If it were just Wei Qing alone, Jiang Chen would have cut through the chaos with a swift blade, summoning Long Xiaoxuan to eliminate him.
However, these two from the Carefree Sect, one old and one young, were not easy to deal with.
Summoning Long Xiaoxuan could certainly get rid of them too. But Jiang Chen had no absolute certainty. The Carefree Sect excelled in the use of poison.
Back at the Wood Spirit's Spring, Long Xiaoxuan had already suffered at the hands of Wei Wudao. Now, this Traceless Elder was only stronger than Wei Wudao. If the Traceless Elder had laid some insidious trap and Long Xiaoxuan fell for it, the situation would become extremely unfavorable.
Jiang Chen was no fool.
The fact that the Traceless Elder hadn't appeared openly but was lurking in the shadows definitely meant he was setting up some kind of trap or ambush.
If he didn't leave now and walked right into their scheme, he might truly find himself entangled in endless trouble.
"Trying to run?"
Seeing Jiang Chen try to leave, a sinister smile appeared on Wei Qing's face.
Without a moment's hesitation, Wei Qing gave chase, a cruel laugh on his lips: "Kid, you think you can still get away?"
Without turning his head, Jiang Chen replied: "Come and chase me if you dare."
If not for his wariness of the Traceless Elder, how could Jiang Chen fear someone like Wei Qing?
Although Wei Qing was a top genius of the Carefree Sect, his martial prowess wasn't on par with geniuses of the first-tier Saint Realm like Wang Han and Zhu Feiyang.
In fact, compared to Shen Qinghong, who was at the peak of the Yuan Realm and half a step into the Saint Realm, the gap in cultivation was also considerable.
The reason he could be ranked among the top geniuses was entirely due to his mastery of poison techniques. In terms of raw martial power, he was merely at the peak of the eighth level of the Yuan Realm.
And his poison techniques, in front of Jiang Chen, were undoubtedly child's play. The thing Jiang Chen feared least was poison.
Seeing Jiang Chen, who was clearly fleeing, still speaking so arrogantly, Wei Qing's fury grew.
If it were someone like Shen Qinghong, Wei Qing might have been a bit cautious. But for a mere fifth-level Yuan Realm cultivator, forget about Wei Qing's full arsenal of poison arts—without them, he felt he could crush this Jiang Chen.
Seeing Jiang Chen pick up speed, Wei Qing's killing intent surged.
If he let Jiang Chen escape from his grasp, the news would spread and make him a laughingstock.
One elder and one youth from the Carefree Sect unable to detain a mere fifth-level Yuan Realm junior? That would be an absolute, humiliating disgrace.
"Kid, stay right there!"
Wei Qing suddenly flicked his wrist, and several poisoned caltrops shot towards Jiang Chen.
During his recent quick movements, Jiang Chen had already realized that this area spanning dozens of li was blanketed by a poison formation. He himself wasn't afraid of the formation, but if he moved through it freely, it would inevitably arouse suspicion.
Therefore, even as he moved, a plan had already formed in his mind.
Hearing Wei Qing attack from behind, he knew the pursuer had caught up.
He swayed and fell into a patch of tall grass.
Simultaneously, he activated the Ice Fire Demon Lotus. One lotus phantom transformed into a replica of Jiang Chen, lying in the grass.
Meanwhile, the real Jiang Chen was swept underground by a demon lotus, swiftly relocating through subterranean tunnels. He also controlled over a hundred lotus vines to seal off the surrounding space.
The moment Wei Qing came to investigate, he would activate the vines to trap him.
Jiang Chen didn't plan to use the Ice Fire Demon Lotus to permanently trap Wei Qing, but as long as he bought a single instant, he was confident he could kill Wei Qing in a flash.
Seeing Jiang Chen collapse into the grass, Wei Qing was momentarily surprised.
But then joy surged through him, and he quickened his pace. Wei Qing was very cautious; he stopped a hundred paces away from Jiang Chen.
"Kid, with just a few tricks, you dare to act wild in front of me?"
Seeing Jiang Chen lying in the grass, his body convulsing, Wei Qing felt utterly delighted.
"Weren't you so arrogant? Don't you have a senior sister to shield you? Aren't you the champion of the alchemy competition?" Wei Qing grew more excited as he spoke. Noticing that the surrounding area was now within the poison formation laid by Elder Traceless, he knew Jiang Chen was finished. He strode forward confidently.
He kicked Jiang Chen's body several times. "Still acting wild? A useless fifth-level Yuan Realm trash dares to be insolent before me?"
Wei Qing burst into laughter. "Elder Traceless, this kid is done for. No need for the ambush."
No sooner had the words left his mouth than the foot pressing down on Jiang Chen suddenly felt bound. Looking down, he saw a vine had already coiled around one of his legs.
From ankle to thigh, it had wrapped around over a dozen times.
What the devil? Wei Qing was terrified out of his wits. He had never seen such an eerie sight. How could a dying man suddenly turn into a vine?
Just as he was filled with doubt, countless vines suddenly erupted from all around, slithering towards him like venomous snakes.
Not good!
Wei Qing was no fool. He realized he had fallen into Jiang Chen's trap.
But by the time he understood, it was already too late. The vines had bound all four of his limbs. Over a dozen more wound around his chest and waist, wrapping him up more tightly than a zongzi.
At that moment, Wei Qing's face truly changed color with fright.
"Elder Traceless, save me!"
Elder Traceless had been setting up the poison formation specifically to lie in ambush behind Wei Qing. Rushing out upon hearing the shout, he was shocked to see Wei Qing in such a wretched state.
However, these vines were bizarre beyond belief, looking utterly uncanny.