Xiaonan had seen the Supreme Sword Sectâs sword techniques many times when her master displayed them.
So the sword style Lin Changâsheng now revealed was instantly recognizable to herâthe moves were exactly like her masterâs.
"Could Master really have taken him as a disciple?"
Xiaonan still found it hard to believe. After all, this guy had stolen her masterâs Spirit Coffinâhe clearly didnât look like a good person at all.
How could Master possibly accept him as a disciple?
"See, I told you, didnât I? Your master even asked me to take care of you from now on. Said she worried about you the most, and told you to get along well with me!"
Lin Changâsheng, seeing the Three-headed Ice and Fire Python hesitate, wasted no time in coaxing and tricking her.
Of course, Xiaonanâs master had never said these wordsâLin Changâsheng had completely made them up.
After all, the Three-headed Ice and Fire Pythonâs cultivation was formidable. If he could make use of her, Lin Changâshengâs own strength would be vastly boosted.
"Did... Master really say that?"
Xiaonanâs eyes immediately softened, her murderous intent fading.
She would always obey whatever her master arranged.
"Of course. She also told you to let go of your old obsessions and live well with me!"
Lin Changâsheng kept up the pretense.
At these words, tears welled up in Xiaonanâs eyes, filling her with an even deeper longing for her master.
"Masterâ"
Xiaonanâs strength left her, and she slowly sank to her knees.
If Lin Changâsheng was truly her masterâs disciple, she naturally wouldnât harm himâand would even do her utmost to help him grow stronger.
"Donât worry, Master. Iâll live my life well, just as you wished!"
Xiaonan murmured softly.
Seeing Xiaonan so miserable, Lin Changâsheng didnât know what to sayâhe could only wait quietly nearby.
Hooâ
Just then, a shadow flickered in the distance, appearing not far away.
"Whoâs there?"
Lin Changâsheng shouted warily.
Gu Shan could then be seen walking slowly from afar.
"Looks like I worried for nothingâthought you might just have died for no reason! Never thought youâd actually make a lucky escape!"
A faint smile played at Gu Shanâs lips.
He didnât know how Lin Changâsheng had taken the Spirit Coffin, or become her successor...
But he had to admitâLin Changâsheng certainly was blessed with remarkable luck.
"Die!"
But before Lin Changâsheng could reply, Xiaonan had already launched an attack on Gu Shan.
She immediately sent a palm strike flying, flames of fiery power swirling around her hand.
Gu Shan felt as if plunged into an icy abyss, and hurriedly dodged backward.
BOOMâ
The Palm Seal slammed into a distant mountain, instantly blasting it to powder and sending rocks flying everywhere.
Countless boulders and old trees were burned to ash by the fiery flames.
Luckily, Gu Shan had dodged in timeâotherwise, he could imagine what wouldâve happened if that strike landed.
"Donât hurt himâheâs one of us!"
Lin Changâsheng quickly intervened when he saw Xiaonan strike at Gu Shan.
Only then did Xiaonan lower her hand; sheâd assumed the newcomer had come to hunt her and Lin Changâsheng down.
"That was close! Good thing I was fast enough!"
Gu Shan said with lingering fear.
But Xiaonan gave him no warmth. "Youâre the one whoâs been tailing me all this way, arenât you?"
Gu Shan was surprised Xiaonan had noticed heâd been following them all along.
But thinking about it, it was reasonableâthe Three-headed Ice and Fire Python had a far stronger cultivation than his, so sheâd be able to sense his presence.
"Yes, I was. But I never meant you any harmâI was only trying to find Lin Changâsheng!"
Gu Shan explained frankly.
If the Three-headed Ice and Fire Python bore him a grudge, his own fate wouldnât be good. Better to be clear now.
"Youâd better be telling the truth! If I catch you with even half a stray thought, you wonât even leave a corpse behind!"
Xiaonan said coldly, then turned her eyes to the coffin, gently lowering the lid.
"Please keep Masterâs remains safe. From now on, Iâm willing to follow at your side and help you cultivate!"
Xiaonan finally dropped her guard toward Lin Changâsheng, speaking sincerely.
Hearing this, Lin Changâsheng felt a tidal wave of delight.
He dearly wished to form a contract with the Three-headed Ice and Fire Python right nowâthen heâd gain some of her powers and lifespan.
But theyâd only just met, and her strength was leagues above his, so rushing things would only backfire.
Forcing it would only turn things sour.
"Thatâs perfect!"
Lin Changâsheng was completely satisfied.
With such a powerful spirit beast at his sideâa match for the Tribulation Crossing stageâhow could any ordinary cultivator hope to touch him?
After speaking, Lin Changâsheng took out a Spirit Beast Bag. "If you get tired, you can rest inside the bagâwe still have a long way to travel!"
However, Xiaonan showed no intention of entering the Spirit Beast Bag. Instead, she wrapped the many little snakes atop her head in a black scarf, and prepared to journey with Lin Changâsheng.
After all, she hadnât left the Ling Jiu Mountain Range for countless years, and she was curious what the outside world was like now.
"Letâs go!"
Lin Changâsheng shot Gu Shan a look, then summoned his Lightning Thunderclap Eagle. Together, the three set out toward Scorpion Valley.
To reach the Immortal Palace, theyâd have to pass through this land first.
...
One day later. Scorpion Valley.
This place, normally desolate, was now bustling like never before.
In a single day, all the major sects had arrived by use of array formations.
Among them were the Myriad Beasts Sect, the Celestial Nether Sword Sect, and the Blood Robe Sect, and others.
All the great factions knew Lin Changâsheng would pass through here on his way to the Immortal Palace. Each planned to intercept him at this spot.
Tempted by an offer of a hundred thousand Immortal Crystals from the Myriad Beasts Sect, the Nine Poison Sect Leader naturally agreed to help the others.
To avoid any accidents, the Nine Poison Sect Leader had even laid a grand array throughout Scorpion Valley, lying in wait for Lin Changâsheng to march to his death.
"This time, if Lin Changâsheng dares show his face, he wonât escape even if he sprouts wings!"
Luo Shang, masked like a ghost, curved his lips in a cold smile.