Interception of Scorpio Patriarch, Alliance Leader Tan's Origins

After speaking, Duan Changjing took a black jade slip from his robes and sent it toward Scorpio Patriarch with his mana.

Yet Scorpio Patriarch did not take it at once. A wary look appeared on his face as he glanced at Gong Shulan beside him, signaling for her to receive the jade slip in his stead.

As his personal disciple, Gong Shulan had long understood Scorpio Patriarch's cautiousness—or rather, his fear of death.

She did not find it strange. With a lift of her jade hand, she drew over the black jade slip, then examined its contents with her divine sense to verify its authenticity.

"Master, the jade slip is fine. No hidden mechanisms were planted within it." A moment later, Gong Shulan turned around, bowed, and presented the black jade slip to Scorpio Patriarch.

At that very same moment.

Unnoticed by anyone, Wei Tu, concealed among the Myriad Yin Sect cultivators, also quietly vanished.

"Duan Changjing, I will not kill you either. So long as you help me find this Heavenly Ghost Soul Seed, I will spare your life."

After reading the black jade slip, Scorpio Patriarch spoke in a cold tone.

His end was nearing, and before becoming a Reborn Heavenly Ghost, he did not intend to expend too much mana and thereby lower his chances of success afterward.

Duan Changjing was no match for him, but if Duan Changjing fought desperately, Scorpio Patriarch would not be able to take him down in short order either.

Though his "curse poison" had shown its might earlier and caused Duan Changjing to suffer a heavy loss, it had truly been only a heavy loss—not enough to claim Duan Changjing's life.

—Duan Changjing's timely cutting away of the flesh stung by the bone scorpion had not been futile.

Moreover, Duan Changjing