The Tianlian Sect disciples gasped in fear as alarm flashed across their faces.

"How...how did you get out?"

"Aren't you poisoned?"

"You..."

Their faces were pale. No one had expected the elders and sect leaders of the other sects to escape. They didn't know what to do.

"Get down on your knees," said Jiang Ning. "Put your hands behind your head and shut your eyes if you want to live."

The men hesitated for a moment. They knew that they were powerless before these sect leaders and could be killed within a blink of an eye.

They exchanged looks with one another after hearing what Jiang Ning had told them. One of them did as Jiang Ning had instructed and the others followed soon after. Jiang Ning paid them no heed, turning instead towards Elder Ting Feng and the other elders and sect leaders.

"Let's get going. I'm going to kill Luo Qi!" Yun Zhongke growled furiously as his eyes glowed murderously.

He had been imprisoned and made to suffer such humiliation. If he could, he would slaughter everyone from Tianlian Sect and let rivers of blood stain their halls.

Li Xuan and the others were equally enraged. Luo Qi was the reason they were in such a state now.

"You'll still die if you kill him," said Jiang Ning calmly. "But I won't stop you if that's what you want to do."

Yun Zhongke froze momentarily, then frowned slightly.

Elder Ting Feng had told Yun Zhongke who Jiang Ning was. Without Jiang Ning, they would have remained as prisoners in the cave for the rest of their lives. Despite that, Yun Zhongke couldn't contain his disgruntlement at hearing Jiang Ning's words.

"Are we going to let him off so easily?"

"If you want to kill anyone, you should kill the mastermind who's behind everything."

"The mastermind?"

They eyed Jiang Ning curiously.

"Let's get out of this place first. We can leave the discussion to later," said Elder Ting Feng. 'Til suggest that we listen to what Jiang Ning has to say."

Having said that, he nodded at Jiang Ning. Jiang Ning didn't say a word as they headed down the mountain path.

The ones who remained exchanged a silent look with one another before making their way out too.

It didn't take long for Tianlian Sect to realize that their prisoners had escaped. The group was waylaid by members of

Tianlian Sect who tried to recapture

them, but fortunately, the route that

they had chosen was relatively deserted. The sect leaders easily broke through the sect's defenses and escaped from Tianlian Sect's grounds.

They left Tianlian Sect, made their way down the mountain and disappeared into the forest.

None of the men from Tianlian Sect caught up with them. © 2024.

"What's going on? You're all good-for-nothings!" thundered Luo Long furiously. "Go after them right now. We must recapture them. Tianlian Sect is going to be in trouble if our rivals return to their sects." The other elders were wracked with anxiety.

They had imprisoned a number of sect leaders and elders from other sects. Their escape was akin to letting their enemies loose.

Once the other great sects joined forces to seek revenge on Tianlian Sect, the latter would suffer attacks from all sides. They wouldn't be able to hold their ground.

Luo Long looked at everyone. "Who started this? Tell me, who's the one who caused this mess? Who's going to be marked as a sinner if Tianlian Sect were to perish?"

Rage came over everyone. This was all Luo Qi's fault!

But what could they do now?

Killing him wasn't going to solve their problem.

"My fellow elders, we must be prepared. This is going to be the toughest challenge that Tianlian Sect will ever face!"

Meanwhile, Jiang Ning and the others had descended the mountain.

They had finally regained their

freedom. The respective sect

leaders were overcome by waves of

emotions. They turned around

Vol.net

stared at Tianlian Sect with a murderous glow in their eyes. How they wished that they could lead their men up the mountain right now and level the entire sect! That was the only way their wrath could be appeased.

"Who's the mastermind behind everything?" un Zhongke turned towards Jiang Ning. "Don't you dare think that we're going to do whatever you tell us to just because you saved us. I'm not going to go easy on you if you can't give me a name."

Jiang Ning threw a glance at him.

"Seems like your poison isn't cured yet," he said mildly. "Did it damage your brains? I'll kill you if you speak to me this way again."