Nascent Soul cultivator
Song Wen was slightly taken aback; he had indeed come here with this intention.
The old woman knew the location of the Poison Grotto, and Song Wen didn't want outsiders to know where he was hiding. Therefore, he planned to eliminate the threat completely.
"Senior, you really didn't need to make this special trip. I won't live for more than a few hours," the old woman said.
Song Wen frowned slightly, not understanding the meaning behind the other person's words.
Although the old woman's health condition is not optimistic, she should be able to live for several more years.
"I know you won't let me off easily, so I've decided to attack the Xing Family's Cloud Ridge Mountain tonight," the old woman continued.
Song Wen had seen an introduction to Cloud Ridge Mountain in the information on the Jade Slip.
Within the Cloud Ridge Mountain lies a miniature Spirit Stone vein, which the Xing Family has been secretly mining. Almost no one outside the area knows of its existence.
"This junior humbly begs the senior to allow me to travel to Cloud Ridge Mountain, so that I may deliver a fatal blow to the Xing Family before my death."
The old woman was clearly determined to die.
Song Wen Wendao, "You're willing to sacrifice your life to take revenge on the Xing Family?"
The old woman said, "My health is deteriorating rapidly, and I don't have much time left. I'm worried that after a while, I might not even be able to activate my Spirit Artifact. Rather than die in this dark and sunless underground cave, I'd rather die in battle."
Song Wen gave the other person a deep look and couldn't help but look at him with newfound respect.
He realized he had underestimated the Anti-Xing Society.
If all members of the 'Anti-Xing Society' were as fearless as old women, coupled with the detailed intelligence provided by the society's leader, they might not be able to inflict a major blow on the Xing Family in the short term, but in the long run, it could even shake the Foundation of the Xing Family.
"You've thought things through quite clearly. Fine, I'll grant your wish."
"Thank you very much, senior," the old woman said gratefully.
Song Wen left the underground Cave and waited Cave for about fifteen minutes before the old woman stepped out.
The old woman looked around but couldn't find Song Wen anywhere.
She patted the spirit beast pouch hanging at her waist, and a bird flew out.
The bird resembled a crow, possessing the strength of Late First Rank. It was no more than half a foot long, with gray-black feathers all over its body. Its sharp eyes darted around, revealing a sense of agility and intelligence.
"Senior, I know you haven't left yet. This bird is called the Black Spirit Sparrow, a spirit beast I raised. It was close to me, and I was worried that after seeing me die, it wouldn't leave and would instead attack the Xing Family, losing its life in vain. I beg you, senior, to save its life when the time comes."
"This junior is penniless and has nothing to repay you with, senior. I will leave this 'Anti-Xing Society' Message Jade Slip to you, senior. Perhaps it will be of some use to you."
After saying that, the old woman put down a Message Jade Slip.
Then, she took the Black Spirit Sparrow and flew south.
Cloud Ridge Mountain is about 100 zhang high, and it is not conspicuous among the rolling mountains. Cloud Ridge Mountain is not far from the Ghost Market, only about 2,000 li away.
In just over an hour, the old woman arrived near the mountain.
The old woman reached the summit of a neighboring high mountain and released the Black Spirit Sparrow.
The Black Spirit Sparrow spreads its wings and soars high among the mountains.
Before long, the Black Spirit Sparrow returned.
It found no trace of any monks near Cloud Ridge Mountain, as if the place were a desolate wilderness.
This has already been mentioned in the intelligence reports.
The Xing Family secretly mines the Spirit Stone veins of Cloud Ridge Mountain, so it's normal that no cultivators are visible in the open.
The mine is located underground in the mountain, with the only entrance and exit at the southwest foot of the mountain.
The old woman looked at Black Spirit Sparrow affection and gently stroked its body.
The Black Spirit Sparrow seemed to be thoroughly enjoying itself, tilting its head back and constantly stroking the old woman's hand.
"Little one, you'll be living on your own from now on. Remember not to be greedy; those spirit medicine herbs and fruits are guarded by powerful Demon Beast, so stay away from them..."
The old woman muttered to herself.
She made a Method Formula seal, breaking the spirit beast contract with the Black Spirit Sparrow.
"Go, little one. From now on, you are free!"
The old woman raised her hand and tossed the Black Spirit Sparrow high into the sky.
"Chirp!"
The Black Spirit Sparrow let out a clear, melodious chirp.
It flapped its wings repeatedly, offsetting the force exerted on it by the old woman, and stabilized itself in mid-air.
It suddenly swooped down and swept towards the old woman.
Just as it was about to approach the old woman, she raised her hand and waved it away.
"Walk!"
The old woman spoke sternly, her gaze sharp as knives, and she carried a faint air of murderous intent.
The old woman's behavior clearly frightened the Black Spirit Sparrow.
It flapped its wings and hurriedly retreated several feet.
Black Spirit Sparrow stared intently at the old woman, her eyes filled with confusion and grievance.
The old woman suddenly turned and went down the mountain, heading towards the entrance of the underground mine.
She brought the Black Spirit Sparrow along only to have it confirm the Xing Family's plans.
Now that it was confirmed that the Xing Family had no defenses on the ground, and not even a single sentry had been discovered, the Black Spirit Sparrow was no longer of any use. Therefore, she decided to let it leave.
The Black Spirit Sparrow looked at its master speeding down the mountainside, its eyes filled with confusion and helplessness, like a child abandoned by its parents.
It hovered in the air, reluctant to leave.
Perhaps, it has nowhere to go at all!
Before the entrance to the underground mine, the area is surrounded by dense forest, making it difficult to notice the two-zhang-high (approximately 6.6 meters) opening unless one looks closely.
The Cave was protected by a magic array, so the old woman did not rush in.
She stopped a hundred feet outside the cave and began to set up the formation.
The formation the old woman was setting up was extremely complex, consisting of eighteen Formation Flags. She also placed a Superior Spirit Stones under each of the Formation Flags.
It's clear that she went to great lengths for this act of revenge.
Song Wen hid in a high mountain more than 30 miles away, silently observing all of this.
He vaguely sensed that something was amiss at Cloud Ridge Mountain. The old woman had spent a full half-incense stick's time setting up an array outside the cave.
During this period, not a single Xing Family cultivator appeared.
Even if the Xing Family were secretly mining Spirit Stone, they wouldn't leave without deploying a single sentry.
Doesn't the Xing Family worry that a powerful enemy might suddenly descend, block the Cave, and bury everyone alive in the underground mine?
After successfully setting up the formation, the old woman came to the Cave and began to challenge the formation.
With a wave of her hand, several fireballs the size of washbasins shot out one after another, like meteorites falling from the sky, crashing into the Cave.
Suddenly, a transparent barrier appeared at the cave entrance, blocking all the fireballs.
"Boom, boom, boom..."
A series of booming sounds rang out.
The transparent barrier remained unmoved, but many rocks on the mountainside were shaken off and continued to fall.
The fireball shattered, sending countless sparks flying and igniting the dense forest surrounding the cave entrance, instantly setting it ablaze.
"Xing Family members, all you do is hide in your Cave and act like cowards?..."
The old woman arrogantly challenged them while cautiously retreating into the formation, where she gathered her strength and prepared to activate it at any moment.
"Hmph! A mere Foundation Establishment cultivator, an ant-like existence, dares to spout such nonsense? It's utterly laughable."
The sound came from high above, where a figure suddenly appeared.
This person had a slender figure, a beautiful face, and wore a green robe, appearing ethereal like a fairy.
His deep, cold eyes stared at the old woman below.
The old woman looked up at the woman high in the sky following the sound, her heart filled with horror.
"Xing Xinyu Nascent Soul Ancestor of the Xing Family!"
How did she end up here?
"Didn't the intelligence say that this was just a small Spirit Stone mine, guarded only by Foundation Establishment cultivators? Why is Xing Xinyu here?"