Chapter 235 - 105: Preparations to Usurp the Nest

’What power is this, stepping in to help me? Could they be an enemy of the Prime Minister’s Mansion?’

A jolt went through Xiao Teng. With outside help, his odds of winning this chaotic battle were much greater.

Inside the prisoner cart, Xie Jianjia saw this and felt a wave of relief.

The men from the Prime Minister’s Mansion were aggressive, but Xiao Teng had come prepared with plenty of his own people. And that wasn’t even counting the other forces helping from the shadows.

’The Prime Minister’s Mansion has offended so many people; it’s only natural that many would want to see them fall. Perhaps this is the Royal Family’s doing, or some other faction... In any case, it seems I’m safe for the time being.’

’Based on the current situation, this seems much easier than I expected...’

’I don’t need any extra help to abduct Xie Jianjia. I’m more than enough on my own.’

Behind a broken bluestone slab.

Song Youwei stood quietly, observing the chaotic battlefield. Her bright, lovely eyes swept over to the nearby prisoner cart holding Xie Jianjia, and the corners of her lips curled into a faint smile.

She was draped in a Cloud Gauze as thin as a cicada’s wing. A hazy luster flowed across its surface, suffused with a celestial glow that made her blend completely into her surroundings.

It was a very special Exotic Treasure she had found in a Secret Realm. It concealed her form so well that even a Seventh Realm master wouldn’t notice her unless they were looking very carefully.

She didn’t rush to make her move. Instead, she observed the situation until she was absolutely certain of her success, then slowly made her way toward the prisoner cart.

Jiang Lan had underestimated her strength. The Blood Puppet Treasure Pearl he’d given her was completely unnecessary for a situation like this.

A faint smile played on Song Youwei’s lips.

No one noticed that amidst the chaotic battlefield, a ghostly figure had suddenly appeared, its form shrouded in a mist that completely obscured its features.

Though Xie Jianjia’s cultivation was sealed, her powerful Divine Soul was enough to sense an inexplicably strong aura approaching.

She froze for a moment but reacted quickly. Her expression changed, and just as she was about to cry out, she saw a hazy mist spray toward her face.

"You..."

Rage flared in Xie Jianjia’s heart. She couldn’t even get a clear look at the person in front of her.

She could only vaguely make out a silhouette before her vision went black, her eyes fluttered shut, and she passed out.

The other female relatives of the Xie Family imprisoned with her met the same fate. With no chance to react, they all collapsed, unconscious.

"This is Fuxiang Three-Breath Inversion, extracted from the venom of a thousand-year-old Fuxiang Insect King. You should feel honored to have it used on you."

Song Youwei murmured. Though she felt a small pang at using the precious concoction, she didn’t hesitate to follow Jiang Lan’s orders.

She moved quickly.

After knocking Xie Jianjia unconscious, an overwhelmingly powerful aura emanated from her slender, pale hand as she struck the specially forged chains before her.

It was hard to believe such a fair and slender palm could contain the terrifying power to topple mountains and overturn seas.

With a loud CRACK, the nigh-indestructible chains shattered instantly under her palm.

Without any hesitation, Song Youwei opened the prisoner cart, her movements as fluid as running water.

Supporting Xie Jianjia with one arm, her form once again concealed by the Secret Treasure, she vanished into the moonlit night, leaving the chaotic battlefield far behind.

BAM!

On the battlefield, Xiao Teng was locked in a frenzied fight with a powerful adversary. He threw a punch, and his opponent countered with a Palm Seal.

The next moment, their attacks collided with a terrifying sound, like a clap of thunder exploding across the landscape.

The clash of fist and palm sent out shockwaves. A brilliant golden halo, like a floating veil of gauze, enveloped the point of impact.

BOOM!!!

The mountain range trembled, and a nearby peak suddenly collapsed, throwing the area into even greater chaos.

"Third Young Master, something’s wrong...!"

"Miss Xie’s prisoner cart is destroyed, and she’s gone...!"

Just then, a panicked, trembling voice reached Xiao Teng’s ears.

"What?"

Hearing this, Xiao Teng’s expression changed drastically.

He quickly turned to look toward the prisoner cart that had been holding Xie Jianjia.

The chains were all broken and the cart door hung wide open. Inside lay the unconscious women of the Xie Family, but there was no sign of Xie Jianjia.

"Jian Jia..."

Xiao Teng lost all will to fight his opponent. Transforming into a streak of divine light, he shot toward the prisoner cart, his heart gripped by panic.

He searched the cart and confirmed that Xie Jianjia was gone. He had no idea when she’d been taken; there hadn’t been the slightest sound.

"These women... they were all drugged..."

"Miss Xie must have been, too."

A middle-aged man beside Xiao Teng reported with a grim expression after examining the scene.

Xiao Teng stood frozen, his expression utterly grim. His fists were clenched so tightly they trembled with rage.

He never imagined that Xie Jianjia could be abducted right under his nose in a situation like this.

"It’s all my fault. I should never have left her side."

Xiao Teng was filled with regret.

"Third Young Master, you can’t blame yourself," the middle-aged man beside him said, his expression grave as he examined the mirror-smooth break in the chains. "The Observatory’s locks are incredibly strong, yet someone shattered them with a single palm strike. That person’s power must be terrifying. Even if you had been standing right here, you likely couldn’t have stopped them."

"Jiang Lan..."

"It has to be the Prime Minister’s Mansion. They fought me openly as a diversion to draw our attention, while secretly sending someone to abduct Jian Jia..."

"No, Jian Jia cannot fall into the hands of the Prime Minister’s Mansion! That scoundrel Jiang Lan has coveted her for a long time. If she falls into his clutches, what good could possibly come of it?"