Chapter 139: Moonlight Veil

Back in the Forty-Two Tower, seated within the Prismatic Restriction, Li Mu consumed the spirit materials and pills and began circulating his energy with ease.

At that moment, his thoughts became even clearer.

It was obvious that those several cultivators had been watching him for a long time; they had simply never found the right opportunity to strike.

When Li Mu went out, Mu Tongfeng had accompanied him. While he was in the Forty-Two Tower, the Prismatic Restriction had kept them out, making it nearly impossible for them to enter. Only during the auction had they found the slightest opening, and they had acted without patience.

Their attack had been vicious. If Li Mu had not possessed the Spatial Escape Art, he would very likely have fallen into their trap.

“After this, they may hold back somewhat. But they certainly will not give up. Their next ambush will probably be even more violent, and it is very possible that a Meridian Refining cultivator will come.”

Li Mu felt somewhat pressured, but he was not terribly afraid. He now possessed the Bewitching Heart Treasure, a genuine fourth-grade superior treasure. He could make full use of two of its abilities, and dealing with a late-stage Meridian Refining cultivator would not be difficult. Within the Cloud Mountain Realm, no Core Formation cultivator should come looking for him.

If Blackie could grow to the fourth grade, that would be even better. Its strength alone would then rival that of a late-stage Meridian Refining cultivator. As for spirit pets, several early-stage Meridian Refining cultivators working together could easily defeat a fourth-grade spirit pet with the aid of restrictive formations and treasures. Blackie, however, was different. Once it reached the fourth grade, with Li Mu’s exceptional intelligence assisting it, its actual strength would be nearly equal to his own.

“Li Tian.”

Just as he was thinking, a familiar voice came from outside the tower.

“It is Madam Wang. What brings you here?” A trace of doubt appeared on his face.

Madam Wang’s eyes shifted as she looked him over several times. “Are you unharmed?”

Li Mu nodded.

Madam Wang also gave a slight nod and smiled. “You are now an honored guest of Deyang City. You must not come to any harm. And yet you did not invite me in?”

Li Mu smiled helplessly and let her enter.

A soundproofing formation appeared. Concern showed on Madam Wang’s face. “Who attacked you?”

Li Mu stared at her, then shook his head without answering.

Madam Wang’s brows drew together slightly. “It certainly was not Gu Yu. As for the others, if you do not wish to tell me, I will not press you. Just be careful. This is for you.”

As she spoke, she took out a pale-yellow cloth canopy. It shimmered like flowing moonlight, with faint spiritual power rippling across its surface. Its splendor was tempered by a gentle warmth.

The treasure suited Madam Wang’s bearing rather well.

“The Moonlight Canopy is a third-grade superior treasure. It can independently withstand two attacks from Meridian Refining cultivators. Afterward, it must absorb the essence of moonlight to recover. Take it.”

Li Mu hurriedly raised a hand to refuse. “There is no need, Madam Wang. I have treasures here that can protect me.”

“I know it is not as good as your own treasures, but this one does not consume your true power. Take it. Return it to me when you leave.”

Madam Wang pushed it toward him with stubborn insistence, then immediately released her hold. Li Mu could only accept it.

Holding the Moonlight Canopy, Li Mu said helplessly, “Madam Wang, you still underestimate me. Besides, I expect to leave tomorrow. Returning it to you would be too much trouble.”

“Then consider it a gift.”

Seeing that Li Mu had taken the treasure, Madam Wang smiled happily. “You helped me so much today. It is only right that I give you something in return.”

“Oh? Then I will accept it.”

Li Mu did not argue. He put the treasure away in front of her, then said slowly, “I have accomplished what I came here to do. If I do not leave, I fear I will bring Deyang City even more trouble.”

“You helped me eliminate my troubles, yet you refuse to let me help you? Do not say such things.”

Madam Wang looked somewhat displeased. “There have been many wicked people in Deyang City lately, and I should have them dealt with. Today alone, I discovered more than a dozen people secretly passing information to Mingyu Valley. One of them was even an important administrator, and he was particularly vicious. Nothing like this ever happened while Prefect Ye was here. They are deliberately making things difficult for me.”

A trace of killing intent appeared on her fair face. She was truly furious.

Compared with Ye Yibai’s forceful methods, her way of governing seemed somewhat mild. She lacked a certain ability to command fear, which had allowed Mingyu Valley to exploit the situation and encouraged some people to grow restless.

At that moment, Madam Wang’s face was flushed with威势 rather than her usual grace. Li Mu had never seen her like this before. He could not bring himself to advise her and could only watch in silence.

After venting her anger, Madam Wang gradually quieted. Then, seeming slightly embarrassed, she covered her mouth. “I got carried away.”

Li Mu smiled. “You look rather attractive like this.”

“Do not speak nonsense.” Madam Wang’s face suddenly grew hot and flushed, though she quickly regained her composure. “Where will you go after leaving Deyang City?”

Li Mu answered seriously, “I intend to travel south and take a look at Mingyu Valley.”

He needed to transform the Heartless Fruit at the proper moment, and he had been considering using this opportunity to settle his old grudges.

“Oh?” Madam Wang looked startled and hurriedly shook her head. “You must not go there. Mingyu Valley is unlike the Jade Iron Sect. Its cities are not so easy to deal with. Besides, they are certainly watching you now. Why would you go there?”

“To settle an account,” Li Mu said casually.

He had slain several disciples of Mingyu Valley, and their blood feud was already irreconcilable. Moreover, if not for Wang Lin’s actions that day, they would have casually slaughtered him as easily as a fish on a chopping block. That debt could not simply be ignored.

“You are making Mingyu Valley seem far too easy to deal with. Although it has no Core Formation cultivators, it has many Meridian Refining cultivators—several times more than the Jade Iron Sect. Their cultivation arts allow them to advance extremely quickly. Of course, those arts make it much more difficult to reach the Core Formation stage, but how many people can reach that stage anyway? To them, attaining the Meridian Refining stage is already more than enough.”

Madam Wang had become increasingly anxious.

Li Mu smiled. “Madam Wang, I am certainly not going to Mingyu Valley to cause trouble. I am not reckless enough for that. I have only one target this time.”

“Who?”

“Wang Lin.”

A chill flashed through Li Mu’s eyes.

Madam Wang covered her chest and sighed softly. “Vice Administrator Wang Lin is all right.”

“What do you mean?” Li Mu asked, somewhat puzzled.

“Wang Lin is not in Mingyu Valley. He is now the lord of Yuanmu City, which is very close to Deyang City. Perhaps I can help you.”

Madam Wang understood Mingyu Valley very well.

Li Mu shook his head. “No. Do not fight with them on my behalf. By the time you truly begin contesting with them, I will already have left. I will not get involved and give Ye Yibai and the others a chance to fight to the death.”

Madam Wang’s brows tightened slightly, and she said resentfully, “Why do you always bring up Prefect Ye?”

She had always held Ye Yibai in deep respect, but who could understand the hardships of the world?

“Haha. That matter cannot be undone so easily.”

Li Mu raised his head, indignation flickering in his eyes.

“Forget it. I will not interfere. But until you are strong enough, do not act recklessly. If you can, do not silence anyone either.”

Madam Wang exhaled softly and slowly stepped out of the soundproofing formation. She was worried. Had Ye Yibai not acted as he did back then, Li Mu might now have been a member of the Jade Iron Sect. It was truly a pity that such a fine person refused to work for the sect.

Perhaps, for her, there was also a trace of regret in that thought.

“Take these.”

Li Mu tossed her two jars of Bone Refining Pills.

“Madam Wang, take care.”

Li Mu slowly closed the door. After this departure, neither of them knew when they would meet again.