Chapter 8 Senior won’t let anything happen to me - After I Left, I Became Their Obsession.

As Chen Li's words fell, a figure silently appeared in the tent. The newcomer had white hair and a kindly face, resembling an old farmer commonly seen in the fields. Ning Yanxi's eyes suddenly narrowed, "Yan Hongjiao?" Yan Hongjiao was one of the three great eighth-realm cultivators of the Xi Kingdom. He was not originally from Xi, but was revered in the kingdom, with a status so exalted that even the monarch showed him respect. Previously, Ning Yanxi had meticulously compiled all intelligence regarding Xi Kingdom and presented it to Chen Li, who now naturally recognized this person's identity. With a hint of playful curiosity, Chen Li turned to Ning Yanxi, "You're just letting an enemy nation's cultivator infiltrate the command tent and play a head-chopping game?" Ning Yanxi replied calmly, "It's merely luring the snake out of its hole, fishing out the deeply hidden insects." Within the military command structure, there were spies from Xi Kingdom whom Ning Yanxi had yet to catch. By intentionally creating a flaw, they aimed to coax these spies into acting of their own accord. Once they moved, Ning Yanxi was confident she could trace and uproot them completely. Only by thoroughly cleansing the camp could subsequent plans proceed without a hitch. "If this was intentional, then I assume you have a plan in place?" Chen Li arched his brows. "No," Ning Yanxi replied decisively. "Hmm?" Ning Yanxi looked directly at Chen Li, exuding an unusual calmness, "Because with you here, I believe you won't sit by and watch me get into trouble." Chen Li chuckled, though he had stated he wouldn't directly involve himself in the battle affairs. How could Ning Yanxi let a seemingly ninth-realm power go to waste? She was clearly betting that Chen Li wouldn't just stand by. Chen Li bore no resentment at this; in fact, he found it rather amusing. "Do you two take me for a clay figure?" Yan Hongjiao snorted and glanced at Chen Li. "I've heard you're Ning Yanxi's kept man, but I don't see it that way. It seems you're her ace." In his perception, Chen Li's aura was no different from that of a mortal, yet with his seasoned experience, Yan Hongjiao didn't dare to underestimate him. In fact, the more he looked, the more unfathomable Chen Li appeared. Chen Li smiled slightly, "I am but a doctor." "Oh? Would you diagnose this old man then?" There was a gleam in Yan Hongjiao's eyes. "The price for my services is not trivial," Chen Li hinted. "This old man believes he can afford it," Yan Hongjiao's voice deepened. "Then how about your dragon blood essence as the consultation fee?" Chen Li's tone was light. In an instant, murder clouded Yan Hongjiao's gaze, as sharp and cold as ice, yet he still restrained himself from acting. To have seen through his secret so easily, this person was unquestionably extraordinary, deepening Yan Hongjiao's apprehension. Chen Li remained composed, strolling to Ning Yanxi's side. Yan Hongjiao kept a keen eye on them, ready to act yet holding back. Ning Yanxi quietly remarked, "I've troubled you, senior." "Then why are we still here if you know it's troublesome?" Before Chen Li finished speaking, he already clasped Ning Yanxi's slender wrist. The next moment, both figures blurred like ink on paper, vanishing on the spot. "Damn it." Realizing he'd been outwitted, Yan Hongjiao cursed, his form moved like a specter as he darted out of the tent. In a mere blink, three streaks of light sped outside the city. Chen Li, while carrying another person, was somehow slightly faster. "What kind of escape technique is this?" Yan Hongjiao was startled, though his profound cultivation kept him from being left behind. Ning Yanxi glanced back at the persistent luminescence chasing them, then down at Chen Li's hand gripping her wrist, casually asking, "Senior, is Yan Hongjiao's true form a flood dragon?" "Indeed," Chen Li did not conceal, "and a fire dragon with no diluted bloodline. He has hidden his cultivation; his true realm has perfected the eighth realm. Most likely, he's in Burning Heaven Domain, seeking promotion to the ninth realm." "After all, only a monarch in Burning Heaven Domain could possess pure dragon energy, and what he's after is the dragon energy source within you." Chen Li paused, though he didn't mention that Ning Yanxi’s own dragon energy was so dense it was nearly terrifying, which had allowed her to resist prior corruption easily. However, perceiving the enormity of Ning Yanxi's dragon aura was beyond normal measure; others only sensed a common presence in her. Ning Yanxi pondered over these revelations. Sensing the aura clinging persistently behind them, Chen Li admitted it was rather troublesome. Ning Yanxi may think he was unwilling to act, but in fact, aside from several unique methods, it was genuinely difficult for him to kill an eighth-realm cultivator. But evading them was not a problem. "Stay with me!" Frustrated after a futile chase, Yan Hongjiao bellowed, pressing his hand into the air. Hum— Suddenly, the void trembled as countless razor-sharp white bone spikes sprang forth from all directions, weaving a cage of bones, sealing off any escape for Chen Li and Ning Yanxi. Chen Li halted instantly; these bones carried the original power of the flood dragon, solid as iron, not something to be broken easily. "Die!" With murder in his heart, Yan Hongjiao no longer held back, unleashing a deadly strike. The immense force surged like an angry tide, aiming to crush the duo to powder! Facing such a full-force strike from an eighth-realm cultivator, Ning Yanxi remained calm, her eyes resting on Chen Li. Chen Li exhaled softly, articulating four words: "Within reach, afar." Hum— A profound ripple echoed through space! Yan Hongjiao's face changed dramatically as he realized, despite his vigorous pursuit, the distance between him and the duo widened impossibly fast! In mere breaths, the two figures blurred, nearly vanishing at the horizon. Panic-stricken, he urged his powers for speed, yet found their silhouettes flickered, then vanished like bursting foam. "What...what kind of magic is this?!" Yan Hongjiao stood stiff in mid-air, staring at the sky in disbelief. ... Meanwhile, over a shadowy valley, two figures were hurled out by an unseen force, plummeting swiftly from the sky. Chen Li, prepared, steadied them just above the ground, his arms extending to catch Ning Yanxi as well. Instinctively, Ning Yanxi grabbed Chen Li's collar, then quickly released it, landing gracefully. She adjusted her slightly disheveled attire, her expression calm, "Senior, have we lost him?" "Yes." Chen Li nodded, "'He can't catch up. No need for concern." "What is this place?" "Almost forgot to mention," Chen Li glanced around at the lush valley, smiling, "This place can aid your cultivation."