Leaping into the Abyss

Yang Fan stood serenely before the two guards, a radiant and captivating smile adorning his face. Yet, to the two late-stage Qi Refining cultivators, he appeared as a waking nightmare, their bodies trembling involuntarily.

"Y-you... you truly are a Qi Refining cultivator in the early stage?" One of the guards stared at Yang Fan, a look of unwilling disbelief etched on his features. As he attempted to rise from the ground, he fell back with a resounding thud.

The two guards had been stripped of all strength and spiritual energy; even a mere mortal could easily dispatch them now.

"An early-stage Qi Refining cultivator?" Yang Fan shook his head slightly. "I am no longer that." In the span of just a day or two, he had ascended from the early to the mid-stage of Qi Refining.

"Senior, please spare us! Show us mercy!" They lay on the ground, despair etched on their faces, surrendering to Yang Fan. It dawned upon them that the man before them was undoubtedly a concealed master, his profound mana and extensive energy channels indicating he was at least a formidable cultivator in the Spirit Concentration stage or higher.

A complex interplay of regret, despair, and resignation washed over their faces.

Yang Fan regarded them with an odd expression, surprised that merely denying his early-stage status could provoke such a reaction, the fear and reverence in their eyes evident.

"Senior, please spare us! We will not dare to oppose you again..." 

"I'm sorry, but today, I cannot allow you to live." 

Yang Fan crouched down and methodically removed their storage bags, inspecting their spoils. 

"Two paupers, with just over thirty spirit stones." He tucked away the loot, a hint of disappointment flickering across his face. Besides the meager sum of spirit stones, there were a few magical artifacts, a handful of spirit pills, and some insignificant trifles. Yet, for cultivators in the Qi Refining stage, such assets were indeed rather ordinary.

"What is this?" Yang Fan inquired, holding up a colorful jade talisman. He had never encountered such a rune artifact; it might be something quite advanced.

"Hmph, if you're going to kill us, then just do it! You won't pry any information from our lips!" A flicker of strange emotion crossed the faces of the two blue-clad guards.

"Hehe, you think I can't find out without your help?" Yang Fan smiled lightly, gently tracing the intricate patterns on the jade talisman, feeling the exquisite formation and spiritual energy pulsating from it.

"Very well, if you two have no further value, I shall send you to the underworld." 

Extending a hand, he conjured a swirling flame, its roar filling the air, a wave of heat radiating outward.

"Wait! Senior!" One of the guards exclaimed, horror flashing across his face.

"Speak." Yang Fan replied nonchalantly, while his senses enveloped a radius of two hundred feet, ready to react to any disturbance.

"This talisman is called the 'Divine Message Talisman'; it is a large-scale communication device," the guard explained.

"Oh? The Divine Message Talisman?" Yang Fan had indeed heard of this tool, which was seldom used but highly valuable. It was generally employed for summoning aid and had broad applications during the battles of various sects.

"Senior, if you have any other inquiries, I am at your service," the guard offered obediently.

A glint of intrigue flashed in Yang Fan's eyes, yet his vigilance heightened, for he genuinely had questions he wished to pose to them.

"How did your young master come to know the Celestial Fairy Yun?" Yang Fan asked.

"It is as follows…" the guard began slowly. "I wonder if Senior has heard of the 'Kyoto Lin Clan'? This cultivation family has a close relationship with our Yang Clan…" 

"Of course, I know of the Kyoto Lin Clan. They are one of the four major cultivation families of Yuyang Kingdom. Spare me the unnecessary details; get to the point," Yang Fan urged, clutching the Divine Message Talisman, his mind stirring with unease.

"The Kyoto Lin Clan primarily engages in the medicinal herb trade in the mundane world, often gathering rare herbs and precious treasures. For centuries, they have been intricately linked with the mysterious hidden sect, 'Pharmaceutical Immortals Valley.' The current daughter of the Lin family, Lin Yu, is a registered disciple of 'Pharmaceutical Immortals Valley,' and has maintained a close relationship with Celestial Fairy Yun since childhood. The two powerful families have interwoven ties, and our young master from the Yang Clan is also acquainted with the Lin family's daughter. Through this connection, our young master met Celestial Fairy Yun…"

The guard recounted the details with care. Upon finishing, he asked, "Senior, do you have any more questions? We are open books regarding matters of our young master and the Kyoto Yang and Lin families."

Yang Fan's gaze was piercing, a hint of derision curling his lips. Clearly, these two were attempting to buy time.

Yet what good would a delay do? They were hundreds of miles away from the 'Xiuyu Pavilion'; who could come to their rescue? Even if someone were to discover their misfortune, how could they ascertain their location?

Yang Fan remained as calm as water, his mind racing with thoughts as he scrutinized the expressions of the two guards. Finally, in his omniscient state, he detected a faint, elusive wave emanating from the Divine Message Talisman in his hand. If he hadn't concentrated fully, even in his heightened state, he might have missed this subtle change.

"Hehe…" Yang Fan directed his gaze toward the Divine Message Talisman, his smile deepening.

The faces of the two blue-clad guards shifted drastically.

"So this is your final hope? With this talisman, your young master can ascertain your location," Yang Fan lifted the Divine Message Talisman slightly, watching their faces drain of color.

Yang Fan surmised that Yang Yu must possess a similar Divine Message Talisman. As the scion of the Kyoto Yang Clan, he would surely have some protective measures; otherwise, he might meet a tragic and unexplained end if faced with a formidable foe.

With a swift motion, Yang Fan produced his Fish Intestine Short Sword and cleanly severed the throats of the two guards. The sword, imbued with human craftsmanship, was bloodless and sharp beyond measure.

Following this, Yang Fan unleashed a pair of fireball techniques, igniting their corpses.

Sizzle~ The bodies began to burn, flames quickly engulfing them, creeping upwards toward their heads. 

Yet, in the instant of their souls departing this world, their corpses erupted, releasing a surge of azure light. A piercing, anguished wail resonated, accompanied by a ripple that echoed into the distance.

"Cursed be this trick!" Yang Fan's expression turned grave. Despite his utmost caution, this unexpected maneuver had taken him by surprise. 

To avert such a situation, one would require immense power and mana to obliterate both the bodies and souls of these two.

Currently, he remained a Qi Refining cultivator; even with some defenses in place, it would be challenging to prevent this occurrence.

"Now that these two are dead, they have surely relayed news to the Kyoto Yang Clan or Yang Yu… and I possess this Divine Message Talisman, making me a living target…" 

Regaining his composure, Yang Fan quickly devised a plan. 

"The Kyoto Yang Clan… In that case, I shall leave no room for doubt!" 

A fierce light flashed in Yang Fan's eyes as he resolutely crushed the Divine Message Talisman in his hand.

Instantly, a dazzling burst of light erupted from the talisman, waves of energy radiating outward in all directions, stirring the air for hundreds of miles.

"This Divine Message Talisman is formidable!" Yang Fan exclaimed, alarmed, before swiftly leaping away from the scene.

Before long, he found himself at the edge of a cliff, taking a bold leap into the swirling mists of the chasm below.

Could it be... he intended to seek his own end?