Chapter 4083: Guarded Treasure

The masked cultivators exchanged puzzled looks.

They were traveling through a remote section of the wilderness, far from the ordinary roads used by sect members. Finding a trunk filled with valuable materials in such a place was highly unusual.

One of the masked cultivators narrowed his eyes. "Could it be a trap?"

The suggestion immediately made the others cautious. They extended their Immortal Senses, examining the surrounding vegetation and searching for concealed formations. However, they detected nothing suspicious.

Xiao Yang had hidden himself carefully, and the materials within the trunk were genuine. There were no obvious traps or hostile formations surrounding them.

Another cultivator shook his head. "That seems unlikely."

"Why?"

"Our departure was arranged at the last moment. Barely anyone within the Vault Division knows which route we’re taking."

He glanced toward the surrounding forest. "How could someone have prepared an ambush here?"

The reasoning made sense to the others.

Their transfer had been conducted discreetly, and the route had been chosen specifically to avoid unwanted attention. Even if someone knew that Taegong was being moved, determining their exact path would have been extremely difficult.

The leading cultivator nodded. "Still, we should remain cautious."

Another looked toward the trunk. "We cannot simply ignore it either. This region falls within the Vault Division’s jurisdiction."

"Indeed. If someone has abandoned valuable materials here, we should investigate and report the discovery."

Taegong frowned. "Do we really have time for this?"

The leading cultivator considered the question. "It should only take a moment. We can inspect the trunk and continue."

Taegong was unhappy with the delay, but he did not argue further. One of the masked cultivators stepped forward. He approached the fallen tree cautiously, keeping his Immortal Sense extended.

The glimmering crystals were now clearly visible through the partially opened lid.

’These are certainly valuable,’ he thought.

He could also sense that the trunk itself was a decent storage treasure. Finding something like this in the wilderness was an unexpected stroke of fortune.

The cultivator moved closer when he heard something.

HISS~

He stopped in his tracks as a small white snake had suddenly raised its head from behind the fallen trunk. Its pale scales reflected the sunlight, and its vertical pupils were fixed upon him. The snake opened its mouth, revealing a pair of sharp fangs.

"A beast?" The cultivator blinked.

The others looked toward the fallen tree. "What’s there?"

"A snake."

"Is it guarding the trunk?" The suggestion was unusual, though hardly impossible.

Beasts were known to collect and guard valuable materials, especially objects containing Immortal Qi.

While such behavior was more common with spiritual herbs and naturally occurring treasures, some beasts also developed an interest in artifacts and refined materials. The presence of a beast guarding the trunk made the discovery seem considerably more plausible.

One of the masked cultivators chuckled. "Perhaps it found the trunk and decided to make it its nest."

The cultivator standing closest to Xiao Yang examined the serpent. It was small, and its aura appeared unimpressive.

"Just a little snake." He raised his hand and a burst of Immortal Qi shot toward Xiao Yang.

The attack was intended to drive the beast away or kill it if necessary. However, the moment the energy approached, Xiao Yang disappeared.

The cultivator’s eyes widened. "What?"

The attack struck the ground behind the trunk, scattering leaves and dirt.

The snake was gone.

"Where did it go?" The cultivator immediately extended his Immortal Sense.

Then someone behind him shouted. "YOUR SHOULDER!"

The man froze. "What?"

"It’s on your shoulder!" A cold sensation suddenly spread across his neck.

He slowly turned his head and saw that the white serpent was wrapped around his shoulder, its slender body extending toward his throat.

A pair of vertical pupils stared directly into his eyes. "HISS~"

The cultivator felt a chill run down his spine. ’How did it get here!?’

He had not sensed the snake approaching. It had seemingly vanished from its previous position and appeared directly upon his body.

’The speed is terrifying.’ He immediately circulated his Immortal Qi, intending to throw the creature off.

However, Xiao Yang tightened his coils and the cultivator’s movement was abruptly restricted.

"Help!"

The others reacted immediately. "Don’t move!"

"Be careful! It might bite him!"

"We need to get it off!"

Several cultivators raised their weapons, but none dared attack recklessly. The snake was positioned directly against their companion’s neck. If they struck carelessly, they might injure him.

And judging from the creature’s speed, it could potentially retaliate before they could stop it.

The group became completely focused on Xiao Yang. Which was precisely what the beasts wanted. And behind them, Xiao Yin moved. The black serpent slipped down from a branch and landed silently upon the shoulders of the rearmost masked cultivator.

Before the man could react, her body wrapped around his neck and her coils tightened. The cultivator’s eyes widened in utter terror. He tried to shout, but the pressure around his throat prevented any sound from escaping.

Xiao Yin carefully controlled her strength. She possessed more than enough power to crush his neck instantly, but Lin Mu had instructed them to capture the targets alive. Instead, she applied just enough force to restrict his breathing and disrupted his circulation of Immortal Qi with her own Yin qi.

The man’s attempts to resist lasted only a few moments before his eyes rolled upward and his body went limp.

’One down,’ Xiao Yin reported.

She loosened her coils and gently lowered the unconscious cultivator into the undergrowth. The others were still occupied with Xiao Yang.

’Moving to another.’ Xiao Yin slipped through the vegetation.

Her next target was another masked cultivator standing slightly apart from the group. The man was watching his companion struggle with the mysterious snake, preparing to intervene if an opportunity appeared.

He never noticed Xiao Yin approaching from behind and a faint movement passed across his shoulder. Then something tightened around his neck before his eyes widened. And before he could turn, Xiao Yin suppressed his Immortal Qi and constricted his throat.

The cultivator struggled briefly as his fingers twitched toward the weapon at his waist. Then his strength faded and he collapsed into the vegetation without making a sound.

’Two down.’ Xiao Yin was thoroughly pleased with herself.

However, the masked cultivators were experienced. They had spent years performing sensitive assignments for the Vault Division, and their training included maintaining awareness of their companions during dangerous situations.

One of them suddenly realized that the group had become unusually quiet and he glanced over his shoulder. "Where are the others?"

Taegong turned. "What?"

The two cultivators who had been guarding their rear were gone. Only disturbed vegetation remained where they had been standing.

Taegong’s expression changed drastically. "What’s happening!?"

The remaining cultivator immediately extended his Immortal Sense. Then he noticed a slender black figure moving through the branches.

"ANOTHER SNAKE!" The warning caused everyone to react.

"There are two of them!?"

"They must be a pair!"

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