Fairy, don't be afraid, I, Wang Daqi, am truly an honest man.

"Ugh, damn it!"

Looking down at the battlefield from mid-air, Hao Guang saw that one of his Foundation Establishment cultivators had been crippled by a Qi Refining junior, and that several elite disciples had also been killed, including Hao Rong's grandson. He was so angry that he trembled and his eyes were bloodshot.

Sensing the approaching aura of the powerful members of the Shen family, he knew the situation was hopeless and could only grit his teeth and roar, "Retreat! Retreat now!!!"

With tears streaming down her face, Hao Rong, under the cover of the two still-shaken early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators, quickly gathered up her grandson's body and shouted fiercely to the remaining disciples, "Run!!!"

On the Shen family's side.

Li Changli, Xia Chunlian, and Shen Xiang stood side by side, none of them rashly pursuing the enemy.

After all, their magical power was severely depleted at this moment, and they were almost at their last gasp. Everyone understands the principle of not pursuing a desperate enemy.

Before long, dozens of streaks of light landed, and many cultivators from the Shen family arrived with murderous intent.

"father!!"

Shen Ruyan recognized the leader and exclaimed in surprise, running over to him.

The newcomer was a burly man with piercing eyes; he was Shen Ruyan's father, the fourth elder of the Shen family, Shen Xiangnan.

"Fourth Elder."

Shen Xiang stepped forward, panting, his expression showing a hint of relief at surviving a close call.

Shen Xiangnan's expression was originally extremely serious, even somewhat heavy.

In his view, the Hao family, who were cultivating immortality, had come prepared for this ambush, and his side was bound to suffer heavy losses.

Besides his daughter, his biggest worry was Xia Chunlian, the female cultivator of array formations.

This formation master was not only a powerful ally sent by the Misty Sect.

It is also the core of the next crucial water conservancy engineering formation.

That project not only required superb skills in array formations, but also an absolutely trustworthy person to oversee it.

If Xia Chunlian gets into trouble, the Shen family's grand water conservancy project will likely have to be completely shelved in the near future!

However, after Shen Xiangnan scanned the entire room, he suddenly froze.

The Shen family disciples did indeed suffer losses on the battlefield.

But the number is not large.

On the other hand, the Hao family not only lost a whole bunch of late-stage Qi Refining elites, but even their Foundation Establishment cultivators were severely injured.

This ambush, which should have been a one-sided affair, turned out to be won by the Shen family!

"What... what exactly happened?" Shen Xiangnan couldn't help but ask.

Shen Ruyan gently patted her chest, her beautiful eyes looking at Wang Daqi, who was discreetly wiping the cold sweat from his forehead not far away. Her tone was filled with deep gratitude: "Father, we have to thank Junior Brother Wang for this. If it weren't for his quick thinking and clever trick to scare away those two Foundation Establishment cultivators, and his repeated attacks in the shadows to disrupt the enemy's formation, we probably wouldn't have been able to hold out until you arrived."

"Oh???" Shen Xiangnan's gaze sharpened as he scrutinized Wang Daqi.

Shen Ruyan briefly recounted the process.

After hearing all this...

A glint of light flashed in Shen Xiangnan's eyes.

He nodded in sudden realization: "I see. The combination of reality and illusion, the boldness and the meticulousness—this young friend is truly extraordinary."

the other side.

Xia Chunlian calmed her disordered breathing, and her usually aloof and proud eyes were now fixed on Wang Daqi.

She walked over slowly and said, "Junior Brother Wang, I'm so grateful to you just now. If you hadn't bought me a moment of time, I would have been in real trouble under that encirclement."

Wang Daqi quickly returned the greeting, still maintaining his humble demeanor: "Senior sister, you flatter me. We are fellow disciples, and supporting each other is what I should do. I'm glad you're all alright."

"However... why did that 'late-stage Foundation Establishment' aura you just unleashed feel so familiar? If I'm not mistaken, the rhythm of that aura seemed exactly the same as that of Junior Brother Xu Taibing when he was alive?"

Xia Chunlian sighed when the name "Xu Taibing" was mentioned!

Back in the Centipede Cave, Xu Taibing ignored Wang Daqi's earnest advice and insisted on his own way, ultimately dying tragically in the mouth of a monster.

As a formation master, Xia Chunlian possessed keen spiritual sense and naturally remembered the aura of that former fellow disciple.

For a moment, her face showed some melancholy.

Wang Daqi remained calm, as if he had anticipated this question. He explained, "To be honest, Senior Sister, I once practiced a niche auxiliary technique. As long as I have personally encountered someone and have a deep impression of them, I can simulate about 70-80% of their aura and spirit in a short time by reversing spiritual power. Just now, the situation was critical. Junior Brother Xu was highly skilled in cultivation when he was alive, and he was the first person I thought of. That's how I accidentally frightened the other party."

"So that's how it is. There is such a wonderful method."

Xia Chunlian sighed softly, the doubt in her eyes dissipating, replaced by a sense of loss and regret.

In her gaze toward Wang Daqi, there was not only gratitude but also a great deal of respect.

In this cultivation world where strength reigns supreme, the ability to calmly devise a plan and save everyone in such a perilous situation is a quality far more remarkable than cultivation level.

Suddenly, an absurd idea popped into her mind.

That is, to invite Wang Daqi to do something!

…………

…………

…………

After this unexpected turn of events, the group did not linger and, escorted by Shen's reinforcements, hurriedly set off again.

A moment later, on the outskirts of the Shen family territory!

Looking around, the territory of the Shen family, who cultivate immortality, is vast and boundless.

As a force with a Nascent Soul stage ancestor presiding over it, the Shen family's residence is a huge city built against the mountain.

Amidst the swirling clouds and mist, one can vaguely see mythical birds flying about, and celestial music echoing around the beams.

Each pavilion exudes an ancient yet powerful array-like energy.

By the time everyone returned to the core area of ​​the Shen family, the setting sun was already blood-red.

To Wang Daqi's surprise, the place Shen Ruyan arranged for him and Xu Yan to stay was right next to her own bedroom!

They're separated by just a wall!

In Shen Ruyan's words, "Junior Brother Wang and his wife Xu Yan can be of great help to me. Living closer to them makes it easier to discuss the subsequent water conservancy details at any time."

Her father, Shen Xiangnan, was busy dealing with the aftermath of the Hao family's attack.

Hearing this, he didn't think much of it, and even felt that his daughter had grown up and knew how to win over talented people.

He glanced at Xu Yan, assuming that this girl was a close friend his daughter had made outside.

So he nodded in agreement and let Shen Ruyan go.

Walking down the corridor leading to her residence, Xu Yan, half a step behind, looked at Shen Ruyan's graceful back and couldn't help but silently complain:

"What talk of details? I think Senior Sister Shen has ulterior motives. She really wants to secretly have Daqi 'serve' her in her room tonight..."

Unfortunately, there was nothing she, as the junior student, could do.

He could only secretly warn Wang Daqi to take care of his health.

Wang Daqi noticed the resentful gaze behind him, but could only pretend not to see it and grit his teeth and follow.

After Shen Ruyan led the two into the room, she briefly instructed them, "The room is full of spiritual energy, so please rest for a while. My residence is next door, so please call me anytime if you need anything."

Before leaving, she gave Wang Daqi a meaningful look and lowered her voice slightly: "The clan is hosting a banquet tonight, and all disciples of the Misty Sect are welcome to attend! You will all come with me, so don't be late."

After saying that, Shen Ruyan turned and left with a strange smile on her face.

The door closed, leaving only Wang Daqi and Xu Yan inside.

"Great talent! It seems Senior Sister deliberately arranged for you to come here tonight!" Xu Yan said angrily.

Looking at Xu Yan's adorable expression, Wang Daqi chuckled and said, "Jealous??"

"No, it's just that Senior Sister Shen is so unceremonious, really!"

To be honest, Xu Yan did regret introducing Daqi to her senior sister Shen Ruyan.

Now things are really messed up; Shen Ruyan seeks out Daqi whenever she has free time!

Senior Sister Jiang Xuerou is so kind; she's very polite.

"If she contacts me again, I won't go," Wang Daqi said with a smile.

"Oh, no, we still have to go. After all, it's a big job, and Senior Sister Shen is taking good care of us."

This time, not only was Wang Daqi given 50 spirit stones, but Xu Yan was also given 20 spirit stones.

This is a real benefit, and Xu Yan doesn't want to offend Senior Sister Shen.

Just as Wang Daqi was about to offer a few more words of comfort, he heard another urgent sound coming from outside the door.

"Knock knock knock!!!"

Wang Daqi was slightly taken aback, wondering if Shen Ruyan had returned?

He walked over and opened the door, only to find Xia Chunlian with a solemn expression and an unusual glint in her eyes.

"Senior Sister Xia...?" Wang Daqi asked, somewhat surprised.

Xia Chunlian first glanced at Xu Yan inside the room, then fixed her gaze intently on Wang Daqi, and said bluntly, "Junior Brother Wang, I apologize for visiting you, but there is a matter of great importance that I would like to ask for your assistance with!!!"

"Let's go inside first!!"

Seeing Xia Chunlian's serious expression, Wang Daqi stepped aside and invited her into the house.

As they closed the door, Wang Daqi and Xu Yan exchanged a glance.

He had made up his mind.

If the help Xia Chunlian offered was too troublesome, then she would naturally refuse immediately.

He had figured it out during this trip.

The relationships between these families are complex and intertwined.

If things go wrong, you might run into trouble and become a target.

I am still too weak, so to be on the safe side, I must keep a low profile.

"I wonder what kind of help Senior Sister Xia needs from Daqi?" Xu Yan asked curiously.

"Junior Sister Xu, I would like to rent Junior Brother Wang for a few days!" Xia Chunlian said seriously.

"Huh?? Rent?" Xu Yan looked confused.

Wang Daqi also had a strange expression: "Rent me?? What would you rent me for??"

Could it be...?

Wait a minute, Xia Chunlian doesn't know my abilities, so she wouldn't rent me out, right?