Roadblock

The hustle and bustle of the auction has come to an end, but the real storm often begins after the event concludes.

Lin Ming was well aware of the saying "possessing a treasure invites trouble." Having such a rare item as the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva in his hands was like a bright lamp in the dark night, attracting countless greedy moths. However, Lin Ming clearly had no fear of it.

With Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan by their side, the three arrived at the inn where the Jia Nan Academy group was staying.

A gentle knock on the door.

An elder from the Inner Academy opened the door. Upon seeing three strangers with profound auras shrouded in black robes, he immediately became wary. "Who are you?"

"Elder Hao, how have you been?" Lin Ming lifted his hood, revealing a familiar smile.

"Lin Ming? It's you, kid!" Elder Hao was taken aback at first, then exclaimed in surprise, and quickly ushered the three of them into the house.

Inside the room, Great Elder Su Qian was resting with his eyes closed. Hearing the sound, he opened his eyes, saw Lin Ming, and a hint of surprise flashed across his eyes, which quickly turned into a gentle smile, "Lin Ming? I didn't expect to meet you here. It seems this auction is quite a big deal."

Su Qian's gaze swept over Xiao Yi Xian and Zi Yan, who had also unveiled their black robes beside Lin Ming. He sensed the powerful aura of the former, which was in no way inferior to his own, and the faint poison emanating from it. He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "This girl beside Lin Ming is no ordinary girl!" However, when he looked at Zi Yan, a smile appeared on his old face.

After reuniting with the Jia Nan Academy, the group did not delay any longer and immediately left Black Emperor City, taking to the air and speeding towards the Jia Nan Academy.

However, after leaving Black Emperor City for no more than a hundred miles, Lin Ming's powerful Soul Power sensed that there were no fewer than ten auras following him far behind, like sharks smelling blood. They ranged from Dou Wang to Dou Emperor, and were obviously people who coveted the treasures in his hands at the auction.

Lin Ming remained calm and said to Su Qian, "Great Elder, it seems there's some trouble that needs to be dealt with."

Su Qian stroked his beard, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. "How dare you, petty scoundrels, covet the possessions of my Jia Nan Academy? Perfect opportunity to stretch your muscles!"

At that moment, Lin Ming, Xiao Yi Xian, and Su Qian simultaneously slowed down, even deliberately landing above a desolate mountain range. Seeing their target stop, the pursuers behind them thought they had an opportunity and rushed over, numbering in the dozens. Among them were many Dou Emperor Experts, each with burning eyes and greedy faces.

However, what awaited them was a one-sided massacre!

Lin Ming didn't even use Dou Technique. He simply waved his sleeve, and a vast expanse of purplish-red Dou Qi swept out like a tsunami, transforming into countless sharp and incomparable sword energies that instantly shredded the few Dou Wang and low -Dou Emperor who were charging at the forefront into a bloody mist!

With a gentle wave of her jade hand, the Xiao Yi Xian unleashed a gray-purple Calamity Poison Gas that spread out like the shadow of death. Wherever it passed, those who thought they had hidden themselves or tried to resist were left without even a scream before their bodies rotted and their souls dissolved!

Great Elder Su Qian then unleashed the exquisite Dou Technique of the Jia Nan Academy. His palm strikes were like mountains crashing down, shattering the bones and tendons of several Peak Dou Emperor experts who attempted to launch a sneak attack from the flank. They were sent flying backward, coughing up blood!

In just a few breaths, dozens of malicious stalkers were killed or wounded. The few who survived were terrified and fled in panic, never daring to look back.

"Pathetic." Zi Yan clapped her hands, as if she had just crushed a few insects.

After clearing out the small fry, the four continued on their way. However, a sense of vigilance lingered in Lin Ming's heart. He vaguely sensed an aura far more powerful, cold, and venomous than the previous small fry, seemingly constantly and subtly locking onto them.

As night fell, the four chose to rest briefly on a secluded mountaintop.

The bright moonlight shone down, and the mountain wind howled, but it could not dispel the invisible sense of oppression.

Suddenly, Lin Ming abruptly opened his eyes, a flash of purplish-red fire appearing and disappearing in them. He stood up, facing the void to the southeast, and said coldly, "Aren't you tired after following me for so long?"

"Hehehe... Such keen perception, no wonder you were able to exchange the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva from Mo Tianxing."

Amidst the eerie laughter, the space rippled like water, and an old man dressed in a dark blue robe, with a withered, skeletal face, sunken eyes, and an aura of chilling coldness like ancient ice, slowly stepped out.

The moment he appeared, the moisture in the surrounding air instantly condensed into ice crystals, and the temperature plummeted.

"The Old Ghost Di Mo!" Great Elder Su Qian's expression instantly turned extremely solemn.

The Old Ghost Di Mo's sinister gaze swept over Su Qian, and he said, "You're Su Qian, aren't you! I didn't expect you to have advanced to the Dou Zong! Back when I met you, you were just an ordinary elder at the Peak Dou Emperor!"

Having finished speaking, the Old Ghost Di Mo finally fixed his gaze on Lin Ming and said hoarsely, "Su Qian, this is none of your business. I only want the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva. As long as you hand over the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva, I will give Mang Tianchi face and let you leave safely."

Looking at this Old Ghost Di Mo has emerged, he was actually introduced much later in the original story. But perhaps this change was due to my own actions!

In the original novel, the Magic Flame Valley was led by Han Feng at this auction. With Han Feng possessing the Dou Ancestor Cultivation, it's likely that the reason the Old Ghost Di Mo didn't appear is because of him.

But Han Feng had already been killed by him, and his soul was still in his hands. That's why this change led to the emergence of the Old Ghost Di Mo.

However, Lin Ming wasn't afraid at all. He had already defeated and captured the Soul Hall Deacon at the Peak Dou Ancestor, so there was no need to fear the Seven-Star Dou Ancestor Old Ghost Di Mo. Besides, he had originally planned to go find Old Ghost Di Mo anyway, since he possessed the method for refining the Heavenly Demon Puppet. Now that he had come to deliver it to Lin Ming, it was perfect.

Looking at the Old Ghost Di Mo, Lin Ming's eyes showed not fear, but rather a hint of surprise as he said, "Old Ghost Di Mo, I'm very curious, how did you know that the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva was in my hands? I think... it must be related to the Black Emperor Sect!"

The Old Ghost Di Mo's pupils constricted slightly, clearly realizing Lin Ming had guessed his true feelings. He then said coldly, "Why should a dying man know so much! Hand over the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva, and I might let you die a more painless death!"

"You think you can take me?" Lin Ming sneered, then spoke towards the empty space in the distance.

"You two who are hiding, come out now!"

As Lin Ming finished speaking, there was no movement for a long while. Lin Ming then put on a mocking smile, "Sect Master Mo on the ten-zhang-tall tree at the foot of the mountain on the left, do I need to invite him? Old Man Eagle Mountain in the cave deep in the dense forest on the right, do I need to invite him either?"

As Lin Ming explained the specific location and the corresponding personnel, not only was the Old Ghost Di Mo slightly taken aback, but even Su Qian and Xiao Yi Xian showed surprise.

Due to this difference, the space in the shadows of the two directions Lin Ming spoke of distorted, and two figures emerged somewhat awkwardly.

One of them was none other than Mo Tianxing, the Sect Master the Black Emperor Sect! The other was a man dressed in a gray robe, with a withered face. Most striking was his nose, which was sharp and curved like an eagle's beak. His eyes were sharp as knives, and his aura was comparable to Mo Tianxing's. He was also a Dou Zong powerhouse! This man was another famous Rogue Cultivator in the Black Corner Region, known as the Old Man Eagle Mountain!

Mo Tianxing forced an unnatural smile and cupped his hands in a respectful gesture to Lin Ming: "Master Lin Ming, please don't misunderstand! I didn't intend to spy on you; I was just worried about your safety, so I secretly escorted you all the way to prevent any malicious people from approaching..."

"Escort?" Lin Ming scoffed, interrupting him. His eyes were sharp as knives, fixed on Mo Tianxing. "Sect Master Mo, your method of 'escorting' is quite unique."

Before Lin Ming could finish speaking, he suddenly raised his hand, and the crystal box Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva appeared in his palm. At the same time, his immense Soul Power, like a sharp needle, instantly pierced into the viscous, emerald-green liquid!

"Buzz!"

A faint, almost imperceptible Soul Fluctuation was suddenly forcibly extracted from the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva, transforming into a tiny rune that hovered at Lin Ming's fingertip. The rune's aura was of the same origin as Mo Tianxing's!

"What is the explanation for this Soul Imprint?"

Lin Ming, clutching the wisp of Soul Imprint, stared coldly at Mo Tianxing, whose expression had drastically changed. "Is this what you call protection? Are you trying to use the Old Ghost Di Mo to get rid of me, then come out and 'reap the benefits,' or are you waiting for us to both be weakened so you can reap the rewards? Or perhaps, you're already in cahoots with this Old Ghost?"

Mo Tianxing's face turned pale and then red as he was repeatedly questioned by Lin Ming. He hadn't expected Lin Ming's Soul Perception to be so sharp that he could even detect and remove the hidden mark that he had painstakingly planted in such a short time! Seeing this, the Old Man Eagle Mountain's eyes flickered, revealing a look of schadenfreude. After all, it was extremely displeasing for something to be sold at an auction and still have a mark left behind.

Upon seeing this, Great Elder Su Qian laughed in fury, "Good! What a Black Emperor Sect! What a Mo Tianxing! Truly despicable and shameless!"

The Xiao Yi Xian was surrounded by surging poisonous energy, her eyes icy cold, indicating she was truly enraged.

At this moment, Lin Ming showed no sign of panic. Instead, a cold smile appeared on his face. His gaze swept over the three—Old Ghost Di Mo, Mo Tianxing, and Old Man Eagle Mountain —and a surge of battle intent and Killing Intent erupted. "I originally intended to leave peacefully, but since you've delivered yourselves to my doorstep, then... stay here!"

As he finished speaking, Lin Ming turned to Su Qian and Xiao Yi Xian and quickly said, "Great Elder, Xiao Yi Xian, Mo Tianxing and that Old Man Eagle Mountain, you just need to hold them off! I will deal with this Old Ghost Di Mo as soon as possible and then help you!"

Xiao Yi Xian immediately nodded in agreement, showing complete trust in Lin Ming. Great Elder Su Qian, on the other hand, was quite worried, but after seeing Lin Ming's calm and composed expression, he also nodded.

"Arrogant!"

Upon hearing this, the Old Ghost Di Mo was immediately enraged. His cultivation as Seven-Star Dou Ancestor had been so easily defeated by a mere Two-Star Dou Ancestor junior—this was a profound humiliation for him. He roared, "Since you're courting death, I'll grant your wish!"

A great battle erupted instantly!