C17 Aying Was in Danger

Yang Xiu dismissed Aying. "Sect Master Lin, let's discuss the Five-ghost Moving Technique, shall we?"

At that moment, Yang Xiu's face bore a sly smile, sending shivers down Lin Zhengyang's spine as if he were narrowly surviving in a freezer with a ravenous beast lurking within, eyeing him hungrily.

"Sure! How would you like to proceed?" As soon as Lin Zhengyang spoke, he regretted it, realizing he had just handed over control of the conversation to Yang Xiu.

"It's quite straightforward. The Yin Meridian can regenerate, and the only thing from Mao Mountain that interests me is the Yin Meridian," Yang Xiu said, casually sipping his tea.

Lin Zhengyang had anticipated this, and although he was prepared to agree, he thought it best to clarify the terms beforehand. After all, if the Yin Meridian was depleted, what use would even the most potent Ghost Controlling Arts be?

"How much of the Yin Meridian do you want? We are making an exchange, after all, and I can't allow you to deplete it entirely. I'm sure I don't need to lecture you on the consequences of overfishing," Lin Zhengyang said.

Yang Xiu offered a reassuring smile. "Rest assured, I'm well aware of the limits. I won't put you in a difficult position. I'm asking for seventy percent, but only over the next hundred years. And in return, I can only commit to teaching Aying for that same duration."

Yang Xiu was in a precarious position, having offended a Deacon of the Three-essence Sect. A hasty return would surely spell trouble, and he knew he needed to focus on strengthening his own power in the coming century.

A look of consternation crossed Lin Zhengyang's face.

"Seventy percent is rather challenging. How about we settle on fifty percent?" Lin Zhengyang was inwardly anguished, but the thought of acquiring the Five-ghost Moving Technique brought him solace.

Indeed, such Ghost Controlling Arts were rare and invaluable. For Lin Zhengyang, anything was acceptable as long as the Yin Meridian remained intact.

Inside, Yang Xiu was elated. Even securing thirty percent would have been a triumph, and he hadn't anticipated the Five-ghost Moving Technique to be such a powerful bargaining chip.

After feigning contemplation, Yang Xiu finally nodded, meeting Lin Zhengyang's hopeful gaze.

"Alright, but Mao Mountain must ensure my safety for the next century," Yang Xiu declared, his shrewdness evident. Should the Three-essence Sect dare to challenge him, he could handle them with his current power, but it would slow his progress considerably.

And that was something Yang Xiu could never accept.

Lin Zhengyang agreed immediately, without a second thought. Even if Yang Xiu hadn't mentioned it, Mao Mountain would have done so regardless, as Yang Xiu was now his ace in the hole.

The sole ace up his sleeve against Lin Yi.

"Rest assured, as long as I live and lead Mao Mountain, no one will lay a finger on you."

With the agreement in place, Yang Xiu had no desire to further engage with Lin Zhengyang and promptly departed.

Meanwhile, Mao Mountain was in turmoil. Lin Yi had enough clout to vie for the title of Sect Master against Lin Zhengyang.

At that moment, Aying found herself encircled by several Outer Sect Disciples.

"Who is this beauty? So young and already so stunning. Imagine the fortune she'd bring if one could claim her!"

"Exactly. The boss has a point. Why not kidnap her and make her our young bride?"

"Ha! Indeed, a fine plan. As the top Outer Sect Disciple, it should be easy to take her as a bride. Let's bring her back."

The group of scrawny men eagerly closed in on Aying once more.

Their so-called boss, Wang Zhi, was the top disciple of the Outer Sect and a crony of Lin Yi. Despite his unappealing looks, his talent was undeniable, having secured his position as the foremost disciple in just three years.

Aying fought back desperately, but to no avail. She was powerless, her cultivation nonexistent, and the shock of such an encounter left her petrified.

Tears streaked Aying's face as she struggled futilely. Rough, dirty hands clamped over her mouth, silencing her cries.

In the shadows, Lin Yi observed the scene with a hand casually resting behind him and a vile smile playing on his lips.

"Perfect. Once I dispose of this girl, Lin Zhengyang's vulnerability will be firmly in my grasp."

Yang Xiu sat on his bed, releasing the Demon and observing it closely. It had grown significantly during this period. Once the Demon's power advanced another level, he could begin to work on his charm.

At that moment, Lin Zhengyang returned to his residence, only to find Aying missing. A sense of foreboding surged within him. After searching repeatedly to no avail, he couldn't find any sign of her.

In a panic, he bolted to Yang Xiu's place.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

The intense knocking interrupted Yang Xiu's training. Enraged, Yang Xiu had the Demon kick the door open.

Realizing he was the cause of the disturbance, Lin Zhengyang yelled out, "Is Aying here? Aying, come out!" He hoped that, despite Yang Xiu's potential annoyance, he would be considerate for Aying's sake.

Sensing something amiss, Yang Xiu appeared immediately. "What's happened to Aying?" he asked, his heart constricting at the thought of her being in trouble.

"Aying's missing. She's not with you, so Lin Yi must have taken her. We have to ensure her safety," Lin Zhengyang said, his eyes blazing with anger.

Yang Xiu looked at Lin Zhengyang's mix of rage and concern, feeling a whirlwind of emotions.

"I'll go look for her myself. Lin Yi's actions suggest he might be after you as well," he said.

With that, Yang Xiu dashed out like a streak of light.

Yang Xiu had only asked Aying to fetch some mundane items, and she should have been back by now. Yet, being new to the area, he was virtually unknown except by name.

This anonymity gave Yang Xiu the opportunity to uncover the truth. As he frantically searched, he overheard a conversation between some Outer Sect Disciples.

"That Aying is stunning! If the boss hadn't claimed her, I'd have tried to win her over myself," a scrawny man said with a lecherous grin.

"You're dreaming if you think that's all there is to it. Do you have any idea who's protecting that girl? It's the Sect Master himself. If Elder Lin Yi hadn't given the order in secret, do you really believe anyone would have the guts to do such a thing?" sneered the gaunt man, his face etched with disdain.

At these words, Yang Xiu's temper flared uncontrollably.

"Spit it out, where exactly is Aying?" he demanded. He couldn't quite understand why he was so livid; it was a raw, instinctive rage that surged powerfully within him.

In that instant, Yang Xiu's grip had tightened around the two men's throats.

The two Outer Sect Disciples were petrified, their faces turning a ghastly pale as they shakily began to speak.