The Villain Marked the Protagonist's Fiancée (Through the Book) - Chapter 4

A tingling pleasure surged through A’Luo’s body, causing her to writhe involuntarily as she surrendered to Yun Xiao’s wanton actions.

Passing cultivators clearly sensed the fluctuations in spiritual energy, yet saw nothing amiss and soon moved on.

As the sun dipped westward, the sky gradually darkened.

The concealed Flying Spirit Tool materialized, revealing Yun Xiao, now clad in her Magic Robe, gazing down at a landscape of verdant mountains and clear waters. No towns or villages were visible.

Traveling at night was impractical, leaving them no choice but to camp in the wilderness.

After finding a clearing, Yun Xiao volunteered to gather firewood and forage for food.

A’Luo glanced up briefly, then ignored Yun Xiao’s activities, retrieving a Prayer Cushion from her Storage Ring and placing it beneath a tree to meditate and cultivate.

Yun Xiao returned swiftly, careful not to disturb A’Luo’s cultivation. She stacked the firewood and lit a fire.

Estimating the time, she skewered a marinated Gale Rabbit leg onto a sturdy branch and began roasting it over the flames.

Soon, an enticing aroma filled the air.

A’Luo opened her eyes and tossed a Fourth-Grade Mid-Grade Defensive Formation into the clearing. This barrier would not only deter attacks from cultivators below the Golden Core Stage but also contain the scent, preventing it from attracting Demonic Beasts.

Yun Xiao carefully sliced the roasted rabbit meat and arranged it neatly on a wooden plate.

Finding the color too monotonous, she added two Spirit Fruits to the plate before presenting it to A’Luo. “Try this. The Spiritual Power contained in Third-Tier Gale Rabbits replenishes your energy faster than meditation.”

Recalling Yun Xiao’s earlier advances on the Flying Spirit Tool, A’Luo glared at her before taking a small bite of the rabbit meat.

Yun Xiao, also remembering the incident, nervously rubbed her nose. “I just wanted to help you… help you as quickly as possible.” And you seemed to be enjoying it too.

She couldn’t bring herself to say the last part, fearing a beating.

Returning to the fire, she picked up a perfectly roasted rabbit leg—crispy on the outside, tender inside, and deliciously savory.

Suddenly, a surge of Spiritual Energy rippled outside the Defensive Formation.

Yun Xiao turned to see a heavily wounded female cultivator fleeing toward them in a panic.

Spotting the pair, the cultivator saw her salvation. She clasped her hands in a respectful bow and pleaded, “This junior, Lou Min, humbly begs the two seniors for assistance.”

A cultivator who could afford a Fourth-Grade Defensive Formation must possess considerable wealth. Even if she couldn’t discern their cultivation levels, they could surely help her escape the relentless pursuers.

The bloodstains on Lou Min’s face and the tattered state of her Magic Robe stirred Yun Xiao’s compassion.

She glanced sideways at A’Luo, who was still savoring her meal, seemingly oblivious to Lou Min’s pleas for help.

Hesitating over whether to intervene, Yun Xiao sensed several surges of Spiritual Energy. In the blink of an eye, three cultivators—two men and a woman—charged toward Lou Min with menacing intent.

Among the three, the elder male cultivator possessed the highest cultivation level, having reached the late Golden Core Stage. The other two were at the mid-Foundation Establishment Stage.

As the trio drew closer, Lou Min grew increasingly frantic. “My maternal grandfather is the head of the Song Family of Qingcheng,” she cried. “If you two seniors would offer your assistance, I will repay you handsomely!”

The Golden Core Stage cultivator stepped forward, his demeanor respectful. “Greetings, seniors,” he said. Before Yun Xiao and A’Luo could respond, he introduced himself: “I am Duan Zhenghong, Guest Elder of the City Lord’s Manor in Heavenly Wave City. I have been ordered by the City Lord to apprehend this thief.”

Yun Xiao knew nothing of the Song Family of Qingcheng, nor had she ever heard of the City Lord of Heavenly Wave City. Yet she understood the threat implicit in Duan Zhenghong’s words.

By saving Lou Min today, she would make an enemy of the City Lord of Heavenly Wave City.

Lou Min guessed Yun Xiao’s concerns and hurriedly denied the accusation. “I only took the mementos my mother left me. How does that make me a thief?”

Duan Zhenghong silenced his companion, who was about to charge forward, with a stern look. “I’m just following orders. If you have any complaints, take them directly to the City Lord yourself.”

Ignorance is no excuse. He couldn’t discern Yun Xiao’s cultivation level, but he sensed that A’Luo’s cultivation surpassed his own. Since the two were together, intervening in this matter would inevitably lead to a fierce battle.

Knowing that capture would mean spending the rest of her life confined to the City Lord’s Manor, Lou Min gritted her teeth and declared, “I’m willing to offer the treasure my mother left me, if only you two seniors will help me.”

With that, she retrieved a jade box from her storage pouch, opened it, and revealed the Nine Revolutions Golden Lotus to Yun Xiao and A’Luo.

The Nine Revolutions Golden Lotus was the primary ingredient for refining the eighth-grade Soul Nourishing Pill.

As its name suggested, the eighth-grade Soul Nourishing Pill could repair injuries to the souls of high-level cultivators and even advance their spiritual cultivation by a major realm. No wonder the City Lord’s Manor was so determined to capture Lou Min.

Yun Xiao, already moved by compassion and enticed by the generous reward, rose and stepped out of the Defensive Formation, shielding Lou Min behind her. “I’m saving this person.”

The man and woman behind Duan Zhenghong immediately drew their Spirit Tools and attacked Yun Xiao.

With a casual flick of her wrist, Yun Xiao reversed their attacks, sending them crashing to the ground in disarray.

The female cultivator, who had launched the most ferocious assault, spat out a mouthful of bl00d, glaring at Yun Xiao with unconcealed resentment. “Think carefully. Are you sure you want to make an enemy of the City Lord’s Manor?”

Yun Xiao remained silent, releasing the overwhelming pressure of her Nascent Soul Stage cultivation.

Duan Zhenghong, who had been planning a sneak attack, found his movements sluggish under the oppressive force, while the two cultivators on the ground were completely immobilized.

“Still want to fight?” Yun Xiao asked Duan Zhenghong, tilting her head.

Realizing he was no match for Yun Xiao, Duan Zhenghong suppressed the malice in his eyes and conceded, “Farewell.”

Hearing the answer she wanted, Yun Xiao immediately withdrew her oppressive aura.

Regaining their freedom, Duan Zhenghong turned to leave with his two subordinates, only to be ambushed by a sudden wind blade that instantly claimed the male cultivator’s life.

“This is going too far!” Duan Zhenghong roared, forming hand seals and unleashing an attack on Yun Xiao.

Reacting swiftly, Yun Xiao shoved Lou Min back into the Defensive Formation, missing the triumphant glint in Lou Min’s eyes—a hint of her calculated scheme.

This was Yun Xiao’s second time fighting a Human Cultivator. Perhaps due to the memories of her original body, she wielded various techniques with ease. Moreover, her cultivation level far surpassed Duan Zhenghong’s, allowing her to dominate the entire battle.

Realizing the situation was dire, the female cultivator attempted to flee.

A’Luo intervened again, triggering the Life-Saving Talisman on the cultivator’s person. A Divine Transformation Clone suddenly materialized in the air.

Did the small fry call for backup from the big boss?

Even though it was just a Clone, Yun Xiao felt suffocated by its overwhelming pressure, immediately understanding she had stumbled into serious trouble.

Forgetting her regrets, she gritted her teeth and hurled a Thunder strike at the Divine Transformation Clone.

With the pressure lifted, she glimpsed Duan Zhenghong trying to escape and immediately unleashed another Thunder strike.

This time, she channeled ninety percent of her power into the attack, instantly killing Duan Zhenghong.

This act was tantamount to provoking the Divine Transformation Clone, who roared, “Arrogant whelp! Today, this venerable one will take your life!”

A vast chasm separated their cultivation realms. Even a Clone from such a high-level cultivator was far beyond Yun Xiao’s capabilities.

After thirty-odd exchanges, she was covered in wounds.

Am I going to die here today?

No! I haven’t ascended yet, I haven’t gone back to see my mother. I can’t die!

Transforming into her true form, Yun Xiao tossed a High-Grade Spirit Herb into her mouth. Her Spiritual Energy surged instantly, and each strike now carried sixty percent Thunder power.

As her Spiritual Energy waned, Yun Xiao tossed a High-Grade Spirit Herb into her mouth, infuriating the Divine Transformation Clone, whose eyes burned with rage.

Retreating to a safe distance, A’Luo’s emotions were complex, especially as she witnessed Yun Xiao break through during the battle. Her eyes widened with astonishment.

Temporarily abandoning her intention to intervene, she focused intently on the clash between Yun Xiao and the Divine Transformation Clone.

Lou Min watched with growing anxiety. She couldn’t understand why A’Luo hadn’t intervened yet. Weren’t they allies?

If this continues, how will I escape with the Nine Revolutions Golden Lotus?

Indeed, Lou Min had never intended to relinquish the Nine Revolutions Golden Lotus. She knew the female cultivator possessed a Life-Saving Talisman and had been waiting for Yun Xiao and the Clone to fight to the death, hoping to seize the opportunity to flee.

When she saw Yun Xiao about to let the three escape earlier, she had panicked, desperately seeking a chance to ambush them. But A’Luo’s sudden intervention had saved her the trouble.

She glanced at A’Luo again, cautiously backing away.

After only two steps, her body froze, unable to move. Realizing what had happened, she glared at A’Luo in terror.

A’Luo cast another Magic Seal on Lou Min, then resumed watching the distant battle.

Yun Xiao’s breakthrough amplified the Thunder’s power, and with an inexhaustible supply of Spirit Herbs replenishing her Spiritual Power, the Divine Transformation Clone began to falter.

Yun Xiao’s exceptional learning ability and knack for summarizing strategies allowed her to grow stronger with each exchange.

“This sovereign will remember you,” the Clone snarled, delivering a final blow before swiftly retreating.

Yun Xiao, her battle spirit ablaze, refused to let the Divine Transformation Clone escape. She unleashed two consecutive bolts of thunder upon it.

Caught off guard, the clone was struck by the thunder. Even wounded, it refused to release the female cultivator it held captive.

This emboldened Yun Xiao. She pressed her advantage, determined to annihilate the clone and prevent its true form from seeking revenge in the near future.

The Divine Transformation Clone roared in fury, “I advise you to quit while you’re ahead!”

Her response was a bolt of purple lightning thicker than a water bucket.

The purple lightning carried three times the power of ordinary thunder, a reserve Yun Xiao had painstakingly accumulated during her Lightning Tribulation.

Witnessing the Divine Transformation Clone disintegrate under the purple lightning, Yun Xiao secretly resolved to “borrow” even more from the Heavenly Dao during her next tribulation.

The Divine Transformation Clone couldn’t withstand the purple lightning, let alone the Foundation Establishment Stage female cultivator, who was reduced to dust alongside it.

The cultivator’s death, her eyes wide with terror, lingered in Yun Xiao’s mind. In the cultivation world, the strong preyed on the weak. Had Yun Xiao not managed to slay the clone by sheer luck, she would have been the one to perish.

Despite knowing this, her claws still trembled.

With the battle concluded, A’Luo strode directly to Yun Xiao and tossed Lou Min, whom she had been carrying, at Yun Xiao’s feet.

The dull thud of Lou Min’s landing snapped Yun Xiao out of her reverie. Though A’Luo said nothing, Yun Xiao understood her meaning perfectly.

Lou Min knelt on the ground, her face pale with fear as she gazed up at Yun Xiao, who had transformed into her human form. “I… I didn’t know she had a Life-Saving Talisman,” she stammered. “If I had known, I would have told you earlier, Senior.”

Yun Xiao laughed in exasperation. Lou Min had personally claimed the Nine Revolutions Golden Lotus as a memento from her mother, proving her close ties to the City Lord’s Manor. Yet now she pretended ignorance of the female cultivator’s Life-Saving Talisman, as if Yun Xiao were a fool to be deceived.

Suppressing her laughter, Yun Xiao said coldly, “Will you hand it over yourself, or shall I take it?”

Lou Min, merely at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, was no match for Yun Xiao. Despite her reluctance, she had no choice but to present the Nine Revolutions Golden Lotus.

Yun Xiao accepted the lotus and struck Lou Min with a palm strike. “This is the price for your treachery.”

Lou Min coughed up bl00d, clutching her injured left shoulder. “Thank you, Senior, for sparing my life,” she gasped gratefully.

Fearing Yun Xiao might change her mind, Lou Min wasted no time tearing off two Swift Travel Talismans and fleeing.

A’Luo glanced at Yun Xiao before swiftly departing.

The earlier battle had already alerted many cultivators. There was no time to linger.

Yun Xiao tossed a Mid-Grade Spirit Herb into her mouth and followed A’Luo, evading the approaching cultivators. Hesitantly, she asked, “Did you… did you foresee this?”