Volume 3, Chapter 182 – I, Cheng Hongling, Can Testify

Inside Mu Ruoyi’s tent, her clear, bright eyes—black and white like polished jade—were fixed on the Nine Nether Demon Cat crouched in the corner cage. This little creature, pampered by the sisters of Shuiyu Valley, had grown plump and glossy-furred, its limbs thick and sturdy, resembling a well-fed piglet. Compared to the demon cats raised by other sects, this one lived like an emperor—luxuriating in comforts beyond compare.

“What are you yowling about, little thing? Stay put quietly. This isn’t Shuiyu Valley—it’s dangerous out there.”

Mu Ruoyi scolded lightly. Back in the valley, the cat had roamed freely, accustomed to unrestrained movement. Now confined to a cage, it mewled incessantly, unable to adjust.

The chubby demon cat, however, ignored her completely, continuing its high-pitched, kitten-like cries without pause.

“Thank the heavens my cultivation is strong enough that I don’t need much sleep. Otherwise, you’d have driven me mad by now.”

Mu Ruoyi sighed, shaking her head. Though she didn’t require rest, the constant noise was grating.

Just then, a faint rustling sound came from the tent entrance.

Mu Ruoyi’s expression sharpened. Alert, she turned toward the noise—only to see the lower flap of the tent twitch slightly before a small, white figure slipped inside.

A kitten.

“Oh, it’s you again, Little White. Here to visit our Pangpang?”

Mu Ruoyi’s tense expression softened. She seemed familiar with this white cat.

And indeed, she was. Ever since setting up camp in this valley, Pangpang’s incessant mewling had drawn this little visitor.

Upon realizing the newcomer was female, Mu Ruoyi hadn’t found it strange—after all, opposites attract. If her own “pig” of a cat wanted to charm this little stray, who was she to object?

Seeming to understand that the human meant no harm, the white kitten had since returned frequently to see Pangpang. Over time, Mu Ruoyi had affectionately named it “Little White” and even occasionally tossed it treats—though the proud creature had never accepted a single one.

This time was no different. Seeing Little White enter, Mu Ruoyi stubbornly pulled out a few dried meat strips and tossed them over, assuming the earlier refusals were due to unfamiliarity.

Little White glanced at the dust-coated meat on the ground, her eyes flashing with an almost human-like disdain. Then, head held high, she strutted gracefully toward Pangpang’s cage, circling it three times left, three times right—like an official inspecting work.

Pangpang, in turn, watched the stray with curious green eyes, the eerie flames within them dimming as his agitation visibly settled.

After a thorough “inspection”, Little White’s face bore an expression of satisfaction before she turned and sauntered out of the tent with the same regal air.

Rеαd oո KαtRеаⅾіոɡСαfe

Mu Ruoyi was used to this odd behavior by now. She didn’t bother pondering it—after all, her purpose here wasn’t to study a stray cat, but to locate the missing Nine Nether Demon Cat of the Yuxiao Sect.

With Little White’s visit, Pangpang finally quieted down, soon curling up to sleep with contented purrs.

Mu Ruoyi exhaled in relief and resumed her cross-legged cultivation.

But then—

The tent flap was pulled aside abruptly. A middle-aged woman stepped in. Her face was bare of cosmetics, her mature demeanor and voluptuous figure contrasting with skin as smooth as a young girl’s—a testament to the slowed aging granted by cultivation.

“Holy Maiden, is something the matter? I heard you speaking.”

The woman’s voice was calm but probing.

“No need for concern, Elder Zhao. It was just that little stray cat again.”

Mu Ruoyi quickly explained. The woman before her was Zhao Li, one of Shuiyu Valley’s eight elders, a cultivator at the second layer of the Incarnation Realm. She had been assigned to assist in capturing the demon cat.

“That stray again? I’d hoped it was the Nine Nether Demon Cat we’re after.”

Disappointment flickered across Zhao Li’s face.

“Don’t worry, Elder. The fact that Pangpang attracted a female stray proves our method works.”

Mu Ruoyi offered reassurance.

“Holy Maiden, you may not realize—the fall of the Yuxiao Sect has drawn the attention of the entire Western Radiance Dynasty’s cultivation world. Every major sect has sent experts, many bringing their own Nine Nether Demon Cats. Within dozens of li, there must be at least ten of them now. If another sect succeeds first…”

Zhao Li trailed off, but the implication was clear.

Mu Ruoyi’s face paled as the gravity of the situation struck her. After a moment’s hesitation, she said reluctantly, “Elder Zhao, you’re right to worry. But we’re still over ten li from the Yuxiao Sect ruins. Even if I use the Wooden Exquisite Art to commune with spirits, I won’t find anything. I’ve tried twice already—it’s futile.”

“So you’re saying… to locate that demon cat, we must enter the Yuxiao Sect to perform the ritual?”

Reaԁ οn ΚαtRеаⅾіnɡCаfe

Zhao Li sought confirmation.

“I can’t be certain. The sect was destroyed three months ago, and my art only reveals events from the past month. But entering would at least improve our chances.”

Mu Ruoyi spoke carefully.

“Easier said than done. The path ahead is blockaded by major sects, and the ruins themselves are occupied by the Huxiao Sect’s four elders. With our strength, reaching there is impossible.”

Zhao Li inhaled deeply.

“Elder Zhao! Come quickly! Something’s wrong!”

A female disciple’s urgent shout came from outside.

“What’s happening?”

Exchanging glances, Zhao Li and Mu Ruoyi rushed out—only to freeze at the sight before them.

An enormous formation had silently enclosed their camp. Dense arrays of glowing talisman characters spun rapidly, forming an inverted bowl-shaped barrier. Even worse—it was actively absorbing earth qi, condensing massive black boulders overhead that teetered precariously, exuding crushing pressure.

“AMBUSH! AMBUSH!”

Zhao Li bellowed the warning. The sleeping disciples jolted awake, grabbing their weapons as they spilled from their tents.

Then—the boulders dropped.

Like meteors, they hurtled downward with terrifying speed, the air shrieking in their wake.

“DODGE!”

Zhao Li knew these rocks’ momentum would obliterate Body Tempering disciples. She shouted the order instantly.

The twenty-odd disciples reacted swiftly, leaping aside—only to face a second horror.

The fallen boulders emitted a powerful magnetic force, yanking all metal objects toward them.

Rеaԁ οո КatRеaⅾіոɡСafе

Including their swords.

Unwilling to abandon their weapons, many instinctively gripped their hilts—only to be dragged bodily into the crushing weight of subsequent boulders.

In the first wave alone, Shuiyu Valley lost a quarter of its disciples.

“Let go of your swords! NOW!”

Realizing the trap, Zhao Li roared.

The survivors released their blades with pained reluctance, focusing solely on evasion.

“Elder Zhao! Look—this formation is being maintained by people!”

Mu Ruoyi pointed out after observing closely.

Sure enough, four figures sat cross-legged outside the barrier at each cardinal direction, channeling qi from spirit stones into the formation with sealed hand signs.

“You dare?!”

Enraged, Zhao Li lunged toward the northern figure. Her right hand shot forward, index and middle fingers extended like a blade as she shouted:

“PROFOUND ICE PIERCE!”

Frigid energy coalesced at her fingertips, forming a massive ice spike—over three meters long—that shot toward the enemy with a sonic boom.

The disciples’ eyes lit with hope at the devastating attack.

But—

CRACK!

The spike shattered harmlessly against the formation’s barrier.

Reαd оո KаtRеаⅾiոɡСαfе

“Hah! You call that ‘Profound Ice’? Pathetic.”

A mocking voice rang out as the Tujiang Sect members emerged, faces masked.

“Who are you? Why attack us?”

Zhao Li demanded furiously.

“The cultivation world operates on survival of the fittest. Do we need a reason? Hand over your Nine Nether Demon Cat if you want to live!”

Disciple Pan threatened loudly.

“Highway robbery? You think this formation makes you invincible?”

Zhao Li sneered, unleashing her divine sense toward one of the formation casters. No barrier could block a direct mental assault.

Or so she thought.

The formation couldn’t—but a person could.

Elder Han chuckled coldly, his own overwhelming divine sense shielding the disciple before counterattacking, forcing Zhao Li’s awareness back.

“You—you’re also at the Incarnation Realm?! A cultivator of your standing, resorting to banditry? Aren’t you afraid of the Immortal Alliance’s wrath?”

Zhao Li hissed.

“How naive, fellow Daoist. The Immortal Alliance needs evidence to act. If we erase all witnesses… who could testify?”

Elder Han replied with mock courtesy.

“I, Cheng Hongling, can testify!”

A clear, ringing voice cut through the night.