Chapter 69

After learning that someone was following them, Xiao Yan fell silent for a moment, then decisively said, "Find a place ahead and take care of them."

He was now carrying the large black sword on his back, moving as slowly as a turtle, allowing the people tailing them to expose their positions. The main force of the other side would soon catch up with them.

Xiao Budian and Zhu Yi exchanged glances and both nodded slightly. They were also decisive people who could not tolerate those with ill intentions following them.

Having reached a tacit understanding, the three brothers no longer communicated and did not deliberately speed up. However, they gradually deviated from their original route and quietly turned into a dense forest by the roadside.

The two Yu family cultivators who were following them now revealed themselves and hurriedly chased into the forest.

Xiao Yan, carrying the large black sword, moved with great heaviness, leaving a footprint with every step. Therefore, the two Yu family cultivators were not afraid of losing him.

One of the tall cultivators muttered as he walked, "Why does Young Master insist on us following these three brats? It’s a complete waste of time."

The short cultivator "shushed" him and whispered, "Do as Young Master says, no more nonsense."

As they spoke, the footprints in front of them suddenly disappeared. The two cultivators reacted quickly, immediately realizing something was wrong. They had likely been exposed.

Before they could react further, a rustling sound came from the dense branches above. They instinctively looked up, and a "whoosh" sounded in their ears. A huge black sword filled their vision.

Xiao Yan, gripping the black iron sword, descended from the sky, both hands on the hilt, and swung the sword down with astonishing power.

However, the black iron sword was too heavy, and Xiao Yan could not wield it flexibly. The force of the swing was indeed impressive, but the two Yu family cultivators sneered.

The two of them lightly jumped back together, escaping the range of the black iron sword. The sword was too heavy for Xiao Yan to change direction, and he could only watch helplessly as they avoided the blade.

But Xiao Yan was not concerned and even had the leisure to smile at the two Yu family cultivators.

His smile left the two of them puzzled, but the next moment, their scalps tingled, and their hair stood on end, as if some disaster was about to befall them.

Xiao Budian, wielding a hammer-like white bone mace, silently appeared behind the short cultivator and, with a technique so proficient it could not be more so, "thumped" the short cultivator on the back of the head.

The short cultivator let out a惨叫, seeing stars before his eyes. He struggled to turn around, forcing himself to stay conscious.

But just as he turned, before he could see clearly, a white shadow flashed, and another hammer came down, striking him squarely on the forehead.

The short cultivator's eyelids fluttered, and he lost the strength to struggle, falling backward and passing out.

Xiao Budian's two consecutive strikes were truly a masterful display of speed, accuracy, and ruthlessness, refined to perfection. Even Lin Feng would have to admit that this boy had a natural talent for this promising career of knocking people out from behind.

The ongoing battle between Zhu Yi and the tall cultivator slowed down as they both looked at Xiao Budian.

It was indeed jarring to see this rosy-cheeked, extremely cute little boy deliver such vicious and proficient strikes.

The boy himself, however, was oblivious and instead beamed at Zhu Yi, saying, "Second Master Brother, this is our sect's secret technique, specifically for capturing opponents alive. You hadn't joined the sect when Master taught it, so you didn't get to learn it."

"I'll demonstrate it again later. Once you learn it, you won't have to go through so much trouble next time."

Zhu Yi, who had spent ten years cultivating his composure, finally lost it. His lips twitched as he shook his head, "This... I'd rather not learn it." Looking at this boy, who was the most advanced in cultivation among the current disciples but willingly called himself the youngest, Zhu Yi felt a chill run down his spine.

The tall cultivator, looking at Xiao Budian, was even more stunned.

Is this a child not even five years old?

If so, why does he have such high cultivation?

More importantly, why does he have such a thick skin!

What secret technique of the sect, specifically for capturing opponents?

It's just a sneak attack with a hammer!

The short cultivator, now unconscious, would likely feel the same way as the tall cultivator if he were to wake up and realize the truth.

Xiao Yan, troubled, gripped the black iron sword and said to Zhu Yi, "Second Master Brother, don't listen to his nonsense. Master was just playing with him, and this kid took it seriously... or rather, he knew Master was joking, but this move really suited his taste, so now he's using it under Master's name."

Xiao Budian laughed happily, while Zhu Yi shook his head with a bitter smile.

"Short-term combat, can't use this thing," Xiao Yan sighed, letting go of the black iron sword, which raised a cloud of yellow dust.

In the next moment, Xiao Yan's figure flickered and disappeared from the spot: "Act together, quick and decisive."

The tall cultivator was taken aback, then saw Xiao Yan suddenly appear in front of him. The cultivation he had been suppressing due to the black iron sword burst forth, and he punched the tall cultivator in the face.

Dodging Xiao Yan's punch in a狼狈 manner, the tall cultivator felt a chill on his neck. A long sword was already at his throat, held by Zhu Yi. The scholar in the blue robe had one hand behind his back, his demeanor calm: "It's better not to move. We already have one captive. Whether we keep you or not depends on your performance."

Mentioning the captive, Zhu Yi glanced at the still unconscious short cultivator, his eyebrows twitching, and he gave Xiao Budian an irritated look.

Xiao Budian walked over with a smile and asked, "Alright, tell us, why were you following us?"

The tall cultivator tried to bluff, but as he met Xiao Budian's bright eyes and saw him weigh the white bone hammer in his hand, he felt a chill run down his spine and had to force himself to say, "I am a cultivator of the Yu family. If you are smart, you'll let us go, or you'll regret it."

Xiao Budian's smile gradually faded, and he said nothing, just staring quietly at the tall cultivator.

The tall cultivator had never thought that he would be intimidated by a four- or five-year-old child.

Xiao Yan and Zhu Yi exchanged glances, and Zhu Yi whispered, "Is it the family of Shi Tianyi's grandfather?" Xiao Yan nodded with a serious face.

Zhu Yi turned to the tall cultivator, "A lackey of evil, let's just eliminate you."

The tall cultivator felt a chill, and seeing Xiao Budian's expressionless face, his courage completely drained.

But he was just following orders and did not know why they were tailing Xiao Budian.

Xiao Budian and his two brothers quickly realized what was happening. After knocking out the tall cultivator, Xiao Yan said in a low voice, "Do they recognize Little Master Brother?"

Zhu Yi nodded, "It's very likely. They might not be sure yet, but they definitely have their suspicions."

Xiao Budian lowered his head, "I'm dragging you down."

Xiao Yan waved his hand, unconcerned, "What are you talking about? We are fellow disciples. There's no such thing as dragging each other down." He looked at the black iron sword on the ground, scratching his head in frustration, "If anyone is dragging anyone, it's me dragging you down."

"Is there any way to carry this thing and still move quickly without leaving a trace?" Xiao Yan frowned, "We've invested all our resources in this thing. It would be a waste to leave it behind."

Zhu Yi and Xiao Budian also looked troubled when they heard this.

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