In the forest shrouded in a strange, eerie atmosphere, everything suddenly and slowly solidified. Among those who were following behind, about a dozen people with sinister expressions slowly stepped forward. The fierce aura emanating from their bodies made it clear that these individuals were all ruthless, ready to discard their very souls for the sake of money and power.
The large group trailing Elder Ying Shan, who had been quietly observing from behind, now stopped in their tracks. They watched the dozen figures with a mixture of emotions, as if the strange atmosphere could be ignited by a spark, driving these already greed-driven beings to abandon their last shred of reason.
These dozen men, clad in an aura of menace, seemed to be a small, tight-knit group. However, they were all quite formidable. The leader, a man with slightly graying hair, was clearly a Dou King. The rest were no ordinary fighters either. In the chaotic Black-Corner Region, one needed to be alert at all times. But under the allure of absolute profit, even one’s life could be thrown away, which was precisely why the Black-Corner Region was so unruly.
Despite knowing that the old man they followed was a genuine Battle Sect, their greed still propelled them forward. Some, driven by insatiable ambition, couldn’t wait and made the first move.
This group of menacing men was one such faction. As newcomers who had struggled in the Black-Corner Region for years, they knew little about Elder Ying Shan, except that if they could secure the Bodhi Incarnate Saliva, they could become the pinnacle of power. Then, the entire world, not just the Black-Corner Region, would tremble at their feet.
Although greedy, they were also skilled. After separating from the larger group, they melded into the shadows of the forest, silently forming a formation to surround Elder Ying Shan.
Many forces in the forest halted, watching the shadows with pity. These clowns, truly didn’t know how to spell death. A treasure is worthless without the life to claim it.
Under the watchful eyes, the dozen figures quickly appeared around Elder Ying Shan, their gestures covert. Suddenly, they launched a surprise attack, their sharp weapons brimming with murderous intent, aiming to cover every vital part of Elder Ying Shan’s body.
“Whiz!” The blade flashes descended, slicing through Elder Ying Shan’s form, only to pass through harmlessly. The dozen figures touched the ground, their bodies stiffened.
Elder Ying Shan paused for a moment, then continued walking, not even turning his head. As he moved, the dozen figures collapsed, their vitality rapidly fading.
With this, the large group behind them sucked in breaths of air, now fully understanding Elder Ying Shan’s terrifying strength. An oppressive, heavy atmosphere enveloped the forest.
“Crack!” A branch snapped, breaking the oppressive silence. Countless eyes turned to the elderly figure, greed gleaming in their depths.
“Swish!” Greed erupted, and a cacophony of whistling arrows filled the air, shot from the darker corners of the forest. The arrows halted inches from Elder Ying Shan, then, guided by an unseen force, turned and shot back, leading to a chorus of agonized screams.
“Kill him!” “Kill him and get the Bodhi Incarnate Saliva!” “With the Bodhi Incarnate Saliva, we can find the Bodhi Heart and become Dou Sage. Then, the Black-Corner Region will be mine!”
The agonized screams did not deter the greed-fueled crowd. Instead, the sight of blood spurred their savagery, and angry roars filled the forest. The battle descended into complete chaos.
However, Elder Ying Shan remained calm, deflecting attacks with shocking ease. Those hit by his energy blasts were either high-level Battle Emperors or else died on the spot, highlighting the sheer power of a Battle Sect.
On the hill, Xiao Yan watched the chaos below, unimpressed by the one-sided slaughter. The true powerhouses were waiting, while the current attackers were merely pawns. To Elder Ying Shan, they were as insignificant as ants.
Xiao Yan’s gaze remained fixed on Elder Ying Shan, despite the carnage. He felt something was amiss, but he couldn’t pinpoint what.
“Old Ying Shan sure has a good temper, doesn’t he tire of killing like this?” Xiao Li said, frowning at the blood-soaked forest.
Xiao Yan frowned, too. Today, Elder Ying Shan’s behavior was indeed odd. Yet, his aura matched that of the old man seen at the auction, suggesting he was not a decoy.
“Something’s wrong. His aura, if you feel it carefully, isn’t as pure as a Battle Sect’s…” Little Healer Immortal hesitated, then said.
Xiao Yan, startled, directed his Soul Perception to engulf the area. The forest changed before his eyes, revealing different energy forms within each person. Scanning further, he detected other strong presences, including the mysterious gray-robed man from the Demon Flame Valley.
Before Xiao Yan could investigate, a cold snort echoed, and a chilling soul wave clashed with his own, causing a surge of invisible wind.
“Thud!” On the hill, Xiao Yan grunted, looking toward the hiding place of the Demon Flame Valley. The cold snort and the soul wave came from the same source.
“What’s wrong?” Little Healer Immortal asked, concerned.
“Nothing…” Xiao Yan, focused on Elder Ying Shan, noticed his Soul Perception only detected a gray mass. Biting his lip, he intensified his perception, finally piercing through the energy barrier.
As the barrier dissolved, Xiao Yan’s face darkened. “This old man… is indeed cunning!”
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