Chapter 665: Prey

Venerable Qinghe recognized Jiang Fan.Seeing Jiang Fan's empty hands and cold eyes, he said, "You want to die with me?""You're not worthy!"The massive blade flashed like lightning.Jiang Fan gritted his teeth and said, "I can't kill you!""But what about that Nascent Soul cultivator who covets you?"

*Swoosh—*Just as the massive blade was about to strike the two, it suddenly disintegrated. The aura it emitted also rapidly receded back into the cave.Venerable Qinghe urgently demanded, "Who told you this?"It was clear he was both panicked and fearful.Jiang Fan calmly recalled the Five-Magnet Elemental Mountain and said, "Does anyone need to tell me?""Given your strength, you must be hiding from someone formidable.""Who else could it be besides a Nascent Soul cultivator?"

Concubine Yunxia looked at Jiang Fan in surprise."There's another Nascent Soul cultivator on the ground?""And they're looking for Venerable Qinghe?"Jiang Fan said helplessly, "Even we understand that if a Nascent Soul cultivator is alone at this moment, they must be severely wounded and unable to move freely.""How could those old Nascent Soul monsters who fought alongside Venerable Qinghe not know?"The opportunities that cultivators in the Golden Core realm could perceive, the old Nascent Soul monsters understood even more clearly.Furthermore, as these old Nascent Soul monsters fought side by side, they were well aware of each other's injuries. They all had a good idea of how severe each person's injuries were.Venerable Qinghe had been pursued by the ancient giant for many days before receiving support from the Outer Realm Divine Sect. His injuries were probably the most severe.If among this group of old Nascent Soul monsters, there happened to be his enemies, why would they pass up the opportunity to kill him and seize his treasures?Venerable Qinghe also knew he was being targeted, which was why he hid.

Inside the cave, Venerable Qinghe's gaze flickered.He wanted to act, but feared making too much noise and attracting the Nascent Soul cultivator tracking him.If he didn't act, his hiding place would be exposed, and he would still die.Sensing the intermittent danger, Concubine Yunxia's body tensed.The lives of both Jiang Fan and Concubine Yunxia hung on Venerable Qinghe's decision.If he were to attack recklessly, they would be utterly defenseless.Jiang Fan focused his gaze and said, "Senior, what happens between you and other Nascent Soul cultivators has nothing to do with us.""We don't want to get involved, nor can we afford to.""Let's both take a step back.""We won't reveal your whereabouts, and you won't have to act and attract enemies.""How about it?"Venerable Qinghe stared at Jiang Fan. After a moment of thought, he reluctantly accepted the suggestion.A dignified Nascent Soul cultivator, threatened by a junior. How humiliating!He suppressed his anger and said coldly, "You had better keep your word!""Otherwise, if I can't find you, can't I find your origins?"This chilling threat sent a wave of coldness deep into Jiang Fan's eyes.He cupped his hands and said, "Yes, Senior!"Embracing the still-injured Concubine Yunxia, Jiang Fan slowly retreated.

Venerable Qinghe watched them leave with reluctance.With a flick of the Serene Lotus Silk, he moved the ancient giant's severed finger to re-seal the cave entrance, waiting for the next disciple to fall into his trap.Just as the entrance was about to close, a faint, teasing laugh came from the clouds above."So you're hiding here!"Venerable Qinghe's body trembled violently, and he shot a pair of materialized gazes that shattered the clouds, revealing the figure hidden within.It was a middle-aged scholar in a long robe, with a beautiful landscape painting on his back. A faint smile was on his face as he hovered high in the sky."Yan Daoan of the Jiangshan First-Class Pavilion?"Venerable Qinghe said in a deep voice, "Why haven't you left yet?"Yan Daoan slowly descended. He glanced at Jiang Fan and Concubine Yunxia, who had retreated into the distance, and smiled amiably."The two guest elders and more than ten members I brought are all buried here.""I was looking for their whereabouts.""What a coincidence, I didn't find them, but I found you."

From a distance, Jiang Fan's heart pounded twice."This person is Yan Daoan?"West Fei Jue and a group of his pavilion members had died by Jiang Fan's hand. Especially West Fei Jue, whom he had forcibly killed even after Yan Daoan's shouted warning.Concubine Yunxia's heart also began to pound. She felt a little guilty, as the other half of the group had died by her hand.Both of them, feeling guilty, quietly retreated further away.Yan Daoan noticed them. Without turning his head, he said, "The male can leave.""As for that woman, you're from the Silver Fox clan, aren't you?""Such a beautiful Silver Fox of your clan is rare.""You stay. This Vice Pavilion Master will take you to a good place."

Concubine Yunxia's pretty face turned pale."What good place?"Clearly, he intended to sell her as a slave!She bit her lip slightly. She remained rooted to the spot, not daring to make any rash moves. Otherwise, if he dealt with her first, she would have no chance of escape.Seeing that Concubine Yunxia was sensible, Yan Daoan retracted a ball of black energy from his palm. If the woman hadn't been obedient, he wouldn't have minded beating her half to death first.He then focused on dealing with Venerable Qinghe. With his hands behind his back, he landed in front of the mountain cave, a smile on his face."Old Monster Qinghe, you're quite injured, aren't you? Do you need assistance from this Vice Pavilion Master?""I have plenty of excellent healing elixirs here; just say the word if you want them.""There's no need to lure and trap small disciples.""What good elixirs could they possibly have?"

Venerable Qinghe, facing a formidable foe, said in a deep voice, "Vice Pavilion Master Yan, I have no grievances with you.""If you want what I possess, I can give it all to you.""I only ask that you let me go.""I can swear to the heavens that I will never trouble you again.""How about it?"In front of a peer, Venerable Qinghe knew he couldn't hide his injuries. So he decided to be frank.Yan Daoan chuckled. "Venerable Qinghe, you jest.""A living Nascent Soul cultivator is worth far more than anything you possess.""I am a merchant; I wouldn't do something as foolish as picking up sesame seeds and losing watermelons."Venerable Qinghe grew angry. "Yan Daoan!""Haven't you heard that one should not pursue a cornered foe?""If you covet me, you had best first consider how much loss you can withstand!"

Yan Daoan's eyes narrowed. He said flatly, "If even two juniors can control you, would this Vice Pavilion Master chip a tooth?"Before the words were out of his mouth, he suddenly struck!A giant python formed of black mist flew out of his sleeve, instantly burrowing into the cave and biting Venerable Qinghe. Its body rapidly coiled around him, intending to capture him alive."Hmph!""A mere rogue cultivator from a merchant guild dares to show off before an elder of my Myriad Tribulations Sacred Hall?"Venerable Qinghe's expression turned slightly cold. Lightning surged around his body.He roared, "Six Heavenly Thunder Arts: Indestructible Blade!"*Rumble—*A thousand-zhang lightning blade, spanning heaven and earth, slashed down with overwhelming force!*Crack—*The mountain where Venerable Qinghe was hiding was split open, forming a gorge. The black mist python coiling around his body was shattered the instant the lightning blade appeared.The thousand-zhang lightning blade continued its descent, striking fiercely towards Yan Daoan.Yan Daoan's face changed drastically. With a flick of his wrist, he produced a circular disc with considerable spiritual pressure and threw it above his head.*Boom—*The lightning blade struck. The earth rolled, and ravines stretched endlessly. Countless arcs of lightning swept through the surroundings like a storm, charring the ground.Jiang Fan's expression changed. He quickly channeled lightning to create a safe zone around them. Only then did the lightning arc storm bypass the two. Otherwise, they would both have been incinerated by the lightning arcs.A bead of cold sweat appeared on Concubine Yunxia's forehead. She stammered, "He's not hurt?"Jiang Fan looked at the figure wreathed in lightning on the mountainside. His gaze was incredibly solemn.The disc above Yan Daoan's head was covered in terrifying cracks. This spiritual artifact was almost shattered by the lightning blade!He took a deep breath and said in a deep voice, "You're... not hurt!!!"