### Chapter 506: Old Acquaintance?
Back in Tianhai City, Yun Zhonghe had used the same trick to summon the Sword Path, successfully defeating the Disaster Empress.
So, if Yun Zhonghe’s secret were to be exposed, it could very well drag out all the secrets from that time in Tianhai City, and then Su Xiaoxiao and Chen Leling’s secrets would be in jeopardy too!
At this moment, with Li Yifeng and the others giving him those complex looks, Yun Zhonghe couldn’t help but feel anxious.
“Don’t worry, Junior Brother Yun. We won’t tell anyone else,” Li Yifeng broke the awkward silence.
If it weren’t for Yun Zhonghe stepping in, they’d all be toast by now. Yun Zhonghe exposing his secret to save them? They could only be grateful!
This secret would never slip from their lips, even at the cost of their lives!
“Junior Brother Yun, I’ll keep your secret safe.”
“The favor of saving our lives, unforgettable for a lifetime!”
“Anytime you need help in the future, we’ll be at your service!”
The other disciples chimed in enthusiastically.
Everyone laughed, looking at Yun Zhonghe and Mu Jixue.
Instantly, the unease on the faces of the two relaxed.
And they felt incredibly grateful.
“Thank you, seniors, for keeping my secret!”
Yun Zhonghe struggled to stand up, a bit drained but still solemnly clasped his hands in gratitude.
“Alright, Junior Brother Yun, no need to be so polite. Just sit down and recover,” one understanding senior sister urged, pulling Chen Leling away from Yun Zhonghe.
While Yun Zhonghe and Mu Jixue recovered, everyone else conscientiously took on the job of guarding them.
The big battle had just ended; Xuantian Mansion was previously a battlefield but was now gradually calming down.
But that didn’t mean the demon cultivators were wiped out—there could still be some slippery fish lurking about!
Yun Zhonghe and Mu Jixue were undoubtedly two of the most outstanding youngsters. Even Li Yifeng could only admit defeat to their talents.
They were the true pillars of the future, and this gang would be channeling their efforts under their guidance to forge a new era.
Prodigies and talented disciples weren’t just gifted; their awareness and resolve were far beyond ordinary people.
They saw the potential in Yun Zhonghe and Mu Jixue and actively sought to support and assist them without reservation—all for the sake of justice!
The world fell quiet; it seemed that after the battle, everyone was drained—some healing, some recovering…
Almost no one was visible outside.
About ten minutes passed when suddenly, several figures appeared in the distance.
Zhao Lingxiao was the first to notice. Although Li Yifeng was a physical beast, Zhao had the upper hand in mental prowess.
He alerted everyone, raising their vigilance a notch.
Fortunately, upon seeing who was approaching, they recognized Lin Zhongyu, Su Xiaoxiao, and Tao Jiu’er.
“Yun Ge! Xue’er!”
“Is everyone alright?”
They waved while rushing over. From afar, they saw that Yun Zhonghe and Mu Jixue were meditating, sporting a few bloodstains here and there, but otherwise seemed fine—sighs of relief all around!
Only Yun Zhonghe and Mu Jixue had confronted the enemy; the trio had been quite worried at that time.
They wanted to pitch in, but Yun Zhonghe insisted they stay back, and they chose to trust him.
The three had also faced several attacks by demon cultivators. Lin Zhongyu, with her Five Elements Sword Technique and Golden Emperor Sacred Eyes, had continuously bested her foes. Su Xiaoxiao, though lacking in cultivation, had managed to fend them off with her high defenses.
But it was Tao Jiu’er’s performance that genuinely surprised the other two.
Especially Lin Zhongyu, who had known Tao Jiu’er since Cangzhou City, not realizing how deep her well of talent ran.
With various assassination techniques, stealth tactics, and concealment skills pouring out, if not for Lin Zhongyu’s Golden Emperor Sacred Eyes revealing the spiritual energy, she’d never have caught a glimpse of the sister’s shadow!
Here she was, a pinnacle Golden Core cultivator, and yet she couldn’t see through this gal’s depths…
Just as Lin Zhongyu pondered, Tao Jiu’er, draped in an assassination qipao, scanned the area as if she was looking for something.
Her high ponytail swayed dynamically.
“Where are the people you killed?”
Her voice was flat, signaling battle mode—her gaze and aura were those of a completely different person, somewhat cold.
Only when her eyes met Yun Zhonghe did a fraction of warmth return, but it quickly vanished into her icy demeanor.
Li Yifeng pointed nearby. “The bodies are over there… eh?”
At that moment, everyone glanced at where the black shadow had fallen, but the corpse that had been lying there just moments ago was now gone!
“Impossible! It was just there a minute ago!”
“Yeah, I was particularly keeping an eye on it!”
After all, a demon cultivator at the Transformation stage must have valuable items. Since the head was claimed by Yun Zhonghe and Mu Jixue, no one felt comfortable looting the corpse while waiting for them to recover before sharing the spoils.
But who knew that as everyone was distracted by Lin Zhongyu and the others, that corpse would vanish in thin air!
Instantly, Tao Jiu’er narrowed her eyes, tightening her grip on her weapon’s chain.
For some reason, she had a very bad feeling about this.
This seemed familiar; she felt like she had encountered something like this before, but she couldn’t quite recall the details.
Key memories were obscured, as if sealed away.
Yet her intuition screamed that the wretched soul wasn’t dead!
“Everyone, be careful; it’s not over yet!”
“This demon cultivator is different!”
“He’s not dead yet!”
Tao Jiu’er shouted a few times when suddenly, Lin Zhongyu detected a black shadow racing from a distance with blinding speed.
She quickly drew her sword and slashed, only to find it was merely a corpse of a demon cultivator.
But the corpse was filled with energy, on the verge of exploding!
Only Lin Zhongyu’s keen eyes could see this coming.
“It’s a flesh bomb!”
But Lin Zhongyu was a second too late; the flesh bomb detonated, sending everyone flying.
“Ah!”
“Ah—!”
Yun Zhonghe and Mu Jixue, still deep in their meditative state, were abruptly interrupted without a clue as to what just happened.
Only Tao Jiu’er was quick enough to dodge, her ethereal movements allowing her to escape. As she flipped backward, she shot several chains adorned with sharp spikes toward a direction.
“Jie jie jie, Tao Jiu’er, without your legendary weapon, you think you can bind me?”
Bang bang bang! The chains missed their target, and the ghostly figure lunged at Su Xiaoxiao and Yun Zhonghe.
The black shadow! He hadn’t died!
He was still alive!
But it was clear that his physical body was gone; only the ghostly spirit was howling toward them.
Yet, strangely, his primordial spirit should have been destroyed; his soul shouldn’t even exist!
“Jie jie jie!”
The black shadow screeched, spreading his arms wide, unleashing an overwhelming pull that sucked in both Yun Zhonghe and Su Xiaoxiao.
Everything happened too fast; no one had the chance to react. Once the black shadow secured its prey, it dissipated on the spot, vanishing into a puff of black smoke.
