"It's been five days, and Althea hasn't come to Black Forest Mountain yet. Has she discovered that there is something wrong with the news we sent out? What do you commanders think?" Morwen asked, her voice sharp with impatience.

"It's possible, just wait three more days," one of the commanders responded cautiously.

"After three days, if Althea still doesn't step foot here, we will infiltrate the city, set up a formidable formation, and eliminate her by force!" the third commander suggested, his expression darkening with deadly resolve.

Morwen's eyes burned with relentless killing intent. "Very well, then kill Althea in three days. Let her regret ever hearing of Black Forest Mountain!"

.....

Three days later, under the cloak of night, Althea gently opened her eyes and emerged from her state of deep cultivation.

Her brow furrowed slightly, her expression growing serious and regal.

A prickling sensation told her she was being watched from beyond the inn's walls, unseen eyes lurking in the dark.

"There really is something off about the news regarding the ancient ruins," she sneered to herself, suspicion tightening her heart.

Though she did not know who the watcher was, one thing was clear—Sword Peak Elder Daniel, the source of the ruin rumors, was hiding something.

She muttered quietly, "Are you from the Dao Sect? Or is this some elaborate scheme concocted by other forces?"

Cautiously, she reached for her sound-transmitting jade slip and sent a swift message to Mr. Marlon, who waited nearby.

Over the past days, she had kept communicating discreetly through jade slips, preserving Marlon's presence as a hidden trump card—if attacked, Marlon could strike the enemy by surprise.

"Mr. Marlon, the mouse has shown itself. The news about the ruins in Black Forest Mountain is proven false," she whispered through the slip.

"I noticed as well. It seems their patience is running thin," Marlon replied, tense.

A sudden knock at the door interrupted them.

Althea opened it, letting Mr. Marlon inside.

"This is not the Azure Origin Dao Sect. We are exposed in the light, and the enemy lurks in the dark. We lack any intel on their strength, so a head-on fight here is bad," Marlon warned in a low voice.

"Even if we desired battle, this isn't the place."

"The enemy tricked you into coming here, to Black Forest Mountain, precisely because they prepared this ground extensively."

Althea nodded gravely. "So what do you suggest, Mr. Marlon?"

Marlon's eyes flickered with cunning light. "Among the thirty-six strategies I have: the best is still to walk away."

"Then tonight, we leave and return to the Azure Origin Dao Sect without delay," Althea decided firmly.

She was not one to act rashly—the other side had clearly laid a trap, and Black Forest Mountain was enemy territory where fighting meant certain loss.

First, she must survive and live to fight another day.

"Now is the moment. If you wish to leave, leave without hesitation," Marlon urged.

Without another word, Althea placed several spiritual stones on the table and then leapt through the window alongside Marlon.

Two streaks of light tore through the night sky.

.....

Morwen, the Black Demon Sect's Saint, stood amidst the shadows and gazed up at the heavens.

She caught sight of the twin lights disappearing beyond the horizon.

"Lord Saint, Althea has fled!" her scout reported breathlessly.

"Gone," came the confirmation from another watcher.

Morwen clenched her fists. "The plan has shifted. Four commanders, halt the trap formation. Pursue them at once!"

"Fled? How did the Secret Demon Guards let Althea slip away?"

"Sevan, you're responsible for this failure, are you not?" another commander snapped at the third commander.

"My subordinates or not, Althea is no fool. If she sees through the ruse, that's not on me," Sevan retorted coldly.

"Enough complaints! Delay only aids her escape," Morwen shouted.

The four commanders—the elite leaders of the Dark Devil Secret Guards—barked in unison, "Understood!"

Springs of crimson light burst from their forms as they launched into the dark night.

Morwen, wielding her gleaming sword, surged after them.

.....

"Mr. Marlon," Althea's sharp eyes detected an aura behind them. "The enemy has gathered—four Mahayana realm powerhouses: one at the fourth turn, two at the third, and one at the second."

"No—there's one more," Marlon added grimly. "A Tribulation Transcendence realm cultivator."

Althea's face tensed as she absorbed the proximity of this threat.

"Their aura reeks of demonic energy. They must be from the Demon sect at Blackspire Mountain, but I can't pinpoint their sect," she said.

Marlon sneered, "They planted spies in the Azure Origin Dao Sect, graphing you here to kill you—and cripple our Dao Sect's influence."

"They move fast," Althea warned.

"Clearly well-prepared. I wager they all possess flying spiritual weapons," Marlon replied, his features deeply furrowed in worry.

The enemy closed the distance swiftly, their strength overwhelming.

His own cultivation was at the third turn of the Mahayana realm—a realm he had recently reached.

.....

"Lord Saint," a voice from the enemy side reported, "Althea has a powerful companion. Likely Mahayana realm, second or third turn."

"Then? Can one stand against five?" Morwen scoffed.

"Focus on the chase! Close the gap!" she commanded with icy resolve.

Althea glanced backward and saw a shimmering black-red streak of light hurtling toward them.

The demonic energy roaring from it threatened to swallow her whole.

In mere minutes, the enemy would be less than a hundred feet behind.

.....

"Sword Peak Master, since you're here, why the rush? Why not stay for a proper parley with the Black Demon Sect?" the third commander of the Dark Devil Secret Guard called out.

"Black Demon Sect?" Althea sneered, "Isn't the Black Demon Sect an ancient rival of the Azure Origin Dao Sect?"

"What kind of born swordsman, what kind of proud daughter of heaven, you are just a rat who runs away!" the Dark Devil Secret Guard spat venomously.

A/N:

Extra chapters

100 power stones - 1 Extra chapters

200 power stones - 2 Extra chapters

Capsule - 1 Extra chapters

Massage Chair - 3 Extra chapters

Luxury Car - 5 Extra Chapters

Magic Castle - 15 Extra Chapters

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