Chapter 89

The blood-clothed cultivator stood with his hands behind his back... seemingly indifferent to Fang Zhen's words... he merely glanced over and said coolly, "Young one, I have important matters to attend to and will not waste time in verbal sparring with you. In five days, it will be the time for your Ming沧 Sect's Sea Eye to reopen. I hope you can survive to see it."

After saying this, he glanced intentionally or unintentionally at the place where Zhang Yan was hiding and waved his hand backward.

Immediately, a disciple of the Blood Soul Sect shouted with full vigor, "Master has given the order, retreat!"

The surrounding Blood Soul Sect disciples did not hesitate upon hearing this. They all activated their magical tools and turned to leave.

The blood-clothed cultivator remained standing in place, not moving. After all the Blood Soul Sect disciples had left, he gave a deep look in the direction where Zhang Yan was hiding. A flash of blood light, and he disappeared.

Seeing the Blood Soul finally leave, Fang Zhen secretly let out a sigh of relief.

Although he spoke lightly, this Blood Soul could actually repel the Five Fire Divine Soldiers Circle with a single strike, far surpassing the one he had encountered last time. If they were to fight, he had no chance of winning. It was best that they both backed off this time.

Zhang Yan, standing at a high vantage point, had been closely watching the blood-clothed cultivator from the beginning. Even when the man's gaze fell on him, he did not flinch. This was intentional on his part.

He believed that the other side, despite having the upper hand, had no reason to retreat so easily. There must be another reason, perhaps the blood-clothed cultivator was just putting on a show of strength.

Therefore, he deliberately provoked the other side in secret to see how they would react.

Only after the blood-clothed cultivator retreated did he become even more certain of his judgment.

Seeing the Blood Soul Sect cultivators all retreat, he regretfully shook his head. What a pity. If it were Xie Zongyuan standing below instead of Fang Zhen, he would have suggested immediate action, which would surely have inflicted heavy damage on the Blood Soul Sect disciples.

Thinking about this, he also realized that today's situation was due to his own lack of ability. Even though he could see the flaw, he was helpless. He was not arrogant enough to think he could fight a dozen Blood Soul Sect disciples alone.

But if he were a Xuan Guang realm cultivator, he wouldn't have so many concerns. With a wave of his hand, he could eliminate all of them. This showed that only one's own strength was the fundamental basis for everything.

Feng Ming, who was in the field, looked somewhat hesitant. He glanced at Fang Zhen and said, "Senior Brother Fang, since the Blood Soul Sect has retreated, why don't we go to assist Senior Brother Xie and discuss our next move together?"

Fang Zhen grunted, with a hint of dissatisfaction on his face, and reluctantly nodded, "That's the only way."

After the blood-clothed cultivator led a group of disciples out a hundred miles, he stopped on a raised mound of earth, as if waiting for someone.

Not long after, a blood-colored rainbow streaked across the sky, and upon landing, revealed the figure of Senior Brother Li.

But he was not alone; he had two people on either side. Now, he approached the blood-clothed cultivator, knelt down, and said, "Master, I have not failed you. I have brought the person here."

A faint smile appeared on the blood-clothed cultivator's face. He nodded and his gaze fell on a young cultivator to the left of Senior Brother Li. He said with a gentle expression, "You are Han Ji of the Yunlang Han family?"

Han Ji hurriedly stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and said, "Reporting to Senior, I am indeed Han Ji."

The blood-clothed cultivator looked at him again and smiled, "Good, indeed a fine talent. Our Blood Soul Sect always welcomes new members. If you wish to become my disciple, I will not reject you."

A look of joy appeared on Han Ji's face. He immediately knelt down and said, "Disciple greets Master."

Seeing that his expression and posture were not the slightest bit forced, the blood-clothed cultivator nodded in satisfaction, "No need for formalities, stand up. I will first take you as a named disciple. After meeting my true form, we will hold the formal initiation ceremony. How does that sound?"

Han Ji replied, "Everything is up to Master."

The person standing to the right of Senior Brother Li said smugly, "Master, I and Junior Brother Han hit it off at first sight. When I learned he wanted to join our sect and was willing to offer a Xuan Blood Pill, I immediately sent a message, without any delay."

Senior Brother Li frowned and scolded, "Li Weimin, Master is asking a question. What right do you have to speak? Step back!"

Li Weimin smiled indifferently, seemingly not bothered by the reprimand.

The blood-clothed cultivator waved his hand and smiled, "No matter, Weimin has done a good job. Weide, you don't need to be too harsh."

Senior Brother Li quickly bowed in agreement.

"Hmm, come here," the blood-clothed cultivator beckoned to Senior Brother Li, who understood and took a few steps closer, whispering, "Master, what are your instructions?"

The blood-clothed cultivator said in a deep voice, "You will set out tonight and personally escort Junior Brother Han to me. This is important and cannot fail. Do you understand?"

Senior Brother Li pondered for a moment and said hesitantly, "If I am not there, my fellow disciples may not be able to resist the attacks from the Ming沧 Sect cultivators."

The blood-clothed cultivator said indifferently, "No matter, they were scared off by me. Just avoid provoking them for the next few days. Focus on bringing Junior Brother Han to me. I will send reinforcements when the time comes. Try to return by the 15th. Remember?"

Senior Brother Li stepped back and bowed, "Weide will follow Master's orders."

The blood-clothed cultivator grunted and then sighed mysteriously, "The Five Fire Divine Soldiers Circle is indeed a Xuan artifact. Be cautious when you encounter it."

After saying this, his originally solid figure began to waver, starting from his feet and gradually dissipating, followed by his knees, abdomen, chest, and head, until he completely disappeared.

It turned out that when he had clashed with the Five Fire Divine Soldiers Circle, although he had repelled it, the essence of his blood soul had been eroded by the fire. His display of strength in front of Fang Zhen was just a show.

If Fang Zhen had been ruthless enough to fight to the death, he might have been able to eliminate all the Blood Soul Sect disciples present.

Li Weide, seeing this, showed no unusual expression, as if he had anticipated the scene.

Li Weimin walked up to him and said smugly, "What do you think, Senior Brother? I have done a great deed this time, haven't I?"

Li Weide did not comment, only saying, "Weimin, while I am away, you must hold off the Ming沧 Sect disciples. Do not let a single one escape, or the sacrifices of our fellow disciples will be in vain."

Li Weimin patted his chest and said, "Senior Brother, rest assured. We have eighteen people. After those we have killed, the Ming沧 Sect disciples are at most ten. How can they break through?"

Li Weide thought for a moment and felt that even with the Five Fire Divine Soldiers Circle, blocking the Ming沧 Sect disciples for a while should not be a problem, and he should be able to return in time. He added, "Do not be careless, be vigilant."

Li Weimin nodded repeatedly, "Senior Brother, you should take Junior Brother Han on the journey. Don't keep Master waiting."

Li Weide nodded and said to Han Ji, "Junior Brother, forgive me."

A blood-colored Xuan light emerged from his head, enveloping himself and Han Ji. They rose into the air, determined their direction, and in a flash, disappeared.

At the same time, in a hidden cave in another part of the demon lair, Fang Zhen and his group had rejoined Xie Zongyuan and others.

Xie Zongyuan welcomed them in, and after they all sat down, he said, "Senior Brother Fang, the Xuan Guang cultivator was chasing us, but for some reason, he suddenly turned back. I thought he had seen through our plans and was worried about you. Now that you are safe, I am relieved."

Liu Tao, sitting beside him, glanced at Fang Zhen and said, "Senior Brother Fang, how many Blood Soul Sect disciples did you kill in this battle?"

Seeing Fang Zhen's expression turn sour, Feng Ming quickly clasped his hands and said, "Senior Brothers, do you remember the powerful Blood Soul we encountered when we first entered the demon lair?"

Xie Zongyuan said in a deep voice, "How could I forget? Fortunately, Senior Brother Fang repelled it with the Five Fire Divine Soldiers Circle, allowing us to escape. What, did you encounter him again?"

Feng Ming said, "Senior Brother Fang had already lured the Blood Soul Sect disciples to a place, but unfortunately, another Blood Soul appeared. This one even the Five Fire Divine Soldiers Circle could not handle, so we had to..."

At this point, he sighed heavily.

Xie Zongyuan, a reasonable person, did not show any blame on his face. He said, "This is not Senior Brother Fang's fault. To escape unharmed is already fortunate."

He then looked at Fang Zhen and clasped his hands, "Senior Brother Fang, if we want to break out of the demon lair in 15 days, there will be a fierce battle. We are all in the same boat now. We should advance and retreat together, putting aside past grievances. What do you think?"

Fang Zhen grunted and clasped his hands in return, "I am not a petty person. Since Senior Brother Xie has said this, let's settle any issues after we leave the demon lair."

Xie Zongyuan and Liu Tao exchanged a glance, knowing that Fang Zhen still harbored some resentment. However, Xie Zongyuan was not too concerned, as their goal of breaking out of the demon lair was the same. As for what Fang Zhen thought, he, as a Xie family disciple, did not need to care.

At this moment, a voice came from outside the cave, "Senior Brothers, if you are willing to break out of the demon lair together, I, as a Ming沧 Sect disciple, will join you in this battle!"

Xie Zongyuan stood up suddenly, surprised, "Senior Brother Zhang, is that you?" Liu Tao, Cheng An, and Lady Chen also stood up.

Fang Zhen's expression changed slightly, "Zhang Yan?"

A blue light streaked in, and when the light dissipated, Zhang Yan appeared, smiling and clasping his hands, "It has been ten years since we last met, Senior Brothers."

Xie Zongyuan looked him up and down, his eyes brightening, "Senior Brother Zhang, could it be... you have condensed the Xuan Guang seed?"