In the valley, as several figures walked out, Luo Lie and the others all looked solemn.
Because everyone in front of them, without exception, was a Divine Form Realm expert, and two of them had particularly strong Qi, clearly possessing Late Stage Divine Form cultivation.
Two of them each carried a person, who were none other than Red Wolf and his companion, who had scouted ahead earlier.
However, at this moment, both of them were already corpses, devoid of any life.
“You are quite clever, no wonder you rats were able to cross the border.”
The leader of the five, a bald, white-robed big man, scanned the Dark Star group and finally landed his gaze on Luo Lie.
“Mad Tiger Devours Elephant Skill. It seems you are Luo Lie’s Disciple. Perfect, I’ll take you to claim credit!”
Among the five, his Qi was the most intense, and from his Realm, he was clearly a Peak Divine Form Great Master.
“Attack!”
The bald big man roared, his figure, like a giant bear, charged at Luo Lie first.
While still in mid-air, dense black fur had already grown on his body, and he truly resembled a terrifying human bear.
The Qi belonging to a Peak Divine Form Martial Artist emanated, and the powerful Bloodline Qi was oppressive. Before he even got close, the weaker Hidden Star Envoys in the convoy felt their Qi uneasy and instinctively retreated a few steps.
At the same time, the other four reacted extremely quickly, leaping into the air and heading towards Yuan Fang, Yi Ye Qing, and the others.
Seeing this, Luo Lie and the others disregarded everything else and immediately moved to engage the enemy.
Clearly, these were people from Northern Yan, and to safely deliver the red crystal stone, they had to eliminate these individuals.
No matter what, they had to fight with all their might.
Soon, both sides were locked in battle.
***
In the forest.
Lin Sheng’s figure appeared.
“Why is there still no one?”
He wore a black tight-fitting suit, his messy hair falling over his shoulders, and every movement carried a hint of sharpness.
At this moment, Lin Sheng frowned slightly, a look of confusion on his face.
No other reason, he had already passed the rendezvous point by an unknown distance, almost reaching the Northern Yan border.
To his surprise, he still hadn't found any trace of Yuan Fang and the others.
According to the letter, Yuan Fang’s group should have arrived at the rendezvous point a day earlier than him.
With no news even now, it was highly probable that something had happened.
After all, Northern Yan's current crackdown on Dark Star meant there was a high possibility of ambushes along the way.
Lin Sheng knitted his brows, looking at the dense forest around him, and after a moment’s thought, decided to go a little further.
After all, Luo Yin had shown him kindness, and if possible, he still wanted to find them.
With that thought, Lin Sheng’s figure shot out like an arrow, disappearing into the forest in a few leaps, covering a thousand meters in just a breath.
Half an hour later.
Above a mountain stream, Lin Sheng’s figure reappeared.
During this time, he had traveled more than a thousand miles, but still found nothing.
The Northern Yan region was vast, much larger than Linjiang Prefecture.
The area for Transmigration from the Yellow Sand Deadlands through the Northern Wilderness into Northern Yan was extensive.
Even at his speed, to search such a large area thoroughly would take several days.
Moreover, whether Yuan Fang and the others had even crossed the Yellow Sand Deadlands was still unknown.
Thinking of this, Lin Sheng sighed lightly, already planning to turn back.
He couldn't contact them now, and wasting more time wouldn't be very meaningful.
It would be better to leave a secret signal at the rendezvous point, and if Yuan Fang and the others arrived, he could send Shui Zhi and others to meet them.
He glanced at the dense forest below, then released his senses, pushing them to their limit for one last search.
As his senses expanded, the situation within a radius of ten li flooded into his mind.
After a while, he shook his head slightly, then no longer lingered, turning to prepare to return the way he came.
But just then, an elephant's cry came from afar.
The sound was extremely faint, coming from a great distance, almost imperceptible, but with his senses, he heard it clearly.
Lin Sheng suddenly turned, his eyes flashing, then his figure disappeared from its spot, shooting towards the direction of the sound.
***
Roar—
A dull elephant's cry echoed throughout the valley.
Immediately, an even more violent bear roar followed.
Bang!
After an explosion.
Two figures met and separated instantly.
Luo Lie retreated several steps before stopping.
Opposite him, the bald big man, covered in black fur, merely trembled, quickly regaining his balance. He grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellowed fangs.
“Heh heh, not bad, for a Divine Form Six Transformations Martial Artist to block me. It’s a pity it’s useless, I only used seventy percent of my strength just now.”
At this point, the bald big man paused, his already massive and robust body swelling even further, especially his two palms, which were like cattail leaf fans, with black claws about a foot long extending from his fingertips, shimmering with black light.
“Kid, I hope you can keep me entertained a little longer.”
As the last word fell, the bald big man transformed into a black blur, instantly disappearing from his spot, even faster than before.
Seeing this, Luo Lie’s expression changed slightly, his face extremely solemn, and he took a deep breath.
Blood-colored elephant-shaped patterns appeared on his chest, and he strode forward to meet the attack.
However, this time, after only a few exchanges, he felt the pressure double, and his body inevitably retreated continuously.
Although his Bloodline talent was exceptionally strong and highly compatible with the Mad Tiger Devours Elephant Skill, allowing him to fight across Realms, he was still crossing several minor Realms.
And the bald strong man in front of him also had formidable Bloodline potential, not much weaker than his own.
Now, with the opponent fighting with full strength, he knew he was no match.
He could probably only delay for a short while.
In a lull in the battle, he glanced at the battle situation of Yuan Fang and the others not far away.
The situation was also not optimistic. Although they had brought many experts this time, these five individuals were equally powerful and had extraordinary combat strength, clearly military experts.
Their attacks were ruthless and their experience rich. At this moment, Yi Ye Qing, Yuan Fang, and the others had already fallen into a disadvantage.
The remaining Gong Wei and the Hidden Star Envoys were only barely holding on.
From time to time, Hidden Star Envoys would spit blood and fall to the ground, unable to get up.
Clearly, they couldn't last much longer either.
Seeing this, Luo Lie’s face showed a look of determination, and he understood that this time, it would likely be difficult to escape unscathed.
He immediately roared, activating a secret technique to temporarily repel the bald big man, then shouted at Yuan Fang and the others.
“Second Senior Brother, Third Senior Brother, you go first, I’ll cover the rear here!”
Since they couldn't escape unscathed, they naturally had to find a way to break through.
As his words fell, Luo Lie’s figure flashed, appearing in front of Yuan Fang and blocking the Northern Yan Martial Artist he was fighting.
“Senior Brother!”
Yuan Fang clenched his fists, wanting to step forward, but he also knew that now was not the time to show off.
Only by finding reinforcements in time would there still be a chance to remedy the situation!
Thinking of this, he immediately gritted his teeth, turned and came to Gong Wei’s side, forced back his opponent, then took Gong Wei and rushed into the forest on one side.
“Trying to run!”
Seeing someone escaping, two Northern Yan Martial Artists exchanged glances, but did not rush to pursue. Instead, they charged towards the remaining people in the field, preparing to quickly end the battle.
“Do you think you can escape?”
At this moment, the bald big man’s mocking voice rang out. He strode forward, his figure instantly appearing in front of Luo Lie, raising his giant palm and smashing it down.
Luo Lie hastily raised his hands to block, barely deflecting the blow, but his body was shaken and he retreated repeatedly.
“Today, all of you will die!”
After gaining the upper hand, the bald big man showed no intention of giving his opponent a moment to breathe.
His massive figure, like a bulldozer, slammed into Luo Lie, his two large hands repeatedly smashing down, a powerful and heavy barrage of attacks like continuous raindrops.
“Bear Spirit True Qi!”
As the bald big man roared, one strike sent Luo Lie flying backward, dozens of meters away.
Luo Lie barely managed to adjust his body, shedding the terrifying force on him, and just managed to control his body to land on the ground.
However, a trace of crimson blood was already flowing from the corner of his mouth, indicating that this move had caused him internal injuries.
Meanwhile, Yi Ye Qing let out a muffled groan, and his thin body fell to the ground like a broken sack.
“Qing Shu!”
Luo Lie called out, his face grim.
At this moment, Yi Ye Qing looked extremely disheveled, his green robe torn in many places, his Qi weak, clearly seriously injured.
As for the other Hidden Star Envoys, they had suffered heavy casualties, more than half of the thirty Hidden Star Envoys were now dead or wounded.
The remaining ones were also constantly falling. Facing Divine Form Mid to Late Stage experts, Bone Changing Warriors were simply too fragile, especially without the combat power of Yuan Fang and Gong Wei, they were almost defenseless.
“Hurry up, clear out these small fry. As for these two, cripple their cultivation and bring them back.”
The bald big man instructed his companions, then walked with heavy steps towards Luo Lie and Yi Ye Qing.
While stretching his neck, the bald man crossed his two palms, his black claws clashing together, emitting sounds like metal striking metal.
A wanton smile was on his face, and his gaze towards Luo Lie and Yi Ye Qing was like looking at two small beasts waiting to be slaughtered, full of disdain and mockery.
“Luo Yin’s Disciples are nothing more than this… When I bring you back and send you to Northern Yan, I wonder if your Master will abandon you to your fate, tsk tsk, just thinking about that scene makes me…”
The bald big man was speaking, but suddenly paused, because he noticed that Luo Lie and Yi Ye Qing, who had been full of anger and resolve a second ago, now had a stunned look on their faces, staring at him.
No, not at him, but behind him!
Thinking of this, the bald big man’s heart tightened. He reacted extremely quickly, without thinking, he slammed his two large hands directly behind him.
Clang—
A crisp sound came from behind, followed by the sound of bones breaking.
The bald big man felt as if his two palms had struck a wall polished from a hundred refined green gold.
Feeling the intense pain in his hands, he turned his head, his face contorted.
But before he could fully turn and see what was behind him, the bald big man’s body stiffened.
His eyes were wide open to their limit, filled with bloodshot, and a blood-hole had already appeared on his forehead.
A finger slowly withdrew from it.
The next moment, the bald big man’s body shattered, fragments of flesh and blood scattered everywhere.
Lin Sheng shook his hand, his gaze sweeping over the dumbfounded Luo Lie and Yi Ye Qing.
“It seems Linsheng Pavilion arrived just in time!”
“Commander Meng!”
At this moment, the other Northern Yan Martial Artists also noticed the situation here. Looking at the scattered pieces of flesh and blood, and the suddenly appearing Lin Sheng, they quickly reacted.
All of them looked at Lin Sheng with both shock and anger.
“How could this be!?”
The four of them were somewhat bewildered. According to the intelligence, Dark Star didn't have any experts in Southern Qi, did it!?
How could such a fierce person suddenly appear?
They naturally knew the strength of the bald strong man very well; he was definitely an expert among Peak Divine Form Martial Artists.
But even so, he was dead beyond dead in just a breath!
So how strong was this suddenly appearing young man?
Grandmaster!?
After this thought flashed through their minds, their faces all showed fear. They immediately disregarded the remaining Dark Star members, and one by one, they turned and rushed into the forest.
They even headed in different directions, hoping to escape from the opponent.
However, very quickly, the four figures paused in place, their faces showing a bewildered expression, their eyes filled with a dazed look.
Lin Sheng’s figure moved, already arriving in front of them. With a single finger, several Divine Form Realm Northern Yan Martial Artists followed in the footsteps of the bald strong man.
Luo Lie, Yi Ye Qing, and the remaining Hidden Star Envoys stared blankly at the scene unfolding before them, feeling as if they were dreaming.
Not paying attention to everyone’s gaze, Lin Sheng leisurely searched the bodies of these Divine Form Martial Artists.
From his past experience, he now controlled his strength when attacking to avoid damaging the items on these people.
After all, Divine Form level Martial Artists would more or less have some good things on them.
After he finished searching, Lin Sheng then walked towards Luo Lie and Yi Ye Qing.
It wasn't until he was close that the two suddenly woke up.
“Young Master… Young Master Lin…”
Yi Ye Qing recognized Lin Sheng and spoke somewhat stammeringly at this moment.
His gaze towards Lin Sheng was full of surprise.
He had dealt with the other party before in Fulong City, and there had even been some unpleasantness because of Gong Wei.
At that time, he already knew that his talent and combat power were extraordinary, even stronger than Gong Wei’s.
After the matter of Yu Hai Pass spread, he was, to say the least, extremely shocked.
But all of that was not as shocking as the scene that had just unfolded before his eyes.
They were most clear about the strength of those Northern Yan Martial Artists just now; they had almost completely suppressed their group, even to the point of being in critical danger.
But even such powerful individuals were all killed in an instant, and they died so tragically.
This highly impactful scene was undoubtedly the first he had ever witnessed in his life.
“Hmm, and this is…”
Lin Sheng nodded, his gaze falling on Luo Lie.
Luo Lie subconsciously swallowed, then spoke, cupping his hands in a salute.
“Luo Lie, greetings, Blazing Star Envoy Lin!”
“Luo Lie? You are Senior Luo’s Eldest Disciple?”
Lin Sheng scrutinized Luo Lie, then glanced around, and continued.
“Where is Senior Yuan? Why isn’t he here?”
“Just now, I let Second Senior Brother and Third Senior Brother break through ahead of time, they should still be…”
Luo Lie began to explain.
However, before he finished speaking, Lin Sheng already looked into the forest.
“Found them.”
As he spoke, Lin Sheng’s figure disappeared from in front of the two, but returned again ten breaths later.
In his hands, he held Yuan Fang and Gong Wei.