108: Chapter 108 Battle Against Shadow Demons, Leng Shuangning Offers Assistance!

"Since this is your Family Legacy that your father protected with his life, how can I accept it? Keep it safe; it might be useful in the future. As for escorting you safely to the Tianyun Sword Sect, since I have already promised, I will naturally do it. As for revenge..."

A cold light flashed in Ye Chen's eyes.

"'Shadow Fiend' has committed many evils and shares a deep enmity with me as well. If there is an Opportunity in the future, I naturally won't let them go. But the matter of revenge must ultimately depend on yourselves. You must survive and become stronger to have any hope."

Hearing this, Liu Yurou's tears welled up again, but this time, there was a bit more strength in her eyes. She nodded heavily.

"Senior Brother Ye is right! Yurou understands! I will keep this item for now. If Senior Brother Ye has a need for it in the future, or if there is hope for the revival of the Liu Family, I will surely repay you handsomely!"

She carefully put the jade box and the pill scripture back into her robes.

After hesitating for a moment, she spoke again.

"Senior Brother Ye, there is one more thing. Before my father passed away, he seemed to mention a name. He said that 'Shadow Fiend' went to such great lengths this time perhaps not just for the 'seven-star soul nurturing grass' and the pill scripture."

"It might also be related to a fragmented map of an 'Ancient Medicine Garden' hidden within that pill scripture. That map seems to point to a dangerous place called 'Falling Star Lake.' Legend has it that there are medicinal fields left by ancient Cultivators there, where many long-extinct Spirit Medicines grow."

"There might even be longevity spiritual items. Father said this matter is of great importance and must never be leaked, especially... we must not let 'Shadow Fiend' obtain the exact location."

Ancient Medicine Garden? Falling Star Lake?

Ye Chen's heart stirred.

This was an unexpected harvest.

An Ancient Medicine Garden that 'Shadow Fiend' cared so much about—its value was likely immeasurable.

Moreover, longevity spiritual items held a fatal attraction for any Cultivator, especially high-level Cultivators whose Lifespan was nearing its end.

No wonder 'Shadow Fiend' wanted to silence them.

"Have you told anyone else about this?" Ye Chen asked.

"Besides Uncle Fu, Senior Brother Ye is the first to know."

Liu Yurou said.

"Before Uncle Fu died, he warned that this matter is no small thing and involves ancient secrets, so the fewer people who know, the better. But Senior Brother Ye has done us a great kindness by saving our lives and is willing to help us, so Yurou does not dare to hide it."

Ye Chen nodded.

"This matter is indeed significant; you did the right thing. Remember, do not mention it to a third person in the future. As for that map, keep it for now. If an Opportunity arises, it might become the capital for your Liu Family's revival, but it must also be used with caution."

"Yurou understands," Liu Yurou said solemnly.

...

For the next two days, the three of them stayed temporarily in Black Stone Town.

Every day, Ye Chen used his technique to heal Liu Yurou, using Hunyuan True Essence to help her expel the accumulated toxins and internal injuries in her body.

Liu Yurou was a Cultivator herself, and with the help of Medicinal Pills, she recovered very quickly.

Under his sister's care and with Ye Chen's occasional soothing with gentle True Essence, Liu Mingxuan's fright also gradually subsided.

He just became somewhat taciturn and often stared blankly.

Ye Chen also took this Opportunity to further integrate and deduce the three sword techniques he had obtained from Bai Chen with his own swordsmanship.

Especially the combination of "Silent Snowfall" and "Hunyuan Defensive Wall," which made his defensive sword moves even more concealed and difficult to guard against.

On the evening of the third day, Ye Chen was meditating in his room.

Suddenly, he frowned and opened his eyes.

Within his Divine Sense, several cold auras were quietly approaching this inn from different directions.

Two of those auras had actually reached the Fifth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm!

There were also several auras at the third and fourth levels of the Wheel Sea Realm.

The pursuers from "Shadow Fiend" had indeed found them after all!

Moreover, those who came this time were even stronger!

A cold light flashed in Ye Chen's eyes.

He was not surprised. The Liu siblings had been fleeing for a month; "Shadow Fiend" must have cast a wide net.

Although Black Stone Town was remote, it was not absolutely safe.

He just hadn't expected the other party to arrive so quickly and to dispatch two experts at the Fifth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm.

He stood up and walked to the next room.

The Liu siblings were resting; Liu Mingxuan was already asleep, while Liu Yurou was meditating to regulate her breathing. Hearing the movement, she also opened her eyes.

"Senior Brother Ye?"

"The people from 'Shadow Fiend' are here, and their strength is not weak. Take Mingxuan and leave through the back window. Wait for me in that Rocky Forest three li to the northeast of the town."

"If I haven't arrived after the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, then leave on your own. Find a way to go to the Tianyun Sword Sect, mention my name, and look for Elder Li."

Ye Chen spoke very quickly with a calm expression, but his words carried an unquestionable tone.

Liu Yurou's face turned pale instantly, but seeing Ye Chen's calm eyes, she forced herself to steady her nerves and nodded heavily.

"Senior Brother Ye, please be very careful!"

"Don't worry."

After saying that, Ye Chen's figure flickered, and he had already leaped out of the room's window, landing lightly on the inn's roof.

Standing with his hands behind his back, the ice scar sword was already quietly in his hand.

The night breeze was slightly cool, and the moonlight was cold. The small town was silent, with only scattered lights.

Seven dark shadows, like bats hunting in the night, appeared silently around the inn, faintly surrounding it.

The two leaders, one tall and one short, were both dressed in black and wore hideous ghost masks on their faces, revealing only pairs of cold and heartless eyes.

The tall one's aura was hot and violent, while the short one's aura was bone-chillingly cold; they were precisely those two assassins at the Fifth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm.

The other five were also experts at the third and fourth levels of the Wheel Sea Realm.

"Your perception is quite sharp."

The tall assassin's voice was hoarse as his gaze landed on Ye Chen on the roof, filled with scrutiny and a hint of surprise.

"Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm? Was it you who killed our people and rescued the Liu Family remnants?"

"So what if I did?"

Ye Chen said indifferently, his gaze sweeping over the seven people as he quickly assessed the situation.

The two at the fifth level posed the greatest threat, especially the tall one, whose aura was somewhat similar to Xiao Li's; he likely cultivated a fire-attribute technique, and it was even more sinister.

The short one had a cold-attribute. The other five were not a major concern, but he needed to guard against their harassment and use of poison.

"Kid, you're very arrogant," the short assassin said sinisterly.

"To dare meddle in 'Shadow Fiend's' business and even kill our people—today, I'll let you know what it means to wish for life but not be able to live, and to wish for death but not be able to die! Hand over the Liu Family remnants and the items, cripple your own cultivation, and perhaps we can leave your corpse intact!"

"Too much nonsense."

Ye Chen didn't bother to say more. He suddenly activated "Phantom Step," his figure turning into a blurred gray shadow.

He actually took the initiative to rush toward those three assassins at the third and fourth levels of the Wheel Sea Realm on the left!

He wanted to clip their wings first before dealing with the main force!

"You're looking for death!"

A fierce look flashed in the tall assassin's eyes as his figure surged upward, striking out a palm from a distance!

A palm print, crimson and laced with dark green poisonous gas, flew like a ghost fire, carrying a fishy wind as it whistled toward the center of Ye Chen's back!

Simultaneously, the short assassin's figure also flickered, approaching like a phantom as a pair of pitch-black short spikes in his hands silently stabbed toward Ye Chen's ribs!

Ye Chen acted as if he hadn't heard the attacks from behind, his forward momentum undiminished as gray light exploded from the ice scar sword.

A move of "Hunyuan Vortex" was attached to the sword blade as he swept it toward the three assassins who were hurriedly trying to meet the attack!

"Clang! Puchi! Ah!"

Where the sword light passed, one assassin's weapon was twisted away.

Another assassin's chest was slashed by the sword edge, blood spraying wildly, while the third person had Hunyuan True Essence invade his body.

He screamed and rolled on the ground.

The three-man combined attack was instantly broken!

Meanwhile, the crimson poison palm print and the pitch-black short spikes from behind had also reached his body!

Ye Chen's figure twisted eerily, as if he had no bones, actually sliding through the gap between the palm print and the short spikes in the nick of time.

Simultaneously, he countered with a sword strike, pointing it toward the short assassin's wrist!

The short assassin was startled and pulled back his spikes to defend.

"Ding!"

As the sword and spikes collided, the short assassin only felt a strange power, as if it could dissolve everything, travel up his arm.

The cold poisonous energy on the short spikes was actually mostly neutralized, and his arm felt slightly numb.

He was horrified and hastily retreated.

The tall assassin's crimson poison palm print missed and slammed into the inn's wall, instantly corroding a large hole.

The bricks and stones emitted a hissing white smoke; the toxicity was extremely potent.

"What a strange kid! Together, finish this quickly!"

The tall assassin shouted. He exchanged a look with the short assassin, and the two of them lunged forward again from the left and right.

This time, the two of them no longer held back, fully activating their Cultivation Techniques.

Two completely different yet equally malicious types of True Essence—crimson poison and bone-chilling cold—completely locked down the space several zhang around Ye Chen.

The other two uninjured assassins at the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm also attacked from the sides, releasing poison mist and hidden weapons.

Ye Chen was suddenly caught in the siege of four experts, two of whom were at the Fifth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm! The pressure increased sharply!

His eyes were ice-cold as he pushed his Hunyuan True Essence to the limit.

A thin, gray protective shield formed on the surface of his body, constantly neutralizing and annihilating the encroaching poison mist.

He pushed "Phantom Step" to its limit, dodging and moving within the narrow space, while the ice scar sword turned into a mass of light and shadow.

He kept his defense airtight, occasionally counter-attacking with sharp and eerie sword moves that targeted weaknesses.

"Clang, clang, clang!" "Sizzle, sizzle, sizzle!"

The sounds of clashing metal and the corrosion of poisonous substances were incessant.

Although Ye Chen's movement techniques were exquisite, his swordsmanship superb, and his True Essence unique, the gap in cultivation was there, and the opponents were assassins who cooperated with tacit understanding.

Soon, several more wounds appeared on his body. Although they were not fatal, the crimson poison and cold qi had invaded.

This caused his movements to become slightly sluggish, and the consumption of his True Essence accelerated.

"Kid, let's see how long you can last!"

The tall assassin grinned savagely, his palm techniques becoming even more violent.

The short assassin moved like a ghost, his short spikes focusing specifically on the lower body and vital joints.

Ye Chen knew that a prolonged battle would lead to defeat. He had to win by an unexpected move!

A fierce glint flashed in his eyes as he intentionally left an opening, letting the short assassin's spike graze his left shoulder.

The sinister cold poison instantly invaded his body.

He let out a muffled groan, his body staggering.

"A perfect Opportunity!"

The tall assassin's eyes lit up. He struck with a full-power palm, the Crimson Poison Palm print expanding several times over as it descended toward Ye Chen's head!

Taking the chance, the short assassin also struck with both spikes, aiming directly for Ye Chen's Dantian and throat!

The other two assassins also launched fierce attacks from the sides.

Just as the four attacks were about to land, Ye Chen's staggering body suddenly steadied!

A look of indifferent annihilation rose within his eyes.

At the tip of his left finger, a chaotic, murky 'primordial point' quietly emerged—it was the 'Hunyuan Return to Void Finger'!

But this time, he did not point it out. Instead, he used his Divine Sense to guide this intent of void-like annihilation.

He ruthlessly stabbed it into the Ice Lotus Imprint within his Sea of Consciousness, which had been constantly nurturing his Divine Soul!

"Ice and Fire... Annihilation Attraction!"

He shouted inwardly, using his own body as the conduit.

He forcibly drew out a trace of the Origin cold qi contained within the Ice Lotus Imprint.

He combined it with the life-fire of that Dark Red Ember in his Wheel Sea and the annihilation intent of the Hunyuan Return to Void.

Using his body as the battlefield, the three forces were forced to collide, fuse, and erupt in a chaotic and terrifying wave of annihilation that far exceeded his control!

"Buzz—!"

Centered on Ye Chen.

An invisible, intangible, yet terrifying aura that seemed capable of freezing the Soul, incinerating life, and ending all things suddenly rippled outward!

This wasn't a physical attack, but a pure, chaotic impact of 'Dao' and 'Intent'!

The four Shadow Fiend assassins, bearing the brunt of it, felt the wave of annihilation the moment it touched them.

Their expressions changed drastically as their Divine Souls felt as if they were being struck by a giant hammer.

Their vision went dark, and the True Essence within their bodies instantly became chaotic, as if it were about to collapse and annihilate itself!

Even their movements suffered a moment of stagnation and distortion!

Especially the two assassins at the Fifth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm; their cultivation was higher.

Their comprehension of the 'Dao' was deeper, so the backlash and impact they suffered were even greater.

With muffled groans, blood seeped from the corners of their mouths, and their offensive instantly crumbled!

Now was the time!

Ye Chen endured the terrifying backlash of his Soul feeling like it was splitting and his Meridians screaming in pain from forcing the three powers to collide.

Cold light exploded from his eyes as he pushed his Phantom Step to its limit, his figure moving like a ghost.

He darted through the openings exposed by the four men due to their Soul injuries!

The gray glow of the ice scar sword was restrained to the extreme, turning into an almost invisible fine line.

Silently, it swept across the necks of the two assassins at the Fourth Level of the Wheel Sea Realm.

"Puchi! Puchi!"

Two heads flew into the air as blood erupted like fountains.

Ye Chen did not stop; his sword tip spun around, thrusting toward the short assassin's heart from behind!

The short assassin had just barely recovered from the Soul shock when he felt a chill in his back; the cold sword tip had already pierced through his body!

The Hunyuan True Essence, carrying the power of the Return to Void annihilation, instantly destroyed his heart vessels!

"You..."

The short assassin's eyes were filled with unbelievable horror as he slowly collapsed.

"Third Brother!"

The tall assassin's eyes nearly split from rage. He let out a shrill, angry roar and desperately channeled all his True Essence.

The Crimson Poison Palm print blasted toward Ye Chen like a demon, intending to take Ye Chen down with him!

Ye Chen was also at the end of his rope. Forcing the 'Ice-Fire Annihilation Trigger' had been taxing.

The backlash was extremely severe; blood leaked from his seven orifices, and his vision was swimming in darkness.

Facing this suicidal palm strike, he was unable to dodge completely.

A ruthless look flashed in his eyes. Instead of dodging, he concentrated his last bit of strength into the ice scar sword.

Upon the sword's blade, the gray glow, the cold qi, and a spark of golden-red firelight appeared.

The three forces were forcibly merged, carrying an indomitable resolve as he stabbed toward the tall assassin's heart!

Attack against attack, life for a life!

It looked as though both would perish together—

At that critical moment.

A cold sword light, one that seemed capable of freezing time and space, appeared.

Like a startling swan from beyond the heavens, it descended from the night sky without warning, arriving first despite being launched later.

With incomparable precision, it slashed the core node where the power of the tall assassin's Crimson Poison Palm was circulating!

"Crack!"

The Crimson Poison Palm print became covered in cracks like frozen glass, then shattered with a bang!

The sword light's momentum remained, gently sweeping across the tall assassin's neck.

The tall assassin's forward charge came to an abrupt halt, his eyes filled with boundless fear and confusion.

His head slowly tilted to one side, and his corpse fell to the ground.

A white-clad figure, like a banished immortal under the moon, landed gracefully on the inn's roof.

Her spotless white clothes fluttered slightly in the night breeze, and she held a long sword as translucent as ice.

The moonlight spilled onto her cold and peerless face. It was Leng Ningshuang!

Under the moonlight, Leng Ningshuang stood with her sword.

Her cold gaze swept over the corpses of the Shadow Fiend assassins scattered on the ground.

Finally, it landed on Ye Chen, who was covered in blood, his aura withered, barely standing by leaning on his sword.

Her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Junior Brother Ye, how are your injuries?"

Ye Chen gasped heavily, forcing down the metallic sweetness rising in his throat, and managed a strained smile.

"I... won't die yet. Thank you... for arriving in time, Senior Sister Leng."

His current state was terrible. Forcing the incomplete 'Ice-Fire Annihilation Trigger' had been a mistake.

It had placed a massive burden and caused damage to his Divine Soul, Meridians, and Physical Body.

Had it not been for his solid Foundation, as well as the protection of the Ice Lotus Imprint and the Dark Red Ember, he would have likely collapsed long ago.

In that moment just now, if not for Leng Ningshuang's miraculous sword strike,

Even if he had killed the tall assassin, he likely wouldn't have survived himself.

Leng Ningshuang's figure blurred, and she was instantly by Ye Chen's side. She placed her jade-like hand on his pulse, sending a strand of pure and peaceful Zixia True Essence into him.

A moment later, the solemnity on her cold face deepened.

"Your Divine Soul is shaken, your Meridians are damaged in multiple places, your True Essence is depleted, and more sinister cold fire poison has invaded... You were too reckless. If not for your special Physique and strange True Essence, your Meridians would have snapped and your Wheel Sea would have collapsed by now."

She took a jade bottle from her robes.

She poured out a Medicinal Pill that was shrouded in purple mist and emitted a dense aura of life, then pressed it into Ye Chen's mouth without allowing for argument.

"The Zixia Soul-Returning Pill can temporarily stabilize your injuries and protect your heart vessels and Divine Soul. This place is not safe; we must leave immediately."

As the pill entered his stomach, it turned into a gentle yet majestic warm current.

It quickly nourished Ye Chen's nearly depleted body, calming his churning blood and his aching Divine Soul.

Ye Chen's spirits lifted, and he quickly circulated the Hunyuan One-Qi Art to absorb the medicinal power.

"Senior Sister... how did you happen to be here?" Ye Chen asked while adjusting his breath.

Leng Ningshuang's appearance was far too timely to be a mere coincidence.

"Revered Master received news that the Liu Family of Qingmu City was exterminated by the Shadow Fiend. It was said that survivors might be fleeing toward the Tianyun Sword Sect and that the Shadow Fiend has been active frequently in the southeastern region."

"He was worried that the Shadow Fiend had other schemes or might act against the Sect, so he ordered me to investigate secretly. I followed some traces to this Black Stone Town and just happened to sense intense combat fluctuations here, so I rushed over."

Leng Ningshuang explained briefly, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

"Where are the Liu siblings?"

"I already had them leave first; they are waiting in the Rocky Forest three miles outside of town."

Ye Chen said, gaining another level of appreciation for Elder Li's foresight.

Elder Li was clearly maintaining a high level of vigilance regarding the Shadow Fiend's movements.

"The commotion here was too great; it likely already alerted other Shadow Fiend lackeys or the authorities. Take them and leave immediately to return to the Sect."

Leng Ningshuang said decisively.

Ye Chen nodded.

He was currently seriously injured and unable to fight any longer. With Leng Ningshuang present, his safety was greatly increased.

The two did not delay. Leng Ningshuang supported Ye Chen as they moved, their figures turning into two faint shadows.

They quickly left Black Stone Town, which had become a place of trouble.

They headed toward the Rocky Forest to the northeast of the town.

In the Rocky Forest, Liu Yurou was waiting anxiously, keeping her brother close behind her. She gripped her thin sword tightly, alertly observing her surroundings.

When she saw Ye Chen and Leng Ningshuang arriving together, and saw that although Ye Chen was being supported, he was still breathing.

She immediately breathed a sigh of relief and hurried to meet them.

"Senior Brother Ye! Are you alright? This person is..."

"This is Senior Sister Leng from Zixia Peak. It's thanks to her timely arrival."

Ye Chen introduced her.

"Yurou, Mingxuan, we must leave here immediately and return to the Tianyun Sword Sect."

Seeing Leng Ningshuang's cold, peerless face and the powerful aura she faintly exuded, Liu Yurou felt a sense of awe and quickly bowed.

"Liu Yurou and Liu Mingxuan greet Senior Sister Leng!"

Leng Ningshuang nodded slightly, her gaze sweeping over the siblings.

It lingered slightly on Liu Mingxuan, an unnoticeable flicker of something strange passing through her eyes, but she didn't ask further.

"There is no time to lose. Let's go."

The four of them said no more as Leng Ningshuang took Liu Mingxuan with her.