Chapter 167: Even the Air Tastes Sweet!

Bashan Cangmang still made no move! He was no fool; although dragging Yang Fan over directly might have seemed crude and boorish, anyone who truly underestimated Bashan Cangmang would live to regret it bitterly!

They were all old fellows who had lived for hundreds of years, their eyebrows hollow with craftiness—who could fool whom?

Bashan Hua was still urging him from the side, while Bashan Cangmang hesitated, and Yang Fan stood nearby facing the wall!

At this point, his value had been exhausted, and whatever happened next had little to do with him!

Yang Fan was even wondering whether he should pretend to faint or fake a severe injury once Bashan Hua broke free.

After thinking about it for a moment, he decided fainting was better; a severe injury required self-inflicted wounds, which was far too bloody!

Seeing that Bashan Cangmang still refused to act, Bashan Hua grew anxious! He knew he had appeared a bit too eager just now, but anyone locked away for a century would probably look the same. Liberation was right before his eyes, yet the person meant to help him remained motionless—this torment was almost enough to drive Bashan Hua mad!

Composing himself, Bashan Hua continued to persuade Bashan Cangmang: "Cangmang, my boy, time is life! If you stay down here in the depths for too long, won't that black-hearted old ghost Bashan Mo start to suspect something? Since you've already decided to do this, don't let yourselves be held back by such hesitation. You haven't forgotten the lesson of a hundred years ago, have you? If we fail to overthrow Bashan Mo this time, once the external passage opens up completely, there truly will be no second chance. I know my eldest brother; his talent is formidable. With the accumulation of these past few centuries, once he touches the Dao, he will break through rapidly—there is no doubt about that.

"If we don't seize this opportunity now, there will be no next time. My lifespan is also coming to an end; relying solely on what years I have left, without a miracle, it is impossible for me to cultivate to the peak of the tenth rank. I pose no threat to your future; I only want Bashan Mo's dead body... Cangmang, boy, the future of the Bashan clan rests on your shoulders! How young you are, not even three hundred years old today! You have abundant time. Once you reach the tenth rank, you will still have five or six hundred years. In the near future, once you touch the external Dao, who knows? You might just be the next eleventh-rank of our Bashan clan!

"This old man can use my remaining life to help you, but you must also help me kill Bashan Mo! It is a fair trade, and now it is your turn to choose!"

Bashan Hua appealed to both emotion and reason, pleading with the wavering Bashan Cangmang!

In the corner of the passageway, Yang Fan glanced sideways, the corners of his mouth twitching. At this moment, he was pondering what posture to adopt when falling to the ground to make himself as comfortable as possible!

Having listened to Bashan Hua's words, Bashan Cangmang shifted his feet slightly. That single movement was like a sudden, unstoppable flash flood; within moments, Bashan Cangmang strode right up to Bashan Hua!

A decision had been made, so let's get it done. Dragging it out any longer would bring no good to anyone!

Bashan Hua was merely a flickering candle in the wind, with very little time left.

Just as he had said, even if he exerted every ounce of effort into cultivation, the day his lifespan expired would arrive before he ever reached the peak of the tenth rank! After all, given Bashan Hua's age, his vital blood would soon deplete, leaving him utterly incapable of cultivation!

"Elder Hua, tell me—what must this junior do to free you?" Bashan Cangmang stood before Bashan Hua and asked!

Bashan Hua extended his right hand directly and said, "Place your palm against mine, and then channel your internal energy and impact my palm!"

Bashan Cangmang took a deep breath, instantly gathering his entire aura, and followed Bashan Hua's instructions!

The moment Bashan Cangmang's energy began to circulate, Bashan Hua smiled!

"I am going out! I am free..." Bashan Hua's gentle smile slowly morphed into a wild laugh, his roar echoing out with manic glee!

Yang Fan, standing nearby like a useless prop, slumped limply to the ground! Yet his eyes remained fixed on Bashan Hua and Bashan Cangmang!

Whether it succeeded or not, everything that happened from this moment on had nothing to do with him! Who lived or died was entirely irrelevant!

...

Patriarch's Mansion

Upon hearing the report that Bashan Cangmang had brought Yang Fan into the depths, Bashan Mo's signature smiling face grew even more cheerful!

Then, Bashan Mo walked into his study!

On the study desk sat a crystal sphere!

Bashan Mo sat in his chair, staring intently at the sphere! Before long, cracks suddenly appeared on the sphere, which rapidly spread, and shortly after, the sphere shattered.

Looking at the broken sphere, Bashan Mo chuckled and said, "Did you really think you could turn the tables? Little Hua, I gave you a chance, but you didn't cherish it. And those four little whelps—I originally planned to wait until I entered the eleventh rank to deal with you, but since you are courting death, don't blame this old man!"

As his voice fell, Bashan Mo vanished from the chair! A massive hole suddenly appeared in the ceiling!

Yet the various fragments falling from it floated suspended in the air!

Bashan Mo's figure pierced through the sky, transforming into a streak of escaping light that sped away into the distance!

Meanwhile, Bashan Gui, Bashan Hong, and Bashan Wujiang, who had been waiting around the perimeter of the Bashan clan territory, were overjoyed at the sight of the distant escaping light!

Even the meticulous Bashan Gui let out a long breath of relief as he watched Bashan Mo's light recede into the distance!

The fact that Bashan Mo could leave the clan territory meant he was entirely at ease regarding the clan—or rather, entirely confident in himself! Bashan Cangmang had taken Yang Fan into the treasury, yet Bashan Mo had ignored it completely. Did this not indicate that he harbored no suspicions?

Originally, Bashan Gui had harbored lingering doubts about the unanswered questions concerning Yang Fan, but as Bashan Mo departed, all those worries vanished like smoke!

Bashan Gui retrieved a small vial from his robe and poured out a pitch-black pill!

This was a tenth-rank Fate-Changing Pill—the finest medicinal pill for breaking through from the ninth rank to the tenth, and the one with the highest success rate. At this very moment, Bashan Gui could not tolerate the slightest mishap!

Breaking through to the tenth rank was imperative!

...

Deep Underground

Yang Fan lay on the ground, staring in shock at Bashan Cangmang and Bashan Hua, thinking to himself: "I told you so, I said there was something wrong. What is the meaning of this? This is nothing like what I imagined! What should I do? Keep pretending to faint? Right, I've fainted, I know nothing!"

The moment that thought crossed his mind, Yang Fan slammed his eyes shut, cut off his five senses, and directed a surge of energy to impact his own head—truly knocking himself out cold in an instant!

Bashan Hua, who was in the middle of accomplishing his grand enterprise, watched with his own eyes as Yang Fan knocked himself unconscious, the corners of his mouth curling upward slightly! At least the little wretch had some brains!

At this moment, Bashan Hua was in high spirits, about to shatter his seal and regain his freedom! The oppression of a century was finally leaving him behind!

Bashan Hua even felt that the air he was breathing now carried a hint of sweetness!

Sweetness?

Bashan Hua sniffed the air again, inhaling deeply. It was no illusion; it truly was sweet!

In a flash, the previously joyful Bashan Hua saw his expression alter drastically, a look of sheer terror reflecting in Bashan Cangmang's eyes!