Chapter 12: Li Muwan

At that moment, a soft exclamation sounded, and turning around, it was a woman. Behind her followed a lecherous man with a lascivious grin, whose very appearance was repulsive. Yet, this sleazy man was actually a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator—no wonder the woman was desperately fleeing for her life.

Wang Lin watched the scene before him with no stir of emotion in his heart; he was all too familiar with the cruelty of the cultivation world. Why bother helping a woman he had never met?

On the other hand, Fang Zhiyi seemed to have thought of something. Her gaze fell upon the lecherous man, a flicker of disdain crossing her eyes. She lightly waved her hand, and the man let out a startled cry before plummeting downward, his body instantly stiffened.

The woman who had been pursued turned her face in terror, but upon seeing Fang Zhiyi was also a woman, she visibly relaxed. After tidying her clothing, she flew towards Fang Zhiyi and said, "Thank you, Elder Fang."

"From the War God Hall?" Fang Zhiyi asked.

The woman nodded, her face filled with grievance. "I am Li Muwan from War Luohe Sect. Our thirteen-person team was ambushed by that man just now. Seeing me as a woman, he had ill intentions. Fortunately, Elder Fang, you arrived in time to save me."

"It was just a small favor," Fang Zhiyi replied lightly, not dwelling on what had occurred. Indeed, to her, it really was just a simple matter.

Admiration shone in Li Muwan’s eyes as she said, "Elder Fang, then I will return."

But Fang Zhiyi spoke up, "Come with us. Now that the fire beasts have broken through the nation's sealing array, the War God Hall is no longer safe."

Hearing this, Li Muwan furrowed her brow in disbelief, but she understood Fang Zhiyi meant well. "Yes, Elder Fang."

From start to finish, Wang Lin had paid no attention to Li Muwan, though he was puzzled by Fang Zhiyi’s sudden show of compassion.

The two women flanked Fang Zhiyi as the three of them stepped into the Sea of Demonic Cultivation.

As Wang Lin and Li Muwan entered this place, they felt a deep unease, their faces turning pale. Yet Fang Zhiyi remained unaffected, her expression calm and natural.

The Sea of Demonic Cultivation was a vast basin shrouded in eerie mist and biting cold, growing more intense the deeper one ventured. Anyone staying too long here without a Nascent Soul or higher cultivation would risk severe harm to their foundation.

The creatures within this sea were many and strange, unlike anything Wang Lin or Li Muwan had seen before. Though a powerful Deity Ascension cultivator accompanied them, to avoid causing trouble for Fang Zhiyi, the two remained cautious and vigilant since entering the sea.

Fang Zhiyi had come here searching for something.

Within this Sea of Demonic Cultivation lay a great treasure she would need in the future. Though its exact nature was unknown, she sensed it was of utmost importance.

Her method of searching was simple yet brutal.

Impatient and valuing efficiency, Fang Zhiyi made no hesitation and plunged straight into the depths of the sea, where towering peaks rose like mountains within the basin.

Whenever she sensed something behind a rock face, she would shatter the stone without hesitation.

Her control over her strength was precise—the rocks broke just enough to reveal what lay inside.

Wang Lin and Li Muwan watched in astonishment. Any of these treasures, if discovered elsewhere, would surely be fought over by countless cultivators.

Yet Fang Zhiyi paid them no mind. Once she confirmed none were what she sought, she moved on immediately.

Such commotion soon attracted attention.

About twenty male cultivators of varying stature, with lecherous grins, cast their gaze upon Fang Zhiyi and Li Muwan.

"Didn’t expect to find not only treasures but also two beautiful ladies here," the leader sneered, then glanced at Wang Lin. "That guy sure has good fortune."

They paid no heed to the three, except Fang Zhiyi’s cultivation level was unfathomable to them, though they gave it no thought.

A flicker of clear disgust appeared in Fang Zhiyi’s eyes as she raised her hand and clenched her fist midair.

For several seconds, nothing happened. The men snorted, mocking her, "All show and no substance. Later, you’ll be begging us to spare you."

Suddenly, their laughter was cut off abruptly. The men fell silent, as if crushed like ripe tomatoes.

"Annoying," Fang Zhiyi said coldly, then resumed her search, smashing another peak.

She then instructed, "You two, gather all these up."

Wang Lin suspected Fang Zhiyi’s command was simply to avoid further trouble should more people arrive.

Both complied obediently, one collecting from the front, the other from behind, bundling all the treasures together.

Fang Zhiyi had thoroughly searched the area but found nothing she sought.

Growing slightly impatient, she frowned. Going deeper was beyond Li Muwan’s capacity—her body could not endure it.

With a flash, Fang Zhiyi appeared before Wang Lin. "You two find a place to hide. I’ll be back soon."

"Master, I’ll go with you," Wang Lin said seriously.

But Fang Zhiyi’s gaze fell on Li Muwan, making her meaning clear.

Li Muwan was weaker in strength. Though both Wang Lin and Li Muwan were mid-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, there was a vast difference between them.

Moreover, Li Muwan was stunningly beautiful; if she remained here, who knew what might happen.

Since she was from the Fire Burning Nation, Fang Zhiyi felt compelled to protect her.

"Yes, Master," Wang Lin obeyed without resistance.

Just as Fang Zhiyi predicted, after she ventured deeper into the Sea of Demonic Cultivation, over a dozen men arrived, dressed identically to those she had just slain.

They must be from the same sect—the Evil Fighting Sect.

These new arrivals were clearly more cunning and did not lose their wits over Li Muwan.

An older man stepped forward, "Have you seen anyone dressed like us?"

Wang Lin and Li Muwan, who had barely interacted before, now showed remarkable synchronicity.

They shook their heads together, Wang Lin replying, "No."

The older man eyed them suspiciously, clearly doubting their words.

His gaze swept the nearby area, but it was spotless—nothing at all.

This was impossible—they had clearly come this way.