The Entire Sect is Full of Villains, Yet the Junior Sister Conquers All

Chapter 70 : Artifact Spirit

Chu Sang's spiritual sense was stronger than most, allowing her to detect a shadowy figure flashing by as swift as a ghost.

A flying blade shot out from her sleeve towards a spot outside the cave.

"Who's there, you little thief? Come out!"

The person seemed surprised to be discovered so quickly. Clutching their chest, they hurriedly fled underground.

"I'm going to catch that thief. Second Senior Brother, stay here and don't move. Wait for me to return!" Chu Sang's small face turned cold as she hastily tossed out these words. She flung two talismans to seal the cave entrance, then grabbed her sword and gave chase.

She applied two high-grade speed talismans to her body and quickly caught up to the thief. The person was wrapped entirely in a long black robe, hopping about like a large crow, their face obscured.

However, judging by the ominous aura surrounding them, it was easy to deduce this was a ghost cultivator.

Seeing Chu Sang in pursuit, the person panicked even more, hurriedly tossing back several magical tools.

Chu Sang was prepared, scattering a few defensive talismans to easily neutralize the attacks.

Simultaneously, she tapped her toes on a tree leaf, activated her cultivation technique, and soared spinning into the air. Her speed increased several fold. In the blink of an eye, she flashed in front of the ghost cultivator. Her spiritual sword unsheathed, over a dozen sword energies surged forth, completely cutting off any escape routes. "Still trying to run?"

She pointed her sword at his throat. "Hands up. I'll go easy on you."

"Die!" The person gritted their teeth and sent a stream of ghost energy directly towards her vital point in a sneak attack.

Chu Sang nimbly dodged, tilting her head with a cold, sweet smile. "Unrepentant. Well, you're finished then."

Just as she was about to swing her long sword to sever the neck, another attack hastily knocked it aside.

Chu Sang looked with annoyance at the person who had interrupted her moment.

Qin Xixue?

When had this person secretly followed? She hadn't even noticed. The other must also possess some artifact for concealing their aura.

"This person is a ghost cultivator. Do you mean to help them?" Chu Sang raised an eyebrow, the corner of her lips curling into a cold smile.

"...Although he's a ghost cultivator, he hasn't done anything wrong. Why would you kill him without reason?" Qin Xixue spread her arms, shielding the man behind her, resolutely protecting him with her frail body.

Chu Sang was both angered and amused. This female protagonist was truly identical to the original novel—not only love-brained but also a white lotus saint. Was she truly not afraid the ghost cultivator would stab her in the back?

If it were any other time, Chu Sang wouldn't bother with the female lead's basket of troubles. But this ghost cultivator had ill intentions towards her Second Senior Brother. How could she tolerate that?

"Move aside, or I'll deal with you too."

In the original novel, female protagonists like Qin Xixue were adored by everyone and had never faced setbacks. But Chu Sang had no intention of being tender or merciful.

Anyone who dared obstruct her, she would fight them all!

A flash of panic crossed Qin Xixue's heart. It was clear she truly saw genuine, sharp killing intent in Chu Sang's eyes.

A glimmer of light flashed from the hand Qin Xixue had hidden behind her back. The ghost cultivator transformed into a shadowy figure and fled into the distance.

"Little Junior Sister!" Tantai Ming had come to relieve her, worried she was too tired. Upon arrival, he found she was missing. After asking Ling Yu, he learned of the lurking ghost cultivator. He hurriedly woke several senior brothers and sisters. Mu Chihuai and Changsheng stayed behind to look after Ling Yu, while he rushed over with Su Chen'an and Wen Renyue. However, they found Qin Xixue was also present. What was going on?

"No time to explain in detail," Chu Sang said. "That ghost cultivator is trying to escape. Stop him first!"

Tantai Ming also caught a glimpse of a black shadow fleeing in panic. He drew his sword and charged forward when suddenly a blinding white light flashed before his eyes.

He hurriedly shielded himself with his arm. When he opened his eyes again, he found the surrounding scene had changed. They had entered another illusory realm.

Chu Sang and the others were also drawn into this sudden illusion.

In the center of the illusory realm floated an enormous die. Atop the die sat a young man in luxurious golden robes.

He leaned back on his arms, looking down at the bewildered group below. Swinging his legs, he smiled, "Welcome to the illusory realm of the Mad Gambling Die. Now, let me entertain you properly~"

Mad Gambling Die?

The female protagonist truly had an absurd number of magical treasures.

"What kind of magical treasure is this now?" Chu Sang admitted her ignorance. "How can there be a person inside an illusory realm?"

"He's an artifact spirit," Su Chen'an calmly stated. "The spirit of the Mad Gambling Die."

"Artifact spirit?" Wen Renyue scratched her head. "How could a group like us from our sect encounter a legendary artifact spirit?"

All things possess spirit. The more advanced an object, the more likely it is to develop sentience. Among magical treasures and weapons, only those at the immortal grade or above have the possibility of manifesting an artifact spirit.

Moreover, if she hadn't seen wrong earlier, this die should have been thrown out by that female cultivator from the Tianyan Sect, right?

The other person clearly didn't seem much different from them in age or realm, yet could produce such a treasure. It was truly enviable.

Tantai Ming was quick to act without discussion. "What's there to fear? Who doesn't have an artifact spirit? My divine sword also has a spirit. Perhaps it can contend with him!"

"Seventh Senior Brother, stay calm. Don't be rash." Chu Sang held back the agitated dog, shaking her head.

That Weeping Blood Sword had always wanted to devour him. Not only did it require nourishment with his fresh blood when used, but the longer it was used, the more it would shake his mental faculties. It was a huge hidden danger.

Not to mention this place was dense with ghost energy and rampant with evil. It would be even easier to interfere with a cultivator's consciousness and mind. They absolutely could not let Seventh Senior Brother take risks at this time.

There must be another way.

"What do we need to do for you to let us leave?" Chu Sang looked up at the young artifact spirit. The other hadn't immediately killed them, so there must be room for negotiation.

The youth tossed the die in his hand and grinned. "Come gamble with me. If you win, I'll let you go."

"What do you want to gamble on?" Su Chen'an calmly inquired.

"Liubo, Chupu, Shuanglu are all fine. Since it's your first time here, you can choose the game," he said confidently.

Chu Sang pondered for a few seconds, then smiled. "Since we're newcomers, it's only fair that you give us a few handicaps, right?"

The youth looked disdainful. "Whatever. You're going to lose anyway. What difference does it make if I give you three rounds?"

"Who's going first?"

Tantai Ming said, "I've only seen others play this a few times. I barely know some of the rules, but I've never tried it myself."

Chu Sang replied, "It's fine. Just try to stall him as long as possible."

Tantai Ming stepped up first. He didn't even make it past three rounds before suffering a miserable defeat, retreating to hold his head and cry.

Wen Renyue went second. The demon race had wild customs, fond of gambling and drinking, so she was somewhat familiar with these things.

But the artifact spirit's techniques were extremely cunning and tricky.

She barely lasted over ten rounds before being unexpectedly defeated by the other party, retreating in defeat.

"Damn it, he cheated! I could have won that round!" Wen Renyue angrily rolled up her sleeves, wanting to go strangle that crafty artifact spirit.

Chu Sang held her back. "Third Senior Sister, you need to calm down too."

"No skill is just no skill. How dare you slander this spirit?" The youth's eyes also turned cold. "You lost. Next."

For the third round, Chu Sang stepped up.

To be honest, she knew nothing about gambling. Fortunately, her comprehension and memory were exceptional. After carefully observing both sides' moves, she secretly grasped all the intricacies.

But it was still her first time, and she lacked experience. After barely holding on for twenty rounds, she was also defeated.

"A useless bunch of trash."

The youth clapped and laughed, the killing intent in his eyes growing colder and more frenzied. "This spirit has given you three rounds as promised. Now, you have no more chances to lose."

"The real show begins. Who will you send this time?" he said. "If you lose this round, this spirit will have you all accompany me in death!"

"Fifth Senior Brother, have you figured out his techniques?" Chu Sang moved two steps to the side and asked quietly.

Against a crafty old hand like the Mad Gambling Die's spirit, the three of them were no match at all. Chu Sang was self-aware enough to know that Su Chen'an had been her trump card from the start.

Su Chen'an was skilled at gambling.

The original novel had particularly emphasized this point.

As a self-made tool refiner, he had been extremely poor in his youth. It was said that the materials for refining his first magical tool were bought with spirit stones he had won gambling.

These three chances were what she had saved for Su Chen'an.

"Seven or eight out of ten. It should be manageable." Su Chen'an was modest by nature, as steady as an old dog.

Hearing him say this, Chu Sang knew—this round was in the bag.

"What are you lot whispering about over there? Hurry up, time waits for no one. Who's next?" The youth grew impatient.

Su Chen'an stepped forward with a gentle smile. "I'll go."

The youth looked him over. He appeared to be a frail young master from a wealthy family, quite different from the image of a gambler. He didn't seem like he'd be much fun.

With a look of disdain, he waved his hand. "Whatever."

The artifact spirit originally thought he had victory in the bag and didn't take this person seriously at all.

However, by just the fifth round, he was caught off guard by a sudden counterattack and was stunned.

"You lost." Su Chen'an calmly withdrew his hand.

The artifact spirit's face instantly reddened with anger. "I... I don't accept this. I was just careless earlier. One more round!"

Su Chen'an didn't refuse and played another round with him, then a third and a fourth.

"Again."

"Again!"

The youth couldn't believe it. How could this be? In the few years since he had been awakened, he had never encountered an opponent like this.

"One more round, the last round!" He was so angry he bit his handkerchief. Today he had to defeat this man.

Su Chen'an kindly reminded him, "You won three rounds against us earlier, but you've already lost four now. Three cancels out three. According to our agreement, we've already won. You should let us out now."

"No way..." the artifact spirit youth said viciously. "Let's gamble one last round. If you win this one, I'll definitely let you all out!"

"Gambling establishments have rules," Su Chen'an's smile also faded. "You're just an artifact spirit. What can you offer as stakes worthy of another round?"

"Myself!" The youth flew before his eyes, a manic look in them. "If you win against me, then I'll be yours!"

"You're just an artifact. Can you unilaterally break a contract?" Chu Sang feared he was trying to deceive them.

"You mean that female cultivator?" The young artifact spirit sneered disdainfully. "Hah, with her strength, she's not qualified to form a contract with me. This spirit merely allowed her to use me a few times since she awakened me."

He grew impatient again. "Stop using those boring people to change the subject. Are you going to play or not? Hurry up and start!"

"If you win, you get me. Isn't that tempting enough? Come on, play with me!"

He was an ancient divine artifact. So many people wanted to possess him. He didn't believe this group wouldn't be tempted.

Su Chen'an's eyes flickered slightly. Indeed, he couldn't help but be tempted. He nodded, "Alright."

"But I have one condition. Release them first, and I'll gamble with you one more time."

"Fine, but if you lose this round, you die!"

The youth angrily tossed them all out, leaving only Su Chen'an in the illusory realm.

"Will Fifth Senior Brother be alright alone? That artifact spirit is extremely crafty. He won't be easy to deal with." Tantai Ming wanted to go back and directly slash open that broken illusion with his sword.

Chu Sang stopped him. "Have faith in Fifth Senior Brother."

She smiled. "Perhaps this is Fifth Senior Brother's destined opportunity."

"Little Junior Sister is right. Although that artifact spirit looks vicious, an artifact spirit's every word and action is bound by the laws of heaven and earth. They are cruel but also simple, and won't deceive people." Wen Renyue looked at Chu Sang. "Should we wait here for Fifth Senior Brother next, or continue pursuing the ghost cultivator?"

"Continue the pursuit."

Chu Sang threw out a tracking talisman.

She had previously left a spiritual energy mark on the ghost cultivator.

The tracking talisman flew into the air, transformed into a beam of dark light, and shot towards the northwest of the deep forest.

"Follow it!"

In the original novel, the main plot for the delicate, universally beloved female protagonist was constantly picking up people. The people she picked up were either bigwigs from various factions—domineering demon lords and young masters of the demon realm were commonplace—or at the very least, important plot characters.

That ghost cultivator must also be extraordinary. They had to catch up.

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"You're severely injured. Rest here first. I'll go find some medicine for you."

After Qin Xixue left, the ghost cultivator was planning to meditate and recuperate for a bit. In the next moment, a burst of spiritual energy shot out from the forest.

His pupils contracted sharply as he hurriedly summoned a life-saving treasure—a black banner.

Both sides of the banner were engraved with a totem resembling a ghost fire skull.

Three small ghosts were summoned, but their strength was not great. They were shattered by her few sword energies.

Chu Sang was quite interested in the banner in his hand.

"The Hundred Ghosts Banner?" Wen Renyue rubbed her chin. "That's a good item! I heard it can hold a full hundred ghosts. When you encounter a powerful enemy, you can summon all these ghosts. It's really impressive."

Chu Sang's eyes lit up. "I want it."

Tantai Ming's gaze turned fierce. "Watch Senior Brother get it for you!"

Ghost Cultivator: Help, have I encountered bandits?

Have cultivators in the cultivation world all become like this now??

This ghost cultivator's strength wasn't high. He was no match for Tantai Ming at all. Severely injured, he had absolutely no power to resist. In just a few moves, he was struck to the ground, and the treasure in his hand changed owners.

The long sword in Chu Sang's hand flashed a terrifying cold light in the chilly night.

"You... you can't kill me!" the ghost cultivator shouted.

Chu Sang had learned from her previous lessons and didn't want to leave herself with any hidden dangers. Those on the female lead's side, whether the male lead, male supporting characters, or even passersby, would definitely become enemies of their sect in the future.

She wasn't stupid, so—

Kill!

With one sword strike, the man's life was extinguished. His eyes remained open in death, and she directly crushed his Golden Core.

From the corner of her eye, she glimpsed a token hanging at the ghost cultivator's waist. She yanked it off and looked at it closely.

Ghost Xuan Sect?