Chapter 382: Escape

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Suddenly enveloped in black light, Li Hongjiu's vision went dark. He lost his sight, hearing, and in fact, his sense of smell once more. However, in the Divine Fire Domain, his sense of smell was normally useless and dangerous to employ, so he had already suppressed it. This wasn't his first encounter with the 'Three Corpse Mirror' attack; he had broken it with his Lightning Sword previously. Thus, the moment his vision dimmed, he understood what he was up against.

Having seen Shi Chun produce the bronze mirror earlier, he was already mentally prepared. This was also why he deliberately charged forward, aiming to close the distance between them—his chosen method of counteracting the attack. Shi Chun's true killing move, however, was the 'Immortal Strangling Silk'. The 'Three Corpse Mirror' itself lacked offensive power; the black light was merely a diversion. How could Li Hongjiu not know? He wasn't blind. He not only recognized everything Shi Chun brandished, but he had also 'tasted' them, having been attacked by Shi Chun's 'Immortal Strangling Silk' dozens of times, if not hundreds.

The real challenge was the complete loss of hearing and vision within the black light, making it impossible to anticipate the arrival of the 'Immortal Strangling Silk'. However, for cultivators, overcoming this issue was not a major problem; they could simply project their magical energy to sense their surroundings. And for Li Hongjiu, it was even less of a concern.

Years ago, while cultivating and seeking enlightenment in the mountains, he had observed wind rising from the tip of duckweed. This observation led to profound insights, enabling him to later summon a mighty wind with a mere flick of a finger—a wind strong enough to move mountains. At this moment, although no visible wind swirled around him, he effortlessly, and with newfound enlightenment, imbued his surroundings with profound subtle energies. These were countless mysterious and invisible forces and patterns, intricate and wondrous beyond comprehension.

For example, the shockwave from the Black Lotus Avatar's previous sword swing would have destroyed anyone else at the same cultivation level. Yet, before it even touched Li Hongjiu's physical body, it was dissolved by the profound essence he had deployed. Power descended like a mountain, but he transformed it into a vast current that harmlessly flowed around him. Consequently, as he charged through immense power, his clothes and hair fluttered in a manner strikingly different from normal, conveying a sense of deliberate, sweeping force.

Though he couldn't see, he instantly knew when the expansive 'Immortal Strangling Silk' net drew near. He also knew the net was wide, reaching him in an instant, leaving no time to dodge. He further realized that the blades, spears, and swords from the three divine demon avatars controlled by Wu Jinliang were launching their attacks right behind it.

The instant the black light enveloped him, his twin swords assumed the 'Heaven and Earth Yin-Yang Stance': one positioned diagonally upright in front, the other diagonally lowered behind him. This peculiar stance was adopted because he knew his own strength was vastly outmatched by the power of those magical artifacts, and there was a significant difference in attack speed. He needed to intercept the attacks with the most immediate reaction distance possible. Rumors claimed he was the most formidable fighter among his generation of disciples in the Yanbao Sect, and this was entirely accurate.

The strangling net had already reached his body, but he ignored it. Due to his swift charge, the distance between him and Shi Chun had already drastically narrowed. As the strangling net enveloped him, his head and feet simultaneously emerged from the top and bottom of the black light column. Seeing him trapped in the net, Shi Chun's eyes and lips instantly curved into a fierce, savage grin. Wu Jinliang also wore a grim smile; the spear wielded by the divine demon avatar he controlled was already thrusting directly towards Li Hongjiu's head.

However, the faint smiles that had just appeared on their faces abruptly froze and disappeared. Li Hongjiu thrust a sword out of the net; with a muffled clang, he barely blocked the spear. He then produced another sword, deflecting a blade, before immediately cleaving outwards with both swords in an inverted 'V' formation. The cleaving sword edges vibrated, emitting a soul-disturbing hum. A cacophony of jarring sounds, like snapping harp strings, erupted, followed by a thunderous, earth-shattering explosion.

The vast net, moments away from coiling up to strangle its captive, was torn asunder by Li Hongjiu's left and right sword swings. The 'Immortal Strangling Silk' was actually slashed open by Li Hongjiu in a single exchange. Simultaneously, he effortlessly deflected a sword attack from one of Wu Jinliang's magical artifacts. Using the force from the deflected sword, he shot out of the torn net like a phantom, his sword light arcing directly towards Shi Chun.

This single sword nearly scared the soul out of Shi Chun. What kind of monster was this, to shatter his Immortal Strangling Silk with just one strike? Boom! Amidst the resounding crash, the Black Lotus Avatar's colossal sword intercepted the cannon-shot-like strike. A terrified Wu Jinliang hurriedly recalled his three divine demon avatars to assist, forcing Li Hongjiu to withdraw his attack and respond defensively.

A white light retracted into Shi Chun's hand, shrinking back into a silvery-white handkerchief with two small cuts on its surface. The fact that it could be recalled indicated it was still usable. But what was the point? Should he throw it out again just to have it slashed twice more and utterly destroyed? He casually returned it to his pouch, then urgently shouted at Wu Jinliang, who was still engaging Li Hongjiu, "Jinliang, cover our retreat!"

He himself leaped onto the black lotus of the avatar, instructing the magical artifact to quickly transport the Ming Shan Sect group to safety. This wasn't simply a matter of a strength disparity with Li Hongjiu; rather, Shi Chun had been utterly terrified after just one or two exchanges. The man dared to charge forward like a rabid dog—how could Shi Chun not recognize the overwhelming difference? What was the point of fighting? It was time to run and let those terrifying entities intervene. Considering those terrifying entities, he felt a flicker of surprise and doubt: What was happening? Why hadn't they acted yet?

He glanced back as he fled, only to see Li Hongjiu calmly fending off the combined assault of the three divine demon avatars. While Li Hongjiu's attack speed appeared slower, under the circumstances, he seemed to be responding with unhurried composure. The crucial point was Li Hongjiu displayed no panic whatsoever. Shi Chun's jaw almost twitched with disbelief. That man, Li, must have been toying with him earlier, holding back an immense amount of power. He felt his lifelong reputation for wisdom was failing him, as he simply couldn't fathom Li Hongjiu's intentions.

In any case, this encounter with Li Hongjiu's power genuinely left him questioning everything. He repeatedly asked himself, "How is this possible? How can someone with such high martial cultivation possess such incredible strength?" In truth, a calm, close observation would have revealed clues in Li Hongjiu's movements. However, for Shi Chun, with the overwhelming power Li Hongjiu had displayed and the way the fight had gone, only someone with a flawed mind would dare to doubt his strength.

"How is this possible? The Yanbao Sect actually possesses such a formidable individual!" Xu Anchang, thoroughly shaken, finally exclaimed. The Ming Shan Sect group was equally terrified, their composure shattered. They had always known the saying, "There are always people stronger, and heavens beyond heaven," but today they truly grasped that some individuals were simply "heavens beyond people"—true, unparalleled prodigies.

Some people in the lake were so frightened they dove beneath the surface. No one dared to obstruct Shi Chun's fleeing group. Even their leader had fled, and Wu Jinliang was flustered, having long lost any will to fight. Crucially, Li Hongjiu's power completely surpassed his understanding; it was too terrifying. Seeing his allies retreat, he seized an opening, leaped onto a metal futon that carried a divine demon avatar, and fled without looking back, leaving two avatars behind to cover their escape. As soon as he made his escape, the two remaining avatars swiftly flew after him.

Li Hongjiu held both swords, then effortlessly unfurled a Wind Scale. Riding it, he ascended into the sky, directly pursuing the direction in which Shi Chun's group had fled. The Wind Scale was incredibly fast; once deployed, its speed could rival that of an ordinary Earth Immortal level cultivator. He pursued them relentlessly, refusing to let them go. His fellow sect members had been inexplicably killed, and he was certain Shi Chun's group was involved. Now that he had finally cornered them, he would not easily let them escape. He understood clearly that without Wu Shanshan this time, if Shi Chun's group escaped, finding them again would be difficult. He was determined to pursue them relentlessly.

The surrounding disciples from various sects, half-dazed, were utterly stunned and bewildered. What they had just witnessed repeatedly confused them: Was that truly Li Hongjiu, the one who had just fought a close-quarters battle against a host of magical artifacts, shaking the heavens and earth? Then, someone took the lead, riding a Wind Scale in pursuit, followed by a large number of others who also mounted Wind Scales to chase. Someone in the air turned back and shouted, "You few, quickly return to the exit and inform the elders of the situation!" At this reminder, many sects began issuing similar instructions, and a considerable number of people immediately hurried away.

However, some neither pursued nor returned, as they were forced to remain at the scene to collect bodies. Without the protection of numerous magical artifacts, and caught in the clash between Earth Immortal level powers, some unfortunate individuals who didn't run fast or far enough were struck and killed by exploding stones. Sixty to seventy people perished in the residual aftermath of the battle. Some wailed loudly, regretting not heeding warnings and venturing into the forbidden land—a true embodiment of "not shedding tears until seeing the coffin". Many more were wounded.

On the lake island, it was like hearing thunder erupt in a place of perfect tranquility. Zhen'er listened intently, while the youthful-looking Ninth Master, casually leaning back with his legs crossed, also faintly heard the distant, thunderous sounds of battle. "Are they fighting?" Zhen'er asked with surprised concern. The Ninth Master hummed in affirmation. "Likely so," he said. "It sounds like it's coming from the direction you arrived from." Zhen'er suddenly grew anxious. "Aren't you going to intervene?" she asked. The Ninth Master replied, "From the sounds, it's an even match, and Shi Chun's side appears to be holding their own. Besides, how do you know no one here has already intervened? Don't worry, everything will be fine."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the sounds abruptly ceased. Zhen'er immediately looked at him. The Ninth Master calmly stated, "It's over. We simply await his marriage proposal." He wore an expression of calm nonchalance. In truth, he was merely placating Zhen'er. They cared nothing for Shi Chun's fate. If he didn't come to propose, they would annihilate everyone who reached the lakeside. Conversely, if he did, they wouldn't intervene. This was a shared understanding from the tower's base to its summit.

Zhen'er, however, believed him, convinced that with the protection of the masters in the tower, Shi Chun would be safe. She clasped her fingers together, facing the direction he had come from, her face filled with eager anticipation for Shi Chun's marriage proposal. Perhaps her heartfelt wishes had resonated, for the Ninth Master, who had been sitting with crossed legs, suddenly froze. He looked towards the direction they had come from and slowly straightened up.

Soon, divine-demon-like light and shadow avatars rapidly flew through the twilight sky. The Black Lotus Avatar flew in the lead, followed by three truncated divine demon avatars, and behind them, naturally, someone was still in relentless pursuit. Shi Chun's group scanned the frozen lake surface with wide eyes as they flew. Zhen'er had told him about the lake island, saying it was easy to find, and he was now desperate to locate it. Previously, he would rather have died than come here to meet those masters.

Now, things were truly dire. Relentlessly pursued by Li Hongjiu, he had no choice but to seek out the masters in the tower. He planned to wait for them to handle Li Hongjiu, then use the excuse of preparing marriage proposal gifts to make his escape. Peculiarities were easily spotted on the frosty lake surface. Shi Chun suddenly pointed and exclaimed, "Ahead!"

Before he even finished speaking, they had already arrived directly above the lake island. Zhen'er and the now-standing Ninth Master looked up, and Zhen'er happily waved towards the sky. Shi Chun immediately retracted his divine demon avatars and, with his group, floated gracefully to the ground. His first action, right in front of the Ninth Master, was to grasp Zhen'er's hand and plead for help: "Someone is attacking! We are no match for them! Please, Master, quickly intervene!" He wasn't sure if the person beside him was indeed 'the Master,' but getting the situation explained quickly was paramount. The Ninth Master, somewhat bewildered, turned his head to look in the direction they had come from. This wasn't quite what he had anticipated. What audacity was this, to dare pursue them all the way here?

(End of Chapter)

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