In the canyon, Feng Weilan had just put away the flag and was preparing to leave when his brow furrowed slightly.
He sensed it!
Several unfamiliar auras were quietly approaching from the direction of the canyon entrance!
They weren't moving fast, but their purpose was clear—they were coming for him!
Moreover, one of the auras... seemed rather strong, at least at the Golden Core stage!
"Someone is coming!" Feng Weilan instantly became alert. His figure blurred as he vanished behind a giant rock, suppressing his entire presence and coldly observing the entrance.
He calculated quickly in his mind: "Second Senior Brother hasn't returned yet. The enemy's numbers are unknown, and there's a Golden Core cultivator... a direct confrontation isn't wise."
He tightened his grip on his blade, his gaze icy.
Whether to fight or flee would depend on the situation once he had a clear view.
But regardless, taking the flag he had just obtained from his hands would be no easy feat!
The sound of footsteps and deliberately lowered voices drew closer.
"...Senior Brother Di, the residual spiritual energy ahead is very fresh. The battle must have ended not long ago," a disciple's voice carried over.
"Mhm. Be careful; they might not have gone far," another voice responded.
Soon, five figures appeared in Feng Weilan's field of vision.
The leader was none other than Di Yunkuang. Behind him followed four Foundation Establishment disciples, each with wary eyes.
However, as Feng Weilan's gaze swept over the familiar figure beside Di Yunkuang, his brow furrowed deeper.
Sword Heart Sect's Cang Dongqing?
What was she doing here? And why was she mingled with the people from the Xuan Tian Sect?
Countless questions flashed through Feng Weilan's mind.
This was clearly no simple chance encounter! Was it an alliance? Or...
After entering the canyon, Di Yunkuang and the others quickly fanned out. The traces of battle in the canyon were obvious; the ground was a mess, and the rocks still held lingering demonic qi and spiritual energy residues.
"It looks like there was a fierce battle. The guardian beast has been dealt with," a Xuan Tian Sect disciple said, inspecting the ground.
Di Yunkuang nodded slightly. His gaze finally landed near the giant rock where Feng Weilan was hiding, a playful smile curling on his lips. "Friend, what's the point of hiding? Come out and show yourself."
Discovered!
Feng Weilan's heart chilled. Di Yunkuang's divine sense was indeed sharp; though he had hidden well, the other party had likely detected a faint trace of his presence.
Since he could no longer hide, there was no need to stay in the shadows!
Feng Weilan slowly stepped out from behind the giant rock, his expression cold. He held his long blade across his chest, his eyes alertly scanning the five opponents before settling on Di Yunkuang and Cang Dongqing.
"Xuan Tian Sect, Di Yunkuang," Feng Weilan's voice was frigid, betraying no emotion. "And... Sword Heart Sect's Cang Dongqing. Truly... an interesting combination."
Seeing Feng Weilan appear, a flash of surprise crossed Cang Dongqing's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a complex expression.
She recognized him—the taciturn but extremely powerful blade cultivator of the Five Elements Dao Sect. She hadn't expected to run into him here, and alone at that!
Di Yunkuang sized up Feng Weilan. Sensing the other's refined late Foundation Establishment spiritual energy and cold blade intent, a trace of admiration flashed in his eyes, though it was mostly overshadowed by a condescending scrutiny.
"The Five Elements Dao Sect's Feng Weilan? Your reputation is well-earned. Taking down a late foundation establishment bone-spur shadow leopard by yourself—clean and efficient."
He paused, his tone shifting to one that brooked no argument. "However, looking at you now, you've exhausted quite a bit, haven't you? We won't make things difficult for you. Hand over that flag, then crush your jade pendant and leave the secret realm. We can let you go."
Hearing this, a faint, almost invisible cold smile touched the corners of Feng Weilan's mouth. "Want the flag? Come and take it yourself."
Asking him to surrender without a fight? It was nothing short of a joke!
Di Yunkuang seemed to have expected Feng Weilan's refusal. He wasn't angry; instead, he laughed. "You have spine! I appreciate a tough bone like you." He glanced at Cang Dongqing. "Junior Sister Cang, what do you say? This Fellow Daoist Feng doesn't seem very cooperative."
Thoughts raced through Cang Dongqing's mind.
At this moment, she was allied with the Xuan Tian Sect; her stance was already different.
More importantly, she needed to demonstrate her value and sincerity to Di Yunkuang! Taking down Feng Weilan and seizing the flag would undoubtedly be the best pledge of loyalty!
Thinking of Li Nanzhu's arrogance when she took the flag and the humiliation of being forced to flee, a cold light flashed in Cang Dongqing's eyes.
She took a step forward, her clear, cold voice ringing out. "Senior Brother Di, why waste words on him? Since he refuses to appreciate your kindness, we shall simply take it ourselves! He has just finished a battle and is exhausted. With the five of us working together, we can end this quickly!"
As soon as she spoke, the admiration in Di Yunkuang's eyes deepened.
The other four Xuan Tian Sect disciples immediately fanned out, faintly surrounding Feng Weilan in the center, their killing intent surging.
Facing five powerful enemies, Feng Weilan's expression remained icy, but his hand tightened even more around his blade. He knew the disparity in strength was vast; a direct clash offered no hope of victory.
He had to stall for time!
Until Second Senior Brother arrived!
He quickly devised a strategy: use the complex terrain of the canyon to maneuver, delaying as much as possible until Zhu Yinxi returned! Two against five would still be a disadvantage, but with his Second Senior Brother's strength, it would be enough to handle them!
"Trying to win through numbers?" Feng Weilan said coldly. "Then try and see how much it will cost you to take me down!"
Before his voice had even faded, his figure shot backward. At the same time, he swung his long blade, sending out several sharp arcs of blade qi—not toward his enemies, but toward the surrounding canyon walls and the ground!
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Shattered rocks flew everywhere as dust filled the air!
Feng Weilan had taken the initiative to destroy the terrain, creating chaos to obstruct their vision and prevent them from surrounding him!
"Trying to run? Stop him!" Di Yunkuang snorted. His figure moved like lightning as he was the first to charge into the dust!
Cang Dongqing and the other four disciples followed immediately!
A fierce battle erupted instantly within the canyon!
Feng Weilan pushed his movement technique to the limit, weaving through the rubble and dust. Relying on his brief control of the terrain and his sharp perception of danger, he narrowly dodged the attacks from Di Yunkuang and the others, returning sharp counterattacks from time to time.
Though not fatal, he caused no small amount of trouble for his pursuers.
Screee!
A cold flash of blade light flickered. A disciple cried out as a deep, bone-deep gash was sliced into his arm. If he hadn't reacted quickly and retreated, his entire arm might have been severed!
"Watch out for his blade!" Di Yunkuang shouted, his expression turning ugly.
He hadn't expected Feng Weilan to be so slippery, managing to counterattack and wound someone even while under siege by five people.
He tried to force a breakthrough several times, but Feng Weilan always managed to dodge with his uncanny movement technique at the critical moment or use a fierce blade strike to force him back into a defensive position.
Cang Dongqing unleashed her swordplay, golden sword qi crisscrossing as she tried to block Feng Weilan's path of retreat. However, the other's blade techniques were too tricky and his movement technique far exceeded those of the same rank. Her attacks often missed or were neutralized by his clever use of force.
"This guy... is more troublesome than I imagined!" Cang Dongqing was secretly startled. Feng Weilan's strength seemed to have improved significantly since the Sect Competition!
Feng Weilan was also suffering in silence.
Although he was temporarily holding his own through his superior movement and combat skills, his spiritual energy consumption was immense!
The pressure from Di Yunkuang's Golden Core stage cultivation was too heavy. Every dodge and counterattack was a massive strain.
Several wounds had already appeared on his body. Though not severe, it was only a matter of time before he was defeated if this continued!
"Second Senior Brother... why isn't he here yet?!"
He felt anxious. According to their agreement and the resonance of the Soul-Sound Bell, Zhu Yinxi should have arrived long ago!
Meanwhile, in a dark swamp region about a hundred miles away from the canyon.
Zhu Yinxi had indeed run into trouble—and a big one at that!
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