Above the sky, a figure with white hair hung in midair, gazing down at the people below with a smile. His appearance clearly identified him as Su Qian, the Great Elder of the Inner Academy. “Hehe, so the good show is over here. I almost missed it,” Su Qian said with a smile as he landed gracefully beside Xiao Yan and the others. His gaze then turned to Han Feng, and a flash of surprise appeared in his eyes. “I didn’t expect you not only survived but also broke through to the Battle Sect stage. This is truly unexpected.” “This is all thanks to your blessing,” Han Feng replied with a grim expression. His heart, however, sank slightly. The sudden appearance of Su Qian was also somewhat unexpected for him. He knew perfectly well of Su Qian’s strength. Although he no longer feared Su Qian in a one-on-one fight, there was still that mysterious Battle Sect woman of unknown origin. Together, these two Battle Sects posed a formidable challenge, even for the Flame Demon Valley. Moreover, there was Xiao Yan, who, despite his hatred towards this nominal junior, Han Feng knew, possessed combat strength far beyond his rank. Back when Xiao Yan was merely a Dou Wang, he had severely injured Han Feng, who was then on the verge of becoming a Battle Sect. And now, with Xiao Yan ascended to the Battle Emperor stage, his combat strength must have soared. In such a situation, relying solely on himself and the Flame Demon Valley, it would be difficult to gain the upper hand. “If we could kill you once, we can do it again. So, there’s no need to act as if you’ve achieved something,” Su Qian said coolly, glancing at Han Feng with a mocking smile.
Hearing this, Han Feng’s expression became even darker. His fists clenched under his sleeves, and intense killing intent surged from within him. Su Qian’s appearance also caused Mo Tian Xing and Old Man Ying Shan to tense up. No one dared to easily ignore a Battle Sect, especially in such a critical situation. With Su Qian’s presence, Xiao Yan’s forces suddenly gained a significant boost in strength, while the others were at a slight disadvantage.
“Great Elder, why did you come? What about the matter over there?” Xiao Yan’s menacing expression had completely disappeared. Despite Han Feng’s earlier efforts to provoke him, Xiao Yan had managed to suppress his initial rage and the deep-seated killing intent simmering within him, allowing reason to prevail.
“The soul fragment has already vanished… so I followed the mark you left behind and came here. Xiao Li and the others will be here soon,” Su Qian explained, turning his gaze towards Old Man Ying Shan in the mountain crevice, his brows furrowed.
“Vanished?” Xiao Yan was taken aback. His gaze darted towards Old Man Ying Shan, who let out a cold laugh. Stomping his foot on the ground, a gray fountain erupted, and an invisible thread of soul energy shot out from the earth, eventually returning to his body.
With the return of the soul energy, Old Man Ying Shan’s aura surged, and in a brief moment, he recovered to near-peak condition. The change in Old Man Ying Shan attracted the attention of Han Feng, Mo Tian Xing, and the others, their expressions shifting slightly. It seemed the cunning old man had used their delay to successfully retrieve the soul fragment, making him no less formidable than anyone present.
“Hehe, thank you for your help,” Old Man Ying Shan sneered, his confidence bolstered by his regained strength.
Mo Tian Xing’s expression darkened briefly before he looked up and bowed to Xiao Yan, Han Feng, and the others. “Friends, now is not the time for internal strife. I believe everyone is interested in the Bodhisattva Transformation Fluid. If so, why don’t we join forces and take it from the old monster? Otherwise, with his cunning, he might escape and leave us searching. As for how to divide the spoils, we can discuss that after we secure it. How about it?”
Xiao Yan and the others were taken aback but, after a brief pause, they all nodded slightly.
“Lord Mo makes a valid point. The primary goal is to take the Bodhisattva Transformation Fluid from the old man. So, let’s join forces and resolve this quickly, shall we?” Han Feng chuckled, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.
Xiao Yan glanced at Han Feng and then nodded to Little Healer Immortal and Su Qian. In a low voice, heard only by the three, he said, “Be careful. These scoundrels are all backstabbers. Don’t fall for any of their tricks.”
Su Qian smiled and nodded. “Young man, do you really think I’m just an old fool who only knows cultivation? Do I need you to remind me of these things?”
Xiao Yan grinned awkwardly. Su Qian’s ability and shrewdness, which allowed him to become the Great Elder of the Inner Academy and maintain a haven in the chaotic Black-Corner Region, were unquestionable. Little Healer Immortal, capable of managing the vast Poison Sect, was no ordinary person either. In truth, she was no less capable than Xiao Yan.
To see Xiao Yan and the others agreeing with Mo Tian Xing’s proposal, Old Man Ying Shan’s expression grew darker. Though he had recovered his strength, facing four equally powerful opponents put him at a grave disadvantage. One slip, and he might even lose his life.
As these thoughts raced through his mind, Old Man Ying Shan stomped the ground, causing a low rumble. Ten or so thick fountains emerged from the earth, and using them as cover, he swiftly retreated.
“Let’s go, everyone!” Upon seeing Old Man Ying Shan’s move, Mo Tian Xing immediately sensed it and shouted, materializing oddly in the path of his retreat. With a flick of his sleeve, a chill-radiating golden light shot out, aimed directly at Old Man Ying Shan’s throat.
Seeing Mo Tian Xing strike, Old Man Ying Shan’s eyes flashed with menace. His withered, claw-like hand reached out, twisted, and caught the golden light. A glance revealed it to be a sharp, handle-less dagger.
“Back to you, old fool!” Old Man Ying Shan tapped the dagger with his gray nails, and with a crisp sound, the dagger returned to a golden glow, flying back at Mo Tian Xing. Using the force of the dagger, Old Man Ying Shan flashed into the air, intending to escape into the mountains.
“Hehe, Old Freak, give us the Bodhisattva Transformation Fluid. Otherwise, don’t think you’ll get away easily.” Just as Old Man Ying Shan prepared to flee, a figure appeared in front of him, launching a searing punch.
*Bang!*
Old Man Ying Shan hurriedly retaliated, and the clash of two formidable winds created a thunderous explosion. The resulting blast swept through the forest, shaking the trees.
The shockwave forced Old Man Ying Shan and the figure to stagger back. The figure, with a sneering face, was none other than Han Feng.
“As expected of an old-timer in the Black-Corner Region. Your strength is indeed extraordinary. But I’m afraid today, your luck has run out,” Han Feng said with a smile, nodding towards the sky.
Old Man Ying Shan’s gaze moved, and he saw that Mo Tian Xing, Su Qian, and Little Healer Immortal, all Battle Sects, had formed a surrounding circle. With Han Feng in front, all routes of escape were sealed. Facing four Battle Sects, even Old Man Ying Shan felt helpless.
A gentle breeze swept through, but the tense atmosphere remained. The presence of five Battle Sects, a nearly terrifying lineup, was a first for Xiao Yan, and many others present.
Tightly locked in their auras, Old Man Ying Shan’s expression shifted. He knew that in this situation, taking the Bodhisattva Transformation Fluid easily was impossible. And if he persisted, he might end up losing his life to these four.
His thoughts raced. After a moment, Old Man Ying Shan gritted his teeth and produced a jade box.
“Take it. I’ll remember this grudge!” Old Man Ying Shan, a very perceptive person, threw the jade box into the air with a roar.
As the jade box was thrown, Old Man Ying Shan made a break for it, but four powerful attacks intercepted him, forcing him to dodge clumsily.
“Old man, do you really think we’re fools?” Han Feng sneered, not even glancing at the jade box. In his view, Old Man Ying Shan would never give up the Bodhisattva Transformation Fluid so easily.
Mo Tian Xing shared the same thought. Only Little Healer Immortal and Su Qian hesitated momentarily, but they did not act rashly.
Infuriated, Old Man Ying Shan roared, “You bunch of idiots!”
Ignoring the insults, Old Man Ying Shan sprinted after the flying jade box. As he moved, a suction force suddenly appeared, and the jade box flew into the hands of a black-robed youth with a hesitant look.
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