Chapter 1438 - 421: Taoist Friend Zhou, Save Me—I’m Yu Yan!

"Four Great Prodigies? Heh... Compared to your Yu Race, my Yan Family falls far short."

Facing Yu Zhu’s words, Yama curled a sly smile, his gaze cold.

"Not at all!" Yu Zhu shook her head hurriedly, oblivious to the silk sliding off her shoulder, "Though the Yu Race is one of the Four Ancient Races, it ranks at the bottom, sometimes even lower than the Eight Great Families..."

Yama did not respond, only asked lightly: "Have the messages been sent out?"

"They’ve been sent out!" Yu Zhu’s eyes gleamed with anticipation, "My cousin should arrive soon. She is gentle in temperament and will surely be compatible with Yama."

"Very good."

Yama’s lips curved slightly, a cold glint passing through his eyes.

Yu Zhu adjusted her clothing, hesitating: "How does Yama know about cousin Yu Yan? She’s always been low key within the clan, with few aware of her..."

Yama put down his long knife, walked slowly closer, and sat beside her.

Yu Zhu nestled into his embrace, allowing him to caress her smooth arm.

"Indeed, I didn’t know before." Yama’s fingertips slowly wandered across her skin, his tone growing colder, "But in the past years, she has repeatedly thwarted my plans."

"Really?" Yu Zhu tilted her face, puzzled, "She always prefers quiet, and dislikes getting involved in trifles..."

Yama suddenly grabbed her chin, forcing her to look at him: "Do you think I’m lying to you?"

"No! No..." Yu Zhu’s voice quivered.

Yama stared at her, his eyes filled with chilling intent: "That brute from the Zhao Family, I’ve had many chances to kill him, but your dear sister clings like a pest, her spirit lingering and preventing me from ever finding an opportunity."

Yu Zhu’s pupils contracted, her face instantly pale.

She locked her gaze onto Yama’s eyes, suddenly realizing, and struggled to rise, only to be choked back by Yama’s iron grip on her throat.

Her efforts to resist were futile, as Yama’s Spiritual Power imprisoned her completely, leaving her unable to even move a finger.

He sneered, leaning close to her ear, his voice icy: "Thanks to you, I was able to lure her here."

"Despite being at Divinity Transformation Realm Perfection, you were incredibly dense."

Yama scoffed, "How does your family protect you? In terms of talent and intellect, you’re not even a match for a finger of your sister."

"Mediocre talent, dull mind, and an utterly unremarkable appearance."

His tone was contemptuous, "If it weren’t for wanting to try the flavor of Yu Race women, I wouldn’t even bother touching you."

Yu Zhu trembled, tears silently streaming down.

"By the way," Yama suddenly recalled something, an avaricious look in his eyes, "thank you for telling me your cousin possesses a rare Pure Moon Jade Spirit Body."

"Born to attract the Power of Moonlight, her Spiritual Power is pure as frost, helping Dao companions purify impurities."

"Jade Essence Condensed Fragrance, Ice Heart Unblemished." He chuckled darkly, "I wonder how Shen Hanyi of the Shen Family managed to break through to Spirit Slash Realm Perfection in such a short time."

"Do you think... if your cousin helps me in dual cultivation, I might advance further?"

Yu Zhu, her throat choked, could only produce weak whimpers, her eyes full of desperate pleading.

Yama just shook his head disdainfully, fingers slowly tightening: "I really wish all of the Yu Race were as dumb as you, then my Yan Family could replace them soon."

He suddenly laughed lowly, his tone bemused: "Do you know why I saved you years ago? Silly girl, when preparing to play chess, one must always place the pieces in advance."

Yu Zhu’s pupils abruptly constricted, as if finally comprehending something, her struggles intensifying — too late.

"Enough." Yama’s fingers clenched fiercely, Spiritual Power rushing into her meridians like a venomous snake, "Considering how well you served, I’ll grant you a quick death."

He leaned in close to her ear, whispering softly, his voice terrifyingly gentle: "Take your time on the Yellow Springs path; soon... I’ll bring your good sister to join you."

Before his words ended, the Spiritual Power in his palm exploded.

Yu Zhu’s body scattered like smoke and dust, leaving no trace behind.

Completely vanished without a trace.

Yama nonchalantly wiped his hands, as if brushing off a speck of dust.

He raised a hand and summoned the fallen Storage Bag into his grasp.

After some searching, he successfully retrieved the Communication Jade Scroll that contacted Yu Yan.

Watching the conversation on it, his lips curled into a cold smile, and then he quickly stood up and left...

...

Meanwhile, in the depths of a remote mountain range in the Outer Domain.

Among ancient towering trees that blocked out the sun, dark forests occasionally had shadows of exploration teams or mercenaries passing through.

In a quiet corner, an old hen with bulging eyes fluttered its wings, racing wildly, carrying a delicately carved red belly-band doll on its back.

The little doll giggled, clutching the chicken’s feathers, charging recklessly through the brush.

Not far away, Second Uncle and Zhou Qing sat cross-legged on a sturdy tree trunk, meditating.

Each held half a Blood Phoenix Tribulation Crystal in their hands, the crystals visibly crumbling into powder, completely absorbed by them.

"Truly amazing stuff! Its purity is remarkable." Second Uncle opened his eyes, looking at the dissipated crystal dust in his palm, praising.

"The ’Hundred Tribulations Blood Curtain’ requires at least five strands of Phoenix Dao Pattern to condense the Blood Phoenix Tribulation Crystal. You, boy, broke the child’s body as soon as you met the standard, yet still had such fortune!"

Zhou Qing exhaled a deep breath, his eyes deep and reserved: "Luck is just a little better."

"Luck is also part of strength!" Second Uncle grinned, then shouted in the distance: "Little Blood, don’t run too far, come back after having fun!"

Soon, the Ten Thousand Year Blood Ginseng rode back on the clucking old hen under the tree, continuing its playful antics.

Zhou Qing stood up, his gaze sharp as lightning: "Since we’re out, we should resolve the matter with Yama as well. Uncle, how long can the imprint on his Token last?"