Early the next morning, Song Changsheng landed unsteadily beside a small stream. He had fled for his life all night, exhausting all the Spiritual Power in his body, and now he had to stop and recover.

Song Changsheng reached out and cupped some stream water to moisten his dry mouth. In his reflection, his face was exceptionally pale.

The final strike Liu Yunfeng had launched combined the power of all four of them. Fortunately, the [Profound Celestial Battle Armor] had acted as a barrier, blocking most of the damage and saving his life.

But that energy was bizarrely potent and was still rampaging through his body, refusing to subside. He had been forced to expend a massive amount of Spiritual Power to suppress it, and now that his reserves were empty, the energy was wreaking havoc inside him once more.

Song Changsheng found a smooth stone and sat down. He tore off his tattered green robe, revealing the battle-scarred [Profound Celestial Battle Armor] underneath. The pungent smell of blood made him frown.

’Man proposes, Heaven disposes. I never thought the Little Four Symbols Formation could hide such a deadly move. I was almost taken out by a cheap trick.’

Song Changsheng drew water from the stream and washed himself off. In an instant, the water around him turned crimson.

He seemed not to notice. After pulling on a fresh robe, he consumed a Pill and began to heal and restore his Spiritual Power. He knew the Lieyang Sect would not let him go. A vicious battle could break out at any moment, and he had to be ready for it.

’They’re down to three from four, so they can’t use the Little Four Symbols Formation anymore. That reduces the threat significantly. What worries me now is Song Xianyun’s situation. The Green Sky White Jade Pill determines the future of our family—we cannot afford to lose it!’

...

While Song Changsheng was healing, Liu Yunfeng issued a Warrant in the name of the Lieyang Sect, using their disciples and spies to spread it far and wide across Bian Province.

"Whoever can kill Song Changsheng will be rewarded with one hundred thousand Low-Grade Spirit Stones."

"For his live capture, the reward is a Spiritual Artifact!"

Many were tempted by the offer. After all, according to the Lieyang Sect, this Song Changsheng was only at the Mid-stage Foundation Establishment realm and was already severely injured.

Bian Province had no shortage of desperados, and overnight, Song Changsheng’s head became the most sought-after prize.

Some, however, were more clear-headed. Would someone with such a high bounty from the Lieyang Sect really be an easy target?

’Careful you don’t earn a reward you can’t live to spend.’

Nevertheless, plenty of people were tempted and joined the encirclement to hunt down Song Changsheng...

Song Changsheng, the target of the manhunt, was completely unaware of any of this. It took him a full four hours to finally purge the rampaging energy from his body.

Only then could he begin to truly recover. Fortunately, thanks to his relentless cultivation of the *Five Beasts Body Refining Technique*, his body was incredibly resilient, and his external wounds scabbed over quickly.

His internal injuries were the bigger problem. They wouldn’t heal overnight and required a long period of rest—time he simply did not have.

Suddenly, Song Changsheng’s brow furrowed. He sensed eyes watching him from the shadows. He didn’t need to guess; it had to be the Lieyang Sect’s spies.

This was how the Lieyang Sect had managed to track him all this time—through these specially trained spies. Though not powerful, they cultivated a superior Concealment Technique that allowed them to completely hide their auras.

They were the scattered "eyes" of the Lieyang Sect. ’If I want to escape with my life,’ he thought, ’I have to pluck out every last one of these "eyes"!’

SWISH!

With a flick of his finger, Song Changsheng sent a bolt of Spiritual Force shooting toward a distant bush. A muffled grunt sounded, and the watcher was dead.

But his position was now exposed. Song Changsheng had no choice but to relocate once more. This time, he didn’t use Object Flight; he would be far too conspicuous in the open sky.

He executed [Fleeting Shadows], crossing the stream and disappearing into a dense forest. As he traveled, he kept his Divine Sense fully extended, striking down any skulking figures he found without a second thought.

He surely killed some innocent people by mistake, but Song Changsheng could only offer them a silent apology.

’This world is just that cruel,’ he mused. ’Who told them to be in the wrong place at the wrong time? They can be more careful in their next life.’

His strategy proved highly effective. Over the next two days, he killed more than a dozen spies, and Liu Yunfeng and his pursuers never caught up.

Everything seemed to be heading in the right direction, until he met...

"Who are you?" Song Changsheng demanded, his brow furrowed as he stared at the androgynous figure who had suddenly appeared before him. They gave him a very strange, repulsive feeling.

With their pinky delicately extended, the person spoke in a high, thin voice, "You must be Song Changsheng?"

The newcomer had seen right through to his identity. Song Changsheng instantly realized they were here for him and snapped, "Who are you?"

"So it really is you. My name is Jiaonu, and I’ve accepted the Lieyang Sect’s bounty to claim your head. Of course, capturing you alive would be even better. I’d advise you to surrender without a fight. You’ll suffer less that way."

A bizarre smile spread across Jiaonu’s face as a small dagger materialized in each of their hands—hands more beautiful than any woman’s.

"A bounty?" Song Changsheng’s heart sank. ’I never thought I’d see the day I had a price on my head.’

He couldn’t help but sneer. "My head is right here. Come and take it if you’re good enough!"

Jiaonu gave a coquettish smile and chirped in their high-pitched voice, "In that case, this one won’t be polite!"