Chapter 219: The Mantis Stalks the Cicada, Unaware of the Oriole Behind
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The sudden appearance of two figures in the forest caused Yang Yan’s brow to furrow slightly. Although the two envoys from the Xuanti Palace and the Wind and Cloud Pavilion had aided him in eliminating the two black-clad assassins from the Tianlong Empire, Yang Yan sensed an unsettling feeling from the gentle, smiling face of the former.
“Thank you both, envoys, for coming to my aid!”
Though Yang Yan harbored suspicion and caution in his heart, out of respect for the three great powers within the empire, he greeted them with a polite salute.
“Brother Yang Yan, no need for such formality. When we met previously at the Artificers’ Guild, we said we would have a long talk once matters were settled, but you left without a word,” the handsome man from the Wind and Cloud Pavilion said with a smile as they approached Yang Yan.
“Apologies. I had urgent business earlier, so I had to leave the guild without informing you both. It was quite rude of me,” Yang Yan replied calmly, unfazed by the special meaning behind the question from the handsome envoy.
“You’re headed to Jinzhou, aren’t you?”
Just as Yang Yan spoke, the ugly, squat envoy from the Xuanti Palace, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke.
Yang Yan’s heart skipped a beat. It seemed he had underestimated the strength of the three great powers within the Feiyun Empire, as they had already uncovered his origins in such a short time.
“About half a year ago, I heard in the sect that one of Xuanti Palace’s subordinate sects, Qingxuan Sect, had an extraordinary young disciple. Unfortunately, six months ago, he was abducted by a Snowwing Ice Dragon in the Beast Mountains and has been missing ever since. That missing Qingxuan disciple is named Yang Yan!”
Even Yang Yan’s usually unshakable composure twitched at this revelation. He had forgotten that the sect leader had mentioned this before. Although Qingxuan Sect was an overwhelmingly dominant force in Jinzhou’s cultivation world, few knew it was just one of Xuanti Palace’s subordinate sects. The palace paid close attention to gifted young disciples in its subordinate sects. Despite Yang Yan’s short tenure and the secrecy surrounding his deeds within the sect, Xuanti Palace’s intelligence network was vast and had quietly gathered information on him.
At that time, Yang Yan’s terrifying cultivation speed had caught Xuanti Palace’s attention. Just as they prepared to dispatch people to recruit him from Qingxuan Sect, they learned he had been abducted by the Snowwing Ice Dragon in an accident and had since disappeared. This led Xuanti Palace to abandon their plans.
However, a few days ago, the ugly envoy reported the events at the Artificers’ Guild back to the sect, and Yang Yan’s name caught the attention of those responsible for Qingxuan Sect affairs. After investigation, they confirmed that the Artificers’ Guild Champion Yang Yan was the same gifted disciple who had vanished.
This explained why the Xuanti Palace envoy could so confidently identify Yang Yan.
After his identity was exposed, Yang Yan briefly panicked but then grew calm, quietly awaiting the envoy’s next words. He did not believe their lengthy explanation was without ulterior motive.
Sure enough, as soon as this thought crossed his mind, the ugly envoy glanced greedily at the Qiankun pouch at Yang Yan’s waist and slowly said:
“Since you are a Qingxuan disciple, you can be considered part of Xuanti Palace. I won’t bore you with the importance of the Spirit Absorber. Now that you have it, it’s useless to you and will only attract open and covert attacks from various powerful figures. You could hand it to me to take back to Xuanti Palace. The palace lord will surely be delighted, and you would have contributed greatly to your sect. With your cultivation talent and the palace’s dedicated training, you will soon become a pillar of the sect with an unlimited future.”
Hearing the ugly envoy finally reveal his true intentions, Yang Yan couldn’t help but chuckle coldly. He had heard countless times from Elder Yang about the importance of the Spirit Absorber, which now contained the overwhelming soul power absorbed from the Holy Spirit Tower—an invaluable treasure for someone desperately seeking power like himself.
As for the empty promises made by the ugly envoy, regardless of their truth, even if Yang Yan were to join Xuanti Palace, it held little appeal for him. Not even the highest cultivator in Xuanti Palace could surpass Elder Yang inside him. If he had to choose a mentor, no sane person would pick anyone but Elder Yang.
Regarding cultivation resources, though somewhat tempting, they were not indispensable to Yang Yan, who held some disdain for anything obtained easily. To him, treasures earned through life-or-death struggles or great hardships held far greater value.
Seeing Yang Yan remain silent, the ugly envoy’s brow knitted in frustration. The enticing offer he made would be difficult for 99% of cultivators in Feiyun Empire to refuse, and if the boy were truly ungrateful, he would have no choice but to forcibly seize the Spirit Absorber. After all, upon reporting the Artificers’ Guild incident, the palace lord had issued a direct order: by any means necessary, bring back the Spirit Absorber.
“If Brother Yang Yan is not satisfied with Xuanti Palace, he might consider joining us at Wind and Cloud Pavilion. Our unique martial technique of agility will surely interest you!”
As the ugly envoy pondered silently, the handsome man beside him suddenly spoke, his invitation unmistakably sincere.
“Bai Yifei, I advise you not to be too presumptuous!”
The ugly envoy’s expression darkened, his tone icy as he snapped at Bai Yifei.
“Heh, Monkey Sai Lei, it’s entirely up to Brother Yang Yan to decide. I’m merely offering him another option,” Bai Yifei replied with a smile, opening his folding fan and slowly fanning it with deliberate rhythm.
“Hmph!” Monkey Sai Lei snorted coldly and fell silent.
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When he was at the Artificers’ Guild, upon receiving the Xuanti Palace head’s direct order, Hou Sai Lei had wasted no time heading toward Jinzhou. Unexpectedly, Bai Yifei seemed to have received orders as well, following him all the way here. Unsurprisingly, both had their eyes on the Spirit Absorber.
This was understandable. The tripartite power struggle among Xuanti Palace, the Martial Dao Sect, and Wind and Cloud Pavilion had lasted nearly a century. Throughout this time, each faction sought to eliminate the other two to unify the cultivation world of the Feiyun Empire.
Unfortunately, despite thousands of skirmishes over the decades, none had succeeded in breaking the stalemate.
However, the appearance of the Spirit Absorber offered a chance. Its miraculous powers attracted even the oldest, most powerful cultivators. Whoever claimed it could upset the tripartite balance over time.
Monkey Sai Lei’s thoughts were accurate. After Bai Yifei sent news back to the Wind and Cloud Pavilion, the pavilion swiftly responded with identical orders: by any means necessary, seize the Spirit Absorber.
Having seen Hou Sai Lei attempt to extend an olive branch to Yang Yan on behalf of Xuanti Palace, Bai Yifei was unwilling to fall behind.
“Brother Yang Yan, thank you both envoys and Xuanti Palace and Wind and Cloud Pavilion for your kindness. But I only have this one Spirit Absorber. To whom should I hand it?”
Trapped between two great powers in the empire, Yang Yan now fully understood their plan: the recruitment was a pretense; the real goal was to seize the Spirit Absorber.
Perhaps because they had witnessed his fight against the three black-clad assassins from the Tianlong Empire, they were cautious. Had it been anyone else, they might have killed and robbed outright without wasting words.
Hearing Yang Yan’s question, Bai Yifei and Hou Sai Lei fell silent. After a moment, Bai Yifei smiled, tapping his palm with the folding fan.
“Brother Yang Yan, here’s a proposal: hand over the Spirit Absorber, and you can choose to join either Wind and Cloud Pavilion or Xuanti Palace. How we split the Spirit Absorber is between us.”
He then glanced at Hou Sai Lei, who nodded after a brief pause.
Throughout, neither looked Yang Yan in the eye, as if they were discussing matters among themselves rather than consulting him.
“Heh!”
Faced with being treated like prey, Yang Yan coldly chuckled, then parted his lips to say something that shocked Bai Yifei and Hou Sai Lei deeply.
“What if I said I won’t give the Spirit Absorber to either of you?”
Their expressions flickered, eyes darkening instantly. Even usually composed Bai Yifei’s face turned grim.
He had never expected that, despite the tempting offer from the empire’s three great powers, this youth would reject it outright and, despite risking enmity with Wind and Cloud Pavilion and Xuanti Palace, say such words.
Although they had been surprised by Yang Yan’s defeat of the Tianlong Empire assassins, these were no ordinary foes—they were native to the Feiyun Empire. Offending any one of these powers would mean no future foothold within the empire.
They also knew Yang Yan’s background. He was not alone; while he might escape the Feiyun Empire by his own power, finding those connected to him would not be difficult for the two powers.
“Yang Yan, I advise you to think carefully. Your decision concerns more than just yourself!”
After half an hour of tense silence, cold smiles appeared on Bai Yifei’s handsome face. His hawk-like gaze fixed tightly on Yang Yan as he spoke calmly but with unhidden menace.
Yang Yan’s pupils darkened fiercely.
He despised none more than threats involving his loved ones. At Bai Yifei’s words, an idea formed in his mind: he would not let these two leave alive.
If anyone knew Yang Yan’s thoughts now, they would surely think him mad—rejecting the empire’s three great powers so decisively and even planning to slay the two envoys right here.
“Fine, you win.”
After a long sigh, Yang Yan’s face showed signs of exhaustion. Swiftly, his hand brushed across the Qiankun pouch at his waist, and a conch-like object appeared in his palm.
“Spirit Absorber… it really is the Spirit Absorber!”
Seeing it in Yang Yan’s hand, Bai Yifei and Hou Sai Lei’s eyes gleamed with greed and excitement.
Though this legendary treasure was known only from ancient texts, what they saw matched the descriptions perfectly. The faint but distinct soul energy emanating from the creature confirmed its identity.
As greed and joy flashed in their eyes for a moment, their expressions quickly hardened. They simultaneously reached out to seize the Spirit Absorber.
Yang Yan’s lips curled faintly as he quickly retracted the Spirit Absorber, then unleashed powerful palm strikes infused with overwhelming water-element spirit energy against their chests.
Boom!
A low, muffled sound echoed. Yet Yang Yan’s face showed no joy. When his palm struck Bai Yifei’s chest, he felt an icy coldness—Bai Yifei wore a formidable defensive artifact.
Even more surprising was Hou Sai Lei’s reaction. At the moment of contact, his chest inexplicably retracted like a black hole, absorbing most of the force and greatly weakening Yang Yan’s strike. Thus, their injuries were minimal.
Truly, these disciples of the three great sects were deeply grounded, with strange and powerful martial techniques.
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Yang Yan’s expression turned grave.
“Good kid. Since you want to die, we’ll have to work together to take you down!”
Feeling a faint pain in his chest, Bai Yifei’s usually calm face now showed anger. He had never expected Yang Yan to be so bold as to attack them outright. As a Wind and Cloud Pavilion disciple, he was respected wherever he went and had never suffered such treatment. Boundless fury surged in his chest.
Hou Sai Lei’s face was equally grim. After exchanging a glance with Bai Yifei, cold killing intent flickered in both their eyes. Yang Yan had thoroughly enraged them.
Roar!
As they advanced toward Yang Yan, a thunderous dragon roar suddenly rang out, and a colossal figure about fifteen feet tall appeared before Yang Yan—it was Lan Xue.
The failed sneak attack had little effect. Yang Yan now understood the fight must be faced head-on, and it might be even more difficult than battling the three black-clad assassins.
“Monkey Sai Lei, handle this brat. I’ll take care of that beast!” Bai Yifei shouted to Hou Sai Lei upon seeing Lan Xue appear.
Hou Sai Lei hesitated briefly, then nodded. His bizarre cultivation method was suited perfectly to confront a brute like Lan Xue, whose style relied on powerful, straightforward attacks. His technique was their nemesis.
As for Yang Yan, Hou Sai Lei was not too worried. Having witnessed Yang Yan’s methods, Bai Yifei knew it was unrealistic to quickly defeat him and obtain the Spirit Absorber. In his eyes, Yang Yan was even more troublesome than the Snowwing Ice Dragon.
Once Hou Sai Lei finished the dragon, if Bai Yifei and Yang Yan fought to mutual ruin, he would reap the benefits.
With their own hidden agendas, the two charged toward Yang Yan and Lan Xue.
The boy and the beast exchanged a glance, then without hesitation moved to engage.
Yang Yan knew he had made enemies of Xuanti Palace and Wind and Cloud Pavilion. Now, he had no choice but to slay these two. As for their sects’ retaliation later, that would be dealt with in due course.
Boom! Boom!
In midair, as the four figures darted about, terrifying energy storms erupted, the intensity surpassing even the fight against the three black-clad assassins.
When Yang Yan finally clashed with Bai Yifei, he realized how formidable the latter was.
Wind and Cloud Pavilion excelled in agility techniques. Even those stronger in raw power were rarely faster or more agile. Though Yang Yan possessed the Cloud-Walking Step technique, its advanced yellow-rank level could not match Bai Yifei’s profound skill.
Unfortunately, Yang Yan had no time to cultivate the mysterious Space Roaming Step he obtained after slaying Elder Hu, which might have allowed him to contend with Bai Yifei.
As reality sank in, Yang Yan slowly fell behind.
His previous battle with the assassins had drained him greatly—his Taiyin power was nearly exhausted, and his body had suffered injuries. Bai Yifei, not in a hurry to finish him, used his superior speed to keep Yang Yan at bay, launching occasional powerful strikes.
He planned to wear Yang Yan down with relentless speed.
Thus, Yang Yan was forced into a passive defensive stance. His speed could not match Bai Yifei’s, and the spirit energy he could draw on was limited to water-element power in his energy sea and low-grade wood-element power in the Tianxu acupoint.
During the fight, Yang Yan glanced at Lan Xue’s battle from the corner of his eye. To his dismay, Lan Xue was struggling against Hou Sai Lei, whose size was dozens of times smaller.
Upon closer observation, Yang Yan noticed that when Lan Xue’s fierce attacks struck Hou Sai Lei, a faint strange glow would flash on the latter’s body. About seventy to eighty percent of Lan Xue’s force was absorbed, with only twenty to thirty percent remaining—insufficient to harm Hou Sai Lei.
The situation was indeed dire.
Yang Yan’s heart grew heavy. At his peak, though difficult, he could have defeated Bai Yifei. Unfortunately, these foes had set a trap, hiding in the shadows to swoop in after he and the Tianlong assassins had fought to exhaustion.
(End of chapter)