Chapter 119: 4) The Hidden realm

Bai Lung's keen senses were on high alert as he silently followed the path through the inky darkness of the ancient tomb, all his bet was in this path.

His eyes strained to make out any details, but the supernatural gloom that permeated the air seemed to smother even the faintest glimmer of light.

Beside him, Xiao Ling'r walked with measured steps, her breathing calm and controlled, yet, Bai Lung could feel the subtle hum of her power, a testament to the strength she concealed beneath her demure exterior.

She was a beauty with a brain, she was already prepared in case some danger occurred, be it fighting or evading.

As they proceeded deeper, an ominous sensation crept up Bai Lung's spine.

Swoosh~

The air grew thick and heavy, as if the very atmosphere itself sought to impede their progress.

He cursed the heavens under his breath.

Suddenly, a faint sound reached his ears - a distant rumbling, like the shifting of ancient stones.

Bai Lung raised a hand, signaling the others to halt.

"Quiet," he commanded, his voice low and sharp. "Something is approaching,"

The disciples fell silent, their footsteps stilling as they strained to hear the ominous sound.

Bai Lung's eyes narrowed, his mind racing to anticipate the nature of the threat that lurked in the darkness, since everyone had their cultivation lowered it was clear most were going to die.

He pulled the saintess closer, grabbing her by her hip.

"Ah, Y-Young Master," she spoke softly in a whisper as she was taken back.

"Shush! Something powerful is approaching, let's run," Saying that, he snapped his finger, instantly erasing their presence.

Meanwhile,

[ Ding! The system recommends Host to hide and devour the origin of a few powerful and talented individuals... If the Host becomes weak, the time required to gather the energy back is tripled here, ]

Obviously, Bai Lung had no such idea as going and fighting someone else and depleting his Qi pool.

His goal was to avoid the fight and silently secure a finishing kill.

His eyes looked at the Saintess in front with menacing eyes, the darkness was strong so, he couldn't fully see her but a thought was in his mind.

Saintess herself was a gifted individual as a female lead, she possesses strong cultivation talent but it can only flourish once she reaches the upper realm... Thus, Bai Lung thought of devouring her origin which might help him in the long run.

The Dark aura gathered around his fist that was on her hip.

The next moment, Bai Lung's grip on Xiao Ling'r's hip tightened subtly pulling her even closer, her feminine scent hitting his senses.

The saintess tensed slightly, sensing the shift in his demeanor, but she remained pliant under his touch.

"Saintess..." Bai Lung uttered, his voice laced with a dangerous undercurrent. "You have been a good and somewhat valuable asset to me thus far. However, I find myself in a rather... precarious situation,"

His fingers traced the curve of her waist, eliciting a barely perceptible shiver from the saintess.

"The fate that awaits the others does not concern me. But you possess a power that I cannot afford to squander,"

Xiao Ling'r's breath hitched as Bai Lung's hand slid lower, his intent clear.

"Young Master, I... I do not understand. What are you—"

"Hush..." Bai Lung silenced her with a gentle finger upon her lips. "This is nothing personal, you understand. It is simply a matter of necessity,"

His hand shot out, gripping her throat with sudden, unyielding force. Xiao Ling'r's eyes widened in shock, her delicate fingers clawing at his arm as she struggled to breathe.

"Forgive me, Saintess... But the cow that gives its milk to the farmer its entire life is mercilessly slaughtered once it gets old and useless... Isn't it pretty great? The useless cow has other uses even after its death,"

"Bye! Bye!"