Chapter 167: Chapter 109: Third Limit Break of the Twelve Forms Fist, Great Success in the Ghost Shadow Illusionary Body Step! A Crisis Strikes During Late-night Corpse Handling
SLAP!
Chu Fan didn’t hold back. He slapped the back of her fair hand with his left, instantly leaving a red mark.
"Ah!" Liang Yuhen cried out in pain. Her hand went limp, and the booklet fell into Chu Fan’s grasp.
She looked at the back of her now-crimson hand as her tears fell even faster. Her voice thick with sobs, she said, "I just got this Fragment of a Cultivation Method. I only glanced at it and know how powerful it is, but I haven’t even had a chance to cultivate it myself... Can’t you let me cultivate it first? I’ll give it to you afterward..."
"No." Chu Fan’s reply was curt and final. He stuffed the booklet into his robes.
After a moment’s thought, he also snatched the several money pouches and miscellaneous items Liang Yuhen had acquired from her earlier Corpse Handling.
"You!" Liang Yuhen trembled with rage. She had risked her life, nearly dying in the process, only to have someone else reap all the rewards?
But she couldn’t beat him in a fight, nor could she win a verbal spar. All she could do was glare daggers at Chu Fan with her wide, beautiful eyes.
If looks could kill, Chu Fan would have been riddled with holes.
Chu Fan, however, completely ignored her gaze. He called out to Zhao Tianxing, and they continued to explore forward.
Unexpectedly, Liang Yuhen wiped away her tears and started following them again.
"Get lost," Chu Fan said coldly, not even turning his head.
"I... I won’t slow you down!" Liang Yuhen said stubbornly, biting her lip. "If you loot too much and can’t carry it all, I can help you carry it... Just give me a small share."
Chu Fan and Zhao Tianxing exchanged a glance. They thought about it. ’That... actually makes a bit of sense?’
’An extra laborer wouldn’t hurt.’
"Keep up. And no funny business."
And so, the three of them formed a temporary "Corpse Handling squad," each with their own ulterior motives. Following the trail of the recent battle, they soon found several more freshly deceased bodies, reaping a bountiful harvest.
"Looks like the allure of this ’key’ is really something."
Zhao Tianxing weighed a money pouch in his hand. "We haven’t even seen a shadow of the treasure, and so many people are already dead."
No one could have guessed that while the various factions and the Moon Worship Sect were locked in a bloody, world-shaking battle over the illusory "key," three individuals couldn’t care less where it was, diligently "cleaning up the battlefield" from behind.
Just as the trio was gleefully looting, almost forgetting the danger—
An icy killing intent, so palpable it felt physical, instantly enveloped the three of them!
Up ahead on the street, a black-clothed figure had appeared at some unknown point.
He was also masked, but his exposed eyes were filled with a condescending coldness and murderous intent.
Feeling the undisguised killing intent emanating from him, all three of them froze, their hearts feeling as if they were being squeezed by an invisible hand!
They had never encountered such an aura, not even from those in the Entering the Realm of Strength!
’This is...’
’Someone who has achieved Mortal Transformation?!’
"You even dare to touch the corpses of my Duan Family?"
The man in black’s voice was hoarse and cold, carrying an unquestionable authority.
’The Duan Family?’
’One of the Four Great Clans of Cyan Yang Ancient City?’
Chu Fan suddenly recalled what he had overheard outside Master Cao’s courtyard that day...
Back then, an elder from the Li Family had come looking for his senior sister, Li Qingxue, to tell her that Duan Tianhong of the Duan Family had come to propose marriage.
Afterward, Li Xingxuan had mentioned that the same Duan Tianhong had been severely injured while tracking the Moon Worship Sect at night.
’Judging by his voice, this man sounds like he’s only in his twenties...’
’Could it be that very same Duan Tianhong?’
The hearts of all three sank, and they slowly began to back away.
"Die!"
The man in black clearly wasn’t one for small talk. His figure blurred like a phantom, heading straight for Zhao Tianxing, who seemed to be the easiest target!
He thrust out a claw, the Force at his fingertips sharp and fierce, aiming straight for the throat!
Fast!
Too fast!
Zhao Tianxing’s pupils shrank. His Long Saber was barely out of its sheath when the man’s claw was already upon him!
At this critical moment, Chu Fan stomped on the ground, shattering the bluestone pavement. He shot forward like a cannonball, his right palm instantly turning dark and profound, as if condensing the chill of an eternal night—it was the Extreme Night Cold Prison Hand he had been secretly cultivating!
BOOM!
Fist met claw, and a blast of energy erupted!
Chu Fan’s body shuddered, and he staggered back five or six steps, each step leaving a deep imprint on the ground!
This was his first time clashing head-on with an expert who had achieved Mortal Transformation!
His Vajra Undying Body had actually withstood the opponent’s claw strike!
Though his blood and qi roiled within him, he was uninjured!
"What?!"
The man in black also swayed, taking half a step back, a flash of incredulous shock in his eyes.
’To take a blow from a Mortal Transformation expert head-on and fight them to a standstill!’
’But this person clearly hasn’t even broken through the five stages of Foundation Establishment!’
’How could I, a renowned genius of the Duan Family who has achieved Mortal Transformation, be evenly matched against someone who hasn’t?’
Nearby, Liang Yuhen was once again stunned. Her beautiful eyes were wide as she stared at Chu Fan’s back, a storm raging in her heart.
’This guy... he’s actually this strong?’
’Just who is he?’
"Go!" Chu Fan roared, his eyes locked on the man in black as he yelled at Zhao Tianxing behind him.
Zhao Tianxing knew he would only be a burden if he stayed. He gritted his teeth. "Be careful!"
He then turned and bolted toward the alley entrance.
Liang Yuhen gazed at Chu Fan’s back. It wasn’t particularly broad, but at this moment, it seemed incredibly resolute. With a complicated look in her eyes, she bit her lip and finally followed after Zhao Tianxing.
The man in black didn’t give chase immediately. His gaze was completely locked onto Chu Fan, his killing intent flaring even stronger.
"Excellent... It seems I’ll have an unexpected gain tonight."
He said coldly, "I was severely injured by your people before. Today, I’ll start by collecting some interest!"
’So it really is Duan Tianhong?’ Chu Fan’s expression flickered.
’Did Duan Tianhong mistake me for a member of the Moon Worship Sect because he recognized my Extreme Night Cold Prison Hand as one of their techniques?’
Chu Fan’s voice deepened. "So this is the genius of the Duan Family. Nothing special. How dare you covet the treasures of my Moon Worship Sect? Your death will not be mourned!"
"We didn’t kill you last time, and you still dare to show your pathetic face?"
"You’re courting death!" Duan Tianhong was incandescent with rage.
The two faced off on the long street, the atmosphere as heavy as iron.
