Chapter 288: The Lure

Yu Kong let out a cold laugh, saying no more. A streak of crimson light suddenly shot out from his palm, streaking straight toward Mu Teng. It was the very same chain he had used to rescue Yan Wu, a top-grade artifact of extraordinary power.

The onlookers had yet to grasp the situation clearly. No one dared to intervene rashly to aid either side, and they could only watch as Yu Kong made his move against Mu Teng.

The chain transformed into a fiery streak as it soared through the air.

However, just as the chain reached mid-air, an unexpected change occurred.

As it passed in front of Crescent Moon Fairy, the chain abruptly altered its trajectory, accelerating at an alarming speed. Like a sentient serpent, it coiled toward Crescent Moon Fairy with incredible precision.

Caught completely off guard, Crescent Moon Fairy realized something was amiss only after the chain shifted direction. She hastily activated her crimson threads to block it, but it was already too late. Before the threads could fully extend, they were effortlessly swatted aside by the chain, which then wrapped tightly around her, leaving her thoroughly restrained.

At the same time, Mu Teng, seeing Yu Kong make his move, abandoned any illusions of escape. With a loud cry, he stomped heavily on the ground. Dozens of thick vines burst forth from the cracks in the stone floor, growing wildly and intertwining to form a massive, impenetrable wall of foliage in front of him.

Using the momentum, Mu Teng propelled himself backward, aiming to retreat into the cave behind him. He hoped the vine wall would buy him enough time to escape through the exit.

Unfortunately, just as his figure shifted, a slender black sword suddenly thrust toward him. The sword appeared out of nowhere, utterly silent and at an insidious angle, aiming straight for Mu Teng's chest.

If Mu Teng had ignored the attack and pressed on, the sword would have undoubtedly pierced his heart.

A sense of foreboding surged within him. His body froze mid-motion as he forcefully twisted into an unnatural angle to evade the strike. It was then that he caught sight of the attacker: Yan Wu!

"You!" Mu Teng roared in fury, suddenly comprehending everything.

Ever since they had entered through the rainbow bridge, Yan Wu had remained silent and inconspicuous, lingering at the rear of the group. The others had been too preoccupied with the mysterious herb garden ahead to notice his subdued behavior.

Now, as Yan Wu launched his attack, everyone suddenly realized the truth—Yan Wu was Yu Kong’s ally! He had been lurking in the background all along, waiting for the perfect opportunity to cut off Mu Teng's retreat.

Mu Teng was not the only one to feel a chill run down his spine; Qin Sang's heart also sank.

If he had known earlier that Yan Wu was working with Yu Kong, he would never have used him to make a statement, no matter how much mockery he had to endure.

But it was too late for regrets.

Qin Sang's eyes flickered with indecision as his thoughts raced, but he ultimately refrained from intervening to help Mu Teng.

"You decrepit fool..." Yan Wu sneered, a cruel smile curling his lips. "Get back in there!"

Snap!

A yellow talisman floated from Yan Wu’s hand. The paper disintegrated mid-air, transforming into a hair-thin bolt of lightning. The bolt, silent yet menacing, shot directly toward Mu Teng’s face.

Although the lightning appeared faint and delicate, its power was anything but. The sheer dread it inspired on Mu Teng’s face was echoed by the other onlookers.

This talisman had clearly been crafted with an exceptionally advanced spell, and the destructive energy concealed within it was terrifyingly potent.

Confronting the bolt head-on, Mu Teng felt its power viscerally. Already drained from evading the silent sword strike, he found himself cornered once more by Yan Wu's relentless pursuit. If he wished to survive, his only choice was to retreat.

But retreating would mean certain death.

Gritting his teeth, Mu Teng contorted his body into a bizarre posture, bending his upper body as though it had been snapped in half. With this precarious maneuver, he narrowly evaded the lightning bolt. Without pausing, his figure transformed into a streak of azure light, hurtling desperately toward the exit.

Unfortunately, Mu Teng was still a step too slow. By now, Yu Kong had already subdued Crescent Moon Fairy. The chain darted toward Mu Teng with even greater speed, wrapping around him before he could escape.

At the same time, Yan Wu pressed forward, his slender sword striking with uncanny precision.

Caught in a pincer attack—and with Yu Kong’s cultivation level surpassing his by an entire stage—Mu Teng barely managed any resistance before the chain pierced through the back of his skull, ending his life instantly.

Yu Kong flicked his wrist, retracting the chain. Mu Teng's lifeless body crashed to the ground with a dull thud, landing beside the restrained Crescent Moon Fairy.

"Senior Yu, I swear I have never met that decrepit old man before. Why did you ambush me? Are you planning to wipe us all out?" Crescent Moon Fairy cried out in panic, her voice trembling with fear and indignation.

As she spoke, she darted her gaze toward Qin Sang and the others, her eyes urging them to act quickly before Yu Kong could eliminate them one by one.

Yu Kong sneered. "You certainly have a way of playing the seductress. I never thought Luo Xingnan, that old fox, would send his mistress to act as an undercover agent. Unfortunately for you, I have no interest in your charms. Today marks the end of your life."

His cold gaze swept across the two captives, and his tone was so detached that it sent chills through the air.

Crescent Moon Fairy froze in stunned silence. After a tense moment, she gave up resisting and slumped in defeat. "So, you’ve known all along?"

Yu Kong responded with another cold smile, saying nothing as he turned toward Qin Sang, Shangguan Lifeng, and Wu Chen. "There’s no need for you three to worry. As you saw outside the cave dwelling, I have a longstanding grudge with those two old schemers. These two spies were planted by them to watch me. I let them in deliberately, intending to settle this old score. It has nothing to do with you. When the time comes to claim the treasure, I will honor my promise."

Yan Wu, with his sword casually resting in his hand, positioned himself behind Yu Kong. With his imposing frame, he resembled a loyal bodyguard.

Shangguan Lifeng, holding his long blade, appeared expressionless, giving away no hint of his thoughts.

Wu Chen, still recovering from his initial shock, felt a slight sense of relief at Yu Kong’s explanation.

Meanwhile, Qin Sang kept his head slightly lowered, keenly aware of Yan Wu’s mocking gaze, which occasionally landed on him like a predator toying with its prey.

𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

After pacifying the three of them, Yu Kong crouched down and looked at the captives.

"You’ve already sent the message out, haven’t you?"

A strange smile played on Yu Kong’s lips. Ignoring Crescent Moon Fairy’s horrified and conflicted expression, he released a surge of spiritual power from his palm, killing her with a single strike. He then sealed the scent of blood emanating from the corpse and began drawing strange symbols on it.

When the spiritual power finally formed a peculiar sigil, it flickered for a moment before fading into the body. Yan Wu then pulled out several talismans, affixing them to both corpses.

Qin Sang watched their actions silently, piecing together the truth from Yu Kong’s words.

Yu Kong had deliberately allowed the two spies to enter and observe the process of unlocking the hidden passage. He even permitted them to send the information out, clearly intending to lure Luo Xingnan and Sheng Yuanzi into his trap.

But what gave him such confidence that he could take on two opponents as powerful as himself?

Qin Sang’s eyes drifted toward the cave’s entrance. The key to Yu Kong’s plan must lie somewhere ahead.

"Follow me," Yu Kong commanded.

After finishing his preparations, Yu Kong meticulously erased all traces of the battle within the cave. Given that both Mu Teng and Crescent Moon Fairy had barely put up any resistance, there was little evidence left behind apart from a few withered vines.

Finally, Yu Kong formed a massive spiritual hand, gripping the two corpses, and began walking toward the cave’s exit.

Yan Wu, still holding his sword, followed closely, his presence exuding menace. The three others exchanged glances before hurriedly following behind, not daring to linger.