The aged figure only stiffened for a moment before quickly recovering. Without turning back, it shot into the dark forest with great speed. “Shh!” The instant the aged figure dashed into the dense woods, a sharp cold light flickered out from within, and then a chilling, fierce gale, which made one’s hair stand on end, shot straight at the former’s throat with precision and malevolence.
The sudden attack caught the old man off guard, but luckily, he was not weak. A low growl rumbled from his throat, and the space in front of him suddenly twisted. The cold light missed its target due to the warp, and it whizzed past, grazing his shoulder.
“Who is there?” roared the elder, dodging the lethal blow. With a furious yell and a swing of his robe, his shriveled hand clenched, summoning several faint arcs of energy that lunged viciously into the dark forest.
*Crack!* Five sharp streaks of wind erupted from the elder’s hand, ripping through several thick trees, causing splinters to fly in all directions.
The assault missed, and a slight change crept over the elder’s face. He was just about to retreat when a graceful white figure emerged, like a ghost, exuding a grey fog with a faint stench towards him.
Even before the mist touched him, the seasoned elder knew it was laced with potent poison. With a swift sweep of his robe, a powerful gust dispelled the grey cloud. Taking advantage of this delay, he lightly tapped the air with his foot, launching himself skyward, bursting through the dense branches with a whoosh.
Upon exiting the forest, the old man was ready to flee. However, as he looked up, his body froze abruptly. His face soured as he saw an old man with white hair floating in the sky.
“Su Qian!” A cold snarl escaped from the gnarled teeth. The old figure turned, revealing a well-known face: the old man of Eagle Mountain, who had relinquished the Bodhi Body Transformation Fluid.
“Heh, Mr. Eagle Elder sure has some tricks up his sleeve, able to conceal your soul within the Bodhi Body Transformation Fluid. I couldn’t find it…” A soft laugh echoed from behind the old man of Eagle Mountain. Spinning around, he saw Xiao Yan, wings vibrating with an emerald fire, appearing above the sea of trees.
“I didn’t expect you to find me… What about the other one? Call her out!” the Eagle Elder’s face slightly darkened. Peering below, he barked coldly.
“Shh!” As the Eagle Elder’s shout fell, the dense branches trembled. A graceful white silhouette darted out, and finally, a white-dressed figure appeared mid-air, hovering unsteadily yet firmly blocking the Elder’s path of retreat.
“Haha, you sly old fox. If it weren’t for Xiao Yan’s alchemist prowess and his keen soul sensing, we might never have found your soul hiding inside,” Su Qian chortled, looking at the brow-beating Elder.
“Since you’ve noticed me, why not act sooner?” the Eagle Elder sneered. Initially, he had hidden his soul within the Bodhi Body Transformation Fluid, waiting for Xiao Yan and Han Feng to clash and exhaust themselves. He would then snatch the fluid without anyone knowing. But the result hadn’t gone as planned. Xiao Yan had killed the three elders of the Burning Flame Valley with swift, decisive moves, forcing Han Feng and Mo Tianxing to retreat in secret. Thus, Little Healer Immortal and Su Qian retained their combat power.
Facing the numerous enemies, the duo had no time to scrutinize the Bodhi Body Fluid. Besides, the elder knew that if they reached the Jia Nan Academy, Xiao Yan would dissect the Bodhi Fluid, outing him. Therefore…
“So, you deliberately separated to let this old man reveal himself!” the Eagle Elder’s face twitched. He hadn’t expected such a ploy from Xiao Yan.
Xiao Yan grinned, his gaze sweeping over the Eagle Elder’s ghostly form. “Mr. Elder, please return the Bodhi Body Transformation Fluid. I can put today’s incident aside. Although now you’re in a soul state, if your soul is obliterated, considerable harm may be done to your actual body. I can sense its location, mind you.”
The Eagle Elder’s expression shifted, and he cackled. “Youngster, you must think I’ve spent years getting scared into submission? If you insist on forcing my hand, I’ll destroy the Bodhi Body Fluid!”
“The method you used, surely, requires your true body to be nearby. That means your actual form is close. If I’m right, it’s to the north,” Xiao Yan squinted, his eyes narrowing. He pointed to the dark forest and snickered coldly.
At Xiao Yan’s finger, the Eagle Elder’s composed façade wavered. His cultivation was peculiar, and if his soul dissipated, his body would weaken temporarily but recover; however, his real body being found posed a mortal threat. Every time he used his skill, his body was always in a secret, safe spot. Now, revealed, he groaned. Even if he tried running, he couldn’t escape.
Seeing the elder’s face shifting under the moon, Xiao Yan softened. “Mr. Elder, I respect you as a senior of Black Corner Region. Return the Bodhi Body Fluid, and I guarantee you’ll leave without harm.”
Weighing the threats and persuasions, the Eagle Elder sighed deeply, eyeing the vigilant Su Qian and Little Healer Immortal. Feeling their intense aura, he sighed wryly, throwing the box to Xiao Yan. “Take it.”
Smiling, Xiao Yan let the box float in front of him. Eyeing his caution, the Elder frowned. “Getting the fluid won’t help you know the Bodhi Heart.”
“That’s not my goal. This is,” Xiao Yan replied softly.
Little Healer Immortal, hearing Xiao Yan’s words, was moved. Knowing the effort he’d taken, even confronting daunting elders, she was stirred. Inside, a gentle ripple softened her heart.
“Sounding noble! So many vied for the fluid, and you got it… Farewell.” The Eagle Elder grimaced and disappeared, his soul dissipating swiftly out of range.
Relieved, Little Healer Immortal and Su Qian joined Xiao Yan, chuckling, “Finally, the old coot relented.”
But Xiao Yan’s smile was odd. “Not so simple… this sly old fox…”
Finger snapping, a Falling Heart Flame engulfed the jade box. In the heat, the box disintegrated, revealing the writhing Bodhi Fluid. Xiao Yan smirked, surrounding it with flame. A tremble, white smoke, and a muffled scream…
A thousand meters away, in a cave, the Eagle Elder spat blood, eyes filled with wrath. “So ruthless, so cautious. I won’t forget you!”
In the forest, Xiao Yan grinned, putting the fluid in a new box. Stretching lazily, he chuckled, “Finally removed the threat. We can head back to Jia Nan Academy in peace…”
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