The thunderous, fury-filled roar rumbled through the sky above Tianbei City, causing the entire city to fall silent for a moment. Terrified gazes shot towards the direction of the sound. The roar, naturally, reached the Heavenly Stone Platform as well, eliciting gasps of surprise from the crowd. All eyes followed the direction of the sound, finally settling on the Hong Family’s territory.
“Surprisingly, it’s Hong Tianxiao. I didn’t expect him to be summoned this time!”
“Xiao Yan is in real trouble now. It’s said that Hong Tianxiao is a five-star Battle Sect, stronger than even Shen Yun of the North Thunder Sect. Although Xiao Yan has a puppet, he can’t possibly withstand the attacks of two Battle Sect powerhouses.”
Ignoring the whispers around him, Xiao Yan slightly clenched his fists. If Little Healer Immortal or the Heavenly Fire Venerable were here, he wouldn’t need to fear the old ancestor of the Hong Family. Unfortunately, his two main assistants were either scattered or in deep slumber. Relying solely on the Earth Demon Puppet, Xiao Yan couldn’t possibly fight off two Battle Sect powerhouses unless he used the Buddha’s Wrathful Lotus Flame, which would weaken him significantly. This was the Hong Family’s territory, and there was also the North Thunder Sect not far away. A prolonged battle would be extremely disadvantageous.
“Looks like I have no choice but to retreat for now,” he thought, glancing at the Earth Demon Puppet engaged in an intense battle with Shen Yun. His brows furrowed. Shen Yun seemed to know his plan, and was desperately trying to hold onto the Earth Demon Puppet to prevent Xiao Yan from retracting it.
“Seeking death!” Seeing Shen Yun’s actions, Xiao Yan’s gaze turned icy cold. As if sensing the surge of killing intent in his master, the Earth Demon Puppet’s body burst with blinding silver light, and its attack speed drastically increased. Its fists, like hammers, struck with tremendous force, aiming straight at Shen Yun.
Noticing the sudden increase in the Earth Demon Puppet’s attack speed, Shen Yun’s expression changed. He hurriedly mobilized all his Dou Qi, but each collision still made his body tremble, and his arms felt numb.
“Damn it, what is this puppet made of? Its physical strength is terrifying!”
Sensing the pain in his arms, Shen Yun felt a shiver of fear. “Xiao Yan, hurry up and leave! Don’t delay, or it will be too late!” Han Chi’s urgent voice whispered to Xiao Yan.
Hearing Han Chi’s reminder, Xiao Yan shook his head. He could feel a cold, murderous aura locking onto him. Even if he turned and ran now, he would still be quickly caught.
His eyes flickered, and he suddenly reached into the giant pit, exerting a powerful suction that pulled Hong Li’s body out. He gripped it and sneered, “You’re quite tough, but I can’t kill you just yet. Fine then.”
Hong Li, who was unconscious, seemed to hear Xiao Yan’s words. His eyelids twitched, but the severe injuries forced him to give up.
As Xiao Yan held Hong Li, a sharp whistling sound pierced the sky. A blurred figure, moving like lightning, dashed towards the Tian Swallow Platform, emanating a chilling, murderous intent that could be felt even from a distance.
“Boy, put down Hong Li, or die!” The distant figure, spotting the person in Xiao Yan’s hand, roared angrily.
Upon hearing the roar, Shen Yun, who was barely holding on, felt a surge of hope. Glancing over, he saw Hong Tianxiao and shouted, “Old Hong, all your people died by this brat’s hands. Quick, kill him!”
*Bang!*
Before the words left his mouth, a silver light broke through Shen Yun’s defenses, striking his arm. Under the incredible force, Shen Yun let out a muffled groan, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.
“Shen Yun?” Hearing Shen Yun’s shout, the approaching figure halted, revealing an elderly man in red robes. He frowned, seeing the Earth Demon Puppet overwhelming Shen Yun.
“Don’t just stand there! That puppet is controlled by the brat. Subdue him, and the puppet will stop. Move quickly, or he’ll get away, and your people will have died in vain!”
Shocked by the Earth Demon Puppet, Hong Tianxiao’s eyes narrowed, landing on Xiao Yan. “Brat, release Hong Li, and I’ll let you die quickly!”
Xiao Yan remained expressionless, glancing at the increasingly weakened Shen Yun. Given some more time, he might be able to kill the old man, or at least severely injure him.
Xiao Yan wanted to buy time, but Hong Tianxiao wouldn’t allow it. He could see that Shen Yun couldn’t hold on much longer against the powerful puppet.
“Regardless of who your seniors are, for killing so many of my Hong Family, I won’t let you leave alive!” Hong Tianxiao growled, shooting towards Xiao Yan like a bolt of lightning, his murderous intent sending chills down many spines.
Watching Hong Tianxiao approach, Xiao Yan smirked, pressing his palm on Hong Li’s chest and flinging him with all his strength.
“Old man, I planted a hidden force inside Hong Li. If you don’t catch him and neutralize it, the force will explode and kill him!”
After throwing Hong Li, Xiao Yan laughed loudly.
*Chir!*
The rapidly approaching light suddenly stopped. Hong Tianxiao hesitated, then with a roar, turned and chased after Hong Li. Despite his pursuit, his murderous cries still reached Xiao Yan’s ears.
“Brat, I swear by the Hong Family’s ancestors, I’ll shatter every bone in your body, making you beg for both life and death!”
Ignoring Hong Tianxiao’s venomous threats, Xiao Yan had heard too many like them. No one had ever succeeded.
As Hong Tianxiao turned, Xiao Yan’s cold gaze fell on Shen Yun. With a cruel smile, he formed a hand seal, gathering his Dou Qi.
Shen Yun’s heart sank. He was already struggling against the Earth Demon Puppet, and if Xiao Yan joined in, he would be in serious danger.
“This old bastard, dying for a useless person, what’s the point?”
In panic, Shen Yun cursed Hong Tianxiao in his mind. He never expected Xiao Yan to not flee immediately but instead lure one powerhouse away and focus on him. It was madness!
*Boom!*
Another powerful punch shattered Shen Yun’s defense, forcing him to retreat. His heart raced as he noticed a blur appear behind him, a crystalline energy handprint forming.
“Sea Inversion Seal!” Xiao Yan shouted, unleashing the handprint, aimed at Shen Yun’s back.
Shen Yun’s face darkened. Usually, he could dodge easily, but now he was pinned by the Earth Demon Puppet. Gritting his teeth, he spun, releasing a torrent of Dou Qi from his palms.
*Bam!*
The Dou Qi collided with the Sea Inversion Seal, causing Xiao Yan to stumble back ten steps. Shen Yun, however, only stepped back once, but his pallor increased.
Before he could catch his breath, a ferocious force struck his shoulder from behind.
*Whoosh!*
Shen Yun couldn’t withstand the blow, spewing fresh blood and sliding across the ground.
As the Earth Demon Puppet seized Shen Yun’s hand, it snapped the finger wearing the storage ring, then rushed back to Xiao Yan, storing itself in the ring.
“Ha! Thanks for the gift, Elder Shen!” Xiao Yan laughed, pocketing the storage ring.
He glanced north, where a furious aura was rushing towards him.
“Got nothing, huh?” Xiao Yan’s cold laugh echoed as he unfurled his bone wings, ready to take flight.
“You little bastard, the Wind Thunder Sect will hunt you down relentlessly!” Shen Yun, gritting his teeth against the pain, sent a blood-entwined bolt splitting into two, one at Xiao Yan and the other south.
Surprised by the incoming bolt, Xiao Yan took flight, but it hit him before he could escape. Strangely, he felt no discomfort. Shen Yun’s venomous voice rang out, “You’ve been marked by our Wind Thunder Sect’s Blood Lightning Imprint. We’ll find you wherever you hide!”
“Bring it on!” Xiao Yan sneered, glancing at the Han Family before soaring into the sky.
Moments later, Hong Tianxiao returned, dropping the unconscious Hong Li on the ground. Seeing the state Shen Yun was in, he sucked in a breath.
On the Heavenly Stone Platform, the crowd was speechless, their faces filled with shock. Who would have thought Xiao Yan could escape two Battle Sect powerhouses and even steal Shen Yun’s storage ring?
Mutual understanding ran through the crowd as a whisper rose from somewhere, “Is this guy… even human?”
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