Chapter 53: Han Elder

**Chapter 53: Elder Han**

Green light flickered. Twelve green wooden swords, steeped in serpent blood, seemed to come alive, as if absorbing the vital essence. Their bodies grew increasingly translucent, losing their rustic quality and gaining a polished sheen, resembling green jade swords. However, the light they emitted was strangely eerie, a ghostly emerald glow, somewhat like will-o'-the-wisps. Finally, with several soft swooshing sounds, they swiftly flew back and re-entered Elder Han's emaciated body.

Holding a green wooden ruler, he walked forward to the blood-soaked ground. With a gentle tap, he dislodged the jade horn. Then, he rummaged through the serpent's carcass and extracted a massive, bloody gallbladder. With bird-like talons, he crushed the gallbladder, squeezed the bile into his mouth, and finally, even put the entire sac into his mouth, chewed it, and swallowed.

“Alas, though it is bitter, for this body of mine, which is rapidly losing its vitality, it is a truly potent tonic. The gallbladder of a serpent spirit is not common,” he murmured, his voice eerie and chilling. Even Li Lin and Li Yun felt their hair stand on end.

Following this, he used extraordinary methods to refine the serpent's blood, venom, and other components, wasting not a single bit. Finally, he gathered all the materials into a green light, and they vanished in the blink of an eye.

“You few are far too audacious, daring to come all the way here,” Elder Han said, his hair dishevelled and his face obscured. Yet, one could imagine his grim expression from the coldness in his voice. “Not even masters with flowing divine power dare to venture easily into the depths of the ruins, let alone you.”

“Uncle, I know I was wrong,” Han Feiyu lowered his head, not daring to offer any defense, seemingly terrified of Elder Han. Li Lin and Li Yun also bowed their heads, not daring to look at the old man before them.

“Although you possess a bit of cunning, trying to sneak in while the fierce beasts and birds were fleeing, you forgot one thing: in this world, everything relies on strength. Without reaching an absolute height, even small schemes are utterly useless.” Elder Han's tone softened slightly as he continued, “A drastic change has occurred deep within the ruins. Even I must proceed with caution, or my life will be in peril. Now, leave at once, and on no account return.”

“Yes!”

Although the three agreed, they did not leave immediately. Their eyes swept towards Ye Fan and Pang Bo, revealing undisguised murderous intent.

“Still not leaving!” Although Elder Han’s dishevelled hair obscured his face, two piercing lights shot out from between his strands, instantly sending an icy chill down the three individuals’ spines. They dared not linger any longer and quickly walked into the forest.

Elder Han walked towards Ye Fan and Pang Bo. His body was as withered as dead wood, and his black robes seemed draped over a short bamboo pole. Coupled with his dishevelled white hair, his entire presence was sinister and terrifying. He drifted forward like a phantom, making no sound, his feet seemingly not touching the ground, exuding an aura of death.

Ye Fan and Pang Bo immediately tensed up. This gaunt old man was too sinister. They felt their scalps tingle. Now that they were no longer within the Spirit Void Sect, if he were to seize them for alchemy, they would have no one to turn to.

Elder Han, still not touching the ground, arrived closer. The cold laughter emanating from his mouth sounded like an owl's cry, making one's hair stand on end; it was hardly the sound of a living person.

“To escape from the Jade Horned Serpent and gather the Jade Serpent Orchid, excellent!” He nodded repeatedly, staring at Ye Fan and Pang Bo, two sinister lights shooting from his white hair as he scrutinized them both.

The two felt uncomfortable being praised like this. Especially upon hearing him say “excellent,” it didn't feel like a compliment on their performance, but rather an inspection of their bodies. Ye Fan and Pang Bo felt a chill run down their spines. This Elder Han, who resembled an old ghost, was nearing the end of his lifespan and was attempting to refine a Rejuvenation Pill. His gaze, fixed on them, was truly bone-chilling.

“Greetings, Elder Han.”

Ye Fan and Pang Bo stepped forward to pay their respects. There was no way to escape now; the other party could travel on divine rainbows and catch up instantly.

“You seem to be afraid of me. There’s no need for that. In fact, I quite like young people, especially those full of vigor and vitality.” Elder Han’s voice was low and hoarse. He took a few steps forward, glanced at Pang Bo, and then his gaze settled on Ye Fan, incredibly intense, as if he were examining his own possessions.

Ye Fan almost threw a punch directly, and Pang Bo, unable to hold back, was about to make a move. But at that very moment, Elder Han suddenly patted Ye Fan’s shoulder lightly, then drifted backward like a phantom, thus leaving the two.

“I have high hopes for you. Cultivate diligently from now on.” His words were weak and lifeless. In a blink, he vanished from their sight, flying towards the depths of the ruins.

“What did that old geezer mean?” Pang Bo looked puzzled. He had expected Elder Han to attack, but instead, he simply left.

“That old bastard…” Ye Fan’s expression was not good. He cursed under his breath, “That blatant gaze was utterly undisguised, completely brazen. He seemed to regard me as his personal property. Damn him, I curse him to die trapped in the depths of the ruins!”

Pang Bo suggested, “Let’s get out of here quickly, the further the better, before that old geezer makes his move.”

“Fleeing or not, it’s the same. He didn’t attack directly, certainly out of consideration for Elder Wu Qingfeng. But judging by his demeanor, he seems to have everything under control. I wonder what he truly intends to do…”

In the distant forest, Han Feiyu was completely baffled. He had expected his uncle to directly seize Ye Fan for alchemy, but to his surprise, he merely paused for a moment before drifting away. Li Lin and Li Yun, meanwhile, were gritting their teeth. Seeing that Elder Han had departed, they conferred in low whispers, wanting to go and end Ye Fan and Pang Bo’s lives directly.

“Pang Bo is a celestial seedling; he most likely carries a mark left by Elder Wu Qingfeng. If we kill them, it would probably be immediately discovered that we did it.” Ultimately, the three departed resentfully, suppressing their murderous intent and refraining from action.

Just then, a divine rainbow streaked across the sky, heading towards the depths of the ruins.

“It’s Elder Wu Qingfeng,” Ye Fan and Pang Bo exchanged glances, their faces showing delight.

At this moment, the depths of the ruins were undoubtedly dangerous, but instead of retreating, Ye Fan and Pang Bo chose to press onward.

“We won't go into the very deepest part of the ruins. We'll search the next deepest area; perhaps we can find a few spiritual herbs similar to the Jade Serpent Orchid.” The two believed that the primary danger was concentrated in the deepest part of the ruins, where astonishing changes had occurred, while other areas should be relatively safe.

The forest was quiet. After walking another dozen li, Ye Fan and Pang Bo saw numerous foundation stones and rubble. The vegetation could not entirely conceal these ruins. During this process, they finally confirmed that not all fierce birds and savage beasts had fled. In several areas, they observed powerful creatures, no weaker than the Jade Horned Serpent, all half-hidden in caves, restless and anxious.

“Thump.”

Just then, a muffled sound echoed again from the depths of the ruins. Ye Fan and Pang Bo felt an immediate tremor in their hearts, as if something had clutched their hearts, causing a sharp pain. Even though their physiques far surpassed ordinary people's, they still felt discomfort, stumbling back a few steps before regaining their balance. Their faces paled, and both felt a sense of dread.

“What exactly is that thing…”

“Have you noticed that the intervals between these muffled sounds are getting shorter?”

Not only that, but they also felt an incredibly vast surge of vital energy emanating from the depths of the ruins.

“What are your thoughts?” Pang Bo asked.

Ye Fan shook his head. “I have a rather absurd thought: it feels like some powerful creature, after sleeping for countless ages, is slowly awakening.”

Pang Bo looked surprised. “You’re not suggesting that muffled sound is its heartbeat, are you?”

Just then, piercing sounds ripped through the air ceaselessly. More than a dozen divine rainbows streaked across the sky one after another, rushing towards the depths of the ruins.