"Fellow Daoist Yuan, do you really have no interest? This task is quite rare, and I only got the chance to invite others to it because I'm acquainted with a steward from the City Lord Mansion. Don't miss this opportunity," Cui Wuran said, hastily trying to persuade Yuan Ming when he saw the expression on his face.

"Thank you for the consideration, Fellow Daoist Cui, but I've just made a breakthrough to the late stage of Foundation Establishment, and my realm is not yet stable. I must, regrettably, decline your kind offer. However, I have two friends whose cultivation might be slightly inferior to mine, but their Divine Skills are not to be underestimated. Together, their strength is no less than mine. Could they possibly take on this task? As for the reward, they would be content with a total of five thousand Spirit Stones upon the successful completion of the hunt," Yuan Ming replied after a moment of contemplation.

"This..." Cui Wuran showed a look of difficulty.

"If it's inconvenient for you, then let's forget about it. Please accept these three materials," Yuan Ming said.

"Since Fellow Daoist Yuan has spoken so highly of them, these two friends must be extraordinary. I will mention it to that steward from the City Lord Mansion. Wait for my message," Cui Wuran took out a Communication Talisman and handed it to Yuan Ming.

Yuan Ming naturally agreed.

The two of them made small talk for a bit and soon parted ways.

Yuan Ming returned to his residence and continued to meditate. Not even two hours later, he received a reply from Cui Wuran. The steward from the City Lord Mansion had agreed and asked to meet at the city gate entrance early the next morning.

"Master, when you mentioned the two who would take your place, were you referring to me and Vajra? I really don't want to act together with that smelly monkey," Hua Zhi complained somewhat discontentedly.

"Vajra is currently in seclusion inside and doesn't look like he will be emerging any time soon. This time you'll be acting with Zuo Qinghui," Yuan Ming said.

"Zuo Qinghui? He is barely acceptable, certainly better than that smelly monkey," Hua Zhi muttered to herself after she hesitated, communicating through her spiritual intelligence.

Over the past year, she had been hunting various demon insects non-stop and her strength had improved rapidly. She was already nearing the second rank upper stage, her strength surpassing that of the current "Zuo Qinghui" by quite a bit.

...

The next morning, not far from the City Lord Mansion, Cui Wuran saw Yuan Ming's two friends on an open ground. One was a thin and tall figure wrapped in a black robe, and the other was naturally Zuo Qinghui.

At this moment, Zuo Qinghui had grown out his hair and beard, covering most of his face. In addition, with changes in his aura and his complexion, even his direct disciples would not necessarily recognize him immediately.

As for the figure in the black robe, it was naturally Hua Zhi.

"The two of you must be Fellow Daoist Hua and Fellow Daoist Zuo, right? It's a pleasure to meet you. Allow me to introduce you, this is Manager Liao from the City Lord Mansion," Cui Wuran introduced the dark-skinned, short, and stout middle-aged man beside him.

Despite his short stature and hands clasped behind his back, the aura he exuded was no trivial matter.

"Hehe, friends recommended by Fellow Daoist Cui indeed aren't ordinary people. Fellow Daoist Hua's strength almost seems to be reaching the late stage of Foundation Establishment, doesn't it? And Fellow Daoist Zuo also has quite impressive cultivation. With the aid of the two of you, it seems the task will not be much of an issue," Manager Liao said with a laugh, showing no airs about him.

"You flatter us, Fellow Daoist Liao," Zuo Qinghui politely returned a sentence.

Hua Zhi stood in silence on the side, just nodding her head slightly without greeting the other two.

"Fellow Daoist Liao, Fellow Daoist Cui, Fellow Daoist Hua is mute by nature, not disrespectful to you. Please don't take offense," Zuo Qinghui explained.

"No problem at all," Manager Liao glanced at Hua Zhi, raising his eyebrows slightly as he spoke.

"When do we depart?" Zuo Qinghui asked.

"We're still waiting for two other Daoists to arrive. Please wait a moment," Cui Wuran said before Manager Liao could speak.

Zuo Qinghui agreed and, along with Hua Zhi, stood aside.

The two others quickly arrived, and to Yuan Ming, both were familiar faces. They were Gu Sanniang and the Luo Sibearded big man from the Fire Origin Sect who called himself Shi Chuan, whom he had met at the exchange meeting the day before.

Zuo Qinghui's expression shifted slightly. It seemed that Cui Wuran's invitation to several people to the exchange meeting yesterday had another deeper intent.

After Cui Wuran made brief introductions, Manager Liao greeted both of them quite cordially.

"Now that everyone has arrived, let's set off," Manager Liao said, raising his hand and throwing out a phantom shadow. As it caught the wind, it transformed into a snow-white jade Flying Boat. He then leaped onto it with a flicker of his figure.

Cui Wuran and the other four quickly followed, climbing aboard the Flying Boat.

The Flying Boat rose into the air and turned into a white rainbow that shot off, vanishing into the distant sky.

Manager Liao led the five towards the northwest, flying for a full day and night before stopping, descending into a desert canyon.

"Fellow Daoist Liao, it seems we are no longer within the territory of Zhao Country, correct?" Shi Chuan looked around at the landscape and asked cautiously.

"It seems we've already reached Qin Country?" Gu Sanniang also spoke.

Both Zuo Qinghui and Hua Zhi looked around without saying anything.

"Hehe, you both have good eyesight; indeed, this is already Qin Country's domain. However, it's only the outer area, so we won't encounter people from the Cultivation Sects of Qin Country," Manager Liao said with a chuckle.

"I hope so," Shi Chuan said slowly, neither affirming nor denying it.

The Fire Origin Sect had two cities within the Black Wind Desert, and because of disputes over mine veins, there had been quite a few conflicts with the Cultivation Sects of Qin Country.

If they were to encounter Cultivators from the Sects of Qin Country here, it might not be a problem for others, but it would be a great trouble for him.

"Fellow travelers, you've all had a long journey. Rest here for a while. The City Lord Mansion has also invited a few other fellow Daoists to meet here; they should arrive shortly," Manager Liao said.

Shi Chuan didn't say anything and went to sit down on the side while Gu Sanniang hesitated for a moment before sitting down not too far from Shi Chuan.

Zuo Qinghui and Hua Zhi walked to another side, whereas Cui Wuran and Manager Liao stood where they were, idly chatting on and off.

They waited for the better part of the day until, as the sun set, three streams of tunneling light finally appeared in the distant sky. They quickly flew into the valley and descended, revealing two men and a woman.

The men were dressed in red robes and looked similar, apparently brothers, with their Cultivation reaching mid-stage Foundation Establishment.

The woman appeared to be in her mid-twenties, with arching eyebrows and a delicate nose, a full figure, and skin so smooth it seemed water could be squeezed from it. Her eyes were moist and seductive, half-open and half-closed, as if a single glance could hook one's soul away.

The aura emanating from this woman had already reached the late stage of Foundation Establishment and her attire was quite similar to that of Manager Liao.

"Manager Yue, you've finally arrived. Any later and we might have delayed important matters," Manager Liao said with a cold voice, seemingly in some discord with the voluptuous woman.

"Red Gold Centipedes are active during the day and return to their nest to rest at night. Now is the perfect time," Manager Yue replied without taking offense, instead smiling sweetly, causing the men present to be somewhat dazed.

Hua Zhi was naturally unaffected, and Zuo Qinghui's cultivation of the Heart Cleansing Technique was profound enough that he too remained unaffected by the woman's charm.

Upon hearing this, Manager Liao's expression stiffened.

"Manager Liao has invited so many fellow Daoists here. Very good. I, Yue Rong, will rely on the strength of all the fellow Daoists here for today's matter," Yue Rong said as she politely greeted the group brought by Manager Liao, seemingly overshadowing the host.

"Of course, of course," Shi Chuan replied with a hearty smile, the first to respond.

Yue Rong gave Shi Chuan a slight smile and, with a wave of her hand, a large yellow sand boat appeared on the ground in front of them.

"We are not far from the nest of the Red Gold Centipedes. Flying escape might be detected, so let us take this earth-riding flying boat there," Yue Rong said as she boarded the sand boat.

Seeing this, the others also jumped onboard.

Manager Liao's expression turned somewhat unsightly, but he did not argue with Yue Rong and boarded the sand boat as well.

Shi Chuan, seemingly attracted by Yue Rong's beauty, started conversing with her as soon as he got on the boat.

Yue Rong chatted and laughed with Shi Chuan while also propelling the sand boat forward.

The yellow sand boat moved forward slowly at first but gradually increased speed, not much slower than flying escape, and soon reached the vicinity of a small stone mountain.

"The nest of those two Red Gold Centipedes is right beneath this Small Stone Mountain. These demon insects are intelligent with keen senses, so fellow Daoists, please don't carelessly use your Divine Sense, lest they detect it," Yue Rong sent the message telepathically.

All nodded in agreement.

Yue Rong parked the sand boat in a concealed location nearby and took out a set of yellow Array Flags and Array Plates, quickly starting to set up an Array with practiced movements, indicating that she was an Array Master.

"Is this the Houtu Two-Phase Array?" Zuo Qinghui recognized the Array after watching for a while.

"Oh, Fellow Daoist Zuo is also versed in Formations?" Yue Rong looked over and smiled.

"To say I'm versed would be too much. I just have some knowledge," Zuo Qinghui replied calmly, as if he had not seen Yue Rong's soul-enticing eyes.

A hint of surprise flashed in Yue Rong's eyes, but she continued to set up the Array and quickly finished.

"What a skillful technique, Miss Yue. With the Houtu Two-Phase Array as our support, those two Red Gold Centipedes, no matter how formidable, are not to be feared," Shi Chuan said, trying to ingratiating himself.

"Fellow Daoist Shi is too kind," Yue Rong replied with a graceful smile.

"Now that the Array is set up, let's proceed as we previously discussed. We'll divide into two groups: I, along with Fellow Daoist Cui and the Wang brothers, will lure the Red Gold Centipedes here. The rest of you prepare to provide support here," Manager Liao said.

"Luring the Red Gold Centipedes is quite dangerous, Manager Liao, you..." Yue Rong was surprised and hesitant about Manager Liao's offer to take on the task.

"When it comes to controlling the Houtu Two-Phase Array, I am no match for you. It's better for you to control it. Fellow Daoist Cui has a Magic Artifact for Earth Tunneling, and the Wang brothers practice Earth Attribute Cultivation Techniques and are also skilled in the Joint Attack Skill. The four of us going is the most suitable," Manager Liao said decisively.

"Manager Liao is right. We'll trouble you then," Yue Rong replied slowly.

Without further ado, Manager Liao gestured to the other three and they stealthily approached Small Stone Mountain.

Yue Rong activated the Array, and streams of sand-like yellow light poured out, enveloping everyone present.

The yellow light of the Array blended in perfectly with the surrounding sandy terrain, virtually indistinguishable at first glance, emitting no trace of breath.

No one could use their Divine Sense to investigate the surroundings; only Yue Rong sat with her eyes closed, seemingly sensing the outside through the Array.

Time ticked by, and a quarter of an hour quickly passed.

"They're coming; everyone, get ready!" Yue Rong abruptly opened her eyes and said.

Upon hearing this, everyone inside the Array became alert, each conjuring their Magic Artifacts, looking around vigilantly, and preparing for the confrontation.

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