Chapter 150 of Volume Three: Fang Ling, the Maiden Candidate

“Ha ha~ This time we are saved,” the sect leader said happily, folding his hands.

The burly man was about to step outside, but the woman raised her hand to stop him. “Fourth Brother just left half a day ago. Even with his extraordinary speed, it’s impossible for him to have quickly summoned reinforcements.”

Though she ranked lowest, everyone in the hall trusted and respected her deeply. When she spoke, all stood silently to listen.

The young sect leader’s expression immediately turned grave. “Seventh Sister, are you saying this is a trap?”

She shook her head. “It’s uncertain, but we must be wary of bandits stealing our tokens to impersonate others.”

“Ah! Could Fourth Brother have been captured by them? Then what are we waiting for? We must go capture the culprit and force them to reveal his whereabouts!” The burly man was anxious, ready to rush out again.

“Second Brother, why the rush? Listen to Seventh Sister’s analysis first. With her here, do you think he can escape?” The sect leader shot the burly man a stern glance, and he immediately fell silent.

The burly man glanced at the woman timidly, then said awkwardly, “Seventh Sister, Second Brother was rash. Please continue.”

She spoke calmly, “No need to analyze further. Let’s go out and see for ourselves; the truth will become clear. But we must be prepared, just in case.”

“Seventh Sister, whatever you say, we will follow,” the leader nodded.

“Good. Big Brother, Second Brother, and I will go out to greet the arrivals. Third, Fifth, and Sixth Brothers, blend in with the disciples and be ready to support at any moment.”

“Understood!” they responded in unison.

Outside the hall, Yu Mu was reflecting on the revolutionary insights brought by Golden Scale Mountain when a crowd surged out of the hall. Leading them were three individuals, each distinct.

The one in the center was handsome, tall and broad-shouldered, with a narrow waist and a tiger’s back. Though moving steadily, his steps bore the tension of a leopard stalking prey, radiating an invisible, fierce aura.

He bore some resemblance to the Earth Bear. Without a doubt, this was Yang Yong, the Golden Scale Leopard and sect leader.

To his left stood a short, stout man with a red face and a beard, walking firmly like a rhinoceros, exuding immense strength as if he could move mountains.

According to Chasing Wind, this must be the Second Brother, the “Mountain-Battering Rhinoceros” Tongchuan. He was the only demon cultivator in the sect—his true form, a rhinoceros.

On the other side stood a woman, in stark contrast to him. Petite and dressed plainly, she stood out amid the greenery.

Though not exceptionally beautiful, she was delicate and pleasing to the eye. Her aura was unique: serene, elegant, pure as ice and jade—untouched by worldly dust, yet seemingly in full control.

Yu Mu instantly judged her to be a woman of great wisdom and insight, undoubtedly Fang Ling, the Seventh Sister, known as the Female Seer.

It was said that all the formations, architectural designs, and defenses of this mountain were her creations.

As Yu Mu appraised the trio, they, too, scrutinized him. Seeing a nondescript, slightly plump man with only early Nascent Soul cultivation, their hostility diminished, replaced by disappointment.

Such a person—even if a spy sent by enemies—was hardly to be feared. Even the lowest-ranking Seventh Sister had a cultivation level higher than his. If he was the reinforcements, there was little to hope for.

“You must be the reinforcements summoned by Chasing Wind? May I ask your honorable name?” Yang Yong asked politely, maintaining an air of dignity despite his disappointment.

“In a way, yes, and in a way, no,” Yu Mu smiled faintly. “My name is Yu Mu. Are you Yang Yong, the Golden Scale Sect leader?”

“That’s right. May I ask why you say that?”

“Oh, I did meet Chasing Wind and saved his life. I’m willing to be your reinforcements, but I wasn’t sent by Chasing Wind—someone else sent me.”

“Oh? Who might that be?” they asked in surprise.

Yu Mu said to Yang Yong, “Could we talk privately for a moment?”

Yang Yong, intrigued, nodded at once. Unexpectedly, Fang Ling suddenly interrupted, “The Golden Scale Sect is one family. If you have something to say, Brother Yu, please speak freely.”

Her words stunned everyone awake. Yang Yong quickly responded with a smile, “Brother Yu, Sister Seven speaks truthfully. Speak without reservation.”

Yu Mu gave Fang Ling a meaningful look and nodded. “Very well. To be frank, I was entrusted by Earth Bear to visit you.”

“What?! Entrusted? Big Brother—” Yang Yong cried out sorrowfully, spitting blood.

Yu Mu immediately struck out with a palm.

Everyone rushed to aid Yang Yong, none expecting Yu Mu to move. But Fang Ling was different—she had been watching Yu Mu closely. As soon as he struck, she raised her palm to block and scolded, “Hmph! I knew you were up to something... Huh, what is this...?”

The green light from Yu Mu’s palm instantly dissipated, entering Yang Yong’s body. Having learned from past mistakes, Yu Mu had devised a way to handle such situations.

Fang Ling’s palm only stopped the attack at the last moment, but the energy of that blow invigorated her, filling her with vitality and vigor.

She scolded sharply, warning the others. The brothers immediately formed a circle around Yu Mu, weapons drawn, ready to attack.

“Stop!” Yang Yong wiped blood from his mouth. “You’ve all misunderstood. Brother Yu is healing me.”

Seeing this, everyone looked closely and found Yang Yong’s complexion restored.

Fang Ling apologized, “Sorry, I was too suspicious and misunderstood your good intentions.”

Yu Mu smiled gently. “No harm done. Your carefulness and foresight are admirable.”

Yang Yong had regained composure and said solemnly, “Please, Brother Yu, come inside the hall and tell us more.”

“Lead the way.”

Inside the Golden Scale Hall, only seven remained. The three hidden among the disciples revealed themselves, showing that the sect had completely trusted Yu Mu.

As soon as Yu Mu sat down, Yang Yong asked urgently, “Brother Yu, could you tell me in detail about my elder brother’s demise?”

“Certainly. It happened like this...” Yu Mu then recounted how he met Earth Bear and the subsequent misfortune in detail.

*Snap!*

When Yu Mu finished, Yang Yong had broken the armrest of his chair.

His eyes were bloodshot, silent and distant, lost in thought. The brothers remained quiet for a long moment before Yang Yong slowly asked, “Is Chasing Wind safe?”

“He’s with my friends, very safe.”

Fang Ling suddenly asked, “Brother Yu, you said you came as reinforcements. How many came with you?”

“Three.”

Upon hearing this, everyone showed disappointment.

Only Fang Ling pressed further, “Among the three of you, what is the highest cultivation level?”

“Mid Nascent Soul.”

“Oh, mid Nascent Soul? Wha... what! Mid Nascent Soul!?”

The brothers could hardly believe their ears. Only Fang Ling seemed not overly surprised, though she was slightly shocked.

She couldn’t understand how an early Nascent Soul minor cultivator could befriend someone at mid Nascent Soul level.

Turning to Yu Mu, her gaze changed. She spoke softly, “Brother Yu, to infiltrate here unnoticed, you must not be ordinary. How strong is your other friend?”

Yu Mu smiled faintly. “I’m nothing special, just a demon with some unique abilities. My friend, however, is much stronger.”

“A demon cultivator!” The group was shocked again.

Especially Tongchuan, who strode forward and scrutinized Yu Mu, even sniffing him curiously. “Why is there no demonic aura on you?”

Yu Mu didn’t explain. He transformed, revealing his bear form. This appearance astonished everyone further.

“What sort of demon is this? I’ve never seen your true form before...”

They all gawked as if at a monster.

Yu Mu, feeling helpless, quickly reverted to human form. “Now is not the time to study me. We need to solve the problems here at Golden Scale Mountain.”

Upon hearing this, the crowd dispersed. But Fang Ling said, “It’s not curiosity, but since we have your help, we must understand your strength to cooperate effectively.”

“Though it may involve your privacy, there’s no other way. So please share whatever you can, so I can make arrangements.”