**Chapter 27: Ambush
In front of Qingshan Ridge, Ye Xingliu took a step forward, wielding a pair of second-tier Zimu swords. The swords transformed into two streaks of blue light, shooting straight at the faces of the two Foundation Establishment cultivators.
The blue light was so fast that even Ye Jingcheng felt dazzled just watching it! However, with two crisp clangs, the two black-robed cultivators each produced a weapon—a pair of boomerang-like magical tools that spun rapidly in the air, emitting bright spiritual light that deflected the two swords. Another cultivator also took out a flying sword aimed at Ye Xingliu's chest, but it was intercepted by a dazzling Golden Sword Technique, scattering golden light all around as the weapon was knocked back.
The battle between Foundation Establishment cultivators was fierce, with every move intended to kill.
"Ye Xingliu, so you're here, but this time, there are two of us. How can you possibly defeat us?" The two spoke loudly.
"You're just two rats who dare not show their faces!" Ye Xingliu retorted, advancing once more.
He continued his assault with the Zimu swords, and beside him, a peak first-tier Qinghuan snake appeared. Despite its small size, resembling a common spirit snake, it was covered in bright scales and coiled around Ye Xingliu. Whenever the attacks from the two became too dangerous, the snake would form a scale-covered shield, acting as a top-grade armor, blocking fatal blows.
While Ye Xingliu was locked in combat with the two Foundation Establishment cultivators, Ye Xinghe directed the Bloodstripe Leopard and the Red-Crested Snow Eagle to attack the four black-robed men. He also unleashed several long spear magical tools, each moving at incredible speed, almost impossible to dodge. These spears were nearly as powerful as Ye Xingliu's second-tier weapons, forcing the four late-stage Qi Refinement cultivators to constantly summon their shields and other defensive magical tools. The four used various weapons—a small pagoda, a golden mace, and traditional swords—but among them, there were only three top-grade magical tools.
[Translator: sauron]
Meanwhile, Ye Xingyu also joined the fight, utilizing both his spiritual beasts in a coordinated attack. The synergy between Ye family members and their spirit beasts reached its peak at this moment, enabling them to gain the upper hand against their opponents.
Watching this, Ye Jingcheng felt a surge of excitement. He quickly released his own spiritual beasts, the Chiyan Fox and the Jade Ring Mouse. However, the Jade Ring Mouse suddenly started squeaking urgently, while the Chiyan Fox's fiery red fur stood on end—a clear sign that more enemies were nearby.
"To the left!" Ye Jingcheng, understanding the urgency from his Jade Ring Mouse, immediately ordered the Chiyan Fox. Three large fireballs shot out like cannonballs, aiming at a nearby hill.
As the fireballs struck, a black-faced cultivator emerged from the hillside.
"Damn brat!" the black-faced cultivator cursed. He had intended to ambush Ye Xinghe, but he hadn't expected to be discovered by a mere mid-stage Qi Refinement cultivator. Though he avoided the fireballs, he was left disheveled and furious. Before he could recover, Ye Jingcheng had already unleashed a barrage of wooden vines from his Ironwood Plate, surrounding the black-faced cultivator.
The black-faced cultivator had no choice but to fend off the vines with a flurry of silver needle magical tools, slicing through them with precision. But as soon as he cut them down, another trio of fireballs came hurtling towards him.
"How can he be this fast?!" the black-faced cultivator grumbled, realizing the fireballs were coming at an alarming speed, much faster and more powerful than any regular fireball spell.
[Translator: sauron]
Though he was frustrated, he reacted quickly, summoning a small shield that rapidly expanded into a large, five-foot-tall barrier. The fireballs struck the shield, sending flames several feet into the air and dimming the shield's spiritual light.
Anger and surprise flickered across the black-faced cultivator's expression. This defense was costly in terms of spiritual energy, and he knew that the fireballs' power was unexpectedly high.
Ye Jingcheng didn't let up, continuing his relentless assault with spiritual energy and magic tools, knowing he couldn't afford to hold back against a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator. He empowered his Chiyan Fox with his spiritual energy, restoring its strength for another attack. The fox, now revitalized, charged forward with blinding speed, claws extended, aiming to rip through the shield and strike the black-faced cultivator.
The black-faced cultivator, seeing the fox approaching, felt a surge of confidence, believing this was his chance to counterattack. However, as he pushed his shield forward to repel the flames and charged towards Ye Jingcheng, the fox suddenly retreated and unleashed three more massive fireballs. Simultaneously, Ye Jingcheng's Ironwood Plate sent out another wave of wooden vines, trapping the black-faced cultivator completely.
Before he could react, the Chiyan Fox was upon him, its claws tearing through the air. Just as it was about to strike, the black-faced cultivator revealed a sinister grin, producing a talisman and a small bell from his robes. The talisman ignited instantly, incinerating the vines, while the bell flew out and trapped the Chiyan Fox inside, ringing ominously.
The black-faced cultivator had lured Ye Jingcheng into a trap, but just as he was about to revel in his victory, his expression changed abruptly. A hidden ice talisman, tucked among the vines, suddenly activated, freezing half of his body solid. Paralyzed, he couldn't escape as Ye Jingcheng's Qingliu Sword descended, cutting him in two.
This scene did not go unnoticed by Ye Xingliu and Ye Xinghe, who were both impressed by Ye Jingcheng's performance. Despite being outmatched, he had managed to eliminate a late-stage Qi Refinement cultivator, displaying skills on par with seasoned warriors.
What surprised them even more was how Ye Jingcheng had detected the black-faced cultivator and how his Chiyan Fox had reached the later stages of the first tier. But before they could dwell on these thoughts, Ye Jingcheng noticed his Jade Ring Mouse's large ears standing straight up, flapping frantically.
"There are more enemies, and at least one is at the Foundation Establishment stage!" Cold sweat broke out across Ye Jingcheng's forehead as he quickly retreated into the protective spiritual barrier.