The Villain Marked the Protagonist's Fiancée (Through the Book) - Chapter 17

Remembering A’Luo’s earlier promise to protect her fellow sect members, Yun Xiao flipped down from the tree and confronted the wary female cultivator. “I can save him,” she declared.

The cultivator recognized her instantly. “You… you’re the Senior who was drawn into the Secret Realm!” she exclaimed, her voice trembling with excitement.

Yun Xiao nodded. “Yes, and a friend of your Martial Aunt Fang.”

Tears of joy streamed down Chu Hui’s face. “This junior is Chu Hui of the Azure Cloud Sect. The man on my back is my Senior Brother Bai Mofeng. He was poisoned by a Sixth-Tier Ink Serpent. Senior, please, save my Senior Brother!”

The venom of a Sixth-Tier Ink Serpent was highly toxic, requiring either a High-Grade Antidote Pill or consumption of the serpent’s gallbladder. Judging by Bai Mofeng’s condition, he wouldn’t survive long enough for her to kill the serpent and extract its gallbladder.

Yun Xiao tossed out a Defensive Formation Plate. Under Chu Hui’s bewildered gaze, she retrieved her pill furnace and the medicinal materials for refining an Antidote Pill, and began the process.

Chu Hui wasn’t an Alchemist, but she had witnessed her fellow sect members refining pills before. Their methods were far from Yun Xiao’s casual approach.

Watching Yun Xiao’s seemingly careless movements, Chu Hui’s anxiety grew. She wanted to ask questions but feared provoking the Senior.

An hour later, nine perfectly round pills appeared in the cauldron. Yun Xiao retrieved one and handed it to Chu Hui. “Go, give him this.”

Chu Hui accepted the pill with both hands, noticing an unfamiliar pattern etched on its surface. She hesitated.

Remembering Yun Xiao’s unorthodox pill refinement methods, she decided to take another gamble. If Yun Xiao truly intended harm, she wouldn’t need such elaborate measures given her cultivation level.

Bai Mofeng shared Chu Hui’s reasoning and swallowed the pill in one gulp.

Moments later, electric currents surged through Bai Mofeng’s body, causing him to convulse violently.

Yun Xiao nervously rubbed her nose, mumbling, “The pills I refine have… unique properties. Don’t worry, aside from this minor side effect, the medicinal efficacy is absolutely guaranteed.”

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Bai Mofeng exhaled a foul breath. He circulated his spiritual energy internally, confirming that the poison in his lungs and organs had indeed been neutralized.

He rose and clasped his hands in a respectful bow. “Thank you, Senior, for saving my life. If there’s ever anything I can do for you in the future, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

Yun Xiao waved dismissively. “No need. If you truly want to thank me, just tell me where Martial Aunt Fang is.”

Chu Hui and Bai Mofeng shook their heads in unison.

Chu Hui removed the Communication Spirit Jade hanging from her waist and presented it to Yun Xiao with both hands. “Senior, please see for yourself. Neither Communication Spirit Jades nor Communication Talismans work within this Secret Realm.”

Yun Xiao didn’t reply, trusting Chu Hui’s words. She asked, “What about the rest of your Sect?”

“Master said the Secret Realm teleports people randomly. After entering, I traveled alone for three days before encountering Senior Brother. We haven’t seen any other Sect members along the way,” Chu Hui answered truthfully.

So that’s how it is.

Having grasped the situation, Yun Xiao retracted the Defensive Formation Plate and turned to the pair. “Will you join me in searching for your Martial Aunt Fang, or do you prefer to train separately?”

“We’ll stay with you, Senior,” Chu Hui and Bai Mofeng replied in unison.

Since entering the Secret Realm, they had faced countless dangers. Now that Yun Xiao was willing to take them under her wing, they were naturally eager to accept.

Their choice came as no surprise to Yun Xiao. Muttering to herself, she said, “You came from the west, while I arrived from the east.”

She turned in a circle, then pointed south. “We’ll head that way.”

Chu Hui and Bai Mofeng had no objections, nor would they dare to voice any.

Initially, the two were quite reserved, feeling awkward in the presence of a senior, fearing that any misstep would invite a scolding.

Gradually, they realized their mistake. Yun Xiao showed no airs of seniority. When chased by Demonic Beasts, she cursed and ran alongside them, just like one of their own.

Finally shaking off the relentless Eighth-Tier Demonic Beast, Chu Hui gasped, “Senior, if I may ask, can’t you defeat that White Ape either?”

Yun Xiao waved her hand dismissively. “We stole its home. What’s wrong with letting it vent its anger?”

In truth, she was simply too lazy to fight. Battles were such a hassle.

Well, the real reason was that she had sensed four Golden Core Stage rogue cultivators tailing them for the past two days. Their furtive behavior couldn’t help but arouse her suspicions.

Chu Hui’s expression was indescribable, and she remained silent.

Yun Xiao pretended not to notice and continued onward.

After another half-day’s travel, just as the trio was about to rest, they suddenly sensed several Spiritual Energy fluctuations approaching.

They held their breath, silencing themselves, and warily turned toward the direction of the disturbances.

A familiar voice drifted faintly into Yun Xiao’s ears.

“Go on ahead.”

Yun Xiao’s eyes sparkled with starlight. It was A’Luo’s voice.

A’Luo’s in trouble.

She turned to the two behind her. “Follow me.”

Leaving them behind would have been the safest course, but four malevolent figures lurked in the shadows, their cultivation levels surpassing both Chu Hui and Bai Mofeng’s. Leaving them here would be like throwing lambs to wolves. If only I’d dealt with those four tails first.

Using the Light Body Technique, Yun Xiao approached swiftly. Chu Hui’s face lit up with surprise. “It’s Martial Aunt Fang and the others!”

Yun Xiao soared into the air, spotting a Ninth-Tier Vajra Monkey relentlessly attacking Fang Zhiluo’s group from afar.

Among the dozen or so cultivators, only two were at the Nascent Soul Stage. The rest were either at the Foundation Establishment or Golden Core stages. Fang Zhiluo, the most powerful among them, fought desperately to protect the weaker members. Her snow-white Magic Robe was stained with bl00d and grime, and her neatly bound three thousand strands of black hair had come undone, leaving her in a disheveled state.

The Vajra Monkey, renowned for its brute strength, roared and exhaled a foul breath. Dao Chong, leading Fang Zhiluo’s group, braced himself for another devastating blow. If struck, his internal organs would be displaced.

Yun Xiao tossed the Seventh-Tier Defense Formation Plate to Bai Mofeng, telepathically instructing, “Meet up with our fellow disciples and lead them to safety. Remember, there are four tails lurking in the shadows.”

Before she could finish speaking, she hastily activated a Flying Talisman and soared toward Fang Zhiluo’s location.

Channeling sixty percent of her Spiritual Power, she slashed at the Vajra Monkey with her sword, creating a momentary reprieve for Fang Zhiluo.

Seeing Fang Zhiluo’s face drained of color, Yun Xiao immediately retrieved two High-Grade Spring Return Pills and forced them into her mouth, shouting, “Nascent Soul Stage cultivators, stay behind! The rest of you, head northeast—Bai Mofeng and the others will meet you there!”

Glancing sideways, she noticed the two Nascent Soul cultivators were also in dire straits and hastily tossed them a bottle of High-Grade Spring Return Pills.

Yun Xiao turned to Fang Zhiluo. “Go recover your Spiritual Power first. I’ll handle this monkey.”

Fang Zhiluo knew this wasn’t the time for bravado. She nodded. “Be careful.”

Yun Xiao had no intention of facing the Vajra Monkey alone. She addressed the two Nascent Soul cultivators behind her. “I’ll keep it occupied. When you see an opening, strike with everything you’ve got!”

This monkey dared to hurt A’Luo? I’ll beat it until it pisses its pants!

Without waiting for a response, she leaped into the air and engaged the Vajra Monkey in fierce combat.

The Vajra Monkey possessed not only immense strength but also a massive frame. Yun Xiao’s light attacks landed on its body like mere tickles.

“Hey, what’s with that look? That was just an appetizer. Now comes the main course!” Before the words could even finish leaving her lips, she unleashed the first killing move from her self-created sword technique—Thunderous Fury.

Thunder spread, thunder roared.

Sword strike after sword strike landed on the Vajra Monkey’s body. Though it didn’t make the beast piss its pants, it did leave its hide torn and flesh rent.

After tossing two Spring Return Pills into her mouth, she slashed at the Vajra Monkey again.

Having recovered his Spiritual Power, Fang Zhiluo relieved his two junior brothers and joined Yun Xiao in battling the Vajra Monkey.

The tide had long since turned. Realizing that continuing the fight would only bring him harm, the Vajra Monkey began to retreat.

Sensing this, Yun Xiao immediately blocked its escape route. “Trying to run? Not a chance.”

She exchanged a glance with Fang Zhiluo and slashed at the Vajra Monkey again.

Though Yun Xiao hadn’t spoken, Fang Zhiluo understood her intent perfectly. Their seamless coordination, honed through over thirty rounds of combat, left the Vajra Monkey at its breaking point.

Knowing they couldn’t give the beast a moment to breathe, they exchanged another glance and simultaneously unleashed their ultimate techniques.

Caught in a pincer attack, the Vajra Monkey was overwhelmed, its massive body crashing heavily to the ground.

Sword in hand, Yun Xiao dragged her weary steps toward the fallen beast.

Before the Vajra Monkey could muster a final, desperate struggle, she plunged her sword, infused with Thunder Spiritual Power, into its heart.

The Vajra Monkey died in bitter defeat, its copper bell-sized eyes glaring at Yun Xiao.

Yun Xiao scoffed dismissively, sheathing her sword and collapsing onto the ground, gasping for breath.

Fighting the Vajra Monkey had drained her considerably. Only now did she realize Fang Zhiluo had been carefully conserving her spiritual power, focusing on supporting Yun Xiao’s efforts.

She hurried over, asking anxiously, “Are you alright?”

Yun Xiao tossed a High-Grade Spirit Herb into her mouth, stubbornly retorting, “I could fight three hundred more rounds.”

Fang Zhiluo didn’t call her bluff. She turned to the two disciples who had recovered and said, “Go ahead and join the others. We’ll catch up soon.”

“Yes, Senior Sister.”

Seeing them about to leave, Yun Xiao called out, “Hey, where are you going? Don’t you want your spoils of war?”

Hu Hongtao, clad in a gray Magic Robe, spoke earnestly, “If Fellow Daoist hadn’t intervened, we would all be dead under the Vajra Monkey’s fists by now.”

Yao Rui, standing beside him, nodded in agreement.

“True, but you both contributed,” Yun Xiao said, retrieving four High-Grade Spirit Herbs from her Storage Pouch and tossing them to the pair. “Consider this your effort fee.”

The two glanced at Fang Zhiluo, who nodded in approval. Only then did they accept the herbs.

As soon as the disciples were out of sight, Yun Xiao turned to Fang Zhiluo with a pitiful look. “A’Luo, I’m in so much pain! Blow on it for me.”