Chapter 20: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind

As an elderly cultivator, Ma Zhen actually knew in his heart that there was no hope left for Foundation Establishment. The only thing he could show off was his wealth, which far exceeded that of ordinary Loose Cultivators.

The reason Wang Ying cooperated with him was merely to plot for his resources after he died.

After all, without Foundation Establishment, his lifespan would not be extended, and in just a dozen years or so, his time would come to an end.

Lin Mo's sharp gaze happened to pierce his sensitive pride.

On the surface, he did not utter a word, but in his heart, he had already sentenced Lin Mo to death.

Wang Gang said with a familiar air, "Fellow Daoist, there is no need to be polite. It is nothing rare for us Loose Cultivators to not have a flying Magical Artifact. Come on up quickly."

As he spoke, he reached out to pull Lin Mo.

Li He also said, "Fellow Daoist Lin, there is no need to feel inferior. I believe it won't be long before you can buy a flying Magical Artifact yourself."

Lin Mo casually took half a step back, dodging Wang Gang's palm.

Sighing, he had originally wanted to get along with them as an ordinary person, but all he got in return was misunderstanding. Well then, there was no choice—Lin Mo was laying his cards on the table!

He summoned his newly bought shenfeng boat. The boat's body was long, narrow, and streamlined, like a flying swallow skimming through the sky. Profound runes engraved on its surface flickered faintly with the circulation of Spiritual Qi, possessing both immortal charm and exquisite craftsmanship.

The boat's hull concealed Spirit Stone grooves, achieving highly efficient Spiritual Qi propulsion through a minimalist design.

Blessed by a wind array, it was definitely a "leader in speed" among High Grade Magical Artifacts. When the runes resonated with the wind, a faint green halo appeared around the boat, as if riding the vast wind of the Nine Heavens, exceptionally elegant.

Compared to Ma Zhen's ninth-hand flying boat, Lin Mo's shenfeng boat was practically like a brand-new Ferrari compared to a nineteenth-hand minivan.

Ma Zhen's face turned green, looking as uncomfortable as if he had swallowed a fly.

Even if he were beaten to death, he would never have imagined that Lin Mo actually possessed such a good item.

Zhao Gang and Li He were also filled with envy. An outer sect Utility Disciple of an immortal sect actually possessed a High Grade flying boat—could he even pilot it?

"This thing isn't something someone of his status can handle properly; it's much more suitable for my status."

The gaze Wang Ying directed at Lin Mo also carried a peculiar flavor. Young and wealthy—what woman wouldn't like that?

She then glanced at Ma Zhen with disgust. If given a choice, who would want to be with an old man?

Lin Mo spread his hands and said, "Fellow Daoists, I really do have a flying boat. You go ahead first, and I will catch up with you very soon."

Ma Zhen's old face darkened. Staying here any longer would only be humiliating, so he silently steered his flying boat into the sky and left.

…

Liu Ruyue, who was waiting not far from the entrance of the county magistrate's office, saw light rising into the sky and didn't even have time to sense it, terrified that she might lose track of him again.

She muttered under her breath, "Lin Mo, let's see where you run to this time!"

With that, she also piloted her flying boat and gave chase.

Liu Ruyue's flying boat was also of decent quality. Ma Zhen and his party naturally assumed that the one following behind was Lin Mo, except they didn't know why he seemed so sneaky.

Seeing Liu Ruyue follow them as well, Lin Mo smiled smugly: "Little girl, if you want to tail me, you're still a bit too green."

One after another, with a third further behind, they headed straight for the West Mountain of Dongchang Prefecture.

Ma Zhen's flying boat landed on West Mountain, teetering and swaying precariously.

Liu Ruyue originally wanted to go straight up and give Lin Mo a harsh lesson, but her big eyes rolled as she thought carefully.

Lin Mo was not alone on his side; if she recklessly went up directly, she would be the one at a disadvantage in the end.

Ultimately, she quietly parked her flying boat in a hidden spot, planning to wait and see, striking only when a suitable opportunity arose to teach Lin Mo a lesson.

Liu Ruyue felt quite pleased with herself, thinking she was truly a clever little ghost.

After landing, Ma Zhen and the others exchanged glances, all believing that Liu Ruyue was Lin Mo.

Since he hadn't landed near them, he had probably sensed something. Since that was the case, this boy could definitely not be left alive.

After all, when they were killing the Demon Wolf, Lin Mo could launch a sneak attack from behind at any moment.

Exchanging looks, they controlled their light beams and flew straight toward Liu Ruyue's landing spot!

Liu Ruyue was an inexperienced young girl and had no idea that she had already been exposed.

Led by Ma Zhen, the group unleashed all kinds of Spells, indiscriminately bombarding Liu Ruyue's landing spot.

With the Spells already flying over, even if Liu Ruyue were any dumber, she would know that the enemy harbored ill intentions.

She hastily summoned a small metal shield and held it in front of her.

Several attacks were blocked by the small metal shield, kicking up a cloud of smoke and dust.

After the smoke and dust cleared, Liu Ruyue's figure was revealed.

The group was completely bewildered. What was going on? Wasn't the one following behind supposed to be Lin Mo?

Liu Ruyue put her hands on her hips and yelled angrily, "How dare you! Have you eaten bear heart and leopard gall? I am an Inner Sect Disciple of the Jade Maiden Immortal Sect!"

Within the Jade Maiden Immortal Sect, all the Disciples knew that she, Liu Ruyue, had only become an Inner Sect Disciple through her sister's connections.

However, outside the Jade Maiden Immortal Sect, the deterrent power of an Inner Sect Disciple was still substantial.

Ma Zhen and the others looked at each other. They were helpless regarding this mix-up, but since they had already struck, they could no longer hesitate.

Otherwise, once Liu Ruyue returned to the Jade Maiden Immortal Sect to report, not a single one of them would be able to escape.

Having thought through the key point, they launched even more vicious attacks.

Leading the assault, Ma Zhen exerted all his strength to release a wind blade.

The remaining people were not to be outdone either, either using Spells or attacking with Magic Treasures.

Lacking any combat experience, Liu Ruyue panicked for a moment.

Fortunately, these Loose Cultivators were far too poor. Although they caused Liu Ruyue's Top Grade defensive Magical Artifact to hum loudly, they ultimately failed to break through her defense.

However, if the fight continued, it was uncertain how much longer the Magical Artifact could hold up.

Seizing an opening, Liu Ruyue shot a small fireball to counterattack, but it was easily dodged by the opponent.

She shouted indignantly, "Who are you people? Why are you attacking me?"

How could Ma Zhen and his group answer her? They continued to attack with all their strength.

Until a hairline crack appeared on Liu Ruyue's small metal shield.

This was Liu Ruyue's first time facing a life-and-death crisis. If she continued to fight these people who outnumbered her, she would surely die.

Taking advantage of a gap in the opponent's Spells, she withdrew her small Magical Artifact shield and endured an Ice Arrow Technique head-on.

The ice arrow grazed Liu Ruyue's shoulder, leaving a long wound behind.

Gritting her teeth and enduring the pain, she summoned her flying Magical Artifact, placed Spirit Stones in it, and injected Spiritual Qi—all in one smooth motion.

By the time Ma Zhen and the others reacted, Liu Ruyue had already fled far away.

The remaining four exchanged glances. Relying on Ma Zhen's tattered second-hand flying Magical Artifact, it was impossible to catch up to Liu Ruyue. So what about the remaining few?

The three struck simultaneously, their Spells blasting into Zhao Gang.

Even in death, Zhao Gang did not understand why his Dao Companion would betray him together with the others.

Li He said with a triumphant look, "Thank you for your assistance, Fellow Daoist Ma. Now I can finally fly together with Fairy Li."

Ma Zhen also cupped his hands and said happily, "Congratulations to us both! Zhao Gang's assets and resources now belong to me as well."

Just as his words fell, Ma Zhen drew a Magical Artifact dagger from his sleeve.