chú le yí huò hái shì yí huò ， lín xuān yě suàn cōng míng jué dǐng le ， kě zuǒ sī yòu xiǎng ， léng zhǎo bù chū yí gè hé lǐ jiě shì lái de ， zhè jiàn shì qíng ， bù lùn cóng nǎ yí gè jiǎo dù ， dōu wèi miǎn tài qí guài le 。
除了疑惑还是疑惑，林轩也算聪明绝顶了，可左思右想，楞找不出一个合理解释来的，这件事情，不论从哪一个角度，都未免太奇怪了。
Lin Xuan, despite his intelligence, was left baffled. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't find a reasonable explanation for this strange situation.
táng táng dòng xuán qī xiū xiān zhě ， huì kàn shàng zhè liǎng gè xiǎo yā tou ， nà jiǎn zhí shì xiào huà le 。
堂堂洞玄期修仙者，会看上这两个小丫头，那简直是笑话了。
A high-ranking Daoist practitioner of the Profound Void stage would not take an interest in these two young girls; that was absurd.
ér zhè shí hòu ， bìng mó zhōng yú yòu chóng xīn kāi kǒu ， liǎn shàng de xīng è fèn zhī sè ， què sī háo méi yǒu jiǎn ruò ， fǎn ér yuè fā de kuáng rè ， yuán běn wú shén de shuāng móu ， cǐ shí cǐ kè ， jiǎn zhí dōu kāi shǐ fàng guāng le 。
而这时候，病魔终于又重新开口，脸上的兴垩奋之色，却丝毫没有减弱，反而越发的狂热，原本无神的双眸，此时此刻，简直都开始放光了。
At this moment, the disease demon finally spoke again, his face radiating excitement even more intensely. His previously lifeless eyes now shone with a fierce light.
“ lǎo fū bìng fēi yán ér wú xìn de jiā huo ， suī rán zhǔ yì lüè yǒu gēng gǎi ， dàn yī jiù kě yǐ jiāng nǐ men fàng guò ， bù guò xiàn zài wǒ yǒu yí gè tiáo jiàn le 。”
“老夫并非言而无信的家伙，虽然主意略有更改，但依旧可以将你们放过，不过现在我有一个条件了。”
"Old man never breaks his word. Although I've changed my mind slightly, you can still be spared. But now, I have one condition."
“ qǐng shuō 。”
“请说。”
"Speak."
lín xuān jǐn guǎn xīn zhōng yǐ yǒu cāi cè ， dàn bù qīn ěr tīng dào tā shì bú huì sǐ xīn de 。
林轩尽管心中已有猜测，但不亲耳听到他是不会死心的。
Lin Xuan had already guessed the outcome but wouldn't believe it until he heard it himself.
“ jiāng zhè liǎng gè yā tou ， liú xià lái gěi wǒ 。”
“将这两个丫头，留下来给我。”
"Leave these two girls for me."
bìng mó xīn zhōng de huà què jiāng lín xuān xīn zhōng wàn yī de jiǎo xìng gěi dǎ pò le ， zhè lǎo jiā huǒ ， tū rán gǎi biàn zhǔ yì ， guǒ rán shì chōng zhe liǎng gè tú ér lái de 。
病魔心中的话却将林轩心中万一的侥幸给打破了，这老家伙，突然改变主意，果然是冲着两个徒儿来的。
These words shattered Lin Xuan's last hope. The old man was indeed targeting his apprentices.
lín xuān xīn zhōng pò kǒu dà mà 。
林轩心中破口大骂。
Lin Xuan cursed inwardly.
rán ér biǎo miàn shàng ， què sī háo yì sè bù lù ， lěng jìng yì cháng de kāi kǒu le ：“ wèi hé ， zhè liǎng gè yā tou ， zhǐ shì qū qū zhù jī ， zī zhì yě bù zhí yī tí ， qián bèi ruò shì xiǎng yào duān chá dào shuǐ de shì nǚ ， yǐ nín de shēn fèn xiū wèi ， suí biàn yī hǒu dōu néng zhǎo dào gèng hǎo dì ， hé bì zhǐ míng yào zhè liǎng nǚ 。”
然而表面上，却丝毫异色不露，冷静异常的开口了：“为何，这两个丫头，只是区区筑基，资质也不值一提，前辈若是想要端茶倒水的侍女，以您的身份修为，随便一吼都能找到更好地，何必指名要这两女。”
But on the surface, he remained calm and said, "Why? These two are mere Foundation Establishment stage practitioners with mediocre资质. If you want maids to serve you, your status would easily find better ones. Why insist on these two?"
“ shì a ， qián bèi ， xiǎo nǚ zī sè qiǎn lòu ， shí zài bù zú yǐ fú shì qián bèi de 。” shàng guān mù yǔ yě shì dà jí ， tā qíng yuàn sǐ zài yì qǐ ， yě bù yuàn yì jiāng liǎng gè nǚ ér jiāo chū qù 。
“是啊，前辈，小女姿色浅陋，实在不足以服侍前辈的。”上官幕雨也是大急，她情愿死在一起，也不愿意将两个女儿交出去。
"Indeed, sir, my daughters' looks are meager; they're not fit to serve you," Sang Mu Yu was also frantic. She preferred dying together rather than handing over her daughters.
“ bù shí hǎo dǎi de jiā huo ， lǎo fū yào zhè liǎng nǚ shì tā men de fú qì ， méi yǒu nǐ men tǎo jià huán jià de yú dì 。” bìng mó méi tou yí zhòu ， shēng yīn bīng lěng de kāi kǒu 。
“不识好歹的家伙，老夫要这两女是她们的福气，没有你们讨价还价的余地。”病魔眉头一皱，声音冰冷的开口。
"The ungrateful one! These girls are their good fortune. You have no say in the matter." The disease demon frowned and spoke coldly.
“ qián bèi zhè yàng shuō kě jiù yǒu xiē qiǎng rén suǒ nán le ， nán dào jù jīng wáng de miàn zi ， nín yě bù gěi le me ？” yǎn kàn qíng kuàng bǐ xiǎng xiàng de hái yào zāo gāo dé duō ， lín xuān yě qiáng yìng qǐ lái le 。
“前辈这样说可就有些强人所难了，难道巨鲸王的面子，您也不给了么？”眼看情况比想象的还要糟糕得多，林轩也强硬起来了。
"This is too much, sir. Do you even care about the Great Whale King's face?" Seeing that things were worse than expected, Lin Xuan hardened his stance.
“ hē hē ， nǐ jū rán hái gǎn wēi xié wǒ ？”
“呵呵，你居然还敢威胁我？”
"Haha, dare threaten me?"
bìng mó què shì bèi lín xuān de “ dà dǎn ”， gěi qì xiào le ：“ bié shuō qū qū yī kuài lìng fú ， jiù suàn jù jīng wáng zhàn zài cǐ chù ， zhè liǎng gè yā tou wǒ yě yí dìng yào dài zǒu 。”
病魔却是被林轩的“大胆”，给气笑了：“别说区区一块令符，就算巨鲸王站在此处，这两个丫头我也一定要带走。”
The disease demon was amused by Lin Xuan’s audacity: "Don't say a single command talisman, but even if the Great Whale King stood here, I would still take these two girls."
bìng mó shēng yīn bīng lěng de kāi kǒu ， yǐ lín xuān de cōng míng ， zì rán tīng chū zhè fān yán yǔ bú shì zài kuā dà qí cí ， nán dào shuō ， bái bái móu huà hēng nǔ lì le zhè me jiǔ ， dào zuì hòu ， hái shì yào píng wǔ lì jiě jué wèn tí me ？
病魔声音冰冷的开口，以林轩的聪明，自然听出这番言语不是在夸大其词，难道说，白白谋划哼努力了这么久，到最后，还是要凭武力解决问题么？
Lin Xuan's expression turned determined. The disease demon had no idea of his strength and saw everyone as mere fish on a chopping board.
lín xuān yī shí jiān ， yě yǒu xiē jǔ sàng ｆ
林轩一时间，也有些沮丧ｆ
"Since that's the case, then let me and my sister go with you. Mother and master can be spared," Sang Ying said as she stood shakily. Despite being restrained by Lin Xuan’s power, she was moved to make this decision. Her low power prevented her from aiding her sect but dying alongside her master was a sacrifice worth making.
rú guǒ shì bié de rén hái hǎo shuō ， piān piān lǎo guài tè zhǐ míng yào de shì zì jǐ de liǎng gè ài tú ， zěn me kě néng qì zhī bù gù ， zhè bú shì bī pò zì jǐ yǔ tā pīn le ？
如果是别的人还好说，偏偏老怪特指名要的是自己的两个爱徒，怎么可能弃之不顾，这不是逼迫自己与他拼了？
This girl had a stubborn nature; once she made up her mind, nothing could change it. She knew her mother couldn't help her break the seal, so she would break it herself. Lin Xuan's seals were simple as he didn’t want to complicate things for his apprentice. He just wanted temporary restrictions on their actions.
yù mèn shì wéi yī de xíng róng ， qián miàn de duō fèi chún shé dōu chéng liǎo wú yòng gōng guǒ rán zài xiū xiān jiè ， shí lì ， cái shì wéi yī zhí de yī kào de dōng xī ， qí tā bù guǎn xiǎo cōng míng ， hái shì yīn móu guǐ jì dōu bù guò shì fú yún ér yǐ ， dào zuì hòu ， hái shì yào píng quán tou jué chū zhēn lǐ 。
郁闷是唯一的形容，前面的多费唇舌都成了无用功果然在修仙界，实力，才是唯一值得依靠的东西，其他不管小聪明，还是阴谋诡计都不过是浮云而已，到最后，还是要凭拳头决出真理。
Unfortunately, with her low power, breaking the seal caused her internal injuries and a blood cough.
zhè ge niàn tou shàng wèi zhuǎn guò ， yī qīng lěng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ：“ shī fù ， nín bú yào zhēng le jiù ràng tú ér suí tā zǒu 。”， shàng guān yàn yī biān shuō ， yī biān chàn chàn wēi wēi de zhàn qǐ lái le ， lín xuān xīn zhōng yī dòng zì jǐ míng míng jiāng zhè yā tou de fǎ lì ， fēng zài le dān tián lǐ àn lǐ shuō ， tā shì bù néng yí dòng dì ， zěn me néng gòu zì jǐ zhàn qǐ 。
这个念头尚未转过，一清冷的声音传入耳朵：“师傅，您不要争了就让徒儿随他走。”，上官雁一边说，一边颤颤巍巍的站起来了，林轩心中一动自己明明将这丫头的法力，封在了丹田里按理说，她是不能移动地，怎么能够自己站起。
"Sir, I am willing to follow you. I will go through fire and water as you command. But can you spare my sister?"
nán dào zuǐ jiǎo biān de xuè jì ， shì zhè shǎ yā tou wèi le chōng pò fēng yìn ， ér zào chéng dì 。
难道嘴角边的血迹，是这傻丫头为了冲破封印，而造成地。
"Hmph," the disease demon looked surprised. A mere Foundation Establishment stage practitioner had such courage, especially a woman. This was even more commendable.
lín xuān zhè fān cāi cè ， dǎo shì bǎi fēn zhī bǎi de zhèng què le 。
林轩这番猜测，倒是百分之百的正确了。
Honesty compelled him; he admired talent but these girls were useful. Absorbing their life force could help break through his current bottleneck and perhaps even advance to the late Separation stage.
shàng guān yàn de xiū wèi suī bù zhí yī tí ， dàn què shì yí gè hěn yǒu tóu nǎo ， néng zì jǐ ná zhǔ yì de nǚ zǐ 。
上官雁的修为虽不值一提，但却是一个很有头脑，能自己拿主意的女子。
He couldn’t miss this opportunity. These two were better than any elixir or medicine. His previous words weren't a lie. He wouldn’t spare them, not even if the Great Whale King was present.
suī bèi lín xuān yòng fǎ lì fēng zhù ， dàn tā shí zài bù fàng xīn ràng shī fù yí gè rén liú zài wài miàn yìng fù qiáng dí 。
虽被林轩用法力封住，但她实在不放心让师傅一个人留在外面应付强敌。
His expression was resolute.
bì jìng lái zhě kě shì dòng xuán qī ， bǐ shī fù hái yào gāo yí gè děng jí 。
毕竟来者可是洞玄期，比师傅还要高一个等级。
"Since that's so, then let me and my sister go with you. Mother and master can be spared," Sang Ling said as her voice reached Lin Xuan’s ears. Despite being unable to move, she was still determined like her sister in times of crisis.
lín xuān míng míng shì kě yǐ táo zǒu dì ， què liú le xià lái ， shàng guān yàn gǎn dòng zhī yú ， yě zuò le yí gè jué dìng ， zì jǐ fǎ lì tài dī ， bù néng wèi shī mén xiào lì ， dàn sǐ yě yào hé shī zūn sǐ zài yì qǐ 。
林轩明明是可以逃走地，却留了下来，上官雁感动之余，也做了一个决定，自己法力太低，不能为师门效力，但死也要和师尊死在一起。
Lin Xuan sighed; he had faced such situations before. Remembering the past, when he first met these two sisters, they were willing to sacrifice themselves for their fellow disciples. Such loyalty and righteousness were rare among Daoists.
zhè yā tou shì hěn jué jiàng de xìng gé ， yí dàn shén me shì qíng jué dìng le ， nà kě shì jiǔ tóu niú dōu lā bù huí de 。
这丫头是很倔强的性格，一旦什么事情决定了，那可是九头牛都拉不回的。
But it mattered not; as their master, Lin Xuan wouldn’t allow them to suffer in vain. His right hand clenched around the mysterious medicinal vial, ready to discard his defense if necessary. He would extract the soul of this demon to settle his grudge.
tā míng zhī dào mǔ qīn bú huì bāng zì jǐ jiāng fēng yìn jiě chú ， nà jiù zì jǐ jiāng jìn zhì chōng pò ， hǎo zài lín xuān xià de ， dōu shì zuì jiǎn dān de nà zhǒng ， bì jìng shì zì jǐ de tú dì ， lín xuān bù kě néng nòng tài fù zá de dōng xī ， zhǐ shì xiǎng yào zàn shí xiàn zhì tā men de xíng dòng ér yǐ 。
她明知道母亲不会帮自己将封印解除，那就自己将禁制冲破，好在林轩下的，都是最简单的那种，毕竟是自己的徒弟，林轩不可能弄太复杂的东西，只是想要暂时限制她们的行动而已。
Just then, the disease demon’s voice returned with a hint of pity and regret: "Too late. I did plan to spare these irrelevant ones earlier, but now, my mind has changed..."
wú nài xiǎo yā tou xiū wèi tài dī ， fēng yìn shì jiě chú ， què ràng zì jǐ nèi shāng tù xiě 。
无奈小丫头修为太低，封印是解除，却让自己内伤吐血。
"Changed your mind again?" Lin Xuan was stunned. Such inconsistency was shocking.
ér cǐ shí cǐ kè ， tā huà méi yǒu shuō wán ， qián bàn jié shì duì zhe lín xuān ， kě suí hòu ， què zhuǎn guò le tóu lú ：“ qián bèi ， yàn ér yuàn yì suí nǐ zǒu ， shàng dāo shān xià yóu guō suí nǐ fēn fù ， zhǐ shì ， nǐ kě bù kě yǐ jiāng wǒ mèi mèi fàng guò 。”，…… hēng ” huán zhè xiǎo nī zi ， dào yǒu jǐ fēn yǒng qì ， kě xī ， wǒ bù néng dā yìng mí ， bù guǎn shì mí ， hái shì mí mèi mèi ， dōu shì wǒ suǒ xū yào dì 。” bìng mó de liǎn shàng lù chū yī sī yì wài zhī sè ， qū qū yī zhù jī qī xiū xiān zhě ， jū rán yǒu zhè yàng de yǒng qì ， ér qiě hái shì yī nǚ liú zhī bèi ， zhè jiù gèng jiā de nán dé 。
而此时此刻，她话没有说完，前半截是对着林轩，可随后，却转过了头颅：“前辈，雁儿愿意随你走，上刀山下油锅随你吩咐，只是，你可不可以将我妹妹放过。”，……哼”环这小妮子，倒有几分勇气，可惜，我不能答应弥，不管是弥，还是弥妹妹，都是我所需要地。”病魔的脸上露出一丝意外之色，区区一筑基期修仙者，居然有这样的勇气，而且还是一女流之辈，这就更加的难得。
"Do you think you're something? A mere Separation stage practitioner isn't worthy of being toyed with. If you want the truth, here it is: I did this because of the Great Whale King's command talisman."
shuō shí huà ， tā yě yǒu jǐ fēn ài cái zhī yì ， kě xī shuí ràng zhè liǎng gè yā tou ， yí gè shì léi hún zhī tǐ ， yí gè shì bīng pò zhī tǐ ， duì zì jǐ dōu dà yǒu yòng chǔ ， zhǐ yào xī shōu le tā men de shēng mìng lì ， bù jǐn yǎn qián zhè ge píng jǐng kě yǐ tū pò “ jiù shì yì kǒu qì xiū liàn dào lí hé hòu qī ， nà yě shì dà yǒu kě néng dì 。
说实话，他也有几分爱才之意，可惜谁让这两个丫头，一个是雷魂之体，一个是冰魄之体，对自己都大有用处，只要吸收了她们的生命力，不仅眼前这个瓶颈可以突破“就是一口气修炼到离合后期，那也是大有可能地。
Fate can be both a blessing and a curse. Lin Xuan understood immediately. The Great Whale King’s talisman had initially spared him but now, he was targeted for death.
zhè yàng de hǎo shì ， zěn me kě yǐ cuò guò ， duì zì jǐ lái shuō ， tā men liǎng gè ， kě shì shèng guò rèn hé líng dān miào yào de ， gāng gāng nà jù huà ， bìng bú shì huǎng yán xiāng qī ， bié shuō qū qū yī kuài lìng fú ， jiù suàn jù jīng wáng zài cǐ chù ， zhè liǎng jiě mèi ， tā tóng yàng bú huì fàng guò 。
这样的好事，怎么可以错过，对自己来说，她们两个，可是胜过任何灵丹妙药的，刚刚那句话，并不是谎言相欺，别说区区一块令符，就算巨鲸王在此处，这两姐妹，他同样不会放过。
This made sense; the Great Whale Princess’s face couldn’t be ignored. He intended to spare them but had changed his mind due to unforeseen circumstances. Despite being able to forcibly take them, doing so would create a rift with Lin Xuan that could damage their relationship. The Great Whale King’s princess was significant and shouldn't be underestimated.
tā de biǎo qíng jiān jué wú bǐ ， hé kuàng bìng mó bù zhī dào lín xuān de shí lì ， zài tā de yǎn lǐ ， zhè xiē rén dōu bù guò shì zhēn bǎn shàng de yú ， rèn tā zǎi gē ér yǐ 。
他的表情坚决无比，何况病魔不知道林轩的实力，在他的眼里，这些人都不过是砧板上的鱼，任他宰割而已。
He needed to consider this carefully; he didn’t want to strain relations with the shark clan or the Great Whale lineage due to this incident. He had his plan.
“ jì rán rú cǐ ， nà qián bèi jiù qǐng jiāng wǒ niáng yǔ shī fù fàng guò ， wǒ hé jiě jiě suí nǐ yì qǐ qù hǎo le 。” shàng guān líng de shēng yīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ” zhè yā tou yī jiù dòng tán bù dé ， bié kàn tā píng rì lǐ xìng gé huó pō ， zhēn yù jiàn dà shì ， què shì yǔ jiě jiě yī yàng yǒu dān dāng de 。
“既然如此，那前辈就请将我娘与师傅放过，我和姐姐随你一起去好了。”上官翎的声音传入耳朵”这丫头依旧动弹不得，别看她平日里性格活泼，真遇见大事，却是与姐姐一样有担当的。
Eliminate them all!
lín xuān tàn le kǒu qì ” zhè yàng de shì qíng ， tā yǐ bú shì yù jiàn dì yī cì 。
林轩叹了口气”这样的事情，他已不是遇见第一次。
While this would further insult the Great Whale King, it mattered little. Death ensured silence. As long as he acted cleanly, who knew that the princess's friend was killed by him?
jì de dāng nián ” gāng jiàn dào liǎng jiě mèi zhī shí ， tā men yě shì wèi le tóng mén qíng yuàn xī shēng zì jǐ 。
记得当年”刚见到两姐妹之时，她们也是为了同门情愿牺牲自己。
This plan seemed flawless. The disease demon was pleased with himself, believing Lin Xuan and company were mere fish on a chopping board.
yǒu qíng yǒu yì ， zhè zhǒng xiū xiān zhě ， kě yǐ shuō shì fèng máo lín jiǎo de 。
有情有义，这种修仙者，可以说是凤毛麟角的。
Unfortunately for him, this was just wishful thinking.
bù guò tā men yǒu zhè fèn xīn yì jiù gòu le ， zuò wéi shī fù ， lín xuān yòu qǐ huì ràng tā men bái bái xī shēng ne 。
不过她们有这份心意就够了，作为师父，林轩又岂会让她们白白牺牲呢。
Lin Xuan smiled; there was no need to be polite now. He directly expressed his disdain: "Wanting to kill us all and cover our tracks, do you think you're something? You'll likely die yourself."
tā de yòu shǒu ， lǒng zài yòu lǐ ， yǐ jīng zhuā jǐn le ， nà péi zhe shén mì yào líng de yù píng 。
他的右手，拢在柚里，已经抓紧了，那裴着神秘药灵的玉瓶。
"What?"
dà bù liǎo shě le zhè fáng shēn zhī wù ， zhè kě shì lǎo guài wù bī wǒ ， yī huì er bù jiāng tā chōu hún liàn pò ， shí zài nán xiāo zì jǐ xīn tóu zhī hèn de 。
大不了舍了这防身之物，这可是老怪物逼我，一会儿不将他抽魂炼魄，实在难消自己心头之恨的。
The disease demon froze, unable to believe what he heard. Did he mishear or was this a joke?
lín xuān xīn zhōng rú cǐ xiǎng zhe ， gāng bǎ jué xīn xià dìng ， nà bìng mó de shēng yīn yòu chóng xīn chuán rù ěr duǒ ， lǐ miàn hái dài zhe jǐ fēn lián mǐn yǔ tàn xī zhī sè ：“ wǎn le ， gāng cái lǎo fū ， dào què jiān dǎ suàn jiāng zhè xiē wú guān de jiā huo fàng guò ， rán ér wǒ xiàn zài ， yòu gǎi biàn zhǔ yì le ……”
林轩心中如此想着，刚把决心下定，那病魔的声音又重新传入耳朵，里面还带着几分怜悯与叹息之色：“晚了，刚才老夫，倒确尖打算将这些无关的家伙放过，然而我现在，又改变主意了……”
His expression suggested otherwise; the girl's eyes were sharp and clear, not of someone with mental issues.
“ yòu gōng biàn zhǔ yì ？”， lín xuān yī è ， fǎn fù wú cháng de jiā huo tā jiàn guò xǔ duō ， rán ér dào zhè zhòng dì bù ， què shì ràng rén jīng xīn chù mù ， jiǎn zhí tīng bù bù céng tīng shuō 。
“又攻变主意？”，林轩一愕，反复无常的家伙他见过许多，然而到这种地步，却是让人惊心触目，简直听不不曾听说。
But he didn’t care about such thoughts. Regardless of his intentions, it mattered little now.
“ gé xià shì zài xì shuǎ wǒ men me ？”， fǎn zhèng fān liǎn yǐ chéng dìng jú ， lín xuān de yán yǔ yě jiù bù zài kè qì ， tù zi jí le yě huì yǎo rén dì ， zhè lǎo jiā huǒ jiāng zì jǐ bī dào zhè yī bù ， nà jiù shì zài zì jǐ zhǎo sǐ le 。
“阁下是在戏耍我们么？”，反正翻脸已成定局，林轩的言语也就不再客气，兔子急了也会咬人地，这老家伙将自己逼到这一步，那就是在自己找死了。
With that thought, the disease demon sneered: "Junior, don't waste your words here. Let you see what Profound Void stage is all about."
“ xì shuǎ ？”
“戏耍？”
Lin Xuan's smile widened as he prepared for battle.
Lin Xuan, despite his intelligence, was left baffled. No matter how he thought about it, he couldn't find a reasonable explanation for this strange situation.
A high-ranking Daoist practitioner of the Profound Void stage would not take an interest in these two young girls; that was absurd.
At this moment, the disease demon finally spoke again, his face radiating excitement even more intensely. His previously lifeless eyes now shone with a fierce light.
"Old man never breaks his word. Although I've changed my mind slightly, you can still be spared. But now, I have one condition."
"Speak."
Lin Xuan had already guessed the outcome but wouldn't believe it until he heard it himself.
"Leave these two girls for me."
These words shattered Lin Xuan's last hope. The old man was indeed targeting his apprentices.
Lin Xuan cursed inwardly.
But on the surface, he remained calm and said, "Why? These two are mere Foundation Establishment stage practitioners with mediocre资质. If you want maids to serve you, your status would easily find better ones. Why insist on these two?"
"Indeed, sir, my daughters' looks are meager; they're not fit to serve you," Sang Mu Yu was also frantic. She preferred dying together rather than handing over her daughters.
"The ungrateful one! These girls are their good fortune. You have no say in the matter." The disease demon frowned and spoke coldly.
"This is too much, sir. Do you even care about the Great Whale King's face?" Seeing that things were worse than expected, Lin Xuan hardened his stance.
"Haha, dare threaten me?"
The disease demon was amused by Lin Xuan’s audacity: "Don't say a single command talisman, but even if the Great Whale King stood here, I would still take these two girls."
Lin Xuan's expression turned determined. The disease demon had no idea of his strength and saw everyone as mere fish on a chopping board.
"Since that's the case, then let me and my sister go with you. Mother and master can be spared," Sang Ying said as she stood shakily. Despite being restrained by Lin Xuan’s power, she was moved to make this decision. Her low power prevented her from aiding her sect but dying alongside her master was a sacrifice worth making.
This girl had a stubborn nature; once she made up her mind, nothing could change it. She knew her mother couldn't help her break the seal, so she would break it herself. Lin Xuan's seals were simple as he didn’t want to complicate things for his apprentice. He just wanted temporary restrictions on their actions.
Unfortunately, with her low power, breaking the seal caused her internal injuries and a blood cough.
"Sir, I am willing to follow you. I will go through fire and water as you command. But can you spare my sister?"
"Hmph," the disease demon looked surprised. A mere Foundation Establishment stage practitioner had such courage, especially a woman. This was even more commendable.
Honesty compelled him; he admired talent but these girls were useful. Absorbing their life force could help break through his current bottleneck and perhaps even advance to the late Separation stage.
He couldn’t miss this opportunity. These two were better than any elixir or medicine. His previous words weren't a lie. He wouldn’t spare them, not even if the Great Whale King was present.
His expression was resolute.
"Since that's so, then let me and my sister go with you. Mother and master can be spared," Sang Ling said as her voice reached Lin Xuan’s ears. Despite being unable to move, she was still determined like her sister in times of crisis.
Lin Xuan sighed; he had faced such situations before. Remembering the past, when he first met these two sisters, they were willing to sacrifice themselves for their fellow disciples. Such loyalty and righteousness were rare among Daoists.
But it mattered not; as their master, Lin Xuan wouldn’t allow them to suffer in vain. His right hand clenched around the mysterious medicinal vial, ready to discard his defense if necessary. He would extract the soul of this demon to settle his grudge.
Just then, the disease demon’s voice returned with a hint of pity and regret: "Too late. I did plan to spare these irrelevant ones earlier, but now, my mind has changed..."
"Changed your mind again?" Lin Xuan was stunned. Such inconsistency was shocking.
"Do you think you're something? A mere Separation stage practitioner isn't worthy of being toyed with. If you want the truth, here it is: I did this because of the Great Whale King's command talisman."
Fate can be both a blessing and a curse. Lin Xuan understood immediately. The Great Whale King’s talisman had initially spared him but now, he was targeted for death.
This made sense; the Great Whale Princess’s face couldn’t be ignored. He intended to spare them but had changed his mind due to unforeseen circumstances. Despite being able to forcibly take them, doing so would create a rift with Lin Xuan that could damage their relationship. The Great Whale King’s princess was significant and shouldn't be underestimated.
He needed to consider this carefully; he didn’t want to strain relations with the shark clan or the Great Whale lineage due to this incident. He had his plan.
Eliminate them all!
While this would further insult the Great Whale King, it mattered little. Death ensured silence. As long as he acted cleanly, who knew that the princess's friend was killed by him?
This plan seemed flawless. The disease demon was pleased with himself, believing Lin Xuan and company were mere fish on a chopping board.
Unfortunately for him, this was just wishful thinking.
Lin Xuan smiled; there was no need to be polite now. He directly expressed his disdain: "Wanting to kill us all and cover our tracks, do you think you're something? You'll likely die yourself."
"What?"
The disease demon froze, unable to believe what he heard. Did he mishear or was this a joke?
His expression suggested otherwise; the girl's eyes were sharp and clear, not of someone with mental issues.
But he didn’t care about such thoughts. Regardless of his intentions, it mattered little now.
With that thought, the disease demon sneered: "Junior, don't waste your words here. Let you see what Profound Void stage is all about."
Lin Xuan's smile widened as he prepared for battle.