The family went their separate ways.
Moving further and further apart.
After cutting ties with his family, Liu Chang'an completely let loose.
He seemed like a different person now, his gaze icy, a chilling killing intent permeating his body, like a fierce beast just released from its cage.
No matter who that old Daoist priest was.
He had to die today!
Not long after he led the old Daoist away alone.
A figure swiftly descended from behind, abruptly landing a short distance in front of him on the main path.
"Heh, I finally caught you, little mouse." The old Daoist priest was delighted at his catch, unable to suppress a cold, sinister laugh.
He was a completely different person from his previous benevolent appearance. Now, he was filled with malice, his cruel smile sending chills down the spine.
This old villain was absolutely not a good person.
Liu Chang'an seemed to be in a desperate situation.
Yet, his tone remained calm and lighthearted as he said: "Senior, we have no grudges between us. Why must this be a fight to the death? Why don't we both take a step back and let the world be vast and open?"
"Hmph!"
"Little beast!"
"It's too late to beg for mercy now! You dared to make a fool of me all night; not even the Heavenly King himself can save you today!" the old Daoist priest coldly roared.
He pressed forward step by step, showing no intention of letting Liu Chang'an go.
Liu Chang'an naturally did not expect a few words to move him to compassion.
This old bastard had slaughtered the entire village and chased his whole family all night, showing just how ruthless he was.
The reason he showed weakness.
It was merely to lull the opponent into a false sense of security, making him believe that he was a coward who abandoned his family and clung to life.
Little did the old man know, every step was within Liu Chang'an's calculations.
The moment he no longer had a weakness, he would have no more reservations.
The old Daoist priest did not realize that today, he had personally released a mighty beast that would devour the world.
Suddenly, Liu Chang'an began to act.
He feigned a look of panic and distress: "Senior, please spare me! You cannot kill me!"
"Oh?"
"Tell me, why should I not be able to kill you?"
The old Daoist priest was clearly interested.
Liu Chang'an's voice trembled: "Does the Daoist master not want to know the secret behind my Innate Divine Strength?"
When the old Daoist priest heard this.
His mind became even more active.
In his opinion, an ordinary cowherd from the mountains, who could repeatedly escape his schemes, must be hiding a great opportunity.
And it was likely no small one.
The old Daoist priest instantly became very amiable. He flicked his fly whisk: "Little friend, if you are willing to reveal your secret."
"Not only will I forgive all past offenses today and spare your life, but I am also willing to take you as my last disciple. How about that?"
Liu Chang'an sneered inwardly, naturally disbelieving this nonsense.
But he still feigned compliance, nervously agreeing: "Master is above; please accept your disciple's bow."
"Good, good, good!"
"From today onward, let us address each other as master and disciple." The old Daoist priest feigned enthusiasm and stepped forward, actively helping Liu Chang'an up.
He appeared completely unguarded.
In that very moment.
Liu Chang'an did consider suddenly bursting forth and taking his life.
But just as the thought arose.
That familiar sense of crisis returned.
He held back.
He continued to endure.
When he raised his head again.
He indeed caught a glimpse of the fleeting smile in the old Daoist priest's eyes.
Liu Chang'an cursed the old fox inwardly, certain that this was intentional.
There will be a time for everything.
He would kill this old man eventually.
Just as he was pondering in his heart.
The other party suddenly leaned closer and spoke with a beaming smile.
"Disciple, I won't take advantage of you. If you reveal the secret of your Innate Divine Strength, we will share the opportunity."
"Your Master will reward you with an Immortal Pill. How about it?"
As he spoke, the old Daoist priest took out a pill that glowed with an eerie green luster from his robes.
Although Liu Chang'an didn't recognize the pill, just looking at its strange color.
He knew it was definitely not the Immortal Pill the old man claimed, but nine times out of ten, it contained potent poison.
No need to think further; it was certainly the poison the old man intended to use to control him.
"What's wrong, Disciple? Are you unwilling to accept your Master's kind gesture?" Seeing Liu Chang'an hesitate, the old Daoist priest clearly grew impatient and urged him.
Liu Chang'an knew he couldn't delay any longer.
If he dragged it out further.
The old man would surely turn hostile.
He gritted his teeth and swallowed the pill directly.
Enter the game with his own body.
Winning half the game against fate.
Even Heavenly Venerate Han endured humiliation when he was weak; it was not unthinkable for him to acknowledge a thief as his master today.
Seeing Liu Chang'an consume the poisonous pill he had meticulously prepared, a flash of surprise crossed the old Daoist priest's eyes, and he inadvertently relaxed his guard a bit.
"Aren't you curious what kind of pill your Master gave you?" the old Daoist priest probed.
Liu Chang'an immediately put on a harmless appearance and respectfully replied: "Your disciple does not know, but whatever Master tells me to eat, I will eat."
"In short, your disciple holds absolutely no disloyalty toward Master. This loyalty is witnessed by the heavens and the sun and moon."
Although he didn't fully believe the words, the old Daoist priest was at least quite satisfied with Liu Chang'an's attitude.
"Hahahaha, don't panic, Disciple. This pill is called the Marrow Cleansing Pill; it can help people cleanse their essence, wash their marrow, and prolong their life."
He deliberately exaggerated its effects to sound miraculous.
However, Liu Chang'an did not believe a single word of this explanation.
"That's right, Disciple."
A glint of greed flashed in the old Daoist priest's eyes. "Since your Master has bestowed a spiritual pill upon you, why are you still unwilling to share the opportunity with your Master? Could it be... that you intend to keep it all to yourself?"
Liu Chang'an's expression was calm and neither humble nor arrogant as he replied: "Master, please understand. When your disciple was young, herding cattle in the mountains, I accidentally discovered a spiritual spring favored by heaven and earth."
"It was only by constantly drinking the water from the spring that I gained this strength that is far beyond the average person."
"The location of that spiritual spring is hidden, and to this day... only I know of it."
As soon as his voice fell.
The old Daoist priest's greed intensified.
In the old Daoist's view, a mountain-village child could only have such a fortune if he possessed a miraculous encounter.
Although his words were full of holes and caused him some suspicion.
Greed ultimately gained the upper hand; it was this greed that drove him to believe.
"Good disciple, lead your Master to the location of that spiritual spring now..."
The old Daoist priest's voice suddenly turned cold, "If it is truly as you say, your Master will not forget your contribution."
"But you had better put away those little schemes and not play any tricks. If your Master finds out you spoke a single false word..."
Finally, a cold light flashed in his eyes, "Otherwise, I will surely tear you into ten thousand pieces and grind your bones into ash!"
Liu Chang'an immediately feigned fear, his voice trembling as he said: "Master is greatly powerful; how would your disciple dare to deceive you?"
"I only beg Master, after finding the spiritual spring, to spare my family, old and young..."
"Hmph! It had better be so."
The old Daoist priest sneered, looking at Liu Chang'an as if he were already a dead man.
He only waited to find the opportunity before immediately ending the boy's life.
Not only him, but his family as well—not a single person would be left alive.
Just as the old Daoist priest was calculating how to kill them all after the deed was done, Liu Chang'an was likewise calculating how to counter-kill.
The two were scheming against each other, truly a perfect example of a loving master and devoted disciple.
After all, even Heavenly Venerate Han once said: A disciple who doesn't plot to kill his master is not a good disciple.
"Let's go!"
The old Daoist priest was somewhat impatient, so he grabbed Liu Chang'an, "Take me to that spiritual spring you spoke of right now."
However, just then.
Liu Chang'an suddenly clutched his stomach and let out a loud cry.
Then he began to writhe and roll on the ground.
From time to time, he would let out a tragic shriek: "My stomach... it hurts so much!"
"Master, was the pill you gave me... poisoned?"
Before the screams subsided.
He completely foamed at the mouth, convulsed, and collapsed on the ground, clearly looking like he had died from poison.
When the old Daoist priest saw this.
He immediately frowned deeply.
This made him, who was already guilty of a wicked deed, instantly feel uneasy and whisper to himself.
This shouldn't be!
What he had just given was clearly a slow-acting poison pill, which should have taken effect only after seven days.
Even if the poisoning was premature, it shouldn't have been this fast, should it?
At first, the old Daoist priest thought the other party was playing tricks and ignored him.
But gradually.
After Liu Chang'an struggled a few times, he became completely motionless on the ground.
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