When the Cannon Fodder Male Supporting Role Picks Up the Script - Chapter 33

If Yun Zhuoran’s cultivation level is only at the early stage of the Golden Core, Lu Qi’s arrangements are still very considerate of him. After all, Lu Qi is such an upright and honest person that he won’t allow any fellow cultivator to fall into the hands of demonic cultivators.

However, Ji Ruo’s demonic pet is exceptionally mysterious. Last time, the Illusion Demon alone traps them all in a formation. If it hadn’t been for that Illusion Demon provoking Li Jianming, who then uses the sword intent talisman given by Wen Jianxian to destroy the formation, they probably wouldn’t have been able to escape the evil formation alive.

Of course, Lu Qi doesn’t know that the Illusion Demon has been eaten by Yun Zhuoran’s “spiritual pet.”

Unexpectedly, Ji Ruo and his followers happen to enter the Lei Shi Cave Mansion, which they just left not long ago. Lu Qi has no choice but to take Yun Zhuoran with him and keep an eye on the cave entrance in the distance, his stern expression growing increasingly serious.

Yun Zhuoran, holding his heart demon, stands aside watching Lu Qi. Seeing him so serious, Yun Zhuoran makes a gesture, forming a faint gold light so subtle it is almost invisible to the naked eye. With a flick of his finger, the light floats into the distant cave.

In the next moment, Ji Ruo’s voice comes through. The cave is too spacious, carrying a slight echo, making it somewhat unclear. Lu Qi looks at Yun Zhuoran in surprise, and Yun Zhuoran meets his gaze with an innocent look.

“Ji Ruo’s temperament is strange; I wonder if he’ll act now. Whether or not they’re Senior Brother Shen’s sisters, the two cultivators are in danger right now.”

Lu Qi has the same concern. He speaks with disbelief, “I didn’t expect that Ji Ruo hasn’t even set up a barrier. You’re really attentive, Junior Brother Yun. It seems you’ve been diligently cultivating these past years.”

Yun Zhuoran casually nods, unable to understand why Lu Qi looks so pleased with him.

At this moment, inside the cave, Ji Ruo is planning his brilliant scheme, his gaze scanning the four followers in front of him. He finally points at the two comparatively smaller ones. “You, and you, when Shen Lingshu arrives, you two will disguise yourselves as these two women and follow me. Once we’re near Shen Lingshu, take the chance to strike! Even if my demonic pet causes trouble again and we can’t defeat Shen Lingshu, he’ll never expect these two women to still be in our hands.”

The two demonic cultivators exchange looks. They are so large and muscular, yet they are asked to disguise themselves as women?

However, Ji Ruo will never allow his plan to be overturned for such a trivial matter. The followers can only obey.

After giving his orders, Ji Ruo turns to look at the corner, where Shen Xi, who has been secretly trying to break free from the immortal-binding ropes on her wrists, is startled. Seeing her shrink back, Ji Ruo scoffs disdainfully.

Soon, Ji Ruo grows tired, and the cave falls silent.

Lu Qi, eavesdropping on the movement inside the cave, speculates that since he probably thinks no one else could be in this valley, Ji Ruo hasn’t considered setting up a barrier to block external spying. He never imagines that Yun Zhuoran’s cultivation is so high that he completely ignores the formation Ji Ruo has set up.

“It seems that Ji Ruo has made preparations in advance and doesn’t plan to bring anyone to see Senior Brother Shen. But this is fine; after he leaves, I’ll go rescue the others,” Lu Qi says.

Yun Zhuoran gives an alternative suggestion, “But from what Ji Ruo implied, it seems he’s very confident he can capture Senior Brother Shen. It’s hard to say that Senior Brother Shen won’t be tricked. Senior Brother Lu, should we warn him first?”

Lu Qi replies, “But if I help Senior Brother Shen, I won’t be able to return in time to save the others.”

Yun Zhuoran has hinted strongly, but to his surprise, Lu Qi seems completely unwilling to let him take action. However, if he doesn’t take action, won’t he miss out on Ji Ruo’s demonic pet? It is well known that the outer regions of the Beast Forest, where the trials are set, make it extremely difficult to find any demon beasts above the Nascent Soul stage, which would offer no real benefit to his cultivation.

But Ji Ruo’s demonic pet is different. Even the Illusion Demon has helped him increase his cultivation by a small realm. What about the other demonic pets, which are even stronger?

Even though Yun Zhuoran has reached the peak of the Divine Transformation stage and is capable of summoning the Thunder Tribulation to advance into the Integration stage, consuming a few more demonic pets would stabilize his cultivation further, making it easier to face the tribulation.

Ever since Ji Ruo appeared, Yun Zhuoran has no intention of letting his demonic pets go.

So, Yun Zhuoran says directly, “Senior Brother Lu, go ahead. I’ll stay here and guard. If I can defeat them, I’ll save the people. If I can’t, I’ll wait here obediently for you to return.”

Lu Qi disagrees, but seeing the earnestness in Yun Zhuoran’s eyes, he thinks to himself that although Junior Brother Yun seems indifferent on the surface, he is actually a very warm-hearted person, which makes him feel even more grateful.

Seeing Junior Brother Yun eager to help, if he doesn’t allow it, Yun Zhuoran will surely be disappointed and think he is looking down on his cultivation, which has been stagnant for years. With that thought, Lu Qi sighs inwardly, pats Yun Zhuoran on the shoulder, and says, “Then Junior Brother Yun, please be extra careful.”

Yun Zhuoran smiles faintly. “Don’t worry.”

Lu Qi is momentarily stunned. When he comes to his senses, he quickly withdraws his hand as though burned and turns toward the distant cave. “Senior Brother Shen hasn’t arrived yet. Let’s wait a bit longer.”

Lu Qi’s back is stiff, and the hand that had touched Yun Zhuoran’s shoulder is clenched tightly. He feels a mix of emotions in his heart. Just agreeing to let Yun Zhuoran help has made him so happy…

Lu Qi sighs bitterly.

At sunset, Shen Lingshu’s voice echoes from a distance, transmitted through a sound transmission spell.

“Young Master Ji, Shen Lingshu has arrived.”

Ji Ruo has been waiting for half a day, and just as his patience is running out, he finally hears the voice. He immediately claps his hands and smiles, his spirit lifting as he leads two subordinates, who have been dressed in women’s clothing, out of the cave.

Lu Qi and Yun Zhuoran, hiding cautiously in the woods across from the cave, wait until Ji Ruo and the others move further away. Only then do they notice that Ji Ruo has left one subordinate behind to guard the cave.

The demonic cultivator at the cave entrance lingers, his cultivation at the mid-Golden Core stage. Lu Qi is now relieved and allows Yun Zhuoran to stay behind, while he secretly follows Ji Ruo out.

When Ji Ruo meets Shen Lingshu, there will definitely be a fierce battle. However, to face Shen Lingshu, who is at the Nascent Soul stage, Ji Ruo will undoubtedly summon his demonic pet.

Yun Zhuoran doesn’t want to reveal his true cultivation under the watchful eyes of so many. It is better to wait until they are distracted by the fight, then seize the opportunity when they are too busy to notice—just like how his heart demon unintentionally devoured the Illusion Demon last time. This way, rescuing the people will allow him to avoid the larger group, and someone will provide an alibi for him.

After waiting for about a quarter of an hour, Yun Zhuoran slowly approaches the cave. The demonic cultivator guarding the entrance slightly twitches his ears and quickly summons his magical weapon.

“Who’s there… huh?”

Before he can finish speaking, a cloud of black mist suddenly rushes at him, trapping him entirely. He can’t see or hear anything clearly, only knowing that his body is immobilized. In his shock, all he can think is—this is bad!

Yun Zhuoran directly throws the demonic cultivator out of the valley.

After dealing with him, he turns back to see his heart demon’s black eyes flashing as it floats off his shoulder and approaches the nearly invisible black mist barrier at the cave entrance. The little paw touches it, and the eyes light up as it opens its mouth and sucks…

The demonic energy that forms the barrier disappears.

Yun Zhuoran reaches out and grabs the heart demon, who is still eager to consume more. Has he been starving the little creature?

At that moment, Shen Xi and Shen Man, left behind in the cave, also sense the strange occurrence at the entrance. Shen Xi’s face turns pale, and she struggles harder to break free from the Binding Immortal Rope.

From a corner not far away, Shen Man says, “Big sister, the Binding Immortal Rope is locking our spiritual veins. Struggling will only make it tighten more.”

Shen Xi grits her teeth in pain, feeling as though Shen Man is mocking her through her words. No matter what, Shen Man always annoys her. “Shut up! Don’t think that just because I’m bound, I can’t deal with you!”

In fact, Shen Man’s aptitude is a bit better than Shen Xi’s, and her cultivation speed is much faster. She is already at the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, while Shen Xi is still at the early stage. The small gap in their cultivation level makes it impossible for Shen Xi to truly harm her.

However, Shen Man immediately lowers her head and apologizes, “Sorry, big sister, I didn’t mean anything by it. I was just worried about you. Doesn’t it hurt? Isn’t it painful like this?”

Shen Xi is trying to ignore the pain in her hands, but upon hearing her words, she suddenly feels as if the Binding Immortal Rope is about to snap her wrists. The pain makes her gasp. “You little bitch, shut your mouth!”

As soon as Yun Zhuoran enters, he hears Shen Xi cursing and immediately spots them.

At the same time, Shen Xi and Shen Man also see the person who has entered.

Shen Xi’s gaze falls on his white robe, with water-red honeysuckle embroidery. A look of surprise mixed with a twisted grin spreads across her face, vaguely resembling Shen Lingshu’s. “You’re from Tiandao Sect! What about the demonic cultivator outside?” Shen Xi struggles to stand, leaning on the mountain wall and raising her bound hands, saying angrily, “Enough of this, come over here and get me out of this damn rope!”

Yun Zhuoran recognizes the Binding Immortal Rope and is about to step forward when Shen Man also stands up from the corner. “Senior Brother, is it my big brother who sent you to save us?”

Hearing this, Yun Zhuoran turns to look at her, but before he can speak, Shen Xi curses, “What are you looking at her for! I’m the real sister of Shen Lingshu! That little bitch is nothing!” She winces in pain. “Ugh, it hurts so much… Hey! Are you deaf?! Hurry up and untie the Binding Immortal Rope! If you don’t, when I see my brother, I’ll make sure he punishes you severely!”

Punish him? Yun Zhuoran furrows his brow slightly.

His heart demon is also displeased. Brother has kindly come to save her, yet she still insults him. Who does she think she is?

“This Senior Brother, big sister is indeed Shen Lingshu’s real sister…” Shen Man’s eyes shift, and she lowers her head slightly. Her soft voice becomes a little hoarse as she adds, “Please don’t mind her, Senior Brother. Big sister is just in a lot of pain, so she’s not thinking clearly. Please untie the Binding Immortal Rope for her first. I’m not in a hurry…”

“Did you not hear me telling you to shut up?!” Shen Xi shouts in frustration, then turns to glare at Yun Zhuoran. “What are you staring at? Hurry up and untie it! Otherwise, do you believe I’ll tell my brother on you?!”

The heart demon mutters, “Brother, she’s so loud.”

Yun Zhuoran’s expression grows cold. No one has ever spoken to him in such a commanding tone before.

“Then you do so,” he says.

He actually walks away after saying that!

Shen Xi is dumbfounded. “Hey! Didn’t you hear me asking you to untie the Binding Immortal Rope?!”

Shen Man is also incredulous.

Forget about that fool Shen Xi, but with her in contrast, why won’t this person come over first to help untie the Binding Immortal Rope?

Shen Xi glares at Shen Man fiercely, thinks for a moment, and awkwardly chases after him.

Shen Man follows as well. No matter what, she needs to protect her life first. She still has the task her father gave her — to find Yun Zhuoran from Tiandao Sect in the Ten Thousand Beasts Forest and find a way to get close to him…

Shen Man has great confidence in herself. While she isn’t as dazzlingly beautiful as Shen Xi, she is smart enough to know how to use her delicate and frail appearance to create an impression of pitiable vulnerability. And Yun Zhuoran, having been locked away in Tiandao Sect since childhood, has seen every kind of woman, so meeting a woman in a similar plight will surely catch his attention.

Yun Zhuoran, however, has no idea that someone is scheming against him. He also has no mood to help anyone untie the Binding Immortal Rope. Seeing that it’s still early, he slowly walks toward the valley entrance, holding the heart demon, hoping that by the time he arrives, Ji Ruo will have summoned a new demonic pet.

At that moment, outside the valley, Ji Ruo suddenly shivers, causing him to stop his half-spoken sentence. He curiously touches the cold spot at the back of his neck and gives Shen Lingshu, who is across from him, a cold smile.

The tip of Shen Lingshu’s sword trembles slightly as he senses an ominous premonition deep within him, looking at the two injured demonic cultivators who have been unmasked and are lying on the ground.

“So you want to see your sister, huh?” Ji Ruo sneers. “Defeat me first, then we’ll talk.”

Ji Ruo’s gaze remains fixed on Shen Lingshu, and with a sudden motion, he tightens his grip on the black orb on his pendant, which is swirling with demonic energy.

“Come out, plague demon!”