zhè lǎo guài wù de dùn mù yě shì fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， dàn bǐ qǐ lín xuān shén miào yì cháng de jiǔ tiān wēi bù ， dào dǐ hái shì xùn sè yī chóu 。
这老怪物的遁木也是非同小可，但比起林轩神妙异常的九天微步，到底还是逊色一筹。
This old monster's evasion technique was no trifling matter, but it still fell short compared to Lin Xuan’s miraculous Nine Heaven Microstep.
lín xuān hòu fā xiān zhì ， jù lí tā yǐ bù guò shù chǐ ， wàn shòu zūn zhě yòu jīng yòu nù ， què bù gān xīn jiù zhè yàng kuī yī kuì le 。
林轩后发先至，距离他已不过数尺，万兽尊者又惊又怒，却不甘心就这样亏一篑了。
Lin Xuan arrived first and was now only a few feet away from the Beast Sovereign. The latter was both shocked and furious, unwilling to let his efforts come to naught at this critical moment.
pī lǐ pā lā gǔ lóu bào xiǎng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， tā de yòu shǒu zhòu rán shēn cháng ， měng rán zhuā xiàng hóng yè xiān zi de jǐng xiàng 。
噼里啪啦骨髅爆响的声音传入耳朵，他的右手骤然伸长，猛然抓像红叶仙子的颈项。
The sound of cracking bones filled his ears as his right hand suddenly elongated, reaching out to grab Red Leaf Fairy’s neck.
“ lǎo zéi ， ěr gǎn ！。”
“老贼，尔敢！。”
"Old thief! You dare!"
lín xuān bó rán dà nù ， zhōu wéi de tiān dì yuán qì dōu fǎng fú níng zhì le ， tā zhèng xiǎng bù xī dà hào zhēn yuán de shī zhǎn mǒu mì shù ， chū hū yù liào de yí mù fā shēng le 。
林轩勃然大怒，周围的天地元气都仿佛凝滞了，他正想不惜大耗真元的施展某秘术，出乎预料的一幕发生了。
Lin Xuan erupted in anger. The surrounding primordial qi seemed to freeze. He was about to expend a great deal of true essence to activate some secret technique when something unexpected happened.
yuán běn xiǎng yào zhuā hóng yè wèi zhì dì wàn shòu zūn zhě ， tū rán shēn xíng wēi wēi yī shǎn ， suí hòu jìng bù kě sī yì de zhuǎn guò le tóu lái 。
原本想要抓红叶为质的万兽尊者，突然身形微微一闪，随后竟不可思议的转过了头来。
The Beast Sovereign, who had originally intended to capture Red Leaf Fairy as leverage, suddenly shifted slightly and turned his head around in an unbelievable manner.
tā de liǎn shàng mǎn shì zhēng níng zhī sè 。
他的脸上满是狰狞之色。
His face contorted with malice.
“ xiǎo zi ， nǐ shàng dàng le ……”
“小子，你上当了……”
"You…."
huà yīn wèi luò ， tā de shǒu hēi máng shǎn shuò ， jī ròu xùn sù gān kū ， wǔ zhǐ hé lǒng ， yī fēng ruì suàn cháng de niǎo zhǎo chū xiàn zài le shì xiàn zhōng 。
话音未落，他的手黑芒闪烁，肌肉迅速干枯，五指合拢，一锋锐算常的鸟爪出现在了视线中。
The Beast Sovereign was once again dumbfounded. He almost thought he had misjudged the situation; could it be that they were both cultivators of the beast path?
fǎng fú cāng yīng bó kè ， yī zhǎo qǔ xiàng lín xuān de tóu lú 。 lìng wài yī zhǎo ， què shì miáo zhǔn tā de xīn zàng ， yòu kuài yòu hěn ， zhè liǎng xià ruò shì jī zhòng ， lín xuān suī bù zhì yǔn luò ， dàn ròu shēn bèi huǐ què shì kěn dìng le 。
仿佛苍鹰博克，一爪取向林轩的头颅。另外一爪，却是瞄准他的心脏，又快又狠，这两下若是击中，林轩虽不至陨落，但肉身被毁却是肯定了。
Moreover, for some reason, the aura of ferocity emanating from him made the Beast Sovereign feel a chill down his spine.
“ yāo huà ， nǐ shì xiū yāo zhě ？”。
“妖化，你是修妖者？”。
But now, there wasn’t enough time to change tactics.
biàn qǐ cāng chǔ ， lín xuān yě bù yóu de lù chū hài rán zhī sè ， zhè lǎo guài wù ， hǎo zhòng de xīn jī ， tā zuò de ， gēn běn jiù shì liǎng shǒu zhǔn bèi ， rú guǒ lín xuān wú kàn pò zì jǐ de xíng jì ， jiù yǐ hóng yè xiān zi zuò wéi rén zhì ， jí shǐ bù néng dá dào mù dì ， yě yǒu le tǎo jià huán jià de yú dì 。
变起仓储，林轩也不由得露出骇然之色，这老怪物，好重的心机，他做的，根本就是两手准备，如果林轩无看破自己的行迹，就已红叶仙子做为人质，即使不能达到目的，也有了讨价还价的余地。
A thunderous roar echoed as their claws touched.
jiǎ rú xíng cáng bèi kàn pò ， nà yě shì méi yǒu guān xì de ， duì fāng jiù rén xīn qiè ， bì rán fàng sōng jǐng tì ， zhǐ yào bǎ wò hǎo shí jī ， zì jǐ yí dìng néng chéng tōu xí 。
假如行藏被看破，那也是没有关系的，对方救人心切，必然放松警惕，只要把握好时机，自己一定能成偷袭。
Gray and silver light intertwined, with countless rune symbols flickering on the surface. A burst of force erupted, sending gusts of gale-force winds that pierced through weaker cultivators like fish in a pond. Even Red Leaf Fairy and the late-stage元婴 woman were alarmed, releasing their defensive treasures to form protective screens around themselves.
yǐ yǒu xīn suàn wú yì ， tā yǒu bā chéng de bǎ wò lín xuān shì huì shàng gōu dì 。
以有心算无意，他有八成的把握林轩是会上钩地。
This confrontation ended in a stalemate. Although the Phoenix Dance Nine Heavens technique was formidable, the opponent was still at the Separation stage, with unique secrets of his own.
tā yǐ shàn zhǎng yù shòu zhī míng wēi zhèn fù jìn hǎi yù ， rán ér zhī dào tā xiū yāo zhě shēn fèn de rén què liáo liáo wú jǐ ， yǔ péi liàn de běn mìng fēi dāo xiāng bǐ ， yāo huà hòu de lì zhuǎ cái shì tā zuì ná shǒu de wǔ qì ， pò kāi duì fāng zhàn jiǎ de fáng yù shì bǎn shàng dìng dīng dì 。
他以善长驭兽之名威震附近海域，然而知道他修妖者身份的人却寥寥无几，与培炼的本命飞刀相比，妖化后的利爪才是他最拿手的武器，破开对方战甲的防御是板上钉钉地。
However, Lin Xuan wasn’t about to let it end here; he had a trump card up his sleeve.
lín xuān jīng nù jiāo jí 。 méi xiǎng dào cháng nián dǎ yàn què bèi yàn zhuó le yǎn jīng ， zì jǐ jū rán shǎ hū hū de yī tóu zhuàng rù xiàn jǐng 。
林轩惊怒交集。没想到常年打雁却被雁啄了眼睛，自己居然傻乎乎的一头撞入陷阱。
He took a deep breath as golden light flickered behind him. The nine-headed eighteen-armed form reappeared in his vision.
zhè zhǒng shí kè ， tā duǒ wú kě duǒ ， gēn běn jiù lái bù jí jì chū fáng yù yòng de bǎo wù 。
这种时刻，他躲无可躲，根本就来不及祭出防御用的宝物。
"Bad news!"
rú guǒ huàn yí gè rén kǒng pà hái zhēn zhǐ yǒu zuò yǐ dài bì le 。
如果换一个人恐怕还真只有坐以待毙了。
The Beast Sovereign was shocked but it was too late to escape now. He had become the prey, and while his trap worked, Lin Xuan wasn’t an ordinary cultivator.
hǎo zài zì jǐ suǒ xué guǎng bó ， lín xuān suī rán jīng nù ， què sī háo méi yǒu huāng zhāng zhī sè 。
好在自己所学广博，林轩虽然惊怒，却丝毫没有慌张之色。
Golden light flashed as the arms of the form wrapped around his limbs, binding him tightly. The remaining arms clenched into fists and struck his head and chest with force.
yāo huà ？
妖化？
The vital areas were exposed; it seemed that the Beast Sovereign would be killed by Lin Xuan in a matter of moments. A voice called out: "Don’t worry, Elder Lin. Let me take care of this old beast."
hēng ， yǐ wéi zì jǐ jiù bú huì ma ？
哼，以为自己就不会吗？
The voice was familiar—Red Leaf’s most trusted confidant, An Elder, had appeared from a hundred feet away. He flicked his sleeves and a gleaming willow leaf saber flew out. It wasn’t an ordinary blade; it struck the Beast Sovereign’s head.
lín xuān yǎo le yǎo yá ， yǎn móu shēn chù ， yǐn yǐn yǒu yī dào yì máng shǎn guò ， suí hòu yě bú jiàn tā yǒu shén me dòng zuò 。 yī dào jīng rén de yāo qì jiù chōng tiān ér qǐ 。
林轩咬了咬牙，眼眸深处，隐隐有一道异芒闪过，随后也不见他有什么动作。一道惊人的妖气就冲天而起。
Lin Xuan was momentarily stunned but this unexpected turn of events didn’t seem to be entirely without merit. His mind conjured up a scene where An Elder ruthlessly threw Lan Mingxiu towards the silver fish bird, which seemed more than just a show of dominance…
suí hòu pī lǐ pā lā de bào liè shēng chuán rù ěr duǒ ” lín xuān shuāng shǒu yín máng shǎn shuò ， jū rán yě biàn huà chéng yī yōng yǒu sān gè zhǐ tou de lì zhuǎ lái le 。
随后噼里啪啦的爆裂声传入耳朵”林轩双手银芒闪烁，居然也变化成一拥有三个指头的利爪来了。
Regardless, it didn’t resemble the actions of a kind elder.
yǔ duì fāng de lì zhuǎ yǒu jǐ fēn xiāng sì ， dàn què gāo guì měi lì yǐ jí 。
与对方的利爪有几分相似，但却高贵美丽以极。
Moreover, he had just stepped into the Beast Sovereign’s trap moments ago and was now reminded to be cautious. Better safe than sorry.
fèng huáng nǎi shì bǎi niǎo zhī wáng ， qǐ shì pǔ tōng de biǎn máo chù sheng kě bǐ ， gèng jiā bù kě sī yì de shì 。 suí zhe tā liǎng shǒu xíng zhuàng de biàn huà ， bì yàn qí lín jiǎ yě fǎng ruò tōng líng de fā shēng biàn huà ， tiáo zhěng zhe hù jiǎ ， jǐn lù chū jiān ruì de zhǐ jiǎ 。
凤凰乃是百鸟之王，岂是普通的扁毛畜生可比，更加不可思议的是。随着他两手形状的变化，碧焰麒麟甲也仿若通灵的发生变化，调整着护甲，仅露出尖锐的指甲。
Lin Xuan remained calm on the surface but kept his guard up.
“ zhè ……。”
“这……。”
Golden light shone as the willow leaf saber approached Lin Xuan with incredible speed.
wàn shòu zūn zhě zài yí cì mù dèng kǒu dāi le ， jī hū yǐ wéi zì jǐ kàn cuò ， duì fāng shì yǔ zì jǐ yī yàng de xiū yāo zhě ？
万兽尊者再一次目瞪口呆了，几乎以为自己看错，对方是与自己一样的修妖者？
It struck the Beast Sovereign’s head without pause, leaving no room for error. The Beast Sovereign was immobilized and despair began to show in his eyes.
ér qiě bù zhī dào wèi shén me 。 duì fāng suǒ sàn fà chū lái de yāo qì ， jìng ràng tā gǎn jué xīn jīng ròu tiào yǐ jí 。
而且不知道为什么。对方所散发出来的妖气，竟让他感觉心惊肉跳以极。
Black light enveloped him as he tried to escape by sending out his essence soul.
dàn zhè shí hòu ， biàn zhāo yǐ shì míng xiǎn de lái bù jí 。
但这时候，变招已是明显的来不及。
But at this moment, something unexpected happened.
qíng tiān pī lì bān de jù xiǎng chuán rù ěr duǒ ， liǎng rén yāo huà hòu de lì zhuǎ xiāng chù ”
晴天霹雳般的巨响传入耳朵，两人妖化后的利爪相触”
The willow leaf saber, just an arm's length away from the Beast Sovereign’s neck, suddenly emitted a burst of golden light. The saber flashed and split into three parts.
huī sè yǔ yín sè liǎng dào guāng xiá hù xiāng jiāo zhī ， biǎo miàn wú shù quán tou dà xiǎo de fú wén huàng dòng bù yǐ ， jiē zhe hōng rán bó è fā ， yī dào dào gāng fēng guā guò ， xiū wèi dī diǎn de xiū shì zhí jiē bèi dòng chuān shēn tǐ ” chéng le bèi yāng jí de chí yú ， biàn shì hóng yè xiān zi yǔ nà míng yuán yīng hòu qī de yāo fù ， yě dà jīng shī sè de fàng chū gè zì fáng yù de bǎo wù ， huà wèi piàn piàn guāng mù 。 jiāng zì shēn gěi yán mì bāo guǒ 。
灰色与银色两道光霞互相交织，表面无数拳头大小的符文晃动不已，接着轰然勃垩发，一道道罡风刮过，修为低点的修士直接被洞穿身体”成了被殃及的池鱼，便是红叶仙子与那名元婴后期的妖妇，也大惊失色的放出各自防御的宝物，化为片片光幕。将自身给严密包裹。
One continued to strike the Beast Sovereign while the other two targeted Lin Xuan—head and chest respectively, with angles that were extremely lethal.
zhè yī cì jiāo shǒu ， jū rán bù fēn shèng fù ， fèng wǔ jiǔ tiān jué suī rán fēi tóng xiǎo kě ， dàn duì fāng bì jìng shì lí hé hòu qī ， suǒ xiū liàn de shén tōng yě yǒu dú dào zhī mì 。
这一次交手，居然不分胜负，凤舞九天诀虽然非同小可，但对方毕竟是离合后期，所修炼的神通也有独到之秘。
"Damn it!"
bù guò lín xuān bìng bú huì shàn bà gān xiū 。 tā hái liú yǒu hòu shǒu 。
不过林轩并不会善罢甘休。他还留有后手。
Lin Xuan’s pupils constricted as he cursed in anger. His initial suspicion had come true; An Elder wasn’t just trying to kill him but also the Beast Sovereign for his own gain?
xī le kǒu qì ， bèi hòu jīn guāng shǎn shuò bù yǐ ， nà jiǔ tóu shí bā bì de xiāng yòu chū xiàn zài le shì xiàn lǐ 。
吸了口气，背后金光闪烁不已，那九头十八臂的相又出现在了视线里。
Was this something Red Leaf Fairy had intended or did An Elder act on his own accord?
“ bù hǎo ！…”
“不好！…”
Regardless, there was no time to delve deeper.
wàn shòu zūn zhě dà jīng shī sè 。 dàn zhè shí hòu xiǎng táo yǐ lái bù jí 。
万兽尊者大惊失色。但这时候想逃已来不及。
The willow leaf saber wasn’t an ordinary treasure and its ferocity frightened even Lin Xuan. A hit would result in decapitation.
liè rén biàn chéng le liè wù ， tā de xiàn jǐng dǎo shì méi cuò 。 kě xī lín xuān bìng fēi pǔ tōng xiū shì kě yǐ héng liáng dì 。
猎人变成了猎物，他的陷阱倒是没错。可惜林轩并非普通修士可以衡量地。
But Lin Xuan was prepared; he flicked his sleeves and a green light shot out as the surrounding primordial qi converged. Although it couldn’t form a shape, it managed to slow down the blade somewhat.
jīn guāng huàng dòng ， xiāng de shǒu bì ， fēn bié chán zhù le tā de sì zhī ， jiāng tā shēn tǐ láo láo jìn gù ， shèng yú de shǒu bì hái yǒu hěn duō ， wǔ zhǐ wò quán ， hěn hěn de hōng xiàng le tā de tóu lú xiōng fù 。
金光晃动，相的手臂，分别缠住了他的四肢，将他身体牢牢禁锢，剩余的手臂还有很多，五指握拳，狠狠的轰像了他的头颅胸腹。
Time was short but enough for him to activate the Nine Heaven Microstep. His figure blurred before vanishing entirely.
yào hài zhī chù bào lù wú yí ， yǎn kàn wàn shòu zūn zhě jiù yào bèi lín xuān huó huó dǎ sǐ ， yī shēng duàn hē chuán rù ěr duǒ ：“ lín zhǎng lǎo bù yòng huāng zhāng ” dài wǒ lái bāng nǐ qǔ xià zhè wàn shòu lǎo zéi de tóu lú 。…”
要害之处暴露无疑，眼看万兽尊者就要被林轩活活打死，一声断喝传入耳朵：“林长老不用慌张”待我来帮你取下这万兽老贼的头颅。…”
Two willow leaf sabers sliced through, but only his shadow was cut in half; Lin Xuan himself remained unharmed. The Beast Sovereign, however, wasn’t so lucky.
nà shēng yīn yǒu xiē shú ， shì hóng yè zuì wèi yǐ zhòng de xīn fù ， ān zhǎng lǎo bù zhī hé shí lái dào le shēn qián bǎi zhàng yuǎn chù ， xiù páo yī fú ， yī kǒu jīng guāng shǎn shuò de liǔ yè dāo jiù fēi lüè ér chū ， yī kàn jiù bú shì fán wù ， zhí qǔ wàn shòu zūn zhě de tóu lú 。
那声音有些熟，是红叶最为倚重的心腹，安长老不知何时来到了身前百丈远处，袖袍一拂，一口精光闪烁的柳叶刀就飞掠而出，一看就不是凡物，直取万兽尊者的头颅。
Initially bound by Lin Xuan’s form, he managed to dodge when the willow leaf saber came within a few feet of him. Unless one was at the Profound Origin stage, it would be impossible to avoid such an attack.
lín xuān xiān shì yī dāi ， dàn zhè biàn gù fā shēng dé tài kuài 。 ruò àn zhào yì bān rén de luó jí 。 zhè ān zhǎng lǎo suī yǒu xiē duō cǐ yī jǔ ， dàn bì jìng shì yī piàn hǎo yì 。
林轩先是一呆，但这变故发生得太快。若按照一般人的逻辑。这安长老虽有些多此一举，但毕竟是一片好意。
With his body about to be destroyed, the Beast Sovereign gritted his teeth and shifted his head away by several feet. Blood spattered as he narrowly avoided decapitation but lost an arm in the process.
dàn bù zhī wèi hé ， lín xuān què yǐn yǐn gǎn dào yǒu xiē bù tuǒ ， yǎn qián mò míng qí miào de fú suàn chū duì fāng xīn hěn shǒu là de yí mù ， jiāng lán míng xiū shí diū xiàng yín yú niǎo ， cǐ jǔ jiù suàn shì wèi le zhèn shè ， duō shǎo yě yǒu xiē guò rén ……”
但不知为何，林轩却隐隐感到有些不妥，眼前莫名其妙的浮算出对方心狠手辣的一幕，将兰名修十丢向银鱼鸟，此举就算是为了震慑，多少也有些过人……”
A loud scream filled the air as blood gushed out. The old monster’s aura flared as he fled diagonally.
bù guǎn rú hé ， zhè kě bù xiàng yī míng cí xiáng zhǎng zhě 。
不管如何，这可不像一名慈祥长者。
The entire sequence took only a blink of an eye, leaving everyone else stunned and staring in disbelief at this bizarre turn of events.
hé kuàng jiù zài shùn xī yǐ qián ， zì jǐ cái yī jiǎo cǎi rù le wàn shòu bù xià de xiàn jǐng lǐ miàn ， suī fǎn kè wéi zhǔ ， dàn zhè jiào xùn bù kě bù láo jì de 。
何况就在瞬息以前，自己才一脚踩入了万兽布下的陷阱里面，虽反客为主，但这教训不可不牢记的。
An Elder's actions were too suspicious.
xiǎo xīn shǐ dé wàn nián chuán 。
小心驶得万年船。
If he was a spy for the Beast Sovereign, why would he target both Lin Xuan and him? The goal should have been Lin Xuan alone.
lín xuān biǎo miàn bù dòng shēng sè ， xīn zhōng què yǐ bǎo chí le jǐ fēn jiè bèi zhī sè 。
林轩表面不动声色，心中却已保持了几分戒备之色。
Was it to sow discord among the two, allowing An Elder to profit?
jīn máng yào yǎn ， nà liǔ yè dāo jī hū shì zhuǎn shùn xún jiù lái dào le lín xuān de miàn qián 。
金芒耀眼，那柳叶刀几乎是转瞬旬就来到了林轩的面前。
Lin Xuan’s expression turned icy. He hated betrayal most of all.
háo bù tíng xiē 。 kǎn xiàng wàn shòu de tóu lú ， yī qiè dōu méi yǒu rèn hé de bù tuǒ ， wàn shòu dòng tán bù dé ， yǎn dǐ shēn chù ， yǐ jīng fú xiàn chū le jué wàng zhī sè 。
毫不停歇。砍像万兽的头颅，一切都没有任何的不妥，万兽动弹不得，眼底深处，已经浮现出了绝望之色。
If Red Leaf Fairy had used him as a pawn, he wouldn’t spare her whether she was male or female.
hún shēn hēi máng yì qǐ ， sì hū xiǎng yào jiāng yuán yīng táo dùn chū 。
浑身黑芒一起，似乎想要将元婴逃遁出。
He would extract her soul and make her suffer until death. Lin Xuan’s philosophy was simple: non-aggression unless provoked; if provoked, exterminate the entire clan.
rán ér jiù zài cǐ kè ， yì biàn què zhòu rán fā shēng le 。
然而就在此刻，异变却骤然发生了。
There was no need to say anything else about those who broke their word. He wasn’t like Dongguo Scholar.
nà liǔ yè dāo jù lí wàn shòu de jǐng xiàng zhǐ shèng xià zhàng yú ， tū rán jīn guāng bào shè ， hōng rán bó è fā ér chū 。 zài nà tuán jīn máng zhī zhōng ， liǔ yè dāo yī shǎn 。 tū rán yī fēn wèi sān 。
那柳叶刀距离万兽的颈项只剩下丈余，突然金光爆射，轰然勃垩发而出。在那团金芒之中，柳叶刀一闪。突然一分为三。
But was it really Red Leaf Fairy?
qí zhōng de yī bǐng jì xù kǎn xiàng wàn shòu zūn zhě ， shèng yú de liǎng gè zé yǐ lín xuān zuò wèi mù biāo le ， yī qǔ tóu lú ， yī qǔ xiōng fù ， jiǎo dù jiē dú là diāo zuān dào le jí chù ， yī kàn jiù shì yù zhì tā yú sǐ dì de 。
其中的一柄继续砍像万兽尊者，剩余的两个则以林轩做为目标了，一取头颅，一取胸腹，角度皆毒辣刁钻到了极处，一看就是欲制他于死地的。
After interacting with her for so long, he didn’t think she would be such a calculating person and was quite laid-back in nature.
kě wù ！
可恶！
Although women are often said to be treacherous, Lin Xuan trusted his judgment on people.
lín xuān tóng kǒng wēi suō ， jīng nù zhī yú ， rěn bú zhù pò kǒu dà mà le ， méi xiǎng dào nà mò míng qí miào de dān xīn ， jū rán chéng wéi le xiàn shí 。
林轩瞳孔微缩，惊怒之余，忍不住破口大骂了，没想到那莫名其妙的担心，居然成为了现实。
He wouldn’t wrong an innocent but neither could he let his enemies off the hook.
zhè ān zhǎng lǎo bù huài hǎo yì 。 jū rán tóng shí xiǎng yào zhǎn shā zì jǐ yǔ wàn shòu zūn zhě ， lái zuò shōu zhā rén zhī lì ？
这安长老不坏好意。居然同时想要斩杀自己与万兽尊者，来坐收渣人之利？
Even if everyone makes mistakes sometimes, Red Leaf Fairy shouldn’t have done it. They had signed a Blood Covenants Document.
jiū jìng shì tā zì jǐ zhè yàng zuò ， hái shì hóng yè xiān zi tóu yì de ？
究竟是他自己这样做，还是红叶仙子投意的？
Though he had used Illusory Spirit Heaven Fire to destroy that document, Red Leaf Fairy couldn’t be so ruthless even if her grandfather were resurrected.
bù guò cǐ shí cǐ kè ， lín xuān yǐ jīng méi yǒu shí jiān shēn jiū xià qù le 。
不过此时此刻，林轩已经没有时间深究下去了。
In other words, Red Leaf Fairy was still bound by the contract and logically wouldn’t harm him.
nà liǔ yè dāo jué fēi pǔ tōng bǎo 。 suǒ bào fā chū lái de xiōng lì zhī qì ， lián tā yě wèi jù yǐ jí 。 ruò bèi kǎn zhōng 。 jué duì shēn shǒu fēn lí 。
那柳叶刀绝非普通宝。所爆发出来的凶戾之气，连他也畏惧以极。若被砍中。绝对身首分离。
Perhaps it was An Elder’s decision—eliminating both Lin Xuan and the Beast Sovereign, then taking over or removing Red Leaf Fairy. With such vast seas, he would be supreme…
hǎo zài lín xuān zǎo yǒu jǐng tì zhī yì ， gù ér suī biàn qǐ cāng chǔ ， tā què sī háo wèi jù zhī yì yě wú ， xiù páo yī fú ， yī dào qīng xiá fēi lüè ér chū ， sì zhōu de tiān dì yuán qì yě xùn sù jù hé ， suī rán lái bù jí níng jié chéng shén me xíng zhuàng de bǎo wù ， dàn yě shāo wēi néng jiāng nà xié rèn zǔ shàng yī zǔ 。
好在林轩早有警惕之意，故而虽变起仓储，他却丝毫畏惧之意也无，袖袍一拂，一道青霞飞掠而出，四周的天地元气也迅速聚合，虽然来不及凝结成什么形状的宝物，但也稍微能将那邪刃阻上一阻。
This seemed plausible; with his influence and resolve, it wasn’t hard to achieve if the two islands were leaderless.
shí jiān bù duō ， dàn yǐ zú gòu shǐ chū jiǔ tiān wēi bù ， lín xuān shēn xíng yī zhèn mó hú ， yǐ cóng yuán dì xiāo shī dé sī háo zōng jì yě wú 。
时间不多，但已足够使出九天微步，林轩身形一阵模糊，已从原地消失得丝毫踪迹也无。
However, there was one lingering doubt that troubled Lin Xuan—what was An Elder’s motivation?
This old monster's evasion technique was no trifling matter, but it still fell short compared to Lin Xuan’s miraculous Nine Heaven Microstep.
Lin Xuan arrived first and was now only a few feet away from the Beast Sovereign. The latter was both shocked and furious, unwilling to let his efforts come to naught at this critical moment.
The sound of cracking bones filled his ears as his right hand suddenly elongated, reaching out to grab Red Leaf Fairy’s neck.
"Old thief! You dare!"
Lin Xuan erupted in anger. The surrounding primordial qi seemed to freeze. He was about to expend a great deal of true essence to activate some secret technique when something unexpected happened.
The Beast Sovereign, who had originally intended to capture Red Leaf Fairy as leverage, suddenly shifted slightly and turned his head around in an unbelievable manner.
His face contorted with malice.
"You…."
The Beast Sovereign was once again dumbfounded. He almost thought he had misjudged the situation; could it be that they were both cultivators of the beast path?
Moreover, for some reason, the aura of ferocity emanating from him made the Beast Sovereign feel a chill down his spine.
But now, there wasn’t enough time to change tactics.
A thunderous roar echoed as their claws touched.
Gray and silver light intertwined, with countless rune symbols flickering on the surface. A burst of force erupted, sending gusts of gale-force winds that pierced through weaker cultivators like fish in a pond. Even Red Leaf Fairy and the late-stage元婴 woman were alarmed, releasing their defensive treasures to form protective screens around themselves.
This confrontation ended in a stalemate. Although the Phoenix Dance Nine Heavens technique was formidable, the opponent was still at the Separation stage, with unique secrets of his own.
However, Lin Xuan wasn’t about to let it end here; he had a trump card up his sleeve.
He took a deep breath as golden light flickered behind him. The nine-headed eighteen-armed form reappeared in his vision.
"Bad news!"
The Beast Sovereign was shocked but it was too late to escape now. He had become the prey, and while his trap worked, Lin Xuan wasn’t an ordinary cultivator.
Golden light flashed as the arms of the form wrapped around his limbs, binding him tightly. The remaining arms clenched into fists and struck his head and chest with force.
The vital areas were exposed; it seemed that the Beast Sovereign would be killed by Lin Xuan in a matter of moments. A voice called out: "Don’t worry, Elder Lin. Let me take care of this old beast."
The voice was familiar—Red Leaf’s most trusted confidant, An Elder, had appeared from a hundred feet away. He flicked his sleeves and a gleaming willow leaf saber flew out. It wasn’t an ordinary blade; it struck the Beast Sovereign’s head.
Lin Xuan was momentarily stunned but this unexpected turn of events didn’t seem to be entirely without merit. His mind conjured up a scene where An Elder ruthlessly threw Lan Mingxiu towards the silver fish bird, which seemed more than just a show of dominance…
Regardless, it didn’t resemble the actions of a kind elder.
Moreover, he had just stepped into the Beast Sovereign’s trap moments ago and was now reminded to be cautious. Better safe than sorry.
Lin Xuan remained calm on the surface but kept his guard up.
Golden light shone as the willow leaf saber approached Lin Xuan with incredible speed.
It struck the Beast Sovereign’s head without pause, leaving no room for error. The Beast Sovereign was immobilized and despair began to show in his eyes.
Black light enveloped him as he tried to escape by sending out his essence soul.
But at this moment, something unexpected happened.
The willow leaf saber, just an arm's length away from the Beast Sovereign’s neck, suddenly emitted a burst of golden light. The saber flashed and split into three parts.
One continued to strike the Beast Sovereign while the other two targeted Lin Xuan—head and chest respectively, with angles that were extremely lethal.
"Damn it!"
Lin Xuan’s pupils constricted as he cursed in anger. His initial suspicion had come true; An Elder wasn’t just trying to kill him but also the Beast Sovereign for his own gain?
Was this something Red Leaf Fairy had intended or did An Elder act on his own accord?
Regardless, there was no time to delve deeper.
The willow leaf saber wasn’t an ordinary treasure and its ferocity frightened even Lin Xuan. A hit would result in decapitation.
But Lin Xuan was prepared; he flicked his sleeves and a green light shot out as the surrounding primordial qi converged. Although it couldn’t form a shape, it managed to slow down the blade somewhat.
Time was short but enough for him to activate the Nine Heaven Microstep. His figure blurred before vanishing entirely.
Two willow leaf sabers sliced through, but only his shadow was cut in half; Lin Xuan himself remained unharmed. The Beast Sovereign, however, wasn’t so lucky.
Initially bound by Lin Xuan’s form, he managed to dodge when the willow leaf saber came within a few feet of him. Unless one was at the Profound Origin stage, it would be impossible to avoid such an attack.
With his body about to be destroyed, the Beast Sovereign gritted his teeth and shifted his head away by several feet. Blood spattered as he narrowly avoided decapitation but lost an arm in the process.
A loud scream filled the air as blood gushed out. The old monster’s aura flared as he fled diagonally.
The entire sequence took only a blink of an eye, leaving everyone else stunned and staring in disbelief at this bizarre turn of events.
An Elder's actions were too suspicious.
If he was a spy for the Beast Sovereign, why would he target both Lin Xuan and him? The goal should have been Lin Xuan alone.
Was it to sow discord among the two, allowing An Elder to profit?
Lin Xuan’s expression turned icy. He hated betrayal most of all.
If Red Leaf Fairy had used him as a pawn, he wouldn’t spare her whether she was male or female.
He would extract her soul and make her suffer until death. Lin Xuan’s philosophy was simple: non-aggression unless provoked; if provoked, exterminate the entire clan.
There was no need to say anything else about those who broke their word. He wasn’t like Dongguo Scholar.
But was it really Red Leaf Fairy?
After interacting with her for so long, he didn’t think she would be such a calculating person and was quite laid-back in nature.
Although women are often said to be treacherous, Lin Xuan trusted his judgment on people.
He wouldn’t wrong an innocent but neither could he let his enemies off the hook.
Even if everyone makes mistakes sometimes, Red Leaf Fairy shouldn’t have done it. They had signed a Blood Covenants Document.
Though he had used Illusory Spirit Heaven Fire to destroy that document, Red Leaf Fairy couldn’t be so ruthless even if her grandfather were resurrected.
In other words, Red Leaf Fairy was still bound by the contract and logically wouldn’t harm him.
Perhaps it was An Elder’s decision—eliminating both Lin Xuan and the Beast Sovereign, then taking over or removing Red Leaf Fairy. With such vast seas, he would be supreme…
This seemed plausible; with his influence and resolve, it wasn’t hard to achieve if the two islands were leaderless.
However, there was one lingering doubt that troubled Lin Xuan—what was An Elder’s motivation?