Chapter 702: Surprising Retreat

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"It seems Daoist Friend You is in trouble. But only two spellcasters have appeared, let's all strike together!" Marquis Nanlong stated decisively, then transformed into a golden streak of light and ascended into the sky.

After exchanging glances, the others also appeared without objection.

Immediately, eight streaks of light of various colors rose from the hill and swiftly moved to intercept the white rainbow fleeing ahead.

The white rainbow, already heading their way, accelerated its escape by a third upon seeing this, and in a flash, arrived before Han Li and the others. Its light dissipated, revealing the cold-faced cultivator surnamed You.

His face was somewhat pale, indicating a loss of vital energy.

"Thank you, Daoist Friends, for coming to my aid. I am deeply grateful!" The cold-faced cultivator clasped his hands together, his anxious expression vanishing as he spoke with a touch of gratitude.

"Well, are you alright, Daoist Friend? But why are there two spellcasters pursuing you? I remember there was only one originally, wasn't there?" Marquis Nanlong also stopped his escape light, revealing himself floating in the air, and asked with apparent concern.

"I'm fine," the cold-faced cultivator replied with a bitter, helpless smile. "I just fought with the first person for most of the day, then they got reinforcements. I had no choice but to lead them on a chase for two days and two nights, which severely depleted my vital energy!"

"No wonder you had to flee, Daoist Friend. Facing two spellcasters of the same rank simultaneously, aside from Daoist Friends Nanlong and Yun, the rest of us would also have to temporarily avoid their attacks." The old woman sighed, "But as for these two pursuing you, their cultivation and divine abilities aside, their courage is truly immense. Even now, they show no intention of retreating. Do they really intend to hit a rock with an egg?" Han Li looked into the distance and suddenly chuckled.

In fact, Han Li didn't need to say anything; everyone else had naturally noticed.

Upon seeing Han Li and the others appear, the two spellcasters opposite stopped at a distance. They didn't immediately flee, but coldly observed them from their positions.

Similarly, under the powerful spiritual sense of Han Li and the others, the appearance of these two individuals was clearly discernible.

One had a golden complexion, wore a feather crown, and was clad in a hemp robe. The other had a ferocious appearance and wore a green robe. Both were Nascent Soul stage spellcasters.

Marquis Nanlong snorted coldly at the sight, then spoke chillingly to the figures opposite:

"Daoist Friends, you still refuse to leave even now? Do you truly wish for us to make a move? Aren't you afraid of failing and having your bodies and souls utterly destroyed here?"

Marquis Nanlong's words were filled with menace.

"What a grand tone!" the hemp-robed spellcaster retorted with unusual sharpness, rolling his eyes. "Although the two of us are not your match, saying you can eradicate us right now is quite boastful. We won't fight you head-on; if we just delay for half a day, do you think you'll still have a chance to leave this place? It would be better if you just obediently surrendered now. Perhaps, this master can even allow you to reincarnate!"

"Delay for half a day? Do you think we're made of mud?" Marquis Nanlong, enraged, laughed instead.

At the same time, dazzling golden light radiated from his body, making it almost impossible to look directly at him.

"Perhaps not, perhaps so! With so many high-ranking cultivators like yourselves coming to Mulan Grasslands, as hosts, we must properly entertain you!" the other green-robed spellcaster said expressionlessly.

"Hmph! It seems you two won't shed tears until you see the coffin. Brother Yun, let's act!" Marquis Nanlong's face darkened as he spoke faintly to the white-robed elder, turning his head.

But when the white-robed elder heard this, a hint of helplessness appeared on his face.

"I originally wanted to conserve some magical power before handling the main business," the elder said with a light sigh. "But we can't just let these two keep trailing us. We have no choice but to act!"

As soon as he finished speaking, he opened his mouth, and a silver dharma wheel shot out.

The wheel, about the size of a fist, radiated crystal light and slowly rotated a few feet in front of his chest.

Upon seeing this, the two spellcasters opposite immediately retreated a bit, their bodies glowing intensely as they watched the elder with wary expressions.

Meanwhile, Marquis Nanlong, without a word, flicked his large sleeve, and a golden flying sword immediately flew out from within.

Han Li and the others also silently raised their magical power and slowly moved forward.

Just then, in the distant sky behind the two figures opposite, a red light suddenly flickered, followed by a streak of fire light that shot towards them from afar.

Marquis Nanlong and the others, who were about to make a move, were stunned, and their actions involuntarily paused.

The two spellcasters naturally also noticed the unusual phenomenon behind them, but the hemp-robed spellcaster among them, with an unchanged expression, waved at the fiery light.

As a result, after circling about ten feet above his head, the red light steadily fell into his hand, then burst open, a ball of flame fiercely burning in the person's palm.

This was actually a sound-transmitting talisman that had flown from who knows where!

"What?"

The hemp-robed spellcaster quickly checked it with his spiritual sense, then cried out in alarm.

Even from hundreds of yards away, Marquis Nanlong and the others could clearly see the surprise on his face.

This person suddenly turned his head and, with slightly moving lips, transmitted a message to the green-robed spellcaster beside him. The ferocious-looking spellcaster's face changed after hearing only a few sentences, and he also let out a low cry.

Then the two of them carefully looked at the cultivators, their gazes finally settling on Han Li, and their expressions became solemn.

Han Li's expression remained normal, but he vaguely guessed something in his heart.

It was likely about the old man surnamed Mu being severely injured by him, with only his Nascent Soul managing to escape. Could these two be closely related to that old man?

Han Li pondered without revealing anything, but after the two spellcasters glared fiercely at him, they looked at each other, their faces showing hesitation.

After exchanging a few more whispered messages, light rose from their bodies, and without another word, they transformed into two long rainbows, one red and one green, and fled back the way they came.

This left Marquis Nanlong and the others stunned, but after a few moments of hesitation, no one went to pursue them.

In the blink of an eye, the two vanished as streaks of light, disappearing from the horizon.

"Daoist Friend Han, those two seemed quite concerned about you. Did you know these two spellcasters before?" Wang Tiangu asked from the side, with a half-smile and an inscrutable expression.

"No, I don't," Han Li replied without hesitation, his expression calm. "This is my third visit to Mulan Grasslands; how could I know those two?"

Marquis Nanlong frowned slightly upon hearing this, but then immediately relaxed his brow.

"Alright, regardless of what happened with those two spellcasters, let's leave this place and go unlock the restriction to quickly obtain the treasure. This is Mulan territory; we cannot stay long." Marquis Nanlong did not inquire further about the previous incident, but spoke as if nothing had happened.

Seeing Marquis Nanlong's words, Wang Tiangu immediately fell silent. Although the others were also somewhat puzzled, they didn't say much either.

After all, judging by the look of those two spellcasters, it seemed as if they had formed some enmity with Han Li, and the others were too lazy to meddle in such affairs.

Thus, under the leadership of Marquis Nanlong and the white-robed elder, the few individuals transformed into several streaks of light and quickly left the place.

They headed west along the edge of the grassland, eventually arriving before a barren, stony mountain. This mountain was only a few hundred yards high, completely devoid of vegetation, and covered entirely with huge grayish-white rocks. Upon seeing this mountain, Han Li and the others all showed expressions of surprise.

Could the Immortal Cang Qiong's immortal's cave be located within this inconspicuous stony mountain?

The spiritual energy here was scarce; had Marquis Nanlong not led the way, they truly would not have been able to find this place.

"Alright, this is it," Marquis Nanlong gravely instructed Han Li and the others. "Daoist Friend Yun and I will first open the outer layer of restrictions. All Daoist Friends, make sure to follow closely." He then stepped forward side by side with the white-robed elder, and facing the mountain, each took out a medium banner from within their robes.

Both medium banners were several inches in size. One shimmered with green light and was exceptionally crystalline; the other was a yellowish shade with faint runes fluttering. Neither was an ordinary item.

Seeing Marquis Nanlong's actions, Han Li and the others couldn't help but hold their breath, carefully observing the two of them casting spells.

They saw the two muttering incantations, low chanting sounds continuously emanating from their mouths without haste. Simultaneously, the two medium banners began to flicker and glow, gradually shaking as if they were about to fly out of their hands.

"Go!"

Almost at the same instant, Marquis Nanlong and the white-robed elder let go, and the medium banners shot out from their hands.

After a flash of light, the medium banners swiftly disappeared into a certain rock on the mountain's surface, vanishing without a trace.

A moment later, everything was as usual, with no movement whatsoever.

A hint of doubt simultaneously arose on the faces of Han Li and the others.

The old woman lightly coughed, just as she was about to open her mouth to ask something. Suddenly, the ground under their feet trembled violently, causing most people to sway and nearly lose their balance.

But the scene that followed caused Han Li's expression to change slightly, and his heart to be alarmed.