Chapter 111: Cooperation

As soon as Shen Taixing returned to the ground, Linghu Yu, who had been following behind him, arrived right on his heels.

Seeing the sudden arrival of these newcomers, Shen Duo and Feng Jun were both startled, exchanging a glance. Among this new group, there were actually two Sky Illusionists! Since when had high-ranking Sky Illusionists on the Saint Mang Continent become as common as cabbages, appearing everywhere one looked? Just here, counting Feng Jun, there were now four Sky Illusionists.

The situation was becoming increasingly grave. If these newcomers joined forces with Shen Taixing, obtaining the Dragon Scale Grass would require a grueling struggle. Shen Duo carefully observed the experts who had just arrived. To her surprise, Linghu Yu and his companions did not head toward the Shen family’s training squad after dismounting from their wild goose mount; instead, they walked directly toward her group.

Chen Boguang, who had been standing behind Shen Duo tending to their teammates, felt completely numb. He could not fathom the strength of any of the four people approaching them. His mouth twitched stiffly. Good heavens, were there no mere Illusionists or Great Illusionists left on this continent? Why was he constantly running into terrifying, freakish powerhouses? Have some pity on a nobody like him! Under such pressure, Chen Boguang decided that the moment he left the Nascent Gorge, he would immediately find a place to consume his Water Spirit Flower and advance. Damn it, if he didn't become stronger in this world, he wouldn't be able to survive. Waaah...

Shen Duo watched Linghu Yu approach with a detached, guarded expression. The tall, thin Linghu Yu looked over the fifteen or sixteen-year-old girl. Her practical black illusionist robe was of fine craftsmanship, but what surprised him most was that the seemingly ordinary garment held defensive properties—it was clearly an expensive defensive illusion artifact. The girl’s black hair was tied into a simple ponytail, and her features were delicate. Her eyes, in particular, were clear and piercing; her cold, indifferent gaze felt as though it could look right through a person’s body to their soul. Linghu Yu smiled with satisfaction; the old man’s eye for talent was truly remarkable.

"I never expected to encounter such a young Sword King here! What a pleasant surprise!" Linghu Yu spoke casually, his slightly deep, rugged voice carrying a sense of charisma that made it difficult to feel any animosity toward him.

Shen Duo frowned slightly as she looked at Linghu Yu. The three people following him all appeared to be in their thirties. The only woman among them, also a Sky Illusionist, wore a grass-green tight-fitting dress that hugged her elegant figure, and she had a remarkably beautiful smile. When Shen Duo looked over, she met the middle-aged woman’s gentle gaze. Bowing politely, Shen Duo said, "My thanks for the compliment, sir."

"Hahaha, the young lady is quite well-mannered," Linghu Yu said, sounding quite pleased as he spoke to the woman behind him.

Shen Duo felt a headache coming on. She couldn't guess their intentions; if they were here to seize the Dragon Scale Grass as well, she would have to carefully reconsider the combined strength of herself and Feng Jun.

Seeming to notice the wariness in Shen Duo’s eyes, Linghu Yu gave a low, rumbling laugh. "Young friend, I am Linghu Yu, a current mentor at the Joslin Academy, and these people behind me are my colleagues."

The fact that this suddenly appearing middle-aged man was a mentor at Joslin Academy made Shen Duo pay him a little more attention. "I am Shen Duo, and this is my elder brother, Shen Jun," she replied, reciprocating the gesture.

Linghu Yu took a step forward, cast a mocking glance toward the Shen family's training squad, and leaned in toward Shen Duo, whispering mysteriously, "Shen Duo, do you want the Dragon Scale Grass?"

Had it not been for the calm aura surrounding Linghu Yu and his group, Shen Duo would have drawn her sword the moment he tried to approach her. She gave him a strange look, finding the Sky Illusionist’s question quite foolish. "Who wouldn't want a good thing?"

Linghu Yu seemed to realize the awkwardness of the question; he gave an embarrassed, dry chuckle, earning an eye-roll from the middle-aged beauty behind him. "Ahem, what I mean is, let us join forces, and we will split the spoils fifty-fifty."

Shen Duo looked directly into Linghu Yu’s smiling, shrewd eyes. "Why do you want to cooperate with me? You should know that the strength of my squad is far inferior to the Shen family’s training squad led by Shen Taixing. Aren't you afraid we'll be a burden?"

Linghu Yu’s eyes narrowed, revealing a cunning, old-fox expression. He scanned Shen Duo and her companions. "Who says your strength is inferior to the Shen family’s squad? Your brother’s strength is not bad at all." He leaned in closer again, whispering into her ear, "The illusion artifact your brother is using to conceal his strength is quite impressive."

Shen Duo’s eyes widened; she realized that Linghu Yu had already seen through Feng Jun’s true strength. It was not surprising; just as others had seen through Ben Yi back in Sharke City, it was no shock that Feng Jun had been exposed as well. Even the most unique illusion artifacts had loopholes, and besides, the one Feng Jun was using to hide his power was only a low-grade spirit artifact.

"You have a sharp eye, sir."

"With you included, it will be the equivalent of having two Sky Illusionists. Among that bunch from the Shen family, only Shen Taixing is of any use; the other disciples are nothing but arrogant fools who couldn't withstand a single blow from the flood dragon. Besides, I have a personal grudge with Shen Taixing, so how could I stand by and watch him reap the rewards? Shen Duo, what do you say? Can we make this deal?" Linghu Yu smiled, appearing gentle and harmless.

Shen Duo quickly weighed the pros and cons and nodded promptly. "I agree, but I require us to swear a Heaven and Earth Oath first."

The woman behind Linghu Yu looked at Shen Duo with admiration. Although the girl was not yet an adult, her calm, composed, and airtight way of handling things was truly rare. Linghu Yu was not in the least bit offended by the request; instead, he immediately extended his right hand to take the oath, and a white light flashed beneath his feet. Shen Duo followed suit and took the oath as well.

Shen Taixing knitted his brows as he looked toward Shen Duo’s side, a bad premonition rising in his heart. He roared angrily, "Linghu Yu, do you really intend to interfere?"

Having reached an agreement with Shen Duo and Feng Jun, Linghu Yu was in an excellent mood. He looked at Shen Taixing and laughed. "The treasures in this Nascent Gorge don't belong to your Shen family. Why shouldn't I interfere? Everyone wants a prize like the Dragon Scale Grass!"

"You! We discovered this Dragon Scale Grass first!" a young disciple from the Shen family shouted indignantly.

"Oh? Have you forgotten the rules of survival on this continent? Strength is everything. If you want the Dragon Scale Grass, it's very simple—to each according to their ability!" Linghu Yu’s tone was calm, yet his words were relentless.

Listening to the two sides bicker, Shen Duo curled her lips. This Linghu Yu was arrogant enough, but his arrogance suited her perfectly. Shen Taixing, having been humiliated and having hit a wall with Shen Duo, grew increasingly angry and impulsive.

"Linghu Yu, you had better think this through. The Shen family, as one of the four great clans, is not a soft persimmon for you to squeeze as you please!"