Layers upon Layers

"What, what, what are you trying to do?"

Mu Shentong gasped for breath, glaring at Xu Yi as he demanded.

Xu Yi said, "Why get angry, Ancestor Mu? It's not that I'm unwilling to enter the fray. It's simply too dangerous. Of course, you and I share an extraordinary bond, Ancestor Mu. If you truly insist that I fight, it's not impossible—but I hope you'll give me a little courage and some extra drive."

"You—you're still trying to squeeze a benefit out of this!"

Mu Shentong was beside himself with fury. The light blazing from his eyes was so fierce that even Xu Yi dared not meet his gaze.

Xu Yi clasped his hands and bowed. "Do as you see fit, Ancestor Mu. I'm sure you've heard how powerful Zhou Daogan's sword intent is. Put plainly, you're not forcing me into the fight—you're forcing me to my death. If you don't offer me something worthwhile, don't expect me to risk my life for you."

His shameless air made the ancestors' blood run cold. Just how much nerve did this man have? He plainly didn't take Soul Sensing Ancestor seriously at all. When had such a monstrous talent appeared in all of Great Yue?

Mu Shentong was at his wits' end and had finally given in. He knew he'd run into a slippery customer. The methods he'd used to deal with ants in the past were utterly useless against this one.

"Fine. What do you want? I'll say this first—never mind. You tell me!"

He had been about to threaten Xu Yi, but even the promise of hunting him to the ends of the earth hadn't scared him. What threat could possibly work now?

Xu Yi said, "I don't want anything else. Just give this junior another Leaking Pill and a