Chapter 264: Beast Ambush

Jiang Fan stopped.

Compared to Fu Chaojun’s worthless life, his interest in treasures was naturally far greater.

“Tell me, what kind of treasure is it! Don’t tell me it’s just some crystals or elixirs; I’m not interested in those.”

He casually took out a crystal token worth 100,000 and waved it in front of her.

Ming Youlian’s expression subtly changed, and the hand she had reached into her robe awkwardly retracted. She had indeed planned to send Jiang Fan off with some ordinary items. Who would have thought Jiang Fan possessed such immense wealth? Evidently, ordinary things wouldn't impress him. To save the chief disciple of the Heavenly Sound Sect, she would have to sacrifice her most valuable possession.

She glanced at Fu Chaojun. Although on the boat earlier, this fellow had intended to abandon her and flee alone, which had left her feeling deeply disheartened. Nevertheless, he was still the chief disciple of the Heavenly Sound Sect, the sect's future hope. Therefore, she had to do everything she could to protect him.

Gritting her teeth, she reluctantly unstrapped a long wooden box from her back, stroking it regretfully.

Seeing this, Fu Chaojun was surprised. “Grand Elder, this… this is your soulbound artifact! Are you going to give it to him?” Even he, as selfish as he was, finally felt a flicker of guilt.

Jiang Fan’s eyebrows twitched. A soulbound artifact, so-called, refers to a magical treasure that a powerful cultivator relies on, capable of unleashing most of their strength. Its name alone suggested its immense power.

As Ming Youlian opened the wooden box, an antique, snow-white guqin came into view. Each string was as transparent as crystal, clearly refined from the tendons of a Core Formation realm demonic beast. The body of the guqin was carved from an unknown ancient wood, inscribed with superior runes. The entire instrument shimmered with spiritual light, exuding an extraordinary aura.

“A top-grade artifact!” Jiang Fan was secretly astonished. Artifacts of this caliber were only worthy of being possessed by elders and sect masters of the Nine Sects. Disciples had no chance of obtaining them.

Ming Youlian, showing intense reluctance, handed it to Jiang Fan: “I only ask that Young Master Jiang be merciful and spare Fu Chaojun’s life.”

Jiang Fan considered this, then said, “Very well. However, I need you to write a ‘Deed of Gift’ document.”

If it were someone else’s item, he would simply accept it. But he couldn’t commend Ming Youlian’s character. Currently, she was severely injured, naturally appearing weak. Once her injuries healed, if she accused Jiang Fan of exploiting her weakness to steal the item, he would have no way to defend himself. And she was a Grand Elder of the Nine Sects, while Jiang Fan was merely a disciple. At that point, where would Jiang Fan go to seek justice?

“What do you mean?” Ming Youlian’s aged eyes widened in anger. “Do you think an old woman like me would go back on her word?”

In fact, that thought had indeed crossed her mind. If she couldn’t find a better top-grade guqin later, she would naturally try to reclaim this one. She never expected Jiang Fan to be so cautious, actually guarding against her.

Jiang Fan’s sword tapped Fu Chaojun’s neck. “Just tell me, will you write it or not?”

Ming Youlian’s eyelid twitched, and she cursed Jiang Fan fiercely in her heart. With a grim expression, she reluctantly pricked her arm for blood and wrote a blood oath on the spot.

Only then did Jiang Fan smile. He simultaneously put away the guqin and the blood oath.

“Are you going to release him now?” Ming Youlian glared at Jiang Fan.

Jiang Fan smiled. Carrying the guqin, he decisively turned around. But he did not sheath his sword. Instead, he looked towards Ji Ruyue, whose face had already turned guilty, though he didn't know when.

Watching Jiang Fan approach her, she pursed her red lips and forced a smile. “J-Junior Brother Jiang. Congratulations on your victory.”

Jiang Fan walked steadily towards her, saying calmly, “So, I should thank you for revealing my background?” With that, he unleashed a sword strike from a distance. The powerful sword qi pierced through the air, creating a roaring sound like thunder.

Xie Liushu, who was standing nearby, changed expression, grabbed Ji Ruyue, and soared away.

Tear—

The horse Ji Ruyue had been sitting on was instantly sliced in two! This bloody scene left Ji Ruyue utterly pale, her delicate body trembling.

Xie Liushu’s expression also kept changing. He reprimanded, “Jiang Fan! What is the meaning of this?” Attacking his person openly, right in front of him, the chief disciple of the Joyful Union Sect. Wasn’t this a blatant insult to him?

Jiang Fan said indifferently, “Isn’t my meaning perfectly clear?” He looked coldly at Ji Ruyue: “In the past, I never bothered with your various verbal provocations. Yet you showed no remorse, escalating your actions, and now you even revealed my cultivation method to my powerful enemy during battle! Your intentions are punishable by death!”

Ji Ruyue’s mind was in utter chaos. She was filled with regret; if she had known Jiang Fan was so formidable and had hidden his strength so well, she wouldn't have dared to be so presumptuous, even with a hundred times her courage. Now, she had truly landed herself in big trouble. She turned her eyes to Xie Liushu beside her, casting a helpless, pleading look. “Senior Brother, please help me.”

Xie Liushu also had a headache. Who the hell was spreading rumors that Jiang Fan was a talentless wretch with no spiritual roots? He could even overpower the chief disciple of the Heavenly Sound Sect! He wasn't much weaker than him either! Inciting such a powerful enemy was indeed troublesome for him. However, Ji Ruyue was his junior sister, and as the chief disciple of the Joyful Union Sect, he couldn't simply stand by. He could only grit his teeth and continue to shield Ji Ruyue, shouting:

“Junior Brother Jiang, Ruyue certainly has her faults. But she is a member of my Joyful Union Sect. If punishment is due, it should come from our sect elders. If you trust me, I'll take her back, and she will receive the punishment she deserves.”

“Trust you?” Jiang Fan continued to walk towards him expressionlessly, a cold glint in his eyes. “What if I don't trust you?”

Xie Liushu was cornered. There was nowhere to go. At this point, he could only resort to force! He swept his gaze over Jiang Fan and the three behind him, including Yi Lianxing. Then he considered his own group of six. After calculating, he felt his side had a greater chance of winning, so his eyes flickered, and he was about to retort.

Suddenly!

Massive waves suddenly surged at the dock. Immediately after, a colossal blood-red shadow suddenly burst from the river, biting down on the very ship Jiang Fan and the others had traveled on.

With a deafening crack of splintering wood, a large section of the ship was instantly bitten off!!!

The remaining half rapidly sank amidst the unceasing, turbulent waves.

This sight left everyone present stunned.

“Wh-what is that?” Xie Liushu gawked.

Ming Youlian, however, showed fear on her face and cried urgently, “Chaojun, go! Quickly!”

Fu Chaojun’s face also turned ashen. He helped Ming Youlian up and frantically fled deeper inland.

No one knew better than them what that was.

Jiang Fan also froze for a moment, then his expression drastically changed. “It’s an adult Red-Scaled Flood Dragon! Quick! Get our Thousand-Mile Vultures escorted away!” There was no time to bother with the pile of Red-Scaled Flood Dragon corpses. At the very least, they had to secure their mission items.

Yi Lianxing and the two other girls reacted quickly. They quickly mounted their assigned horses, cracking their whips, and urgently drove their carriages deep inland.

Jiang Fan, meanwhile, followed behind the last carriage, responsible for the rear.

Xie Liushu, who was the last to react, saw the expressions of both sects and knew he dared not linger. He hastily shouted, “Quick! Retreat!”

However.

They were still a step too late!