130 - I’m Really Not an NPC

"Wow, finally we can start farming! Experience points, here I come!" "Step aside, this monster is mine!" "I'm first, it's mine!" The disciples of the Lie Yang Sect rushed forward eagerly, swinging their long swords energetically, ready to surround and kill the tree monster. However, the hundreds of tiny vines on the tree monster suddenly erupted, extending from mere inches to dozens of meters. In an instant, they writhed like serpents, blocking out the sun and enveloping the rushing crowd in darkness. Everyone's faces turned pale with horror. "What...what is this?" "Not good, dodge quickly!" No matter how they tried to evade or defend, the endless vines seemed unstoppable. In the blink of an eye, dozens of people were caught off guard and tightly entangled by the agile vines. "Help! Someone help me!" "Who will save me?" The vines wound tighter and tighter, causing the bound disciples to yell in pain and fear, "It hurts! Help, please help!" Seeing this, the others quickly infused their swords with spiritual energy and fiercely hacked at the vines. Yet, they were as tough as refined iron; the swords struck with a "clang," sending sparks flying without leaving a single mark. The crowd was shocked, and someone couldn't help but exclaim, "Is this an elite monster? How can it be this powerful?" "No way! Could our luck be so bad that we encounter an elite monster right off the bat?" "Hmph, maybe Yue Ling did this on purpose?" "Uh, really? How could she be that kind of person?" "Hard to say. Maybe we upset her earlier and she's mad at us? Angry girls can be unreasonable, Yue Ling included." ... As they whispered among themselves, their eyes suddenly widened in surprise. Yue Ling, with an indifferent expression, took a few steps forward. With a casual wave of her sword, a flash of moonlight sliced through, and the once-indestructible vines were severed at the roots, falling helplessly to the ground. Before anyone could react, she turned and waved her sword again. In an instant, the once-imposing tree monster was cleaved in two, meeting the same fate as its previous form. "......" Everyone exchanged bewildered looks, unable to utter a single word as silence enveloped the scene. Zhang Xiaofeng, having watched the entire event unfold, couldn't help but mock, "Who would've thought someone would be silly enough to compare themselves to Yue Ling? Where did they get such courage?" "I..." The disciples of the Lie Yang Sect turned red with shame, knowing full well they were being ridiculed, yet unable to retort. Reflecting back, even they found their actions foolish, having been clouded by the prospect of gaining experience points. Bowing their heads, they remained speechless. Huo Yun, having observed everything, fumed internally: "What a bunch of useless fools!" He had intended to use this opportunity to diminish Yue Ling's influence and restore some of his own authority as Sect Master, but it backfired. These individuals couldn't even handle an ordinary monster. Even if, with time, they could eventually win, Yue Ling's swift intervention changed everything. The eyes of the disciples showed their dissatisfaction with him, stirring some measure of regret within. This incident would likely result in even more questioning of his position as Sect Master. "But, no matter," Huo Yun thought with a cold smile. "As long as everyone dies once, the position of Sect Master will still be mine." "As for Yue Ling~ Hmph, I bet the demon clans would be very interested in you. Human race's top beauty, the beloved disciple of the Tian Yi Sect's master, tsk tsk, I eagerly anticipate that scene." Glancing at the long-distance teleportation talisman quietly resting in his bag, Huo Yun smiled subtly. Though it cost him dearly to obtain it, once he secured the treasures within the secret realm, it would all prove worth it. By now, the group had exited the narrow valley and entered a wide forested area in the mountains. The dense trees were interspersed with a number of thick, ancient trees. Suddenly, a cry for help rang out: "Ah, help!" Everyone quickly turned to see someone being tightly hugged from behind by a large tree, beginning to merge into the trunk. "What the heck is this thing?" "Could it be the mythical tree spirit? Poor Ma Yong, what bad luck." The person standing next to Ma Yong screamed in shock, but before he could react, a sword came flying through the air, its sharp white light flashing, instantly cleaving the tree in half. Ma Yong fell gently to the ground, looking at the white-clad woman in front of him with gratitude and nervousness. "Thank you, thank you, Goddess Yue Ling!" Yue Ling gave him a casual glance, said nothing, and vanished in the blink of an eye. Huo Yun seized the opportunity, loudly announcing, "Everyone, keep away from those thickest trees!" "Why should we?" someone asked, unable to resist. "Fool, didn't you see that person just now being trapped by a tree? Those trees are likely problematic!" "Oh!" Huo Yun's face darkened; these reckless fools dared to question his decisions? He felt a growing satisfaction with his previous resolve. But soon, another cry echoed: "Ah, help!" "Dang, someone else got caught by a tree? Didn't they hear the Sect Master's warning?" "Wait, it's Ma Yong again?" "Is he an idiot, getting caught again? Is he cursed?" Yue Ling effortlessly severed the tree, sheathed her sword, and frowned slightly. Why was it this person again? Ma Yong appeared overwhelmed with emotion and gratitude, bowing repeatedly towards her. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, it was careless of me to trouble the fairy again!" Yue Ling shook her head, still silent, and turned to leave. Watching her coldly departing figure, Ma Yong's eyes sparkled with realization. Through this incident, he seemed to discover a secret about Yue Ling! In the Qing Yun token mission, she definitely couldn't let anyone die. With this thought, a bold plan formed in his mind. As he continued moving forward, searching intently, his eyes suddenly lit up as he exclaimed, "Oops, I'm going to fall to my death!" He deliberately tripped over his own feet, lunging straight towards a sharply protruding branch. Heh heh, this way, she'll likely appear next to him instantaneously, saving him with her soft hands, or maybe even grabbing him in desperation, her arms wrapped around him? The thought thrilled and excited him immensely. Lost in his fantasies, Ma Yong failed to notice a sword light sweeping past his chest. "Bang!" A deep thud followed as Ma Yong was struck heavily, letting out a scream as he flew backwards. Before he could collect himself from the shock, a sharp sword was suddenly resting against his throat, its icy intent chilling him to the core. Yue Ling looked at him coldly, her voice indifferent: "You can try again." "I..." Ma Yong's face went white as a sheet, trembling and unable to utter a single word. It was only now he truly realized that the title of aloof goddess was not undeserved!