"You fools! Do you really think you can capture me?"
Bai Yun glanced at the red dots on the radar and let out a cold chuckle.
The radar displayed five small red dots a few miles ahead. However, Bai Yun knew that if he attempted to hunt them, he would undoubtedly fall into an ambush.
As he moved, he carefully studied the radar, taking a detour to survey the situation. Once he had mapped out the enemy positions, he quickly vanished from sight.
Roughly ten miles from the cluster of five red dots, a larger group of dots—both big and small—had surrounded the area. It didn't take much thought to deduce their intentions: they were baiting him into revealing himself.
With less than a week remaining in the mission, Bai Yun smirked inwardly. The elders and sect leader of the Xuanming Sect had grown furious beyond measure. They had realized that actively searching for Bai Yun was futile. Their best strategy was to set traps and wait for him to walk into them.
Yet, armed with his radar, Bai Yun effortlessly evaded their snares. Over the past few days, he had managed to take down several more disciples. As he ran, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of pride. Just as he prepared to leap onto a large tree—
Boom!
A massive azure hand materialized in the air, crashing down toward Bai Yun. He narrowly dodged the attack, but the impact shattered the tree, leaving him shaken.
Regaining his composure, he stared at the broken trunk, his heart pounding with unease. The radar had shown no enemies within three to four miles—how had he been discovered? Bewildered, Bai Yun tensed, ready for the next attack.
This was not the time to retreat into the "Cosmic Evolver" space.
"Well, well, this little rat sure knows how to hide."
A voice dripping with disdain echoed through the air. Bai Yun looked up, startled, to see Lin Fengtian, the sect master of Xuanming, hovering above him with an air of calm superiority.
"Damn it!" Bai Yun's heart sank. Without hesitation, he summoned a teleportation talisman from his space, gripping it tightly in his hand.
"Don't bother," Lin Fengtian said with a faint smile. "The area within dozens of miles is surrounded. Even if you use your spatial abilities, there's no escape."
Despite his shock, Bai Yun crushed the teleportation talisman and disappeared in an instant. Reappearing a moment later, he hurriedly entered the space to purchase two more talismans. Glancing at the radar, he noted a large red dot rapidly closing in from the right. Without delay, he bolted leftward at full speed.
After running for what felt like an eternity, Bai Yun halted abruptly and looked skyward, his gaze filled with dread. Lin Fengtian was once again suspended in midair, staring down at him.
"Go on, keep running," Lin Fengtian said, his tone mocking. "I'm curious to see how many times you can use your spatial abilities."
Bai Yun sighed, feigning resignation. "Alright, I give up. But can you at least explain how you managed this?"
Lin Fengtian chuckled. "Why would I tell you?"
Bai Yun laughed dryly. "I imagine my secrets interest you quite a bit. Even as a Xuan Emperor, you must know that I'd rather end my own life than let you have them."
"Is that a threat?"
Lin Fengtian's eyes flashed with murderous intent, though his expression remained placid.
Bai Yun's gaze didn't waver, resolute and unyielding.
Finally, Lin Fengtian smirked. "It's simple, really. I stationed the elders at strategic points, forming a network of spiritual senses. They continuously scan their designated areas. The moment you're detected, they relay the information instantly."
Bai Yun's heart eased slightly upon hearing the explanation. While he begrudgingly admitted its effectiveness, he also felt confident in his ability to escape the net.
Lin Fengtian continued, "A Xuan King's spiritual sense can cover a range of one to three miles, depending on their level. Right now, you're surrounded by nearly thirty Xuan Kings and hundreds of disciples. There's no way out. Surrender peacefully."
Bai Yun lowered his head, seemingly lost in thought, as though weighing his options. Lin Fengtian watched him silently, awaiting his decision.
Moments later, Bai Yun raised his head, a smirk playing on his lips. "Quit pretending, you arrogant fool."
Suddenly, a figure identical to Bai Yun appeared beside him.
Lin Fengtian's eyes widened momentarily before he waved his hand, summoning a massive azure palm to crush both figures. However, both clones split in opposite directions, fleeing at breakneck speed.
Lin Fengtian hesitated for less than a second before pursuing the clone on the left. Soon, he caught up to the fleeing Bai Yun—only for the latter to crush another talisman and vanish once more.
"A duplication technique? This man cannot be allowed to escape," Lin Fengtian murmured, redirecting his pursuit based on reports from the spiritual network.
After another tense chase, Bai Yun was cornered once more. Exhausted, he crushed his final talisman and made a desperate run for it. As he neared the edge of the spiritual net, hope flickered in his chest.
Just as he thought he was about to break free—
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The air was filled with piercing sounds as several Xuanming Sect elders appeared, sealing off his path. They had formed their last line of defense. If Bai Yun still had another "spatial talisman," there was nothing they could do.
Relief washed over the elders as they noted Bai Yun's panicked expression.
"No more talismans, huh?" one of them remarked coldly.
They had observed that Bai Yun's "spatial ability" required the use of a glowing white talisman, which they now understood to be the secret behind his mysterious escapes.
Bai Yun stared at the blocked path, despair etched across his face. Panicking, he turned and fled deeper into the encirclement.
The elders didn't pursue him, choosing instead to hover in place and watch. Before long, Bai Yun stumbled back, his face a mask of terror.
Behind him, Lin Fengtian approached leisurely, his expression calm but his eyes glinting with suspicion.
"Well, have you run out of options?"
Surrounded on all sides, Bai Yun's demeanor suddenly shifted. Smiling faintly, he pulled out a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. With a snap of his fingers, he lit one, taking a long drag before exhaling a plume of smoke.
"Idiots. Do you really think you can catch me?"
Despite the hopeless situation, his carefree attitude and the way he smoked with such nonchalance were almost infuriatingly arrogant.
The elders and Lin Fengtian were momentarily taken aback.
Lin Fengtian's expression darkened, but he maintained his composure. "Still struggling? Your scent and aura betray you. This is your real body, isn't it? Your clone must have dissipated long ago."
Bai Yun snorted disdainfully. "Why bother explaining to fools? If you think this is my real body, then come and try."
"You insolent brat!"
With a flash of lightning, Lin Fengtian closed the distance between them, gripping Bai Yun's throat and lifting him into the air. Murderous intent radiated from his eyes, his calm façade finally cracking.