The White-Haired Old Man

In the training room, Shen Ang, the head of Zi Maple Valley, read the letter presented to him by his nephew Shen Tu and then burned it.

"Spending all day talking about love and romance will never amount to anything. Is it really worth it for your cousin to steal a charming cultivator from a minor sect from your life, causing you to repeatedly come to me to complain?"

"Have I been too lenient with the younger generation?" Shen Ang reflected.

"The Grass Witch Cult? Chen Ye? In this world, how come any kind of person dares to come and see this old man?" Shen Ang took out another visiting card, intending to put it aside, but then remembered that his grand-nephew Shen Jin seemed to have mentioned it before.

"Since we have nothing else to do, let's meet him." Shen Ang shook his head, realizing he had indeed been too lenient with the younger generation.

Chen Ye, suddenly summoned by Shen Ang, had spent considerable time preparing, changing into a brand-new Daoist robe, and even getting new hairpins and shoes.

After finally making it to the meeting time, Chen Ye hunched over and Shen Jin step by step into Zi Maple Valley's temporary outpost in Tanggu County.

Facing Shen Ang True Cultivator, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Chen Ye's behavior could be described as extremely respectful.

"Greetings, Senior Shen." Chen Ye bowed deeply.

Upon suddenly seeing Chen Ye's appearance, Shen Jin recalled his private conversation with Lady Chong the day before and couldn't help but chuckle.

"Fellow Daoist, please rise. I dare not accept such a grand gesture. May I ask what important matter you wish to discuss with me? Please speak freely." Shen Ang first glanced at Shen Jin, then scrutinized the white-haired and bearded Chen Ye for a long while before slowly speaking.

Shen Ang and Chen Ye are actually of the same generation and had some dealings with each other when they were young.

Back in the day, Chen Ye was quite a formidable figure. He broke through to the Late Qi Refinement at a very young age. Even though Shen Ang came from a major Foundation Establishment sect, his cultivation speed was still surpassed by Chen Ye's back then.

Because of this relationship, when the two first met, Shen Ang held Chen Ye in high esteem.

Nearly a century has passed, and now the high-ranking and respected head of the Shen Ang can hardly remember Chen Ye, his old acquaintance from his youth.

Neither the letters from the two younger members of the clan could evoke memories in Shen Ang's mind. Only when he actually saw Chen Ye's aged appearance did his youthful spirit come alive again.

This also stirred a slight ripple in Shen Ang's heart. It was all due to the times and fate. The two boys from back then had completely different statuses now, one kneeling and the other standing.

"I have heard that Senior Shen possesses a secret blood-changing technique called 'Change Yin.' I wish to use this technique to seek its benefits, and I humbly request Senior's permission."

Based on Shen Ang's thinking, Chen Ye should also remember him.

However, Chen Ye was kneeling below, showing no intention of reminiscing or overstepping his bounds. He simply held up a brocade box with both hands, offering it with a humble and earnest expression, a hint of something in his cloudy old eyes.

"Second Tier Yang-Nourishing Water." Shen Ang was slightly taken aback. It turned out that this mere Qi Refinement cultivator actually had some good stuff to offer. This item was a useful treasure for many Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, but he hadn't expected Chen Ye to be so willing to part with it.

"I may disappoint you, fellow Daoist, but I have never heard of any blood-changing secret technique called 'Change Yin.' It is most likely just hearsay. Please do not believe it."

Although Chen Ye was generous, Shen Ang had no intention of making a deal with a mere Qi Refining Qi Refinement. The Change Yin secret technique was something he obtained from an ancient cultivator's cave abode; although its grade was not high, it was quite ingenious.

He had held it in his hands for many years, studying it extensively, only thinking of deriving one or two decent Technique Method from this secret art. In doing so, it was impossible for him to spread it.

"But how did Chen Ye know I possess the secret technique 'Change Yin'?" Shen Ang turned his gaze to his grand-nephew Shen Jin. This scoundrel was willing to reveal anything, but at least he was only talking to a minor Qi Refining Qi Refinement, so he still had some sense of propriety.

If he were to reveal some of his secrets to the formidable enemies of Zi Maple Valley, wouldn't that be a major disaster?! Shen Ang secretly resolved that he would have to give the clan's members a good talking-to in a few days; they were becoming increasingly unruly.

"This junior can swear a solemn oath to my senior, promising never to pass on the technique after obtaining it," Chen Ye pleaded again, his expression resolute.

"I truly have no such method, fellow Daoist, please do not be offended." Shen Ang remained unmoved and shook his head in rejection.

"I also have eight thousand Spirit Stone, which I may offer." Chen Ye's eyes revealed a resolute look, which was deeply moving.

After a long silence, Shen Ang spoke, stroking his short beard. "Fellow Daoist's devotion to the Dao is very firm, but I truly do not possess such a thing. Please forgive me."

"In that case, I'll take my leave now, senior." Chen Ye remained silent for a moment, then rose to take his leave, still respectfully.

Shen Ang returned the greeting, his eyes gleaming. As Chen Ye turned and left, his robes shimmered slightly behind him.

"I remember you said he didn't have much time left to live, right?" Shen Ang said softly, looking at Shen Jin beside him.

"How many more ten years can he live?" Shen Jin estimated, counting on his fingers.

"Two years! He'll definitely die within two years!" Shen Ang declared confidently, a strange glint in his eyes. "Two years, tsk tsk. Better to underestimate an old man than a poor young man."

Chen Ye walked out of the temporary outpost in Zi Maple Valley with a blank expression. The bright sunlight made the old man, who was full of life, feel somewhat comfortable.

"What a pity, we can't take pictures for too long."

He returned to his residence, where the Lady Chong had an exquisite dressing table in front of her and was doing her makeup. Without thinking, Old Xiu tore off the Lady Chong's short skirt and grabbed it.

"Old man, are you trying to die?" the latter exclaimed, and the sound of the bed being pressed down suddenly rang out.

He indulged in lewd behavior during the day without activating any magic arrays, causing the neighbors to frown, but none of them paid any attention. Everyone knew that the woman living next door was a flirtatious female cultivator, and they all assumed that it was the disciple from Zi Maple Valley who was doing good deeds. That was a disciple from a major Foundation Establishment sect, and they, as low-level Rogue Cultivator, couldn't afford to offend her.

The commotion continued for a long time, much to the astonishment of the neighbors. Even the disciples of Zi Maple Valley never took this long on ordinary days. Where did they find this divine healer?

"Comfortable." After a long while, Chen Ye finally sat up from the bed, but alas, the comfort wouldn't last long. "Old man, what's wrong? You're not worried about your lifespan today?" Lady Chong asked, her face flushed as she tidied her clothes.

"I won't hold back anymore. I won't buy any more Foundation Establishment items. I'll use the Spirit Stone to buy some longevity pills." Chen Ye couldn't resist pounced on Lady Chong when he saw her half-concealed appearance.

Pear blossoms and begonia complement each other perfectly.

After several days of reckless living in the temporary inn, Chen Ye finally settled down to rest.

This old cultivator, seeking Changsheng, had abstained from meat for one or two decades. Now that he had broken his vow, he couldn't resist eating more and couldn't control his appetite. He changed back into his usual pleated Daoist robe, rode his giant beetle-shaped chariot with Lady Chong, and chose a secluded road to head towards the Grass Witch Cult.

It seemed he had made up his mind to leave Tanggu County, this sorrowful place, and return to his old home to await his death.

A gentle breeze caressed her face. The Lady Chong, sitting reclining on the beast-drawn carriage, raised her fair, jade-like feet and hummed a little tune. Chen Ye, who was pretending to be asleep in the carriage, also clapped his hands and hummed along.

High on the mountain, there is a locust tree.

Holding onto the railing, I wait for my lover to come.

The mother asked her daughter, "What are you looking at?"

I long for the locust blossoms, when will they bloom?

"Mother asked her daughter, 'What are you looking at?'"

"As shy as a locust blossom, I think of my beloved."

As the folk song ended, a chill swept through the air. The Lady Chong stopped singing and put on her smooth little feet in silk stockings. Just then, a soft gasp came from the carriage behind her.

"They're here!"

When Lady Chong turned around and saw Chen Ye, her ears twitched. The latter smiled with relief, urged the beetle on, and with Lady Chong's exclamation, the beetle carried the carriage away at breakneck speed.

Chen Ye laughed loudly and leaped out of the carriage, clearly having guessed who the newcomer was and was prepared.

"I'm really curious, where did you get the guts!" Shen Ang flew through the air on his sword, not even glancing at the fleeing Lady Chong. His Method Formula was surprised, and his hands moved swiftly, forming six thick vines that burst forth from under the official road.

Chen Ye's ten fingers emitted a dark light as he plunged them into the oncoming vines. His hands were submerged, and juices splattered everywhere. The vines, as thick as a large man's embrace, visibly turned gray and withered.

"You've mastered the Withering Kill Finger technique. Your disciple spends all his time with my nephew, surely he's extracted a lot of information from me." Shen Ang chuckled, then lightly tapped his foot, sending his flying sword soaring into the sky.

He didn't spout nonsense like, "Hand over your Storage Bag, and I'll spare your life!" He was indeed after that bottle of Second Tier Yang-Nourishing Water and those eight thousand Spirit Stone; he had come to kill and plunder.

After all, the two combined amount to more than ten thousand Spirit Stone, a sum that would be hard for any Foundation Establishment cultivator to resist.

But Chen Ye, that old bastard, first flaunted his wealth to entice me, and then deliberately found a side path to facilitate my murder and robbery. It was clear that he did this to lure me into making a move, which was quite intriguing.

However, Shen Ang thought for a moment and said, "No matter what tricks you have, you're just a mere Qi Refinement cultivator. Do you think I'm afraid of you?"

Chen Ye, who was still dealing with several vines, didn't have time to think as much as Shen Ang. Faced with the flying sword rushing towards him, he couldn't free his hands, so he could only open his mouth and spit out a White Bone Banner that was radiating bloody light.

The White Bone Banner exuded Blood Qi and a chilling presence, causing Shen Ang to frown slightly and feel a sense of apprehension.

The flying sword was as swift as lightning. A ten-foot-tall white bone demon shadow appeared on the White Bone Banner, wielding a vajra and swinging down with great force. The flying sword's attack faltered, and it was actually forced back to Shen Ang's feet.

"Pseudo Spirit Artifact." Shen Ang 'Shen Ang gaze sharpened, and he slightly abandoned his contempt. With a flick of his finger, the flying sword split into six illusory images, one real and six fake, forming a sword formation that shot towards Chen Ye.

The White Bone Demon God remained fearless, his vajra gleaming with crimson light. With a roar, he charged straight at the sword formation.

"Overestimating yourself!" Shen Ang sneered as he watched the White Bone Demon God crumble instantly from the flying sword array. Did he really think that Pseudo Spirit Artifact with the words "Spirit Artifact" on it was Second Tier Spirit Artifact? How laughable!

The flying sword was stopped twice by the White Bone Banner. Chen Ye had also finished dealing with the six vines. His clean white Daoist robe had been stained grass-colored. He retrieved the White Bone Banner, then summoned a talisman, which burned to ashes in the wind.

Dozens of sword lights appeared out of thin air, crashing into Shen Ang's sword formation one after another, easily annihilating six illusory figures, leaving only one real sword clanging as it was struck.

"Hundred Swords Talisman." Shen Ang retrieved his flying sword, quite surprised, because this kind of Second Tier talisman was quite expensive, and it was difficult to buy without spending one or two thousand Spirit Stone. It was also rare to see in a small place like Cloud Horn Prefecture.

Moreover, the talisman used by Chen Ye was quite powerful, clearly made by a proper Second Tier talisman master. Even he, a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, had very few talismans of this caliber at present, yet Chen Ye, a mere Qi Refining Qi Refinement, had such an opportunity.

"This is your trump card?" Shen Ang chuckled. Just because he got a few Second Tier talismans, he thought he could fight enemies of higher levels? Has he been reading too many stories and really thinks Foundation Establishment is worthless!

The flying sword retreated, but a few scattered sword lights still attacked. With a flick of the finger, the air currents surged, creating a small whirlwind that easily swept up the sword lights, causing them to dissipate into the air after exhausting their spiritual power.

Chen Ye spat out a mouthful of Essence Blood, Essence Blood formed a strange rune in the air and imprinted on the White Bone Banner. The few remaining black hairs on Chen Ye's head turned snow-white, and his entire body exuded an even stronger aura of death.

The aura of the White Bone Banner was replenished, the blood light intensified, and the Shen Ang image of the White Bone Demon White Bone Demon God was summoned again. With a light touch of the Shen'ang Method Formula, the flying swords formed a sword array again, and the two clashed. Although the flying swords could not easily defeat the illusory image of the White Bone Demon God again, they still held the upper hand.

Their Shen Ang Law Artifact entangled in the air. Shen Ang frowned upon seeing this and summoned another top-grade magical Law Artifact shield. This Chen Ye was not as weak as he had previously imagined; some of his methods could not be taken lightly!

Chen Ye swallowed a pill and then summoned a small, dark yellow pagoda. "Freeze!"

"Another Pseudo Spirit Artifact." Shen Ang looked surprised. He was about to get close when his Foundation Establishment Law Artifact shield was actually restrained by a Qi Refinement cultivator.

"No, even Pseudo Spirit Artifact shouldn't be this easy to obtain." As Shen Ang thought this, he noticed that the outer shell of the Xuanhuang Pagoda attached to the air had developed fine cracks.

"Even if he doesn't do that, he can't subdue my Law Artifact." Shen Ang breathed a sigh of relief, having exhausted all his options. Then, his eyes sharpened, and he abandoned the shield.

With a single palm strike, the force was terrifying. Chen Ye felt the surrounding air burning hot as he inhaled it. It was just an ordinary low- Vast-Tier Lower-Grade Gathering Fire Palm, yet it possessed such great power when wielded by Foundation Establishment cultivator.

Chen Ye dared not delay. He brought out a bowl of talisman water, swallowed it, and then opened his mouth wide, spewing out a large amount of foul-smelling talisman water mixed with countless black sand.

The fiery palm print, as tall as the user, formed by the Gathering Fire Palm was annihilated by the talisman water.

Shen Ang was startled. He recognized the Technique Method; it was the Desolate Rank, Supreme Grade Water-Swallowing Technique passed down through generations of the Grass Witch Cult. When did it become so powerful?

Seeing Chen Ye finish another bowl of talisman water, before the talisman water in front of him had even dissipated, another surge came over.

Shen Ang was somewhat flustered. He hadn't heard of such a troublesome Qi Refinement cultivator in years! He was about to counterattack by forming hand seals when he sensed three figures rushing towards him from behind.

He then swung his hand and unleashed a wind blade behind him, which was easily dodged by the three-headed, ugly creature with blue eyes, red teeth, a leopard's head, bear's paws, and black skin covered with countless poison sacs.

"When did he summon these Witch Beasts?!" Shen Ang was even more surprised. He could usually defeat three Witch Beasts at the Perfected Qi Refinement with a single sword strike, but now he had to deal with them with caution.

As the talismanic water swirled towards him, Shen Ang had no way to avoid it. His Second Tier magic robe emitted a mysterious light, isolating him from the outside world.

Countless black sands, enveloped in talismanic water, crashed against the light barrier, clanging and jingling. If they were to strike a person, they could easily embed themselves into their flesh and bone marrow, causing them immense suffering.

The three-headed Witch Beast shot out sharp spikes, and Chen Ye swallowed a few more pills. Two Hundred Swords Talisman followed suit.

With his Second Tier magic robe in imminent danger, Shen Ang summoned a high-grade flying sword and slashed down a Witch Beast in front of him. However, as the flying sword accomplished its goal, its spiritual light diminished.

"You scoundrel! You've defiled my Law Artifact!"

Shen Ang made Method Formula, and the flying swords in the world buzzed, with fine lines appearing on their blades. In an instant, they shattered the current illusory image of the White Bone Demon God and struck the White Bone Banner's main body heavily.

With a single strike, the flying sword struck Chen Ye with overwhelming force.

"Pfft." Chen Ye vomited a mouthful of blood and swayed. He saw that Shen Ang's Second Tier Shen Ang, which had been damaged by two Hundred Swords Talisman, was also torn. In a panic, Shen Ang changed the direction of his flying sword and easily killed the two Witch Beasts on the spot. He didn't care about the damage to his flying sword. Shen Ang and tried to go up into the sky to avoid the talisman water.

Unexpectedly, it was too late. A large amount of black sand hit his face, his right eyelid was broken, and several grains of black sand stuck to his eyeball, burning out black blood.

"Die!" In excruciating pain, Shen Ang finally roared in fury!

The Foundation Establishment True Cultivator's flying sword struck again, shattering Chen Ye's Xuanhuang Pagoda. Shen Ang first turned his top-grade Law Artifact shield around, then formed a sword formation with several hand seals!

As the Xuanhuang Pagoda shattered, a look of despair appeared on Chen Ye's fair face.

Shen Ang methods of this Zi Maple Valley sect leader, Shen Ang, were indeed beyond the reach of ordinary Qi Refinement. Chen Ye could only sigh deeply, take out a Divine Wood Talisman, and burn it in mid-air, creating a huge divine wood that protected him.

With this barrier in place, Chen Ye continued his work. He then took out a bowl of talisman water and drank it down in large gulps. His bones cracked and popped, and in a short while, his entire body swelled to the height of a two-story building.

The Second-Tier Lower-Grade Divine Wood Talisman failed to stop Shen Ang, True Cultivator Foundation Establishment Shen Ang, from attacking in anger. The giant tree shattered into spiritual light that scattered in all directions, and the sword formation instantly lost its obstruction, plunging headlong into Chen Ye's broad chest.

"Ah!" Chen Ye felt as if his entire body was about to be blown apart by the enormous force. Countless Sword Qi were relentlessly surging into his body from the outside, as if he would lose his life at any moment!

"But thankfully he didn't die!" Chen Ye exclaimed, and quickly circulated his Cultivation Method.

A mysterious blood-red rune gradually appeared between his eyebrows, and his flesh and tendons trembled, becoming incredibly Hardness and solid.

The small building grew smaller and smaller until it returned to its original size in a short while. At the same time, the six illusory flying swords that were stuck in Chen Ye's body were easily crushed in the process.

The Seven Mysteries Sword Formation that Shen Ang Shen Ang famous for was now reduced to just one real sword, which Chen Ye had locked to his body. Large amounts of black blood dripped from the flying sword onto the ground, sizzling and corroding small pits.

Shen Ang was amazed. If he had encountered the other two junior brothers in the sect today, they might have really been defeated. However, he had encountered the sect leader of Zi Maple Valley, Nai Gong!

Thinking of this, Shen Ang pressed his advantage relentlessly, his hand Method Formula changing several times, the flying sword struggling and swaying inside Chen Ye's body. Chen Ye's wounds were mangled and bloody by the flying sword, his face ashen, yet he still stood there, continuously channeling his inner energy.

"Oh no! This thief's blood is even more tainting to magical Law Artifact than that Witch Beast!" Shen Ang. His low-grade Spirit Artifact flying sword was the most prized possession of Zi Maple Valley, and its value was extremely high! He couldn't let it be destroyed!

At this moment, there was no time to worry about anything else. Shen Ang rushed out of the talisman water in a hurry, but in an instant, many parts of his body were smashed by black sand and stained by the talisman water.

Chen Ye's black sand was no ordinary substance; each grain was poisonous, causing the flesh and blood at Shen Ang's wound to turn black rapidly.

Shen Ang circulated his spiritual power to suppress the toxins in his body. After only a slight sensation, he realized that this level of witchcraft was no match for Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, and he felt much more at ease.

"After dealing with Chen Ye, there are many ways to resolve this!" But as the aura of the flying sword grew weaker and weaker, Shen Ang became anxious and walked to Chen Ye's side with his shield.

Since he couldn't summon the flying sword back with his spiritual power, he would have to personally reach out and pull it out.

As Shen Ang approached, he saw Chen Ye's lips curl into a slight smile. "Not good!" Shen Ang's expression changed drastically upon seeing this, and he hurriedly retreated.

But how could they possibly escape!

Chen Ye opened his mouth wide, and a puff of yellow smoke shot out from his abdomen through his teeth, easily seeping into the light shield outside the shield.

Shen Ang hurriedly shut off his six senses, but the yellow smoke that Chen Ye spewed from his mouth was no ordinary thing. It then entered through the pores of his body and soon became entangled with the witchcraft poison in his body.

The combined effect of these two factors resulted in a voodoo that was extremely vicious, completely beyond Shen Ang's expectations. His previous methods of suppressing the toxins were now utterly useless.

Unable to suppress the toxins, Shen Ang was quickly invaded by them throughout his meridians. This Foundation Establishment True Cultivator cried out in alarm and hurriedly used all the techniques he had learned to contain the poison within his body, but he was unable to do so for a long time.

In the blink of an eye, the voodoo that had invaded his flesh and blood had rendered him unable to control even a trace of spiritual power.

In the blink of an eye, Shen Ang's skin was stained black by the ferocious poison. At this point, no matter how much he shouted, it was all in vain.

Blood began to splatter from the numerous holes in the flesh. By this time, Shen Ang's skin and flesh had rotted away completely, no longer able to adhere to the bones, and were falling off in a rustling sound.

The intense pain emanating from his body blurred Shen Ang's vision. He vaguely saw an old man with white hair and a spirit sword stuck in his body moving towards him.

Clinging to the last shred of dignity of Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, he didn't beg for mercy, only stammering, "If only I had given the * Change Yin * to..."

Before he could finish speaking, a warmth rose in his throat, and his shoulders felt lighten; he did not reply.

"Your composure is still lacking; you shouldn't have laughed just now." Chen Ye, holding Shen Ang's severed head, seemed oblivious to the excruciating pain, grinning and revealing a mouthful of teeth as he chuckled easily.

"I've rehearsed this countless times in my mind, but I've never felt this light and agile as I do today." Even with the flying sword still embedded in his chest, and black blood rolling down the blade and onto the hilt, splashing onto the ground, Chen Ye didn't care.

He meticulously cleaned up the scene as he did after every ambush, then, with his head of pure white silver hair draped over his shoulders, he walked alone, staggering, towards the shadows to hide.

The flying sword was still embedded in his flesh and blood. Having lost its master, it swayed with Chen Ye's steps, causing the wound on its "new master's" chest to be scraped even more mangled by the Sword Qi energy.

Wearing a wrinkled Daoist robe, Chen Ye felt intermittent, sharp pain in his chest, but his eyes remained as firm as iron, showing no sign of wavering.

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