The verdant flame resembled the will-o'-the-wisps found in graveyards, casting the entire hall in a ghastly, pale green light.
The flame seemed to have eyes, hurtling towards Chen Xiao at breakneck speed!
Chen Xiao's gaze shifted slightly. That fatso Song Fangjin really had more trinkets than a bad student!
This was another precious magical artifact. Although it was a single-use offensive artifact, this verdant flame was no ordinary thing.
While it appeared to have a low temperature and was unremarkable, it carried an extremely malevolent aura.
If it touched a person, it would burn through their skin, continuing downwards until the entire physical body was consumed before finally vanishing.
This method was incredibly vicious and despicable, but it could achieve remarkable results in critical moments.
Using such artifacts, Song Fangjin had previously eliminated several enemies far stronger than himself.
Unfortunately, this kind of artifact was single-use, and this skull was his last.
However, as long as Chen Xiao could be eliminated, everything would be worth it!
The verdant flame's reflection in Chen Xiao's pupils grew larger and larger.
Chen Xiao stood his ground, not dodging, until the flame was mere inches away. Only then did Chen Xiao extend a finger, reaching out to touch it.
"Hahahaha, idiot! You dare touch my Nether Ghost Fire with your hand? Just wait to be burned to ashes!"
Witnessing this, Song Fangjin burst into laughter.
Fortunately, he still had his last Nether Ghost Fire, otherwise, he would have nearly capsized in the gutter today.
However, the next moment, when Chen Xiao's finger made contact with the Nether Ghost Fire, the flame seemed to be tamed. It condensed quietly in Chen Xiao's hand, showing no signs of burning.
"This, this, how is this possible..."
Song Fangjin was dumbfounded. This time, he was truly terrified.
Only now did he realize that he had underestimated Chen Xiao's strength from beginning to end.
Touching the Nether Ghost Fire with his bare hand was something even his master, Tu Junhou, could not do.
Not to mention that Chen Xiao could actually tame the fire...
"Go!"
Chen Xiao gave a gentle push, and the Nether Ghost Fire suddenly transformed into a small, verdant snake, heading straight for Song Fangjin.
Only when the green snake was upon him did Song Fangjin snap back to reality. He instinctively tried to flee, but where could he escape to?
The moment he turned, the verdant little snake "bit" his neck.
"Ah... ah..."
He only managed to cry out twice before collapsing to the ground, his head severed from his body.
The Nether Ghost Fire continued to burn and gnaw at his body and head until not even a speck of bone residue remained, and then it vanished into the air.
Song Fangjin died just like that, vanishing without a trace, cleaner than if he had been burned by Qilin Fire.
Chen Xiao looked at He Mingsen, grinning, "Old man, it's time for us to settle our accounts."
He Mingsen looked at Chen Xiao tremblingly, saying with feigned ferocity, "Brat, you still have the leisure to settle accounts with me? You killed Tu Junhou's disciple, and he will definitely not let you go. If I were you, I'd run immediately, without stopping, all the way to the ends of the earth..."
However, Chen Xiao acted as if he hadn't heard him, murmuring, "One Spirit Gathering Pill can extend your lifespan by five years. This means you owe me five years of your life."
As he spoke, Chen Xiao placed two fingers on He Mingsen's pulse, "I'll take one year of your lifespan first."
"You want to do..."
He Mingsen tried to speak, but suddenly felt a powerful suction. At the same time, something was rapidly draining from his body, flowing into Chen Xiao's fingers.
A moment later, He Mingsen's originally ruddy complexion turned pale, and several age spots appeared on his face at a visible rate.
"What, what did you do to me?"
He Mingsen felt incredibly weak, even speaking became strenuous.
Chen Xiao still had no intention of paying him any mind, continuing his monologue, "Now it's the second year."
Then, He Mingsen experienced the same sensation again, and he now clearly understood what was draining from his body.
It was his life force.
"No, Master, please stop! I was wrong, I truly know I was wrong."
He Mingsen's tears flowed, and he begged for mercy.
Chen Xiao still ignored him, continuing to speak to himself, "Third year."
"Master, please let me go. I'm willing to pay one hundred million, no, I'll pay ten billion to buy my remaining three years of life..."
"Sorry, you only have two years of life left."
Chen Xiao chuckled. This time, he finally replied.
However, his words made He Mingsen's vision go black, nearly causing him to faint.
Chen Xiao, meanwhile, continued his debt-collecting work.
"Now it's the fourth year."
He Mingsen felt his life force draining away bit by bit, the feeling of being on the brink of death enveloping his entire body once more.
"Master, please spare me! I am willing to use all of my He family's assets to exchange for you to stop."
He Mingsen pleaded desperately, his voice already weak.
Uttering these words had exhausted all his remaining strength.
Hearing this, Chen Xiao finally withdrew his fingers, saying with a pure look, "Wouldn't it have been better if you had said that earlier? You almost made me take your old life!"
"..."
He Mingsen truly couldn't speak anymore, not just from lack of strength, but also from being angered.
So it was me begging you to kill me, wasn't it?
Then Chen Xiao took out another Spirit Gathering Pill and flicked it into He Mingsen's mouth.
Instantly, He Mingsen felt his life force returning to his body.
His complexion once again became rosy, and his body regained its strength.
At this moment, he finally understood that his body's previous improvement was entirely due to the Spirit Gathering Pill, not Song Fangjin's life-borrowing ritual.
"Thank you, Master, for saving my life."
He Mingsen thanked Chen Xiao excitedly, "Master, I, He Mingsen, will surely offer a generous gift in return!"
Chen Xiao smiled, "A generous gift? Old man, have you forgotten what you just promised me? What else can you offer in return?"
He Mingsen then remembered that in his near-death state, he had promised Chen Xiao all of the He family's assets.
He pleaded, "Master, could you leave me this villa to live out my retirement? I will gladly present all other assets!"
Chen Xiao sneered, "Old man, do you not understand what 'all assets' means, or are you pretending to be confused?"
He Mingsen's old face flushed, and he stammered.
At this moment, Chen Xiao asked again, "Do you know why I gave you a Spirit Gathering Pill just now, to extend your life?"
"Because Master is kind-hearted..."
Before He Mingsen could finish speaking, Chen Xiao snorted and interrupted him.
"Old man, you don't need to flatter me. I let you live simply so you can experience the feeling of losing all your possessions and being abandoned by everyone!"