But she just couldn't place him. Moreover, the familiarity wasn't just a sense of recognition; it was a feeling. If she really had to analyze it... the feeling this Senior Di gave her was somewhat similar to that despicable woman
She and Zi Mo shared an inexplicable familiarity because
That Senior Di actually chuckled and replied: "It was I who saw you before, but you didn't see me."
Leng Shan grew even more confused and didn't dare to ask further.
"Alright, let's talk while we walk. This place is only eight hundred li from Battle City. We should arrive before nightfall!" The Di-surnamed expert waved his hand and took the lead.
The people from Ghost King Valley and the Precious Artifact Sect exchanged uncertain glances, their expressions hesitant.
That Wu Yan hesitated for a long while, then finally gritted his teeth and said, "Follow him."
This man was too powerful. Regardless of his reason for helping them out of the blue, if he truly had killing intent, with the means he had just displayed, he could slaughter everyone here in an instant.
Whether it was a blessing or a curse, it couldn't be avoided. It was better to go along with his wishes for now. The truth would become clear once they reached Battle City.
The group of over thirty followed him, every single one fearful and apprehensive.
After walking for a distance, the middle-aged man suddenly turned back and beckoned to Leng Shan: "Little girl, come here!"
Leng Shan responded and stepped forward. Shen Yi hurriedly warned her in a low voice: "Junior Sister, be careful!"
"Mm." Leng Shan, however, showed no signs of worry. She walked forward with perfect composure to stand beside the middle-aged man and walked alongside him. She asked respectfully: "What are your orders, Senior?"
"Heh heh." The middle-aged man glanced at her and instructed, "Relax."
Leng Shan didn't know what he was about to do, but suddenly saw him extend a large hand to grab her. She instinctively tried to resist, but her True Yuan hadn't even gathered before the middle-aged man withdrew his hand.
A piercing, ghostly wail rent the air. Leng Shan focused her gaze, her expression changing involuntarily.
She saw that the Ghost King Seal within her body had actually been grabbed out by the middle-aged man. The spectral Yin Soul was struggling and writhing in his hand, howling ceaselessly, yet unable to break free.
Ghost King Valley possessed a martial technique that everyone could practice: the Ghost King Seal.
Spiritual entities born in Ghost Birthing Grounds were subdued by Ghost King Valley disciples using a special method and refined into their bodies. They were constantly nourished by the disciple's essence, spirit, and vitality, growing alongside their host. In battle, they could be unleashed for a surprise attack.
It could be said that when Ghost King Valley disciples reached a high level, they were essentially fighting two-on-one against an opponent.
However, this younger generation, including Leng Shan, hadn't yet cultivated their Ghost King Seal to that extent, nor could they unleash its full power.
Never before had anyone forcibly extracted the Ghost King Seal's spiritual entity from a Ghost King Valley disciple's body. Yet this Di-surnamed expert had done exactly that.
Leng Shan hadn't even noticed it happening.
Just as she was about to question him, she saw the middle-aged man open his mouth and expel a puff of black mist, which struck the Ghost King Seal's entity.
The howling, struggling entity seemed to receive a tremendous nutritional boost. In an instant, it calmed down. Not only was its previous agitation gone, but it also seemed to revel in it, a look of immense satisfaction appearing on its distorted features.
Leng Shan was stunned. The words rising to her lips were swallowed back down.
"Here you go!" The middle-aged man smiled faintly and returned the Ghost King Seal entity, which was absorbed back into Leng Shan's body.
"Junior Sister!" Shen Yi, having witnessed the entire scene, rushed over, his expression fierce with righteous indignation as he protectively stood before Leng Shan, glaring at the middle-aged man.
"You've got some nerve!" The middle-aged man scoffed coldly.
Leng Shan hurriedly explained: "I'm fine, Senior Brother, you've misunderstood. This Senior just did me a great service!"
As she spoke, her expression was one of agitation, even excitement and joy.
"What do you mean?" Shen Yi asked, bewildered and suspicious.
"My Ghost King Seal... it has gone dormant," Leng Shan explained.
"What?!" Shen Yi's eyes nearly bulged from his head.
The Ghost King Seal entity grew alongside its host, much like a snake shedding its skin. Each time it dormant, upon awakening, its strength would increase dramatically.
Strictly speaking, the Ghost King Seal entity within Leng Shan had already evolved three times. The next evolution was supposed to occur when she advanced to the Shenyou Realm, at which point the entity's power would rival that of an ordinary Shenyou Realm expert.
But now, this evolution—which should have been at least another year or two away—had been forcibly accelerated.