Yun Che shifted aside, dodging the spiritual light, casually sent out a burst of mysterious force to knock the long sword off course, and reached up to seize Elder Huang's wrist.
"Don't worry. I won't just take your immortal power. Once you're dead, I'll write to the Immortal Alliance's Law Hall about everything you've done, so everyone in the Immortal City can see how a distinguished Council Hall elder pocketed a stolen treasure and used others to do his killing."
The Myriad Worlds Thief-Catching Hand worked at full power. Elder Huang's immortal power poured into Yun Che's body like floodwaters bursting through a dam. He tried to break free, but could not escape no matter what he did. He could only watch helplessly as his body shriveled bit by bit.
Several notification chimes rang out in Yun Che's mind in succession. His immortal power soared, filling his meridians ever more fully, until only a paper-thin barrier separated him from the second level of the Immortal Realm.
Elder Huang collapsed to the ground, utterly lifeless. Feeling the surging immortal power within him, Yun Che let out a long, stale breath. He turned to look at the Heaven-Mending Pearl in the hidden compartment, then at Shen Qing, who was still standing there in a daze, and spread his hands.
"Well, the criminal's dead, and the pearl's been found. Can I collect that bounty of five thousand supreme-grade immortal stones now?"
Shen Qing steadied herself, took the Heaven-Mending Pearl, and examined it carefully. After confirming that it was the stolen one, she drew a deep breath, put away her short blade, and saluted Yun Che with cupped hands.
"I was deceived by the old cultivator and wrongly accused you. Once we return, I'll report everything to the Law Hall. You'll receive the full