97: Are you suggesting I steal Master Shen's junior sister's Bodhi Fruit?

Lu Ya snapped back to reality, his face instantly turning pale. He immediately stabilized himself and retreated violently, divine light dancing beneath his feet. He utilized the Nascent Soul Divine Ability, Seeking God Steps, with full power and no reservations, stepping out of the cave in the blink of an eye. Simultaneously, the Nether Divine Body was activated, maximizing his defense.

Why is he here?

Wait!

The bodhi mother tree!

Lu Ya instantly understood. The bodhi mother tree hadn't disappeared; it had been uprooted by Shen Nian! At this moment, his heart felt dead.

Imagine this: you happily go out and come back, eating bodhi fruit and singing songs, when suddenly Shen Nian arrives!

Whose psychological defenses wouldn't completely collapse?

However fast he was, he wasn't as fast as Shen Nian. Although both used Nascent Soul movement Divine Abilities, Shen Nian had not only cultivated his to Perfection but had surpassed this Realm. Although suppressed, his application of the Great Dao of Heaven and Earth was on a completely different level.

In the space of a breath, he had already caught up.

Seeing the figure wreathed in lightning beneath his feet moving even faster, Lu Ya anxiously shouted in his mind.

“Old Man Jiu You Senior... Old Man Jiu You Senior...”

However, there was no response.

“Sleep, if you fall asleep this time, you probably won't wake up...” Lu Ya showed a miserable smile, knowing that without Old Man Jiu You's help, how could he possibly be Shen Nian's opponent? He wouldn't even last a few rounds.

Alas~

He, who had planned to return to Eastern Profound after leaving the Relic to seek out the Shen Family Sequence to resist Shen Nian, instantly fell into despair.

The next second.

Lu Ya watched the White-robed Figure slowly walking toward him, his heart trembling, feeling as if every step was the countdown to his life.

“Damn it, I'll fight!”

“I'm going to die either way!” Lu Ya gritted his teeth, a ghostly light appearing in his eyes. A dense Nether Sword Intent permeated his body, and the ultimate Divine Ability he had learned, the Nine Nether Yellow Springs Sword Art, was already brewing within him.

Shen Nian stood in mid-air, stepping on streaks of lightning, looking at Lu Ya, who was clearly terrified, and couldn't help but say, "Don't get agitated, I..."

Only to hear.

A loud thud.

“Lord Shen, I beg you, I truly know I was wrong. You are magnanimous, can you please spare me...” Lu Ya knelt in mid-air, displaying a bitter smile. Facing Shen Nian, he ultimately chickened out.

The main reason was that the combat strength Shen Nian had previously displayed was simply too powerful. Whether it was Sword Dao, Physical Body, or Realm, he far surpassed Lu Ya. For him to attack would be no different from a mayfly shaking a tree, leading inevitably to death.

Furthermore, he still couldn't figure it out. He had only said a few harsh words in front of his Junior Sister and hadn't even made a move. It wasn't some deep-seated hatred!

Why was the other party relentlessly holding onto him!

It really shouldn't be this serious!

Shen Nian looked strangely at Lu Ya kneeling before him. Just moments ago, the man was prepared to fight for his life, yet in the blink of an eye, he was kneeling and begging for mercy. This speed of changing face left Shen Nian somewhat impressed.

However, for a Villain, this was quite normal.

“Get up. I wasn't originally here to kill you,” Shen Nian said slowly.

Shen Nian was just here to test if he could gain some preaching value.

After all, if he really wanted to kill him, Xia Youyue had to do it herself. Only then could he unlock the Daughter of Destiny achievement. He needed the Destined Villain to fulfill his role as a Stepping Stone... Otherwise, if things went as the System said, it would be difficult. If Lu Ya ran away upon seeing him and didn't dare to contend with Xia Youyue, it meant Xia Youyue's hatred for Lu Ya wasn't strong, and that wouldn't work.

Of course, there was another point: the System had already said that Lu Ya's Destiny was not exhausted and he was not meant to die yet, having over sixty years of lifespan remaining. If Shen Nian truly made a move, it would likely trigger something else, and Lu Ya would ultimately survive.

As soon as he said this, Lu Ya, who had been completely despairing, looked up, his eyes full of disbelief, and tentatively asked, "Lord Shen, really?"

It wasn't long ago that Shen Nian's punch nearly took his old life!

“Do I look like someone who speaks nonsense?” Shen Nian said softly.

Upon hearing this, a hint of joy appeared in Lu Ya's eyes. Just as he was about to bow deeply and thank Lord Shen for his grace, Shen Nian spoke again.

“However, you need to do me a favor...”

“Ah?” Lu Ya was stunned, his mind filled with confusion.

A favor?

You are the Young Clan Leader of the Shen Family, with such a powerful background, do you really need my help?

What can I help with?

However, after thinking it over, as long as Shen Nian didn't kill him, there was nothing he wouldn't do. He immediately said, "Lord Shen, please tell me. As long as Lu Ya can do it, I won't even frown!"

But upon hearing Shen Nian's subsequent words, Lu Ya's cerebellum instantly shriveled.

“Lord Shen, let me get this straight. You want me to steal your Junior Sister's bodhi fruit?”

You want me to rob your Junior Sister?

I didn't mishear, did I?

“You didn't mishear.”

“I want you to rob her right now. It would be best if you could completely enrage her. Act exactly as you did before; don't change anything because of me, understand?” Shen Nian said softly, wondering if the System would accept this.

As soon as these words were spoken, Lu Ya instantly fell into deep thought, looking utterly bewildered.

He didn't understand. What did this mean?

But when Shen Nian's unquestionable gaze swept over him, Lu Ya trembled all over and quickly cupped his hands, saying, "Alright!"

He then got up, and heard Shen Nian's voice transmit again.

“Go, northwest, proceed fifty li...”

“...” Although Lu Ya's brain was utterly confused, he still nodded and transformed into a streak of Flowing Light, flying off to follow.

A moment later.

Lu Ya appeared alone in an Ancient Forest about sixty li away from the bodhi mother tree cave, standing on the branch of an ancient tree, deep in thought.

What exactly was Shen Nian's goal?

Isn't that his Junior Sister?

Why would he want me to rob her?

Is he just after those few bodhi fruit?

Impossible!

If he were a Cultivator from Da Xia, he might be greedy, but as the Young Clan Leader of the Shen Family, what good things hasn't he seen? Would he care about this item?

“Heh heh, Little Lu, hurry up and get this done. If you make him happy, you can cling to the Young Clan Leader of the Shen Family, that Towering Thigh, and your future will be bright!” Old Man Jiu You's voice suddenly rang out in his mind.

Lu Ya was stunned and asked, "Didn't you fall asleep?"

"Shen Nian's appearance nearly scared you to death, causing your Divine Soul to fluctuate like that. How could that not wake this old man up?" Old Man Jiu You said grumpily.

“Then why didn't you speak when I called you just now?” Lu Ya asked angrily.

“What did you want this old man to say?”

“What use would it be for this old man to intervene again?”

“The result would still be the same—we simply can't defeat him. Didn't you see how his single sword strike nearly cracked this old man's Divine Soul before?” Old Man Jiu You retorted, though inwardly, he secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

Fortunately, Shen Nian didn't actually strike. Otherwise, he would have had to use the Blood Sacrifice to flee with Lu Ya. It wasn't out of kindness; it was just that if Lu Ya died, he would follow and suffer Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering—there was nothing he could do about it.

As for the side effects of this Demonic Path forbidden Divine Ability, the Returning Origin Blood Sacrifice, it requires the fresh blood of tens of thousands of living creatures to replenish. Although it would be troublesome to arrange in Eastern Profound, it was better than dying.

Hearing Old Man Jiu You's somewhat defeatist remarks, Lu Ya's mouth twitched slightly. Was this still the Old Man Jiu You who used to constantly claim he was invincible below the Dao Integration Realm?

After thinking about it, Lu Ya ultimately didn't dare to curse out loud. He thought for a moment and asked, "What did Old Man Jiu You Senior mean by what he just said?"

“Do you know the reason why Shen Nian wants me to do this?”

“Heh heh, it's about right.” Old Man Jiu You sneered and added, “Didn't you, kid, once harbor evil intentions toward a Mortal Woman? And when she refused to submit, didn't you kill her?”

As soon as he heard this, Lu Ya frowned slightly and asked, "Is there any connection between the two?"

The moment his voice fell, he thought of something and exclaimed in shock, "Does Shen Nian harbor this kind of intention toward his Junior Sister?"

His Junior Sister was indeed stunningly beautiful; even he had entertained thoughts about her, but there were many people around at the time, so he hadn't exposed his true nature.

“Exactly. This old man suspects that his Junior Sister refused his wishes, causing him to harbor hatred. Given Shen Nian's noble status, how could he personally make a move? Wouldn't that tarnish his reputation?”

“That's why he's having you do it, idiot!” Old Man Jiu You laughed, displaying an expression that suggested he had seen through everything long ago.

“So that's how it is!” Lu Ya suddenly realized, and it all made sense!

If that's the case, then Shen Nian and he are the same type of person!

That's right!

It should be so. Speaking of which, the two of them inherently share common ground, both coming from Eastern Profound and naturally caring nothing for the Ants of Da Xia. His previous attack must have been because my few words offended his dignity?

Thinking of this, Lu Ya couldn't help but feel a little excited, and he glanced at the White-robed Figure sitting cross-legged nearby with his eyes closed.

“Then I understand!”

“This must be executed perfectly!”

Soon.

A Black-robed Figure appeared here, looking vigilant. Every half li she walked, a green light would emit from her eyes, as if searching for something.

Soon, she found a Small Grass emitting Divine Light beneath an ancient tree.

“The harvest along the way, relying on the little green bottle, has far exceeded my expectations. It's almost time to go back...” Xia Youyue gripped the Small Grass in her hand, feeling a little excited. The little green bottle inside her body was like a Treasure-hunting Mouse, guiding her to many good things along the way.

Suddenly!

A voice rang out.

“Heh heh, what a coincidence, I didn't expect to run into you here...”

“Leave all your things behind and scram!”

Hearing the sneering voice, Xia Youyue looked up and saw Lu Ya walking out with a cold laugh.

“Lu Ya!”

Gravity instantly appeared in Xia Youyue's eyes as she coldly stared at the newcomer.

“What's wrong?”

“Do you want to fight me?”

“Are you, a piece of Trash, worthy?”

“Do you think you are your Senior Brother?”

“If it weren't for your Senior Brother, in my eyes, you are no different from an ant. Put the things down!”

Boom!

A Nascent Soul Aura instantly enveloped Xia Youyue, causing her face to turn slightly pale. She tightly gripped the Small Grass, remaining silent, but her Dark Eyes held anger and unwillingness. She wanted to call out to her Senior Brother, but the thought of constantly troubling him—how could she be so useless—made her forcefully suppress the urge.

The Long Spear in her hand manifested. Even facing a Nascent Soul with her Golden Core, she was fearless and absolutely refused to surrender!

But the next second, Xia Youyue was slightly stunned.

She saw Lu Ya looking terrified at the White-robed Figure in front of him, who was emitting Silver Divine Light. The figure immediately delivered a punch, knocking Lu Ya unconscious and sending his figure flying like a meteor hundreds of li away.

“Lord Shen, what are you doing???”

[Ding, the Daughter of Destiny Xia Youyue encountered a robbery by the Destined Villain Lu Ya. With the Host's help, the Daughter of Destiny successfully escaped the predicament. Reward: 100 preaching value.]

“Hmm, reasonable!”

Shen Nian thought to himself, then turned back to glance at Xia Youyue and said, "You continue. I'm going for a stroll..."

After speaking, Shen Nian's figure vanished from the spot.

“Senior Bro...” Xia Youyue looked at Shen Nian's disappearing back with a puzzled expression. Before she could even finish calling out, the other party had already vanished.

Inside the cave.

Slap!

A slap landed, waking Lu Ya up in pain.

“Hiss...” Lu Ya grimaced after feeling the sharp pain in his chest and face. He then looked fearfully at the White-robed Figure before him, revealing an aggrieved expression.

Wait, Lord Shen, what are you doing?

You were the one who told me to rob her!!

“Mhm, go rob her again later,” Shen Nian said softly.

“?????????????” Lu Ya.