Although Lu Ge kept claiming he had a great secret in hand, no matter how he screamed, Zhang Yan refused to say a single word.
This silent pressure was far more intimidating than any threat. The fear in Lu Ge’s eyes grew stronger by the moment. Earlier, he had recklessly used Qi of Elixir Evil, leaving him weak and exhausted. Now, as he fled upwards along a narrow path to the surface, he had reached the Fifth Realm of Netherworld Qi. However, by his calculations, he would be caught by Zhang Yan no later than the Third Realm. Gritting his teeth, he decided to throw out bait first.
He shouted, "Fellow Daoist Zhang, do you know why I’ve been hiding here?"
Without waiting for Zhang Yan’s response, he continued speaking to himself, "I was harmed by a disciple of the Shaoqing Sect earlier, damaging my foundation and resulting in the condensation of only a Small Golden Core. Even the Ye Xuanzhen Grass couldn’t save me. I thought this life was hopeless to attain Dao, but I accidentally learned of a secret. Within this Demon Storage, there exists another Dan Formation Method..."
Seeing Zhang Yan remain unmoved, he hastily added, "Fellow Daoist, I know you are surely from a Great Sect and possess superior mysterious skills that could instantly solidify a pill. Yet the Dan Formation Method hidden within this Demon Storage relies on Power Dao. The cultivation progress with this technique is unimaginably fast, and if successfully practiced, it would yield many remarkable benefits. Fellow Daoist, you seem to cultivate Qi Dao. If supplemented by such a technique, it’s not impossible for your pill refinement in the future to surpass the Fourth Grade."
Zhang Yan’s expression stayed as cold as ever, without the slightest hint of emotion. However, Lu Ge noticed Zhang Yan’s flying speed seemed to cease increasing, and his heart rejoiced. He quickly continued, "But practicing this method comes with many restrictions. I, this poor Daoist, have prepared for thirty years, and now all that remains is to actually begin cultivation. All the materials I have prepared can be wholeheartedly offered. I only beg you to spare my life."
Zhang Yan gave a faint smile and said, "According to your words, you would complete my journey, but in doing so, wouldn’t you lose your chance to form a Golden Core yourself?"
Seeing a faint hesitation in Zhang Yan’s tone, Lu Ge inwardly exhaled in relief and shouted, "There are other methods to form a pill, but there is only one life to preserve. I still have a hundred years of life span left, so there is hope. Even if not, living as a recluse in the world is still better than dying here and now."
Zhang Yan couldn’t help but show a thoughtful expression.
Lu Ge observed his reaction and stoked the fire, "If Fellow Daoist remains unwilling, we can only end in mutual destruction. And don’t assume you’ll be able to interrogate my Primordial Spirit after killing me. The Netherworld Qi here is dense. If I die, my Spirit will scatter instantly, and you’ll gain nothing from me..."
The two continued their chase, one fleeing and one pursuing. At this moment, they had reached the Second Realm of Netherworld Qi. Zhang Yan looked upward and murmured coldly, "After all this time, surely Fellow Daoist’s Qi Power should be nearly depleted. It is the perfect moment to send you on your way."
Lu Ge was struck with terror. He hadn’t expected Zhang Yan to remain unmoved despite everything he had said, still intent on taking his life after all. With hatred in his voice, he shouted, "Fine! If you’re going to force me, I won’t let you have your way!"
He immediately flew toward a rock, stopped, turned to face Zhang Yan with fury, then slapped his own forehead with his palm. Blood spurted out instantly, and he fell lifeless to the ground. Moments later, a Primordial Spirit began to rise. But as the surrounding Netherworld Qi encircled it, the Spirit’s form hadn’t fully emerged before it dissipated completely.
Zhang Yan shook his head, sighing softly, "We are all cultivators. I cannot bear to see you exposed here. Let me bury you properly."
He reached out with an illusionary motion, grabbing the corpse. At that moment, his eyes gleamed, and a sword light shot forth, severing the corpse’s head. He then burst into laughter, "Such petty tricks—how could they fool me?"
In mere moments, another Primordial Spirit floated out of the corpse—it was unmistakably Lu Ge. This time, his face was contorted as he screamed madly, "I thought this plan was flawless! How did you know I was feigning death?"
Zhang Yan smiled lightly, "You chose to die specifically here in the Second Realm of Netherworld Qi. Moreover, you deliberately sought a spot to stand before dying, clearly worried your body would be damaged by falling. That seemed suspicious, so I decided to strike another blow to test my assumption."
Lu Ge calmed down and replied bitterly, "I acted on a gamble, believing you were from an esteemed sect that wouldn’t harm my body. Who knew I’d encounter someone as suspicious as you? It seems my luck has run out."
Zhang Yan laughed and shook his head, "You made more than one mistake."
Lu Ge, unconvinced, retorted angrily, "I’m already dead! Don’t humiliate me further. My soul is scattered—why would I fear you?"
Zhang Yan sneered coldly, "Your scattered Spirit seemed convincing enough, but there was one imperfection: your Divine Soul appeared sluggish—not resembling a Main Soul, but more like a Splitting Soul. And I happen to know, if one practices the Demon Sect’s mental methods and masters the technique of dividing one’s soul, Splitting Souls can be hidden elsewhere. I wager that among the many Magic Artifacts you just discarded, there’s likely one hosting a Splitting Soul. Once I’m gone, this Splitting Soul could emerge to kill a few devils, absorb their spirits, and eventually combine with your Main Soul. After a few years of secluded cultivation, you might even return to your original form."