Just a moment ago, Cangshu Bai had been as indifferent as still water, but in an instant, his aura surged with violent brutality. His already slightly red eyes were suddenly dyed with bone-chilling murderous intent, like a vicious beast abruptly opening its eyes.
Without the slightest warning, a piercing cold light condensed at his fingertips, stabbing straight toward Cangshu Fenming's throat. The speed was so fast that only an afterimage remained.
Cangshu Fenming's pupils shrank drastically. His whole body froze in place, unable to even let out a cry of alarm. The chill of death had firmly locked onto his lifeline. Caught off guard, even the strength to raise his hand to defend himself was suppressed by this fierce and brutal aura.
In the nick of time, a sword light broke through the wind, the green blade blocking horizontally in front of Cangshu Fenming.
Using the momentum, Cangshu Linfeng yanked Cangshu Fenming forcefully backward and sternly shouted, "Cangshu Bai, what is the meaning of this!"
In his eyes, Cangshu Fenming represented Zhenyue Mountain City.
Cangshu Fenming had already taken the initiative to show goodwill, yet Cangshu Bai not only showed no appreciation, but even attempted murder. It was sheer arrogance!
However, Cangshu Bai didn't even spare him a glance from the corner of his eye. His scarlet eyes were dead set on Cangshu Fenming, and his voice was as cold as ice: "Is that still Cangshu Fenming?"
As soon as these words fell, Cangshu Linfeng's figure suddenly stiffened. His heart abruptly sank, and he turned his head to look.
Cangshu Fenming looked pale. "City Lord, please see clearly!"
Even though this person's appearance and demeanor were identical to Cangshu Fenming's, there were hidden changes in the subtle details of his expressions.
Amidst the shock, Cangshu Bai had already struck again. His palm wind, wrapped in world-destroying murderous intent, aimed straight at the forehead of the possessed Cangshu Fenming.
Cangshu Linfeng hastily snapped back to his senses, subconsciously raising his sword to block. The sound of the clash was deafening, and the shockwave sent bloody soil flying all over the ground.
"The people of Zhenyue Mountain City do not need an outsider to intervene!"
Cangshu Linfeng scolded angrily. His sword stance was as steady as Mount Tai, firmly blocking Cangshu Bai's attack on the outside. Although he was alarmed by the anomaly, he still could not tolerate an outsider killing someone from Zhenyue Mountain City right in front of him.
In the chaos, the possessed Cangshu Fenming loosened his palm, and the wooden box crashed to the ground. The moment the box shattered, the so-called high-grade magical treasure inside suddenly erupted with blinding black light. Millions of evil-looking threads surged out madly, wrapping toward Cangshu Bai like venomous snakes.
The threads were as sharp as blades, instantly cutting open his fingertips. A drop of bright red blood seeped from the wound, suspended in mid-air.
A black spear appeared just in time, its piercing coldness severing the myriad of threads.
Seeing that drop of blood, the evil entity's eyes burst with greedy, unnatural light. Black mist surged from its palm, instantly sweeping away and devouring that drop of lifeblood.
Seeing this, Cangshu Linfeng hesitated no longer and said in a deep voice, "This is a matter of my Zhenyue Mountain City. I will handle it!"
As his words fell, Cangshu Linfeng abandoned his sword and drew back his palm. His spiritual power skyrocketed, and his vigorous palm strike, carrying evil-shattering light, slammed fiercely into Cangshu Fenming's chest.
With a muffled thud, thick black mist madly surged out from Cangshu Fenming's seven orifices, letting out a shrill shriek.
The possessed body collapsed limply to the ground.
The evil entity's true form turned into a rolling cloud of black mist, about to scatter and flee in a panic.
Right at this moment, a pitch-black spear tore through the air. The cold gleam of the spearhead locked directly onto the core of the black mist and pierced fiercely.
"Pfft—"
The black mist was forcibly pierced by the spear, letting out a heart-rending scream. Most of the evil aura was instantly shredded by the spear's murderous energy, scattering into the sky as black smoke.
But in that exact instant, a very thin black shadow within the mist suddenly broke free. It drilled down like a loach, shooting into the ground with a swish, leaving only an imperceptible trace of aura before vanishing without a trace.
The murderous energy on the spearhead was still pulsing. Cangshu Bai gripped the spear, his eyes terrifyingly cold.
It escaped.
Cangshu Linfeng helped up the heavily injured and unconscious Cangshu Fenming, placing a finger on his forehead to examine his soul.
Although his soul was damaged, because the evil entity hadn't occupied his body for long, it shouldn't be a major problem after some rest and recovery.
The evil entity had occupied Cangshu Fenming's body and thus possessed his memories. Its every move was a perfect imitation; no wonder Cangshu Linfeng hadn't noticed immediately.
It was likely that Cangshu Fenming had fallen into the trap right when he killed the demonic beast and "saved" that supposedly besieged mortal.
And not long ago, if Cangshu Linfeng had accepted the box handed over by "Cangshu Fenming," the evil entity would probably have tried to take over his body instead.
Even though Cangshu Fenming's life was saved, Cangshu Linfeng's expression was incredibly grim.
To think someone dared to target the people of Zhenyue Mountain City!
Cangshu Bai said coldly, "Foolish."
In the blink of an eye, he disappeared.
Leaving only Cangshu Linfeng standing there, gnashing his teeth.
Cangshu Bai returned to the familiar courtyard. Once the murderous aura surrounding him completely dissipated, the moment he stepped over the threshold, he once again became that ordinary young man with gentle eyes and a mild temperament.
Inside the room, the lamplight cast soft shadows. Mu Ran was sleeping soundly, slumped over the table.
Her long hair fell loosely over her shoulders, and a few stray strands clung to her cheeks, rising and falling gently with her shallow breaths. Her long eyelashes drooped, casting a small shadow. Even her sleeping face carried a trace of defenseless innocence.
Beside her hand lay an open book, half-read. The pages were still on the one she had been reading before falling asleep, her fingertips resting lightly on the corner of the paper, as if she had simply grown too tired and drifted off while reading.
Cangshu Bai's heart suddenly felt heavy with emotion. He silently approached her side and carefully slid the book out from under her hand, setting it aside.
Then, from his empty sleeve, black spiritual power materialized into the shape of an arm. He leaned down and gathered the girl who belonged solely to him into his embrace.
But even though he was being very careful, she still woke up when he lifted her and walked into the bedroom.
Mu Ran's eyes were heavy with sleep, and she was still a bit dazed. However, the moment the rough outline of the man appeared in her vision, she habitually broke into a smile.
"Jinzhi, you're back."
Cangshu Bai's heart softened intensely once again. Gently laying her down on the soft bed, he leaned over and kissed the corner of her lips, his voice husky.
"I told you to sleep first if you were tired. Why were you still waiting for me out there?"
Mu Ran said slowly, "I was just thinking that if I came home and saw someone waiting for me, I would be very happy. So, I thought Jinzhi would be happy too."
She reached out and cupped his gentle face. Her smile, blooming with curved eyes before she had even fully awakened from her sleep, was incredibly deeply moving.
"Jinzhi, I want to make you happy."
Cangshu Bai felt a lump in his throat, the blood in his veins running hot. "Ranran."
"Hmm?"
"Why don't you ask me what I went out to do?"
"I don't want to ask. When you want to tell me, I'll just listen."
Cangshu Bai looked at the person so close at hand, his eyes flickering. "The people outside all say I'm a murderous demon."
The next instant, he was pulled onto the bed by his wife's hands, lying down beside her.
She quickly snuggled into his arms, her cheek resting against his chest. Closing her eyes comfortably, she murmured drowsily, "Even if you are a murderous demon... you are still my husband."
Unable to hold on any longer, she drifted off to sleep.
Cangshu Bai kissed the top of her head and wrapped her tightly in his arms, whispering softly, "I am yours. I can only be yours."
In an unknown dark room, as a wisp of black mist returned, a person sitting quietly opened their eyes.
"You've stirred up trouble."
"Yes, it is a massive headache. But what does it matter even if I lose a thousand years of cultivation! I have discovered an absolutely flawless body. Once we possess him, we will never again have to suffer the injustices of time!"
"In your current state, how could you possibly fulfill your long-cherished wish?"
The voice could no longer suppress its excitement. "Look, this is a drop of blood I risked my life to steal."
A droplet of crimson blood hovered in mid-air, striking against the dim surroundings.
The voice within the black mist trembled as it spoke, "That man is far too powerful. He saw right through my disguise with a single glance. But it matters little that I failed to seize his body. I can use this drop of blood to cultivate a vessel that is just as magnificent."
The voice paused. As if catching the scent of a sweet fragrance, it took a deep, savoring breath.
"This drop of blood is truly invaluable."
