Chapter Eighteen: Accompanying Once More

A Nether Star Envoy collapsed, the vital energy within him dispersing completely. Shi Yan circled his fallen foe three times, feeling his own acupoints fill once more with a strange and potent energy.

Brandishing his dagger, a dusky black aura shrouded Shi Yan as he darted among the remaining three Nether Star Envoys, weaving with blinding speed to avoid their attacks while leaving shallow cuts upon each of them.

All three envoys had fallen victim to the "Bone-Eroding Powder," their limbs gradually losing strength, their movements slowing. Beset by Shi Yan’s relentless assault, the trio stood in a desperate triangular formation, barely managing to defend themselves.

Shi Yan’s expression remained indifferent as he flitted past like a wraith, his dagger flashing with cold, lethal brilliance.

A guttural howl broke from one envoy as Shi Yan’s blade found his back, drawing a cry of pain and a curse, “Kill this brat first!”

The other two envoys nodded grimly, abandoning Zhao Xin, Di Yalan, and Hu Long to focus their full strength. With a sudden surge of energy, each unleashed a rainbow-hued beam from their palms.

The beams, like living ribbons, responded to their will, homing in on Shi Yan with the tenacity of arrows.

“Be careful! This is the ‘Dark Nether’ clan’s ‘Nether King’s Spear’!” Mu Yudie cried out. “Don’t let any image of them linger in your mind, or the spears will pursue you relentlessly!”

A strange light flashed in Shi Yan’s eyes. He immediately retreated, forcibly banishing all thoughts of attacking the envoys from his mind, restoring emptiness to his consciousness.

Deprived of their target, the three “Nether King’s Spears” abruptly veered off, streaking into the distant grass and exploding with a crackling blast that sent shredded blades flying.

“Damn it!” One envoy swore, preparing to unleash another secret art.

At that moment, Zhao Xin, having inhaled from a medicinal pouch, began to recover from the effects of the poison. Seeing the envoy about to act, he rushed forward.

With a flick of his wrists, Zhao Xin’s arms snaked out like vipers, twisting in impossible angles with a sizzling sound as he closed in, his limbs coiling with uncanny dexterity around the envoy.

“Hu Long!” Mu Yudie called, tossing a medicine pouch, which Hu Long caught and inhaled greedily before charging into battle.

With Zhao Xin and Hu Long joining the fray, the pressure on Shi Yan vanished. The two, now detoxified, would only grow stronger, while the envoys, weakened by the Bone-Eroding Powder, would soon be helpless—doomed to die by Zhao Xin and Hu Long’s hands.

“Di Yalan, stay out of the fight. Take the pouch to Uncle Luo,” Mu Yudie commanded, seeing Di Yalan, after a dose of the antidote, was about to join the melee.

Di Yalan instantly understood, saying nothing as she raced toward Luo Hao.

Shi Yan ceased his attacks and strolled unhurriedly to Mu Yudie’s side, his face calm and composed. Yet, his gaze lingered on Di Yalan.

Di Yalan’s hair was a deep chestnut, her skin bronzed, and she wore only a scant set of dark red armor that covered her ample chest, the valley of her hips, and her shapely rear. Her taut, muscular abdomen and long, smooth legs were left completely bare.

Her face was merely above average, but her figure was nothing short of spectacular—her wild attire exuding a primal allure that stirred a man’s deepest desires.

Standing beside Mu Yudie, Shi Yan’s gaze never left Di Yalan, his admiration utterly unconcealed.

“Do you like what you see?” Mu Yudie arched an elegant brow, a trace of displeasure in her hum.

Shi Yan snapped out of his reverie, grinned, and replied frankly, “What man wouldn’t be interested in a beauty as striking as her?”

Mu Yudie’s eyes sparkled as she studied him for a long moment, then covered her mouth with a laugh. “You speak amusingly, but how old are you really? Do you even qualify as a man?”

Shi Yan paused, remembering that the body he now inhabited was only seventeen years old—and, having grown thin and gaunt, appeared no older than fourteen or fifteen in the eyes of others.

A youth so tender, claiming to be a man and speaking of matters so unbecoming for his age—indeed, it was rather odd.

Shaking his head with a wry smile, he offered no explanation, instead pretending to wander idly a few steps closer to where Zhao Xin and Hu Long fought.

A tortured scream sounded—one envoy, blood pouring from his mouth, was struck down by Zhao Xin’s “Heaven Serpent Transformation,” his heart and lungs shattered by the hidden force. He swayed a moment, then fell dead.

Shi Yan stepped forward, feeling the deceased’s lingering vital energy flow into him in a way only he could sense. As that energy infused him, his eyes darkened with murderous intent, and a violent, bloodthirsty urge began to surge within.

He understood that until he purified this newly absorbed energy, such impulses would continue to plague him.

After his experience with Karu, he was prepared for this.

He noticed that since breaking through to the Innate Realm, his acupoints could absorb the essence of two such foes without overwhelming his mind—he could now restrain his bloodlust, retaining his sanity.

This, he realized, must be the benefit of advancing his cultivation. Previously, when he was at the Acquired Realm and Karu was Innate, the disparity made the residual negative energy nearly uncontrollable. Now, with equal footing, the risk was much diminished.

“After them!” Zhao Xin barked, setting off with Hu Long in pursuit of the fleeing envoy.

“Don’t! We must leave at once!” Luo Hao, seeing even the Nether Moon Envoy retreating, called out sharply, preventing Zhao Xin and Hu Long from giving chase.

“Uncle Luo, why?” Zhao Xin asked, perplexed.

Luo Hao took a deep breath of the medicinal aroma, then said urgently, “More are coming—another team from ‘Dark Nether’ no doubt. If the two squads join forces, it will be too late to escape. Remember, our goal is not to kill as many of them as possible, but to protect Little Die at all costs!”

Zhao Xin paled at the news, nodding hastily.

With no time to waste, Luo Hao, still recovering, strode over, grabbed Mu Yudie, and said to Shi Yan, “Young man, thank you for your help. But this affair does not concern you. There’s no need for you to suffer with us. It’s best we part ways here.”

“I still owe Miss Mu my life.”

Shi Yan seemed entirely unconcerned about how dangerous the “Dark Nether” clan truly was. He smiled serenely. “To repay a drop of kindness with a spring—how much more when one’s life is saved? I am a man who pays his debts: an injury, I repay tenfold; a kindness, I repay tenfold as well. Let me accompany you a while longer. I hope I can be of help.”

“A true man!” Hu Long praised.

Fiery Di Yalan’s eyes danced with mischief. She giggled, “You little rascal! Not only are you bold in desire, but you have a brave heart as well! You stared at me for quite a while—I was going to settle accounts with you later. But after hearing this, I’ll let you off.”

“You—” Mu Yudie was taken aback, not expecting Shi Yan to be so stubborn. A faint warmth bloomed in her heart.

“If you insist, then I won’t dissuade you further,” Luo Hao nodded, taking Mu Yudie by the hand and breaking into a run.

Zhao Xin and the others hurried after. Shi Yan drew a deep breath and followed.

...

Mo Chaoge led a group of Mo Clan warriors swiftly through the forest. Suddenly, he halted, his expression grave as several “Dark Nether” envoys emerged before them.

The Nether Moon Envoy of “Dark Nether” also paused, his gaze wary as he studied Mo Chaoge’s party, uncertain of their identity and suspecting they might be allied with Luo Hao.

“Uncle...” Mo Yanyu whispered. She sensed the danger in these strangers and tried to warn Mo Chaoge to be cautious.

Face dark, Mo Chaoge met the Nether Moon Envoy’s eyes. After a long silence, he spoke first: “We are pursuing a gaunt youth with a pack on his back, about fifteen or sixteen years old. He alone is our target; we mean no offense to you.”

The Nether Moon Envoy relaxed inwardly. The Bone-Eroding Powder was already taking effect; at barely a third of his usual strength, he dared not provoke Mo Chaoge.

After Mo Chaoge finished, the envoy’s eyes flickered. He replied in a cold, sinister tone, “I’ve seen that youth—he’s with the very group we’re after.”

“May I ask, where is he now?” Mo Chaoge inquired politely.

He had no idea the envoy was poisoned; the chilling aura alone told him this man was not to be trifled with, so he showed no arrogance.

“That way,” the envoy indicated, voice icy. “Be warned: the boy is not formidable, but among his companions is a warrior at the First Heaven of a Hundred Tribulations, one who possesses a martial soul of tenfold gravity. Not so easy to handle.”

“First Heaven of a Hundred Tribulations...” Mo Chaoge frowned slightly, then nodded. “Thank you for the warning.”

“We’re moving out!” he called, leading the Mo Clan warriors on at a brisk pace.

“They must be at the Hundred Tribulations stage as well,” the Nether Moon Envoy muttered darkly after they left, a cruel smile twisting his lips. “That meddling brat—once I recover, I’ll grind his bones to dust!”

...