Blood splattered out of the cavity, staining the grass ahead with red.
Even so, Jin Cunyue’s body was still twitching slightly, as if not completely dead.
Zhao Ya knew that this was because Jin Cunyue’s Martial Dao Realm was too high, and his body too formidable; thus, even without a head, the body struggled to die completely.
But this phenomenon lasted less than a minute before Jin Cunyue’s body became still, and the previously taut skin turned gaunt.
It was as if a fish thrown onto the shore, quickly losing its vitality.
Only then did Zhao Ya squat down to begin the much-anticipated corpse-searching.
This time, Zhao Ya searched thoroughly, expecting much.
Because this was Zhao Ya’s first encounter with an existence from the Meridian Opening Realm and he had no idea what treasures he might find.
If he could find the Concealing Breath Technique, that would be even better.
Zhao Ya was extremely envious of Jin Cunyue’s Concealing Breath Technique.
Soon.
Zhao Ya found many items on Jin Cunyue’s body.
A money bag, containing a few gold notes and some scattered silver taels that Zhao Ya casually tossed aside.
There were also common items for frequent travelers such as a fire lighter and some Insect-Repelling Powder.
Nothing extraordinary there.
But shortly, Zhao Ya found something hard on Jin Cunyue’s chest and abdomen.
Upon retrieving it, it was actually a small wooden box.
Zhao Ya immediately became interested.
If Jin Cunyue treated it with such regard, its contents must be valuable.
It might just be the Martial Dao Secret Manual he longed for.
Excited, Zhao Ya placed the box by a large stone, found a long twig, and carefully opened the lid from behind the stone.
This wasn’t due to cowardice, but caution.
Being his first encounter with a Meridian Opening Realm from Beyond the World, who knew if there might be some strange tricks.
Sure enough.
As the lid opened, dozens of steel needles shot out, scattering in all directions.
Ding ding ding!
After a series of small sounds, some needles embedded into the stone, creating sparks.
After confirming no more anomalies, Zhao Ya exhaled a long sigh.
Goodness!
If not for his caution, those steel needles would have caught him off guard.
Though it wouldn’t cause injury, fluster would be unavoidable.
This showed how much Jin Cunyue valued this wooden box.
Zhao Ya stepped forward, bent down, and saw a small booklet inside the wooden box.
After examining it, Zhao Ya found this little booklet was made of a material he couldn’t identify. Though resembling paper, it was resistant to rain.
Upon opening it, the contents were densely packed, recording many items.
As he carefully read through, Zhao Ya’s face lit up with delight.
This little booklet wasn’t any Martial Dao Secret Manual but was more valuable to Zhao Ya than any Secret Manual.
Because it was Jin Cunyue’s journal.
It recorded not only his years of cultivation insights and personal musings but also much about the Martial Dao, especially knowledge on the Meridian Opening Realm.
This knowledge might not mean much to disciples of major sects, but to Zhao Ya, who was ignorant of such matters, it was invaluable.
Just for this, it was worth the entire price.
Zhao Ya carefully secured the booklet and looked down at Jin Cunyue’s body lying in the rain.
"Thank you!"
Then, Zhao Ya turned and left.
The snakes, insects, and beasts hidden in the mountains would soon devour Jin Cunyue’s body.
Then, no one would know that a formidable Meridian Opening Realm master once died silently in this unremarkable forest.
The rain eased a bit.
Zhao Ya roughly identified the direction, then rushed towards Yan Capital City.
The recent pursuit with Jin Cunyue led him over thirty miles away.
Only Zhao Ya could manage this; anyone else would easily get lost in the rainy night’s forest.
Soon, Zhao Ya returned to the Capital City. Arriving at Guangde Square’s Xiaojing Alley, the Four Seas Gang’s members were long gone.
Only Wang Tiancheng and Xu Niannian sat waiting in the doorway.
Upon seeing Zhao Ya return safely, both stood up.
"How did it go?" Wang Tiancheng asked first.
Zhao Ya shook his head slightly, "Though I severely injured him, he still managed to escape."
Zhao Ya had devised this story on his way back.
It wasn’t about distrusting Wang Tiancheng and Xu Niannian.
In truth, after this incident, Zhao Ya was very grateful for their righteous actions and their fearless defense of his family, even against a Meridian Opening Realm master.
But this matter was too significant.
He had just recently advanced to the Fifth Realm, while his opponent came from Beyond the World’s Meridian Opening Realm.
The gap between them was a whole realm.
So if others knew he not only defeated but killed Jin Cunyue, it would certainly cause a great uproar.
Although Zhao Ya no longer needed to be as overly cautious or deliberately low-key as when he first started cultivating, to avoid attracting envy.
Covering up this matter was still best to avoid unnecessary trouble.
Nonetheless, Zhao Ya underestimated the impact of this event.
Upon hearing Zhao Ya’s pursuit and injuring of Jin Cunyue, both Wang Tiancheng and Xu Niannian displayed shock.