"Who's there?"
.
Several Martial Kings flashed out from the edge of the bushes, blocking Xiao Kai's path.
"It's me!" Xue Kaifeng said indifferently.
One of the Martial Kings clearly recognized Xiao Kai and quickly said respectfully, "Guardian Xue!"
"Hmm! Has the Great Guardian returned?" Xiao Kai asked, looking at the Martial King.
The Martial King quickly said, "No, the Great Guardian just left not long ago."
Just at this moment, another Martial Grandmaster seemed to hear the commotion and also rushed over. After seeing that it was Xue Kaifeng, he asked with a slight surprise, "Kaifeng, why didn't Zhiyuan, Ning Hao, and the others come back with you?"
Xue Kaifeng said somewhat dejectedly, "Third Protector, we were ordered to go out and kill enemies. We didn't expect that it would go smoothly at first, but later we encountered the enemy's reinforcements. We were outnumbered, and ultimately, the Seventh Guardian, the Eighth Guardian, and those subordinates were all killed. Because I saw the situation was bad, I withdrew in advance and only managed to escape back to report."
Xue Kaifeng's words were thought out beforehand and indeed were seamless. That Martial Grandmaster also didn't suspect anything. He just said with a solemn expression, "Could it be that the Hao Xian Sect has discovered us? But that's impossible! The people of the Hao Xian Sect are all under our surveillance."
Xue Kaifeng quickly said, "Third Protector, perhaps the Hao Xian Sect sent out more than just two teams, but more, only our people didn't discover them."
The Third Protector pondered for a moment, then nodded slightly and said, "If you say so, it might be possible. Seeing that you are not lightly injured, you should hurry back and rest. You don't need to interfere with the matters here."
"Yes, Third Protector." Xue Kaifeng quickly said.
On a large tree, Zhang Hao, Qi Zhao, and Liu Mengyao were all observing the Array Dao Masters of the Heavenly Demon Sect in the forest busy setting up an array.
In the Northern Region, Array Dao Masters are basically extinct. Most teleportation arrays appeared during the most prosperous period of the Northern Region's martial arts. Or they only exist in merchant associations that span several great regions. However, as the Heavenly Demon Sect was the number one power that dominated the True Martial Continent a thousand years ago, it is very normal for them to be able to set up teleportation arrays.
From Zhang Hao's perspective as a seventh-level Array Dao Master, he could see that this teleportation array was basically about to be completed.
"No, I must stop him. Otherwise, once this teleportation array is completed, the Heavenly Demon Sect can summon experts at any time, and by then, the Hao Xian Sect will be in danger," Zhang Hao muttered.
Zhang Hao immediately contacted Xiao Kai through his mind.
"Xiao Kai, how many experts are there in this stronghold right now?" Zhang Hao asked.
"Master, this stronghold currently has five Mid-level Martial Grandmasters, ten Low Stage Martial Overlords, and the High Stage Martial Overlord, which is the Great Guardian, just left. There are over a hundred Martial Kings," Xiao Kai said.
"Is that so!" As soon as Zhang Hao heard such strength, his heart immediately sank.
Even without the Great Guardian, this lineup alone was definitely not something they could directly confront. Therefore, thinking of this, Zhang Hao said to Qi Zhao and Liu Mengyao, "Mengyao, Qi Zhao, you two leave here immediately."
Qi Zhao looked at Zhang Hao with some surprise and asked, "Zhang Hao, why is this? Didn't we agree to do this together? Why are you making us leave now?"
Zhang Hao smiled bitterly and shook his head, saying, "That's what I said, but do you know how many experts the Heavenly Demon Sect has here?"
When Zhang Hao revealed the lineup of all the Heavenly Demon Sect experts here, even Qi Zhao and Liu Mengyao were stunned. Naturally, neither of them doubted Zhang Hao's words in the slightest.
"How about it, do you still want to confront them head-on with me?" Zhang Hao said, looking at Qi Zhao and Liu Mengyao with a bitter smile.
Qi Zhao looked at Zhang Hao with a steady gaze and asked, "Even if we leave, what are you planning to do? Are you planning to stay behind alone?"
Zhang Hao pondered for a moment and said, "I have my own way, you don't need to worry about me."
Qi Zhao and Liu Mengyao also knew that Zhang Hao must have a trump card to dare to do this. Qi Zhao pondered for a long time, then said, "Alright then, we'll wait for you to come back at the inn in Western Yuan City. If you don't come back, we won't leave."
"Don't worry, I'll be back soon to meet up with you," Zhang Hao reassured Qi Zhao.
After Qi Zhao and Liu Mengyao left, Zhang Hao began to ponder how to destroy the teleportation array here. Doing it openly was naturally not possible. He must have other means.
"Hmm, I'll do it this way."
Zhang Hao had already thought of an idea, and a trace of a smile appeared on his face.
Nighttime
Xue Kaifeng quietly swept in front of Zhang Hao, looked at him with a respectful expression, and said, "Master."
Zhang Hao looked at Xue Kaifeng, nodded slightly, and said, "Hmm, how is it? You didn't alert anyone else, right?"
"Don't worry, Master, Xiao Kai is very alert. He pretended to go out to relieve himself, and they didn't suspect anything," Xue Kaifeng said very confidently.
Zhang Hao nodded slightly, naturally not doubting Xue Kaifeng's words.
"Now I'll give you a task. You quietly place these things on those array foundations. Don't let anyone discover you."
Saying this, Zhang Hao took out three time bombs. These three time bombs were only the size of ordinary cigarette boxes, very inconspicuous. Of course, these were only for blowing up the array foundations, not for blowing up Martial Grandmasters. Otherwise, even a hundred such remote-controlled bombs would not be enough. This was the latest technology from Earth in the 23rd century, and Zhang Hao had spent quite a few points to exchange for them.
"What is this?"
Xue Kaifeng looked at the three strange boxes with great surprise.
Zhang Hao waved his hand at Xue Kaifeng and said, "You don't need to know what this is. Just follow my instructions and place these things on the foundations of the teleportation array."
Xue Kaifeng immediately said to Zhang Hao with a serious expression, "Understood, Master, Kaifeng will definitely complete the mission."
Zhang Hao was finally satisfied and patted Xue Kaifeng on the shoulder, saying, "Hmm, very good, go."
After Xue Kaifeng left, Zhang Hao also closely monitored the inside of the stronghold. Seeing that Xue Kaifeng had properly placed all the remote-controlled bombs he was given, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Just at this moment, a powerful pressure came from the void.
"This is a High Stage Martial Overlord?"
Zhang Hao's heart trembled.
Zhang Hao knew clearly in his heart that it was very likely the Great Guardian had returned.
"Damn, why didn't he come back earlier or later, but now?" Zhang Hao cursed inwardly.
Fortunately, Zhang Hao had sent Liu Mengyao and Qi Zhao away in advance. Otherwise, they would definitely be in trouble now. If he was alone, he was quite confident he could leave. After all, Zhang Hao had many trump cards.
Zhang Hao instructed Xue Kaifeng through his mind to avoid the array foundations. He then immediately pressed the button for the remote-controlled bombs.
"Rumble!"
A violent explosion sounded.
A single remote-controlled bomb wasn't very powerful, but when three exploded together, the power was still considerable.