Chapter 896: Senior Uncle

After their figures vanished, Zhao Songqiao’s eyes darkened. A trace of hesitation crossed his face as he thought to himself, "It is better that they did not follow. At least this spares me the trouble of silencing them."

His figure flickered, weaving through the shadows as he circled to the side of the low mountain. The Sky-Eyed Butterfly’s wings quivered slightly, effortlessly keeping pace with him.

"Who's there!?" Not long after the incarnation and Fang Ting had gone ahead, a cold shout suddenly rang out. Looking up, they saw a streak of azure light shoot down from the mountain peak, landing before them in the form of a gaunt Daoist.

"Greetings, Senior Uncle! I came by order of Senior Uncle Jin Yan to collect Dark Lightning Wood and other materials." The incarnation and Fang Ting hurriedly bowed, offering an explanation while presenting the command token.

"This is indeed Senior Brother Jin Yan’s token."

After checking, the Daoist returned it, then cast a sidelong glance at Fang Ting. "You are the Zhang Yue brought here by Junior Brother Yang, but who is this girl? I recall she was a disciple of Yanmiao Pavilion."

He had seen Fang Ting earlier when she entered Dongming Island.

"Please look at her, Senior Uncle. Fang Ting is indeed the true disciple of Senior Chen from Yanmiao Pavilion. She is my friend. After hearing that I was coming here to gather herbs, she wanted to see the place for herself," the incarnation replied, using the same trick as before.

"Senior Chen?" The Daoist’s expression softened with realization. "Since she is Senior Chen’s disciple, then it is fine. But within these mountains I cultivate several precious spiritual herbs. You may not wander about, lest you damage my herb garden. Take what you need and leave quickly."

As the Daoist turned to depart, the incarnation quickly called out, "Senior Uncle, Senior Jin Yan instructed me to collect six roots of the century-old Azure Hatred Fruit Tree. I am unskilled and I am afraid that I might damage the trees. May I ask you for guidance?"

The Azure Hatred Fruits could be refined into pills to restore spiritual power. Its roots, once over a hundred years old, brimmed with wood essence and were excellent material for artifact refinement.

"Six more roots? He just harvested some not long ago. Does Jin Yan think these trees are inexhaustible?" Though grumbling, the Daoist did not doubt him. With an easy nod, he agreed. "I will take you there. These trees are delicate. If cut improperly, their fruits will lose much of their essence, and the tree might even die. I would not trust you to do it."

Following him, the incarnation and Fang Ting soon arrived at a herb garden. The place had clearly just been tended. The trees stood vigorous, their jade-green leaves shining, though all the fruits had recently been harvested.

Landing before several of the largest trees, the Daoist studied them carefully. At last he chose one, summoned his spiritual power, and used a secret technique. A streak of green light touched the trunk, making it tremble with vibrant vitality. The Daoist condensed his power into a blade of light and carefully cut off a century-old root.

Repeating the process, he harvested six roots and handed them over. "Remember, if you need more herbs like these, report to me first. Do not act rashly."

"Yes!"

After bidding farewell, the incarnation led Fang Ting deeper into the mountains.

Only once the Daoist was out of sight did Fang Ting dare to transmit her voice. "Senior Brother Zhang, Senior Brother Zhao must have slipped inside by now, right?"

But she saw the incarnation’s face heavy with concern and was startled.

He flashed to higher ground, from where he could faintly see a vast dark shadow in the distance. It was the Dark Lightning Wood grove.

After a moment’s thought, he brought Fang Ting to a secluded spot near an exit. His voice was low and stern. "Stay here. Do not go anywhere. If something happens later, run immediately."

"What are you saying? What might happen? Aren’t you going with me?" Fang Ting was frightened by his words.

"I cannot say for sure. I only sense that Senior Brother Zhao is suspicious. This is just in case. I have ways to escape. Nothing will happen to me. Just stay alert. Later, I might need you to cover for me..." He gave her a deep look before leaving alone.

Fang Ting’s face was pale with panic. For some reason, the moment her Senior Brother Zhang’s figure disappeared from view, her heart felt strangely hollow, and she unconsciously reached out, dazed.

Meanwhile, the incarnation concealed his aura and, following his faint bond with the Sky-Eyed Butterfly, rushed toward the Dark Lightning Wood grove. Soon, a pitch-black forest loomed ahead, as desolate as the land of death.

Within the grove, faint traces of yin lightning flickered. Except for a few rare herbs, no mundane plant could survive here.

By then, Zhao Songqiao had already ventured deep into the shadows of the grove, entirely unaware of the Sky-Eyed Butterfly tailing him.

Reaching the area where yin lightning gathered most densely, Zhao Songqiao halted and surveyed his surroundings. Then he suddenly opened his mouth and spat out a white pill. Its surface was wrapped in a waxy coating.

The instant it appeared, the drifting lightning seemed to encounter a ravenous beast. They were swiftly devoured, and in the blink of an eye, the surrounding spiritual qi and lightning were gone.

Zhao Songqiao stepped back to watch. The nearest Dark Lightning Wood trees began to wither and die, turning the place into a true wasteland.

From farther away, spiritual qi and lightning were also pulled toward the pill, forming a cone-shaped vortex centered on it. All of this happened in silence.

No one knew how much it had absorbed when a sharp crack rang out. The pill split open, and from within emerged a dragonfly-shaped spiritual insect.

Hiding afar, the incarnation witnessed everything through the Sky-Eyed Butterfly. His face was frozen in shock.

The witch race's insect-taming techniques and the human race's ones were different, and he was experienced in both.

"Gu insect!"

***

Outside Dongming Island, three streaks of evasion light sped across the sea, heading straight for the island’s entrance.

𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Their auras blazed openly. Their lights ripped the waves without restraint, exuding a fierce momentum. They did not look like guests attending a Dharma Assembly but rather like men coming to demand justice.

Landou Sect's disciples, who were guarding the entrance, paled at the sight.

"Three Core Formation Realm cultivators! Who are they?" Exchanging bewildered looks, none could guess their origins.

"They clearly come with hostility. We cannot stop them. Quickly, report to the abbot!" An elder spoke calmly and urgently shot a streak of light into the mist.

Before the light vanished, the three figures had already arrived, their speed unabated.

The disciples barred their way, bowing. "We are disciples of Landou Sect, guarding Dongming Island under the orders of Abbot Lu. May we know where the three seniors hail from and why you have come, so we may report properly?"

"I am your senior uncle! Blind fools! How dare you block me!" The burly leader glared with tiger-like eyes, cursing as he hurled a black iron token into the elder’s hands, then strode forward as if to force his way inside.