Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

"My cultivation dropped by thirty percent in an instant?"

Panic immediately seized Yuan Haowen.

What frightened him even more was that after losing thirty percent of his cultivation, the remaining seventy percent was also continuously draining away.

Now, he finally understood.

The array this youth had laid out was almost identical to the one from years ago, though countless times weaker. Its purpose wasn't to kill him at all.

It was meant to trap him.

Unfortunately, this realization came a little too late.

'If I had noticed this from the start and not let this guy succeed, I might have had a sliver of a chance. But now…'

A bitter expression filled Yuan Haowen's face.

He knew that even if his opponent didn't act, in his current state, the moment his cultivation vanished completely would be the moment of his death.

'No, I can't die just like this. Even if I have to die, I must figure out this kid's secrets. Otherwise, if Haotian falls into his schemes…'

Yuan Haowen's heart lurched with alarm.

In his entire life, the person he valued most was his own grandson.

He had placed great hopes on him.

That was why, even now, on the verge of death, he was still thinking about his grandson's future.

"Young Master, I wonder, could you spare this old man's life?"

A fawning smile crept onto Yuan Haowen's face.

He sounded as if he were begging Yang Xiao to spare him.

In reality, however, the remaining sixty percent of his cultivation was coiled and ready. The moment he pinpointed Yang Xiao's location, he would risk everything in a decisive strike.

Unfortunately, Yang Xiao gave him no such opportunity.

He couldn't even be bothered to respond.

"Young Master, are you still there?"

But Yuan Haowen was persistent.

"Of course I'm here. But if you're trying to lure me out, you're wasting your efforts. Then again, if you truly wish to submit to me, I'm not an unreasonable person. Just dissipate your cultivation voluntarily, and I can spare your life. With your aptitude, you could still achieve great things by cultivating the Martial Dao. What do you say?"

Yang Xiao spoke this time.

And he meant it. The amount of Immortal Dao Aura this man was releasing was substantial, no less than what he had absorbed from Huang Tianling's Dao Seed. It was clear that this man's talent was extraordinary, and the Spirit Seed he had received was of the highest quality.

For that reason, Yang Xiao wanted to give him a chance.

In fact, Yang Xiao was willing to give any Immortal Cultivator a chance, as long as they were willing to abandon their current cultivation and start anew in the Martial Dao.

Of course, it was just one chance.

If he discovered them to be wicked beyond redemption, Yang Xiao would kill them without hesitation.

But now, he was poised to become an enemy of the entire Immortal Dao. The Profound Sun Continent was his home in this life, and if he could build a force here, he might one day be able to use it as a foundation to challenge the Immortal Cultivators.

And most of these Immortal Cultivators were individuals of extraordinary aptitude.

Naturally, Yang Xiao wanted to give them a chance.

Unfortunately, while Yang Xiao was willing to offer a chance, Yuan Haowen had no intention of taking it.

He didn't believe a word Yang Xiao said.

'If I lose all my cultivation, at my age, my body will probably wither and die in moments. How could a mere Martial Artist possibly keep me alive? He's just trying to stall for time.'

As he thought this, he felt his cultivation drop by another ten percent, sliding from sixty to fifty.

Yuan Haowen knew he couldn't delay any longer.

He stood up.

And said, "Young Master, can I trust you?"

"You agree?"

Yang Xiao asked, his interest piqued.

"That's right. As long as you can keep me alive, I, Yuan Haowen, am willing to do anything—start my cultivation over, even become a Martial Cultivator."

"Good. In that case, wait there."

As soon as the words were spoken,

A figure appeared before Yuan Haowen. Who else could it be but the very same youth?

He also saw a golden fruit in the youth's hand. It appeared plain on the surface, but with Yuan Haowen's experience, he could discern a wondrous aura contained within, as if the very rhythm of ages flowed through it.

'Could this kid really have a way to keep me alive? No, it doesn't matter. I never intended to truly surrender; I just wanted to lure him out. Besides, even if I had to start over, I am Yuan Haowen of the Yuan Family! I would recommit to the Immortal Dao. Why would I ever bother with the Martial Dao?'

Watching Yang Xiao approach step by step, seemingly convinced and completely off guard, Yuan Haowen couldn't help but feel a flicker of smug satisfaction.

'This kid might have some clever tricks, but he's still too naive. Does he really think I, Yuan Haowen, am some kind of coward who clings to life at all costs?'

"This is a Desolate Divine Fruit. If you eat it, your physical body will be preserved unchanged for a thousand years. With a millennium, your experience, and your aptitude, you can certainly win your life back. So? Are you certain you want to submit to me? If you are, then swear an oath."

Yang Xiao stopped halfway and said coolly.

'A Desolate Divine Fruit? A body that won't decay for a thousand years? That's a true treasure! It seems this kid really is too naive. To those old monsters, an item like this is practically a Divine Medicine, and he just brought it out so casually. If I don't take it, even the heavens would disapprove!'

He was ecstatic, but his face remained a mask of calm. He even deliberately feigned a look of suspicion.

Yuan Haowen truly lived up to his reputation as an old fox.

He glanced at the Desolate Divine Fruit in Yang Xiao's hand and asked doubtfully, "Does your fruit really do that? You're not trying to trick me, are you?"

"At this point, is there any need for me to deceive you further? As for you, you only get one chance. If you miss it, it's gone for good. Have you thought it through?"

Yang Xiao's words made Yuan Haowen's heart lurch.

'Did the kid see through my plan?'

But he looked closely and confirmed it—the kid was right there in front of him.

And at such a short distance.

Even with the array laid by the God-Suppressing Coffins, Yuan Haowen was confident that with over forty percent of his cultivation left, he could absolutely capture him.

'At that point, however many Desolate Divine Fruits he has, won't they all be mine?'

'Besides, I still need to get the clue about that little girl from him.'

'Even if something really happened to that girl, the Divine Coffins this kid has, plus that strange fruit... that should be enough to impress the Immortal Envoy and make up for my mistake.'

Thinking this, Yuan Haowen became even more resolute in his decision.

Looking at Yang Xiao, he said, "In that case, I believe you!"

As he spoke, Yuan Haowen opened his mouth as if to swear an oath, but in the instant he did, the Power of the Void Immortal within him surged forth.

In a flash, he was at Yang Xiao's side.

He raised his hand and grabbed, intending to seize Yang Xiao.

And just like that,

he had Yang Xiao easily in his grasp. But…

'Why isn't he scared? And what's with that look of pity? What the hell is that?'

Yuan Haowen was baffled.

But Yang Xiao spoke: "It seems you've given up your chance!"

As he spoke, he tossed the Desolate Divine Fruit.

The array shifted, and the fruit vanished.

A pang of regret shot through Yuan Haowen's heart as he watched it disappear.

'But then again,' he thought, 'I still have the kid in my grasp. As long as he wants to live, he'll have to hand over every last Desolate Divine Fruit he owns.'

But what happened next left him completely stunned.

Because the Yang Xiao he was grasping so tightly suddenly dissipated.

Like a bubble.

Vanishing into nothingness.

Yuan Haowen froze, completely stunned.