CHAPTER 465: CHAPTER 98: MYSTERIOUS ORIGINS_2

As soon as the words were spoken, the green tunneling light spun several more times, then darted behind a distant peak and vanished completely out of sight.

Zhang Yan gazed for a moment and raised his hand before him, furrowing his brows slightly.

When he dispersed the green Xuan Guang earlier, he felt as though thousands of needles pierced between his palm and fingers. Initially, there was a faint numbing itch, but it quickly became almost imperceptible.

He raised his other hand and swiped across his arm, creating a wound with turned-up flesh. Then, with a flick of his Mysterious Skill, two strands of green energy, like living creatures and roughly finger-length, were forced out. Clenching his fist, the wound instantly healed as if it had never existed.

He could sense that this object, once inside the body, slowly devoured blood and Essence. Had he not promptly detected it, it would have turned into a grave affliction over time.

Fortunately, his cultivation focused on Ancient Demon Techniques, unlike conventional Power Cultivation methods that rely on external medicine. His fleshly body’s pure refinement surpassed anyone among his peers, tolerating no outside substances. This allowed him to notice the abnormality swiftly.

This strand of Xuan Guang was eerily unpredictable and nearly impossible to guard against. If an ordinary cultivator were invaded by this, they might not even realize they’d been ambushed, making it clear these methods did not align with the ways of the Xuanmen Proper Sect.

Still, such techniques seemed oddly familiar. Zhang Yan remained in place, pondering, but found himself unable to uncover any clues.

He shook his head—if he couldn’t think of it, there was no need to dwell. At present, seeking the Ganoderma Ancestor was the priority; all else could be set aside. If he encountered this individual again, another battle would simply ensue.

His gaze flickered slightly, and with a shift of his steps, he headed back to his Cave Mansion.

The green-clothed youth traveled on his tunneling light, slowing his pace after traversing a hundred miles. Reaching towards his shoulder, he felt throbbing pain and couldn’t help grimacing—although he had shielded himself with the Xuan Guang earlier, he had still been struck by Zhang Yan. While not severely injured, his bones had fractured, and his muscles were torn.

He let out a small groan, retrieving a stalk of One Qi Ganoderma from his sleeve. Opening his mouth, he swallowed it and started rubbing his shoulder. In but a brief moment, the injuries there had completely healed.

He licked his lips, musing inwardly: "This body is utterly frail and weak. Combined with the array’s suppression, I can barely wield even a fraction of my true strength. However, if I manage to consume a few more stalks of high-grade medicinal ginseng, Li Yuanba may not prove to be my match after all. Very well, for now, avoiding him is the wisest course until my plans are fulfilled..."

While deep in thought, Hou Sanlang had been quietly observing his expression. At last, he cautiously ventured, "Venerable, why did you refrain from killing him earlier?"

The green-clothed youth snorted and glanced sideways at Hou Sanlang, his bright black-and-white eyes shooting out a pair of cold beams that pierced straight to the soul. Hou Sanlang’s body shuddered under this gaze and fell silent at once.

The green-clothed youth saw his reaction and chuckled a low laugh. "You ask why I didn’t deal with him? Very well—I’ll tell you. That Li Yuanba’s Daoist cultivation is not shallow. I pity the difficulty of his cultivation journey and desire to bring him under my command. That’s why I feigned defeat earlier and took the opportunity to meddle with him. Judging by his cultivation level, my influence won’t manifest yet, but in a year or so, without me even urging it, he’ll willingly come to serve."

Hou Sanlang, hearing these words, couldn’t help but recall the strange techniques this youth had employed on himself. He felt secretly resentful, but his face betrayed nothing as he flattered obsequiously, "The Lord acts with unerring precision, ensuring victory in every move."

The green-clothed youth seemed to relish this flattery, bursting into laughter and said, "That’s not entirely incorrect. Dealing with disciples from those Shi, Yan, and Wu clans—I wasn’t entirely sure of success. I thought I’d need a few more months to prepare. Yet now that you’ve gifted me this Dharma Treasure, I have no need to worry about such petty rivals anymore."

Hou Sanlang’s face stiffened. This Dharma Treasure originally belonged to the Xiao Clan and was lent to the Hou Family for use. His intent had been to leverage the treasure to find a high-grade medicinal mushroom in Qingcun Mountain. But who would have expected that, in a careless moment, this youth’s Xuan Guang invaded his body? To save his life, Hou Sanlang was forced to surrender the treasure willingly. Remembering this brought fresh pain to his heart.

The green-clothed youth’s laughter echoed unabashedly into the distance, attracting the attention of a Spirit Light passing nearby. The light shifted direction and flew swiftly toward them, eventually halting before their eyes to reveal a tall, broad-foreheaded middle-aged scholar clad in a black robe with a long beard. The man wielded a chilling short sword, still stained red with fresh blood—a clear indicator that he had recently killed. At this moment, he was staring at them with hostility.

Hou Sanlang’s eyes widened in recognition, and he glanced at the green-clothed youth beside him, noticing the latter’s expression of amusement. Seeing the youth’s unwillingness to speak, Hou Sanlang coughed lightly and stepped forward, saying, "Might I be addressing Brother Wu, Wu Lan, in person?"

The middle-aged scholar frowned, scanning him up and down, "You recognize me?"

Hou Sanlang hurriedly replied, "I am a disciple of the Kang Yin Hou Family. Previously, at the banquet by the Lotus Pond, I accompanied my clan elder and saw you from afar—your gracious demeanor remains vivid in my memory."

"Ah, a member of the Hou Family." Wu Lan’s expression softened slightly as he slung the short sword over his back. In a deep voice, he asked, "Why are you still in this area? Did you not see the flying book message sent by my Wu Clan? The Nine-Headed Peak is exclusive to Wu Clan members now—anyone else gathering herbs here risks opposing the Wu Clan!"

Were it anyone else, Wu Lan would have struck without hesitation instead of bothering to talk. Yet, though the Hou Family wasn’t a Great Clan, it had nearly a millennium’s lineage and belonged to the Xuanmen Family. Their elders shared a certain camaraderie, compelling Wu Lan to show restraint.

Hou Sanlang quickly replied, "I’ve only just arrived here and didn’t notice the notice."

Wu Lan flicked his sleeve, his face cold. "Now that you’re aware, leave at once!"

At this moment, the green-clothed youth let out a sly chuckle, his pupils flickering with a strange light. Stroking the back of his hand, he said, "Oh? So, does that mean only your Wu Clan remains on Nine-Headed Mountain?"

...

...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)