The Journey of Immortal Cultivation-Chapter 772 - 428 Sudden Turnaround_2

Elder He’s bedroom was now restored to tranquility. His breathing was still rapid, his back somewhat stooped, yet he faced the shadow of the bamboo grove that had devoured Boze and said in a deep voice, "Whichever friend has come to help, please show yourself!"

All was silent in the woods.

Elder He was not discouraged; after calling out twice more, a person’s voice finally came, "I dare not accept such courtesy, Elder. You are too kind."

This voice astonishingly came from behind him. Elder He swiftly turned around, unsurprised at the source of the sound—the voice he was now very familiar with, one he would hear almost every day.

Almost in the span of a breath, he had adjusted his mentality: "Ning Garden Director, it’s late, haven’t you gone to bed yet?"

A petite figure leaned quietly against the antique shelf, casually watching him, it was Ning Xiaoxian. Strictly speaking, it had been less than two hours since they had parted, yet at this moment, Elder He felt as if worlds apart when seeing her again. 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

He did not inquire about the fate of that Boze. When Ning Xiaoxian first entered the senior echelons of Hidden Stream, her astonishing power frequently drew everyone’s attention, and even the two Sect Leaders had discussed this, yet everyone had forgotten her true form—the Devouring Demon Vine. Being named such a detested name, the Devouring Demon Vine truly lived up to expectations by draining demons of their marrow and essence blood—what more needed to be said about Boze’s fate?

Ning Xiaoxian was unaware that in Elder He’s eyes, she had already been labeled as something "even more evil"; she merely smiled and said, "I was passing by, heard some noise, and came in to take a look. I didn’t expect Elder He’s place to be so lively, with visitors coming even late at night." She then curiously asked, "These two, are they also from Hidden Stream?"

It was impossible for members of the Human Clan to penetrate deep into Hidden Stream’s territory, and besides, these two fellows didn’t look like Humans at all. Elder He was silent, and after a long pause finally said, "They are subordinates of Jiumo Sect Leader, they wouldn’t take action without the command from above." He forlornly forced a bitter smile and said, "I served Hidden Stream for hundreds of years, if not for merit, at least I put in hard work, but I don’t know where I offended Lord Jiu Mo, for her to seek my death."

Ning Xiaoxian did not continue the conversation, but instead peered curiously into the empty room behind him, questioning, "So, you’ve always had a guest here? Why can’t I see anyone?" Her eyes rolled playfully, "Heh, Elder He, you’re not respectable at your old age, could it be that you’ve hidden a paramour here?"

Not good, with the continuous incidents tonight, he hadn’t closed his Mechanism! The room looked fully furnished, fitting her notion of "concealing a beauty in a golden house." If not for his deep cultivation, Elder He would have broken out into a sweat as he couldn’t help but laugh dryly, "Ning Garden Director, you jest. Everyone in Hidden Stream knows I live here alone, how could there be any beauty concealed?"

She blinked and marveled, "Really? I happened to meet someone today who said he was your house guest, he has been under your hospitality for more than two months, could that person be lying?"

Elder He was greatly shocked and asked in a lowered voice, "Where is this person?"

Pointing out the window, she said, "Look, isn’t that person standing right there?"

Turning his head once again, he looked, and indeed this time, under the moonlight, there was someone standing there, looking at him with a faint smile, a face he was very familiar with.

This was a Human, an old acquaintance of both him and Ning Xiaoxian.

The Vice Pavilion Master of Duobao Pavilion in Guangcheng Palace, Li Jianming.

Why would he be standing here? Elder He’s thoughts raced, and just as he silently uttered "this is bad," a chill spread over his back, and a sharp blade pierced into his back. Ning Xiaoxian had silently approached behind him. Her Concealing Breath Technique had reached perfection, and taking advantage of Elder He’s great inner turmoil, she had moved in close without him noticing. She had used great force in this strike, his protective magic tool had only just raised its Protective Shield when it was pierced through, unable to even slow down her assault.

"Don’t move, otherwise I can’t guarantee what will happen," she said, all smiles.

He regretted his carelessness and snapped, "Are you also sent by the Jiumo Sect?" The feeling of life slipping away was truly unpleasant.

She scoffed, "What does it have to do with her? This Dagger is a strike on behalf of the innocent Hidden Stream Demon Soldiers who lost their lives because of you." The angle she took with the Dagger was exceedingly tricky, applying great initial force to breach his protective magic tool, yet the precision as it entered the flesh stopped just short of reaching his heart. She had deliberately avoided several major blood vessels, so the wound was almost bloodless. Just half an inch further, and Elder He’s well-maintained heart would have gained a new hole.

His heart skipped a beat, but his mouth confusedly asked, "What are you talking about?" He tried to move his hand slightly.

She immediately stirred the Dagger, causing Elder He to grunt in pain, "Don’t bother trying to use whatever you’re holding against me, I guarantee you won’t be able to move a finger! Don’t believe me? Go ahead and try." She then pulled out the Dagger and stepped back two paces.

What did she mean by this? Although Elder He was perplexed, since she had voluntarily stepped back, he had no intention of surrendering without a fight, and was about to spin and retreat, but after several attempts, his body stubbornly remained in the same posture, immovable. This shock was no small matter; this scenario was identical to when Boze had controlled his shadow earlier, no, the restraining force was even stronger; he couldn’t even manage the small action of turning his head.

Fortunately, Ning Xiaoxian had already walked in front of him, and Elder He noticed that she no longer held a Dagger, but instead a Longsword. This sword, he had seen in the Water Moon Mirror in the secret realm on that day. He gritted his teeth and lowly uttered, "What do you intend to do? Kill or mutilate at your leisure, but I am not one to be played with at will!"

The smile on Ning Xiaoxian’s face faded and she said coldly, "What a nice veneer of righteousness, so the Demon Soldiers of Hidden Stream, those tens of thousands of lives, are just toys for you to play with?"(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) and cast your recommendation votes, Monthly Tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users please read on m.qidian.com.)