The Cicada Catches the Mantis, the Oriole Eats the Cicada

With the death of Mo Tianxing, his subordinates scattered and fled in all directions. Yao Chen had no time to bother with them and let them go, turning instead to collect the storage rings from the few he had just slain.

"Not bad, there's quite a lot of loot here."

Yao Chen looked at the storage rings in his hand and said with satisfaction.

Seeing that the enemies had been essentially wiped out, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian made their way over to Yao Chen's side.

"Teacher, they've all run off. Shouldn't we be leaving now?"

"No rush. There is still a friend waiting nearby. You two should just watch from the sidelines."

Relying on his formidable soul power to detect another Dou Zong lurking nearby, Yao Chen spoke to Xiao Yan and his companion.

"Friend, it is time to show yourself. There is no one else left."

Yao Chen called out toward the empty space nearby, his voice imbued with soul power.

After he finished speaking, the scene remained deathly silent, with no one responding.

"Friend, if you do not come out now, we shall be taking our leave."

As his words faded, a gust of wild wind swept past, and a figure suddenly appeared before Yao Chen. The man spoke indifferently.

"Sir, there is no need to be in such a hurry to leave."

This was a man in a pale blue robe with a slender build, appearing to be in his thirties.

His true identity was that of a member of the Ling Clan, one of the eight ancient clans. His name was Ling Yu Feng, and his cultivation had reached the level of a nine-star Dou Zong.

Because his aptitude was mediocre and he had offended someone within his clan, he had been expelled from the Spirit Realm.

Before leaving, he had stolen that soul technique from the clan's treasure vault.

Now, having fled to the Black Corner Region, this chaotic land, he intended to use the guise of an auction to acquire treasures to boost his strength, after which he planned to return to the clan to take revenge and kill the person who had expelled him.

Unfortunately, he had run into Yao Chen's group today, and his life would likely end here.

"Friend, you must be the one who auctioned that soul technique at the auction house."

Relying on his powerful soul perception, Yao Chen already knew who stood before him.

"Sir, that is correct. That soul technique was indeed consigned by me at that auction house. I must ask you to hand over the storage rings of those you killed earlier, as well as your own."

Ling Yu Feng did not hold Yao Chen in any regard. Born into one of the eight ancient clans and possessing a cultivation of a nine-star Dou Zong, he spoke to Yao Chen with great disdain.

"Brat, what a big mouth you have! This old man shall see exactly what kind of tricks you have up your sleeve."

Yao Chen stared coldly at Ling Yu Feng, his Dou Qi surging. A cluster of brilliant purple Heavenly Flame—the Dream-Illusion Blazing Flame—burned fiercely in his hand, emitting a heart-stopping heat and a mysterious glow.

Yao Chen let out a loud shout and hurled the Dream-Illusion Blazing Flame toward Ling Yu Feng.

The cluster of Heavenly Flame streaked across the void like a meteor, carrying the momentum to destroy everything in its path.

However, Ling Yu Feng flickered, executing his unique movement technique, "Shadow Blood Flash," instantly transforming into a blurred blood-colored shadow and dodging the attack of the Dream-Illusion Blazing Flame with incredible speed.

His figure drifted unpredictably in the wind, making him difficult to track.

After dodging the attack, a cold sneer appeared on the corner of Ling Yu Feng's mouth. He quickly formed hand seals, and a powerful wind-attribute Dou Qi gathered in his hands.

"Wind Brake Annihilation Gale!" he roared, and a massive cyan storm swept toward Yao Chen and the Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian behind him.

Wherever the storm passed, sand and stones flew, and deep gullies were carved into the ground.

Seeing the situation turn dire, a flash of anxiety crossed Yao Chen's eyes.

He knew the power of this strike well; if Xiao Yi Xian or Xiao Yan were hit, the consequences would be unimaginable.

At the critical moment, Yao Chen mobilized the Dream-Illusion Blazing Flame once more, the flames instantly forming a massive shield in front of him.

The flames flowed across the shield, emitting powerful energy fluctuations.

The storm crashed violently against the shield, producing a deafening roar.

The powerful impact caused the ground beneath Yao Chen's feet to collapse, and his body trembled slightly, but he gritted his teeth and held the shield firmly, ensuring the safety of Xiao Yi Xian and Xiao Yan.

As the storm gradually dissipated, Yao Chen finally let out a sigh of relief.

However, his outer robe was now tattered from the powerful impact, revealing his sturdy chest.

"Damn you!" Yao Chen's eyes widened, flames of fury burning within them.

He had never been in such a sorry state, and the anger in his heart was thoroughly ignited.

With a wave of his right hand, the Dragon Abyss Star Sword appeared in his grasp.

"Star Annihilation Sword!" Yao Chen roared, unleashing a Heaven-Tier Dou Technique.

In an instant, the sky was filled with brilliant starlight, and the power of countless stars converged upon the Dragon Abyss Star Sword.

The sword's light flared intensely, as if it were about to illuminate the entire world.

The powerful sword intent made the surrounding space unstable. Ling Yu Feng felt unprecedented pressure, but he refused to be outdone and decided to stake everything on one final strike.

"Wrath of the Wind God!" Ling Yu Feng also unleashed his strongest Earth-Tier Advanced Dou Technique.

All the Dou Qi in his body surged madly into the storm, which instantly became even more violent, howling as it rushed toward Yao Chen.

The two powerful attacks collided in mid-air, instantly erupting with earth-shattering energy fluctuations.

The radiance shone so brilliantly that it was impossible to look directly at it.

The entire wilderness trembled under the impact of this energy, causing surrounding mountain peaks to collapse and the earth to crack open.

Yet in the end, Ling Yu Feng's Wrath of the Wind God could not withstand Yao Chen's Star Annihilation Sword.

Amidst a desperate shriek, Ling Yu Feng's storm was thoroughly shattered, and his body was engulfed by the starlight.

When the light dissipated, Ling Yu Feng had already fallen, his corpse plummeting from the sky.

Watching Ling Yu Feng's body fall, Yao Chen casually swept it into his storage ring.

Having gone through two consecutive battles, Yao Chen's body felt somewhat weak, and he spoke to Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian.

"Let us leave this place first; this master is a bit exhausted and needs to find a spot to rest and recover."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian immediately supported Yao Chen and headed deep into the mountains to find a place to stay.

After flying for quite a while, they discovered a spot beside a waterfall, which served as an excellent location for recuperation.

Upon arriving, Yao Chen immediately used his soul power to scan the surrounding hundred-mile radius. Finding nothing unusual, he felt at ease as he brought out the spoils of war.

First, he took out Mo Tianxing's storage ring, and with a surge of soul power, Yao Chen instantly wiped away the original soul imprint on it.

Peering inside, he saw it was filled with piles of gold coins, weapons, and some low-grade medicinal pills, with no sign of any Dou Techniques or cultivation methods. As he continued to probe, he discovered a small jade bottle placed separately to the side.

Yao Chen took out this jade bottle and opened it to look inside.

A soft, pale green light emanated from within, and amidst the glow, countless tiny green specks seemed to be swimming slowly, like a group of nimble spirits.

Its form was not fixed; at times it condensed into a smooth, round liquid sphere...

"It seems this is the Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva."

Yao Chen suddenly turned his head and said to Xiao Yi Xian.

"Girl, this bottle of Bodhi Body Transformation Saliva will play a crucial role in controlling your Woe Poison Body."