By the time Chu Huaian received the news, the two were already on the run.
Chu Huaian didn't want any complications at this time and ordered the two to release Liu Meiqing.
However, the two refused, because they had also taken Zhao Mubai and others, and if Liu Meiqing was released, everyone would surely die!
Left with no choice, Chu Huaian could only lead a group of players to rendezvous, which would also serve as a good training exercise.
A total of fifty players set out. To avoid revealing their identities, everyone wore black tight-fitting clothes, used concealment talismans to hide their aura, and rode flying swords, departing in a grand procession.
…
Meanwhile, on the other side.
Fang Yuan and Qin Hao led a dozen people into the deep mountains. Behind them, dozens of Hehuan Sect elders and direct disciples pursued them relentlessly, their killing intent palpable.
“Fang Yuan, why did you commit such an act of rebellion? Has the Hehuan Sect not treated you well?”
Fang Yuan, with a sack on his shoulder, ran with all his might. Hearing the voice, he immediately turned and shouted, “Min Jiejie, didn’t I tell you? I’ll be back in a while. As for Liu Meiqing, I’m borrowing her for a few days, and I’ll personally bring her back then.”
“Presumptuous! Senior Sister Liu is the Saintess of the Hehuan Sect! How can a shameless scoundrel like you lay a hand on her? I request the elders to set up a formation and capture this person!” Gongyang shouted sternly.
“No, Liu Meiqing is still in his hands. If we push too hard, Fang Yuan will definitely do something crazy. Stabilize him first and then look for an opportunity,” the old woman waved her hand, interrupting Gongyang’s suggestion.
“Fang Yuan seems to care a lot about the lives of those disciples. How about we capture the others first to threaten him?” an elder suggested.
Hearing this, Min Hong immediately shook her head and refused, “You still don’t understand Fang Yuan’s character. If it really comes to that, he will definitely abandon everyone, and even die with Liu Meiqing.”
At this point, Min Hong added, “Believe me, he is capable of doing it.”
The old woman, who had been silent all this time, finally spoke, “Fang Yuan and Qin Hao must not be harmed. I suspect that the Inverted Phoenix Primordial Nurturing Skill, which was lost by the Hehuan Sect, is in their hands. Otherwise, their cultivation wouldn’t have improved so quickly during this period.”
“The Sect Master has ordered us to bring them both back no matter what, even if it means crippling their cultivation.”
“Min Hong, you and the Five Elder lead ten direct disciples to intercept them ahead. If Fang Yuan and Qin Hao refuse to return, cripple them. As for Liu Meiqing, I have my own way to save her.”
“Understood!”
Min Hong and her group transformed into streaks of rainbow light, instantly appearing in front of Fang Yuan and his companions, blocking their path.
Fang Yuan and Qin Hao decisively changed direction, attempting to break through from another side, only to find that all escape routes were guarded.
“Hey, I’m warning you, if you take another step forward, I’m really going to get angry.”
Fang Yuan stepped back, his long saber resting on the sack.
“Fang Yuan, stop messing around! Come back with me quickly!” Min Hong shouted anxiously.
“Bah, don’t think I don’t know what you’re planning. You’ve been treating me like livestock all this time, sending female disciples to my room every day. Isn’t it because you value my ability to improve their cultivation? Stop pretending to be nice and disgusting me.”
Fang Yuan spat, then turned to look at Zhao Mubai and the others behind him, “Don’t be afraid, with me here, they can’t harm you!”
“Fang Yuan, we’re doing fine, why do we need to run?” Shang Lianxue frowned, very puzzled.
“Stop talking nonsense! If you want to restore the kingdom, you have to listen to me!” Fang Yuan scolded.
Shang Lianxue wanted to retort, but Zhao Mubai pulled her back, whispering, “We were already labeled earlier. If we return to the Hehuan Sect, the other disciples won’t let us go. Now, besides Fang Yuan and Qin Hao, no one can protect us.”
“Fang Yuan, you know how I’ve treated you during this time. Throughout Yanxia Peak, besides myself, you have the highest authority. Is that not enough?” A hint of sadness flashed in Min Hong’s eyes.
What Fang Yuan had just said made her very upset.
She had thought she was nurturing a peerless genius, but it turned out to be an ungrateful wolf.
“Fang Yuan, Qin Hao, the Five Elder is giving you one last chance. Come back with us, and this matter will be as if it never happened. If you continue to be stubborn, don’t blame the Five Elder for disregarding our master-disciple relationship and killing you here!” The old woman narrowed her eyes, speaking solemnly.
“I’ll also give you a chance. Let us go, and after a while, I’ll come back. Everyone will be happy, so why not, right?” Fang Yuan said with a grin.
“Five Elder, there’s no need to waste any more words with him. Since he has rebellious intentions, he should be executed to uphold the prestige of our Hehuan Sect.” Gongyang spoke again in a deep voice.
“You damn effeminate chicken, I didn’t want to bother with you, but you keep jumping out and whining. Dare to duel me? If I lose, I’ll release Liu Meiqing without another word, and everyone will be at your mercy. Do you dare?!”
“Why wouldn’t I dare! Last time I was careless, which allowed you two to succeed. Do you really think I can’t beat you?”
Gongyang’s face turned ashen. The previous incident had made him unable to hold his head high within the sect. Now, Fang Yuan was seeking his own death by wanting to fight him to the death, which perfectly suited his intentions.
Fang Yuan ignored him and looked at the old woman instead.
The old woman pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly, “I hope you keep your word.”
“I’m a man of my word; I never go back on it!”
As Fang Yuan spoke, he handed Liu Meiqing to Qin Hao beside him, whispering, “Xian Ge is already on his way. If I die, you take them and leave. If you can’t get away, abandon everyone and take Liu Meiqing to Xian Ge.”
“Understood.” Qin Hao nodded solemnly, taking the sack from Fang Yuan’s hand.
Although Qin Hao outwardly agreed with Fang Yuan, he actually didn’t want to abandon Fan Xiaomei.
He quietly shielded Fan Xiaomei behind him, maintaining a high level of vigilance at all times.
“Come on, you come out. I’ll just beat you to death and be done with it.” Fang Yuan, like a ruffian, held his long saber and pointed it at Gongyang, looking extremely arrogant.
Gongyang snorted coldly and landed in front of Fang Yuan.
Fang Yuan wanted to keep talking to stall for time, but he underestimated Gongyang’s murderous intent towards him.
Before he could even speak, the opponent had already flashed in front of him, a pair of sharp claws heading straight for his head.
Fang Yuan retreated to dodge, then backhanded his long saber, the blade slashing towards the opponent’s neck.
Clang—
Gongyang raised his hand to block.
The two exchanged several blows consecutively before briefly separating.
In terms of physical combat, neither could gain an advantage over the other.
Fang Yuan was happy to engage in a prolonged battle with the opponent and continued to press forward.
But Gongyang was determined to kill Fang Yuan. He soared into the air, black mist swirling around him, and a dark shadow appeared behind him.
It was a Nine Netherworld Roc, bathed in black mist, with a pair of red eyes that were cold and bloodthirsty.
Gongyang’s body merged with the Nine Netherworld Roc, looking down at Fang Yuan below.
“He’s using his ultimate move right from the start, like he’s crazy.” Fang Yuan muttered softly, taking out another long saber.
“Fan Xiaomei, watch closely, Brother Fang Yuan will show you what a dual-wielding style is!”
“This cultivation technique is called the ‘Profound Nether Twin Blades Art’.”
As Fang Yuan spoke, he tucked both sabers into his waist, his body bending forward.
“Twin blades reverse yin and yang, saber qi splits the cloud aura. The left slashes the Heavenly Wolf’s head, the right cleaves the Earth Fiend’s light. One strike severs rivers and seas, a phantom shatters a thousand peaks.”
“First Form: Shattering Light!”
“Slash!”
Both sabers struck out simultaneously, causing a fierce wind to rage around them, and two streaks of saber light flashed past.
Heaven and earth seemed to lose their brilliance at this moment; only the saber light flickered.