“Hmph, I’ve been tracking this beast for a long time. You were the ones who took it first. Now, you want me to hand it over? Isn’t that a joke?” Hearing Xiao Yan’s words, the shadowy figure sneered, her voice slightly clear, indicating she was a young woman.
“Who is this girl? Such strange abilities at such a young age. I’ve never heard of such a young and talented person in the Central Plains.” Xiao Yan’s face darkened, his mind racing. But after a moment, he had no conclusions and could only attribute it to the many hidden powerhouses in the Central Plains.
“You shameless woman! This thing was unclaimed. If whoever sees it first gets to keep it, wouldn’t that be even more ridiculous? If you have the guts, release the Dan Beast and see where it runs!” Zi Yan shouted.
In response to Zi Yan’s shout, the shadowy figure snorted but did not loosen her grip on the Dan Beast. She knew that if she let it go, it would surely run to the other side.
“I won’t hand over the Dan Beast. If you want to fight, then come at me…” Behind the ghostly mask, eyes glowing with green light swept down, finally landing on Xiao Yan’s stern face. For some reason, this exceptionally powerful young man gave her a strange, almost familiar feeling.
Furrowing her delicate brows, she tried to recall but couldn’t. She turned her gaze around, searching for an escape route.
Seeing that the shadowy figure wasn’t backing down, a cold glint flashed in Xiao Yan’s eyes. The Dan Beast was too rare and important. If he could capture and cultivate it, he might have a chance to reach the legendary ninth rank. His strength would skyrocket, and even surpassing the Heavenly Lord of the Soul Palace would be trivial.
“Since that’s the case, don’t blame us for relying on our numbers,” Xiao Yan stepped forward, his body enveloped by a purple-brown flame. He dashed like a bolt of lightning, appearing before the shadowy figure, and struck with a hot, fierce palm.
“Hmph!” Seeing Xiao Yan attack, the shadowy figure also snorted, her steps nimble as she dodged his palm. Under the ghostly mask, a green light flickered.
“Relying on numbers, I believe that should be me!” The shadowy figure shouted, and the space before her warped, summoning nearly ten figures. They all charged at Xiao Yan, roaring with ferocious energy.
As the green light appeared, Xiao Yan became wary. These sudden figures surprised him, but he didn’t panic. He moved like a specter, dodging their attacks but retreating several steps.
Stabilizing himself, Xiao Yan raised his head to see the dozen black-clad figures. His brow furrowed; they were extremely strong. The two leading elders were at the Dou Zun level, and the rest were peak Battle Sect. Their combined numbers far exceeded Xiao Yan’s group.
“These people are mostly from the Nine-Pit Serpent Tribe,” Zi Yan said somberly.
Xiao Yan nodded, warily eyeing the shadowy figure. She not only controlled these powerhouses but also used spatial techniques to bring them. This was like a mobile guardhouse.
Examining the strong figures nearby, Xiao Yan noticed remnants of consciousness in their eyes, yet their bodies were completely controlled. “She controls their bodies, but they still have their own minds. A very bizarre method…”
Though wary, Xiao Yan still needed the Dan Beast. It was too rare, and even his resolve couldn’t resist its allure. Two Dou Zuns and ten peak Battle Sects were not enough to deter him.
“Do we need to intervene?” Little Healer Immortal, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, asked.
“No, just guard the perimeter. Don’t let anyone enter or leave,” Xiao Yan shook his head. He summoned the Heavenly Demonic Puppet and ten Earth Demonic Puppets, ordering them to charge at the group with a fierce, desperate assault.
“I want to see what other tricks you have.” Blocking the attackers, Xiao Yan’s face turned icy. In a flash, he appeared before the shadowy figure, his burning, violent energy striking her like a storm.
Facing Xiao Yan’s fierce attack, the shadowy figure dared not underestimate it. After their clash, she recognized the strangeness of his Dou Qi. If it invaded her body, it would be a disaster. Injured as she was, another attack might force her to retreat.
Her thoughts racing, the shadowy figure stepped back until she had no choice but to stand firm. She clasped her hands, forming a strange seal.
“Soul Seize!” A cold shout, and a burst of green light shot out, illuminating Xiao Yan.
As the green light approached, Xiao Yan felt a chill. He quickly wrapped himself in purple-brown flames, but as the light hit, his soul in the center of his forehead surged, threatening to leave his body.
Startled, Xiao Yan suppressed his soul, quelling the strange agitation.
“What a bizarre sorcery!” Though he suppressed his soul, Xiao Yan shivered at this woman’s methods. He had faced many opponents, but none as weird as this.
Punching the air, a terrifying shockwave struck the shadowy figure. As it hit, a green light shielded her, absorbing most of the force.
Though the punch was weakened, the remaining force pushed her back, breaking several beams along the way.
“Hand over the Dan Beast!” Advancing, Xiao Yan’s flaming fist attacked again, targeting her vital points.
“Never!” Despite being pushed back, the shadowy figure remained defiant. The green light flickered, and the Dan Beast disappeared. Her hand formed a seal, and a blinding green light erupted from under the ghostly mask.
“Demonic Eye Control!” The green light distorted, forming a green, demonic eye on the mask. This eye, with three interlocking green snakes, exuded strange energy.
As the eye appeared, Xiao Yan felt his body stiffen, losing control. Alarmed but not panicked, he projected his vast soul force, forming a spectral image that punched out.
A massive soul imprint formed on Xiao Yan’s fist, striking the demonic eye and causing it to tremble and dissipate. The remaining force hit the ghostly mask.
The force sent the shadowy figure flying, slamming into a wall and coughing up blood. The mask shattered.
Grimacing, Xiao Yan appeared before her, a heavy blade at her throat. “Now, can you hand over the Dan Beast?”
“No!” The shadowy figure wiped her mouth, glaring at Xiao Yan.
At her words, Xiao Yan’s rage rose. He started to yell but suddenly froze, staring at her face.
Under the cracked mask, there was a petite, oval face filled with determination. But what caught Xiao Yan’s attention were her eyes—beautiful, green, with three green dots rotating around the pupils.
“Jade Snake Tri-Flower Pupil?!” Recognizing the eyes, Xiao Yan gasped, recognition and disbelief flooding him.
“Qing Lin?!”
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