what was wrong – now she finally remembered.

Zhao Yunbin directly said, “We’re going in!”

The plump female cultivator was astonished, completely unable to understand why Zhao Yunbin would act this way, her mouth agape.

Inside Black Wind Cave, everything had darkened.

The entire cave was empty above and below, relying only on that one pearl for illumination.

The five people were preparing to form their formation.

Qian Que suddenly asked: “Do you think those girls will still come in without their junior brother?”

Everyone immediately looked at each other.

Only Jian Chou smiled lightly: “Of course they’ll come in.”

Everyone immediately stared at her.

Qian Que said in panic: “Don’t jinx it!”

This wasn’t jinxing it.

Jian Chou shook her head and explained: “Jianzhu Sect’s way of doing things has a somewhat unscrupulous pursuit of goals. Even with insufficient numbers, they’ll still come in. Another point – when we were at Sheshen Rock, we were already very close to the cliff. If someone passed by, they would either be going down or coming up. But, during that period, no one went up or down. The two Jianzhu Sect members were always below. Anyone with a slightly careful mind would discover flaws in what I said earlier upon reflection. So…”

She blinked, still quite calm.

“They will come in.”

“…”

Nothing to say.

Everyone didn’t know what to say.

Pei Qian couldn’t help but frown thoughtfully. None of them had noticed this detail, but “Wuchou,” who was lying, clearly knew her flaws. She might not understand the enemy well, but she understood herself very well.

Such meticulous observation and careful thinking…

Qian Que felt like banging his head against the ground: “If they come in, won’t they be seeking revenge? What do we do?”

“Fellow Daoist Qian needn’t worry.” Jian Chou raised an eyebrow, her eyes bright, actively forming hand seals. The formation on her side immediately lit up. “They are only two people with mediocre cultivation. Being so concerned about Junior Brother Shang not coming shows that he had an important role. With one person fewer, their strength is reduced by one part. How can they compare with our five? Even if they come in, they’ll be behind us and won’t cause trouble.”

“Hey, that makes sense.”

Qian Que’s eyes also lit up.

Jian Chou wasn’t finished yet.

“Moreover, if we keep walking in front, and Fellow Daoist Qian dislikes them, you could conveniently set up some formation or obstacle ahead to create trouble for them, making them eat dust behind us. When returning, you could also casually shoot a cold arrow…”

“…”

So…

So vicious!

Qian Que almost couldn’t help but applaud!

Pei Qian couldn’t help but look at Jian Chou again. Those eyes in that face were truly beautiful to the extreme, but hearing this speech, he couldn’t help but feel chills down his spine. What kind of overwhelming hatred was this?

As for Qin Lang and Zhou Qingyun, they still had only one thought: they’d boarded a pirate ship, a terrifying pirate ship! It’s over – was it still too late to get off the ship?

Just as this thought emerged, the misty glow around Jian Chou had already brightened to its peak, even concealing her delicate figure within.

“Fellow Daoists, we should hurry and go.”