Chapter 653: Being Honest
Old Monster Xu cursed out loud. Part of his robes was burned and he was badly shaken up. Thanks to the clash of spells and some struggling on his part, the golden net seemed to have loosened up considerably. Finally, Old Monster Xu decisively bit his tongue to spit out a mouthful of blood.
Old Monster Xu was an immortal physician, and his blood was immortal. Immortal blood contained mana and strong healing properties so this mouthful of blood ultimately helped him break free from his constraints.
At this point, Old Monster Xu had to give his all. The massive fire buddha was right beside him and he would be burned alive if he didn’t run now.
Even before that, he was already wounded but he said nothing right after breaking free. He quickly invoked a spell to help him escape. To be placed in such a circumstance, he hated himself for not having an extra pair of legs.
he hated himself for not cultivating an extra pair of legs.
He didn’t run aimlessly. Inferno Monk was a fire attribute profound immortal. Although he was slightly weaker than Miao Yan Zhenren, he could still buy them some time.
Old Monster Xu was now highly suspicious that this was Yan Shenjun’s ploy.
Yan Shenjun probably got Inferno Monk on board because he wanted to use Inferno Monk to stall Miao Yan Zhenren. After all, the latter was so strong that even if Yan Shenjun were to intervene, the chances of their party emerging victorious were slim.
Moreover, Yan Shenjun had a grander scheme and Old Monster Xu knew a little about it. If he could run, he would; this was simply not the right time to die.
He couldn’t put up a fight anyway.
Old Monster Xu considered his options. Instead of running, he had to seek Yan Shenjun out. The latter’s plan was so great that Old Monster Xu had to get involved. Even if he wouldn’t get a slice of the pie, the crumbs would be just as worthwhile.
As for his wounds, this was where his expertise in medicine would come in handy.
Old Monster Xu hid behind a large tree and swallowed about ten pills. Then, he continued making his way forward. From time to time, he would look back nervously.
Inferno Monk and Miao Yan Zhenren were now out of his sight but he could still feel the spirit energy disturbance around. It was an indication that the fight was still going on.
“Profound immortals are really scary. That Miao Yan Zhenren lives up to his reputation too. Amazing. Truly amazing. Wait…” A thought suddenly came to Old Monster Xu’s mind. “What if Inferno Monk loses and gets captured by Miao Yan Zhenren instead? What if he gets slain in battle? What should we do?”
Then, his expression changed. “Yan Shenjun must have thought of this possibility before, so that means he was ready to lose Inferno Monk in the first place. This man is ruthless.”
Old Monster Xu stopped.
He hesitated.
Yan Shenjun’s plan was indeed grandiose and the thing he wanted was too great. However, the man was too insidious and unscrupulous. If he could dispose of an expert like Inferno Monk, wouldn’t it be even easier for him to remove Old Monster Xu someday in the future?
“No, Yan Shenjun can’t be trusted.” Old Monster Xu didn’t want to go back, but he didn’t want to lose the potential benefit either. After thinking it through, he smirked.
“I may not be strong enough alone, but I can win other people over. Yan Shenjun, you’re not the only immortal expert in this extraterritorial land.” Old Monster Xu figured he had discovered the right path.
Truth be told, he feared facing Yan Shenjun alone. Not only was he insanely strong, but he also had a ruthless character. Despite them being accomplices, should the need ever arise, Yan Shenjun would never show him mercy. Fortunately, Old Monster Xu didn’t think of himself as a pushover. The fact that Yan Shenjun abandoned him here annoyed Old Monster Xu.
With this in mind, Old Monster Xu sped into another direction.
***
Simultaneously in a secluded cave, Lin Jin sat on a stone bench across Yan Shenjun.
There was tea on the table and immortal servants to serve them in a respectful manner.
Lin Jin noticed that these immortal servants were actual immortals, but each one of them was humble and careful. This alone told Lin Jin how formidable Yan Shenjun was.
Among these immortal servants, many of them were fairies with divine beauty.
“If Appraiser Lin is interested, allow me to gift you a few immortal servants in the future.” Yan Shenjun made a shocking offer with a smile on his face, which startled Lin Jin.
To Yan Shenjun, it sounded as if immortal servants were tools that could be given away.
Lin Jin could tell he wasn’t joking, and that further fuelled his confusion.
Here was a profound immortal who was ready to give half immortals away as presents, but he was so courteous to a mortal he abducted. For what reason was he acting this way?
One could only imagine Lin Jin’s curiosity.
Lin Jin didn’t like being played a fool and he wouldn’t accept it. Lin Jin doubled down on his resolve and used the oriole as his bargaining chip. With a deadpan expression, he said, “Yan Shenjun, you’re a profound immortal, while I am just an average mortal. You brought me here, put on pretenses, and treated me with such courtesy, but for what reason? Why don’t you just tell it to me straight?”
Lin Jin didn’t think it was for the sake of saving the oriole.
After all, Yan Shenjun wasn’t sure if Lin Jin could save the oriole at first. If he was, he wouldn’t have brought Old Monster Xu over.
Lin Jin’s straightforwardness didn’t faze Yan Shenjun at all.
Perhaps Lin Jin would be too if their positions switched. After all, the strength difference between them was too vast.
Yan Shenjun had a sip of his tea before saying, “I’ve once used Soul Transfer to send my clone to travel the mainlands for more than a hundred years. I also know much about the human world, so it is natural for me to have heard of Appraiser Lin’s name too.”
Lin Jin was shocked.
Yan Shenjun could use his clone to leave the extraterritorial land?
Impossible!
Clones contained immortal aura too and that wouldn’t escape the immortal devouring beast’s detection.
Unless a secret art was involved.
Right, he mentioned a ‘Soul Transfer’, so that must be it. Also, the man’s clone couldn’t possibly be a half immortal or he would have drawn the immortal devouring beast over.
If that were truly the case, it wasn’t strange for Yan Shenjun to know about him.
Lin Jin’s name was well-known throughout the continents. So, when Yan Shenjun acted as if he had a request to make, Lin Jin guessed that it had to do with appraising or treating beasts.
“I’ve heard of your master’s name as well. He is said to be the Supreme Appraiser and peerless in the industry.” To think Yan Shenjun knew about Curator as well. But that was normal because Curator’s reputation was just as great in the outside world.
Lin Jin stayed silent as Yan Shenjun hadn’t revealed the main topic yet.
Sure enough, the latter said, “I’ve invited Appraiser Lin here to diagnose and treat my disciple.”