Reunion

"Buzz!"

A clear, crisp sword cry rang out.

Chen Fan's figure blurred slightly, and a flash of icy sword light suddenly streaked between the two disciples.

He appeared behind them in an instant. With a flick of his sword, his body became a phantom and shot away at tremendous speed.

"What are you two doing? Hurry and stop him!" the Burly Man shouted at the two disciples.

Thud! Thud!

As soon as the words left his mouth, the two disciples collapsed heavily to the ground. A thin line of blood slowly appeared across each of their necks.

Such terrifying Sword Qi. The Burly Man was shocked, but he didn't dare waste time. He hurried toward the cave entrance in pursuit.

Chen Fan hadn't fled far, however. The Black-Robed Woman had blocked his way outside the cave.

When the Black-Robed Woman saw Chen Fan, she froze for a moment, a puzzled look in her eyes. She murmured to herself, "How come it's a man?"

Then she fixed her gaze on Chen Fan and asked, "Who sent you?"

Without waiting for his answer, she turned to look at the White-Robed Woman in midair and called out, "Senior Sister, I never expected you to take a male disciple. And judging by the look of him, his aptitude isn't anything special, either."

Chen Fan furrowed his brow slightly and paid her little heed. He was calculating the best route to the formation's eye. At his current Qi Refining Layer 4, he had no strength to stand against someone in the Foundation Establishment Realm. He knew all too well the gulf between their realms.

"This person isn't my disciple. My actual disciple did come here to gain experience, but I warned her long ago to stay away from this place. Your scheme has already failed," the White-Robed Woman said, shaking her head gently.

"You came here for your disciple, didn't you? If I hadn't detained him, how else could you have appeared here?" The Black-Veiled Woman didn't believe her.

"I came to stop you from making one mistake after another. You mustn't touch this Tomb. Especially certain things—there's a reason they were buried deep, never to see the light of day again. Otherwise, disaster will follow." Frost gradually covered the White-Robed Woman's face.

"Is that so? I don't believe it. Your precious disciple has already stolen them out of the Tomb." The Black-Veiled Woman chuckled and glanced at Chen Fan.

"I told you, he isn't my disciple," the White-Robed Woman said with a frown.

Whoosh!!

Chen Fan's figure suddenly blurred, and a flash of sword light sliced through the air.

The Black-Veiled Woman's expression turned cold. She swept out a hand, and a surging torrent of True Qi burst forth, roaring like a great flood. In an instant, it swallowed the slender sword light.

Chen Fan's figure appeared behind the Black-Veiled Woman. That attack had been a feint. Using the cover of her surging True Qi, he had swiftly dashed toward the cave exit.

"Hmph. You think you can get away?" The Black-Veiled Woman scoffed, making no move to chase him. A cultivator at Qi Refining Layer 4 was beneath her notice.

Only when she saw Chen Fan suddenly stop at a certain spot did her expression change slightly. After he swung his sword, her face turned ashen. By then, she realized it was too late to stop him.

"Boom!"

A tremendous crash rang out, and the Magic Array's barrier shattered. A small, square Formation Disk returned to the Black-Veiled Woman's hand.

"Brat, how dare you destroy my Magic Array?" Looking at the corner broken off her Formation Disk, the Black-Veiled Woman was nearly faint with rage. This Magic Tool was worth a fortune, yet a mere Qi Refining Layer 4 brat had damaged it.

"Young man, wait!" The White-Robed Woman in the air also suddenly swooped down on her sword and chased after Chen Fan. She couldn't let him take the things from the Tomb.

At that, the Black-Veiled Woman's eyes shifted, and a sly smile curled her lips.

"Senior Sister, you're staying, too."

She leapt into the air and flung out five Talismans. Amid a flash of light, they turned into five long swords and shot toward the White-Robed Woman with a piercing whistle, just barely stopping her from pursuing Chen Fan.

"Junior Sister, don't make trouble. This is no small matter. Those things mustn't be allowed to circulate outside," the White-Robed Woman said, frowning as she dodged the five flying swords.

The Black-Veiled Woman was unmoved. With a wave of her hand, she sent out ten Talismans, which transformed into ten long swords. Like meteors, they streaked across the sky together, sealing off every path the White-Robed Woman could take.

"I don't understand what you're worried about. The Marrow Cleansing Pill is precious, but it wouldn't be a big deal if it got out. Unless you're afraid of that sword?" A strange glint flashed in the Black-Veiled Woman's eyes as she looked at the White-Robed Woman. "Is there some secret behind that sword?"

"This has nothing to do with you." Seeing Chen Fan vanish completely into the wilderness, the White-Robed Woman's face turned frosty. She had no kind words for the Black-Veiled Woman, either. Turning, she flew back into the air, intending to continue searching for Chen Fan.

"Hmph. So much for the righteous sects. In the end, plenty of you have dirty secrets. Leaving the sect was indeed the right choice. You said I was born with a bewitching constitution and unsuited to the Immortal Sect, so I'll join the Demonic Path and prove my Dao through the demonic way." The Black-Veiled Woman watched the White-Robed Woman leave and laughed coldly.

"Ma'am." A Burly Man came up behind her. He was the same man who had discovered Chen Fan in the cave.

"What did he take?" A cold glint flashed in the Black-Veiled Woman's eyes.

"The sword and the Marrow Cleansing Pill," the Burly Man replied.

"Draw his portrait, post it at the entrance to Demon King Valley, and offer a huge reward for him." The Black-Veiled Woman paused briefly before adding, "Bring him back alive."

"Yes." The Burly Man hurried away.

Chen Fan was racing away, his figure swift as the wind. His True Qi was at its limit, and with the Formless Step beneath his feet, he had almost entirely become a phantom, flickering like a specter. The wind stirred the leaves and brush in the forest with a rustling hiss, but no person could be seen—only a blurry shadow flashed past like a streak.

He ran until he reached a secluded patch of woods. Only after making sure nobody had followed him did Chen Fan slowly come to a stop.

He had planned to break the formation's eye and set the White-Robed Woman and the Black-Veiled Woman against each other. He hadn't expected the White-Robed Woman to suddenly chase after him. That only strengthened his suspicion that this imitation sword was connected to the Immortal Sect—and to his own sword.

At that thought, he took the sword from his waist and strapped it to his back, where it would be easier to move with.

Then he spread out the hide map, picked an area where Monster Beasts roamed, and set off again.

Four days later...

High in the branches of a lush, ancient tree, Chen Fan concealed every trace of his presence and stared intently at the two Golden Leopards beneath him. These were Monster Beasts on par with Qi Refining Eighth Layer. They had already developed a sliver of intelligence and even formed Demon Cores. A Qi Refining Eighth Layer Demon Core would be quite useful to him.

There were plenty of human bones beneath the tree, as well as rotting corpses—the remains of people eaten by the two beasts. A foul stench kept assaulting Chen Fan's nose, but he didn't move a muscle. He had been hidden there all night.

→

At Qi Refining Layer 4, facing a Qi Refining Eighth Layer Monster Beast head-on would be no easier than facing two cultivators at Qi Refining Eighth Layer at once. What was more, this leopard was quick and agile, and with two beasts prowling together, Chen Fan could hardly be certain of victory. So he chose to wait.

To wait for a chance to strike!

Before long, one of the male leopards left to hunt, disappearing into the grass. Chen Fan didn't move, continuing to wait in silence.

A few breaths later, the male leopard that had left suddenly poked its head out of the grass. It bared its teeth, then slipped back inside.

Without a sound, Chen Fan's True Qi had already filled the entire length of his sword.

"Buzz!"

The long sword trembled violently, letting out a clear, crisp cry. Chen Fan pushed off the ground and shot forward as a phantom, his sword thrusting straight ahead in a flash of silver-white light.

Whoosh!

The Golden Leopard was keenly alert. Hearing the sound of something cutting through the air, it sprang forward like a tiger pouncing on its prey.

"Roar!" Amid an angry bellow, the Golden Leopard whipped its long tail behind it. It cracked through the air like a whip, its attack fierce and vicious.

Chen Fan's expression didn't change. He flicked his wrist, and the long sword swept around in a circle. A ring of sword light suddenly appeared in the air.

With a muffled hiss, a string of bright red blood beads sprayed through the air, and a long severed tail soared skyward.

Roar!!!

A thunderous roar suddenly exploded across the open ground. It stung Chen Fan's ears like needles. The sound could disturb the Divine Soul; anyone with a weak Divine Sense would have been scared out of their wits by that furious bellow.

Chen Fan's Divine Sense was far beyond that of an ordinary cultivator in the Qi Refining Realm. He wasn't affected at all. His long sword swept out, transforming into streaks of sword light like silken ribbons, weaving into a net that descended over the Golden Leopard.

A frightened growl rose from the Golden Leopard's throat. In its panic, it swiped a paw at Chen Fan.

"Shh!"

Blood splattered as Chen Fan sliced off the Golden Leopard's entire forepaw and sent it flying to one side.

The sword light was about to dismember the Golden Leopard on the spot.

Whoosh!

Suddenly, a sharp whistle tore through the air.

Chen Fan flicked his sword and spun around, slashing in time with its buzzing cry.

Clang!

Amid a crisp clash of metal, Chen Fan knocked a Silver Needle away with his sword.

Whoosh!

Before Chen Fan could catch his breath, another sharp whistle followed close behind.

Chen Fan's pupils contracted sharply. He swung his sword, bringing a straight beam of light diagonally across his front.

Chen Fan hurriedly drew back his sword. The blade had deflected the Silver Needle, but its force was astonishing. He could feel his sword trembling slightly.

Another clang rang out. Chen Fan felt as though his sword had struck a heavy axe swung down with all its might. His thumb and forefinger went numb, and his expression changed. He stopped trying to meet the attack head-on, planted his foot hard, and vaulted over the Golden Leopard.

Whoosh! Whoosh!

Just as expected, two more sharp whistles followed. Two Silver Needles streaked through the air in straight lines of silver light, like meteors flashing past, and plunged viciously into the Golden Leopard.

"Thud!"

The Golden Leopard seemed to take a mighty blow. Its body flew sideways a full two meters before crashing heavily to the ground. It growled a few times, staring fearfully in the direction the Silver Needles had come from.

Chen Fan's eyesight was exceptional. At a glance, he could tell that the Silver Needles had pierced straight through the Golden Leopard's body and only stopped when they struck the ground.

"You've got some skill. No wonder you dared to snatch treasure right under the noses of two people in the Foundation Establishment Realm." A soft, alluring voice drifted over.

A woman came through the woods, walking on air with her bare feet. She wore a black veil, which also concealed her face. Every step revealed a pair of pale, jade-like legs that set one's blood racing. Her slender gauze barely concealed her voluptuous figure.

Chen Fan remained unmoved. His gleaming sword pointed straight at the Black-Veiled Woman, its blade ringing with a low buzz.

"Roar!"

The Golden Leopard wasn't dead yet. It suddenly scrambled up and lunged wildly at Chen Fan.

Chen Fan frowned slightly. His long sword swept back, turning into a streak of sword light that came crashing down on the Golden Leopard.

The Black-Veiled Woman attacked at almost the same moment. With a flick of her hand, she sent out five Talismans, which turned into five long swords amid a flash of light. They whistled sharply toward the Golden Leopard.

Although the Black-Veiled Woman had stepped in to help, Chen Fan didn't lower his guard. His sword Qi came crashing down like a silken ribbon, and with a hiss, it cleaved the Golden Leopard's head in two. He stepped forward, a flash of sword light following him, and cut the Golden Leopard clean in half at the waist. The two pieces thudded to the ground, blood gushing from its middle. Between its flesh and blood, a Demon Core glimmered with blue light, its spiritual energy rippling with considerable force.

"Interesting. A Qi Refining Layer 4 cultivator cutting a Qi Refining Eighth Layer Golden Leopard in half at the waist. That's a first." A playful look flickered in the Black-Veiled Woman's eyes as she smiled at Chen Fan.

"Your flying swords from those Talismans held it back," Chen Fan said quietly.

"Humility is a fine quality. Since you're not my Senior Sister's disciple, I'll take you as my own." The Black-Veiled Woman spoke lightly.

"My aptitude isn't anything special," Chen Fan said indifferently.

The Black-Veiled Woman paused, then remembered that she had earlier told the White-Robed Woman that Chen Fan's aptitude was nothing special. She had only said it to provoke the White-Robed Woman, though. She had just seen Chen Fan's aptitude with her own eyes, and he was unquestionably a genius.

"Mm... You're young, yet you hold a grudge. That isn't a good trait, but I like it." The Black-Veiled Woman's voice was sultry, making Chen Fan deeply uncomfortable.

"Do you want your sword and pill back?" Chen Fan didn't want to waste time. He pointed his sword at the Black-Veiled Woman and said coldly, "Then come fight me."

"Pfft..."

Seeing Chen Fan act like that, the Black-Veiled Woman covered her little mouth behind the veil and laughed.

"Disciple, don't be afraid. Your Master wouldn't care about such trifles. Keep them if you like. If you need more, just ask your Master."

"..." Chen Fan was speechless. For a mighty Foundation Establishment Realm expert, she certainly acted strangely. He couldn't quite figure her out, but then again, she was just like the other cultivators had said: a demoness by nature.

At that thought, Chen Fan sheathed his sword. Then he picked up the Demon Core from the ground and turned to leave, ignoring the Black-Veiled Woman.

He had taken only a few steps when the Black-Veiled Woman's bewitching voice came from behind him. "Disciple, are you leaving?"