Chapter 1104: Struggle

Jiang Fan seemed to sense something. His smile faded, and he turned to see Venerable Xin Nie’s figure come into view.

He immediately felt a suffocating dread, as if enveloped by a shadow of death that filled him with primal fear. Despite having mentally prepared himself to face Venerable Xin Nie again, the actual encounter still brought an uncontrollable surge of tension. Especially the opponent’s eyes, which seemed to want to devour him, sent shivers down his spine, as if plunging him into an icy cellar. This feeling was identical to his first encounter with Venerable Xie Ya!

He now realized that when facing a peak-level Soul Transformation Venerable brimming with killing intent, he might not even get a chance to use the small black stone carving. His killing intent might have just arisen, only for the opponent to obliterate him first.

The entire bustling market, due to Venerable Xin Nie’s sudden and unannounced appearance, reacted like a pot of boiling water into which a massive block of ice had been dropped. Centered around Venerable Xin Nie, it quickly fell into a dead silence. In the blink of an eye, it was so quiet that only the whoosh of the wind could be heard.

Jiang Fan suppressed his fear, determined not to reveal his nervousness, and bowed, saying, "Disciple Jiang Fan greets Master Xin Nie!"

In the vast market, Jiang Fan's not-so-loud words echoed with unusual clarity.

Venerable Xin Nie observed Jiang Fan with slightly lowered eyelids. There was no emotion in his gaze—neither coldness nor killing intent. Yet, it exerted a suffocating pressure on Jiang Fan. He slowly spoke, his voice hoarse: "My good disciple, you have certainly made it difficult for your master by keeping such secrets!"

Jiang Fan's heart trembled, further confirming that Venerable Xin Nie must have obtained some evidence, making him certain that Jiang Fan was the practitioner of Voidflow Lightning Energy. His heart churned with turmoil, but outwardly, he remained composed, saying, "Master, have I done something wrong? I humbly request your clear guidance."

Venerable Xin Nie chuckled, his smile containing suppressed anger and coldness. "Since your master has come to you, you should understand that you can no longer hide. How much longer will you deny it?"

Wei Wuji stepped forward from behind, scoffing, "Jiang Fan, stop acting! The Venerable already knows you're the Voidflow Lightning Energy practitioner!"

Wei Wuji? Why was he with Venerable Xin Nie? Recalling that Venerable Xin Nie had previously visited the New Heavenly Secret Pavilion, Jiang Fan's eyes turned cold. Had Wei Wuji led him there? Given Venerable Xin Nie's ruthless nature, the Heavenly Secret Pavilion would not have remained unharmed without Venerable Zhen Yan presiding, which made Xin Nie wary. Wei Wuji clearly intended to seek revenge on him and those close to him! That damned fellow! He should have killed him with one sword strike back in the East Sea!

Suppressing his killing intent, Jiang Fan said in a deep voice, "Master, I know you are searching for Voidflow Lightning Energy practitioners throughout Taicang Great Prefecture. These past days, I have diligently helped you search for suspicious individuals. I never expected you to suspect me." He let out a helpless sigh.

Wei Wuji felt Jiang Fan's killing intent, and his heart chilled. He became even more resolute in his desire to kill Jiang Fan. "I told you, stop acting. You can't deceive your way out of this! Venerable, whether he has cultivated Voidflow Lightning Energy can be known with a simple test!"

Venerable Xin Nie quietly observed Jiang Fan. The Heavenly Secret Elder's divination, "far away yet right before your eyes," echoed in his mind. Besides Jiang Fan, he couldn't think of anyone else.

"In this life, I hate nothing more than those who deceive me," Xin Nie said. "If it truly is you, do not blame this old man for making you beg for death but unable to find it!" His voice suddenly turned icy, filled with boundless killing intent. The Voidflow Lightning Energy practitioner he sought had become his registered disciple. How incredibly ironic was that?

Jiang Fan lowered his head and sighed, "Disciple has nothing more to say. Master, whether you wish to kill or torture me, I am at your mercy."

Venerable Xin Nie was not swayed by his words. With a slight tap of his foot, immense pressure enveloped Jiang Fan. *Crack.* The powerful force caused the bluestone bricks under Jiang Fan's feet to sink rapidly. His body trembled violently under the suppression, almost forcing him to his knees. His various internal powers surged out uncontrollably: Nascent Soul power, soul power, and physical strength. The thunder core, fire core, and poison core in his abdomen also manifested one after another. However, there was absolutely no sign of Voidflow Lightning Energy.

Venerable Xin Nie's cold, aged face slightly stiffened. None? A flicker of confusion crossed his mind. Could he have found the wrong person?

Wei Wuji was also stunned! It wasn't Jiang Fan after all? Then, wouldn't Jiang Fan escape this ordeal? And afterward, wouldn't he seek revenge on him? Realizing this, he urgently exclaimed, "Venerable, he must be hiding it. Try again."

Venerable Xin Nie regained his composure and decisively amplified the pressure several times. Jiang Fan's body swayed, and the sudden, immense pressure made him involuntarily spit out a mouthful of blood. His legs trembled uncontrollably, and he nearly collapsed to his knees.

Even so, no Voidflow Lightning Energy appeared within him. "What's going on?" "Could the Heavenly Secret Elder's divination have been mistaken?" Venerable Xin Nie's expression changed completely. Jiang Fan, whom he had been so certain was the one, was not the practitioner of Voidflow Lightning Energy? How could this be? Besides Jiang Fan, no one else fit the divination's description more accurately!

Wei Wuji gritted his teeth. This outcome, for him, was akin to the sky collapsing. The terrifying image of Jiang Fan splitting the East Sea with a single sword made his scalp crawl. Jiang Fan would definitely kill him. Absolutely! He couldn't let him live!

His eyes flashed with coldness. He said, "Venerable! Better to kill an innocent than let a guilty one go! Even if it's not him, he's still highly suspicious! Suspicion is the original sin!"

Venerable Xin Nie regained his senses. He looked coldly at Jiang Fan, killing intent emanating from his eyes. Indeed, though there was no concrete evidence, Jiang Fan was highly suspicious! Killing him would be no mistake!

Jiang Fan glared coldly at Wei Wuji: "Hypocrite! If I, Jiang Fan, survive, I will surely kill you!"

Wei Wuji, intimidated by Jiang Fan's stare, hastily urged, "Venerable, act quickly to eliminate future troubles once and for all!"

Venerable Xin Nie was utterly ruthless and wasted no words. A soul-destroying wave of light shot from his eyes. Jiang Fan's heart violently shook. It was just as he had expected; merely transferring the Voidflow Lightning Energy might not guarantee his survival!

Fortunately, this place was the White Horse Temple! There was one person who would not stand by and watch him die. "Bodhisattva Tian Ting! If you don't act now, this junior will perish!" he shouted loudly.

Despite the considerable distance to the White Horse Temple, Bodhisattva Tian Ting, who listened to the sounds of all living beings, had already heard his plea.

At this critical moment, a resonant Buddhist chant emanated from deep within the White Horse Temple. "This child has a connection with my Buddha. Venerable Xin Nie, please put down your butcher's knife."

The Buddhist chant contained a powerful will. Even Venerable Xin Nie's surging killing intent was forcibly suppressed under this will. His aged body trembled slightly, and he looked towards the White Horse Temple with apprehension. Clearly, the Bodhisattva's intervention had somewhat startled him.

"Such profound Buddhist dharma, even I cannot escape its influence!" He looked back at Jiang Fan, his eyes filled with doubt and surprise. Bodhisattva Tian Ting was actually protecting Jiang Fan? So, should he kill or not kill?