Feng Qingping’s expression tightened as she whispered, "About two hundred zhang ahead, a three-person team is moving."
Jiang Yifan’s face also showed a hint of solemnity. "They’re from the Sword Heart Sect. It should be Qu Chen and Cang Dongqing, along with another Foundation Establishment disciple."
"Sword Heart Sect? Qu Chen and Cang Dongqing?" Li Nanzhu’s eyes narrowed slightly.
She focused her divine sense to investigate carefully. Sure enough, she sensed more than one spiritual energy fluctuation characteristic of the flags emanating from those three!
"On them... there are at least three flag fluctuations!" Li Nanzhu said in a low voice.
Cang Dongqing, the heroine whose luck was astonishing in the original plot, was indeed like a fish in water in the secret realm. With her around, the speed at which the Sword Heart Sect obtained flags was likely faster than most.
"Three flags? That’s thirty points!" Duan Xianxing sucked in a breath of cold air. "They’ve had quite a harvest!"
Feng Qingping analyzed calmly, "The opponent has one Golden Core and two at Foundation Establishment. Our side has the advantage in strength, and we are in the dark while they are in the light. This is an excellent opportunity for a surprise attack."
Li Nanzhu added, "The direction they are moving... it seems very deliberate. It’s highly likely there’s another flag nearby."
"Why don’t we follow them quietly? Once the location is confirmed, we can strike!" Ling Suxin suggested softly.
This plan received unanimous agreement.
Under the concealment of Feng Qingping’s array, the five of them silently trailed the Sword Heart Sect trio.
...
Meanwhile, the Sword Heart Sect trio was moving cautiously through the mist.
Leading the way was Qu Chen, carrying a great sword on his back. Beside him was Cang Dongqing, and following them was an inner sect disciple named Guo Cheng, who looked excited and eager to please.
Guo Cheng possessed dual spiritual roots and was considered an outstanding talent among the inner sect disciples of the Sword Heart Sect. Because of his decent performance in the Foundation Establishment stage competition, he was fortunately selected for the team battle.
He had originally worried about traveling alone in such a vast secret realm, but he never expected his luck to be so good. Not long after entering the secret realm, he encountered Senior Brother Qu Chen and Junior Sister Cang Dongqing!
Junior Sister Cang Dongqing!
She was the gifted direct disciple of Immortal Venerable Ling Xiao!
If he could earn her favor, his future within the sect would be limitless. Therefore, Guo Cheng had been exceptionally attentive along the way, following closely behind them and not daring to show the slightest neglect.
And his luck truly was incredible.
By following Senior Brother Qu and Junior Sister Cang, they had easily found three flags along the way.
Although all three were collected by Qu Chen and Cang Dongqing, Cang Dongqing had actually given him the points from one disciple they had robbed! Though it was only five points, it caused Guo Cheng’s admiration and gratitude toward her to reach its peak.
"Junior Sister Cang is truly kind-hearted and generous!" Guo Cheng thought to himself, further solidifying his resolve to cling to this powerful figure.
At this moment, Cang Dongqing was heading toward the next suspected flag location through her peculiar sense.
"Senior Brother Qu, Junior Sister Dongqing, the spiritual energy fluctuations ahead seem to be getting clearer. We should be arriving soon," Guo Cheng said flatteringly.
Cang Dongqing nodded slightly, her gaze scanning the mist ahead as she said softly, "Mhm. The sensation of a demonic beast’s life force is very strong; the flag is just ahead. Everyone be careful, in case there’s a guardian beast or a trap."
Qu Chen hummed in response, his hand resting on his sword hilt, remaining highly vigilant.
Guo Cheng nodded hastily. "Don’t worry, Junior Sister. I’ll definitely stay close to you both and won’t drag you down!"
His heart was full of anticipation; perhaps he might even be allocated a flag this time!
However, just as they were about to reach their destination and the silhouette of a flag planted on a stone platform became visible through the mist—
Swish!
A sharp ray of spiritual light shot out without warning from the mist behind them, aiming straight for Qu Chen’s back at incredible speed!
"Careful!" Qu Chen reacted instantly. With a sharp shout, the long sword on his back unsheathed in a flash, and he blocked the strike with a backhanded swing!
Clang!
Sparks flew as two powerful forces collided violently.
The attacker’s figure emerged—it was Jiang Yifan from the Five Elements Dao Sect. His eyes were cold, and he used his full strength from the start, locking Qu Chen in combat.
Almost simultaneously with Jiang Yifan’s move, another pink figure appeared rapidly. A lotus lamp in her hand emitted a soft curtain of light, instantly enveloping Qu Chen—it was Ling Suxin from the Hehuan Sect.
"Five Elements Dao Sect! Hehuan Sect!" Qu Chen was both shocked and enraged. He hadn't expected to be ambushed here, especially by their old rivals from the Five Elements Dao Sect and their allies.
Guo Cheng was completely stunned by the sudden attack. Watching the three Golden Core cultivators instantly descend into battle, the terrifying spiritual pressure and the collision of energy made his legs weak. He felt as though his soul was about to fly away in fright!
Jiang Yifan of the Five Elements Dao Sect!
That was the fierce man who had defeated Senior Brother Qu in the Sect Competition!
Although he had relied on magic tools at the time, the strength he displayed later was absolutely not to be underestimated. And then there was Ling Suxin of the Hehuan Sect, another Golden Core expert.
Moreover, there was still a Feng Qingping behind them who had not yet acted. Although her ranking in the Golden Core competition wasn't high, she was still a genuine Golden Core cultivator!
While he and Cang Dongqing were just two Foundation Establishment disciples.
It’s over, it’s all over!
Guo Cheng’s heart felt cold. The opponents had come prepared; they were being crushed by sheer strength!
Just then, he caught a glimpse of two other figures rushing out of the mist from the corner of his eye, heading straight for him!
It was Li Nanzhu and Duan Xianxing from the Five Elements Dao Sect.
"Fellow Daoist Guo, long time no see?" Duan Xianxing greeted him with a grin, though the long sword in his hand thrust forward without mercy!
A jolt went through Guo Cheng. His survival instinct forced him to draw his sword and meet the attack in haste!
He knew he was no match for Duan Xianxing, let alone the cunning Li Nanzhu standing nearby!
"Protect Junior Sister Cang!" Guo Cheng screamed, instinctively wanting to block Cang Dongqing to show his loyalty.
However, he had just taken a step when he heard Cang Dongqing’s voice from behind: "Senior Brother Guo, watch out!"
Watch out? Watch out for what?
Before Guo Cheng could react, he felt a slight sound of breaking wind from the back of his head!
He turned his head sharply, only to see that Li Nanzhu had somehow circled behind him. However, the sword in her hand was not unsheathed, which caused him to daze for a second.
"You..." Just as Guo Cheng spat out a single word, the opponent’s scabbard struck his forehead with lightning speed!
Accompanied by intense pain and dizziness, Guo Cheng looked at Li Nanzhu’s actions in disbelief. Why didn't she use her blade?
"Ugh..." Guo Cheng’s vision went black. All consciousness was severed instantly, and his body slumped over, completely losing his senses.
In the final moment before he passed out, his only thought was: Li Nanzhu... has no sense of sportsmanship...
Li Nanzhu looked at Guo Cheng, whom she had knocked out with a single strike, and curled her lip. "One down."
Now, the situation had become five against two, and it was a case of absolute cultivation level suppression!
The two from the Sword Heart Sect were instantly thrown into a massive disadvantage!
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