The names of the two were respectively Yuan Ling and Liu Sandao. The former was the wizened old man who was good at the Soul Searching Technique, a rather sadistic person. The latter was an expert at the saber, and he would usually need only three slashes to defeat his opponent.
They were both members of the Ziling Sect and cultivated high-tier battle techniques. The likes of Chen Jiayan and Du Xuanhao were completely incomparable to them. If they were to fight, Chen Jiayan and Du Xuanhao would be the ones defeated.
As for Linggu Haonan, he was the strongest of the group, a ninth-stage Dragon Ascension Realm expert. Yet even they were only mid-level members in the Ziling Sect and were not the sect's true top experts.
There were a few cultivators that were even stronger in their group, but those cultivators had separated from them to chase after Duo Ji. In any case, they were confident they had more than enough strength to capture Xiang Shaoyun. Unfortunately for them, their search hadn't been smooth at all, causing them to lose many companions. On top of that, Xiang Shaoyun's sudden transformation had caught them by surprise. This was a truly good example of man proposes while god disposes.
Linggu Haonan, Yuan Ling, and Liu Sandao surrounded Xiang Shaoyun, their auras completely locked on to him. Yuan Ling sneered and said, "Evil spirit, I know you have possessed that trash's body. If you are willing to serve us from now on, we are willing to find you a stronger body. That will only benefit you."
"Haha, trying to bait me out then kill me? How naive," said Xiang Shaoyun before howling with laughter.
Why was Xiang Shaoyun so powerful at this moment? It was because he had allowed Devouring Ghost to take control over his body, and that was how he came to gain the combat prowess of a Dragon Ascension Realm expert. Otherwise, it was practically impossible for him to kill Dragon Ascension Realm experts.
Of course, that did not mean that his body belonged to Devouring Ghost from now on. Since Devouring Ghost had acknowledged Xiang Shaoyun as his young master, he would naturally not harm him. He was only borrowing the body temporarily and would return to the Nether Dragon Soul Headband after the fight.
It was a decision Xiang Shaoyun had made for the sake of survival. He would definitely suffer a backlash, but it was still better than dying.
"Don't you see how bad your current situation is? The body you have possessed is too weak, and you can't unleash your real strength. You stand no chance against the three of us," said Yuan Ling.
"Haha, you are right. But if I want to flee, can any of you catch up to me?" Xiang Shaoyun sneered. Abruptly, he erupted with speed and shot through the air, escaping from them.
He could sense that both Liang Zhuangmin and Hua Honglou had escaped. There was no point in continuing to stay. Moving like a specter, he fled at an astonishing speed. In the blink of an eye, he broke free from the three's lockdown and fled in the opposite direction of Liang Zhuangmin and Hua Honglou.
"If you continue fleeing, we will have to kill the person called Zhen Peng," said Yuan Ling as he grabbed at a certain figure resting on his mount.
That figure was none other than Elder Zhen Peng of the Martial Hall Palace. He was currently unconscious. From his lax aura and his completely weak body, it was clear Yuan Ling had crippled him. Yuan Ling had been keeping Elder Zhen Peng alive in case a situation like this arose.
Yuan Ling had already searched Elder Zhen Peng's soul and had found out about the relationship between Elder Zhen Peng and Xiang Shaoyun. He did not plan to spare Elder Zhen Peng, but after hesitating about it for a bit, he had still decided to keep him alive.
He was of the opinion that even if Elder Zhen Peng would not be useful in the end, he could still refine him into a puppet. There was no harm in keeping him around. The sight of Elder Zhen Peng caused Xiang Shaoyun to stop.
"Young master, we need to leave!" Devouring Ghost cried out anxiously.
"No, I can't leave Elder Zhen Peng to die like this!" said Xiang Shaoyun.
"This is not the time to wallow in emotions. I am not a match for all three of them. If you stay, you will die!" said Devouring Ghost anxiously. He ignored Xiang Shaoyun's protests and forced the body to continue flying.
But at this moment, Linggu Haonan's mount, the seven-tailed silver fox had arrived with a claw attack. Xiang Shaoyun was unable to avoid it in time. His defensive barrier and armor were torn apart, leaving several deep wounds on his back. If he had not continued flying ahead, that claw attack would have been enough to tear his entire body apart.
"Die, beast!" Once again, Devouring Ghost replaced Xiang Shaoyun. With a roar, he swung the Overlord Skyslaying Saber madly, forcing the seven-tailed silver fox to retreat.
"Let's see how you can escape now! Die!" Linggu Haonan arrived as well. With a shout, he attacked with full power, aiming to kill Xiang Shaoyun immediately. If he let Xiang Shaoyun escape again, he would have to return to the sect and receive his punishment.
Tiger Exploiting Fox!
He swung his saber, creating an energy fox that for some reason was emanating the aura of a tiger emperor that radiated majesty. Any opponent would be stunned by the might of the tiger and ended up killed by the fox.
The saber energy flooded Xiang Shaoyun's surroundings, sealing all his escape routes. Not even speed would allow Xiang Shaoyun to escape now. Linggu Haonan was indeed terrifyingly powerful.
Knowing that he had no way of avoiding the attack, Xiang Shaoyun was forced to brace himself and mustered all his strength before swinging his saber at the incoming attack. A devil face with its fangs bared flew out, looking like it was going to consume everything in existence.
Rumble! Rumble!
Numerous explosions were created up in the air, scattering the many clouds in the area. The devil face was still too weak and was ultimately torn apart by the silver fox. The attack proceeded and went on straight for Xiang Shaoyun.
Xiang Shaoyun moved with the fastest speed possible, and he was about to escape safely when Liu Sandao arrived with his attack.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
Instantly, three saber energies streaked through the air, arriving at Xiang Shaoyun at the exact same time. Although he was fast, he had only managed to avoid two of the slashes and was hit by the third one. If his defensive barrier had not blocked a vast majority of the attack's power, it would have been the end of him.
A terrifying wound could be seen on his waist, with blood gushing out madly. At this time, Yuan Ling also arrived, sending a black palm slamming into Xiang Shaoyun's back.
Sphhlt!
Xiang Shaoyun felt like his body was about to explode as he coughed up a copious amount of blood.
"It has been three years. Finally, I can return with your head and complete the mission," said Linggu Haonan. Excitement filled his face as he swung his saber at Xiang Shaoyun's neck.
Right this moment, a melodic voice rang out in the air, "Don't even think of killing my big brother!"