From a loser to an immortal sage

Chapter 217 Resource Empowerment: Xiao Yao's Breakthrough

The light at the cave entrance was blocked by a tall figure, and Mo Yan's mocking face came into view.

"Xiao Yao, I didn't expect you to be hiding here." His tone was tinged with contempt, as if I were already prey in his hands.

My heart skipped a beat, and I quickly put the spirit stone into my storage bag, then stood up and stared at him warily.

The cave wasn't large, but the appearance of the demonic flames made me feel a sense of oppression, and a tense atmosphere filled the air.

I snorted coldly, "Mo Yan, you've been following me?" He sneered, not answering my question, but instead looking around with greed in his eyes, "I heard you've acquired quite a few good things. Hand them over, and perhaps I can leave you a whole corpse." I suppressed my anger and tried my best to remain calm.

I know now is not the time to confront him head-on.

I shrugged casually, "What good stuff? I just got lucky and picked up some scraps." Mo Yan clearly didn't believe me. He approached me step by step, his eyes as cold as a venomous snake: "Xiao Yao, stop playing dumb. Do you think you can fool me? Hand over what you got obediently, and I might consider giving you a quick death." I took a step back, pressing myself against the cold stone wall, my mind racing as I considered my next move.

escape?

The cave has only one exit, which has been blocked by demonic flames.

war?

My current strength is still inferior to his; a direct confrontation would only lead to my death.

Just as I was caught in a dilemma, another voice came from outside the cave: "Demon Flame, what are you doing?"

Mo Yan paused, then turned to look at the cave entrance.

I took the opportunity to glance at the newcomer and saw that it was Ling Yu, the manager of the trading market.

Why is he here?

"Lingyu, my affairs are none of your business, mind your own business," Moyan said in an unfriendly tone.

Ling Yu walked in expressionlessly, his gaze sweeping back and forth between me and Mo Yan: "This is the trading market area, so I naturally have the right to manage it. Mo Yan, what are you trying to do here?" Mo Yan snorted coldly: "I'm just catching up with this Miss Xiao Yao." Ling Yu clearly didn't believe him, his eyes sharply fixed on Mo Yan: "That had to be. Private fights are prohibited in the trading market. If I find you violating the rules, you'll bear the consequences." After saying that, he gave me a deep look, then turned and left the cave.

Mo Yan watched Ling Yu's retreating figure, then turned back to me, his tone icy: "Consider yourself lucky. But you won't be so lucky next time." With that, he left the cave.

I let out a long sigh and collapsed to the ground, feeling utterly powerless.

Although the demonic flames won't let me get away with it, I must find a way to improve my strength as soon as possible in order to survive in this cruel world of cultivation.

Back at my temporary base, I began to carefully examine the resources I had just acquired.

If used properly, these rare spiritual herbs and minerals are enough to allow me to break through my bottleneck in a short period of time.

I was engrossed in planning for the future, imagining what it would be like after my abilities improved.

However, a nameless unease lingered in my heart, as if an invisible eye was watching me from the shadows.

The air around the stronghold became oppressive, and even the wind carried a chill.

My heart sank, and an ominous premonition arose within me.

I got up and walked to the window, looking outside.

The sky was overcast with dark clouds, as if foreshadowing an impending storm.

My hands clenched involuntarily, my palms were sweaty.

I tried to contact Xuanfeng, but found that I couldn't reach him.

Did something happen to him?

This thought made me even more uneasy.

I took a deep breath and tried to keep myself calm.

I know now is not the time to panic.

I must prepare for the worst and face the impending danger alone.

Suddenly, I heard a faint sound, like someone setting something up.

My heart skipped a beat, and I immediately realized that Mo Yan had not given up; he had even brought helpers!

"Blood Fiend, are you sure these traps are well hidden?" I heard Demon Flame's cold voice ring out not far away.

Blood Fiend, a notorious and ruthless figure among the demon race, is known for his brutality and bloodlust.

He actually came too!

I held my breath, trying my best not to make a sound.

"Don't worry, Lord Demon Flame, not even a fly can escape," Blood Fiend replied sinisterly.

I stared intently out the window, a jade slip clutched in my hand—my last trump card…

Cold sweat trickled down my temples, my heart pounded, yet I felt a strange sense of excitement.

Demon Flame, Blood Fiend, do you really think I'm a lamb to the slaughter?

A cold smile curled at the corner of my lips. I quickly crushed several kinds of spiritual herbs, mixed them with the ore powder I had just obtained, and began to set up a counter-trap according to the secret method Qingyao had given me.

These materials are extremely precious. I originally intended to use them to refine pills that would help me break through my bottleneck, but now it seems that preserving my life is more important.

Time passed second by second, and my movements became faster and faster. Spiritual energy flowed from my fingertips as I sprinkled the powder into every corner of the stronghold.

These powders may seem ordinary, but they contain immense power. Once triggered, they could leave Demon Flame and Blood Fiend in a terrible predicament.

"Alright, now we're just waiting for you to take the bait," I muttered to myself, a confident glint in my eyes.

I affixed a special talisman to the door. This was another treasure given to me by Qingyao, which could conceal my presence and make them mistakenly believe that I was still inside.

After doing all this, I slipped out of the back window silently, hid in the shadows, and observed the situation at the base.

Before long, Demon Flame and Blood Fiend appeared furtively outside my stronghold.

They carefully surveyed the area and only went inside after confirming there were no ambushes.

"Hmph, this Xiao Yao is really a coward, she actually hid." Mo Yan sneered disdainfully, completely unaware that she had already stepped into my trap.

Blood Fiend grinned sinisterly, "Lord Demon Flame, once we catch her, we'll definitely torture her properly and teach her a lesson for offending us."

I hid in the shadows, watching their smug expressions, and sneered inwardly.

It’s just a good show.

I took a deep breath, silently recited the incantation, and activated the trap.

"boom!"

A loud bang shook the entire stronghold.

A blinding light burst forth from the room, accompanied by a piercing scream.

I saw the figures of Demon Flame and Blood Fiend struggling in the light, their faces filled with terror and disbelief.

I slowly walked out, and looking at their disheveled appearance, I felt incredibly pleased.

The tense atmosphere around them instantly dissipated, replaced by a sense of confidence that they were in control of everything.

"How are you two feeling?" I asked softly, but with a hint of cold sarcasm.

Mo Yan struggled to lift his head, and Xue Sha was in no better shape. His body was charred black, and his hair stood on end, making him look like a bald chicken that had been struck by lightning.

Seeing their disheveled state filled me with indescribable pleasure.

"It seems you two aren't too happy with my 'hospitality'?" I said with a light laugh, a hint of mockery in my tone.

Mo Yan glared at me fiercely, his eyes almost spitting fire. He struggled to stand up, but found himself powerless and could only slump to the ground like a stranded fish.

"Xiao Yao, you...you cheated!" He squeezed out a few words through gritted teeth, his voice hoarse and unpleasant.

I shrugged and said innocently, "All's fair in war. This is the survival rule of the cultivation world. Doesn't Lord Demon Flame understand that?"

Blood Fiend groaned in pain to the side, looking at Demon Flame with fear in his eyes: "My lord, what... what do we do?"

Mo Yan took a deep breath, struggling to suppress his anger. He gave me a cold look and said, "Let's go!"

After saying that, he forced himself to stagger away from my stronghold.

Blood Fiend followed closely behind, limping as he fled.

As I watched their disheveled retreating figures, a cold smile curled at the corner of my lips.

This victory has made me realize the importance of resources even more deeply.

With these scarce resources, I can refine more powerful pills and set up more ingenious traps, thus gaining a foothold in this cruel world of cultivation.

I returned to the base and carefully inspected it, finding that there was no major damage.

It seems that the trap I set worked even better than I expected.

I took a deep breath, feeling the spiritual energy permeating the air, and my heart was filled with confidence.

From a useless person with no spiritual roots to someone who can now fight against powerful demons, my progress has been tremendous.

I know this is just the beginning, and my future will be even more brilliant!

I sat cross-legged and began refining the spiritual herbs and ores I had collected earlier.

As spiritual energy continued to flow in, my body felt as if it were enveloped by a warm current, an indescribable comfort.

I feel that my cultivation level is steadily improving, and I am getting closer and closer to breaking through the bottleneck.

Time passed by, and my heart was at peace, as if I had merged with the world.

Suddenly, I sensed an unusual aura, my heart sank, and an ominous premonition arose within me.

I opened my eyes and looked out the window. I saw a shooting star streak across the night sky, leaving a strange red trail of light...

"Demon Flame, you've lost, but this is just the beginning." A chilling voice echoed in the night sky, carrying a hint of icy coldness that sent shivers down one's spine.