With the sudden change, Xiao Yan was also caught off guard. He quickly glanced upward at night’s sky, but no sign was seen of presence overhead. The descending majestic presence, nevertheless, stirred up a feeling within him of heart thumping unease.
“It is someone from the Pill Tower…” Relaxing his posture a little, Xiao Yan quickly interrupted the continuous formation of the Destroying Flame Lotus in his hand, cautiously dissipating it. His foot sharply flicked, sending him retreating hastily. A piercing cry rang across long and vast.
Whoosh! Whizzing!
Immediately as the cry resonated, two blurry figure dashed inside like lightning, appearing next to Xiao Yan’s side in an instant, gazing in fury at the enigmatic black clad figure mid-air.
“Are you okay?” The Little Healer Immortal observed the ruined courtyard with a grim countenance before directing her lavender-violet eyes icy cold gaze towards the black-hooded figure. In an anxious tone, she enquired.
Xiao Yan gently shook his head, solemnly declaring, “I’m fine; but careful indeed—this foe stands not an ordinary contender!”
Gazing in grim resentment at the mysterious, black-clad adversary, Heavenly Fire Venerable ridiculed coldly, “How come someone as a Dou Zun senior cultivator stoop to furtiveness and sneakery?”
Now both healers were brimming with astonishment and indignant outrage—the courtyard bore signs of battle devastation, yet neither of them had detected the event; such an abject failure of vigilance stirred profound regret in their protectiveness.
The dark robed silhouette floated midair, an ominous glint visible through his hood while he intensely fixated gaze on Xiao Yan—surprised to be found out by the elders of the Pill Tower while taking such caution, this concealed presence was already tracked and marked. If he lingered longer, surely the experts from the Pill Tower would inevitably reach here and obstruct him completely—
“You Wuhuang Sect, such affairs should have nothing relating you. So, why intervene unnecessarily?” he raspingly challenged skywards.
“Oh, this is Holy Pill Citadel territory! If we allowed the Wuhuang sect to roam unruly here, would the Wuhuang expect us to justify our authority at all?” Another voice, ancient but dignified sounded gradually from sky—the same voice earlier from distance—but Xiao Yan was clearly conscious now of that voice projecting directly via an abstract technique from some disembodied individual hidden distantly beyond spatial dimensions solely to intimidate and hold back this mysterious adversary.
“Old bandits,” mumbled the clad black figure bitterly, shifting his gaze back towards Xiao Yan and with a frigid smile added mockingly, “Looks your fortune prevails. Keep your Flames and Arts a while longer in possession. Recall this—I will reclaim them all inevitably!”
The moment his words concluded, air twisted suddenly behind him and his frame, caught amidst writhing space ripples became intermittently visible.
“You think getting away that easily?”
Observing his evading form in space distortion, Xiao’s Healer partner narrowed eyes coldly. Gray vapor spiraled round her fair delicate palm that projected forward suddenly in form of swift energy streaks piercing space straight at attacker dark clad adversary in fierce pursuit with intent to impede.
“HA-HA, I admit my inability to conquer him directly with guardians as formidable as you two around. Yet if escaping is but my will alone—do you expect truly hinder?” Catching the healer’s attempt to stop him, the black clad figure merely laughed disdainfully. Flexing fingers with a snap gesture, deep blue flames erupted instantly from his nail tip; it collided fiercely amid sparks of gray streak; their mutual impact resulting in total negation both dissipating.
“Oh Xiao Yan, our paths shall cross soon… The next time we clash again, I will definitely extract your Elemental Flames together with your Artworks.”
Swiftly intercepting the healer’s poison aura, that dark-robed man coldly locked glacial vision upon young warrior; then with slight body twirl, immediately vanished inside twisting folds of transdimensional portal amid violent oscillational tremble in space fabric…
“You would want to try, wait…”
A cold edge surfaced sharply within Xiao’s gaze. He discerned the might of opponent no light, but deep-root conflict could result in equally devastating consequences for his foe, if provoked entirely in earnest.
“Blast it!”
Realizing foe’s safe retreat, the healer’s fury showed openly as white teeth bit slight frustration while murmured curses escaped her lips.
“Forget that now,” intervened Xiao calmly, hand motioning aside before elevating towards star-lit heavens bowing respectfully. With reverence he acknowledged his savior in distant realm,
“Deeply I’m indebted, Senior Master for aiding!”
Upon his word’s conclusion, slowly starlight gathered into a somewhat blurry old silhouette of radiance descending gently. An ancient aged voice murmured gently within aura:
“Away on matters urgent remains my original body, only projection sent here remotely for containment. His trail’s hidden cleverly; yet more precautions do well by you—make effort visiting the Pill Tower whenever possible as a sanctuary safer awaits.”
Xiao Yan once again deeply thanked; assuming it must hail from the elders of that Pill Tower—an even possibility that legend’s Triarch, the most formidable among, had just addressed him.
“He was someone once familiar to Master Teacher who deserves special patronage.” A subtle smile lingered as light glimmer rippled gently within space, dissipating into void’s hush…
With gaze still dwelling upon spot where stately figure vanished Xiao Yan sank in thought…Seemed evident there was much rapport remaining to this Teacher’s generation from the Pill Tower’s esteemed assembly.
“Whoever launched attack on you?” Healer redirected, frowning.
“Wuhuang faction.” Came Xiao Yan’s cold reply, eyes flashing sharp hatred.
“This opponent mastered soul force to divine level mastery, bypassed even my sensing mid-close combat via stealthy manipulation of Soul Barrier technique…” Venerable expressed, his countenance stiff with uneasiness.
Nodding affirm, Xiao Yan mumbled: Not glimpsing any part of foe’s visage; nor hearing voice indicating significant age—he spoke as elder of same age group Pharnacist Elder, but should naturally belong ancient immortality tiered groupings.
His might seemingly slight greater compared Xiao Yan’s measure, though full clash likely would yield equal results.
Slender healer delicately swept stray locks beside cheek musing, commenting, ”Undoubtedly indeed—these玄冥 Sect remnants troublemakers we must not leave unchecked.”
Yan’s grim grew sterner now, recalling prior conflict…玄冥 Sect members notorious for retaliation, never letting things rest—but they instead opted to leverage indirect methods by relaying info. Their cunning and ruthless maneuverability not merely cruel—it displayed sheer malevolence.
“Tomorrow, let’s investigate this玄冥 Sect hideout thoroughly—constant lurking surveillance from hidden enemies simply must be addressed; eventually, resolution is mandatory. Regardless who backs their force if arrogance reaches our doorstep, our responses would bear dire consequences.”
“I know,” the healer acquiesced. If those nuisances dared provoke them willfully again—they’d better prepare their funerals.
“My greatest concern remains still that enigmatic black figure whom concealed essence so deeply—I have not fathomed him at all,” Xiao reflected quietly; then his eyes suddenly locked on an idea, “Moreover, he is the one possessing Sea Flame—possibly Han Feng knows clues linking to his background.”
With that passing thought, Xiao Yan tightly clenched his fingers, immediately summoning forth a crystal jar within reach as swiftly as a ghostly spirit floated weak ethereality within—Han Feng’s soul essence tether.
Gazes piercing the fragile essence bound ghost form of a severely weakened Han Feng; his words chilled like ice:
“Which one of your betrayer group within Wuhuang received the Sea Flame?”
Han blinked surprised initially before glancing uneasily about, struggling how answer before sharp flickers flame erupted Xiao Yan’s index finger; a searing strike launched toward his phantom frame unhesitated…
“No! Wait! Don’t! Listen! I’ll confess everything!” Terrifying realization overtook him. Urgency broke in confession.
“He who bears stolen flame is revered as Old Mugu -尊老 of Wuhuang, possessing high rank standing under殿主. Being both Dou Zun and also authentic八品 Alchemist, Wuhuang highly regards him.”
Old MUGU? Meticulously repeating whisper-like name, Xiao’s visage only further deepened frost glare—it was confirmed then…those devils Wuhuang again were stirring dark.
“This Old Mugu nourish great ancient resentment upon Teacher, Pharnacist Elder once revealed,” cautiously stammered Han.
“He spoke once having trained under same master alongside Pharnacist Elder. Yet expelled due disputes he harboured deep enmity. Ever seeking any chance undermining deeds upon him. My betrayal and theft attempt upon him originated from his scheming and temptation.”
Xiao Yan’s brows twitch sharply—the very idea Wuhuang leader emerged from same teacher shocked even as it registered heavily.
“If so…why have I never been told about this before?” Xiao’s low dangerous growling intensified.
“Not one mention passed from Elder myself; all these things I only once stumbled inadvertently through casual remark once by Old Mugu,” Han hastily explained—desperate lest his current predicament deteriorated drastically.
Xiao’s eyes slowly acknowledged: If the account bears truth, then prior adversary cloaked in shadows could only be confirmed as Old Mugu himself. Few know true truth regarding焚决 secrets; even Xiao himself kept tight inner circle secrets concerning it.
“This foe suffered setback, but definitely his vengeance pursuit undaunted shall follow relentless; no longer would he directly confront us openly as before—but stealth may yet threaten us further. So vigilance ahead is essential,” Xiao concluded quietly.
“With Dan Congregation drawing near—priority focuses now should lie within breaking into top tenth spot of its ranking—follow by obtaining Three Thousand Burning Lightning Flame. Only then facing this schemer shall I feel capable battling against his individual might without worry!”
Reflecting intently, resolution soon emerged: Xiao Yan finally clenched decisiveness within, summoning a flick of his palm sending Han Feng’s specter back bottle imprisoned inside his ring again. Without glancing back, he strode forward toward his abode quietly again.
“Tomorrow let’s trace that玄冥 Sect’s hiding locations—I do prefer finishing these nuisances fast; enough of their provocations—never will there be another.”
Hearing this icy resolve laced in lethal intonation Xiao Yan delivered—the healer simply nodded silently, comprehending one undeniable truth…
…this time Xiao Yan wasn’t merely furious—he had already determined—absolute annihilation would serve as suitable response to those challenging his path.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage