Chapter 3: What is an International Master of Escape?
“Is Brother Xiao running away? I’ve started counting,” Luo Yingying asked.
Ye Changsheng calmly took out a rope and began to tie it around Luo Yingying.
“Brother Xiao, what are you doing!”
“To prevent the Young Palace Mistress from cheating, after all, we agreed to only use our feet,” Ye Changsheng explained.
“You’re too suspicious. Besides, why do you always carry rope? And it’s a Golden Silk Rope that can attack cultivators!”
It was used for binding people to extract information, but Ye Changsheng couldn’t say that directly.
“My combat strength is average, so I usually have to rely on many other methods to fight, preparing many types of props.”
“Alright, my hands are tied… Wait, Brother Xiao, don’t tie them too tight!”
“I have to tie them securely, otherwise what if you cheat?”
“You don’t trust me too much. How could I cheat?” Luo Yingying mumbled softly.
One and a half minutes passed. Ye Changsheng checked. Unless Luo Yingying deliberately struggled, her slender arms were completely immobilized.
“Young Palace Mistress, then I’ll make a move first.”
Ye Changsheng left Luo Yingying alone, leaped, and strode across the grass, leaving the Lakeside.
…
Although Wuhua Palace was named “Wuhua” (without flowers), it was a place where peach blossoms bloomed. It was like spring all year round, with gentle pink hues everywhere. A gentle breeze swept through, carrying a rich fragrance. The sect was surrounded by a sea of peach trees, like a fairyland, making it hard to imagine it was actually a demonic sect.
External cultivators visiting might be even more astonished. Wuhua Palace’s spiritual power was remarkably abundant, thanks to the famous Spirit Plant within Wuhua Palace – the Peach Godwood. With the Peach Godwood as the center, all peach trees had become akin to Spirit Woods, specially arranged into a super-large Spirit Gathering Array.
Ye Changsheng did not choose to go deeper into Wuhua Palace but headed towards the Peach Forest Sea, where he could better conceal his tracks.
He glanced back but didn’t see the Young Palace Mistress’s graceful figure. It was very quiet, and there were no disciples from Wuhua Palace around, which was very different from within the sect. Perhaps at this time, everyone was cultivating.
“This is good enough.”
Ye Changsheng found a suitable place to hide, brought his index and middle fingers together, and raised them in front of him.
“… Never mind, it will cause trouble.”
He originally planned to activate his Divine Sense to scan. This divine ability could detect the situation in a large surrounding area. However, upon reflection, the person being scanned would sense it, risking exposure of his strength. He gave up.
Among cultivators, to possess such a divine ability, one would need to at least reach the Golden Core Realm. This did not align with the outside world’s impression of Ye Changsheng.
Within Wuhua Palace, Young Master Wuxiao had always been inconspicuous. If it weren’t for Luo Yingying, Ye Changsheng would have been an overlooked and forgotten figure in Wuhua Palace.
“Since I’m hiding here, the Young Palace Mistress won’t see me anyway. I’ll just wait for time to run out.”
Thinking this, Ye Changsheng leaned against a peach tree.
“Found you, it’s Brother Xiao.” On the peach tree, a young girl’s delicate shadow fell directly onto Ye Changsheng.
Ye Changsheng turned back in surprise and saw Luo Yingying, or rather, a strangely bound Luo Yingying.
“Don’t look at me like that. Isn’t it your fault, Brother Xiao!”
“I think it’s strange. How could the Young Palace Mistress find me so quickly?”
Luo Yingying said proudly, “Because Brother Xiao has my scent on him.”
“Your scent?”
Ye Changsheng quickly sniffed his clothes but detected no scent.
“It’s a special perfume, very similar to the scent of peach blossoms. It’s hard to detect in Wuhua Palace, which is surrounded by peach blossoms,” Luo Yingying tilted her head playfully, “Only I, who personally concocted it, can distinguish it and pinpoint Brother Xiao’s location.”
“When did you… Oh! Could it be from last time!” Ye Changsheng suddenly understood.
It was about a month ago. Luo Yingying had given Ye Changsheng a gift then, commemorating their two-year anniversary. Although it was perfume, it was almost odorless. Ye Changsheng accepted it without thinking much, not realizing it would be used like this.
“Young Palace Mistress, you’ve set a trap for me, how despicable!”
“I-I couldn’t help it! Because I was afraid Brother Xiao would secretly go find other girls. Besides, I’m from the Demonic Path, so calling me despicable is practically a compliment!” Luo Yingying said, feeling a little guilty about her actions.
“You think too much. I’m not that popular.”
In terms of appearance, Ye Changsheng was handsome, but his looks were too forgettable at first glance, lacking any striking features that would attract attention.
To put it simply, he was an ordinary Ye Changsheng.
“Alright, none of that matters. We’re playing hide-and-seek now!” Luo Yingying said, jumping down from the peach tree and landing in front of Ye Changsheng.
Although Luo Yingying couldn’t use her hands, there was still a realm difference between the Foundation Establishment Realm and the Golden Core Realm. In close combat, a Foundation Establishment cultivator would be at a considerable disadvantage.
Luo Yingying channeled the spiritual power in her body and gathered it in her legs. Like a broad-bladed spear, she moved so fast that she blocked all of Ye Changsheng’s escape routes.
“Brother Xiao, at the Foundation Establishment Realm, you can’t take this move! Take him down! Gale Leg!”
Ye Changsheng’s expression remained unchanged as he leaned back. Luo Yingying thought he would crash into the peach tree, then be knocked to the ground. To her surprise, Ye Changsheng actually merged into the peach tree.
Splat!
Luo Yingying’s kick made the peach tree’s branches and leaves tremble, scattering a large number of petals. This peach tree, being a semi-Spirit Wood, withstood Luo Yingying’s attack without breaking.
“What’s going on?”
Ye Changsheng emerged from the peach tree, creating distance. A torn Talisman fell from his body. The inscription on it was immediately recognized by Luo Yingying.
“It’s a Wood Escape Talisman!”
“Young Palace Mistress, since it’s a game of hide-and-seek, it’s not unreasonable for me to use some Talismans.”
Ye Changsheng raised his hand, and as if performing magic, several Mortal Grade Talismans appeared in his hand.
Water Escape Talisman, Earth Shield Talisman, Wood Escape Talisman, Metal Shield Talisman, Fire Shield Talisman…
As an Undercover agent, the primary objective was to ensure survival under any circumstances. If exposed, they must be able to flee immediately. Naturally, all life-saving methods must be mastered.
In addition, he had mastered numerous obscure and outrageous Spirit Grade Talismans such as the Divine Speed Talisman, Shadow Escape Talisman, Traceless Talisman, Earth Shrinking Talisman, and Traceless Talisman.
“No wonder Brother Xiao has been frequenting the Sutra Depository recently; he’s been secretly learning the Art of Talisman Cultivation.”
Luo Yingying furrowed her brows slightly. This was troublesome. The mouse was too cunning, making it difficult for this little cat to catch it.
“A kind reminder, Young Palace Mistress, time is running out.”
Ye Changsheng held up an Earth Shield Talisman and pasted it onto himself, gradually sinking into the ground.
To drag it out, just drag it out.
This game was a sure win! Ye Changsheng was determined to make Luo Yingying comply with his demands.
