My daily mountain driving, I met a fox at the beginning and got married

"It seems you have a pretty good sense of perception; you were able to detect that I was following you." As soon as Tong Xin landed, she looked at Li Jingyun with admiration.

Li Jingyun took a slight step back, recognizing the man's true identity. Tong Xin, a renowned expert among the new-style Celestial Masters—what was he doing here? Had he been targeted? But top-tier experts were very tacitly aware of the importance of avoiding conflict with those of similar strength, as it would only result in mutual destruction and offer no benefit. This guy had actually followed him; did that mean he was going to attack? Li Jingyun secretly formed a hand seal behind his back, ready to retaliate without hesitation should the other attack. He was no longer someone to be trifled with. Tong Xin, sensing Li Jingyun's wariness, continued, "No need to be so tense. I'm only here today to ask you for something. I don't think we need a violent confrontation."

Even after the other party said that, Li Jingyun did not let his guard down.

These new-style celestial masters rely on hunting down their rivals to enhance their power. As fellow members of the new generation of celestial masters, they are destined to be competitors and can never be completely honest with each other. The more friendly someone's words, the more wary they should be. This is a tacitly accepted rule among these new-style celestial masters.

“What exactly do you want? I don’t think I have anything to give you,” Li Jingyun said calmly. Tong Xin raised her hand and pointed to the other’s heart, saying, “No, your soul is still very valuable. I like it very much and hope you can give it to me.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a massive gust of wind swept in from nowhere, startling Li Jingyun into retreating hastily. Countless streams of Yin energy surged forth like a raging sea, forming a thick barrier that blocked the oncoming hurricane. The hurricane continued its advance, relentlessly impacting and tearing at the barrier, as if it would shatter at any moment. For the first time, Li Jingyun experienced the formidable strength and tenacity of an opponent of the same level. If this continued, he would definitely be at a disadvantage. No, he had to find a way to counterattack. Three black needles, coated with a layer of black liquid, appeared in Li Jingyun's hand. Taking advantage of his opponent's unpreparedness, he shot them out with lightning speed, too fast for the naked eye to follow.

A thin black needle suddenly shot out, catching Tong Xin completely off guard. He was about to be struck, but thankfully, his instincts were sharp, and he narrowly dodged at the last second. The three silver needles only severed a single strand of hair near his temple. The strand, formed from condensed soul energy, drifted down, instantly turning into a wisp of green smoke that dissipated into the air. Li Jingyun, unaware, unconsciously inhaled the dissipating energy. The two exchanged blows rapidly, unleashing a barrage of sinister and eerie spells, leaving the entire forest in a state of chaos. Han Tang—no, Zhang Hao—watched from the sidelines, calmly analyzing the fighting styles and characteristics of both sides, recording everything to share with his companions later. If they encountered these two in the future, at least they would have some information to avoid being passively attacked.

Li Jingyun was sent flying by a single palm strike, but he didn't suffer in vain. He retaliated with a side kick, striking Tong Xin squarely in the shoulder and sending him flying as well. Both of them fell to the ground, looking disheveled. Tong Xin wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said, "It seems you are indeed stronger than I expected."

Li Jingyun sneered and replied with sarcasm, "I originally didn't want to make a move against a Celestial Master of the same level, but since you attacked first, don't blame me for taking your life."

Tong Xin laughed, a genuine mockery in his smile: "You talk as if you haven't done those things. Do you think no one in the industry knows about the little tricks you've been up to? You have to die by my hand today, because if you fall into the hands of those who have teamed up against you, you'll die a much worse death."

The two leaped to their feet and began a new round of combat.

Zhang Hao watched from the sidelines, recording the characteristics and information of the battle, and then transmitted them to Xiao Jinli and the others out of thin air.

When Xiao Jinli and the others received the message from Zhang Hao, they were all surprised. They hadn't expected Mr. Zhang to have gathered useful intelligence so quickly. Aside from patrolling the area and maintaining a semblance of peace, they couldn't really make any other effective contribution. After receiving Tong Xin's signal to act, Zhang Hao didn't hesitate to circle around and sneak up behind Li Jingyun.

Just as Li Jingyun was about to deliver a fatal blow and kill Tong Xin, Zhang Hao conjured a cyan peach wood sword in his hand, charged forward, and pierced directly through his heart.

A sharp pain shot through his chest, and his attack, which had been launched, veered off course, failing to kill Tong Xin. Li Jingyun looked down in disbelief and saw the peach wood sword piercing his chest. Impossible? Was there someone else present? But he hadn't sensed anyone else besides Tong Xin. How did this guy get behind him? Why hadn't he noticed?
That's impossible. Absolutely impossible.

The exorcising aura emanating from the peach wood sword instantly dispelled the yin energy surrounding him. Li Jingyun struggled to escape, but severely wounded, he hadn't run more than a few steps before Tong Xin blocked his way. Blocking his path, Tong Xin said with a grin, "Why are you in such a hurry to leave? I've been waiting for you. Your soul is incredibly beautiful, and the energy it contains moves me. So please, give me everything you have, and I'll make sure you die without any pain."

Li Jing's luck was running out, and he used his last bit of strength to launch a fatal counterattack.

The crimson yin energy transformed into invisible beams of light, attempting to sever the opponent. However, with a flick of Tong Xin's longsword, all the threads formed from the yin energy were cut.

The moment the thread snapped, Tongxin's hand also grabbed the other person's head.

Li Jingyun felt a tremendous force tearing at his soul.

There was a loud bang.

My head exploded like a smashed watermelon.

His soul was forcibly pulled out, and Li Jingyun tried to escape, but every struggle was suppressed.

Li Jingyun roared in frustration, but as his soul energy dissipated, the roar grew weaker and weaker until finally he turned into a wisp of green smoke and was completely absorbed by Tong Xin.

Feeling the power gradually filling him up, Tong Xin was in a great mood.

He let out a burp, walked up to Zhang Hao, and gave him a thumbs up: "It's all thanks to you, otherwise I really wouldn't have been able to kill him."

Looking at him, Zhang Hao could clearly sense his growing strength at close range.

So, it really is true that you can increase your strength by hunting?

This new school of Taoist priests, almost like raising poisonous insects, will ultimately only end up killing each other. Even if they truly possess divine power, what use is it without a popular base? (End of Chapter)