Chapter 513: Fish Hook

Within the Palace of the Moon, the cultivators hid themselves and reined in their auras for two whole days. When nothing unexpected happened, they finally relaxed, confident that no fourth golden lotus hood was going to make an appearance.

With that immediate danger dispelled, some of the cultivators began to plot once again.

They had been chased around the Palace of the Moon for days on end, then spent sleepless nights in the Past Buddha's illusory realm. During that time, they had been too terrified to think of claiming the treasures of the palace. Now that they were safe, that was naturally their top priority.

Many of the cultivators had begun to take action on their own.

Afar, Xiao Nanfeng continued to stare at Zhang Lingjun in worry. A few days had already passed, but she still showed no signs of awakening. Had something happened?

He could see that a group of cultivators was striking at a barrier in the distance. He didn't join in.

He was certain that, although the Past Buddha had taken down many of the palace's barriers in order to kill the cultivators hiding all over, he wouldn't have opened up the palace's treasury to them. Even if the cultivators did find treasure, they might not be able to claim it for themselves.

Indeed, the cultivators in the distance were quickly growing exasperated.

"Damn it! There's something good in that hall, but it's been sealed by a barrier! Break!" Ao Shuai thundered.

However, the barrier was exceptionally sturdy, and Ao Shuai and his party couldn't do anything against it.

"Master, this barrier is too strong. If we attack a certain spot at full force, we might be able to break through, but we might well damage the main formation that protects the Palace of the Moon. It would be a disaster if we were to allow the purple-furred monsters in," one subordinate reported.

"We would easily be able to unlock the barrier with the Palace of the Moon's access token," Ao Shuai murmured, turning to look toward Xiao Nanfeng and Zhang Lingjun.

Ao Shuai wasn't the only one eyeing Xiao Nanfeng. Many were tempted by the treasures that were almost within reach.

Ao Shuai strode toward Xiao Nanfeng, as did the cultivators all around them.

"Martial Aspect Xiao, do you have the Palace of the Moon's access token?" Ao Shuai asked.

When the other cultivators saw Ao Shuai make a move, they drew back and waited expectantly.

"I do have it, but the princess has yet to awaken. I am safeguarding it on her behalf," Xiao Nanfeng replied, nodding.

"The princess is unconscious. How could she have tasked you with it? I advise you to hand it over," Ao Shuai demanded.

"Martial Aspect Xiao, why don't you share the Palace of the Moon's access token with us? We'll share the treasure with you," another cultivator said.

Xiao Nanfeng smiled. "The princess entrusted me with it before we entered the Palace of the Moon. She designated me to safeguard the token in times of crisis. If you don't trust me, you may ask her about it once she awakens. For now, her being unconscious surely qualifies as an immediate crisis."

"And what proof do you have of this claim?" Ao Shuai demanded.

"Do you intend to snatch the token by force? Step forward, then. Who dares seize Princess Lingjun's belongings in the public eye while she's in the middle of a crisis?"

"I—" Ao Shuai stiffened.

Indeed, who dared steal the princess' possessions in public? If anyone really were to do so, Xiao Nanfeng would report the transgression immediately, and the thief would be summarily executed.

Xiao Nanfeng smiled. "We're all calm and logical people, aren't we? I recommend that you rest well after such a traumatic experience. We can discuss the situation more once the princess awakens."

The cultivators glanced anxiously at Ao Shuai, hoping that he would continue pressing Xiao Nanfeng.

Ao Shuai narrowed his eyes. He was no fool to demand the Palace of the Moon's access token in public—and he had no intention of being a scapegoat for the others.

However, he couldn't simply leave empty-handed, either.

"Martial Aspect Xiao, I remember that your subordinates' arhat armor had been smashed apart the day you fled from the Palace of the Moon. Why is it that they seem to have been repaired since?"

The cultivators looked on curiously.

"What are you trying to get at?" Xiao Nanfeng retorted.

"If I remember correctly, one of the suits of arhat armor had a special insignia. That suit was destroyed, but I saw it restored not too long ago. You must have restored it, Martial Aspect Xiao," Ao Shuai replied, smiling deviously.

Xiao Nanfeng narrowed his eyes at Ao Shuai. Was Ao Shuai trying to harm him?

He scoffed. "There's no reason to beat around the bush. It's no secret. I did restore the arhat armor—and I know how to produce it as well.

"What? You know how to produce it? Arhat armor is a national treasure of the divine empire of Dayin!" All the cultivators eyed Xiao Nanfeng jealously.

Ao Shuai smiled in excitement. He knew that the divine empire of Dayin would certainly pursue the matter if they knew that the production of arhat armor had been leaked. Xiao Nanfeng really would suffer then.

However, Xiao Nanfeng didn't mind. The moment he showed off the arhat armor publicly, he knew that the divine empire of Dayin would find out. Perhaps they already knew of the matter; there was no reason for him to hide it any longer.

"To be frank, I have to thank your father for being able to acquire it," Xiao Nanfeng replied, smiling.

"Hm? Martial Aspect Xiao, do you intend to use my father as a scapegoat for your banditry?" Ao Shuai demanded.

"Have you forgotten? That day I was intending to melt down Yin Tianci's body, Eastern Aspect Ao sent his subordinates to instruct that I make peace. In the end, I let Yin Tianci's main body go on the condition that he hand me his storage bangle."

"You found the recipe for producing arhat armor from Yin Tianci's storage bangle?" Ao Shuai exclaimed.

"I did. If not for the Eastern Aspect's timing, the bangle would have melted down completely. Not only that, the bangle contained materials needed to produce the arhat armor in bulk. I made a few dozen sets to outfit my troops. Why, I do have to thank the Eastern Aspect for this." Xiao Nanfeng smiled.

Ao Shuai was so incensed by this news that his face flushed red. At the time, he had privately laughed at Xiao Nanfeng for having been so easily hoodwinked, that Xiao Nanfeng had gained none of the benefits that his father had. Now, however, he realized that Xiao Nanfeng had won the greatest treasure of all.

"Ao Shuai, thank the Eastern Aspect on my behalf when you return."

Ao Shuai scowled. He turned sharply around. "Hmph!"

He stalked off, followed by his subordinates. He didn't want to see Xiao Nanfeng's conceited expression any longer.

The other cultivators, guessing roughly what was going on, watched Ao Shuai anticipating a good show.

They didn't dare to snatch the Palace of the Moon's access token from Xiao Nanfeng, so they would have to take an alternative approach.

The cultivators all around attempted to strike at the barriers protecting priceless treasures.

"I don't care about anything else. Break down this barrier. I want the treasure within!" Ao Shuai shouted.

"Understood!" a True Immortal cultivator replied.

That True Immortal's punch caused the barrier to shake violently.

"It's almost about to break. General Sha, I'll land you a True Immortal relic. Continue!" Ao Shuai's eyes lit up.

"Understood!" the cultivator replied.

The cultivator gripped the Immortal sword that Ao Shuai passed to him and was about to swing down when a fishhook appeared out of nowhere.

The hook was simple and unadorned. It didn't look like anything special at all, but it moved extremely rapidly and quickly thrust into General Sha's mouth. General Sha was lifted up into the air.

"It hurts! Argh!" General Sha shouted.

Everyone jumped in surprise, thinking that a fourth golden lotus hood had made its appearance.

There seemed to be a fishing line hanging from the hook, barely visible in the air. The other end of the line connected to the void—it seemed to have come from a different space and time.

General Sha struggled furiously, but was unable to break free. He struck at the fishing line with his Immortal sword, only to have it repelled with a metallic clink. The fishing line was entirely undamaged.

"How can this be? Where did this fish hook come from?" Many cultivators were gobsmacked.

With a toss of the fishing line, General Sha's original appearance was revealed. He transformed into a gigantic shark spirit that hung in the air like a pendulum. [1]

"General Sha's a True Immortal. Why can't he do anything? How can this fish hook be that strong?"

"Could it be another cursed effigy? Just how many cursed effigies are there in the Palace of the Moon?"

"A golden lotus hood, and now a fish hook... This palace is frightening!"

Many of the cultivators were spooked.

"Save me, Master! Save me!" General Sha cried out.

General Sha was tugged into the void and vanished from sight.

"What's going on? Where did General Sha go?" Ao Shuai demanded.

"Master, General Sha's avatar is with my avatar. He just told me that his body in the palace has died in spirit and body. He can't sense it any longer," one of Ao Shuai's other subordinates reported.

"What? General Sha died?!" Ao Shuai exclaimed.

Ao Shuai retreated in fear, worried that the fish hook would reappear.

The cultivators all around him gulped.

"What if this fish hook cursed effigy has been hiding in the darkness and watching our every move?" someone murmured.

Everyone retreated in fear, their scalps prickling.

Many rushed toward Xiao Nanfeng.

"Why have all of you returned?" Xiao Nanfeng frowned.

"Martial Aspect Xiao, we think we should accompany you until the princess awakens."

"We promised to guard the princess, and we should uphold our duty."

"Martial Aspect Xiao, don't you have two strong cursed effigies as companions? They'll frighten off the fish hook cursed effigy, won't they?"

The cultivators were suddenly so polite that Xiao Nanfeng's face twitched. It was clear they were trying to seek shelter with him, hoping that his cursed effigies could frighten off that fish hook, whatever it was. They had been demanding the Palace of the Moon's access token moments ago—and now wanted him to shelter them! How shameless could they get?

1. As you might have expected, 鲨 (read 'sha')( means shark. ☜