The tea house was a popular spot for cultivators to swap gossip, and this one catered to the lower end; plenty of grassroots cultivators came here to sip tea and chit-chat.

Lu Chang’sheng heard exactly the news he wanted about Zhang Yu and the Evil-slaying Alliance.

These days, Zhang Yu had been running around, gathering an Evil-slaying Alliance, clearly targeting Li Jun.

From their mouths, Lu Chang’sheng learned that Zhang Yu and the others often hung out at a courtyard near the marketplace, and it was said that within a couple days, they’d officially leave the marketplace for a showdown with Li Jun.

"Zhang Yu’s got a Foundation Establishment Pill too, but she probably hasn’t used it."

Lu Chang’sheng was tempted, but quickly let it go.

His survival to this point, rising from a nobody in the Mayfly World to a formidable Foundation Establishment cultivator, was thanks to one thing—being cautious.

Zhang Yu had lived a hundred years; would she not know the risks?

There was clearly more to this than met the eye.

Lu Chang’sheng decided not to get involved in the mess.

He’d already reached Foundation Establishment. Getting a mid-tier Foundation Pill wasn’t hard anymore.

In another couple years, he’d consider heading to the Great Domain to get Nangua a Foundation Pill.

Hell, he might even refine one himself.

That’s what Lu Chang’sheng was thinking.

When it came to his wife, Lu Chang’sheng was dead serious.

······

Leaving the tea house, Lu Chang’sheng confirmed Zhang Yu and her crew’s whereabouts.

With his Spiritual Sense at mid-Foundation level, he could easily envelop Zhang Yu’s group without getting noticed.

Once you hit Foundation Establishment, Spiritual Sense becomes sharper and stealthier—unless it’s matched by another Foundation cultivator’s, it’s tough to detect.

On the third day, at last, Zhang Yu and her people made a move, slipping out of the marketplace at night.

Lu Chang’sheng spotted a handful of late-stage Qi cultivators—the ones who’d competed for slots the other day. Even though they had doubts about Zhang Yu, on the surface they looked calm; truthfully, they were wound tight.

A squad like that was a recipe for disaster.

Lu Chang’sheng thought to himself—as soon as the group was a good distance away, he didn’t hesitate, slipping out of the marketplace from a different route.

Zhang Yu was trouble, so if avoidance was possible, Lu Chang’sheng would avoid her—he had no pride to nurse; ’safe’ was his mantra.

He didn’t expect that even playing it this safe, he’d still get targeted.

Just as he turned the corner, someone followed right behind.

"Fellow Daoist Lu!"

Lu Chang’sheng glanced at the hurriedly approaching Zhang Yu, his eyes flashing with complicated emotion.

But he quickly regained composure, putting on a puzzled look, "Daoist Zhang Yu?"

Zhang Yu had planned to strike right away, but seeing Lu Chang’sheng’s reaction, she reconsidered instantly.

Even though she’d come prepared, she didn’t want to start a big scene here and catch the attention of Alchemist Luo from the marketplace.

She decided to probe slowly.

"Where have you been these days, Fellow Daoist? You had me searching all over," Zhang Yu said with a bitter smile.

"I’ve been cultivating at home. Why do you ask, Daoist?"

Zhang Yu sighed, half-joking, half-serious, and mentioned her new alliance.

In the middle of talking, a sudden chill ran down her spine—a terrifying figure appeared behind her, grabbing hold of her ankles.

"What are you doing, Daoist?"

Zhang Yu was shocked and furious, but didn’t hesitate—she tore a talisman paper, and a flash of fierce sword light slashed behind her.

Lu Chang’sheng saw how deadly that sword light was—at least second-grade. He was quietly astonished.

Not many loose cultivators at Qi Cultivation level could produce a second-grade attack talisman.

Zhang Yu’s luck must’ve been extraordinary!

Lu Chang’sheng grew alert, and didn’t slack off—with almost no delay from Zhang Yu’s move, he unleashed his own Magical Artifact, shooting out a dreadful sword beam.

It struck Zhang Yu directly.

A blinding glow burst forth—his top-tier magical sword was stopped by a shield of light.

Clearly, Zhang Yu hadn’t come unprepared—she’d armed herself with a Protective Magical Artifact before she got here.

When Lu Chang’sheng struck, the artifact bloomed with light and saved her life.

But Zhang Yu didn’t get off easy.

The second-grade talisman paper she’d counted on fizzled fast—with a "clang," it collided with something impossibly tough.

Next, a crisp tearing sound echoed—her top-grade artifact around her neck shuddered violently, suddenly streaked in cracks.

There was no doubt left—Lu Chang’sheng wasn’t Qi Cultivation; he was Foundation Establishment!

No Qi Cultivator could manage power like this.

Zhang Yu’s eyes widened in shock, but her hands kept working.

She saw what had grabbed her—a puppet beast. Her earlier attack hadn’t severed its grip, but it did mess with Lu Chang’sheng’s Spiritual Sense control for a moment.

That gave her some hope.

"As long as I sever his Spiritual Sense, the puppet beast’ll be no threat!" Zhang Yu’s gaze grew chilling.

Her dark eyes seemed to twist into swirling vortices.

Right then, Lu Chang’sheng’s Spiritual Sense felt as if a sword edge hovered against it.

The next moment, there was a faint buzzing.

Lu Chang’sheng suddenly felt his whole body seized up, then a sharp pain stabbed through his mind.

He caught on fast—this was an attack on his Spiritual Sense, but unfortunately—

Lu Chang’sheng’s eyes turned oddly amused; no wonder this one survived to late-stage Qi—you could tell she’d have a real shot at Foundation Establishment.

She stashed trump cards one after another; compared to most late-stage Qi cultivators he’d met, Zhang Yu’s tricks were terrifying.

Even the Qin Family Ancestor would’ve been doomed meeting her.

If his Spiritual Sense was any weaker, she’d have wrested control of the fight.

Lu Chang’sheng felt thoroughly satisfied—his caution had paid off.

Seeing that Lu Chang’sheng snapped out of it in less than a breath, Zhang Yu’s eyes turned to utter panic.

This technique had never failed her—she could snare even most Foundation Establishment cultivators; she never dreamed Lu Chang’sheng would shrug it off.

Was he really just newly established?

"Fellow Daoist Lu, wait—it’s a misunderstanding, truly a misunder—"

Zhang Yu hastily tried to beg for mercy, but in the next instant, attacks rained down on her without end.

The puppet beast Mountain Nether regained motion, its massive body locking her into place.

In a blink, Zhang Yu was cut down by a torrent of attacks.

Lu Chang’sheng, wary she might have allies, grabbed her corpse and immediately escaped by Sword Control.

He’d figured Zhang Yu was supposed to go head-to-head with Li Jun’s crew, or at least counterbalance each other.

She wasn’t supposed to target him.

After considering everything that happened, Lu Chang’sheng became nearly certain—Zhang Yu and Li Jun were secretly in league.

"Then, those who left the market with Zhang Yu are in grave danger."

Lu Chang’sheng made no effort to hide his aura, directly channeling Foundation Establishment magical power, and swiftly fled a thousand miles.

Thinking of all this, he couldn’t help but sigh inwardly.