11: Chapter 11: The Trash Talk Session

On the Demon Sect's flying boat.

On the way to their destination, Xiao Ran had been resting with his eyes closed, but he was actually communicating with Li Changsheng through a Soul link.

"Changsheng, where are you?"

"I'm halfway there. I've brought two Inner Sect Disciples and a heavy-drinking hobo; he says the Sect found him to be my dao protector."

"He won't interfere with my mission, but he'll save me if my life is in danger."

Li Changsheng's voice came through.

Li Changsheng had already told him about the dao protector when he first set out.

Xiao Ran felt a wave of annoyance after hearing this.

How exactly does the Eternal Night Demon Sect handle things? As such a prominent Demon Seed, I'm traveling without a dao protector?

Little did he know, his dao protector was right behind him.

"Xiao Ran, I'm a bit nervous..."

Li Changsheng said subconsciously.

That was just how this guy was; he would say he was nervous, but when it came time to act, he wouldn't hesitate for a second.

For example, when they went for foot massages before their Transmigration, Li Changsheng claimed he was too nervous to go, but once they arrived, he demanded the prettiest girl.

"Nervous my ass."

Xiao Ran scolded with a laugh.

"Remember, strike first when we meet. Don't hesitate. If you hesitate and let them see a flaw, we're both finished."

"I know, I know."

Li Changsheng took a deep breath.

"I've rehearsed it several times. We meet, start trash-talking, then I'll shout 'Demonic thief, die!' and finish with a sword strike, right?"

"Right. I'll use Devilish Qi to block, then counterattack... Finally, you'll pretend to be outmatched and get pushed back. At that point, the Disciples you brought should step in to help. I'll pretend to fight one against three, and eventually retreat after being 'overpowered'."

Xiao Ran went over the script once more.

"Got it, I've remembered."

"Also, while we're fighting, I'll use the Soul link to tell you the layout of the mining area. If the Loose Cultivators are really imprisoned there, the most likely spot is the old mine shaft in the southeast corner. Find a chance to slip away there."

"Okay."

The two of them discussed every detail. After all, this was their first time acting, and they had to ensure it was foolproof.

...

The flying boat flew for a day and a night.

On the evening of the second day, the silhouette of the Heifeng Mountains appeared on the horizon.

It was a continuous range of black mountains, the peaks barren with almost no vegetation.

A faint smell of sulfur permeated the air, along with... a trace of blood.

"Junior Martial Uncle, the mining area is just ahead."

Zhao Ying pointed downward.

Xiao Ran looked down.

Deep in the mountains, there was a brightly lit area.

A large number of miners were moving in and out of the shafts like ants, with many barracks and guard posts built around them.

And in an inconspicuous corner at the edge of the mining area, Xiao Ran spotted several white figures.

They were people from the Dao Palace.

Actually, the Daoist Sect had hidden themselves well. Their mission was a rescue, so they naturally wouldn't show themselves openly.

But unfortunately, there was a traitor within the Daoist Sect!

These were the coordinates Li Changsheng had provided via the Soul link. Xiao Ran had followed them like a GPS, easily discovering the group.

"Junior Martial Uncle, come look quickly! That flying boat seems to have the emblem of the Supreme Dao Palace. Why would they be here?"

Zhao Ying was sharp-eyed and immediately spotted the flying boat Li Changsheng was on.

"What? A boat from the Daoist Sect has sailed into our Demon Sect's territory?"

"So arrogant?"

Hearing this, Xiao Ran pretended to look over in surprise.

"Junior Martial Uncle, what should we do? Should we report this to the Sect?"

Zhao Ying asked hurriedly.

"No need. I recognize that emblem. It seems to be the recently risen Saint of the Supreme Dao Palace. Daring to show up here is simply seeking death."

"I remember an ironclad rule on the Demon Sect's bounty list: as long as you kill a Saint of the Daoist Sect, the rewards are incredibly generous."

A look of greed flickered perfectly in Xiao Ran's eyes.

"Junior Martial Uncle, but we're here to..."

Zhao Ying's expression changed slightly. He was about to step forward to advise against it, but Xiao Ran looked up and stopped him.

"Why so much nonsense?"

"Bring the boat closer for this Demon Seed."

Xiao Ran gave the order decisively, and the others could only obey.

Thus, the flying boat descended rapidly toward the distance.

Almost simultaneously, those white figures also looked over.

The leader was indeed Li Changsheng.

He wore a moon-white Daoist robe with a long sword hanging from his waist. His handsome features truly gave him the air of an Immortal Sect's Saint.

Xiao Ran stepped out of the flying boat, his black robes fluttering in the wind.

The two stood thirty meters apart, facing each other.

The air seemed to freeze.

"Hahahaha! Truly a thief from the Daoist Sect. The Yellow Heavens have been kind to me!"

"Once I kill you, I'll have plenty of cultivation resources."

Dressed as a demonic cultivator, Xiao Ran laughed exceptionally arrogantly.

On the Supreme Dao Palace's flying boat, the group was slightly flustered.

They hadn't expected to be discovered by the Demon Sect before their rescue mission had even begun.

"Everyone, don't panic. Every demonic thief deserves to be executed..."

As the Saint, Li Changsheng quickly stabilized their morale. Then, taking a deep breath and following the script, he drew his long sword with a clang.

"Since we've been discovered, we have no choice but to kill him first."

"Die!"

As soon as he spoke, Li Changsheng lashed out with his sword!

The Sword Qi was like a rainbow, surging straight toward Xiao Ran's face.

The corner of Xiao Ran's mouth twitched.

Damn, this idiot... It's just an act, does he need to use so much force?

But it came at the right time.

He raised his hand, a black vortex appearing in his palm as he crushed the Sword Qi.

"You brat from the Dao Palace, how dare you run wild in my Demon Sect's territory?"

"Since you're here, don't even think about leaving!"

Xiao Ran sneered, deliberately raising his voice so everyone could hear.

His figure flashed, turning into a black shadow as he lunged at Li Changsheng.

Li Changsheng's expression remained unchanged as he swung his sword to parry.

Clang, clang, clang, clang!

The two instantly exchanged over ten moves.

Sword Qi and Devilish Qi collided, exploding into waves of air.

The surrounding mountains were battered into a mess. The Demon Sect guards and the Dao Palace Disciples nervously formed a circle, none daring to intervene rashly.

This was a battle on the level of Saints.

Similarly, they were also wary of each other.

"Where are the Loose Cultivators? Have you found them?" Xiao Ran asked via Soul Transmission while fighting.

"No... I searched around just now and found nothing."

Li Changsheng transmitted back.

"Holy crap, Xiao Ran, take it easy! My hand holding the sword is already numb..."

"Cut the crap. How can a fight not hurt?"

Xiao Ran rolled his eyes, but the intensity of his attacks eased slightly.

And so, the two continued to exchange blows, appearing evenly matched for a time.

According to the script, it was time for Xiao Ran to show his Divine Might.

"Myriad Demons Heart-Devouring!"

Xiao Ran pushed Li Changsheng back with a palm strike, then gave a low shout. Dozens of ghostly figures formed from Devilish Qi appeared behind him, swarming toward Li Changsheng.

This was a Spell from the Eternal Night Demon Codex, and its power was considerable.

It was one of Xiao Ran's most lethal trump cards at the moment.

Li Changsheng did the same. He brushed two fingers along his long sword, and a golden light surged upon the blade.

"Golden Waves of the Raging Sea!"

With a slash of his sword, a golden sword beam hacked fiercely toward the ghostly figures.

Boom!

A violent explosion rang out.

Li Changsheng retreated several steps. Although he had shattered several ghostly figures with his sword, one still struck his chest. He let out a muffled groan, and a trace of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

"Saint!"

Two Dao Palace Disciples cried out in alarm, drawing their swords to charge forward.

At that moment, Zhao Ying and the other two hurried forward to block them.

Li Changsheng's expression was resolute as he gently wiped the blood from his mouth.

His entire body suddenly lit up with ten thousand rays of light, and his Aura reached its peak once again.

And so, the two fought for another dozen or so rounds.

This time, Li Changsheng's sword sliced through Xiao Ran's sleeve, leaving a shallow wound on his arm.

"Impressive swordplay."

Xiao Ran said with a dark expression.

Having said that, he immediately prepared to charge once more.

Just then, a loud bang suddenly echoed from the distance. It seemed an explosion had occurred in the mining area, and a pillar of Devilish Qi surged into the sky.

"Saint, the Demon Sect's reinforcements will be here soon. We must leave immediately."

One of the Daoist Sect members hurriedly reminded him.

"Running?"

"Since you're here, don't bother leaving."

Hearing this, Xiao Ran naturally wouldn't let the opportunity slip. He immediately unleashed Myriad Demons Heart-Devouring again and charged at them.

"A Rainbow in a Single Strike!"

At that moment, Li Changsheng swung his sword, and a wave of Sword Qi instantly swept toward him.

The Sword Qi and Devilish Qi clashed in mid-air.

When the smoke cleared, the Daoist Sect's flying boat had already vanished from the spot.

"He actually escaped?"

Xiao Ran's face was grim, appearing extremely dissatisfied with the outcome.

"You brat from the Dao Palace, the next time we meet, I will definitely take your life!"