Chapter 883: Farewell Yunxia

The Mountain and River Cauldron?

Jiang Fan's face showed a strange expression.

"My apologies, Azure Sky Demon Emperor. The Mountain and River Cauldron was actually taken by me."

At that moment, he noticed an elegant figure standing not far behind the Azure Sky Demon Emperor. Her expression was calm, devoid of joy or sorrow.

She was dressed in white clothes as pristine as snow, with two long azure hair ribbons woven into her dark hair. Her beauty was captivating, yet her demeanor was cold and aloof, like an ethereal immortal. Nascent Soul fluctuations surged around her, causing her skirt to flutter, yet she remained utterly serene, as if an observer detached from the chaos.

Jiang Fan's pupils constricted sharply, and his breath hitched. "Concubine Yunxia?"

It had been a long time since he last saw her. She looked even more slender than before, but just as exquisitely beautiful. Suddenly seeing Concubine Yunxia, Jiang Fan's heart began to pound uncontrollably, an irrepressible excitement surging within him.

"Don't try to deny it!" The Nascent Soul expert, hidden within a shroud of sinister energy, let out a cold snort. "You were the one who chased my disciple until he vanished without a trace! If the Mountain and River Cauldron wasn't taken by you, then who took it?"

With these words, the identity of this mysterious expert became obvious: Wang Chongxiao's master, Lord Thousand Corpses!

The Azure Sky Demon Emperor's face darkened. "I'll say this one last time! I didn't! Your disciple is as cunning as that Jiang Fan. I never even caught up to him!"

Indeed, when Wang Chongxiao fled with the Earth Qi Dragon Pearl, the Demon Emperor had pursued him. But the sly boy had tossed the Earth Qi Dragon Pearl aside and slipped into the seabed to hide. He hadn't found him at all.

Lord Thousand Corpses questioned, "Then why is he neither alive nor dead, with no trace of his body? And why did you destroy that Geomancy Pearl, preventing the Tiger Demon Emperor's cave from ever reappearing in the world? Did you secretly put my disciple inside and destroy the evidence?"

The Azure Sky Demon Emperor was furious. "Which bastard stole the Mountain and River Cauldron? Lord Thousand Corpses can't find his man, so he's trying to pin the blame on me? And his reasons are utterly far-fetched! They don't hold water at all. It's as if he's deliberately looking for trouble."

"What exactly do you want? Just say it directly!" the Azure Sky Demon Emperor roared.

Lord Thousand Corpses' eyes flickered. "I hear you have a concubine named Yunxia. If you give this concubine to me, I'll drop the matter of the Mountain and River Cauldron."

Many powerful cultivators from the Great State of Taicang had come this time to investigate the Sky-Connecting Black Pillar. The Azure Sky Demon Emperor had also brought Concubine Yunxia. Her captivating beauty and status as a fox demon had caught the attention of an important figure. That person, conscious of his own status, didn't want to sully his reputation, so he secretly instructed Lord Thousand Corpses to negotiate with the Demon Emperor, hoping to acquire Yunxia. The offered reward was a fifth-grade spirit pill capable of elevating a Nascent Soul by one level!

Lord Thousand Corpses was greatly tempted. He intended to use force to subdue the Azure Sky Demon Emperor and forcibly take Concubine Yunxia, while secretly consuming the fifth-grade spirit pill himself. However, the Azure Sky Demon Emperor's strength was exceptionally formidable; he seemed on the verge of breaking through to the Two-Aperture Demon Emperor realm and was not easily coerced.

"I knew you were after my woman!" the Azure Sky Demon Emperor roared furiously. "Never!" Concubine Yunxia was his deepest vulnerability! No one was allowed to touch her!

Lord Thousand Corpses' face darkened. "You refuse reason, you'll face force!"

The two resumed their fierce battle.

Jiang Fan's gaze turned slightly cold. So, they were after Concubine Yunxia!

With a thought, he activated the ability of his Thousand Illusions Hairpin, disguising himself as Lord Evil Eye. Then, he struck without mercy, firing a powerful crossbow bolt at Lord Thousand Corpses, who was deep in battle.

*Bang!*

How could Lord Thousand Corpses anticipate a sneak attack? He hastily mobilized a large number of ghouls to try and block the strike. The Azure Sky Demon Emperor was slightly startled but quickly seized the opportunity, unleashing his innate divine ability.

Caught in a pincer attack, Lord Thousand Corpses finally took a hit and was sent flying. Dozens of his hundreds of ghouls were damaged.

"Who is it?!" Lord Thousand Corpses angrily roared.

Jiang Fan stood on the mountain peak, looking down. "I am Lord Evil Eye. I cannot stand your shameless behavior! Prepare to die!"

He then summoned the Northern Sea Divine Artifact, the Nine Dragon Bronze Chariot. After pouring a conch-shell full of water essence into it, the chariot instantly grew several *zhang* in size. Jiang Fan leaped inside and bellowed, "Dragon Soul!"

*Roar!*

A colossal, transparent dragon shadow, a thousand *zhang* long and radiating a formidable aura, suddenly appeared above the bronze chariot. As the Nine Dragon Bronze Chariot soared through the air and dived down, the dragon shadow viciously assailed Lord Thousand Corpses.

Seeing this, the Azure Sky Demon Emperor was overjoyed. He cupped his hands and said, "Many thanks, Fellow Daoist Evil Eye!" He then collaborated with the dragon shadow, relentlessly bombarding Lord Thousand Corpses.

Lord Thousand Corpses was not yet strong enough to fight two powerful opponents at once. Before long, he was injured by the dragon shadow and began spitting blood. The Azure Sky Demon Emperor was ecstatic, intending to take the opportunity to finish him off.

However, Jiang Fan withdrew the dragon shadow. "Considering we are both from sects in the Great State of Taicang, this is just a small lesson for you."

If he were to actually kill Lord Thousand Corpses, the items on his person would not fall into Jiang Fan's hands. They would all benefit the Azure Sky Demon Emperor! And he himself would have wasted precious water essence for nothing. He had more important matters to attend to now.

"Azure Sky Demon Emperor, I've helped you this far; the rest is up to you. I'll help you escort Concubine Yunxia away from the battlefield."

The Azure Sky Demon Emperor was greatly disappointed, but he could understand. They were all from the Great State of Taicang and would inevitably cross paths again. It was already remarkable that someone would intervene in an injustice. The only thing that bothered him was that the other party wanted to take Concubine Yunxia away. However, upon reflection, Concubine Yunxia was Lord Thousand Corpses' target. She was in great danger here, and it wasn't a bad thing for a kind person to take her away first. At worst, he could finish the fight quickly and find them later.

"Then I thank you, Fellow Daoist Evil Eye."

Jiang Fan no longer hesitated. He steered the bronze chariot to Concubine Yunxia's side, extended his hand from the carriage, and said, "Concubine Yunxia, please."

Concubine Yunxia gave him a fleeting glance and gently shook her head, showing no intention of getting on. She remained quietly standing in place, as cold and aloof as an immortal from the heavens.

That was until the voice that had haunted her dreams echoed in her mind.

"So aloof. Not even acknowledging your husband."

Concubine Yunxia trembled as if struck by lightning, her beautiful eyes widening. She stared in disbelief at the outstretched hand.

She tentatively replied in her mind, "Jiang… Jiang Fan?"

In her mind, she received a softly smiling reply: "Aren't you getting on?"

Concubine Yunxia was overjoyed. She was thrilled to encounter Jiang Fan here! She was shocked by how bold Jiang Fan was, daring to take her away right under the Demon Emperor's nose!

Without further hesitation, she grasped Jiang Fan's hand and was pulled into the Nine Dragon Bronze Chariot. With the green dragon leading the way, a majestic and grand bronze chariot soared into the distance.

The Demon Emperor watched the bronze chariot disappear in his peripheral vision, feeling somewhat relieved. His gaze sharpened as he looked at the injured Lord Thousand Corpses.

The latter, however, was burning with anxiety, wanting to pursue the bronze chariot.

"Still trying to leave?" The Demon Emperor sneered, blocking his path. "Don't worry, I won't let you hinder them!"