The old Daoist frowned, extended his hand in a beckoning gesture, and the Flying Sword descended. He caught it between his fingers, sensed the Essence Blood on it, made some calculations with his fingers, sighed, and said, "Xiao Lai, oh Xiao Lai, you didn’t heed my words, thus ending in death and dispersal of soul."
Xiao Han also noticed the anomaly here, gently pushed aside the young girl beside him, and asked, "Fourth Uncle, what’s the matter?"
The old Daoist said flatly, "Your sworn brother, Xiao Lai, was killed."
"What?" Xiao Han’s face showed a mix of surprise and anger, "Who dares to kill a member of my Xiao Clan?"
The old Daoist remained expressionless, "This matter is definitely linked to Lu Mei Niang."
The girl was startled at his words, rushed forward to grab Xiao Han’s arm, and anxiously said, "Master Xiao, my mother is locked in the quiet room, how could she do such a thing? Could the elder be mistaken?"
Xiao Han shook his sleeve, broke free from her grasp, and coldly said, "How could my Fourth Uncle speak recklessly?"
The girl saw his change of demeanor, didn’t dare to speak anymore, her eyes slightly red and a look of grievance on her face.
Xiao Han snorted coldly, adjusted his crown with a raised hand, and stepped forward two paces, bowing to the old Daoist, "I ask Fourth Uncle to avenge my sworn brother."
Xiao Mousui’s gaze was cold, "I had warned Xiao Lai before, he didn’t listen, thus he sought death on his own. If you come to ask me, you must follow the rules. I previously promised Fifth Brother that you could request three things from me. Coming with you to the East Sea was one; capturing Lu Mei Niang was the second. Now you ask me to act again; this is the third. With these three matters concluded, if you were to face danger in the future, I wouldn’t help you. Think it through carefully."
Xiao Han knew that such Nascent Soul True Masters like his Fourth Uncle were mostly cautious for their own lives and wouldn’t act rashly for a junior unless it involved personal relationships or great benefits in cultivation.
However, Xiao Han thought that once he returned home after this East Sea trip, he could form his Golden Core and find a highly skilled master to learn from, thus no longer needing to trouble his indifferent Fourth Uncle.
So he gritted his teeth and said, "Xiao Lai was my friend since childhood, now that he’s been murdered, if I don’t avenge him, where is the honor of the Xiao Clan? I ask Fourth Uncle to make a decision for my sworn brother and eliminate those who harmed him!"
With that, he bowed deeply.
Although he spoke grandly, the true reason wasn’t . It’s indeed a pity that Xiao Lai is dead, but their bond might not have been that deep. If he couldn’t even avenge those close to him, who would come to support him when he establishes his domain?
Moreover, he vaguely sensed that it wasn’t that simple, as Lu Junbai hadn’t returned, and there seemed to be someone’s influence behind it. If it could be resolved once and for all, that would be the best.
Xiao Mousui glanced at him and said slowly, "Have you thought it through?"
Xiao Han bowed again and insisted, "Please act, Fourth Uncle! Slay these thieves cleanly!"
Xiao Mousui nodded, stood up from the cloud top, and as his Daoist robe floated, a ray of rosy light arose, and in an instant, he disappeared.
Zhang Yan and his group had pushed their tunneling light to the extreme, finally spotting the silhouette of Dragon Country’s Ship in their sights, feeling slightly relieved.
Yet at that moment, a clap of thunder resounded from the Nine Heavens, and a cloud of mist followed, ridden by an old Daoist in a purple robe.
Seeing the five in fleeing flight ahead, he sneered slightly, raised his palm, and began chanting. Moments later, he lightly grasped and released his hand, a mass of Clear Qi descended, and instantly, wind and thunder emerged from the ground, a gust picked up a thousand qing of seawater, forming a giant wave enclosure around Zhang Yan and his companions, accompanied by a chilling voice from the Nine Heavens, "You shallow pool trapped fish, where do you think you can flee?"
Lu Junbai looked at the towering tidal waves around him, not seeing them fall, then at the pursing old Daoist, smiled wryly, understanding they couldn’t escape today. He supported Lu Mei Niang down from his back and said to Zhang Yan, "Daoist Zhang, when the battle ensues, please look after my sister."
Zhang Yan nodded slightly.
Lu Junbai turned to Guo Lie, "Daoist Guo, life and death are at hand, there’s no turning back for us."
Guo Lie laughed heartily, "Grandpa Guo, apart from my master, has never faced a Nascent Soul cultivator before. Today I’ll have a go!"
Though Jun Yue Demon King appeared delicate, in such circumstances, she knew there was no retreat. Fight or die, she shouted sharply, transformed into a rainbow, and was the first to charge, her Divine Weapon thrusting at the old Daoist’s head.
The old Daoist expressionlessly extended a finger, a wisp of white qi effortlessly stopped the Silver Spear.
Lu Junbai realized that only by working together could they have a slim chance for survival. As Jun Yue Demon King charged, he also followed, yet before he got close, the old Daoist flicked his robe sleeve, enfolding him in a whirlwind.
In an instant, he spun chaotically within, feeling utterly weak, unable to muster any strength.
After an unknown period, he bit his tongue fiercely, shouted, and revealed his true form. Breaking through the smoke and wind came a heron bird with a feathered crest, yellow eyes, a black beak, and white plumage. It cried loudly, turning its head towards the old Daoist.
The old Daoist snorted coldly, "You dare expose your clumsiness with your beastial form?"
As he was about to strike, he suddenly frowned, dodged a spear and using his finger again, blocked Jun Yue Demon King’s next attack.
Guo Lie, though slightly behind, now reached the cloud top. He unfurled Xuan Guang, took out a talisman, and slapped it on, whereupon Essence Qi surged into the light curtain behind him. With a thunderous roar, a massive, three-zhang tall Evil God white ape emerged from it.
The old Daoist smirked coldly, opened his palm, and with a crackle, aimed a Purple Thunder at Guo Lie.
The Purple Thunder was too fast for Guo Lie to react; however, as it was about to strike, a Jade Token flew out from his brow, emitting a halo of colored light, revealing a hidden talisman within. With a stretch and shrink, it swallowed the Purple Thunder.
The old Daoist raised an eyebrow, "Oh, it’s Tao Zhenhong’s Protective Charm?"
Guo Lie, having narrowly escaped death, steeled himself, shouted, "Everyone, attack and butcher this old Daoist together!"
Jun Yue Demon King and Lu Junbai said nothing and charged forward.
Seeing the three attacking together, the old Daoist’s eyes flashed with slight anger. He shouted loudly, and a brilliant light shot out from the top of his head. This light fanned out like a screen, dispersing the cloud mist, clearing the flying smoke, revealing a zhang-high Nascent Soul, its golden-yellow essence, face identical to Xiao Muese. With a horsetail whisk in the left hand, a Dharma Plate in the right, riding on clouds and wind, it imposing and majestic, standing above the smoke and mist, looked down and roared like thunder, "A mere few Hua Dan cultivators dare challenge me?"
...(To be continued. If you work, feel free to visit qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)