Book 6: Chapter 38: Changes

Book 6: Chapter 38: Changes

Si Ma Nan roared with laughter which contained arrogance and smugness.

As he laughed, he walked around the clearing, trampling all of Master Longs formation objects. Although he was laughing, his actions expressed his fury.

He had always viewed himself above everyone else. His repeated losses at Ruan Zhans hands was something he was already unable to endure. He hadnt expected a fengshui master who had died many years ago to also go against him. Firstly he was able to hide from him and then he used a mere formation to force him to wander around for six or seven hours!

If the old fogey had used the wood and earth of the forest to create the formation, that would be one thing. But when he realized that randomly placed crappy objects in the clearing was enough to befuddle him, he was even more enraged!

Furthermore, he knew the plan with the resentful spirits in the new town had failed. His carefully crafted scheme of borrowing someones knife had been ruined by that youngster Ruan Zhan! This meant he had no choice but to personally deal with him. What pissed him off even more was that he was actually a little nervous. He didnt have absolute confidence in his victory. He was evena little afraid!

This was the major taboo for a cultivator: being a shade timid before the battle even started! However, he knew he had to fight this time. He couldnt allow Ruan Zhan to keep growing stronger. He also couldnt let the item he yearned for fall into his hands!

That was something he had been after all his life! No matter the price, he had to obtain it!

Butwhere was Wan Li?

He had been with that old fogey the whole time. Why had he vanished now?

Si Ma Nan furrowed his brows and looked around, but didnt see any sign of him. He sniffed, but didnt detect any living aura. Where had he hidden himself? Did that old fogey know he was coming and have that youngster leave first?

He walked into the closest bush and carefully searched around, but there were still no results. He returned to the clearing and combed the place inch by inch. A large rock next to the clearing attracted his attention.

This was the middle of the forest. Why would there be such a large rock? The shape was also a little strange. It looked like someone curled up in a fetal position!

Si Ma Nan involuntarily walked over!

Wan Li had been feeling bewildered. The place he was in wasnt that well hidden. There were only a few bushes in front of him. Why hadnt Si Ma Nan seen him? He had gone through the bushes as if looking for something. Was he looking for something important, or thinking of some way to torment him?

His body was completely rigid, unable to move a hair. He wasnt able to make the slightest sound with his throat. He was essentially a piece of meat on the chopping block, yet Si Ma Nan couldnt see him. It was like he didnt exist!

In his frustration, he looked downwards. The scene before his eyes startled him. When had the wooden box he had been holding transformed into a large rock?

Looking forward again, he saw Si Ma Nan slowly walking over, and he had a flash of understanding.

The image of a large rock must have been an illusion Master Long cast on Si Ma Nan. Master Long had used the last of his powers to protect Wan Li. Thats why he was unable to move or speak. The truth was that Wan Li had lured Si Ma Nan over. He had brought calamity to Master Long, but not only had the latter helped Ruan Zhan suppress the resentful spirits once again, he had also ignored his own safety in order to protect Wan Li!

Now, Si Ma Nan seemed to have discovered the truth. But that was fine. As long as Si Ma Nan broke through the illusion, Wan Li would return to normal. At that time, he would duke it out with him! Although there was a large gap between their abilities, kind of like smashing an egg against a rock, he was no coward. He wouldnt lose face for Ruan Zhan, and also wouldnt let down the grace Master Long had shown him!

Wan Li made up his mind. He decided that the moment his rock boundary was dispelled, he would seize the initiative to strike. He would seize the upper hand in close combat. That was the only advantage he had against Si Ma Nan!

Yet as Si Ma Nan was about to reach him, the situation suddenly changed!

When Master Long vanished, only his clothing had remained. This included the black gloves he had carefully put on from the wooden box. No one had paid attention to those gloves. However, they now seemed alive as they flew over and seized Si Ma Nans ankles!

This fell completely outside Si Ma Nans expectations, and he wasnt able to react in time. By the time he understood that this was something Master Long left behind to deal with him, he hurriedly chanted something and waved his hand.

But

No buts. As I said, theres someone who needs watching in the old town. I can only rely on you. Si Ma Nans tone suddenly became gentle again. I cannot trust anyone else. Those thugs also need to be dealt with in the end. Also He walked over and embraced Hong Hao Hao, whispering a few things in her ear.

They spoke too softly for Wan Li to hear. He only saw her nodding repeatedly before leaving with extremely unwillingness. Si Ma Nan turned to look at that large rock once again, but finally left without investigating further.

The clearing fell silent once again, as if nothing had happened. Apart from the black clothing on the floor and the mess of footprints, nothing was left.

Wan Li felt a prick in his heart.

He felt a bit sad at Master Longs death. In his opinion, Master Longs abetting of evil due to familial relationships had been sufficiently repaid with his attempts to fix things over the past decade, as well as everything he had done today.

Thats why Master Long had told him: No matter what you see, you must understand that this is the price I should pay. I do it willingly. No matter the outcome, it would be a release for me.

Now Master Long was gone, without even his soul remaining. Si Ma Nan was going to enter the new town to battle Ruan Zhan, and something was going on in the old town. What should he do? Was he just going to be a large rock, unable to move?

Wan Li felt a wave of anxiety. He struggled desperately with all his strength. A while passed like this. It wasnt clear if his anxious feelings had caused it or if the boundarys effect had run out of time. He suddenly felt it give, and the feeling of numbness immediately disappeared, allowing him to cry out!

He swiftly got up. His limbs were a little weak from being rigid for so long, but he was now able to move. He stood and pondered for a moment before deciding to check things out at the old town. The new town was sealed by a restriction and he wasnt able to enter. Might as well save one side and keep Ruan Zhans backyard clear. Best if Si Ma Nans backyard caught on fire while he was at it.

Once he made up his mind, he immediately started moving. He first confirmed that no one or no things were observing before opening the wooden chest. There wasnt much left inside, only an ancient tome, a small bamboo tube, a bow and three arrows made of bamboo and a small notebook.

Before Master Long left, he said the small notebook was for him. Therefore, he immediately took it out and read it. The contents made him feel some astonishment, but due to the urgency of the situation, he didnt have time to worry about it. Therefore, he first put the notebook back in place before folding up Master Longs clothes respectfully and placing them inside the box as well.

He once again checked his surroundings carefully before burying the box inside the hollow trunk of a tree. He also put some protective measures in place before leaving. While Si Ma Nan had been working hard to dispel the black miasma from his body, Ruan Zhan had been doing the same thing in the new town.

Although the resentful spirits had been sealed again, the black miasma in his right arm was still there. Remaining inside the tower would whittle away his energy, so he had to nurse his wounds on the walkway of the lake.

Once the resentful spirits had been recaptured, he had first returned Reporter Mas soul to his body. He and Liu Hongs bodies had been used by those two resentful spirits, but it had been abandoned after Ruan Zhans lightning palm had struck it. Liu Hong had already died, so only Reporter Ma could be revived.

He ordered Report Ma to bring Mao Fu down from the top floor. He then told them to hide anywhere in the city as long as it was far from this tower.

If the one surnamed Mao is disobedient, just knock him out again! He told reporter Ma. Hide somewhere and dont make a sound until the sky turns back to normal. It doesnt matter if its clear or filled with stars, or even if its pouring rain. As long as the sky is normal, you will be able to leave. But you must remember not to say anything about what happened here. This includes your relatives. Otherwise, itll only bring you harm!

Reporter Ma currently felt both admiration and gratitude towards Ruan Zhan. Hearing that the situation in the new town had yet to be resolved, he bravely offered to help. However, he was refused by Ruan Zhan. No one could interfere in the duel between himself and Si Ma Nan. Anyone getting involved might end up dead.

He guessed Si Ma Nan didnt know that this tower had the ability to suck away any sort of powers, including his own spirit power. Si Ma Nan definitely hadnt lingered for too long when ruining it previously. Otherwise, he wouldnt have let him roam about the town freely after placing seals on him.

This was something he could take advantage of. He would make full use of this fact to deal with Si Ma Nan.

Furthermore, he knew Si Ma Nan would definitely come from the water. He hadnt been sure before, but Si Ma Nan had been too smart for his own good. The black fish he had sent to destroy his talisman formation had revealed his own entryway.

Therefore, he didnt destroy all the hungry ghost path evil spirits in the water. He had been in a sorry state when he was underwater. He wanted to leave something good behind for Si Ma Nan to have a taste.

He wanted to see how Si Ma Nan, who also viewed himself as all that, would look like covered in teeth and bite marks after crawling out of the water!

Thinking of this, Ruan Zhan couldnt help but start laughing. He took the opportunity of his moment of relaxation to pull out the dagger covered in black miasma from his right shoulder!