Buzz~~!
Suddenly, a soft hum resonated through the heavens and earth.
In an instant, all colors drained from the world, transforming it into stark black and white.
Everything froze in place.
The falling leaves, the monks about to make their move—everything became still, forming a black-and-white tableau.
It was as if time and space in this area had been sealed off entirely.
Only Zhang Xiaoyu, under deliberate protection, was unaffected.
From the heavens, a figure descended—a man with a tall and upright posture, breathtakingly handsome, exuding an ethereal and unrestrained aura.
He held a long sword in his hand, slowly landing on the ground.
At the moment his feet touched the earth, colors returned to the world.
Thud, thud, thud...
In the mountains, the monks collapsed one by one.
Now, their bodies were withered, faces aged beyond recognition, and their vitality completely drained.
Zhang Xiaoyu was stunned, her expression filled with shock and fear.
What kind of technique is this?
To drain the colors from the world, freeze time and space, and kill so many people in an instant?
Terrifying!
When she saw who it was, her face shifted before breaking into a delighted laugh.
"Hahaha, Ye Xuzhang!"
She threw herself into his arms.
"I should have guessed! A technique capable of draining the colors from the world—it had to be you!"
Ye Xuzhang smiled faintly. "What happened just now? Why were those monks trying to kill you?"
Zhang Xiaoyu huffed. "Those shameless bald donkeys were coveting the seventh-grade spiritual herb I was holding. They had the nerve to claim it was 'destined' for them.
Despicable!"
"By the way, Ye Xuzhang, what was that move just now? It was so stylish, so amazing!"
Ye Xuzhang's eyes lit up. "A seventh-grade spiritual herb?"
In an instant, Zhang Xiaoyu's face turned pale. She jumped away from him and stammered, "Th-this herb was so hard to get! Don't even think about taking it from me!"
Ye Xuzhang's figure blurred as he appeared in front of her, snatching the box from her hands.
"Consider this repayment for saving your life," he said nonchalantly.
"Hey, Ye Xuzhang! You're going too far!"
"Over the line?" Ye Xuzhang smirked.
"Good. That's exactly what I was going for."
"Give it back!"
Zhang Xiaoyu lunged at him, flailing, but her efforts were futile.
With a casual wave of his hand, Ye Xuzhang sent her sprawling backward. After several attempts, she finally gave up.
"Fine, fine. It's just a seventh-grade spiritual herb. Take it, you jerk!"
This clever girl knew when to cut her losses. Realizing the herb was already out of her hands, she decided to stop fighting for it.
"Now you're being sensible."
Ye Xuzhang put the herb away without hesitation. "What are you doing in Nanhua State?"
"Just passing through. And you?"
"Heading to Qilin State on business."
Zhang Xiaoyu's eyes lit up. "Really? Perfect! Let's travel together!"
Ye Xuzhang thought for a moment. "Alright."
Shortly after the two left, another group of monks arrived at the mountain scene.
Seeing the corpses on the ground, the monks' faces were filled with fear.
"What kind of martial technique could drain the vitality from Master Zhenyuan and the others, leaving them aged and lifeless?"
One monk murmured a Buddhist chant, "Amitabha... A grave sin, a grave sin..."
"Buddhist disciples, who cultivate compassion, slaughtered so mercilessly—surely the perpetrator is an irredeemable fiend!"
Another monk growled, "No matter who they are, daring to kill disciples of the Buddhist Sect—I will ensure they are cast into the Avici Hell, never to be reborn!"
The monks gathered the bodies to prepare them for cremation.
Meanwhile, Ye Xuzhang and Zhang Xiaoyu had entered a nearby city and were dining in a local inn.
The two ordered a variety of dishes and a jug of wine, enjoying themselves at the table.
"What are you going to Qilin State for?" Ye Xuzhang asked.
"To find a treasure," Zhang Xiaoyu replied without looking up, focused on her food.
"Oh?" Ye Xuzhang's interest was piqued. "What treasure?"
"You've seen it before."
"The Heavenly Book Fragment Box?"
"Exactly! I already have one. If I can gather all seven, I'll strike it rich!"
The secret of the Heavenly Book was even more significant than that of the Yin-Yang Register.
However, the Heavenly Book Fragment Boxes ranked below the Yin-Yang Register because, without all seven pieces, the mysteries of the Heavenly Book couldn't be unlocked.
A single fragment box was practically useless.
Ye Xuzhang suddenly thought of something. "Do your family members know you've snuck out again?"
Zhang Xiaoyu shook her head. "Nope. I slipped away without telling them."
Ha! Just as I thought.
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]