Chapter 479: You Fight, I Grab, Life and Death Hang in the Balance

In all the world, how could such a wonder exist?

Even in this mysterious world, Li Yan could not fathom how such a bizarre creature could have come into being.

Of course, there was no need to ponder it deeply.

Since it was an insect, not a beast,

then it was exactly what he sought!

Li Yan narrowed his eyes and stepped forward involuntarily.

Shhh!

As soon as he lifted his foot, Pei Yufang and the Wuxiang Prince suddenly blocked his path, their gazes cold—one holding a qin, the other wielding a spike of iron.

Li Yan's lip twitched, and he froze in place.

The other two also did not move.

The only one who moved was the demon hunter Tang Ling.

He crouched low, his right hand holding a spear horizontally, his left gripping an iron net, slowly spreading it open as he seized one of the creatures.

This iron net looked anything but ordinary.

Pitch-black, unknown metal, coated with dark red residue—not rust, but cinnabar and incense ash.

Li Yan did not understand the lineage of the Meishan Sect.

But after years wandering the rivers and lakes, he knew that each craft had its specialists; no matter how high one's cultivation, some tasks demanded experts.

Across from them, the "Qin Chong" finally emerged fully from the grave, its insect-like scales undulating like a serpent.

Its beast-like head reared high; beneath it, a half-foot band of transparent scales stood erect, vibrating with a melodious qin tone.

Weng!

Everyone present felt a thunderous roar inside their skulls.

The "Qin Chong," seeing so many people, did not flee—it clearly had confidence.

The demon hunter Tang Ling also felt waves of darkness before his eyes, yet dared not move, instead fixing his gaze on the "Qin She," puffing his cheeks as he slowly whistled.

The "Qin Chong" had originally targeted the unconscious scholar, but upon hearing the whistle, it instantly locked onto the demon hunter.

Weng! Weng! Weng!

The strange insect stretched its scales, continuously emitting qin tones.

The sound was enchanting, lulling one into a state of euphoria.

Meanwhile, the demon hunter swayed back and forth, eyelids fluttering as if he would collapse at any moment.

Shhh!

Finally, the "Qin Chong" could no longer hold back—it straightened its body, wrapped in dark wind and falling leaves, hurtling forward like a blade.

Its sharp proboscis aimed directly at the crown of the demon hunter's head.

Tang Ling suddenly opened his eyes, and as the "Qin Chong" lunged, he pushed off with both feet, leaning backward while flinging his left hand.

The strange iron net shot forward, perfectly enclosing the "Qin Chong."

Not only that—he flipped midair like a kite, driving his silver spear downward to seal the net's opening.

Beautiful!

Li Yan silently praised him in his heart.

This sequence of movements was easy for him, but such instinctive timing could only be forged through lifelong training.

Startled, the "Qin Chong" raised all its scales, thrashing wildly within the net, moving so fast only shadows remained.

Its scales clashed against the iron net, sparking violently.

The force was so immense it nearly toppled Tang Ling; his silver spear loosened, tilting crookedly as if ready to burst from the ground.

Pu!

He formed a hand seal, bit his tongue, spat blood onto the net, then roared over his shoulder: "Quick! The Fa Qin!"

Pei Yufang stared at Li Yan and the other, eyes uncertain, feet rooted to the spot.

As previously agreed, to subdue the Qin Chong, they needed the magical qin.

But now, losing the qin was no different from losing his life.

The Wuxiang Prince was manageable—an old rival, familiar with each other's ways; if things turned dire, negotiation was still possible.

But Li Yan was a major problem.

From intelligence reports, this man had risen young, ruthless in action—definitely no good soul.

Perhaps his cultivation was still shallow, his years few.

But just hearing the names of those who had died by his hand,

no one dared underestimate him.

On the other side, the demon hunter Tang Ling was furious, veins bulging on his face as he roared: "Damn it! Catch it first, then fight, can't you?!"

Li Yan narrowed his eyes and swiftly retreated.

The Wuxiang Prince also snorted, stepping back several paces, lounging lazily as he watched the others, lost in thought.

Seeing the two withdraw, Pei Yufang hurried forward, placing the ancient qin on the ground, pressing her palm against the strings and sweeping it across.

The sharp strings cut her skin, blood dripping steadily.

Meanwhile, Tang Ling, unable to hold on any longer, suddenly raised his hand, yanking out his silver spear—the iron net shattered instantly.

The Qin Chong broke free, yet strangely, it did not attack either of them—it surged straight toward the ancient qin.

Its body spun, scales swirling as wood shavings flew, carving a hole directly into the qin and burrowing inside.

Seeing this, the old woman Pei Yufang slapped her left hand—the ancient qin flew through the air, landing squarely in the demon hunter Tang Ling's grasp.

Tang Ling immediately pulled out a red cloth covered in talismans, sealing the qin's opening and tying it tightly.

Weng weng weng!

The qin's strings trembled continuously, yet the Qin Chong could not escape.

Li Yan did not understand the principle, but clearly, the two had subdued the Qin Chong.

He narrowed his eyes and drew the Duanchen Blade with a metallic clang.

The Wuxiang Prince moved faster.

He thrust off with his feet, toes tapping the ground, both hands flicking rapidly—dozens of iron needles whistled through the air.

"You go first, old woman will hold them off!"

Pei Yufang sneered, her sleeves swirling to block every needle, her body twisting like a serpent as she lunged at the Wuxiang Prince.

The old woman's skill had already reached the Hua Jing realm—her fists and palms alternated, whistling with Yin Spiral Force.

It was "Bu Bu Zhui!"

Li Yan had not expected her to use this fist style.

Short and potent, it relied heavily on Yin Spiral Force, emphasizing "use your own hardness to strike their lateral force"—one of the martial styles of Shu.

Though obscure, its power was undeniable.

Especially since Pei Yufang had cultivated martial arts, sometimes turning her palm into a claw, radiating sharpness—the Wuxiang Prince dared not meet her blows head-on.

Li Yan ignored them all, heading straight for the demon hunter.

But something unexpected happened.

"Everyone, stop!"

Tang Ling suddenly barked, raising his Divine Fire Spear and aiming it at the qin, his voice low and firm: "Move another inch, and I'll shatter this thing!"

What is this brat planning?

Li Yan frowned and halted.

Pei Yufang and the Wuxiang Prince instantly separated.

The old woman Pei Yufang's eyes brimmed with killing intent, her voice shrill: "Tang, what are you implying?!"

Knowing the Wuxiang Prince was present, Pei Yufang had prepared accordingly—she and Tang Ling had agreed: once the Qin Chong was caught, he would take it away while she held the rear.

Even with Li Yan's sudden appearance, the plan could still proceed.

But Tang Ling clearly had other intentions.

Sure enough, the demon hunter Tang Ling remained unmoved, gripping the spear's handle, finger on the trigger, coldly stating: "Pei, you deceived me first—my junior sister vanished in the Wang Fu, yet you still lie here!"

Pei Yufang froze. "How do you…"

Before she finished, her gaze snapped to the Wuxiang Prince.

The Wuxiang Prince chuckled. "Old hag, you're truly lawless. Lucky I took the chance to ask Brother Tang."

Pei Yufang gritted her teeth. She could not fathom when these two had conspired, but now she had no choice: "Brother Tang, there's more to this matter. Hand me the artifact first—I'll give you a full explanation afterward."

"Heh. What explanation can you offer?!"

The Wuxiang Prince laughed. "Your disciple was murdered by the Third Prince. You're nothing but a dog of the Wang Fu—dare you defy your master?"

Tang Ling's eyes turned icy, his voice trembling: "My junior sister wrote me a letter—she found someone worthy to entrust… It was the Third Prince, wasn't it? And you still dare deceive me!"

Seeing this, the old woman Pei Yufang ceased words, suddenly thrusting forward as if shrinking distance, charging at Tang Ling.

"Die!"

The demon hunter Tang Ling immediately raised his Divine Fire Spear. But Pei Yufang's skill was clearly superior—her body twisted sideways, nearly collapsing to the ground, while her sleeve swept out.

Shhh!

Sharp qin strings shot from her sleeve, wrapping around the ancient qin on the ground and also snagging the spear's muzzle, forcing it off course.

Even if he fired now, he could not hit her—Tang Ling naturally did not pull the trigger, instead yanking the spear back and stepping forward with his right foot, aiming to crush the flying qin.

But Pei Yufang moved faster—she snatched up the qin and fled.

"Stay!"

Before she could take a step, Li Yan arrived, his blade flashing—midair, the qin strings snapped one by one.

"Brat, you seek death!"

Pei Yufang, furiously enraged, spun on her heel and lunged forward, exploiting the instant when Li Yan's Dao-Chen Blade had expended its old force but not yet gathered new power, driving a punch straight at his heart.

This punch had condensed its fist intent.

With a yin spiral force, it howled like a mournful wind.

!.

Yet Li Yan did not dodge at all; instead, his left hand formed a seal, then a fist—electric arcs crackled as he swung it toward the Qin Demon's skull.

Seeing the thunder art, Pei Yufang still did not dodge.

She had the upper hand; she could strike his heart first.

Thud!

A muffled crash—Li Yan did not retreat an inch.

Pei Yufang's face instantly paled.

She felt her punch land on his heart, yet the force vanished instantly, as if swallowed by his body.

At the same time, Li Yan's left hand had already swung in.

Pei Yufang took the hit full force, barely raising a hand to block.

Boom!

Thunder roared—Pei Yufang was flung sideways through the air.

The old woman's right shoulder and arm were shattered by Li Yan's Yang Thunder Devil Hammer, flesh and bone spraying, tendons torn.

Among masters, life and death hang by a thread.

Pei Yufang had climbed from the bottom of the Jianghu, cautious her entire life—how could she have imagined such a freak as Li Yan existed, who could cultivate the bizarre "Immortal Seal Art"?

Crack!

The ground beneath Li Yan's feet split violently; blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

The "Immortal Seal Art" had its limits—it could easily neutralize attacks from those weaker than himself.

Against equals, it became difficult.

Moreover, this old woman had used martial law—her fist force carried a trace of geng metal qi, traveling through meridians and acupoints, exceedingly stubborn.

Even after dissipating most of it, he still suffered minor injuries.

And he had no time to pursue further.

The Wuxiang Young Master, who had originally intended to intercept Pei Yufang, saw Li Yan seize the ancient qin and instantly turned, hands flickering as he hurled dozens of iron needles, whistling toward him.

They covered his major acupoints—clearly meant to force him back.

This old devil had even more Jianghu experience; he had long recognized Li Yan's prowess in close-range thunder arts, so he resorted to flying needles for ranged attacks.

The distance was just beyond the range of his Soul-Grabbing Chain—Li Yan had no choice but to perform an Iron Plank Bridge, dodging the needles and retreating several steps.

The Wuxiang Young Master felt a surge of joy and moved forward to seize the qin.

But after only two steps, every hair on his body stood on end—he rolled sideways like a lazy donkey and retreated swiftly.

It was Li Yan who had drawn his flintlock pistol, smiling faintly, aiming directly at him, as if ready to pull the trigger at any moment.

The Wuxiang Young Master's face darkened instantly.

He could tell—it was a new type of firearm.

No matter how potent the flying needles, they could not match this terrifying weapon.

"Ahh—!"

At the other end, Pei Yufang gritted her teeth and rose, staring at her completely shattered right arm, letting out a piercing, venomous scream.

She had come to seize the Qin Insect to further build her tower.

Now her body was damaged, and no living-dead method existed to restore flesh and bone—her path was forever severed; she had no hope left in this life.

Especially since she was elderly; maintaining such combat power was already rare, and joining the Wang Fu was meant to prepare for her future.

But what kind of place was the Wang Fu?

Power struggles, treacherous hearts, danger at every step.

She had already offended many; now crippled, she feared she'd be driven out like a stray dog, her life in peril.

This was why she had come secretly.

To guard against sabotage from rivals within the Wang Fu.

Overcome with grief and rage, the old woman raised her left hand, bit her fingertip, glared at Li Yan with venomous hatred, muttered incantations nonstop, and drew a blood-red talisman on her forehead.

The Wuxiang Young Master, dodging wildly under Li Yan's pistol, saw this and smirked with delight: "Kid, you're in trouble—that's the Tongtian Sect's Soul-Devouring Curse. This old madwoman will transform into a vengeful spirit, entangling your soul day and night without rest."

Li Yan frowned, raising his pistol to aim at Pei Yufang.

But despite her maimed right arm, her footwork remained intact—she stepped in rapid, flickering patterns, swift as light and shadow, all while continuing her curse.

Just then, another voice rang out.

"I humbly beseech the Two Ancestral Masters: this gun is no ordinary gun—it becomes a sea of blood, becomes five hundred barbaric thunderbolts, piercing liver and rupturing lungs. I invoke the Supreme Elder Lord—hasten, as the law commands!"

Li Yan's heart leapt—he turned to look behind.

There stood Tang Ling of the Meishan Sect, left hand gripping the divine rifle, chanting the incantation, right hand forming a hand seal and personal taboo, tracing talismans in midair from muzzle to stock as if consecrating the weapon.

The Meishan Sect's firelock art…

Li Yan grew interested and swiftly stepped aside.

He could see—Tang Ling's target was Pei Yufang.

Whoosh~

A violent wind surged, carrying a trace of thunder-fire qi, gathering toward Tang Ling, then drawn by his hand seal into the rifle.

"You—"

Seeing this, Pei Yufang's eyes filled with utter despair.

Tang Ling gave her no chance—he raised the rifle sharply, seemingly without aiming, and pulled the trigger.

Boom!

A deafening blast—gunpowder smoke scattered.

Pei Yufang's body shattered into pieces.

Her soul scattered, the curse never even activated.

"Excellent technique!"

The Wuxiang Young Master praised, then sighed.

Li Yan had already stepped forward, picking up the still humming ancient qin, his expression calm as he faced the two.

"Enough—little brother, you've got skill too."

The Wuxiang Young Master raised his hand slightly, signaling he would no longer contest, then slowly retreated, clearly preparing to leave.

But when he saw Tang Ling's gloomy eyes, a smile curled his lips: "Brother Tang, if you wish to avenge her, why not join forces with me?"

"And you, Brother Li—you hold the 'Ruyi Treasure Pearl.' The Wang Fu will not let you go. We could talk as well…"

As he spoke, a black cloth suddenly appeared in his hand—he spun, dissolving into a shadow, vanishing at high speed.

The demon hunter Tang Ling narrowed his eyes and followed immediately.

Li Yan called out quickly: "Brother, that man's methods are unorthodox—be careful!"

Tang Ling said nothing, merely shot him a cold glance before swiftly following, heading toward Chengdu Prefecture.

Li Yan shook his head slightly, cradling the ancient qin, and strode back toward Longquanyi, soon disappearing from sight.

After a while, the scholar lying beside the tomb slowly woke, blinking in confusion around him, then staring at the tomb behind him.

"Saw… saw a ghost…"

His face turned pale; terrified, his eyes rolled back and he fainted again…

(End of Chapter)