FRGNM -Chapter 238 Falling Into a Trap

“Then we’ll leave it to you.” Ling Ruoxi nodded slightly and whispered, quickly pulling Luo Mingyu back just as he was about to step forward. A sharp gleam flashed in her eyes as she shouted angrily, “That brat actually teamed up with others to trap us! Entering the Bamboo Sea means stepping into a labyrinthine formation—we won’t get out easily. And that ‘Celestial Sword Heart’ zither nearby—it’s ready to control our minds at any moment. They brought us here just to deal with us!”

“If it were just to deal with us, fine. But the scary part is that he could kill us. Let’s go—he’s no ordinary opponent.” Luo Mingyu’s eyes burned with killing intent as he protected the person behind him. Any danger approaching would be blocked by him first.

“I understand.” Ling Ruoxi replied softly. Around them, the alluring sound of a zither floated again, intoxicating anyone who heard it.

The entire melody seemed fused with the Bamboo Sea, blending with the rustling of the bamboo leaves, utterly enchanting. But within the notes, a hidden killing intent surged—a cold, fierce aura darted through like lightning.

Falling bamboo leaves trembled and were split in two midair.

The murderous aura rushed forward. Ling Ruoxi’s expression changed drastically. She grabbed Luo Mingyu and flipped aside, moving her right hand to strike the incoming threat. But in that instant, she was shocked—her Dou Qi… she couldn’t draw any Dou Qi from her dantian!

“Watch out!” Luo Mingyu stepped forward quickly, realizing the danger, and wrapped his arms around her, letting the fierce aura strike his back.

A bitter taste hit his mouth. Luo Mingyu scanned the area angrily. “Who’s there, playing tricks? If you have the guts, come out!”

“Heh…” A low, sinister laugh echoed as bamboo leaves quivered all around.

“You dared steal my Demon-Slaying Zither, and now you ask who I am? Luo Mingyu, Ling Ruoxi, you two really have guts. But now that your Dou Qi is gone, how does it feel?” The seductive, evil laugh rolled through the Bamboo Sea, the deep zither notes spreading their attack.

It felt as if countless blades hovered before them; the bamboo leaves scattered violently, cutting through everything.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!” Two figures dodged swiftly. Even without Dou Qi, their agility allowed them to avoid the attacks. They leapt and split into two directions, forcing the opponent to choose whom to attack.

The person in the pavilion’s expression darkened. A cold gleam flashed in their eyes as their hands slammed the strings, sending out a strong killing aura that quickly locked onto Ling Ruoxi.

“Hand it over! Give me back the Demon-Slaying Zither! Don’t think I don’t know—you’ve been learning the pieces just to use it. Give it back!”

“Who wants that useless zither anyway? Even if you want me to play it, I wouldn’t! Toss it long ago!” Ling Ruoxi shouted angrily, shifting to the side. But her foot caught on something, and she stumbled into an aura, blood surging through her body.

She clutched her wrist in pain and looked down. The bamboo ahead appeared cut, revealing a sharp triangular spike. Her foot had caught on it, drawing blood.

But what truly shocked Ling Ruoxi was…

She opened her right hand, and the compass trembled. Its three needles wavered wildly, affected by the powerful magnetic field ahead, making it impossible to locate the correct aura.

Quickly retracting the compass, Ling Ruoxi confirmed: the Purple Bamboo Divine Needle was here! She flipped nimbly, letting the attacking Dou Qi strike the bamboo behind her, but her agile body—like a rabbit—remained unharmed.

“Hmph!” A cold hum passed as a white figure dashed forward. A stone in hand struck the zither—snap!—breaking a string. The person in the pavilion’s face turned pale.

The beautiful, celestial-like woman continued playing, but beside her, Li Lei had already fainted from the zither’s attack. Ordinary people could never withstand such a sound.

“You actually came!” Sword Heart’s face darkened, but he regained composure instantly, pinching his delicate fingers, caressing the broken strings. His captivating eyes focused ahead, lips curling slightly. “So what? You have no Dou Qi now. Even if you came, it’s only a path to death!”

“Is that so? Even without Dou Qi, dealing with you sly fox is enough!” With a thought, a great blade appeared in Luo Mingyu’s hand. He swung it with only his force, sending a gust forward.

Sword Heart sneered coldly, tugging at his clothes and tossing them aside. His perfect body was revealed, dazzling anyone who looked.

The beauty, with a slender waist and full chest, red lips and white teeth, smiled at Luo Mingyu. Her delicate fingers beckoned, lips slightly parted. “Don’t do this to me, Mingyu. I had no choice—I approached you because I like you. Can you bear to strike me?”

Luo Mingyu’s gaze remained fixed; he did not move.

What a ‘good man.’ Even faced with such beauty, he remained unmoved. Sword Heart sneered internally, slowly approaching. Her slender fingers touched Luo Mingyu’s chest, her soft tongue licking her lips, smiling. “Am I beautiful, Mingyu? Do you like me more or her?”

“Do I even need to answer that?” Luo Mingyu reached around her slim waist, smiling faintly. His clear eyes looked at her as he pressed a hand on Sword Heart’s shoulder, lips curling. “Even a hundred of you couldn’t compare to my person. Besides, I have no interest in men!”

His right hand flashed, and a sharp dagger slashed out.

The one leaning on Luo Mingyu’s chest turned pale, eyes wide, retreating quickly. But he was too slow—one strike cut a large gash across his front.

A black figure appeared. Sword Heart pressed one hand to the ground, yelling, “You dare lie! You weren’t affected by my charm!”

“As if I were. I never admitted it. But seeing you so happy alone, I didn’t come to interrupt.” Luo Mingyu smiled faintly, gripping the blade. “Now, what do you plan to do?”

“Stop! I warn you—this area is full of beasts. Kill me and I’ll crush this!” Sword Heart trembled, extending his hand. A pill appeared, and Dou Qi shot forward from his right hand.

Luo Mingyu quickly retreated. The pill hit the ground, releasing a foul stench. He covered his nose, frowning as he dashed backward.

But the person had already vanished.

“You’re fast, brat, but don’t make me catch your tail.” Luo Mingyu sheathed his blade and dashed into the Bamboo Sea—now was the perfect moment to search for the Purple Bamboo Divine Needle.

Seeing the murderous aura vanish, Ling Ruoxi exhaled. The compass glowed in her right hand, its needle now steady, pointing forward. She frowned, adjusting her direction. “The Kan position is Water… seems the Purple Bamboo Divine Needle favors water-rich areas, so it should be here…”

Studying the compass, Ling Ruoxi’s steps moved like lightning, dashing through the Bamboo Sea in another direction.

A faint glow flickered; the compass needles quivered as if encountering interference, all deviating. Ling Ruoxi’s brow furrowed—this hadn’t happened before. The compass lost orientation here, but there’s no murderous aura around!

In the next moment, her expression hardened. Cold light flashed in her eyes as she extended one hand and grasped a long spear. Her lashes twitched slightly as she scanned her surroundings.

The monstrous beasts surged forward, heavy bodies crashing through bamboo. Step by step, they advanced. Their fangs bared, dripping with saliva, emitting a foul stench—somehow familiar.

“Monsters? So the beasts’ unrest is related to the pill.” Ling Ruoxi pinched her nose and flung a white powder forward, neutralizing the stench.

Previously, she and Luo Mingyu had been covered with a foul odor after encountering Sword Heart—unbearable. It took a full hour to cleanse themselves. She would not endure that again.

“Roar!” A massive beast charged, jaws wide, claws slashing forward.

Ling Ruoxi quickly retreated. She thrust her spear forward, unleashing her “Push Mountains, Fill Seas” technique. Though lacking Dou Qi, her divine weapon was far superior to ordinary arms.

Boom! The beast’s paw was pierced, blood gushing.

Ling Ruoxi’s agile figure retreated, eyes flashing with deadly light. Her spear moved like a dragon, hands pointing forward in a series of strikes. Her movements weaved through the Bamboo Sea; no matter how many monsters approached, none could reach her.