Chapter Thirty-Three: This Is a Robbery—You’re Surrounded

The Second Elder, Yun Tiance, his eyes burning like torches, was the first to speak: "I intend to take this youth to Yuntao Pass. Only the rigors of the battlefield are worthy of such a genius!"

The Fourth Elder, Chimei, was slightly slower to react. Cursing under his breath, he immediately countered: "If it is defensive growth you speak of, he would be better off following me to Xuanyi Pass. The demon incursions there are far more ferocious!"

"Little Four, you have strength in abundance but lack wisdom. While you are indeed peerless in combat and defense, when it comes to nurturing a disciple, one must rely on an old set of bones like mine."

The Fourth Elder’s face turned beet red, and he roared, "Second Brother, that is uncalled for!" Though he did not intentionally release his spiritual power, his voice shook the heavens, causing the ancient murals within the Hall of Myriad Laws to shudder and the runes etched upon them to flicker in agitation.

As the two elders, both over a thousand years old, argued until they were crimson-faced, the Sixth and Ninth Elders—mere youngsters of four hundred—shivered in the corner.

Only the Fifth Elder, Yaoyu, remained aloof, seemingly unbothered by her neurotic brothers and foolish junior. She gazed quietly at the green-clad girl beside Yuedong, her eyes soft with tenderness and admiration. She lowered her eyes in thought, as if weighing something of great importance.

For a moment, the five elders were each preoccupied with their own concerns, and none noticed that Yuedong had already broken through his cultivation bottleneck and departed with Qinglan.

The Second Elder, usually calm and composed, found his temper stirred by his bull-headed brother. He took a deep breath and glanced toward the magic mirror, only to realize the pair was gone.

"Enough, stop bickering. Everything must wait until he passes the Mirror Spirit’s Heart Inquiry before a conclusion can be reached."

Only then did the five return to their respective positions, resuming their customary dignity and solemnity.

...

"We have collected fifty-two spiritual herbs. By my count, both of us should be able to advance our spiritual seals to red."

"Indeed. Let us keep up the pace."

Qinglan said eagerly, "It is my turn to take the lead. Watching you break formations so easily has left me itching for action."

Yuedong chuckled softly.

The two were walking through a low-lying valley, the surrounding woods thick and verdant. Suddenly, both stopped in their tracks.

They exchanged a knowing look. Qinglan curled her lip, smirking, "I just said I was itching for action, and already someone has stepped up to be pummeled..."

Yuedong, sensing her frustration, spoke softly to soothe her: "Apart from that boy earlier, we haven't encountered any combat with others on this journey. Isn't this just perfect?"

Qinglan let out a cold snort, and the Green Shadow Lash appeared instantly in her hand.

*Snap!*

A flash of cold light erupted as the emerald whip lashed out. With several sharp cracks, the whip struck the air in four directions, landing heavily upon the figures hiding behind the tree trunks.

"Ouch!"

"That hurts!"

The previously quiet and empty valley suddenly erupted with over a dozen people, flushed out of hiding by Qinglan’s lash.

Qinglan scanned the familiar yet strange faces, noting that each of them bore a blue spiritual seal on their foreheads. She raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Aren't these You Qing’s lackeys?"

One of them glared at her and spat, "You knew it was us and you still hit that hard? Tsk, that stings."

Qinglan arched an eyebrow. "What wind blew you lot all the way out here?"

The group looked at one another, the atmosphere growing awkward. A burly male cultivator stepped forward, looking both fearful and self-righteous: "You two are surrounded. If you know what’s good for you, hand over all your spiritual herbs, and we might spare your spiritual seals..."

The man’s voice trailed off abruptly when he noticed the spiritual seals on their foreheads were still green. A look of disdain crossed his face.

Qinglan raised her brow again—*oh, he’s looking down on us.*

She glanced at Yuedong, who stood as quiet as the air, then turned back with a look of great interest. "And what if we don't?"

The man looked around, and seeing the encouraging nods from his companions, his confidence returned. He shouted, "If you don't, we’ll take them by force! There are so many of us; you can’t win!"

"That's right! You’re so good at gathering herbs, you must have plenty. Hand them over!"

"You can always go gather more. We promise not to rob you again."

Qinglan stifled a laugh, her expression remaining calm. Yuedong, standing beside her, was struggling to hold back his own amusement.

Qinglan realized what kind of people they were—not truly evil, but certainly not virtuous. She had no desire to listen to them any longer. She unfurled the Green Shadow Lash, tightened her grip, and walked toward the group.

The burly man panicked and scrambled back, shouting, "What are you doing? We—we have so many people, you can't beat us!"

Qinglan found it increasingly difficult not to laugh.

*Snap!*

*Whoosh!*

*Boom!*

The whip moved like a serpent, weaving through the mist and flames, stirring up violent gusts of wind. Beneath their feet, sharp earth spikes erupted, and vines snaked in from all directions, twisting and binding in an attempt to restrain her...

In an instant, the valley was a chaotic scene of lashing whips, swirling water, dancing flames, jagged earth spikes, and tangled vines, all punctuated by the flash of sword light.

But soon, aside from the dancing whip, the other spiritual attacks withered away. Qinglan, fighting ten against one, displayed the full might of her peak Qi-Activation stage cultivation.

Only then did the group realize just how formidable this female cultivator was.

"Ouch, stop whipping us!"

"Robbery—no, Big Sister, we were wrong!"

They scrambled for cover, clutching their heads. The burly man wailed, aggrieved, "They all said wood-element female cultivators were the gentlest!"

Before he could finish, Qinglan whipped him across the head again.

...

Yuedong, watching the spectacle from the side, couldn't help but shudder—that whip had truly found the right master.

He chuckled, formed a seal with both hands, and a six-seal Spirit-Imprisonment Array slowly expanded. A streak of clear light swept across the area. His mastery of arrays had improved significantly; he could now isolate the suppressive force of the formation so that Qinglan remained unaffected while ensuring that not a single one of the others could escape.

The burly man, now in rags and covered in dust, looked at Yuedong with a gaze of mournful shock, as if accusing him of being a villain who aided and abetted evil.

As the whip shadows faded, Qinglan stepped forward. "Alright, start talking."

The group looked blank, not understanding what she meant.

"We are strangers. How did you know to come and rob my spiritual herbs?"

They looked at one another, none daring to speak. Qinglan gave her whip a light flick, causing them all to flinch. She had little patience for delay.

A red-clad girl with bright eyes, though currently covered in grime, hurriedly answered: "It was... it was You Qing who told us. He said that since the two of you were traveling alone, you must have some reliable backing, and you might have already collected many spiritual herbs." She muttered quietly, "That’s why we came..."

Qinglan sneered, "Hmph, I knew it was him."

Yuedong frowned upon hearing this—he had never liked such backstabbing cowards. He looked at Qinglan: "How shall we deal with them?"

The group looked at them, eyes filled with pitiful desperation.

Qinglan snorted. "Easy. Now it’s my turn."

The group remained confused, not understanding her intent.

Qinglan gave a wicked grin. "This is a robbery! Hand over all your spiritual herbs and the energy from your spiritual seals!"

"You've got to be kidding... Waaaah..."