Jiang Ning kept his head down as he made his way carefully through the courtyard, walking past numerous people who didn't spare him a look at all.

He could sense an aura of solemnity hanging in the air. Every disciple appeared to be taut with tension. They were clearly struggling to maintain their composure in the current situation.

"I have to find out where the prisoners are kept as soon as possible." Jiang Ning frowned slightly.

The compound of Tianlian Sect was vast. It wasn't going to be easy to locate where the prisoners were being held without taking some time.

Jiang Ning knew that his enemy wasn't Luo Qi, but the mysterious Mr Lang.

His instincts told him that Mr Lang wanted to get his hands on the Extreme Fist Technique Manual. In fact, the man probably knew that Jiang Ning had the manual. To be more precise, he knew that the manual was located beyond the

mountain.

With his abilities, he could have approached Qingshan Sect, seized control of the sect, its elders and Liu Chuandao, and forced the gates to the world beyond the mountain open. Wouldn't that be more straightforward?

Why would he spend all that effort in seizing control over Luo Qi, manipulating the sects into forming an alliance and sending the world within the mountain into utter chaos?

Jiang Ning couldn't figure that out.

But this wasn't the time for that anyway.

"Come on, hurry up! We've got to deliver these now."

"It's for those fellows. Why are we in such a rush?" "What do you know? Are you willing to shoulder the responsibility if anyone died from starvation?"

In the distance, a dozen or so men were cursing as they walked down the corridor with wicker baskets in their arms. Jiang Ning lifted his head instantly.

He smelled something fragrant. Was that food in those baskets?

Judging by the size and number of wicker baskets he could see, they must be feeding quite a large group of people. The sect should have a canteen where everyone could have their meals. There shouldn't be a need to transport so much food somewhere, unless...

Something flickered in Jiang Ning's eyes. He followed the group quietly, surveying the surrounding cautiously as he trailed them.

His caution had not been in vain. It took time to travel these dirt paths on the remote areas of Tianlian Sect and guards could be found guarding every stretch of every path.

Jiang Ning deftly evaded these guards the entire journey and was finally greeted by the sight of a cave.

Jiang Ning waited outside as the men carried the wicker baskets into the cave.

It didn't take long for them to emerge from the cave again with empty wicker baskets. This must be the place where they were keeping the prisoners.

He had to find a way inside, then find another way to bring them out.

Jiang Ning frowned slightly. After some thought, he decided not to break into the cave without a plan. Instead, he turned and left.

Things were going to be easier now that he knew where the prisoners were being kept.

He came back outside, where Liu Chuandao and Elder Ting Feng were still engaged in battle. They were equally matched. Neither could defeat the other. Their disciples were barely restraining themselves as their elders held them back from attacking the other sect.

It was then that Ting Feng and Liu Chuandao turned their eyes towards the crowd and caught Jiang Ning nodding at them. Their palms shot out and smashed into each other, driving both of them back and ending the fight. Both men panted heavily.

"Why did you stop?" Luo Qi was still enjoying the show. "Elder Ting Feng, it appears that you're not that capable after all. You can't even kill Liu Chuandao."

He had realized from the beginning that the two men had no intention of killing each other. They had been putting up a show for him.

He was happy to enjoy the performance that they put up. He had all the time in the world. Liu Chuandao's delay tactic didn't worry him. "Luo Qi..." Ting Feng gritted his teeth.

"Don't force my hand!" "That's exactly what I'm doing. What can

you do about it?" Luo Qi barked out a mirthless laugh. "Let me say this again. You have no other choice. You can help me finish what I've started or watch as I seize power over the five sects and do it myself."

His lips were twisted into a terrible smile as he eyed Elder Ting Feng with a faint look of provocation.

"Master Ting's dead. There's no

point in keeping Buddha Sect around." With a wave of his hand, the archer's began to gather more closely together. He had lost his patience. These games tired him. "Kiffanyone who tries to get near." This content is © .