Chapter 18: Follow for a While

A Dark Star Messenger fell to the ground, his essence dissipating.

Shi Yan circled him three times, feeling the acupoints in his body once again filled with strange essence.

Wielding a dagger, Shi Yan moved swiftly amidst the other three Dark Star Messengers, dodging their attacks at high speed and leaving scratches on their bodies.

All three Dark Star Messengers had been hit by "Bone-Eroding Powder," gradually losing strength in their limbs and moving more slowly.

Under Shi Yan's assault, the three stood in a triangular formation, struggling to hold on.

Shi Yan's expression was indifferent as he moved like a ghost, his dagger flashing with a cold, brilliant light.

"Ahh!"

One Dark Star Messenger was stabbed in the back and couldn't help but scream, shouting, "Kill this kid first!"

The other two Dark Star Messengers nodded in agreement, no longer paying attention to Zhao Xin, Di Yalan, and Hu Long. The three Dark Star Messengers fully activated their essence, and three beams of light suddenly shot out from their palms.

The beams of light, like silk ribbons, moved according to their will, targeting Shi Yan like arrows.

"Be careful! This is the 'Dark King Spear' of 'Dark Abyss'!" Mu Yudie exclaimed, "Don't keep their images in your mind, or the 'Dark King Spear' will keep chasing you!"

A strange light flashed in Shi Yan's eyes as he retreated, forcibly expelling the thought of attacking the three Dark Star Messengers from his mind, clearing his mind.

The three "Dark King Spears" suddenly lost their target and shot into the distant grass, exploding and scattering grass debris.

"Damn it!" One Dark Star Messenger cursed, about to activate another secret technique.

At this moment, Zhao Xin took a breath of the medicine packet and slowly recovered from the "Bone-Eroding Powder." Seeing him about to activate a secret technique, Zhao Xin rushed over.

Zhao Xin's arms moved like snakes, extending and retracting with a hissing sound, winding around the Dark Star Messenger from any angle.

"Hu Long!" Mu Yudie called out, throwing the medicine packet to Hu Long, who grabbed it and greedily took a breath, then rushed out with a hum.

With Zhao Xin and Hu Long taking action, Shi Yan felt no pressure. These two, having taken the antidote, would gradually recover, while the three Dark Star Messengers, affected by the "Bone-Eroding Powder," would become increasingly weak and would soon be killed by Zhao Xin and Hu Long.

"Di Yalan, don't join the battle. Take the medicine packet to Uncle Luo," Mu Yudie said, seeing Di Yalan about to help Zhao Xin and Hu Long.

Di Yalan immediately understood and hurriedly ran toward Luo Hao.

Shi Yan stopped, calmly approaching Mu Yudie. His expression was indifferent, but his gaze roamed over Di Yalan.

Di Yalan had long, chestnut-red hair and a tan complexion. She wore a small set of dark red armor that only covered her full breasts, the valley of her lower body, and her firm buttocks. Her flat, muscle-free abdomen and smooth, straight legs were completely exposed.

Di Yalan's face was only moderately attractive, but her figure was extremely fiery. Her wild and bold attire was very alluring, capable of stirring a man's desire to conquer.

Standing beside Mu Yudie, Shi Yan did not look at her, his burning gaze fixed on Di Yalan, not hiding his masculine nature.

"Is she beautiful?" Mu Yudie frowned slightly, sounding a bit displeased.

Shi Yan came to his senses, smiled at her, and said frankly, "Any man would be interested in such a fiery beauty."

Mu Yudie's eyes sparkled as she stared at him for a moment before covering her mouth and laughing, "You really are an interesting person. How old are you? Can you even be called a man?"

Shi Yan was taken aback. He realized that this body was indeed only seventeen years old, and due to his recent severe weight loss, he looked like he was only fourteen or fifteen.

This young body, yet claiming to be a man and discussing such inappropriate topics, was indeed strange.

Shaking his head and laughing, Shi Yan did not explain, pretending to walk away from Mu Yudie and moving a few meters toward Zhao Xin and Hu Long.

A scream echoed as a Dark Star Messenger, spitting blood, was shattered by Zhao Xin's "Heavenly Snake Transformation" internal force, his heart and lungs destroyed. He swayed and then died.

Shi Yan took a few steps forward, feeling the essence from the fallen man's body flow into his body in a way only he could sense. As the essence entered his body, Shi Yan's eyes glowed with a fierce light, and a bloodthirsty and violent urge rose in his heart.

He understood that these thoughts would occasionally arise until the essence in his body was purified.

Having experienced the incident with Karu, Shi Yan had gained some experience.

After feeling for a while, he discovered that because his realm had advanced to the innate stage, his body's acupoints could absorb the essence of two equally ranked dead people, and he could still suppress his inner madness without losing his reason.

Shi Yan vaguely understood that this must be due to his advanced realm. Previously, he had been so mad because he was only at the postnatal stage, while Karu was at the innate stage. The negative energy from purifying the essence of someone a full level higher had been extremely terrifying.

"Chase!"

While Shi Yan was deep in thought, Zhao Xin coldly shouted and, along with Hu Long, pursued the fleeing Dark Star Messenger.

"Stop chasing! We must leave immediately!" Luo Hao, seeing the leading Dark Moon Messenger also retreating, did not take advantage of the "Bone-Eroding Powder" to attack but instead shouted to stop Zhao Xin and Hu Long.

"Uncle Luo, why?" Zhao Xin asked, puzzled.

Luo Hao deeply inhaled the fragrance from the medicine packet and said urgently, "Someone is coming! It's likely another squad from 'Dark Abyss.' If the two squads join forces, we won't be able to leave. Remember, our goal is not to kill as many 'Dark Abyss' people as possible but to ensure Little Yudie's safety!"

Zhao Xin's face changed when he heard that more people were coming, and he quickly nodded in agreement.

Luo Hao, without further ado, rushed over and grabbed Mu Yudie, saying to Shi Yan, "Young brother, thank you for your help, but this matter is not related to you. You don't need to suffer with us. Let's part ways here."

"I still owe Miss Mu a life."

Shi Yan seemed completely unaware of the danger posed by "Dark Abyss," smiling indifferently and saying, "Even a small favor should be repaid with a great one, let alone saving my life. I am very clear about my debts and favors. If someone wrongs me, I will repay them tenfold. If someone treats me well, I will also repay them tenfold. I will follow you for a while and hope to be of help."

"You are a true man!" Hu Long praised.

The fiery Di Yalan, her eyes sparkling, giggled, "You little guy, not only do you have the courage to look, but you also have the courage to act! I was planning to settle accounts with you later for staring at me for so long, but hearing you say this, I forgive you."

"You..." Mu Yudie was taken aback, not expecting Shi Yan to be so stubborn, and her heart was touched.

"Since the young brother insists, I won't try to persuade you further," Luo Hao said, nodding and grabbing Mu Yudie, then sprinting away.

Zhao Xin and the others quickly followed, and Shi Yan took a deep breath and followed closely behind.

...

Mo Chaoge led a group of Mo family warriors, swiftly moving through the forest. Suddenly, he stopped, his expression serious as he looked at the several "Dark Abyss" messengers who had appeared.

The Dark Moon Messenger was also taken aback, looking at Mo Chaoge and the others with a strange expression, unsure of their origin and secretly worried that they might be from Luo Hao's side.

"Uncle..." Mo Yan Yu moved her lips, seeing that the other party did not seem friendly and wanting to warn Mo Chaoge to be careful.

Mo Chaoge, with a stern face, stared at the Dark Moon Messenger. After a moment, he spoke first, "We are chasing a very thin young man carrying a backpack. The young man is only about fifteen or sixteen years old. Our target is only him, and we have no intention of offending you."

The Dark Moon Messenger secretly breathed a sigh of relief. The "Bone-Eroding Powder" had already taken effect in his body, and his strength was now less than a third of his usual. If he had to fight Mo Chaoge, he would gain no advantage.

Hearing Mo Chaoge's words, he was moved and said coldly, "I have seen that young man. He is mixed with our target."

"Do you know where the young man is now?" Mo Chaoge asked politely.

He did not know that the Dark Moon Messenger had been hit by the "Bone-Eroding Powder," but from the sinister aura emanating from him, Mo Chaoge could tell that this person was not to be trifled with, so he did not show any arrogance.

"Over there." The Dark Moon Messenger pointed in a direction and said coldly, "You should be careful. The young man is not of high realm, but among those he relies on, there is a martial artist at the First Heaven of a Hundred Tribulations. This martial artist has a tenfold gravity martial soul, making him difficult to deal with."

"First Heaven of a Hundred Tribulations." Mo Chaoge frowned slightly, then nodded, "Thank you for the information!"

"Let's go!" Mo Chaoge waved his hand and led the group of Mo family warriors away.

"After they left, the Dark Moon Messenger's eyes suddenly turned dark, and he sneered, "It seems this person is also at the realm of a Hundred Tribulations. The boy who ruined my plans, once I recover, I will crush your bones and scatter your ashes!"