Chapter 161: An Injustice Witnessed on the Road

Upon hearing this, the coarse-browed cultivator’s expression changed drastically. He immediately cupped his hands and spoke swiftly, “Esteemed senior, there is a reason for this matter!”

The coarse-browed cultivator hurriedly explained, not expecting that the Foundation Establishment cultivator before him was actually a member of the Infinite Alliance. Although the two alliances were not exactly adversaries, in this desolate wilderness, if he harbored murderous intent, none of his disciples would be able to escape.

After all, the gap between a Foundation Establishment cultivator and a Qi Refining cultivator was immense.

“A reason?” Bai Qingzhou glanced back at Wu Haoming, who stood behind her. His face was tense, sweat beading on his forehead, eyes darting nervously—a picture of guilt.

Bai Qingzhou paused, then turned back to the coarse-browed cultivator and asked, “What reason? Do explain.”

Seeing Bai Qingzhou had not attacked immediately, the coarse-browed cultivator breathed a sigh of relief. The fact that she hadn’t struck offhand indicated she was reasonable.

He composed himself and pointed at Wu Haoming, scolding, “This man used a false identity to infiltrate our Tin Stone mine, where he extracted numerous tin stones. He even assaulted one of our disciples! An outrageous act! Tin stones are assets of our Quadrilateral Alliance; how can he just take them at will!”

Bai Qingzhou was stunned upon hearing this. She hadn’t imagined Wu Haoming would be so brazen as to venture alone into another’s territory to conduct such operations. His cultivation was merely late Qi Refining stage at best...

With a sigh, Bai Qingzhou turned to Wu Haoming and softly inquired, “Is this true?”

Wu Haoming scratched the back of his head and gave a sheepish laugh, “Heh heh, more or less...”

“You’re really bold, daring to scheme in such a place!” Bai Qingzhou scolded, eyeing his nonchalant demeanor.

Such precious resources would never be guarded by a mere late Qi Refining disciple alone; any alliance would assign Foundation Establishment cultivators to watch over them. Wu Haoming’s escape here was nothing short of incredible luck.

“Enough. Return the tin stones to them immediately,” Bai Qingzhou waved her hand.

“Uh...” Wu Haoming looked surprised, then hesitated before saying, “Senior Bai, these people are only Qi Refining cultivators. If you just make a move, they—”

He gestured by slitting his own throat in the air, a clear hint.

If Bai Qingzhou intervened, these cultivators would hardly escape; with some effort, they could all be wiped out here.

This gesture was seen clearly by the cultivators opposite. Their faces turned pale, and they drew their weapons cautiously, watching Bai Qingzhou’s every move.

They obviously planned to scatter and flee the moment Bai Qingzhou made a move.

“No!” Bai Qingzhou shook her head, unmoved. “Return the stones to them.”

“But...” Wu Haoming shouted anxiously, “Senior Bai, these stones are worth over a thousand spirit stones! If you eliminate these people, how about you keep ninety percent? That’s nine hundred lower-grade spirit stones for you!”

“No need! Return the stones at once!” Bai Qingzhou ordered sternly. “I won’t do such a thing!”

Though the materials were worth nearly a thousand spirit stones—a fortune easily within reach—Bai Qingzhou’s principles would never allow her to commit robbery. Her swordsmanship did not fight for such gains.

Seeing her serious expression, Wu Haoming’s face darkened.

He had thought that meeting Bai Qingzhou would secure this income easily, but he hadn’t expected her to disdain such wealth, leaving him in a difficult position.

“Hurry up!” Bai Qingzhou warned again.

“Fine...” Wu Haoming reluctantly took out a storage pouch and prepared to use his cultivation power to transport the tin stones back.

Just then—

“Thief! Prepare to die!” A thunderous voice rang out from the side, shaking everyone’s ears.

Bai Qingzhou’s heart jolted; this was no Qi Refining cultivator’s shout but a Foundation Establishment cultivator’s!

She quickly looked up.

Not far off, a man around forty years old was rushing over at full speed.

He wore a teal robe with a tea-green belt at his waist, and his piercing eyes shone brightly. His face was flush with excitement as he charged toward Bai Qingzhou and the others.

“Elder!” The coarse-browed cultivator shouted happily upon seeing him.

“The elder has arrived!”

“Great! These people won’t escape now!”

The pursuers’ faces lit up with joy, their previous survival panic vanishing without a trace. Many waved their arms in greeting.

Upon hearing this, Bai Qingzhou’s heart sank deeply. She had not anticipated that the Foundation Establishment cultivator from the other side would arrive so swiftly.

“Prepare your Flying Cloud Spirit Papers and be careful!” Bai Qingzhou whispered sideways to He Zuo and He Li behind her.

The two had been with their sect for years and already possessed the Flying Cloud Spirit Papers. Bai Qingzhou’s instruction was to ready them so that if a fight broke out, they could use their flying devices to escape the fray.

“Senior Brother...” He Li’s face was tight with tension as he clung to Bai Qingzhou’s robe.

Beside him, He Zuo drew his long sword, eyes fixed intently on the opposing cultivators, eager to strike. Yet his trembling arms betrayed his inner turmoil.

“Fellow cultivators! Please do not attack!” Bai Qingzhou immediately shouted, releasing her aura forcefully.

The two auras collided midair.

“Hm?” The middle-aged cultivator in the teal robe sensed Bai Qingzhou’s strength and gradually slowed, floating down before the group. His fierce gaze swept up and down Bai Qingzhou and her three companions.

“Fellow cultivator, let us speak calmly...” Bai Qingzhou took the initiative to speak.

“Hmph! You are the ones who stole tin stones from my sect and injured my disciple?” the teal-clad man bellowed.

Bai Qingzhou cupped her hands respectfully. “Please forgive us, fellow cultivator. We will return the tin stones immediately and hope you will not pursue this further.”

“Oh? You intend to return the stones just because I arrived? So you only dare act when confronted?” the man sneered.

“That’s not it. We intended to return them all along; you just happened to arrive at this moment.”

The man paused, then turned to the coarse-browed cultivator beside him. “Is what they say true?”

“Yes, Elder. They really did intend to return the stones just now,” the coarse-browed cultivator confirmed.

The young man fell silent in thought.

Seeing this, Bai Qingzhou’s heart eased slightly. She whispered, “Fellow cultivator, this is just a misunderstanding.”

“Hmm, I see...” The man nodded slowly, then suddenly his expression hardened. “Follow me! Kill them!”

He charged forward fiercely.

Bai Qingzhou’s face changed dramatically, shocked that he would attack outright.

But she reacted immediately.

“Go!” she shouted, forcefully pushing He Zuo and He Li aside. With a deft spin of her White Sand Sword, she flew out gracefully!

(End of chapter)