Young Noble Be Monster Slaying

Chapter 242: Hush Money

When she heard Chu Liang say that he wouldn't need to use the Dragon Orb to kill her, her first reaction was anger.

Even though she would usually seduce people with her beauty, she was still a powerful cultivator at the sixth realm. There was no doubt that she would have her own pride.

And when she heard that an insignificant being with lower cultivation level wouldn't need the Dragon Orb to kill her, she thought it was absurd.

If it wasn't because of the Blue Dragon's Hidden Realm, do you think you would even be qualified enough to boast in front of me? Enchantress Liu thought.

"Heh." Enchantress Liu sneered and said, "Give it a try then."

She had injured herself when she used the blood shield, but after a brief regulation of her breathing, she somewhat recovered.

At this moment, she activated all of her cultivation energy, and a radiant glow emanated from her body.

However, Enchantress Liu still retained some rationality. Through their first two interactions, she realized that the young man in front was extremely cunning, which was why she had not just launched a direct attack.

She was worried that it might be some trap awaiting her.

He claimed he didn't need the Dragon Orb, but would he truly stick to his words? What if this was just another ploy to lure her into a trap?

However, Chu Liang didn't move at all.

When someone makes you feel like they might have a trap, but they actually didn't have any trap at all, that in itself could be a trap.

Enchantress Liu found herself trapped between reality and deception. Chu Liang's boastful words deterred her from launching a direct attack, prompting her to await Chu Liang's next move.

As she directed her qi towards Chu Liang, another curse descended upon her.

Luo Yao was stealthily approaching from the peak of the hill.

While she was still afar, she pointed at Enchantress Liu.

She used the Immortal Art: Five Labors and Seven Injuries!

Bam!

There was no way to avoid this curse. Enchantress Liu immediately felt the effect of this immortal art. If this curse was to befall upon Luo Yao and the others at the same realm as her, it would be powerful enough to make them lose all their combat strength.

Yet, when the curse descended upon Enchantress Liu, it merely made her injuries more severe.

"Ugh..." Enchantress Liu grumbled and detected Luo Yao's presence with her divine sense.

She almost forgot that this dude had helpers.

But a lackey's helper is also a lackey. What significant difference would that make?

Enchantress Liu was intimidated by the Dragon Orb in Chu Liang's hand.

However, if it were Luo Yao, a cultivator at the fourth realm, there would be nothing to fear.

Immediately, she transformed into a radiant stream of blood, hurtling towards Luo Yao, who was halfway up the mountain! If she could capture Luo Yao, she could use her as leverage to force the young man into opening the hidden realm and allowing her to escape. That was her plan.

However, as she approached the area, she suddenly felt her cultivation energy being suppressed once again.

It was the Forbidden Ground!

This was one of Luo Yao's shamanic techniques.

Chu Liang had experienced this before and could only dodge with his physical strength back then. But when Enchantress Liu encountered this, she felt her cultivation energy being suppressed, but it did not entirely prevent her from using any techniques.

This was the advantage brought by the opponent's significantly higher cultivation level. In situations where there was a fundamental disparity in strength, the weaker cultivator's divine skills and techniques would greatly diminish in effect on their target.

But no matter how much the effect has been weakened, it would still exist.

At this moment, a huge fist slammed down from the sky! It wasn't affected by the Forbidden Ground. The punch landed on Enchantress Liu!

As Enchantress Liu effortlessly deflected the fist with a raise of her hand, an onslaught of negative emotions and thoughts bombarded her mind. Waves of sadness, bitterness, grief, and resentment crashed against her consciousness.

This strike was obviously done by Monk Pushan, who had been waiting at the side for a very long time. Using the Transcendent Dharma Mirror, he entered the Forbidden Ground. This was a coordinated effort between him and Luo Yao, each employing their respective techniques. Upon entering the Forbidden Ground, he unleashed a Forbidden Hand Technique of the Buddhist sect, a skill he had mastered for this mission.

It was the Maelstrom Misery Fist!

In the Buddhist Cloud Monastery, these rather dark divine techniques were referred to as Forbidden Hand Techniques, not because they were weak, but because they were excessively powerful. Such techniques would unleash immense power and result in extensive injuries and fatalities, which contradicted Buddhist principles.

As Enchantress Liu felt the punch, she experienced a surge of anxiety and frustration that was difficult to suppress in the moment. Her mental state was profoundly affected.

Although not severely injured, she sensed a gradual weakening overtaking her.

Her gaze turned cold as she stared at the two in front of her. Suddenly, she raised both her hands.

She intended to use the renowned Blood-Controlling Technique of the Scarlet-Robe Hall.

She was confident that she could drain all their blood and transform them into dry corpses in the blink of an eye!

Puff!

With a deafening roar, bursts of blood-red blossoms erupted across the sky.

Yet Luo Yao and Monk Pushan weren't the ones that had exploded. It was Enchantress Liu.

Unlike the intricate divine skills previously witnessed, this technique incorporated layers of thunder talismans. As the attack emanated the sword qi of a golden dragon, it whistled through the air and instantly blasted Enchantress Liu to death.

It was simple and straightforward!

This was the disparity in power. Once the foundational qi reached a certain level, even the easiest method could achieve the desired effect.

It was an explosive kill!

The sword qi of the Crimson Executioner spread far and wide, nearly scraping the entire hill! Chu Liang understood why it was displaying such excitement. Since he joined the White-Bone Hall, the Crimson Executioner had been suppressing this urge, and now it finally had the chance to unleash it!

It was as though a volcano erupted!

The series of earlier attacks were just a part of the plan devised by the trio. While Luo Yao and Monk Pushan launched sudden attacks to distract Enchantress Liu, Chu Liang prepared to unleash the most powerful killing technique, aiming to strike down Enchantress Liu in a single blow!

For a figure like Enchantress Liu, if Chu Liang had directly used the Crimson Executioner, it naturally would not have achieved such a successful outcome.

While she was engaged in attacking someone else, she would still be in defensive mode. However, even if she had extended her divine sense outward at that very moment, she wouldn't have been able to react. The brief second of delay was just what was needed to defeat such a powerful expert using the Crimson Executioner.

When Luo Yao and Monk Pushan landed on the ground, they felt their qi and blood shifting and they were severely injured. Blood trickled from their eyes, mouth, ears, nose, and all meridians of their body, instantly transforming them into two terrifying figures soaked in blood.

Enchantress Liu had already activated her divine skill. Although the effect lasted for a brief moment, the effect already felt overwhelming. If Chu Liang had unleashed the strike a second slower, they would have died!

This showcased the terror of an Eminent One at the sixth realm of cultivation.

While your divine technique or immortal art might only have minimal effects on her, her divine skills would wreak havoc if you were to face them.

"Hurry, infuse this into your bloodstream. It will speed up your recovery," Chu Liang said urgently as he handed them two Dragon-Blood Crystals.

The two complied, immediately sitting cross-legged and regulating their breathing on the spot.

While this happened, Chu Liang extended his divine sense around and started searching. Eventually, he found a blood jade bracelet on the field.

This was a valuable item left behind by Enchantress Liu, most likely a high-grade enchanted tool capable of storing items. Inside, one could expect to find all of Enchantress Liu's life possessions.

After some time, Luo Yao and Monk Pushan completed regulating their breathing. Though full recovery was impossible, they managed to stabilize their injuries. With no more enemies around, they could naturally take their time to recuperate.

As they opened their eyes, they found Chu Liang approaching them, pushing two enchanted tools their way.

In addition to the blood jade bracelet they had just picked up, there was also an old-fashioned black pendant, made of a material that appeared neither like wood nor jade, which belonged to Master Mu.

Chu Liang handed the pendant to Monk Pushan and the blood jade bracelet to Luo Yao, stating, "These items were left behind by members of the diabolical sects. Since I've benefited greatly from this journey, it's only fair to divide these among you."

He wasn't trying to be generous. Since their time at the Southern Bastion Mountain in the Southern Regions, Chu Liang had consistently claimed the lion's share of the loot from their undercover missions. Although he had put in the most effort, Luo Yao and Pushan's participation in this mission was absolutely necessary. Without Luo Yao and Pushan's combined effort in battling Enchantress Liu, he wouldn't have had the opportunity to deliver the decisive blow.

Chu Liang understood the principle well: hoarding wealth alone rarely leads to prosperity.

During this journey, he had already obtained the Blue Dragon's Orb, granting him control over the entire hidden realm—a substantial reward. If he were to monopolize these additional gains, no one would be interested in an adventure with him again. If he continued chasing after these small gains, he might not find anyone willing to go on adventures with him.

He also put some thought into distributing the spoils.

Luo Yao belonged to the Valley of the Three Absolutes, a sect neither strictly righteous nor wholly evil. There was a higher chance that she would find items from the diabolical sects useful, which was why Chu Liang gave her Enchantress Liu's bracelet.

Monk Pushan, being from the Buddhist Cloud Monastery, wouldn't find items from the diabolical sects particularly useful. Considering Master Mu's expertise in formations, there was a higher chance that his items would be useful to Pushan.

"I feel bad." Monk Pushan scratched his bald head as he spoke. "You were the one who killed all the enemies."

"It's not for free," Chu Liang said with a smile. "I hope you two can do me a favor."

"What?"

Chu Liang's tone turned serious as he said, "I hope that you two can keep my ownership of the Dragon Orb a secret."