“The Black Tortoise Sect?” Quan Hui furrowed her brows for a moment before reluctantly clasping her fists towards them. “I am Quan Hui of the Vermilion Bird Sect. I am here leading a group of fellow disciples from my sect to arrest a sect deserter. May I ask what relationship do you have with my Junior Martial Brother Lin?”

“We met by chance last night,” Lin Xiao answered.

“I’m not asking you!” Quan Hui shouted imperiously at Lin Xiao, causing the latter to quieten down immediately.

“Brother Lin is right. We truly met by chance last night,” Zhao Yunxiao answered carefully after seeing how Quan Hui shouted at Lin Xiao.

As expected, no matter which sect or faction, most core disciples were unapproachable characters!

“With all due respect, do you really expect me to believe that?” Quan Hui sneered. “Let me guess. Are you going to continue by saying that you just happened to have a complex concealing array lying around here, so you were simply bringing Junior Martial Brother Lin in with you to let him experience it for himself?”

“The concealing array is to ensure our safety in the wilds. Who knows what kind of dangers lie around every corner? On a separate note, I’ve heard the details from Brother Lin, and I’m afraid that you might have misunderstood his intentions. Brother Lin is simply trying to explore the world for a short while before returning to the sect, and is definitely not intending to be a deserter,” Zhao Yunxiao tried to change the topic since he knew that his argument regarding the concealing array was rather weak.

After all, this concealing array belonged to an extensive network that was far too complex for it to be meant for something as simple as that.

But at the same time, it was not like he could reveal the fact that he had set up such an exquisite array because he did not want to risk exposing the Heaven’s Descent Bowl.

The Heaven’s Descent Bowl was valuable enough for him to worry about even his own sect members stooping to various means to take it from him.

Who knew what members of another faction would do if they learnt of its existence, especially now that they were alone out here in the wilds?

He could only hope that the other party had no clue just how complex this array was. That way, he could at least try to smoke his way through!

“In that case, why did you have to hide from us?” Quan Hui scoffed. “I’m afraid you are not trying to hide from just any danger. Instead, this is specifically set up to hide from us, members of the Vermilion Bird Sect!”

“That’s not it, Senior Martial Sister Quan,” Lin Xiao said. “They are not-”

“I said, I am not asking you!” Quan Hui bellowed, cutting Lin Xiao off immediately.

“Do you see the pile of carcasses there?” Gu Qiansi pointed to their haul from the previous day. “We were merely hunting in the area. Otherwise, there’s no reason for us to create such a mess if we are trying to hide.”

“Or maybe you just never expected us to track you all the way here,” Quan Hui shot down her explanation.

“Then why would we set up the array for you?” Lu Zhiying rolled her eyes.

“Is there any way that we can prove our innocence?” Zhao Yunxiao quickly said to turn their attention away from what Lu Zhiying said.

“There is only one way,” Quan Hui said. “Follow us back to the Vermilion Bird Sect. We will leave it to our sect administrators to find out the truth from you!”

Hearing that, the expressions on Zhao Yunxiao and Lu Zhiying dimmed immediately.

On the other hand, Lu Zhiying’s eyes lit up in surprise!

“Do we really have no choice?” Lu Zhiying asked expectantly.

Zhao Yunxiao: “...”

He could see the obvious excitement in her eyes.

It would appear that this crazy junior martial sister of his would even treat something as serious as being brought back to the Vermilion Bird Sect like an exciting adventure!

“Isn’t that a little inappropriate?” Zhao Yunxiao asked in response. “We are here in the northern region of the empire. If we really want to have this looked into, shouldn’t we be heading to Purple Plum Mountain instead?”

The Black Tortoise Sect was a longstanding ally of the Vermilion Bird Sect, with neither being considered superior in comparison.

If there was a matter involving members of both sects, it was only natural to head to the nearest of the two for mediation.

“Do you think I am a fool?” Quan Hui scoffed. “If you are allowed to return to Purple Plum Mountain, would it still be possible for me to hold you accountable for your deeds?”

“You don’t have to worry about that,” Gu Qiansi retorted unhappily. “The Black Tortoise Sect is upright and honest. Even if we wanted to hide, our sect administrators would make us face the music!”

“I don’t know about your Black Tortoise Sect, but I know for sure that my Vermilion Bird Sect will be fair and just. To prevent any mishaps, I’ll have to request that all of you return with us!” Quan Hui insisted.

“I’m sorry, but this is not a convenient time since we would need to return to the sect shortly,” Zhao Yunxiao declined solemnly. “Once we have the time, we will pay your sect a visit to explain the matter.”

“I’m afraid you don’t have a choice,” Quan Hui said. “Capture them!”

“Wait, Senior Martial Sister Quan!” Lin Xiao stepped forward. “They are innocent! I truly just met them last night!”

“I’ve had enough of your blatant lies,” Quan Hui answered. “If you try to resist, we will just have to take you down by force!”

“This...” Lin Xiao looked over at Zhao Yunxiao’s group. “I’m truly sorry for implicating you.”

“It’s not your fault that you have an unreasonable senior martial sister in the sect,” Lu Zhiying answered.

“Are you intending to risk breaking the alliance between the two sects?” Zhao Yunxiao tried to caution Quan Hui.

“By helping a deserter of our sect, you are the ones who have broken the alliance, not me,” Quan Hui was unfazed. “What are you waiting for? Do it!”

“Yes, Senior Martial Sister Quan!”

The other members of the Vermilion Bird Sect answered in unison before starting to approach Zhao Yunxiao’s group.

Zhao Yunxiao, Gu Qiansi, and Lu Zhiying immediately drew their weapons and got into a defensive stance.

Zhao Yunxiao held his halberd.

Gu Qiansi pulled out her sword.

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Lu Zhiying readied herself with her twin swords.

This was a fight that they would lose nine out of ten times, but they could not just go down without a fight regardless!

“If they resist, you have my permission to use whatever means necessary!” Quan Hui ordered, and the members of the Vermilion Bird Sect drew their weapons as well.

“Run! I’ll hold them back!” Lin Xiao suddenly stepped in front of the trio and waved his horsetail whisk.

Blazing flames were summoned forth, forming into a huge fireball that erupted towards the members of the Vermilion Bird Sect.

“I will take care of Junior Martial Brother Lin. You guys, continue with what you are doing!” Quan Hui’s figure flashed, and she appeared before the fireball in an instant.

She casually reached a hand out, directly blocking the oncoming fireball with her open palm.

Boom-!

The fireball exploded upon impact, turning into a cloud of black smoke and sending shockwaves in all directions.

Trees rustled and leaves scattered, testament to the sheer power behind the explosion.

Despite that, the cloud of black smoke quickly dissipated to reveal a completely unscathed Quan Hui.

Zhao Yunxiao furrowed his brows upon seeing that.

These were the same fireballs that had taken down the tough black death. Yet despite the violent explosion, it seemed to have absolutely no effect on Quan Hui.

Not just that, but she did not even have to use any special treasures or weapons in the process.

This was the strength of a core disciple of one of the Four Great Symbol Sects!

After neutralising the fireball, Quan Hui stepped forward with lightning speed and struck out with the same open palm.

Her palm burst into flames mid-trajectory, bearing semblance to the talons of a firebird.

Quan Hui’s movements were far too quick, leaving Lin Xiao with no means of escape. Instead, all he could do was hurriedly try to defend himself in the exact same manner.

Bang-!

Flaming palm against flaming palm.

It was a contest of identical techniques, but Lin Xiao did not stand a chance.

His palm was smacked out of the way as Quan Hui’s palm continued forward to strike him directly in the chest.

Flames burst out upon impact, and Lin Xiao was sent flying through the air before smashing into a sturdy tree.

Lin Xiao fell to the ground and groaned in agony, struggling to even get back to his feet.

Smoke could be seen coming from his chest at the same time. Who knew just how bad the burns were underneath?

The tree shook violently, and countless leaves fell upon Lin Xiao, as though performing a ceremony to mark his defeat.

While Quan Hui easily stopped Lin Xiao’s attempt to buy time, the other members of the Vermilion Bird Sect quickly surrounded Zhao Yunxiao’s group.

“Give it up. At this stage, any resistance will only result in unnecessary injuries for yourselves,” one of the members of the Vermilion Bird Sect advised.

“Even then, we refuse to bow down to your tyrannical ways!” Gu Qiansi was enraged now.

It was not just the fact that the other party was being unreasonable. They had also injured their fellow sect member without hesitation, and from the looks of it, the injuries were not light as well.

Witnessing this sort of cold and ruthless method really angered the kind Gu Qiansi!

“Then you leave us with no choice,” the other party said.

The members of the Vermilion Bird Sect no longer held back and attacked with their weapons.

Fireballs and other fire element techniques lit up the scene, all of them targeted towards the trio.

The other party was not aiming at their vitals, but heavy injuries were unavoidable should these attacks connect.

In fact, even death was not entirely out of the question if they were not careful enough!

“Damn it!” Zhao Yunxiao cursed. “Stay behind us, Junior Martial Sister Lu!”

[Unyielding Stone Bind]

Two chains shot out from the ground and formed a cross in front of them.

Gu Qiansi did not stay idle, either.

[Vine Whip]

A thick vine shot out from the ground and wrapped itself around the two earthen chains, serving to reinforce them by holding them firmly together.

Boom-! Boom-! Boom-!

The various fire element attacks bombarded the makeshift defence without mercy, shattering it within seconds.

Whoosh-! Whoosh-! Whoosh-!

Daggers flew out of Zhao Yunxiao’s hands, but they were not aimed at the members of the Vermilion Bird Sect.

Instead, he aimed them at the ground between them.

The daggers exploded into a cloud of green smoke upon striking the ground, forming a barrier of poison between them and the members of the Vermilion Bird Sect.

“Run!” Zhao Yunxiao said.

At the same time, he pulled out a bamboo tube and pointed it at the sky.

Boom-!

A bright flare shot up into the sky and exploded, turning into a beautiful firework. This was the distress signal of the Black Tortoise Sect, something that all disciples possessed so that they could call for help when necessary.

There was no way that they would be winning this fight, so the only course of action left was to make their escape and call for help.

They might no longer be able to stop Lin Xiao from being captured, but they could at least try to help themselves!

Unfortunately, escaping was not possible this time.

Fireballs summoned by their opponents easily burned through the cloud of poison, clearing them out in the blink of an eye.

“You are not escaping!”

A member of the Vermilion Bird Sect appeared above Zhao Yunxiao, smashing down with his axe.

In response, Zhao Yunxiao swung his halberd at him.

Bang-!

Cracks appeared on the ground beneath Zhao Yunxiao’s feet as he easily withstood the attack.

However, this short delay allowed the rest of their pursuers to catch up, essentially killing off any chances of escape.

Attack after attack was sent their way. Not just towards Zhao Yunxiao, but also towards Gu Qiansi and Lu Zhiying.

Zhao Yunxiao and Gu Qiansi tried their best to shield Lu Zhiying with their bodies. However, it was inevitable for some attacks to get through their barricade, forcing Lu Zhiying to defend herself as well.

In response, the trio retaliated with everything they had.

Unfortunately, not only did the other party have the numerical advantage, but some of them also possessed cultivation levels above theirs.

Despite their best efforts in defending themselves, it did not take long before the trio were forced to their knees, with injuries inflicted all over their bodies.

Their ordinary looking clothes were dyed red at various spots, looking extremely gruesome.

The only silver lining was that the other party had not aimed to kill, so none of these injuries were fatal.

In fact, many members of the Vermilion Bird Sect were not exactly in a good state themselves after being caught by attacks from the trio, though that did little to change the end result.

“Obediently seal your meridians, or we will have to knock you out instead!” one of them pointed a sword at Zhao Yunxiao’s forehead.

Damn it!

Zhao Yunxiao cursed in his heart as he tried his best to think of what to do in this situation.

The truth was that he might still have a chance of escaping by relying on the Earth Burrowing Technique.

However, that might trigger the other party into harming Gu Qiansi and Lu Zhiying just to force him out, so that was not a risk that he was willing to take.

To make things worse, they had come all the way to such a secluded area. Even if members of their sect noticed their flare, it would probably take some time for them to get here.

Did they really have no choice but to be brought back to Flaming Cloud Mountain in the southern regions of the Duyuan Empire?

“Stop wasting time and just knock them out,” Quan Hui said nonchalantly.

But right at this moment, the sudden appearance of the sound of horse hooves instantly drew everyone’s attention.

Rustle-!

Everyone simultaneously turned in the same direction, and saw a young man slowly riding into view on a white horse.

Be it his robe, his belt, his shoes, or his gloves – every single item in his attire was pure white in colour.

Even the white horse was donning white reins and wearing a white saddle, as though forced to follow the same white colour theme as its rider.

Zhao Yunxiao widened his eyes in surprise, and for two different reasons.

For one, he had not managed to detect this person entering the perimeters despite having set up an extensive network of alerts.

But that was secondary at this point.

The main reason for Zhao Yunxiao’s astonishment was because of the identity of this newcomer.

He recognised this person with a single glance.

Death Blade, Wei Yuandi – core disciple of the Black Tortoise Sect!