Chapter 111: The Primordial Spirit Seizing Technique

The mountain wind blew gently.

Several talisman papers fluttered out.

Two cultivators of the Second Heaven had come into conflict.

“Stop fighting,” Gan Huan called out from afar with a smile. “Come along with me…”

He reached out his hand, suddenly releasing a brilliant light that transformed into a massive hand. From over ten yards away, it swiftly seized the two cultivators.

They were utterly defenseless and easily captured by the giant hand.

Gan Huan subdued the two cultivators and tossed them before him, handing them over to Sun Wenpeng for disposal. Then he turned to Qingyuan with a smile. “What do you think of my Spirit-Seizing Hand?”

Qingyuan replied calmly, “The Spirit-Seizing Hand is a recognized technique, though not especially profound. However, for you to wield it so skillfully, your mastery must indeed be deep.”

Gan Huan nodded with satisfaction. “I have practiced this hand technique for many years. It can capture or kill enemies with ease. Truly, only the legendary Five Spirits Transporting Technique could surpass it.”

The Five Spirits Transporting Technique involved commanding five spiritual beasts through secret methods, possessing uncanny, godlike power. This art was preserved in the Purple Cloud Palace, though Qingyuan had neither practiced nor studied it.

Qingyuan remained silent and followed closely.

Later, Gan Huan led them to a solitary cultivator of the Third Heaven.

This time, Gan Huan said nothing. With a flick of his hand, a large azure palm swept forward, its palm lines distinct and emanating a chilling aura.

A cultivator who had reached the mid-Third Heaven realm possessed skills that were nearly invincible to ordinary practitioners. The man was caught before he could even speak.

“Enough,” Gan Huan said to Sun Wenpeng. “Let’s go back.”

Sun Wenpeng’s expression darkened slightly, and he nodded.

Qingyuan glanced around. Including himself, five had been captured. The first one had even lost both arms, left with only legs to walk on.

“Are you sending us ahead to scout?” Qingyuan asked softly as he withdrew his gaze.

“Oh?” Gan Huan was somewhat surprised but smiled. “You do have some insight.”

Sun Wenpeng sneered coldly. “You want to scout? With your level of cultivation, even if you learn something, what can you really do? Do you think you can overturn the heavens?”

Qingyuan looked at him calmly but said nothing.

Sun Wenpeng’s face flushed with anger. In a rage, he struck a palm toward Qingyuan’s face.

In Sun Wenpeng’s mind, Qingyuan’s internal energy was suppressed. If he were a mortal, the strike would not kill but certainly cause great pain.

The palm stirred the wind as it came down.

Suddenly, Qingyuan reached out, grasping Sun Wenpeng’s wrist. With a shake, he threw him aside.

Sun Wenpeng flipped to the ground, avoiding a fall but appearing awkward. As he regained his stance, his face darkened. He concentrated his energy, forming a dazzling spell.

“Seeking death!” he snarled.

The spell surged forward, light flashing.

Just as Qingyuan prepared to dodge, a hand appeared beside him, pressing down on the spell and instantly dispelling it.

Gan Huan calmly withdrew his hand and said faintly, “I have my reasons for capturing him, but if you want to insult him, you’ll have to rely on your own skill.”

Sun Wenpeng ceased his attack and cast a murderous glance at Qingyuan.

Gan Huan glanced at Qingyuan and said slowly, “Young man, your martial skill seems quite respectable.”

Qingyuan tapped his silkworm-silk robe casually and replied, “You flatter me.”

The Iron God Gallbladder that Qingyuan had just taken from Sun Wenpeng was quickly reclaimed by him.

The iron rod had also fallen into Sun Wenpeng’s hands. Neither Gan Huan nor Sun Wenpeng paid it much attention at first glance, as its plain appearance belied its value. Only the thunder patterns on it caught Sun Wenpeng’s interest, so he pocketed it.

As for Qingyuan’s pouch, it seemed too worn and empty to attract notice. Gan Huan, out of respect, ignored it, and Sun Wenpeng, born into the Sun family, naturally looked down on a lone cultivator’s belongings, not even bothering to inspect them.

“Let’s go…”

…

At the foot of Mount Fuzhong.

Lu Yushuang’s white robes were stained with blood. Though her wounds had healed, they were still shocking to behold.

Hua Mei and Yu Ling stayed by her side. They had contacted the other disciples of the Flower Washing Pavilion and waited here.

Hua Mei stood nearby with a smile but suddenly frowned, exclaiming, “She was caught by that Fourth Heaven master?”

Lu Yushuang sensed the change and quietly asked, “What happened?”

Hua Mei covered her mouth with a smile, eyes narrowed. “Your lover was taken.”

Lu Yushuang frowned slightly, casting Hua Mei a cold glance before turning away, silent.

Yu Ling was surprised. “He was really taken?”

Hua Mei nodded. “Yes.”

Yu Ling puffed her cheeks in displeasure. “But you said he was inscrutable. How was he caught so quickly?”

“Inscrutable doesn’t mean untouchable.”

Hua Mei had seen how Qingyuan feigned weakness when facing the Iron God Gallbladder’s iron spikes, pretending to be injured. She knew he must have other plans. After a moment, she looked at Yu Ling seriously. “If he dies along the way, then I’ve misjudged him. But if he survives and even obtains the mountain’s immortal treasure, and rises in the future, then he will be a valuable ally for you…”

Yu Ling pouted. “What ally… I don’t need help.”

“Little girl.” Hua Mei reached out her fair, slender hand and lightly patted her head. “Don’t think that just because you have such great fortune, have joined the Flower Washing Pavilion, and have backing, you can rest easy. The world today is not as it once was. Sister…”

Before she could finish, she suddenly stopped and looked aside.

Other Flower Washing Pavilion disciples had arrived.

One was a young woman of gentle beauty, around twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old, carrying a sword on her back. Upon seeing Lu Yushuang lying on a green wooden bed, her white robes bloodied and face pale, her expression grew severe.

“What happened?”

Her face turned cold, radiating killing intent.

Hua Mei smiled gracefully but gave no explanation.

“Senior Sister Zhou…” Lu Yushuang turned her head, shook it slightly, and said, “It’s nothing.”

Yu Ling stepped before Senior Sister Zhou, lowered her head, and said, “I know. It’s all my fault…”

Senior Sister Zhou placed her hand on Yu Ling’s small head, gently rubbing it. “Tell me everything.”

Yu Ling recounted the events truthfully, without exaggeration. Afterward, she glanced at Lu Yushuang and snorted, “I’m done with that guy, but since Senior Sister was hurt trying to save him, this isn’t over…”

Senior Sister Zhou’s expression hardened. “Harming a disciple of the Flower Washing Pavilion is indeed unforgivable.”

“Senior Sister,” Lu Yushuang shook her head firmly. “I want to defeat him myself.”

Before Senior Sister Zhou could reply, Hua Mei clapped her hands and laughed softly. “Miss Lu speaks rightly. Such face must be earned personally. As for you…”

She looked at Senior Sister Zhou with a hint of severity. “That fellow guarding the orthodox sect is stationed in the heavens. Do you intend to stir up trouble?”

Senior Sister Zhou’s face changed abruptly.