Stepping on the Demoness to become the strongest

Ten thousand gods and demons besieged Shushan, laying layer upon layer of a heavenly net, claiming that not even a sparrow or a mouse could escape from Shushan.

In reality, most of the demon path cultivators had no interest in eradicating the Shangqing Sect of Shushan.

But they were very interested in plundering the various spirit flowers and grasses within the Shushan territory.

During the peak strength of the Shangqing Sect at Shushan, from Han Yang in the north, to the highland in the west, from Nanjiang in the south, to Jingxiang in the east, all treasures produced in this vast area, regardless of who discovered them first, belonged to the Shushan Sword Immortals.

Now, Shushan was on the verge of being breached, and the Sword Immortals were cowering near Emei. Many demon path cultivators with low cultivation had no qualms, and began to comb through the jungles extensively.

A wandering Taoist in a gray robe picked a Polygonum multiflorum by a mountain stream. Though its age was not high, about only 200 years, it was still enough to delight him.

Suddenly, he raised his sword finger, and a small sword unsheathed itself from behind him, but instead of flying into the air, it hid close to the ground, like a sinister venomous snake.

Across the jungle emerged two Taoists, one male and one female, wearing dirty robes, which instead relieved the wandering Taoist.

Because cultivators from reputable sects, including Shushan Sword Immortals, generally paid much attention to the cleanliness of their attire. After all, the impression they give when stepping out represents their sect's reputation, and the Orthodox Sect typically cares a lot about their dignity.

The two cultivators before him clearly had no sect, the loose cultivators didn't even dare carry their Flying Swords openly behind them but rather secretively hid them in their clothes — cultivating an extreme sense of safety, unlike those taught by the traditional large sects.

The wandering Taoist flipped his right hand, storing the Polygonum multiflorum in his sleeve, while his left hand secretly held a sword technique, yet his face beamed with a smile:

"Greetings, fellow Taoists."

"Greetings, fellow Taoist." Yan Yu also greeted him with a smile, bowing lightly with his left hand while his right hand concealed within his sleeve, intentionally making it unclear whether he was using a technique inside.

This one cautious gesture made the wandering Taoist confirm that the other party was not some inexperienced cultivator, and he extinguished the thought of taking the risk to launch a sneak attack. He casually asked,

"Do the two of you have an urge to trade?"

"No." Yan Yu naturally had nothing to exchange but inquired, "We haven't found anything good here, and planned to leave, yet discovered that no matter which direction we go, we end up returning to our original spot — would you happen to have any insight on this, fellow Taoist?"

"I see." The wandering Taoist laughed, "Fellow Taoist might not know. To prevent Shushan remnants from escaping, Long Qianpo from Nanjiang specially invited a high-level practitioner to set up the Five Elements Inversion Array in this area within a hundred-mile range."

"Anyone approaching here, whether Shushan remnants or other fellow Taoists, will unknowingly get trapped in the array. Only Long Qianpo's few disciples periodically come to inspect and release fellow Taoists who have mistakenly entered the array."

"This is difficult to handle." Yan Yu said, "I've never heard of a big fish letting small shrimp out from a net. Moreover, once the array activates, whether to release or kill is completely up to them — I wouldn't dare entrust my life to someone else's mercy."

The wandering Taoist was silent for a moment, then said resignedly,

"Indeed, when trapped within the array, one is like fish on a chopping board. If they are unreasonable, what can be done? The expert who set up the array is said to be a Nascent Soul Realm powerhouse, those of us who are loose cultivators are lucky to reach Core Formation without backing — what else can be done?"

"How many people are trapped in this array?" Mei Yingxue also spoke, "Even if the array setter is a Nascent Soul Realm powerhouse, it would be impossible for them to guard here twelve hours a day. As long as we gather a few skilled in formations and find the array's key points separately, we always have a chance to break out."

"That I'm unsure of." The wandering Taoist said impassively, "However, I do know a few fellow Taoists who have recently gathered to discuss strategies."

At this, he suddenly stopped speaking, merely smiling.

Yan Yu and Mei Yingxue exchanged a glance, instantly understanding what the wandering Taoist meant:

He wanted money.

Previously, they had indeed gathered some Spirit Stones from searching bodies and changing clothes, but Yan Yu would never give them directly. Instead, he said with a smile,

"If you're not proficient in formations, no exchange is necessary. We're not interested in freeloaders."

"You understand formations too?" The wandering Taoist asked suspiciously.

"As you mentioned, the Five Elements Inversion Array is laid out around here." Mei Yingxue replied, "If one doesn't understand formations at all, following south ends north, heading east turns west — afraid one might not even exit a hundred feet. Though we meet you in the array, it itself illustrates the problem."

The wandering Taoist kept silent while smiling. Knowing the name of the Five Elements Inversion Array, it was certainly impossible for him to be completely ignorant of formations. Although he couldn't fully break the array to escape, he was more than capable of wandering through the array to collect some spirit flowers and grasses.

If these two knew formations, there might indeed be cooperative value. After all, no matter how many treasures obtained, going out alive is what matters.

"Then please follow me." He turned around and walked back.

Yan Yu and Mei Yingxue followed closely behind him, observing how the wandering Taoist sometimes slanted left, sometimes moved right. Although seemed to walk not in a straight line, the surrounding view indicated always moving forward.