Chapter 1170

Before leaving Balance City, Yubuxia asked, “Shall we bring Little White along?”

Over countless dreams, she had grown accustomed to its constant companionship. But Yinghuo flatly refused.

“That creature ate too much a few days ago and is still sleeping it off. And besides, why bring it along? To recognize another master? Don’t forget, we need a united front to eliminate external threats first. As for our internal issues—why add another rival? Must I teach you everything?”

Yubuxia’s words resonated with Yubuxia, who nodded in agreement. Truly, there wasn’t enough food to share with one more.

“You’re right!”

“Right? You’re not even pretending anymore? Didn’t you promise not to compete with me before?”

Yinghuo’s expression turned icy. Yubuxia felt a headache coming on. Her friend’s mood swings were too abrupt. She had insisted all along that Funuannuan’s message was a misunderstanding, but Yinghuo had never believed her. Now that she hesitated, Yinghuo pressed her angrily.

“You tricked me. I won’t compete with you—really. Let’s go before that little lion runs off again!”

With that, Yubuxia grabbed Yinghuo and fled at top speed.

Not long after they departed, Little White, still slumbering, slowly opened its eyes. Its divine power had surged to a terrifying new level. During its search for Elder Brother Ye Yu, it had also been devouring everything it could to grow stronger. As a result, it had broken through to Early Ancient God Realm.

Awakening, Little White first headed for the City Lord’s mansion, hoping to ask Yinghuo and Yubuxia for news of Ye Yu. Finding the mansion empty, it suspected they, too, were out searching for ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) him. Unfazed, Little White left Balance City and resumed its search across the divine realm.

“Brother, where are you?”

...

Several hours later, Ye Yu and Hanyuexi were still en route to Balance City. As they passed through a mountain valley, Hanyuexi’s expression shifted. She couldn’t help but glance down at the path and then at Ye Yu’s shadow, as if about to speak.

“At this pace, we’ll reach Balance City in two more hours. Let’s pick up the speed!” Ye Yu said, sweeping his Divine Sense across their surroundings. He knew that even one ghostly avatar of Taoist Underworld Master Lu Yuan could defeat Hanyuexi. If Lu Yuan himself appeared, they would be powerless. They had to get to Balance City as fast as possible.

But the more he worried, the more fate seemed to conspire against them.

A moment later, Hanyuexi abruptly frowned and yanked Ye Yu backward by his sleeve. The force was so great that he collided with her chest. Hanyuexi was tall enough that his body pressed into her felt natural. Yet the intimacy sent warmth down Ye Yu’s back. Of course, he knew she had no ulterior motive—it had to be purposeful.

Sure enough, a streak of ghostly figure blocked their path. Had Hanyuexi not pulled him back, Ye Yu would have crashed into it. The ghost’s cruel grin appeared, and Lu Yuan’s voice echoed.

“I know you two are Daoist partners, but you needn’t display such intimacy before an old man like me!”

Seeing only a ghostly wisp, Ye Yu and Hanyuexi instinctively prepared to strike it down. But several more wisps converged, forming Lu Yuan’s true body. His gray Taoist robe radiated overwhelming pressure. He raised a finger and said softly, “Boy, your Divine Art intrigues me. What is that technique called?”

“Want to learn? How about I teach you?” Lu Yuan added with a sneer.

Ye Yu stepped forward, leaving Hanyuexi’s embrace. His right hand beckoned subtly from behind—ready to use ZuoZhenJuZhong to pin Lu Yuan in place so Hanyuexi could strike, just as they had slain his ghostly avatar. If they could kill his true form, they might break the stalemate, though the odds were slim.

Hanyuexi readied herself at once. But Lu Yuan, having witnessed the power of ZuoZhenJuZhong, would not be so easily caught. He laughed scornfully.

With a thought, the shadow beneath Ye Yu leapt up, transforming into a ghostly form that wrapped tightly around him, immobilizing him completely.

“You really think the same trick will work twice? You underestimate me too much.”

Lu Yuan stepped forward, closing the distance. “Forget it. Two stubborn fools in the same bed—neither will speak willingly. Then I’ll kill you and extract the answer from your souls. Nothing will be secret anymore! And you, little girl, don’t struggle. Your pitiful Divine Power is nothing before me!”

Hanyuexi’s face darkened. In the divine realm, progress came step by step. Though she had reached the peak Golden God Realm, nearly Ancient God, she knew she stood no chance against Lu Yuan.

Still, she did not surrender. She raised her gaze to the sky. Lu Yuan, curious, glanced upward too.

“What are you looking at?”

No sooner had he spoken than the blazing sun overhead seemed to be engulfed by darkness. In just two breaths, the once-bright divine realm dimmed completely.

The once-in-nine-years solar eclipse had arrived!

Lu Yuan narrowed his eyes. Seizing the moment, Hanyuexi pulled Ye Yu free and fled at lightning speed. But could they really escape his grasp that easily?

With a casual wave, Lu Yuan unleashed ghosts that instantly surrounded Ye Yu and Hanyuexi. No matter how Hanyuexi fought, the phantoms held fast.

“I told you—it’s useless to struggle!”

A harsh laugh echoed from Lu Yuan’s lips. He regarded them like insignificant ants.

“Boom!”

A thunderous roar rang out from the valley. Hanyuexi turned pale. Lu Yuan looked down to see a massive boulder hurtling toward him. Yet he did not even flinch. Countless ghosts surged from his back and shattered the boulder in midair.

As Lu Yuan moved to investigate further, a scarlet figure streaked in, and the ghosts emitted frantic wails.

(“Apologies, everyone—today’s update is late because there’s happy news. I’ll surprise you in two months.”)