Chapter 090: The Full Act

He had never been a good person, just as when he had saved Qiao Yueru. If he hadn’t harbored the intention to rob that Nascent Soul cultivator, he would never have first joined forces with Qiao Yueru to severely wound that cultivator. Save someone? That was merely Qiao Yueru’s own idea.

In this world, apart from his mother, only Yan Shu had ever made him truly want to save someone.

Watching the great trees in the distance being uprooted one after another, watching the earth dragon lower and raise its head, a glint of coldness flickered in Xiao Jihan’s phoenix eyes. Human hearts are always greedy; with fortune right before their eyes, these few would never crush their jade tokens and leave unless absolutely forced to. In other words, even if they did not die, they would be gravely injured.

That woman who claimed to care for him, who asserted she had come for his sake, ended up shirking and leaving him alone outside—a true liar!

But it did not matter; he decided to forgive her this once. Still, she needed a lesson. When all this was over and they left the secret realm, she would regret not coming in with him.

She was the one who had first provoked him—whether she sought his heart’s blood to take him as a disciple or coveted him for himself, giving her sincerity time and again, sacrificing everything to save him. Since she had chosen to covet him, since she set her sights on him, her heart should not say one thing and do another, promising to come for him and stay by his side, yet acting contrary to her word.

It was she who started it heedlessly, but as for when it would end, that was no longer up to her. So long as he was not weary of her—whether her sincerity was real or a ploy—she had to remain at his side. Otherwise, she should not blame him for destroying everything she cherished, for keeping her caged close, locked in his grasp.

Having sorted through his recent chaotic thoughts, Xiao Jihan felt a rare clarity. A faint smile gradually appeared on his lips as he watched the distant commotion.

Unlike Xiao Jihan’s leisure, Sun Changfeng, Meng Yu, and the others were in dire straits. This earth dragon, whether in size, defense, or offensive power, was not something they could match. The earth dragon was clearly blocking their path; whenever one of them tried to sneak past while the others distracted it, no matter how hard they tried, the earth dragon would immediately turn and attack the one attempting to slip by.

They had fought the earth dragon for a long time, but hadn’t left a single wound on it, while their own spiritual power was mostly spent, and they were in a sorry state.

What was most terrifying was that the earth dragon fought with increasing ferocity, each attack more savage than the last. If this continued, they had only two choices: fall here, or crush their jade tokens and leave.

No, there was a third option.

Taking advantage of the gap as Pang Feiyan and Meng Yu attacked the earth dragon, Qiu Shuoran darted to Sun Changfeng’s side and whispered, “Master, this won’t do.”

Sun Changfeng nodded slightly and replied in a low voice, “Let Meng Yu and Pang Feiyan hold the front. You and I should conserve our strength. When the two of them are completely spent, we’ll coordinate to lure the earth dragon back!”

Qiu Shuoran’s eyes lit up. “Master, you mean—?”

Sun Changfeng sneered, “Isn’t Xiao Jihan still behind us?”

“He’s so timid, he’s probably already left, hasn’t he?” Qiu Shuoran hesitated. “Besides, if we lure the earth dragon away and Uncle Meng and Sister Pang take the chance to escape the forest, aren’t we just making things easy for them?”

At this, Sun Changfeng snorted, “With fortune so close at hand, Xiao Jihan definitely won’t leave directly. He’s likely watching from behind, waiting to reap the spoils. As for Meng Yu and Pang Feiyan, you needn’t worry. I have… Beast Luring Powder.”

Beast Luring Powder could attract all manner of beasts—spiritual, demonic, or otherwise. Originally created to capture spirit beasts, it was mostly used for malicious purposes due to human greed, and was thus forbidden by all major sects. The bottle Sun Changfeng carried had been obtained from the black market in Fantian City.

He mouthed the words “Beast Luring Powder,” and Qiu Shuoran’s eyes brightened with suppressed excitement. “Master, when do we act?”

“No rush,” Sun Changfeng replied coolly, watching Pang Feiyan and Meng Yu locked in battle with the earth dragon. “If we’re putting on a show, we must see it through.”

So Qiu Shuoran and Sun Changfeng stood aside, watching Meng Yu and Pang Feiyan struggle with the earth dragon.

Once again, Pang Feiyan was sent flying by the earth dragon’s tail, crashing to the ground with a spurt of blood. Meng Yu shouted fiercely, driving the earth dragon back with a sword strike, then flew to Pang Feiyan’s side and asked with a frown, “Are you badly hurt?”

Clutching her chest, Pang Feiyan shook her head. Seeing the earth dragon charge again, she cried out, “Master, be careful!”

Meng Yu quickly turned and rejoined the battle with the earth dragon.

Sun Changfeng narrowed his eyes and barked, “Go!”

He and Qiu Shuoran immediately joined the fray, though they fought only perfunctorily, exchanging a few blows before pretending to be forced back.

Back to back with Meng Yu, Sun Changfeng said, “This earth dragon is truly formidable. It’s not a demon beast or a fiend beast, but rather someone’s spirit beast. We’ve fought it all this time and not even scratched its hide. If we go on like this, it’s pointless.”

Meng Yu nodded, “What do you suggest?”

“Fortune favors the destined. It seems we are not fated for this opportunity,” Sun Changfeng sighed. “Before we’re too badly hurt, we should crush the jade tokens and leave. Any further struggle is futile.”

After a moment’s silence, Meng Yu agreed, “Very well.”

Sun Changfeng gripped his sword, speaking righteously, “Senior Brother and Nephew should go first. Shuoran and I will cover the retreat!”

“Then I’ll trouble you both,” Meng Yu answered, though his tone lacked any gratitude. He went to Pang Feiyan’s side and said quietly, “Crush your jade token. We’re leaving.”

Pang Feiyan hesitated, glancing at Sun Changfeng and Qiu Shuoran fighting the earth dragon. “What about Uncle Sun and Junior Brother Qiu?”

“No need to worry about them,” Meng Yu pressed his lips together. “They have their own plans.”

Catching the look in Meng Yu’s eyes, Pang Feiyan understood. She muttered resentfully, “Letting them take advantage for nothing.”

Meng Yu replied calmly, “It just means this fortune isn’t ours. Let’s go.”

No matter her reluctance, there was nothing to gain by staying. Pang Feiyan and Meng Yu both crushed their jade tokens, and two brilliant beams of light descended from the sky, carrying them away within moments.

Xiao Jihan watched the lights vanish, raised his eyebrows slightly, and straightened. “Only two beams—so Sun Changfeng and his disciple…”

With a flick of his wrist, a longsword appeared in his hand, and his cool, clear voice murmured, “It’s time.”

Even as he spoke, the dense forest began to move—giant trees crashed down, drawing nearer and nearer, and two figures raced toward him at lightning speed!