PFC Chapter 172 We've Been Tricked
Chapter 172 We've Been Tricked
Zhuang Yu landed slowly, his cold gaze sweeping over the approaching rogue cultivators.
He shielded Wang Yao behind him, the ice crystal spear in his hand still emanating a faint chill, as if ready to launch a fatal blow at any moment.
The atmosphere around them immediately became tense, and the greedy glint in Hong Qi and the others' eyes became even more obvious.
"Kid, you're lucky to have defeated the Flame Demon. However, the Flame Demon's inner core and treasures are ours!" Hong Qi said with a loud laugh, his tone full of domineering and threatening.
The rogue cultivators behind him echoed his sentiments, their eyes gleaming with greedy desire.
Zhuang Yu did not respond immediately, but stared coldly at Hong Qi, his eyes revealing a resolute determination.
He turned to Wang Yao and whispered, "Yao Yao, no matter what happens, stay behind me and don't move."
“Okay, Brother Zhuang,” Wang Yao replied softly, her voice tinged with nervousness but filled with trust.
Seeing this, Hong Qi's expression became even more smug. He confidently took a step forward and said, "Boy, if you know what's good for you, hand over the Flame Demon's inner core, and I might consider sparing your life. Otherwise, don't think that just because you're a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, you can escape death, no matter how strong you are!"
Zhuang Yu's lips curled up slightly. He suddenly spoke, his voice steady and powerful: "Hong Qi, do you think I'm one of those brainless scoundrels? In fact, I have a far more powerful treasure in my hands, enough to make you all drool."
Hong Qi and the surrounding rogue cultivators were stunned upon hearing this.
A greedy glint flashed in the Indian man's eyes as he impatiently asked, "What treasure? Tell me quickly!"
The surrounding independent cultivators also began to whisper among themselves, discussing the matter.
For a moment, the tense atmosphere became somewhat chaotic, and everyone's eyes were filled with doubt and anticipation.
"Zhuang Yu, if you are willing to give up the Flame Demon's inner core, I am willing to share this treasure with you."
Hong Qi's expression shifted between light and dark, clearly swayed by Zhuang Yu's words.
He hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't help asking, "Are you really so sure that the treasure really exists?"
Zhuang Yu smiled slightly, his gaze sweeping over everyone, and said firmly, "I never lie, this treasure map is absolutely real. However, the rule is that you must let me leave first, and I will tell you the exact location of the treasure after I confirm that it is safe for me."
The surrounding rogue cultivators began to discuss among themselves, and Hong Qi's expression became even more complicated.
Just then, Zhuang Yu suddenly put away the jade pendant, but remember, my patience is limited.
"
Hong Qi's gaze darted back and forth between Zhuang Yu and the jade pendant, before he finally nodded slowly: "Alright, I'll trust you this once. But if you dare to play me, I won't let you off easily!"
Zhuang Yu smiled slightly, turned around slowly, and walked away with Wang Yao into the distance, secretly planning his next move.
However, at that moment, the Indian man suddenly shouted, "Wait! I'll show you that treasure map!"
Zhuang Yu paused slightly, a cold smile playing on his lips, already having made up his mind.
He slowly turned around, a hint of mockery in his eyes: "You really want to see? Fine, but remember, you'll bear the consequences."
Ah San's expression hardened, but he still nodded firmly.
Zhuang Yu slowly unfolded the jade pendant in his hand. In a moment, a powerful aura surged out from the jade pendant, immediately attracting everyone's attention.
Just then, Zhuang Yu suddenly moved.
While everyone was distracted by the jade pendant, Zhuang Yu channeled his spiritual energy into his fingertips and silently set up a hidden teleportation array around them.
A sly smile curled at the corner of his lips, and a flash of light appeared in his hand, revealing a pill radiating an alluring glow.
"This is the 'Nine-Turn Golden Elixir,' which can help you break through bottlenecks and achieve the Great Dao!" Zhuang Yu said loudly, and threw the elixir into the distance.
The pill traced a graceful arc, radiating dazzling light in the air, instantly attracting the attention of the rogue cultivators, their eyes gleaming with greed.
"Nine-Turn Golden Elixir! It really is a Nine-Turn Golden Elixir!" Ah San shouted excitedly, rushing forward first, followed closely by the other rogue cultivators, afraid of falling behind.
Although Hong Qi had some doubts, he could not resist such a temptation.
He gave Zhuang Yu a deep look.
Just as the rogue cultivators were in chaos, Zhuang Yu and Wang Yao quickly slipped into the teleportation array.
A flash of white light, and the two figures vanished without a trace, leaving only the empty valley and the clamor of their struggle.
"Damn it! We've been tricked!" Hong Qi was the first to realize, roaring angrily.
His face was ashen, his fists clenched, and he wished he could tear Zhuang Yu to pieces.
"Chase them! We must catch them!" Hong Qi gave the order and led a group of rogue cultivators in pursuit of the direction where Zhuang Yu and Wang Yao had disappeared.
Zhuang Yu and Wang Yao arrived at a dense forest through a teleportation array. In order to stop Hong Qi and the others from pursuing them, Zhuang Yu set up some simple spiritual energy traps along the way.
Ah San was chasing the fastest, but he accidentally stepped into a trap. With a loud "boom," he was blown up, covered in dust and looking utterly disheveled.
"Ah! My face!" the Indian man screamed, clutching his face in a heart-wrenching voice.
Seeing this, Ah Si rushed forward to help Ah San, but unknowingly triggered another trap.
A powerful shockwave of spiritual energy erupted instantly, sending Ah Si and Ah San flying. The surrounding trees were also shaken and snapped, making a cracking sound.
"Cough cough cough..." Ah Si, covered in dust, got up from the ground and couldn't help but complain, "That kid is really cunning and treacherous!"
Hong Qi's face was terribly gloomy. He looked at Ah San and Ah Si, whose faces had been blown to pieces, and his heart was burning with rage.
"Chase them! Even if you have to chase them to the ends of the earth, bring them back!" Hong Qi said through gritted teeth, his voice filled with murderous intent.
Zhuang Yu and Wang Yao did not go far. They hid behind a huge ancient tree, observing the movements of Hong Qi and the others.
"Brother Zhuang, it seems they can't catch up." Wang Yao said softly, her tone relaxed.
Zhuang Yu smiled slightly, but a hint of seriousness flashed in his eyes: "We can't let our guard down yet. Hong Qi isn't someone you give up on so easily..." He paused, gazing into the distance, and said in a low voice, "It seems we need to find another way out..."
In the jungle, branches and leaves intertwine, blocking out the sun.
Zhuang Yu and Wang Yao moved swiftly through the dense thicket, the withered branches and leaves under their feet making a crisp "crackling" sound, startling a flock of birds.
Zhuang Yu's breathing was slightly rapid. The continuous battles and setting up formations had greatly depleted his spiritual energy, and he was also somewhat exhausted.
Sweat soaked his clothes, clinging to his body and creating a sticky sensation.
He felt dizzy, his vision blurred, and his steps became heavy.
Wang Yao followed closely behind Zhuang Yu. Her clothes were also torn by thorns, revealing small wounds from which drops of blood seeped.
But she seemed oblivious to the pain, her gaze fixed intently on Zhuang Yu.
"Brother Zhuang, are you alright?" Wang Yao asked with concern, her voice trembling slightly.
Zhuang Yu forced a smile: "It's nothing, I'm just a little tired."
Wang Yao looked at Zhuang Yu with heartache. She slowed her pace, came to Zhuang Yu's side, gently took his arm, and said in a gentle tone, "Brother Zhuang, lean on me and walk. I'll help you."
Zhuang Yu felt a warm current surge in his heart as he felt Wang Yao's soft touch.
He nodded and leaned his weight slightly against Wang Yao.
Wang Yao carefully supported Zhuang Yu as the two slowly made their way through the jungle.
The surrounding trees grew denser, the light grew dimmer, and the air was filled with the damp scent of earth.
Suddenly, Zhuang Yu stopped in his tracks, feeling a sharp pain in his arm.
He looked down and saw a sharp thorn piercing his arm, blood slowly flowing from the wound.
"Brother Zhuang!" Wang Yao exclaimed, quickly covering Zhuang Yu's wound with a handkerchief.
Zhuang Yu was deeply moved as he looked at Wang Yao's gentle demeanor.
He gently took Wang Yao's hand and said in a tender tone, "Yao Yao, I'm fine, it's just a minor injury."
Wang Yao's eyes were slightly red as she carefully wiped Zhuang Yu's wounds, her movements gentle and meticulous, as if she were handling a precious treasure.
Looking at Wang Yao's serious expression, Zhuang Yu felt an indescribable warmth welling up in his heart.
He reached out and gently stroked Wang Yao's hair, saying in a tender tone, "Yao Yao, thank you."
Wang Yao looked up at Zhuang Yu's gentle gaze, her cheeks flushing slightly.
“Brother Zhuang…” Wang Yao said softly, her voice tinged with shyness.
Just then, a gentle breeze blew by, bringing a touch of coolness.
Zhuang Yu suddenly felt uneasy. He abruptly raised his head and scanned his surroundings warily.
"What's wrong, Brother Zhuang?" Wang Yao noticed Zhuang Yu's unusual behavior and quickly asked.
Zhuang Yu did not answer. He took Wang Yao's hand and walked quickly forward.
"Wait, Brother Zhuang..." Wang Yao asked, puzzled.
Zhuang Yu ignored Wang Yao's question. He took Wang Yao's hand and led her through a dense thicket of bushes to a secluded cliff.
“Yaoyao, look…” Zhuang Yu pointed to an inconspicuous hole in the mountain wall and said in a low voice.
Following Zhuang Yu's gaze, Wang Yao saw a dark cave entrance appear before her...
The cave was deep and dark, with an entrance that could only allow one person to pass through at a time. Inside, it was pitch black, and the damp air was filled with a faint earthy smell.
Zhuang Yu took out the luminous pearl, and its soft light illuminated a small area around him. The jagged rocks and slippery moss looked particularly eerie in the light.
“Brother Zhuang, here…” Wang Yao’s voice trembled slightly as she gripped Zhuang Yu’s sleeve tightly, her fingertips icy cold.
Zhuang Yu patted the back of her hand to reassure her.
"Don't be afraid, Yao Yao, I will protect you," he comforted her softly, his tone firm.
Spiritual energy flowed from his fingertips, and intricate runes appeared in the air, weaving together to form a defensive array that shimmered with pale blue light, sealing off the cave entrance.
After doing all this, Zhuang Yu finally breathed a slight sigh of relief.
The cave was completely silent, except for the dripping sound of water droplets falling on the ground, which was amplified in the quiet space, adding to the eeriness.
Zhuang Yu and Wang Yao cautiously walked deeper into the cave, their feet treading on slippery rocks, taking each step with utmost care.
Suddenly, the luminous pearl flashed, the surrounding air began to heat up, and a violent energy fluctuation came from the depths of the cave, as if something terrible was about to awaken.
"This is..." Zhuang Yu's expression changed slightly. He sensed the destructive power contained in this energy fluctuation, and a sense of unease rose in his heart.
The light on the defensive formation began to flicker violently, as if it were about to collapse at any moment.
The runes that made up the formation twisted and deformed, emitting a "sizzling" sound, as if they were under tremendous pressure.
"Oh no! It's the power of a strange fire!" Zhuang Yu exclaimed in surprise, finally understanding the source of this violent energy.
Strange Fire, a wondrous object born from heaven and earth, possesses the power to destroy the world.
He never imagined that such a terrifying existence was hidden deep within this cave.
Wang Yao's face was pale, and she gripped Zhuang Yu's hand tightly, her body trembling slightly.
"Brother Zhuang, what should we do?"
Zhuang Yu frowned as he looked at the crumbling defensive formation, quickly weighing the pros and cons in his mind.
If they stay here, they will eventually be devoured by the power of the strange fire; but if they go deeper, there may be a glimmer of hope.
"Yaoyao, stay close to me!" Zhuang Yu's eyes were firm as he took Wang Yao's hand and walked deeper into the cave.
"Let's go to the core area of the Strange Flame!"