The next morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves, casting a slight warmth on the two of them. Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue packed their bags and set off on the road back to the mountain. However, as they got closer to the location of the Crane Immortal, their unease grew stronger. Those pairs of eyes seemed to follow them like shadows, creating an inexplicable sense of oppression. "Do you feel like we're being watched?" Lin Yue asked in a low voice, her eyes vigilantly scanning the surroundings. Shen Jingqi nodded, his brow furrowed: "I feel it too. Who are these people? Why are they watching us?" Newest update provıded by 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⟡𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⟡𝓷𝓮𝓽 The two quickened their pace, eager to reach the Crane Immortal and seek refuge. However, when they finally arrived at the foot of the Immortal Mountain where the Crane Immortal resided, they found it lifeless, as if devoid of any sign of life. "Where is the Crane Immortal? I hope nothing has happened to him?" Lin Yue asked worriedly. Shen Jingqi also felt a tightening in his heart. He looked around, trying to find the Crane Immortal's trace. Just then, a breeze blew by, bringing a familiar scent. "It's the Crane Immortal's aura!" Shen Jingqi exclaimed in delight and followed the direction of the scent. Lin Yue followed closely behind. The two passed through a dense forest and finally arrived at a hidden cave. The entrance was shrouded in a light mist, as if concealing a secret. "Crane Immortal, are you in there?" Shen Jingqi shouted loudly, his voice echoing in the cave. However, only silence replied to them. The two exchanged a glance, both filled with doubt. Could something have really happened to the Crane Immortal? Just as they hesitated about entering the cave, suddenly, a deep laugh echoed from within, carrying a hint of mockery: "You've finally arrived, I've waited a long time for you." Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue felt a twinge of alarm in their hearts, gripping their weapons tightly as they cautiously entered the cave. The dim light inside just barely illuminated the path ahead. As they ventured further, they finally saw the figure of the Crane Immortal. He sat cross-legged on a massive stone, eyes closed, as if in meditation. However, his aura was starkly different from before, with a chill and eeriness. "Crane Immortal, what's happened to you?" Shen Jingqi cautiously asked, feeling a foreboding dread building within him. The Crane Immortal slowly opened his eyes, a red light flickering within them, as a cold smile curled on his lips: "What happened to me? Heh, I just obtained what I desired." As he spoke, he lifted his hand, revealing a pearl radiating a ghostly light in his palm, the Chaos Spirit Pearl! "You... you stole the Chaos Spirit Pearl!" Lin Yue exclaimed in fury, her eyes burning with anger. The Crane Immortal chuckled coldly, standing up and inching toward them: "Stole? This Chaos Spirit Pearl is an ownerless item; it belongs to whoever is capable of possessing it. You two are too weak, unworthy of having it." Despair filled the hearts of Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue. They never expected the Crane Immortal to betray them and seize the Chaos Spirit Pearl. "Why would you do this? Aren't we allies?" Shen Jingqi shouted, his voice trembling slightly. The Crane Immortal stopped, coldly watching them: "Allies? In this world of the strong devouring the weak, is there such a thing as true allies? I merely used you to locate the Chaos Spirit Pearl." As he spoke, he suddenly unleashed an attack, sending a fierce gust towards them. Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue hastily dodged, but the Crane Immortal's prowess far surpassed theirs, soon putting them in peril. "What do we do? We're no match for him!" Lin Yue cried out anxiously. Shen Jingqi gritted his teeth, a look of determination flashing in his eyes: "We can't give up! Even if we die, we must take him down with us!" With that, he gathered all the Power of Chaos within him and launched a final attack on the Crane Immortal. Lin Yue followed suit, executing her strongest Chaos Swordsmanship. Yet, their attacks seemed insignificant before the Crane Immortal. With a gentle wave of his hand, he dissipated their assaults effortlessly. "With such little skill, you dare to act recklessly before me?" the Crane Immortal sneered, a trace of disdain in his eyes. Just then, a light suddenly shot in from outside the cave, illuminating the entire cavern. A familiar figure appeared at the cave entrance; it was the White-clothed Immortal! "Crane Immortal, you've truly chosen this path," the White-clothed Immortal said slowly, his voice tinged with disappointment. Upon seeing the White-clothed Immortal, the Crane Immortal's expression subtly changed: "It's you? How are you here?" The White-clothed Immortal did not answer his question but turned to Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue: "Are you two alright?" The pair shook their heads, gratitude filling their eyes: "Elder, we're fine. Thanks to your timely arrival." The White-clothed Immortal nodded, then faced the Crane Immortal: "Crane Immortal, in your pursuit of power, you allied with the Demon Path to steal the Chaos Spirit Pearl. Do you realize, this Chaos Spirit Pearl is a treasure of the universe, and in the hands of the Demon Path, it could cause a catastrophe." The Crane Immortal chuckled coldly: "A catastrophe? So what? As long as I gain sufficient power, even if the world falls into chaos, it has nothing to do with me." The White-clothed Immortal sighed: "You've been blinded by power and lost your true self. Today, I shall restore you to the right path." With those words, he moved towards the Crane Immortal to attack. Unwilling to yield, the Crane Immortal fought back, and the two clashed fiercely. Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue stood by, watching the thrilling battle unfold, their hearts filled with awe. The battle raged on for a long time. Ultimately, the White-clothed Immortal, with his profound cultivation and firm resolve, subdued the Crane Immortal. "Crane Immortal, do you acknowledge your wrongdoing?" the White-clothed Immortal asked coldly. The Crane Immortal lay on the ground, despair filling his eyes: "I... I was wrong." The White-clothed Immortal sighed: "Realizing your mistakes is the greatest virtue. Yet, the crimes you committed must be punished. From today, you shall return with me to the Immortal Mountain and reflect in solitude." As he finished, he waved his hand, a light enveloping the Crane Immortal and taking his figure away. In an instant, the Crane Immortal transformed into an Immortal Crane, spreading his wings. "Elder, thank you for saving us." Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue stepped forward to show their gratitude. The White-clothed Immortal gave a slight smile: "You're welcome. Reaching this point was no easy feat for both of you." As he spoke, his form gradually faded, as if merging into the night. Shen Jingqi and Lin Yue hurried forward to retain him but only caught a wisp of the breeze. "Elder, will we meet again?" Lin Yue called out, her voice echoing in the cave. "Fate will bring us together again." The White-clothed Immortal's voice drifted from afar, gradually fading away.