Xiao Chen was already dealing with enough trouble and had no desire to create more. As he hesitated, a sudden surge of spiritual energy rippled behind him.
Hmph!
With a cold snort, his figure flickered and dodged, narrowly avoiding a strike from a spiritual weapon shaped like a curved hook. The weapon revealed itself, its aura menacing.
"Heh, you've got some skills, dodging my sneak attack. But since you've interrupted my plans, don't think you'll leave here alive!"
Xiao Chen's eyes turned icy as he looked down. A man in black, a mole at the corner of his mouth, gripped the hook-shaped weapon, his gaze brimming with murderous intent. The strike had clearly aimed to kill, and a cold glint of killing intent flickered in Xiao Chen's eyes. Yet, recalling the presence of the individual tailing him, he hesitated.
"Heh, kid, blame your bad luck for stumbling into my path!" The man in black saw Xiao Chen's hesitation and grew more confident. Without delay, he leaped into the air, weapon poised to strike. Although the area was remote, it was still within the sect's boundaries; if anyone noticed the commotion, his life would truly be forfeit.
Xiao Chen's eyes gleamed coldly. This man was at least at the seventh level of Qi Refinement and wielded a combat technique. In a direct clash, Xiao Chen knew he would quickly lose, leading to even greater troubles.
"Fine, I'll risk it!" With a trace of ruthlessness flashing in his heart, Xiao Chen unleashed his divine sense, forming a sharp spike that shot straight at the man in black.
Piercing Spirit Spike!
This was a basic divine sense attack recorded in the Primordial Divine Codex, alongside more advanced techniques like Shattering Spirit Thorn and Destruction Wave. The latter, when mastered, could even grievously wound Golden Core cultivators. However, Xiao Chen's current abilities were limited. He could only deploy the Piercing Spirit Spike once, even after amplifying his divine sense fivefold through the golden seal. Yet, this single attack was enough to heavily injure an unprepared Foundation Establishment cultivator.
A hum reverberated silently.
The man in black's body shuddered. A faint green glow erupted around him, forming a protective barrier. Xiao Chen felt resistance as though his attack had struck a mass of cotton.
"Divine sense attack? A Foundation Establishment cultivator!" The man in black's face paled with terror. He hastily begged, "Forgive me, Senior! I didn't realize who I was dealing with. My master is Quishui Zi, and I am his personal disciple. Please spare me for his sake!"
After the fifth level of Qi Refinement, cultivators could project their divine sense, but divine sense attacks were impossible without reaching the Foundation Establishment stage.
Xiao Chen's cold gaze remained unwavering. This man had to die. Otherwise, he couldn't intimidate those tailing him, leaving himself in greater danger.
"Die!"
A single word echoed from beneath Xiao Chen's black robe. The Piercing Spirit Spike surged forward, its force fracturing the green barrier. Cracks spread rapidly across the shield.
"No! If you kill me, my master will avenge me!" the man in black screamed in desperation. Seeing Xiao Chen unmoved, his eyes filled with venom. "Kill me today, and you'll face endless pursuit by my master, Mo Li!"
With a sharp crack, the jade pendant on his body shattered. The green barrier dissolved, and the Piercing Spirit Spike pierced his chest. The venom in his gaze faded as life left his body. But as he fell, a streak of black light shot out of his body and entered Xiao Chen.
This unexpected development darkened Xiao Chen's expression. His divine sense probed his soul and found a strange black rune exuding an eerie aura. It was likely a marker meant to alert Mo Li to the killer's identity.
Realizing this, Xiao Chen's face grew grim.
"Thank you, Senior, for saving me," Lin Yao'er stammered, trembling with fear. This senior from the sect had dispatched the man in black with ruthless efficiency. She couldn't help but worry he might kill her to keep his secrets.
"This has nothing to do with you. Leave now," Xiao Chen said, deliberately altering his voice to sound like a man in his thirties.
Lin Yao'er was overjoyed, bowing deeply before preparing to leave.
"Wait," Xiao Chen called out.
Lin Yao'er froze, her heart sinking. She turned back obediently, her face pitiful as she looked at the "Senior."
After a moment's hesitation, Xiao Chen decided to spare her. The Piercing Spirit Spike had drained his divine sense. Killing her now would be difficult, and with someone else tailing him, drawing more attention was dangerous.
"This spiritual weapon belongs to you. Take it."
Lin Yao'er was stunned but quickly bowed with gratitude. She placed the hook-shaped weapon into her storage bag.
"Senior, I swear to my inner demon that I will never speak of today's events," she declared solemnly before leaving.
Xiao Chen let out a quiet breath. Her vow to her inner demon reassured him. For cultivators, breaking such an oath meant inevitable madness and destruction.
After standing still for a moment, Xiao Chen turned his gaze to a patch of ground ten meters away. "How long do you plan to watch? Or should I invite you out myself?"
The air shimmered, and Chu Kuang emerged, his face respectful. "Disciple Chu Kuang greets Senior."
Xiao Chen's expression remained stoic, exuding an air of mystery. Chu Kuang began to sweat under his silent scrutiny.
"Senior, please don't misunderstand. I had no ill intent in following you. I can also swear to my inner demon to keep today's events a secret."
Xiao Chen said nothing, his gaze cold.
"Senior, I… I was merely curious about the incomplete Great Nirvana Hand scroll you were holding. Half a year ago, I stumbled upon an ancient map leading to what I believe is a relic of an ancient cultivator. I lacked the strength to fully explore it. Seeing your interest in the scroll, I followed you to confirm whether you understood the script."