Not long after Song Changsheng left, an elderly man with white hair leisurely strolled out from the dense forest.
The old man had snow-white hair but a youthful face, dressed in a gray robe full of patches. He looked unkempt, with messy hair like a wild nest. If not for the ancient longsword strapped to his back, one could easily mistake him for a beggar in his seventies.
Zhu Yiqun's eyes widened in surprise as he shouted joyfully,
"Old man! When did you get here?"
Mo Zhexian scratched his temple and chuckled,
"I arrived back when that kid from Luoxia City was dealing with the blood demon."
"What?! And you just stood there watching? You doddering old man, can't you be a little more reliable?" Zhu Yiqun grumbled in frustration.
"Hey! You brat, mouthing off again? Hurry up and pack your things we're heading back," the old man snapped, though his tone was more amused than angry.
....
Night fell.
A bright full moon hung high in the sky, casting its silvery glow across the land. Stars twinkled around it like scattered jewels, brilliant and dazzling.
Under the moonlight, a streak of earthy yellow light shot across the sky, startling flocks of birds into flight.
Suddenly, a cold gleam of light shot out from a nearby mountain hollow, instantly intercepting the flying streak. The figures of Wang Wanzhou and Song Changsheng were revealed midair.
"Who dares block my path?!"
Wang Wanzhou's white brows shot up as he shouted toward the hollow below.
"Wang Wanzhou, leave Song Changsheng, and you may go free."
Two streaks of light surged out from the hollow, flanking Wang Wanzhou on either side.
"Cheng Yufei, Du Huating... You people from the Earthfire Sect have no shame. Sending two Foundation Establishment cultivators to deal with a junior? Aren't you afraid of becoming a laughingstock?"
Wang Wanzhou's tiger-like eyes swept across the two men with scorn.
"Senior Wang, this matter doesn't concern you. Why get involved? The Wang Clan has already shed enough blood for the Song Clan. Whatever debts were owed have been repaid. Now, please leave."
Du Huating stood with his hands tucked into his sleeves, eyelids drooping as he spoke calmly.
"Du, your master was once defeated by me. What, you think you're better than him now?"
"Naturally, I haven't reached my master's level. But today, with my senior brother and I both here, you won't be able to protect him. You're past your prime."
Du Huating looked Wang Wanzhou in the eye, purple lightning crackling faintly around him.
Song Changsheng's face darkened. He hadn't expected the Earthfire Sect to come at him so hard one late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivator, Cheng Yufei, and even Du Huating, a mid-stage elder from Liuyun Market, were here.
"Kid, this is trouble. I'm not afraid of those two, but if we get into a full battle, I might not be able to protect you. I'll hold them off when the time comes, run."
Wang Wanzhou faced the pair on the surface but privately sent this message to Song Changsheng via divine sense.
"Thank you, Senior."
Song Changsheng took a deep breath. This was the only option if he got caught in a Foundation Establishment clash, he wouldn't survive.
"Junior Brother, why waste time talking? We've been tailing him since he left the market. Any longer and the Li Clan might catch wind."
Cheng Yufei's eyes were cold as he stared at Song Changsheng. No matter what, the boy had to die Lingzhou couldn't afford a second Song Xianming.
"Forgive me for the offense."
Du Huating sighed faintly. Suddenly, dazzling purple lightning burst from his body, arcs of electricity leaping across his frame as if he were bathed in thunder itself intimidating and awe-inspiring.
"Come, fight me!"
Wang Wanzhou showed no fear. He summoned a Seven-Colored Glazed Mirror, which reflected radiant beams of multicolored light into the night sky.
"Heavenfire Meteor Technique!"
Cheng Yufei formed hand seals. The sky flared with fiery light as blazing meteors condensed from spiritual energy and rained down like an apocalyptic storm.
Buzz
The Glazed Mirror suddenly expanded dozens of times, shielding Wang and Song beneath it. The falling "meteors" crashed onto the barrier, rippling its surface.
Zzzap!
A chain of thunder formed below and cracked toward them, sparking with electric arcs.
Wang Wanzhou, his hair and beard flying wildly like a furious lion, extended his left hand. A giant hand formed from spiritual energy grabbed the thunder chain midair.
Though outnumbered, he held his own against the two attackers. But behind him, Song Changsheng struggled. The spiritual pressure of three Foundation Establishment cultivators pressing down at once made it hard even to breathe.
"Now! Go!"
The moment both enemies were fully engaged, Wang Wanzhou wrapped Song Changsheng in spiritual power and hurled him far into the distance, then turned to face the two alone.
Seeing Song escape, Cheng Yufei didn't give chase. Instead, he smirked a sign that things were going just as planned.
"You did this on purpose?!"
Wang Wanzhou roared in fury.
"Senior Wang, we're not breaking any rules. We're only here to stall you. Let the juniors settle their scores."
Du Huating stood calmly amidst the lightning storm, emotionless.
"Shameless!"
Wang Wanzhou glared at them. This wasn't letting the juniors fight it was a setup.
"Hmph, just keep us company for now. That brat's as good as dead,"
Cheng Yufei sneered. His plan was meticulous not only was Wang Wanzhou tied down, but even the Song Clan wouldn't be able to intervene in time.
Before dawn, no one would disturb them. And that was more than enough time to kill Song Changsheng a dozen times over.
"Scoundrels!"
Wang Wanzhou roared and resumed the fierce battle.
...
Wrapped in spiritual energy, Song Changsheng soared through the air for miles before crashing into a dense forest. Feeling the surging spiritual waves behind him, his eyes filled with concern.
Wang Wanzhou was powerful but he was old, and his vitality weakened. Against two strong opponents, things might not end well.
"I have to get back to the market fast."
He knew staying here would only slow the elder down.
After confirming the direction, Song Changsheng sped toward Liuyun Market.
As trees and mountains blurred past him, he gradually noticed something was wrong he seemed to be going in circles.
He suddenly stopped, scanning the surroundings with focused senses. Out of nowhere, a thick vine lashed at him from a hidden angle.
He quickly summoned his Water Origin Shield, deflecting the vine, then dodged sharply to the side. The moment he moved, a sharp earthen spike burst from the spot where he had just stood. Had he hesitated for even a second, it would have impaled him.
Keeping the shield at his side, Song Changsheng called out:
"Fellow cultivator, I know you've set up a Wood-Earth Heaven and Earth Formation here. Would you be willing to show yourself?"
His voice echoed through the formation, but the only reply came in the form of more vines and stone spikes…
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