Refining the Mountains and Rivers

Stone Pagoda coughed once, twice, and a third time.

Finally, he reluctantly woke Qin Yu, who was blissfully enjoying the destroyed spirits.

"Master, although I know that I will probably annoy you by interrupting you now, you should probably give a signal before Close Saint runs off in fear."

Qin Yu felt slightly embarrassed. He had always asked himself what an actor's basic foundation was.

Stone Pagoda actually had to remind him this time. Alas, people could not be too arrogant and must always be cautious and humble.

He thought about how Soft Peach saw through him and became more resolute.

Close Saint seemed like someone who would set himself on fire just to keep the people around him warm. Qin Yu had always liked being friends with someone like this; he could not scare Close Saint away.

Very soon, Close Saint, who had been anxiously doubting his own abilities, finally let out a long breath.

I knew it. I just knew it!

As an elder of the Ghost Path, my abilities are incisive and effective. Virtuous Nine probably had some abilities to allow him to endure for a period. Hehe, now that he has killed so many ghost puppets, he was probably reaching his limit.

Suffer and wail!

Now, you will feel what it is like to anger an elder of the Ghost Path and understand how foolish you were.

That's right. Close Saint was extremely annoyed now. His annoyance soon shifted to embarrassment - he had almost, almost, been shocked by Virtuous Nine. He had even started to doubt his own Ghost Path abilities.

Disgrace! Humiliation!

This kind of humiliation could only be eased by his opponent's fresh blood and wails of suffering.

Boom -

More ghost puppets shot out from the door in space, covering Qin Yu completely.

……

Li Quanji finally saw hope. Virtuous Nine could not endure much longer. Close Saint would help him very soon.

Thankfully, he was sufficiently determined and strong internally, to be able to endure the fear and pain.

Endure a bit more, just a little longer. Once Close Saint helped him, he would be able to overcome this.

Then, it was a long wait.

Virtuous Nine's aura grew weaker.

And weaker.

And even weaker.

At the end, it was like a candle that had burned down to the end and was getting blown in all directions.

But even though wind blew from all directions, Virtuous Nine's aura did not extinguish. Li Quanji gritted his teeth and cursed - are you a tilting doll?

He could not hold on any longer. If he did not escape soon, he might even lose the chance to use his last card.

Curse you Virtuous Nine. Hurry and die! Useless Close Saint. He already has one foot in the grave, can't you just end him?

Bastard, what are you waiting for!

…….

Close Saint was not waiting for anything. Right now, he was also stunned. Virtuous Nine's aura was now so weak it could be blown out with a single breath.

However, even in this state, he had destroyed a few thousand more puppets. Yet, he was still not dead. How long was he going to hold on for? This guy must have been a cockroach in his past life…

Previously, Close Saint was still extremely proud about how many ghost puppets he had. And it was the truth. However, no matter how endowed one was, no one could resist against such a fast rate of depletion.

Qin Yu had already destroyed so many of his ghost puppets that Close Saint had lost count. The spirit destructive power released within him along with all the negativity should be enough to have killed even a peak True Saint's spirit several times over.

But Virtuous Nine was still alive. Although he was struggling and seemed to not be able to hold on any longer…now, Close Saint was stuck.

It looked as if he was about to defeat Qin Yu so he was not willing to give up now. However, if he continued this, with how tenacious Qin Yu was, he did not know how many more ghost puppets he was going to lose.

More importantly, Close Saint's initially endless ghost puppets were reaching the end. If in the end he depleted all his ghost puppets but was still not able to kill Virtuous Nine…sss~ He could not accept this no matter what!

Amidst the violent darkness, Li Quanji cried out, "Close Saint. He is about to die. You just have to give it one last push!"

Bastard. Hurry and do something. I cannot hold on any longer.

Ahh!

Li Quanji wailed. He had suffered a few harsh cuts in order to say this.

As the pain reached his conscience, his conscience faded and almost did not return…if this continued on, he would really die.

"Close Saint!"

Struggling, Li Quanji shouted out once more.

Close Saint gritted his teeth as he stepped forward, "Go, kill him for me!"

Boom -

The air shook as the shapeless door opened outwards. Even more ghost puppets flooded out violently like a river. Under Close Saint's intimidation, they surged into Qin Yu's body in a blink of an eye.

Concentrating the remainder of his energy to complete the task with one final attack…it was his last fight!

Close Saint's body grew stiff as he stared at Qin Yu. It had to succeed!

Buzz -

Finally, under his anxious, desperate and vacant gaze, Qin Yu's weak aura shook a few times before disappearing.

He was dead!

Hahahaha, I finally killed him!

At this moment, Close Saint's pale face flushed as he coughed violently. He brandished his fists.

Alas, perseverance led to success. Today, I have the last laugh.

I used up all my ghost puppets but it is okay…fine, maybe it did hurt.

Ever since he stepped into the Ghost Path, these were something that he had cultivated and collected over many years. They were all gone and this reduced Close Saint's total power by at least one third.

But it was okay - only when he put in effort would he have rewards. Virtuous Nine was able to destroy all the ghost puppets and Close Saint believed that whatever Virtuous Nine had would be good.

Moreover, he would get a spirit that was as strong as a peak True Saint as consolation!

Licking the corner of his lips, he was extremely excited. With a single step, Close Saint appeared beside Qin Yu. Without any hesitation, his hands, which were now only bones, reached out for Qin Yu's head.

At this moment, Close Saint's eyes were lit up in anticipation. He was like a farmer reaping his harvest after working for an entire year.

However, he never expected that after all he gave out, what he would get back in return was a cold, cruel punch.

Close Saint was stunned. His first reaction was that it was impossible. His next reaction…there was no next reaction. Because before he could think of anything, the punch had hit him.

Wham!

The low and loud sound felt as if a stone hammer that was as big as a mountain hit a chest. Just listening to the sound was enough to imagine how sore it might have been.

A mouthful of blood flew out as his vision turned black. Close Saint felt like a dirty cloth that was thrown backwards.

After living for so many years, his heart was extremely strong and he had gone through numerous events and experienced sorrow and joy. Before Close Saint hit the ground, he regained his consciousness.

He had been tricked!

It was obvious that Virtuous Nine was completely fine. The weakness that he had witnessed was just a brilliant act to lure him to continue releasing his ghost puppets.

If he continued to think from this perspective, it was easy to work out that those ghost puppets that had been destroyed were actually 'eaten' by Qin Yu.

Pfft -

Spitting out another mouthful of blood, Close Saint stared at Qin Yu with vengeance.

This had nothing to do with shrewdness or a strong will. The collection that he had accumulated over his entire life had been tricked out of his hands so miserably and swallowed in one gulp. No one would be able to stand it. Close Saint's reaction of spitting out blood could be considered a mild one.

Qin Yu withdrew his fist as he widened his eyes. He put his hands together, "Thank you Close Saint. I will accept your ghost puppets."

To die from excessive anger. This phrase must refer to something like this moment.

Close Saint's lips trembled, his hands trembled, his entire body trembled. He imprinted Qin Yu's face into his memory.

If Close Saint were to find out that this face he was looking at right now was fake too, he would continue to throw up blood!

"Good, very good! After so many years, this is the first time I have taken such a big loss!" He breathed in deeply as his voice filled with menace, "Virtuous Nine…regardless of whether this name is real, I will remember your face and your name. I swear to kill you with the most brutal and vicious method of the Ghost path!"

Woosh -

He turned to leave. In this moment, Close Saint showed the unwavering murderous intent of the ancient Saints. Being able to turn and leave after losing so much was something not everyone could do.

Qin Yu's eyes lit up. He understood what it meant to get rid of the roots along with the plant. No one wanted to be remembered by someone as horrifying as an ancient Saint like Close Saint.

To hit a person when he is down!

Now, Close Saint was at his weakest state. He could not let him leave so easily.

Saying anything was a waste of time. So, without speaking further, Qin Yu flew out to chase after him.

In the darkness, Li Quanji's vengeful spirit was in extreme despair.

He realized that what he had hoped for and persevered for was meaningless.

Virtuous Nine…this person was too scary! He had plotted against Close Saint to the point that Close Saint was only left with storage. He was in trouble as well.

If he had pulled out his last card earlier, it would have been a huge price to pay but it would still be better than now.

Remorse filled him once again, one hundred times stronger than earlier. But remorse had no impact on the situation.

"Ah!"

With a shriek, Li Quanji's body exploded. A small section of the darkness tore open and a black and red blood mist flew out.

Woosh -

It moved so quickly and disappeared in a blink of an eye!