Master Ye looked at the trace of malevolent energy, feeling as if ten thousand vengeful spirits were lunging at him, or a peerless venomous insect was baring its fangs. In that instant, his soul nearly departed his body.
In a panic, he ignited a Yang Fire Talisman to counter it. The talisman turned to ash, and a flame the size of a human head blazed fiercely in Master Ye's hand, exuding an imposing aura.
The bright firelight collided with the pitch-black malevolence, emitting a grating, screeching sound.
Master Ye struggled to hold on, sweat beading on his forehead. The Yang Fire Talisman's light grew dimmer and dimmer, yet the malevolent energy remained unvanquished.
The talisman's flame suddenly extinguished. The residual malevolent energy struck Master Ye's palm, and he cried out in agony, falling to the ground.
A black line began to creep slowly upward from Master Ye's palm.
Master Ye channeled his energy to suppress it, only to feel his own vital energy being eroded bit by bit.
His mind raced. With a gritted teeth, he knelt before Ling Tian with a thud, kowtowing thrice with solid, resounding bangs.
"This junior, Ye Wudao, did not recognize the presence of a senior. I was blind and offended you. I beg for your forgiveness, and implore you to save me!"
His words were filled with genuine emotion, and tears streamed down his face.
"Hmph!"
Ling Tian snorted coldly. With a flick of his wrist, he flicked a silver needle, which embedded itself in Master Ye's arm, halting the spread of the malevolent energy.
"Consider this a minor punishment. Rest and refine your energy upon returning, and your life will be out of danger."
"Thank you, senior, for your understanding. I am indebted to you for saving my life and would gladly go through fire and water if you ever commanded me."
The sight of Master Ye, an old man with a white beard, addressing Ling Tian as "senior" repeatedly, created a strong sense of incongruity for the Wang family members.
Uncle Wang Er's expression contorted, cycling through shades of green and red. However, no one was paying attention to him at the moment; all eyes were focused on Old Master Wang's condition.
Old Master Wang, freed from the torment of theθη (gu sha - a type of malevolent energy), appeared weak but his breathing had become much steadier, and his complexion had regained some color.
Just as everyone began to relax, a servant of the Wang family, who had been standing by, suddenly produced a sharp knife and lunged towards Old Master Wang on the sickbed.
Ling Tian flicked his wrist, sending several silver lights that embedded themselves into the servant. However, the servant seemed unaffected and continued his assault with renewed vigor.
Ling Tian stepped forward, closing the distance to the servant. He brought down a palm strike on the servant's arm. The servant's arm bent at an unnatural angle, as if boneless, and instead wrapped around Ling Tian's arm.
A sharp glint flashed in Ling Tian's eyes!
"Ruan Jin Gu?!"
With his other hand, ignoring the dagger the servant thrust at him, Ling Tian reached out and grabbed the servant by the neck.
A flicker of joy crossed the servant's eyes. The dagger plunged fiercely into Ling Tian's body, but it only managed to pierce the Taoist robe, making no further progress and leaving not even a mark on Ling Tian.
"Someone from the Gu King?" Ling Tian asked, gripping the servant's head and lifting him like a chicken.
The servant snarled, "Kid, since you know I'm with the Gu King, let me go quickly. This Wang family is finished, and Old Man Wang must die."
A cold glint flashed in Ling Tian's eyes. "The Gu King's subordinates are as arrogant as ever. However, I, Ling Tian, will intervene in the Wang family's affairs today."
"If you dare to obstruct the Gu King's arrangements, your family and friends will all suffer the torment of ten thousand Gu devouring their hearts until death. Only then will you understand how foolish your actions today were!"
The servant continued to issue threats, then suddenly seemed to recall something.
"...Ling Tian...Ling...You're that bastard from the Ling family!" The servant's expression suddenly became contorted.
"The Gu King will be very pleased to see you. He will cut off your head, use your flesh and blood to feed his Gu worms, and refine your soul into Gu Sha..."
Ling Tian listened quietly as the servant finished speaking. He leaned in and whispered into the servant's ear, "I am also eager to meet him. Rest assured, you will all be reunited below very soon."
With that, he tightened his grip, and with a crack, crushed the servant's throat.
He released his hand, and the servant's corpse fell limply to the ground like a worn-out rag doll, its eyes still holding a trace of cruel satisfaction in death.
The Wang family members, intimidated by Ling Tian's aura, kept their distance.
A violent coughing fit erupted from the sickbed. The onlookers were startled at first, then overjoyed.
"Grandfather, you're finally awake."
Wang Bingxia, her face alight with surprise, walked to the old man's bedside, tears streaming down her face.
"My good granddaughter, don't cry. Grandfather is fine now." Old Master Wang gently comforted Wang Bingxia, then looked around.
"Which esteemed expert saved this old man's life? The Wang family will repay this kindness with all our might."
Wang Bingxia wiped the tears from her eyes and led Ling Tian to the old man.
"Grandfather, he saved you."
Ling Tian nodded slightly at Old Master Wang.
Old Master Wang looked at Ling Tian's attire as a young Taoist priest, his brow furrowing. Suddenly, he seemed to recall something, his gaze sharpening, his breathing quickening. He asked, "Young Taoist master, are you from Panlong Mountain?"
Ling Tian was taken aback and nodded. "That's correct."
"Then..."
Old Master Wang's expression became one of sudden realization, followed by relief. He murmured, "So, you are a disciple of Immortal Master Daoyuan..."
"Hmm?"
Ling Tian had never mentioned this to anyone. How did this old man know?
As he pondered, Old Master Wang said to Wang Bingxia, "Bing'er, do you still have the jade pendant I asked you to carry with you?"
"Of course, I've kept it close to me all along."
Saying this, she pulled a red string from her neck, from which hung a pale yellow jade cicada, appearing quite ancient.
"Give it to this young master," Old Master Wang said weakly, but firmly.
"But Grandfather, this isn't..." Wang Bingxia stopped mid-sentence, then seemed to understand something, her face flushing deeply.
She removed the jade cicada from her neck and hurriedly handed it to Ling Tian, her head bowed, looking somewhat shy.
Ling Tian looked at the jade cicada in his hand and then at Old Master Wang with a hint of confusion.
Old Master Wang's eyes were filled with memories. He explained patiently, "In the beginning, I made my fortune by tomb raiding. Once, while exploring a large tomb with others, I was on the verge of being killed by zombies within. It was Immortal Master Daoyuan who intervened and saved me."
"This jade cicada was a gift from Immortal Master Daoyuan back then. He also told me that this item would ensure my Wang family's prosperity for thirty years, and after thirty years, someone would come to claim it."
"The Immortal Master foresaw that my eldest granddaughter had a special constitution. Using the jade cicada as a token, he arranged a marriage with his disciple in advance. Furthermore, I have always kept fifty-one percent of the shares of Wang Corporation for Immortal Master."
Ling Tian carefully examined the small jade cicada in his hand. Upon closer inspection, he realized it was a Jade Fetus.
A Jade Fetus was a rare treasure formed by the long-term sedimentation of jade. It possessed the effects of gathering fortune and increasing wealth. The finest mutton-fat jade required at least a thousand years of nurturing to form a Jade Fetus, and it was an essential material for him to break through to the next realm.
Since it was something his master had left for him, and also something he needed most at the moment, Ling Tian did not feign refusal. Instead, he said earnestly, "Thank you, Old Master, for this treasure. The Gu Sha within your body has been cleared by me. With diligent rest, you will soon recover your health. Moreover, I can draw some talismans for you to ensure you are not disturbed by such things in the future."
Old Master Wang was optimistic. He waved his hand and chuckled, "There's no need for such trouble. I have enjoyed thirty years of prosperity and wealth, and I have lived long enough. The only thing I worry about is the agreement made with the Heavenly Master back then. If you can marry Bingxia soon, I will have no regrets."