Chapter 388 ·Surrounding Huang Tianxiao, Obtaining the Treasure

Bibo ‍​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌‌‌​‌‍Island.

"Master, ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍ever since the Meng Clan diverted the branch of the Spiritual Spring away, the spiritual qi within the cave abode has no longer been as abundant as before."

Lin ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Chang'an had cultivated here all these years because of the agreement he had reached with the Meng Clan back then, granting him thirty-five years of access to the branch of the Spiritual Spring.

Now ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍that the agreed period had expired, the Meng Clan naturally had no reason to continue giving him such preferential treatment.

"The ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍secret realm will open in another year or two. During this time, it's about time I clean out everything I still have on hand."

Lin ‍​‌​‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌​​‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​​​​​​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌​‌‌‌​‍Chang'an showed no dissatisfaction.

After all, the agreement had simply reached its end.

"Yes, Master."

The Sword Attendant respectfully cupped her fists.

She also knew that her master was already preparing to leave this place.

"Moo!"

At that moment, movement finally came from the cave abode where the Green-horned Bull had been cultivating in seclusion for so long.

A smile immediately appeared on Lin Chang'an's face.

"You gluttonous fool of a bull. At least all the resources I spent on you weren't wasted."

Chuckling, Lin Chang'an transformed into a streak of Escape Light and appeared deep inside the cave abode.

Inside an enormous cavern stood a stone bull nearly thirty zhang in length.

White vapor billowed from its nostrils as it let out a thunderous moo.

The petrified skin covering its body began cracking apart, becoming filled with dense fissures.

"Moo!"

Another resounding moo echoed.

The Green-horned Bull's aura erupted with even greater intensity, causing ripples to spread throughout the surrounding formation restrictions.

Unlike the violent Fire-attribute breakthrough of the Phoenix Cry Bird, the petrification mutation of this Earth attribute possessed a far heavier and more stable presence.

Crack! Crack!

Its stone skin continued shattering, with massive chunks of rock falling onto the ground.

"Moo!"

With the third roar, the Green-horned Bull widened its enormous eyes as its aura surged violently outward.

At the same time, an even deeper earthen-yellow glow, resembling solid stone, enveloped its body.

Just then—

A sharp whistling sound tore through the air.

A Sun-Piercing Divine Sword shot through the sky.

In an instant, it expanded into a colossal thirty-zhang giant sword before rapidly compressing into a ten-zhang blade.

"Moo!"

The enormous sword descended as swiftly as lightning.

Caught off guard, the Green-horned Bull hurriedly raised its Earth-attribute protective barrier.

The yellow shield emitted sharp creaking sounds as its spiritual light flickered violently.

Crack!

The moment cracks appeared across the barrier—

The Sun-Piercing Divine Sword pierced directly through it.

Facing such a terrifying attack, the Green-horned Bull raised its head and spat out a solid beam of white light.

The giant sword immediately began petrifying under the beam, producing continuous cracking sounds.

Yet instead of retreating, the Green-horned Bull charged forward.

Lowering its head, it drove its horns upward.

Boom!

The gigantic stone sword shattered instantly, sending fragments of rock flying in every direction.

At the same moment, a streak of golden light shot out from within the broken stone sword.

"Not bad. A mutated bloodline at the late third-rank truly lives up to expectations."

Lin Chang'an appeared inside the cavern, catching the returning Sun-Piercing Divine Sword with one hand.

Seeing the lingering petrification aura still wrapped around the blade, he nodded with satisfaction.

Flick.

He lightly struck the sword with a finger.

As it emitted a clear ringing sound, the petrification aura immediately dispersed.

"Moo!"

The Green-horned Bull rapidly shrank back to its normal size before repeatedly mooing in an ingratiating manner.

Lin Chang'an smiled and nodded.

Although this greedy, gluttonous bull was somewhat foolish, its aptitude was indeed outstanding.

Moreover, its Petrification Divine Ability was exceptionally powerful.

"The deeper its cultivation grows, the stronger its petrification ability becomes."

After the brief exchange just now, Lin Chang'an had already reached his conclusion.

Now that the Green-horned Bull had reached the late third-rank, its mutated petrification bloodline had elevated its defensive barrier to a level no weaker than that of a Blackwater Turtle of the same rank, a demon beast renowned for its defense.

"Although its physical defense is still slightly inferior to the Blackwater Turtle's, in terms of raw strength, there are probably very few demon beasts of the same rank capable of matching it."

After all, the Blackwater Turtle's shell ranked among the greatest defensive abilities possessed by demon beasts.

For the Green-horned Bull to be only slightly inferior was already extremely rare.

That alone demonstrated just how formidable its petrification ability truly was.

One could say the Green-horned Bull possessed over ninety percent of a same-rank Blackwater Turtle's defensive power...

While vastly surpassing ordinary demon beasts in physical strength.

In direct combat...

It was nothing less than a terrifying beast with overwhelming defense and monstrous strength.

"Although its defense is still slightly lacking... that's something other means can make up for."

Smiling, Lin Chang'an waved his hand.

A deep-blue suit of armor flew out from his storage pouch.

The next moment, it automatically fitted itself onto the Green-horned Bull.

Each deep-blue armor plate had clearly been refined from the shell of a late third-rank Blackwater Turtle.

"This armor was refined from the shell of a late third-rank demon beast. With it, even if you were to compete directly against a Blackwater Turtle in defensive power, you'd still come out ahead."

Lin Chang'an nodded with satisfaction.

The Green-horned Bull mooed excitedly.

Magical artifacts with such simple methods of operation were perfectly suited for demon beasts like itself.

"Alright. Refine this magical artifact first. These peaceful days won't last much longer."

Now that the Green-horned Bull had broken through...

Combined with the Phoenix Cry Bird...

He now possessed two late third-rank spirit beasts.

With such trump cards, as long as he did not provoke Nascent Soul cultivators inside the secret realm...

Protecting himself should not be too difficult.

"There's also the Sinister Spirit Twin-headed Tiger and the three Sinister Baleful Puppet Corpses. It's about time they returned as well. That place will soon reopen."

Lin Chang'an pondered quietly.

Unfortunately, the Sinister Spirit Twin-headed Tiger remained only at the mid third-rank.

Its cultivation was still insufficient.

There was no hope of another breakthrough within such a short time.

Otherwise...

With three late third-rank spirit beasts, his chances of survival would improve considerably.

"But there's no more time to prepare anything else. Organizing everything for the secret realm comes first.

"Of course...

"Before that, there's still Huang Tianxiao's little transaction."

Thinking of the business he still needed to complete before returning to the Five Dragon Islands, Lin Chang'an revealed a thoughtful expression.

Now that he knew the buyer was Huang Tianxiao...

There was no way he would let such a perfect opportunity slip away.

Naturally...

He intended to conduct the transaction sincerely.

As for what happened afterward...

That would have nothing to do with him.

Surely both the Four Seas Merchant Guild and the Seven Kingdoms Alliance would be delighted.

...

Two months later.

On a desolate island within the Fog Sea of Tongtian...

The island was covered entirely in black stone, with not a blade of grass growing anywhere.

Even the surrounding spiritual qi was pitifully thin.

After waiting patiently for a long time, Huang Tianxiao, wearing a bamboo hat, finally arrived.

"After two whole months...

"I've finally managed to contact this group."

Huang Tianxiao cautiously scanned the surroundings.

Only after confirming there was no ambush did he secretly relax.

As for waiting two months...

He found nothing suspicious about it.

Cultivators were either in seclusion or away elsewhere.

Receiving a message did not mean one could immediately reply.

"Still...

"That fellow surnamed Lin is really shameless.

"I had to urge him repeatedly, and he even squeezed quite a few spirit stones out of me."

Thinking about how a mere independent cultivator like Lin Chang'an had been so greedy filled Huang Tianxiao with annoyance.

Once he successfully formed a Nascent Soul and escaped the old devil's control...

He would definitely make these independent cultivators pay the price.

Half a day later...

Another cultivator wearing a bamboo hat slowly approached while riding upon swirling sand.

After circling the surrounding area several times, the person finally landed on the island.

"Fellow Daoist."

Huang Tianxiao frowned slightly.

The newcomer was merely a mid Core Formation cultivator.

However...

Upon seeing the Thunder Halberd in the other's hand, he secretly nodded.

Cultivators who hunted Sinister Spirit Beast Kings deep within the Fog Sea of Tongtian naturally carried magical artifacts specialized for restraining sinister spirits.

"Enough nonsense.

"You're the one looking to trade for Sinister Spirit Ash?"

Lin Chang'an's Avatar, disguised as a rugged brute, gripped the Thunder Halberd roughly as though intentionally displaying his strength.

Beyond the range of ordinary Core Formation Divine Sense...

Two additional mid Core Formation cultivators lay hidden.

Naturally, the Shape-shifted Sinister Spirit Beast King within Huang Tianxiao immediately discovered them.

"Human brat.

"This group is quite cautious.

"There are two more mid Core Formation cultivators hidden outside."

Hearing the old ghost's report, Huang Tianxiao relaxed even further.

Those who sincerely came to trade naturally exercised caution.

"That's right.

"A senior I know suffered injuries to his soul and urgently requires a large quantity of Sinister Spirit Ash..."

Huang Tianxiao explained in his deliberately hoarse voice.

Before he could finish...

The burly Lin Chang'an impatiently waved him off.

"Enough.

"We're not interested in your problems.

"We've hunted within the Fog Sea of Tongtian for over a hundred years, so we've accumulated quite a bit of Sinister Spirit Ash.

"But before anything else...

"Let's first see whether your Soul Nourishing Wood is worth looking at."

Rather than becoming angry, Huang Tianxiao calmly slapped his storage pouch.

Immediately...

Two third-rank archer puppets appeared.

Lin Chang'an was inwardly startled.

He had never expected Huang Tianxiao to possess such methods.

He simply did not know whether these third-rank puppets had been purchased...

Or whether Huang Tianxiao himself was actually a third-rank puppet master.

"Please."

Maintaining a vigilant posture, Huang Tianxiao produced a jade box and sent it floating over.

Once opened...

Inside lay a black piece of withered wood no thicker than a chopstick and no longer than three inches.

Seeing it, Lin Chang'an immediately flew into apparent rage.

"Are you mocking us?

"It's only this tiny little piece?"

As expected, Huang Tianxiao seemed to have anticipated such a reaction.

He calmly replied,

"Perhaps Fellow Daoist should examine it more carefully."

Watching the other's composed expression, Lin Chang'an frowned slightly.

He lowered his Divine Sense...

His pupils instantly contracted.

"Pure Spiritual Qi!"

"As expected.

"Fellow Daoist truly recognizes valuable treasures."

Huang Tianxiao smiled.

"This was obtained by one of my elders after risking his life inside the Ghost Domain.

"Only a few pieces were recovered.

"If Fellow Daoist can provide sufficient Sinister Spirit Ash...

"I still have two more sections."

Pure Spiritual Qi existed only within naturally born heavenly treasures.

Any spiritual object capable of producing Pure Spiritual Qi possessed a completely different level of value.

It was said that Pure Spiritual Qi was among the purest spiritual energies of heaven and earth.

Many heavenly treasures even developed rudimentary spiritual intelligence while being nourished by it.

Even Nascent Soul cultivators coveted such treasures.

At that moment, Huang Tianxiao withdrew the treasure back into his hand.

The disguised Lin Chang'an smiled awkwardly before taking out a black jade box from his own storage pouch.

"You never mentioned the Soul Nourishing Wood was this valuable.

"Our preparations were a little insufficient."

Opening the jade box revealed a thick layer of Sinister Spirit Ash.

Although it still fell short of matching the value of that tiny piece of Soul Nourishing Wood...

Huang Tianxiao's expression nonetheless became serious.

Sure enough...

These people truly had considerable stockpiles from hunting sinister spirits over the years.

Even during this first test transaction...

They could casually produce such a large quantity of Sinister Spirit Ash.

"Fellow Daoist.

"Since we're conducting business sincerely...

"Let's be straightforward.

"No matter how much Sinister Spirit Ash you possess, I'll purchase all of it.

"As a gesture of sincerity...

"I'm willing to take a slight loss today."

His generous attitude made Lin Chang'an secretly sneer inwardly.

Although he had no idea what Huang Tianxiao was plotting...

The Soul Nourishing Wood containing Pure Spiritual Qi genuinely tempted him.

Simply carrying such an item would nourish one's soul and strengthen Divine Sense.

Before attempting the Nascent Soul Realm, it could even be refined into certain spirit pills capable of calming the mind.

"Fellow Daoist truly is generous.

"I've decided you're worth befriending."

Laughing loudly, the disguised Lin Chang'an completed their first transaction.

He exchanged his Sinister Spirit Ash for Huang Tianxiao's piece of Soul Nourishing Wood.

The two also exchanged Transmission Talismans.

Afterward...

Without another unnecessary word...

Both sides departed in opposite directions.

...

"Soul Nourishing Wood containing Pure Spiritual Qi...

"Could the original tree be over six thousand years old?

"Perhaps even ten thousand years?"

Back inside his cave abode, Lin Chang'an carefully examined the tiny piece of Soul Nourishing Wood in his hand.

A satisfied smile slowly spread across his face.

"Huang Tianxiao...

"No matter how cunning you are...

"You'd never imagine that as long as I obtain even a single piece of a complete spiritual plant...

"I can sense the location of the remaining portions within a certain distance."

As his Natal Spiritual Plant, the Profound Heavenly Immortal Vine, continued growing stronger...

He had gradually awakened another perception unique to Wood-attribute spiritual plants.

As long as he possessed even a fragment of this Soul Nourishing Wood...

And that fragment retained its spirituality...

He could sense where the rest of the tree was located, provided it remained within a certain range.

"Still...

"I can't alert the enemy prematurely.

"At the very least...

"I need to complete the transaction first.

"Otherwise I may end up with nothing."

His eyes flickered.

He decided to continue trading as planned.

After all...

This sensing ability possessed a limited range.

Unfortunately...

The fragment he obtained was simply too small.

Or perhaps...

Because he had yet to fully cultivate the Profound Heavenly Spirit Physique...

He still could not accurately determine the original tree's true age.

...

One month later...

The two sides finally contacted each other again.

This time...

After changing locations repeatedly to test each other's intentions...

They met once more on another deserted island.

"Fellow Daoist."

Unlike before...

The disguised Lin Chang'an arrived accompanied by two companions.

Three people in total.

Huang Tianxiao, meanwhile, now had an additional third-rank puppet beside him.

"Fellow Daoist.

"All the Sinister Spirit Ash accumulated by our brothers over the years is here."

The burly Lin Chang'an rubbed his hands eagerly as he produced their entire stockpile.

When Huang Tianxiao saw the long jade box filled entirely with Sinister Spirit Ash...

Even he secretly nodded.

This transaction truly exceeded expectations.

"Whether we're able to trade...

"Depends on Fellow Daoist now."

Lin Chang'an looked toward him expectantly.

Sure enough...

Huang Tianxiao did not disappoint.

After pondering briefly...

He slapped his storage pouch.

Five jade boxes appeared.

"I originally intended to keep these...

"But Fellow Daoist has offered far too much.

"I have no choice but to bring them out."

Opening the five jade boxes revealed Soul Nourishing Wood of various sizes and thicknesses.

The two sides exchanged a glance.

Both nodded.

Neither hesitated.

The transaction was completed immediately.

"Farewell, Fellow Daoist."

Lin Chang'an's three Avatars carefully stored away the treasures before immediately transforming into Escape Light and leaving without giving Huang Tianxiao the slightest opportunity.

Watching them depart, Huang Tianxiao finally relaxed.

It seemed they truly had no intention of robbing him.

Little did he know...

A hundred li away...

Lin Chang'an's true body sat cross-legged upon a lonely island.

Concealment formations silently circulated around him.

Summoning his Natal Spiritual Plant...

He began amplifying his perception.

Finally...

The moment he sensed Huang Tianxiao remaining within a certain general area...

Lin Chang'an suddenly opened his eyes.

"I've finally found you."

Although he had only determined the approximate location...

Finding the exact position himself would merely require a little more effort.

Of course...

He had never intended to go alone.

...

Bibo Island.

"What?

"You've discovered Huang Tianxiao's whereabouts?"

Meng Xinghai stared at the black-clothed masked cultivator before him in shock.

The latter merely sneered.

"Naturally.

"My brothers discovered someone conducting suspicious transactions and secretly followed him.

"Only then did we uncover Huang Tianxiao's hiding place.

"We also remember...

"The Four Seas Merchant Guild and the Seven Kingdoms Alliance jointly issued a bounty."

"As long as your information proves genuine...

"We naturally won't go back on our word."

After hearing the news, Meng Xinghai became visibly excited.

If he truly captured the Profound Yin Old Devil's direct disciple...

His cheap master would undoubtedly view him far more favorably.

More importantly...

The reward offered by his Nascent Soul master was what tempted him the most.

"The reward for providing the information."

The disguised Lin Chang'an coldly extended his hand.

Meng Xinghai answered solemnly,

"Once Fellow Daoist leads us to Huang Tianxiao's hiding place...

"The rewards will certainly not disappoint you."

Immediately afterward...

Meng Xinghai began using Transmission Talismans to summon reinforcements.

Most of them naturally came from the Four Seas Merchant Guild.

The moment they realized they could curry favor with True Lord Lu...

Every one of them eagerly agreed.

Only after gathering nearly enough people did Meng Xinghai finally notify the Seven Kingdoms Alliance.

As a result...

Only three Core Formation cultivators managed to arrive in time.

Outside Bibo Island.

Meng Xinghai led a force of eight Core Formation cultivators.

The Seven Kingdoms Alliance had only three.

"Damn it.

"That fellow Meng is truly despicable."

"Enough.

"I've already contacted Fellow Daoist Lin.

"He just happens to be nearby.

"He'll need a little time to arrive."

Watching the dissatisfied expressions on the faces of the Seven Kingdoms Alliance cultivators...

Meng Xinghai merely smiled faintly before waving everyone forward.

The group advanced cautiously toward their destination.

Throughout the journey...

They repeatedly scanned their surroundings for danger.

...

An hour later...

Within a vast expanse of sea...

The guide pointed solemnly toward more than ten islands in the distance.

"Fellow Daoists...

"We didn't dare approach too closely.

"That man is hiding on one of those islands."

The guide excitedly pointed toward the islands.

Everyone immediately adopted an encirclement formation.

Meanwhile...

On one of those islands...

Huang Tianxiao had been cultivating his secret technique.

His expression suddenly changed drastically.

"Human brat.

"Stop cultivating.

"We've been discovered."

"What?!"

His face instantly filled with frustration.

He had only just begun cultivating.

More than half of his Sinister Spirit Ash had already been consumed.

Now he had to stop?

Didn't they realize interrupting the cultivation now meant everything would be wasted?

"Damn it!"

Ultimately...

Huang Tianxiao decisively halted the technique.

The runic patterns drawn across his body using Sinister Spirit Ash immediately lost their effect, leaving behind black markings upon his skin.

His face radiated murderous intent.

He had gone through tremendous effort to collect all that Sinister Spirit Ash.

Soon afterward...

The island's concealment formation was discovered.

Although the formation possessed excellent concealment abilities...

Once the search area had narrowed to only a dozen islands...

Every Core Formation cultivator desperately bombarded the islands with talismans.

Coupled with Lin Chang'an's hidden Avatar...

The correct location was naturally found with perfect accuracy.

"The target is here!"

Lin Chang'an's Avatar shouted before immediately retreating.

He had come merely to sell information.

Not to risk his life.

"You damned independent cultivators!"

Huang Tianxiao roared furiously as he burst out from seclusion.

Upon confirming the target...

The Four Seas Merchant Guild and the three Seven Kingdoms Alliance cultivators immediately revealed delighted expressions.

"Fellow Daoist Meng.

"My spirit stones."

"Here."

Now that the target had been confirmed and no traps were detected...

Meng Xinghai generously threw over a heavy pouch containing the promised reward.

The moment Lin Chang'an's Avatar received it...

He immediately transformed into Escape Light and fled without the slightest hesitation.

"Huang!

"You think joining the Profound Yin Old Devil makes you someone important?

"You've always looked down on us!"

After the previous pursuit, Meng Xinghai knew Huang Tianxiao possessed formidable strength.

But this time...

He had so many helpers.

Moreover...

He himself was also a late Core Formation cultivator.

"You're courting death!"

Seeing everyone surrounding him once more, Huang Tianxiao became utterly furious.

If not for the fact that his puppets could not yet be exposed...

He would have slaughtered every last one of them long ago.

"Attack!"

In an instant...

A terrifying battle erupted across the deserted island.

Unable to reveal many of his hidden methods...

Huang Tianxiao nevertheless suppressed the combined assault of Meng Xinghai and ten Core Formation cultivators.

The longer the battle continued...

The more excited Meng Xinghai became.

This time...

He absolutely intended to leave Huang Tianxiao behind.

...

A hundred li away...

Lin Chang'an calmly withdrew his Avatar.

His true body had remained hidden nearby the entire time.

Should Huang Tianxiao relocate...

He would simply continue following him.

Since his true body and Avatar shared one mind...

He could redirect the Avatar at any moment to maintain the trail.

Fortunately...

Whether through luck...

Or Huang Tianxiao's own confidence...

The man had actually chosen to hide in plain sight.

"This place isn't far from Bibo Island.

"Very few people would imagine Huang Tianxiao would dare hide so close."

After waiting for some time...

Lin Chang'an finally released the Green-horned Bull before setting off.

"Eleven Core Formation cultivators.

"Even if they can't force you to reveal your full strength...

"They'll certainly consume a large portion of your spiritual power."

With a cold smile...

He transformed into Escape Light and hurried toward the battlefield...

Pretending to be another cultivator responding to the Seven Kingdoms Alliance's summons.

A hundred li away...

"You despicable vermin!"

Facing repeated pursuit...

Huang Tianxiao erupted with astonishing combat power.

The Four Seas Merchant Guild cultivators all displayed fear.

Even the three Seven Kingdoms Alliance Core Formation cultivators looked horrified.

"How is this possible?!"

Meng Xinghai stared in utter disbelief.

Although both were late Core Formation cultivators...

Huang Tianxiao's combat strength surpassed his by far more than just a little.

"Fellow Daoist Meng...

"This villain is too powerful.

"We can't fight him head-on."

The three Seven Kingdoms Alliance cultivators became cautious first.

Gaining favor with a Nascent Soul cultivator was certainly attractive...

But only if they survived.

Even if they succeeded...

Most of the credit would still belong to Meng Xinghai.

The Seven Kingdoms Alliance would receive only scraps.

Naturally...

None of them intended to risk their lives.

Likewise...

The Core Formation cultivators invited by the Four Seas Merchant Guild also quietly held back some of their strength.

They were each pillars of their respective clans.

If they died...

Who knew who would ultimately benefit?

As a result...

Eleven Core Formation cultivators were actually suppressed by Huang Tianxiao alone.

"Hahaha!

"I heard your parents were slaughtered and you didn't even dare utter a word.

"Now that I've seen you today...

"You're every bit the coward I expected."

After forcing his way through the encirclement...

Huang Tianxiao did not forget to turn back and mock Meng Xinghai.

At the same time...

His heart burned with frustration.

Ever since someone had inexplicably spread the title of "Number One Beneath the Nascent Soul"...

He had shouldered endless blame.

Nowadays...

Whenever robberies or black-eating-black incidents occurred throughout the Demon Beast Sea Abyss...

People casually used his name.

As for Meng Xinghai's parents...

He had never even met them.

"Huang Tianxiao!

"If you've got the courage, stop running!"

Meng Xinghai roared.

He wanted to hold Huang Tianxiao back.

Unfortunately...

The latter's movement technique was simply too strange.

He broke free directly.

...

Transforming into a streak of dark light...

Huang Tianxiao fled at incredible speed.

His face was filled with killing intent.

Failing to cultivate the secret technique was merely a temporary setback.

He could always begin again later.

But the Sinister Spirit Ash already consumed...

Was gone forever.

"Damn it.

"These Soul Nourishing Wood branches were already broken off when the Yin Soul Sect was destroyed.

"Most of them have already been used up.

"The main trunk absolutely cannot be traded...

"Nor can it ever be exposed."

As Huang Tianxiao sped through the depths of the Fog Sea of Tongtian...

The Primordial Spirit of the Shape-shifted Sinister Spirit Beast King suddenly sensed something.

"Move!"

"What?!"

High above...

Nine Thunder Halberds descended from the heavens.

Shocked, Huang Tianxiao hurriedly summoned his defensive magical artifact.

Crack!

Caught completely off guard...

He faced Lin Chang'an's full-powered strike.

"It's you!

"You broke your word!"

The moment Huang Tianxiao recognized the terrifying Thunder Halberd...

His eyes turned bloodshot with rage.

He knew that halberd all too well.

It belonged to the cultivator who had traded with him.

The tremendous force behind the nine halberds instantly cracked his defensive treasure.

Boom!

The magical artifact dimmed before flying back.

"Hahaha!

"Fellow Daoist misunderstands.

"My transaction was perfectly sincere.

"I simply happened to notice a battle nearby...

"So I decided to join in."

Disguised, Lin Chang'an laughed excitedly as he seized the opportunity to charge forward with the Thunder Halberd.

"A body cultivator!"

The first exchange caused Huang Tianxiao's expression to change drastically.

He had never expected the other party to also be a mid third-rank body cultivator.

Lin Chang'an naturally pressed the advantage.

The Thunder Halberd exploded with terrifying might as he unleashed one overwhelming strike after another.

Forced into a corner...

Huang Tianxiao hurriedly summoned another defensive magical artifact while desperately reinforcing his spiritual power barrier.

Such relentless close-range attacks left him no opportunity whatsoever to gather spiritual power and cast techniques.

Every attempt was interrupted immediately.

"Hehehe...

"So you're the famous Fellow Daoist Huang—the Number One Beneath the Nascent Soul.

"I wonder...

"How much longer can you hold out?

"I've already contacted several other Fellow Daoists.

"They'll arrive shortly.

"If you're sensible...

"You'd better hand over the Soul Nourishing Wood."

Pretending to be wildly arrogant, Lin Chang'an deliberately applied tremendous psychological pressure.

After fighting eleven Core Formation cultivators...

No matter how powerful Huang Tianxiao was...

His spiritual power had certainly been greatly depleted.

Strike while the enemy was weakened.

Lin Chang'an had absolutely no intention of missing such an opportunity.

At the same time...

To prevent Huang Tianxiao from risking everything...

He deliberately made it appear that his true objective was merely the treasure.

Sure enough...

Hearing this...

Huang Tianxiao immediately concluded he had simply encountered terrible luck.

If these people had truly planned everything in advance...

Only one enemy would never have appeared here.

"If you want the Soul Nourishing Wood...

"Then let's see whether you're capable of taking it!"

Roaring furiously...

Huang Tianxiao ruthlessly abandoned the magical artifact before him.

Taking advantage of the opening...

He retreated explosively while finally releasing three third-rank puppets.

【Profound Soul Spike】

The instant the puppets appeared...

Lin Chang'an immediately launched a Soul Attack.

Huang Tianxiao's face instantly twisted in agony.

A shrill, ear-piercing scream exploded within his Sea of Consciousness.

"Human brat!

"Be careful!"

Taking advantage of Huang Tianxiao's momentary suffering...

Lin Chang'an relied upon his powerful body cultivator physique to charge directly toward the three puppets.

【Bewildering Voice Technique】

Before Huang Tianxiao could recover...

Lin Chang'an released a long howl.

A wave of Divine Sense swept outward.

At such close range...

The three third-rank puppets visibly froze.

The next moment—

Several golden third-rank Spirit Stabilizing Talismans flashed through the air.

Huang Tianxiao hurriedly attempted to command the puppets to evade.

"Hahaha!

"Many thanks for gifting me these puppets!"

Several Spirit Stabilizing Talismans landed upon two of the puppets.

The ghostly light within their eyes struggled violently...

But to no avail.

"Who exactly are you?!"

Within such a brief exchange...

He had already lost two puppets.

Huang Tianxiao could not suppress his shock.

Puppets were already exceedingly rare.

Yet every technique employed by the other party revealed profound understanding of puppet weaknesses.

Otherwise...

He could never have targeted their greatest vulnerability so precisely.

The greatest weakness of puppets...

Was Soul Attacks.

"Fellow Daoist should know what's best."

After storing away the two sealed puppets...

Along with Huang Tianxiao's abandoned magical artifact...

Lin Chang'an revealed a mocking smile.

Yet beneath that smile...

His eyes remained incomparably serious.

If the opportunity truly presented itself...

He absolutely wanted to eliminate Huang Tianxiao.

Unfortunately...

Meng Xinghai and the others had been too incompetent.

Had Meng Xinghai managed to restrain Huang Tianxiao...

Lin Chang'an would not have hesitated to join forces and finish him.

As for whoever stood behind Huang Tianxiao...

Or whatever secrets he carried...

What did any of that have to do with him?

This entire operation had been orchestrated by Meng Xinghai.

"Despicable rat!"

Although Huang Tianxiao roared furiously...

His mind remained perfectly calm.

He absolutely could not allow reinforcements to arrive.

At that moment...

The sound of rapid flight echoed from afar.

Meng Xinghai and the others had finally caught up.

From beginning to end...

Lin Chang'an had never intended to gamble his own life.

If the ambush succeeded...

Excellent.

If not...

He would simply stall until the others arrived.

As for offending people...

That sort of work should be left to professionals.

"Fine!

"Fine!

"You want treasure?

"Then take the Soul Nourishing Wood!"

Huang Tianxiao proved just as ruthless.

With a cold shout...

He threw a jade box directly toward Meng Xinghai's group...

Clearly intending to divert disaster onto them.

However...

Lin Chang'an immediately sensed something was wrong.

The familiar resonance...

Was completely absent from that jade box.

Without the slightest hesitation...

He ignored the bait and charged directly toward Huang Tianxiao with the Thunder Halberd.

Just then...

Huang Tianxiao finally revealed another treasure.

The instant it appeared...

A tremendous sense of danger filled Lin Chang'an's heart.

A scroll.

As it unfolded...

A crimson-robed woman whose appearance remained indistinct appeared within the painting.

The next instant—

A terrifying aura erupted.

The crimson-robed woman slowly manifested into a colossal Dharma Manifestation.

"Nascent Soul Dharma Manifestation!"

Lin Chang'an's pupils contracted sharply.

Even Meng Xinghai and the others, still rushing over, sensed the terrifying aura and immediately became vigilant.

Although merely a phantom...

The overwhelming pressure of a Nascent Soul Dharma Manifestation still weighed heavily upon every Core Formation cultivator.

Then—

Lin Chang'an's expression suddenly changed.

A strange voice echoed directly beside his ear.

Before he could react...

The enormous Dharma Manifestation let out a cold shout before unleashing devastating power.

However...

The attack was completely indiscriminate.

Even Huang Tianxiao himself fell within its range.

"It's devouring its master!"

Meng Xinghai and the others stared in shock.

Within the cultivation world...

Treasures turning upon their masters were hardly unheard of.

Although it usually happened with demon beasts...

Judging from this scroll...

Either a Nascent Soul cultivator had been refined into it...

Or it contained the remnant soul of one.

Such betrayal was hardly surprising.

Yet amidst this indiscriminate assault...

Lin Chang'an stood firm like a willow swaying gently in the spring breeze.

Not only did he remain unmoved...

He casually threw out more than a dozen third-rank Spirit Stabilizing Talismans.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Golden third-rank high-grade Spirit Stabilizing Talismans landed across the scroll.

Their suppressive power gradually dispersed the phantom.

The crimson-robed figure upon the scroll looked deeply at Lin Chang'an.

Then...

She helplessly accepted the seal.

The next instant...

The disguised Lin Chang'an gave everyone no opportunity whatsoever to react.

With a wave of his hand...

He seized the scroll.

Ignoring Huang Tianxiao's murderous gaze...

He immediately transformed into Escape Light and disappeared.

At that moment...

Lin Chang'an no longer cared about anything else.

Only the transmission he had just received echoed repeatedly inside his mind.

"The Profound Heavenly Immortal Vine... Natal Spiritual Plant... Eternal Evergreen Art... Fusang Divine Tree...

"If you wish to learn these secrets...

"Take me away immediately!"

Compared to the secrets surrounding himself...

What was a Soul Nourishing Wood?

His greatest secret far surpassed such treasures.

After cultivating for over two hundred years...

As his knowledge expanded...

He had long realized that the Profound Heavenly Immortal Vine was almost certainly not a spiritual object belonging to this world.

...

"Bitch!"

Everything had happened in the blink of an eye.

After finally regaining his footing...

Huang Tianxiao watched helplessly as the scroll was sealed and stolen.

His fury reached its limit.

Even worse...

The remnant soul within the scroll had betrayed him.

"Fine!

"Excellent!"

Huang Tianxiao was equally ruthless.

How could he possibly have failed to leave hidden measures inside such an important treasure?

With a wave of his hand...

He immediately activated the trap hidden within the scroll.

Meanwhile...

Lin Chang'an, rapidly fleeing...

Naturally sensed the abnormality within the sealed scroll.

A pained cry emerged.

White smoke began rising from the scroll.

The crimson figure inside noticeably dimmed.

"That's the Soul Devouring Curse!"

Having inherited the Yin Soul Sect's legacy...

Lin Chang'an recognized the technique immediately.

His expression became solemn.

Quickly forming hand seals...

He imprinted equally mysterious seals upon the scroll.

Sizzle!

Back at the battlefield...

The Soul Devouring Curse in Huang Tianxiao's hand suddenly emitted white smoke before being instantly dispelled.

His pupils contracted sharply.

A possibility immediately appeared in his mind.

"It was rumored that after the destruction of the Yin Soul Sect...

"Quite a few surviving disciples fled into the Fog Sea of Tongtian to escape the Bihai Palace's pursuit..."

Everything suddenly made perfect sense.

Why this mysterious group had remained hidden within the Fog Sea of Tongtian for generations...

And why they possessed such profound mastery over Yin Soul Sect secret techniques.

"Huang Tianxiao!

"This time, you're not escaping!"

Watching Lin Chang'an escape with the treasure...

Meng Xinghai nearly coughed blood.

Clearly...

That fellow had come purely to profit from the chaos.

Still...

At least Huang Tianxiao had been delayed.

The situation was not entirely unfavorable.

Yet...

Faced with Meng Xinghai's group...

Huang Tianxiao finally erupted.

They had gone too far.

"Senior Ghost!"

"Hehehe...

"Human brat...

"I told you long ago.

"Leave these people to this old man.

"It has been a very long time...

"Since I've devoured the Primordial Spirits of human cultivators."

The next moment...

A terrifying sinister wind swept across the battlefield.

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