Discovered

The Wind Cloud Tiger had just broken free from the water sphere's restraint when another talisman flew towards it head-on.

The Wind Cloud Tiger's body faltered slightly, unsure if it should dodge.

But as it hesitated, a bolt of lightning exploded at its wound. Under the attack of the Lightning Ray Technique, the Wind Cloud Tiger's body was briefly paralyzed.

Meanwhile, on the other side, taking advantage of the opening created by the Lightning Ray Technique, Xu Chunniang unleashed the Spirit Blast Technique with extreme speed.

As the sixteen small spirit energy orbs appeared, they already felt like they were slipping out of control.

Without hesitation, she controlled all the spirit energy orbs and directed them towards the Wind Cloud Tiger. Simultaneously, she activated the Spirit Void Steps under her feet and retreated.

"Boom!"

The sixteen spirit energy orbs detonated violently. A large hole appeared in the Wind Cloud Tiger's head. It didn't even have time to let out a whimper before its body fell straight to the ground.

Xu Chunniang's face was so pale it had lost all color, and her head felt dizzy. After such an intense battle, both her spiritual energy and mental strength were greatly depleted.

However, she dared not relax. The commotion caused by the spirit energy orbs' explosion was too great; it had likely attracted the attention of others.

Xu Chunniang quickly stepped forward and collected the Wind Cloud Tiger.

After a moment's thought, she moved a short distance away, changed into a clean set of clothes, hid in a tree, and began meditating after drinking some Spiritual Dew.

Having barely managed to kill the Wind Cloud Tiger, Xu Chunniang's spiritual energy was almost depleted. She wouldn't be able to run far even if she tried.

It was better to meditate on the spot and recover as quickly as possible. With her spiritual energy restored, she could deal with any unforeseen circumstances.

After about fifteen minutes, the nearest team arrived first.

Fearing that her tracks would be discovered, Xu Chunniang paused her meditation.

She slowed her breathing, cast the Hidden Spirit Art again, and suppressed her spiritual energy pressure to the lowest possible level.

Seeing the mess at the scene, the members of the team showed solemn expressions in their eyes.

The leader was a male cultivator at the fifth level of Qi Condensation. He stepped forward to examine the bloodstains and picked out a tuft of fur, "This is Wind Cloud Tiger fur."

"The Wind Cloud Tigers of Tiger Gorge Mountain usually don't leave the mountain. Why did this one appear here?"

"We heard a rumbling sound earlier. Perhaps someone lured the Wind Cloud Tiger out and a battle broke out here. A Wind Cloud Tiger is worth fifty to sixty Spirit Stones. Tsk, that's not a small sum."

The leading male cultivator nodded, "To be able to fight a Wind Cloud Tiger, that team must be at least at the fourth level of Qi Condensation, possibly even higher. However, we should be the first to arrive, but we don't see any trace of them. They've likely already left." He sounded a little regretful, as he had hoped to get a share of the spoils, but it seemed like a wasted trip.

Just then, the second team arrived. The leader was a female cultivator at the fifth level of Qi Condensation. Upon arrival, she didn't rashly approach but observed the direction from afar, seemingly just wanting to figure out what had happened here.

Following them, several more teams arrived. Some observed from a distance, while others approached to examine the scene carefully. The teams that could reach this area were all quite strong, with their leaders at least at the fifth level of Qi Condensation. Unfortunately, they seemed to have arrived a step too late; the battle was already over.

These teams were wary of each other. Seeing that they couldn't discern anything significant, they left after a short while. Finally, only the first team that arrived remained at the scene.

"Boss, should we go too?"

The leading male cultivator nodded and led his team away, quickly disappearing into the forest.

Xu Chunniang watched them leave. Instead of taking the opportunity to slip away, she prepared to continue meditating and recovering. Her internal spiritual energy had only recovered about fifteen percent. She needed at least fifty percent to feel somewhat secure.

However, before she could start meditating, she saw the leading male cultivator return! Had he discovered her tracks? Xu Chunniang's heart sank. Besides the leading male cultivator at the fifth level of Qi Condensation, this team also had two cultivators at the fourth level and four at the third level. If they really discovered her, she wouldn't be in a good situation. It had taken her a great deal of effort to deal with a single fifth-level Wind Cloud Tiger, let alone a team with a fifth-level cultivator, especially when her spiritual energy was so low.

The worst of Xu Chunniang's fears came true. The leading male cultivator walked towards her hiding spot. She took a deep breath, ready to activate the Swift Travel Technique and use the Spirit Void Steps to escape at any moment.

However, when he was still some distance away from her hiding spot, the leading male cultivator stopped approaching and spoke in a deep voice. "Little friend at the first level of Qi Condensation, come out. I have a few questions for you. As long as you answer truthfully, I won't make things difficult for you."

Xu Chunniang was stunned. It took her a moment to realize he was talking about her. To avoid revealing herself, she had used the Hidden Spirit Art to suppress her spiritual energy to the extreme, making her apparent cultivation level only the first level of Qi Condensation. This person likely had some means of detection and had found her. Xu Chunniang's mind raced. This person probably discovered her from the beginning and deliberately kept quiet, not wanting anyone else to know of her existence. And what he wanted to ask might be related to the Wind Cloud Tiger.

After waiting for a moment without a response, the leading male cultivator showed impatience on his face.

A tall cultivator beside him sneered and threatened loudly, "I'm telling you, little brat at Qi Condensation first layer, my boss calling you 'fellow cultivator' is giving you face. If you don't come down, I can't guarantee what I might do."

Xu Chunniang took a deep breath and quickly hid her storage bag and high-grade Swiftness Talisman inside her shoes.

Since they had found her hiding here, it was only a matter of time before they found her.

Fine, she would show herself first and see what they wanted to ask. If anything seemed off, she could activate the Swiftness Talisman and leave immediately.

"Don't do anything. Just ask what you want to ask."

Xu Chunniang put on a timid act, carefully revealing herself from the tree. "It's just that I don't want to come down. There are too many of you, and I'm scared."

Since they thought she was only at the first layer of Qi Condensation, she would act the part more to make them lower their guard.

The tall male cultivator looked displeased and was about to say something more, but he was stopped by the leading male cultivator.

He stared at Xu Chunniang. "I'm asking you, have you been hiding in the tree the whole time? Did you see any people or demonic beasts?"

"A tiger, a really big tiger." Xu Chunniang swallowed, her eyes wide with terror.

"Just a tiger? Did you see anyone?"

The leading male cultivator sensed his tone was too eager and softened his voice. "Tell me, and I won't hurt you."

Xu Chunniang frowned, putting on a thoughtful expression, though in reality, she was making it up.

"There was someone. That person fought with the tiger. I only saw the tiger get killed, and then the person left."

The leading male cultivator keenly picked up on the crucial information. "Just one person? What was their cultivation level, what kind of clothes were they wearing, and which direction did they go?"

"That person was wearing green clothes, and their cultivation was very terrifying, as terrifying as that tiger. After killing the tiger, he went down the mountain, and then you all arrived."

Xu Chunniang sneered inwardly. These people wanted the Wind Cloud Tiger but didn't dare to go up Tiger Gorge Mountain, so they decided to scheme and snatch it instead.

If they were going to do such unjust things, then they shouldn't blame her for being unrighteous.

Thanks to fellow cultivator Huang Yueping for the reward, and fellow cultivator Yuyu for the monthly ticket. I'm adding an extra chapter for everyone!!