"What a disaster! A disaster I never sought!"
Elder Shen Nong fled frantically, regret filling his old eyes. Though a 6-Star Dou Saint, he was no fighter. Surrounded by the Hun Clan's inescapable net, remorse gnawed at his heart—he never should have involved himself in the wars of these ancient clans.
"Elder Shen Nong, surrender quietly and you'll suffer less," sneered a 6-Star Dou Saint among the three black-robed pursuers—two 4-Star Dou Saints following close behind.
"Your Heavenly Flame and your alchemy will be put to good use in our clan. Behave, and perhaps you'll live. Otherwise, this day next year will mark your death anniversary."
Elder Shen Nong glanced back. The three pursuers were less than a hundred zhang away. He quickly calculated his options, though his face remained full of disdain.
"Spare me your nonsense! Your Hun Clan hunts souls like beasts—cruel and twisted. If I go with you, how could I possibly survive?"
With that, he moved even faster. Waving his hand, the Life Spirit Flame erupted, tearing open the Death Qi as he darted through the fog. His speed left not even a shadow behind.
He was, after all, a veteran Alchemist—rarely targeted by others and often courted for his skills. When one dared to strike at an Alchemist, it was almost always with killing intent.
Because if you failed to kill him, you'd earn his eternal vengeance.
Weak combat power was no shame for an Alchemist—but not having ways to escape was.
And Elder Shen Nong was a master of escape.
His speed was astonishing, his movements slippery as mist. The black-robed Dou Saints behind him had clashed with him several times but hadn't even touched the corner of his robe.
The Death Qi filled the world around them, and though Elder Shen Nong's face looked calm, his heart was pounding. A 6-Star and two 4-Star Dou Saints weren't enough to kill him—as long as he didn't court death himself.
Still, the Hun Clan had many stronger warriors above.
He tried to extend his Spiritual Perception but could sense only a few dozen zhang ahead. Without the Death Qi interference, his Perfect Heaven Realm Soul could easily perceive the entire Yao Clan's Spatial Realm.
Then his perception caught two figures.
Everywhere else, war raged—Hun Clan and the three clans locked in slaughter, guests already long dead. Yet atop a high platform sat two people calmly drinking from jade cups, chatting lightly, faint smiles on their faces.
Elder Shen Nong couldn't help but feel envious.
"While we risk our lives, to them this war is just a spectacle… Those two must be from the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe. With power and backing like that—they can truly do as they please."
A thought sparked—maybe they could save him.
His eyes lit up with hope. Leaning on his staff, he pushed his speed even further, dashing toward Zhu Bei's position.
Behind him, the black-robed Dou Saints stared in disbelief. Elder Shen Nong refused to fight head-on—he only kept running, faster each time.
As he neared, Elder Shen Nong shouted, "Friends of the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe, please lend a hand! I'll remember this kindness for life!"
Zhu Bei had already noticed him. This old man was one of the continent's few top-tier Alchemists. Personally, Zhu Bei wouldn't mind saving him—it would be a valuable favor.
But with the situation this chaotic, he decided to confirm with Liu Xi first.
"Should we save him?"
He didn't know what Liu Xi was currently doing, but one thing was certain—Liu Xi would never harm the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe. His authority there was second only to the Dragon Emperor herself, and at times his word even carried more weight.
Liu Xi was calmly refining the energy he had absorbed from the slain 6-Star Dou Saint, letting the purified Dou Qi circulate through his body. He wasn't a bloodthirsty man—but free energy was still energy.
"Save him," Liu Xi replied simply.
A rare, high-level Alchemist—neutral and useful. Once aboard the ship, he wouldn't be leaving. The Life Spirit Flame could also be claimed, and the man could be brought to Ancient Dragon Island under some honorary title, working indefinitely for them.
Besides, in this chaotic world, Elder Shen Nong would naturally choose the wiser side.
Zhu Bei nodded, setting down his jade cup and rising to his feet. He called out toward Elder Shen Nong and his pursuers:
"Come here. As for you—step back. Tell the Void Devouring Flame that his prey is under my protection."
Elder Shen Nong's heart leapt with relief and joy—he hadn't expected it to go so smoothly. With the Ancient Void Dragon Tribe backing him, even the Hun Clan wouldn't dare provoke them now.
For the moment, at least, he was safe.
He flashed forward and landed beside Zhu Bei.
The three black-robed Dou Saints' faces darkened. Zhu Bei's old frame looked frail, yet standing before them, he felt like an immovable mountain. That gaze—cold, ancient, filled with the weight of a dragon's might—made their blood run cold.
Even the 6-Star Dou Saint felt his limbs turn numb. He had the dreadful sense that in Zhu Bei's hands, he wouldn't survive three moves.
"If you insist on protecting Elder Shen Nong, then I dare not defy you," the 6-Star Dou Saint said stiffly. "But I will report this to Lord Void. Let's go."
His face was pale, his voice barely steady. Despite the Hun Clan's advantage, none of them dared to offend the man before them. With a curt wave, he turned to leave.
The two 4-Star Dou Saints said nothing and followed quietly.
Within moments, all three disappeared into the misty Death Qi.
Watching them go, Elder Shen Nong finally exhaled deeply. He turned to Zhu Bei with sincere gratitude. "Thank you for saving my life. If I survive this chaos, I'll repay you in full."
Zhu Bei chuckled softly, motioning for him to sit. "Sit and rest. The Hun Clan's strength has indeed exceeded all expectations—but trapping me won't be easy."
Elder Shen Nong smiled with relief and sat down. Glancing to his side, his gaze lingered on Liu Xi. Throughout it all, Liu Xi had been unnervingly calm.
Yet the more Elder Shen Nong observed him, the more unsettled he felt. There was something… off about him. Something he couldn't name.
Perhaps sensing the stare, Liu Xi turned his head. His eyes locked onto Elder Shen Nong's with a predatory gleam—like a starving wolf watching a lamb. Then he smiled faintly.
A chill ran through Elder Shen Nong's spine.
'I've jumped from one wolf's den straight into another tiger's lair…'
(End of Chapter)
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