zhū wèi jiāng fǎ lì zhù rù chuán sòng fú ， rán hòu jiù kě yǐ zǒu le ” sūn hǎi . de fēn fù 。
诸位将法力注入传送符，然后就可以走了”孙海.的吩咐。
Sun Hai instructed everyone to inject their cultivation power into the teleportation talisman and then they could leave.
zhòng rén méi yǒu chí ， jù bǎo lóu kāi mén zuò shēng yì ， zì rán huì jiǎng jiū xìn yù 。
众人没有迟，聚宝楼开门做生意，自然会讲究信誉。
The crowd didn't hesitate. As a reputable business, Precious Treasure Tower naturally valued its reputation.
bái guāng yào yǎn ， chuán sòng fú huà wèi guāng zhào jiāng zhòng rén bāo guǒ zài qí jiān ， rán hòu yī yī lái dào le gǔ chuán sòng zhèn de shàng miàn 。
白光耀眼，传送符化为光罩将众人包裹在其间，然后一一来到了古传送阵的上面。
A dazzling white light enveloped them as the teleportation talisman transformed into a luminous shield, carrying them over to the ancient teleportation array.
suí hòu zhàn zài zhōu wéi de jǐ míng jù bǎo lóu dì zǐ ， gè zì cóng huái zhōng qǔ chū yí miàn lìng qí ， ér sūn hǎi xiān zé biǎo qíng níng zhòng de niàn qǐ le zhòu yǔ 。
随后站在周围的几名聚宝楼弟子，各自从怀中取出一面令旗，而孙海仙则表情凝重的念起了咒语。
Several Precious Treasure Tower disciples standing around took out令旗 from their pockets while Sun Hai recited incantations with a solemn expression.
suí zhe yì yáng dùn cuò de shēng yīn ， xiāng qiàn zài sì zhōu de jīng shí liàng le qǐ lái ， wǔ yán liù sè de líng guāng yān mò le zhòng rén de shēn yǐng ……
随着抑扬顿挫的声音，镶嵌在四周的晶石亮了起来，五颜六色的灵光淹没了众人的身影……
As the rhythmic voice echoed, the crystal stones embedded in the surroundings lit up, and colorful spiritual lights surrounded everyone...
yǔ qí tā rén bù tóng ， lín xuān zǎo yǐ bú shì dì yī cì jīng lì chāo yuǎn jù lí de chuán sòng ， rán ér zhè huí què wán quán méi yǒu tiān xuán dì zhuàn de gǎn jué ， děng yǎn qián nà xuàn lì de guāng máng xiāo sàn yǐ hòu ， tā men chū xiàn zài le yī piàn xiǎo xiǎo de shù lín zhōng 。
与其他人不同，林轩早已不是第一次经历超远距离的传送，然而这回却完全没有天旋地转的感觉，等眼前那绚丽的光芒消散以后，他们出现在了一片小小的树林中。
Unlike others, Lin Xuan had already experienced long-distance teleportation many times. This time, he didn't feel any dizziness or disorientation. After the brilliant light dissipated, they found themselves in a small forest.
lín xuān shén shí yī sǎo ， zhè lǐ sì hū shì mǒu zuò fán rén xiǎo zhèn de jiāo qū 。
林轩神识一扫，这里似乎是某座凡人小镇的郊区。
Lin Xuan's divine sense swept over the area, revealing that it seemed to be on the outskirts of some ordinary town.
xiǎo zhèn jù lí zhè lǐ yuē èr shí yú lǐ ， suī rán shuō bù shàng fán huá ， dàn yě yǒu shàng wàn rén jū zhù 。
小镇距离这里约二十余里，虽然说不上繁华，但也有上万人居住。
The town was about twenty miles away and had around ten thousand inhabitants, though not particularly prosperous.
lín xuān biǎo qíng yī sōng ， lún xiàn qū zǎo jiù méi yǒu rén yān le ， kàn lái guǒ rán shì huí dào le yōu zhōu ān quán de dì diǎn 。
林轩表情一松，沦陷区早就没有人烟了，看来果然是回到了幽州安全的地点。
Lin Xuan relaxed slightly. The occupied areas were already deserted, so he must have returned to a safe location in Youzhou.
qí tā xiū shì yě liǎn sè yī xǐ ， rán hòu jiù gè zì huà zuò dùn guāng sì sàn ér qù 。
其他修士也脸色一喜，然后就各自化作遁光四散而去。
Other cultivators also looked relieved as they dispersed into their own paths.
yě nán guài tā men rú cǐ cōng máng ， tóng háng de hóng fěn lǎo mó kě shì è míng yuǎn bō ， yǔ tā dài zài yì qǐ tí xīn diào dǎn ， zì rán yào zǎo diǎn lí kāi cái xīn ān 。
也难怪他们如此匆忙，同行的红粉老魔可是恶名远播，与他待在一起提心吊胆，自然要早点离开才心安。
It wasn't surprising that they were eager to leave; the notorious Red Powder Old Demon had a fearsome reputation. Being with him was nerve-wracking, and everyone wanted to be far away from him.
“ shào yé ！”
“少爷！”
"Young Master!"
“ ń ， wǒ men yě zǒu ba ！”
“嗯，我们也走吧！”
"Yeah, let's go!"
lín xuān shuō wán zhè huà ， hún shēn qīng sè xiá guāng dà qǐ ， jiāng lù yíng ér hé liú xīn bāo guǒ zài qí jiān ， huà wèi yī dào jīng hóng ， pò kōng fēi zǒu 。
林轩说完这话，浑身青色霞光大起，将陆盈儿和刘芯包裹在其间，化为一道惊虹，破空飞走。
After Lin Xuan said this, a bright green light enveloped Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin, transforming into a streak of lightning that broke through the air and flew off.
bù xiāo yī shí sān kè ， shù lín zhōng jiù zhǐ shèng xià hóng fěn lǎo mó gū líng líng de yí gè rén le ， tā tái qǐ tóu ， wàng le wàng xī biān de fāng xiàng ， chǒu lòu de sān jiǎo yǎn zhōng shǎn guò yī sī cán rěn de guāng máng 。
不消一时三刻，树林中就只剩下红粉老魔孤零零的一个人了，他抬起头，望了望西边的方向，丑陋的三角眼中闪过一丝残忍的光芒。
In no time, only the Red Powder Old Demon was left alone in the forest. He looked up at the western direction, his ugly triangular eyes gleaming with cruel intent.
suī rán huí dào le xiū shì kòng zhì de fàn wéi ， dàn zhè ér jiū jìng shì nǎ lǐ ， lín xuān què bìng bù qīng chǔ ， àn lǐ shuō ， tā běn gāi qù fù jìn de shì zhèn dǎ tīng yī èr de ， kě lín xuān bìng méi yǒu zhè me zuò ， fǎn ér cháo zhe xiāng fǎn de fāng xiàng fēi zǒu le 。
虽然回到了修士控制的范围，但这儿究竟是哪里，林轩却并不清楚，按理说，他本该去附近的市镇打听一二的，可林轩并没有这么做，反而朝着相反的方向飞走了。
Although they had returned to a region controlled by cultivators, Lin Xuan didn't know exactly where he was. Normally, he would have gone to nearby towns for information, but instead, he flew in the opposite direction.
liú xīn yǒu xiē hào qí ， lù yíng ér zé ruò yǒu suǒ sī ， kě liǎng nǚ dōu méi yǒu kāi kǒu xún wèn shén me ， xiǎn rán duì lín xuān xìn rèn wú bǐ 。
刘芯有些好奇，陆盈儿则若有所思，可两女都没有开口询问什么，显然对林轩信任无比。
Liu Xin looked curious while Lu Ying'er seemed thoughtful, but neither spoke as they clearly trusted him completely.
jiù zhè yàng fēi le xiǎo bàn gè shí chén ， lín xuān lüè yī gū jì ， jù lí nà fán rén de xiǎo zhèn yǐ yǒu bǎi lǐ ， zhè ér suī tán bù shàng qióng shān è shuǐ ， dàn què shí rén jì hǎn zhì 。
就这样飞了小半个时辰，林轩略一估计，距离那凡人的小镇已有百里，这儿虽谈不上穷山恶水，但确实人迹罕至。
Flying for half an hour, Lin Xuan estimated that they were about a hundred miles from the ordinary town. The area wasn't particularly desolate, but it was indeed sparsely populated.
lín xuān là xià dùn guāng ， lái dào le jiǎo xià dì luàn duī shàng ， shōu qǐ xī xiào de biǎo qíng ， yǎn zhōng duō le jǐ fēn hěn lì 。
林轩落下遁光，来到了脚下地乱堆上，收起嬉笑的表情，眼中多了几分狠厉。
Lin Xuan landed his遁光 and stood on the ground, putting away his playful expression to reveal a more fierce one.
“ dào yǒu gēn zōng le wǒ zhè me jiǔ ， kě fǒu shuō shuō nǐ de lái yì ？”
“道友跟踪了我这么久，可否说说你的来意？”
"Friend, you've been following me for so long. Might I ask your intentions?"
“ bù cuò ， gǔ mǒu guǒ rán méi yǒu zǒu yǎn ， dào yǒu bú shì pǔ tōng de níng dān qī xiū shì ， jìng rán néng gòu kàn pò wǒ de dùn shù ， bù zhī dào yǒu xiān xiāng hé chù ？” bàn suí zhe shā yǎ de shēng yīn ， yī duǒ hóng yún píng kōng zài tiān kōng zhōng chū xiàn ， shēng shì jīng rén de piāo le guò lái 。
“不错，古某果然没有走眼，道友不是普通的凝丹期修士，竟然能够看破我的遁术，不知道友仙乡何处？”伴随着沙哑的声音，一朵红云凭空在天空中出现，声势惊人的飘了过来。
"Not bad, Old Friend, I didn't misjudge you; you're not just an ordinary Condensation Core cultivator but can even penetrate my concealment technique. Where are you from?" A hoarse voice accompanied the appearance of a red cloud in the sky, which drifted over with great fanfare.
lù yíng ér hé liú xīn dùn shí liǎn sè cǎn bái 。
陆盈儿和刘芯顿时脸色惨白。
Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin's faces turned pale.
lín xuān zé mī le mī yǎn 。
林轩则眯了眯眼。
Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes.
bù yī huì er ， nà hóng yún jiù lái dào le tā men tóu dǐng shàng fāng ， bù tíng fān yǒng ， qì shì jīng rén ， kě lín xuān yī jiù shén sè rú cháng ， liǎn sè wú jīng wú xǐ ， jiù xiàng shén me yě méi yǒu shēng yī yàng 。
不一会儿，那红云就来到了他们头顶上方，不停翻涌，气势惊人，可林轩依旧神色如常，脸色无惊无喜，就像什么也没有生一样。
The red cloud soon hovered above them, surging and imposing, but Lin Xuan remained calm, showing no surprise or fear as if nothing had happened.
“ hǎo dǎn sè ， zài lǎo fū miàn qián hái zhàn dé rú cǐ wěn dì dào yǒu kě shì bù duō ， wǒ yuè lái yuè xīn shǎng nǐ le 。” huà yīn gāng luò ， nà yún cǎi yǐ jí sù shōu suō ， xiàn chū le róng mào chǒu lòu de hóng fěn lǎo mó 。
“好胆色，在老夫面前还站得如此稳地道友可是不多，我越来越欣赏你了。”话音刚落，那云彩已急速收缩，现出了容貌丑陋的红粉老魔。
"Good胆色. Standing so confidently in front of me is rare; I admire you more." The cloud rapidly contracted to reveal the ugly Red Powder Old Demon.
“ guǒ rán shì gǔ dào yǒu ， gēn zōng zài xià yǒu hé zhǐ jiào ？” lín xuān sì hū zǎo yǐ cāi zhōng lái rén de shēn fèn ， bù kàng bù bēi de kāi kǒu 。
“果然是古道友，跟踪在下有何指教？”林轩似乎早已猜中来人的身份，不亢不卑的开口。
"Indeed, Old Friend, what can I do for you?" Lin Xuan seemed to have anticipated the identity of his visitor and replied with dignity.
hóng fěn lǎo mó méi yǒu huí dá ， ér shì miàn dài tān lán dì wàng xiàng lín xuān shēn hòu ， mù guāng zài lù yíng ér yǔ liú xīn shēn shàng yī zhuǎn ， shēn chū shé tou ， tiǎn le tiǎn zǐ sè de chún biān 。
红粉老魔没有回答，而是面带贪婪地望向林轩身后，目光在陆盈儿与刘芯身上一转，伸出舌头，舔了舔紫色的唇边。
The old demon didn't answer but looked greedily at Lin Xuan's back. His gaze flickered between Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin before he licked his purple lips.
liǎng nǚ tà rù xiū xiān jiè bù guò shù nián ， yù jiàn lín xuān yǐ qián ， zài mén pài lǐ yě bù guò shì shēn fèn bēi wēi dì dī jiē dì zǐ ， jī hū hěn nán jiē chù dào gāo jiē xiū shì ， duì yú yǎn qián de lǎo mó ， zì rán shì yī wú suǒ zhī 。
两女踏入修仙界不过数年，遇见林轩以前，在门派里也不过是身份卑微地低阶弟子，几乎很难接触到高阶修士，对于眼前的老魔，自然是一无所知。
The two girls had only entered cultivation a few years ago, and before meeting Lin Xuan, they were low-ranking disciples in their sects with little exposure to high-rank cultivators. They knew nothing about the old demon.
bù guò yǐ liǎng nǚ de cōng míng ， rú hé huì kàn bù dǒng duì fāng yǎn zhōng de yì si ， shùn jiān liǎn sè de xuè sè tuì qù ， jīng xiū jiāo jí 。
不过以两女的聪明，如何会看不懂对方眼中的意思，瞬间脸色的血色退去，惊羞交集。
However, their intelligence allowed them to understand what was happening; their faces lost all color as shock and fear mingled together.
lín xuān yě bù yóu de méi tou yí zhòu ， hún shēn suǒ liú lù chū lái de qì xī yuè bīng hán le 。
林轩也不由得眉头一皱，浑身所流露出来的气息越冰寒了。
Lin Xuan's brows furrowed as his aura grew even colder.
“ dào yǒu bù bì huǒ ， lǎo fū lái cǐ bìng wú è yì 。”
“道友不必火，老夫来此并无恶意。”
"Old Friend, there's no need for such anger. I came here with no ill intentions."
“ wú è yì ？”
“无恶意？”
"Ill intentions?"
“ bù cuò ， wǒ bù guò xiǎng yǔ nǐ zuò yí gè jiāo yì ér yǐ ， zhè liǎng míng nǚ zǐ ， shì dào yǒu de dì zǐ hái shì qiè jī ？” hóng fěn lǎo mó mō le mō hú xū 。
“不错，我不过想与你做一个交易而已，这两名女子，是道友的弟子还是妾姬？”红粉老魔摸了摸胡须。
"Yes, I just want to make a deal with you. These two women are your disciples or concubines?" The old demon stroked his beard.
“ zhè yǔ gé xià yǒu hé guān xì ？”
“这与阁下有何关系？”
"What does this have to do with you?"
lín xuān què yì diǎn yě bú kè qì ， qí shí shì qíng de zhǎn yǔ tā de xiǎng xiàng yǐ jīng yǒu le yì diǎn chā yì ， yuán běn yǐ wéi lǎo mó yī yán bù hé jiù huì dòng shǒu dì ， nǎ zhī dào ……
林轩却一点也不客气，其实事情的展与他的想象已经有了一点差异，原本以为老魔一言不和就会动手地，哪知道……
Lin Xuan was not polite at all. The situation had already deviated from his expectations; he thought the old demon would attack, but...
qí shí zhè shì yóu yú wài jiè de chuán yán yǒu wù ， hóng fěn lǎo mó gù rán qióng xiōng jí è ， dàn yě jué fēi pǔ tōng de lǔ mǎng zhī tú ， jiù suàn dāng nián làn shā yī xiàn xiá de dī jiē dì zǐ ， yě shì jīng guò le zhōu mì kǎo lǜ 。
其实这是由于外界的传言有误，红粉老魔固然穷凶极恶，但也绝非普通的鲁莽之徒，就算当年滥杀一线峡的低阶弟子，也是经过了周密考虑。
Actually, external rumors were inaccurate. While the Red Powder Old Demon was indeed ruthless and cunning, he wasn't a simple fool. Even when he killed low-rank disciples in One-Line Gorge, it was after careful consideration.
rú guǒ tā zhēn shì nà zhǒng zuò shì chōng dòng ， bù gù hòu guǒ de chǔn zhū ， nǎ yǒu kě néng chéng wéi yī fāng bà zhǔ ， xiāo yáo shù bǎi nián ne ？
如果他真是那种做事冲动，不顾后果的蠢猪，哪有可能成为一方霸主，逍遥数百年呢？
If he had been such an impulsive fool, how could he have ruled for centuries?
yǎn qián de shào nián kàn shì píng fán ， dàn fēng máng shāo lù ， què yǒu rú chū qiào de lì jiàn yì bān ， yǐn yǐn ràng tā gǎn jué shí fēn de wēi xiǎn 。
眼前的少年看似平凡，但锋芒稍露，却有如出鞘的利剑一般，隐隐让他感觉十分的危险。
The young man before him seemed ordinary but revealed sharp edges like a newly drawn sword, making the old demon feel increasingly dangerous.
lǎo mó xīn zhōng dí gū ， yǒu jǐ fēn jì dàn ， yě bù yuàn yǔ qí jiāo wù 。
老魔心中嘀咕，有几分忌惮，也不愿与其交恶。
With some trepidation, the old demon didn't want to offend Lin Xuan.
mó dào jù xiāo ， nǎ yí gè bú shì néng qū néng shēn de rén wù ， jí biàn bèi lín xuān dǐng zhuàng le jǐ cì ， tā de liǎn shàng yī jiù shì hé xù dì xiào róng 。
魔道巨枭，哪一个不是能屈能伸的人物，即便被林轩顶撞了几次，他的脸上依旧是和煦地笑容。
A major figure in the demonic sect was always adaptable. Despite being bumped into by Lin Xuan several times, he still wore a pleasant smile on his face.
“ dào yǒu hé bì jù rén yú qiān lǐ zhī wài ne ， lǎo fū bù guò xiǎng yǔ nǐ zuò yī bǐ jiāo yì ， wǒ kàn shàng le nǐ shēn hòu de liǎng nǚ ， xiǎng qǐng dào yǒu gē ài ér yǐ ， dāng rán ， wǒ bú huì bái ná dào yǒu dì dōng xī ， lǎo fū zài xiū xiān jiè yě suàn báo yǒu wēi míng ， xū dù le jǐ bǎi nián guāng yīn ， yī xiē jīng shí cái liào hái shì yǒu de ， dào yǒu xū yào shén me ， jǐn guǎn kāi kǒu jiù shì 。”
“道友何必拒人于千里之外呢，老夫不过想与你做一笔交易，我看上了你身后的两女，想请道友割爱而已，当然，我不会白拿道友地东西，老夫在修仙界也算薄有威名，虚度了几百年光阴，一些晶石材料还是有的，道友需要什么，尽管开口就是。”
"Old Friend, why keep your distance? I just wish to make a deal with you; I've taken an interest in the two behind you and would like you to part with them. Of course, I won't take what's yours for free. In the cultivation world, I have some reputation, having lived through centuries. I can offer you some crystal materials if you need anything."
yuán běn yǐ jīng liào dào le jǐ fēn ， cǐ kè qīn kǒu tīng shēn qián zhè róng mào chǒu lòu dì lǎo guài shuō chū lái ， lù yíng ér hé liú xīn de biǎo qíng bù yóu de biàn dé yuè nán kàn 。
原本已经料到了几分，此刻亲口听身前这容貌丑陋地老怪说出来，陆盈儿和刘芯的表情不由得变得越难看。
Although he had anticipated this, Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin's expressions grew even more grim after hearing the ugly old demon say it.
suī rán yǐ tā liǎ dì xiū wèi ， hái wú fǎ zhǔn què tàn zhī duì fāng yǒu duō lì hài ， kě cóng tā shēn shàng sàn chū lái de qì shì ， xiǎn rán bù zài shào yé zhī xià 。
虽然以她俩地修为，还无法准确探知对方有多利害，可从他身上散出来的气势，显然不在少爷之下。
Even though their cultivation levels couldn't accurately gauge his strength, the aura emanating from him was clearly on par with Young Master's.
huàn jù huà shuō ， zhì shǎo shì níng dān hòu qī de xiū shì 。
换句话说，至少是凝丹后期的修士。
In other words, at least a late-stage Condensation Core cultivator.
shào yé suī rán duì zì jǐ liǎng rén qīng yǎn yǒu jiā ， kě huì fǒu wèi le liǎng míng xiǎo xiǎo de shì nǚ ， yǔ rú cǐ qiáng dà de duì shǒu qǐ chōng tū ， liǎng nǚ kě shì méi yǒu yì diǎn bǎ wò 。
少爷虽然对自己两人青眼有加，可会否为了两名小小的侍女，与如此强大的对手起冲突，两女可是没有一点把握。
Young Master had shown them favor, but would he really risk conflict over two minor maids? The girls were uncertain.
bì jìng duì fāng kāi chū de tiáo jiàn yě bù cuò 。
毕竟对方开出的条件也不错。
The offer wasn't bad. For high-rank cultivators, concubines, female slaves, or even beautiful disciples could be traded.
ér qiě duì yú gāo jiē xiū shì lái shuō ， jī qiè ， nǚ nú ， shèn zhì shì měi mào de nǚ dì zi ， dōu wèi shǐ bù kě yǐ ná lái jiāo yì 。
而且对于高阶修士来说，姬妾，女奴，甚至是美貌的女弟子，都未始不可以拿来交易。
Although they couldn't openly do so, there were rumors of secret markets for such transactions.
suī rán biǎo miàn shàng bù kě néng dà zhāng qí gǔ ， dàn àn dì lǐ tīng shuō hái yǒu cǐ lèi de mì shì 。
虽然表面上不可能大张旗鼓，但暗地里听说还有此类的秘市。
Their fear was palpable; their faces looked pitiful.
liǎng nǚ xīn zhōng de jīng jù kě xiǎng ér zhī ， liǎn shàng de biǎo qíng gèng shì kě lián yǐ jí 。
两女心中的惊惧可想而知，脸上的表情更是可怜以极。
"Please go back, human is not goods. We respect life and will never engage in such trade," Lin Xuan rejected coldly after a moment's silence, his sleeves fluttering without wind as a precaution against anger.
“ gé xià qǐng huí ba ， rén shì rén ， wù shì wù ， zhǐ yào shì shēng mìng ， wǒ men jiù yào gěi yǐ jī běn de zūn zhòng ， zhè zhǒng jiāng rén dàng zuò huò wù de jiāo yì ， zài xià cóng lái méi yǒu xìng qù 。” lín xuān lüè yī chén mò ， jiù qíng lěng dàn de jù jué le ， yī jiǎo xiù páo gèng shì wú fēng zì dòng ， zhè shì wèi le dī fáng duì fāng nǎo xiū chéng nù 。
“阁下请回吧，人是人，物是物，只要是生命，我们就要给以基本的尊重，这种将人当作货物的交易，在下从来没有兴趣。”林轩略一沉默，就情冷淡的拒绝了，衣角袖袍更是无风自动，这是为了提防对方恼羞成怒。
However, the Red Powder Old Demon didn't attack.
rán ér fěn hóng lǎo mó bìng méi yǒu dòng shǒu 。
然而粉红老魔并没有动手。
"You're too rigid. I'm the butcher, you're the fish; survival of the fittest. Two low-rank cultivators should be our prey, not something to respect," the old demon sneered and spoke calmly.
Sun Hai instructed everyone to inject their cultivation power into the teleportation talisman and then they could leave.
The crowd didn't hesitate. As a reputable business, Precious Treasure Tower naturally valued its reputation.
A dazzling white light enveloped them as the teleportation talisman transformed into a luminous shield, carrying them over to the ancient teleportation array.
Several Precious Treasure Tower disciples standing around took out令旗 from their pockets while Sun Hai recited incantations with a solemn expression.
As the rhythmic voice echoed, the crystal stones embedded in the surroundings lit up, and colorful spiritual lights surrounded everyone...
Unlike others, Lin Xuan had already experienced long-distance teleportation many times. This time, he didn't feel any dizziness or disorientation. After the brilliant light dissipated, they found themselves in a small forest.
Lin Xuan's divine sense swept over the area, revealing that it seemed to be on the outskirts of some ordinary town.
The town was about twenty miles away and had around ten thousand inhabitants, though not particularly prosperous.
Lin Xuan relaxed slightly. The occupied areas were already deserted, so he must have returned to a safe location in Youzhou.
Other cultivators also looked relieved as they dispersed into their own paths.
It wasn't surprising that they were eager to leave; the notorious Red Powder Old Demon had a fearsome reputation. Being with him was nerve-wracking, and everyone wanted to be far away from him.
"Young Master!"
"Yeah, let's go!"
After Lin Xuan said this, a bright green light enveloped Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin, transforming into a streak of lightning that broke through the air and flew off.
In no time, only the Red Powder Old Demon was left alone in the forest. He looked up at the western direction, his ugly triangular eyes gleaming with cruel intent.
...
Although they had returned to a region controlled by cultivators, Lin Xuan didn't know exactly where he was. Normally, he would have gone to nearby towns for information, but instead, he flew in the opposite direction.
Liu Xin looked curious while Lu Ying'er seemed thoughtful, but neither spoke as they clearly trusted him completely.
Flying for half an hour, Lin Xuan estimated that they were about a hundred miles from the ordinary town. The area wasn't particularly desolate, but it was indeed sparsely populated.
Lin Xuan landed his遁光 and stood on the ground, putting away his playful expression to reveal a more fierce one.
"Friend, you've been following me for so long. Might I ask your intentions?"
"Not bad, Old Friend, I didn't misjudge you; you're not just an ordinary Condensation Core cultivator but can even penetrate my concealment technique. Where are you from?" A hoarse voice accompanied the appearance of a red cloud in the sky, which drifted over with great fanfare.
Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin's faces turned pale.
Lin Xuan narrowed his eyes.
The red cloud soon hovered above them, surging and imposing, but Lin Xuan remained calm, showing no surprise or fear as if nothing had happened.
"Good胆色. Standing so confidently in front of me is rare; I admire you more." The cloud rapidly contracted to reveal the ugly Red Powder Old Demon.
"Indeed, Old Friend, what can I do for you?" Lin Xuan seemed to have anticipated the identity of his visitor and replied with dignity.
The old demon didn't answer but looked greedily at Lin Xuan's back. His gaze flickered between Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin before he licked his purple lips.
The two girls had only entered cultivation a few years ago, and before meeting Lin Xuan, they were low-ranking disciples in their sects with little exposure to high-rank cultivators. They knew nothing about the old demon.
However, their intelligence allowed them to understand what was happening; their faces lost all color as shock and fear mingled together.
Lin Xuan's brows furrowed as his aura grew even colder.
"Old Friend, there's no need for such anger. I came here with no ill intentions."
"Ill intentions?"
"Yes, I just want to make a deal with you. These two women are your disciples or concubines?" The old demon stroked his beard.
"What does this have to do with you?"
Lin Xuan was not polite at all. The situation had already deviated from his expectations; he thought the old demon would attack, but...
Actually, external rumors were inaccurate. While the Red Powder Old Demon was indeed ruthless and cunning, he wasn't a simple fool. Even when he killed low-rank disciples in One-Line Gorge, it was after careful consideration.
If he had been such an impulsive fool, how could he have ruled for centuries?
The young man before him seemed ordinary but revealed sharp edges like a newly drawn sword, making the old demon feel increasingly dangerous.
With some trepidation, the old demon didn't want to offend Lin Xuan.
A major figure in the demonic sect was always adaptable. Despite being bumped into by Lin Xuan several times, he still wore a pleasant smile on his face.
"Old Friend, why keep your distance? I just wish to make a deal with you; I've taken an interest in the two behind you and would like you to part with them. Of course, I won't take what's yours for free. In the cultivation world, I have some reputation, having lived through centuries. I can offer you some crystal materials if you need anything."
Although he had anticipated this, Lu Ying'er and Liu Xin's expressions grew even more grim after hearing the ugly old demon say it.
Even though their cultivation levels couldn't accurately gauge his strength, the aura emanating from him was clearly on par with Young Master's.
In other words, at least a late-stage Condensation Core cultivator.
Young Master had shown them favor, but would he really risk conflict over two minor maids? The girls were uncertain.
The offer wasn't bad. For high-rank cultivators, concubines, female slaves, or even beautiful disciples could be traded.
Although they couldn't openly do so, there were rumors of secret markets for such transactions.
Their fear was palpable; their faces looked pitiful.
"Please go back, human is not goods. We respect life and will never engage in such trade," Lin Xuan rejected coldly after a moment's silence, his sleeves fluttering without wind as a precaution against anger.
However, the Red Powder Old Demon didn't attack.
"You're too rigid. I'm the butcher, you're the fish; survival of the fittest. Two low-rank cultivators should be our prey, not something to respect," the old demon sneered and spoke calmly.