“Boom!”

“Crack…”

The moment the people in the room vanished, several figures burst in, smashing through windows and walls.

They were two black-robed individuals wearing golden masks and three middle-aged Daoist priests with blue, green, and cyan lotuses embroidered on their chests.

The golden-masked spy with the codename “Tianji” swept his gaze across the room and said in a deep voice, “It must have been teleportation. We didn’t even notice his disguise earlier.”

They had been lying in wait nearby, watching everyone who entered the inn. With their keen eyesight, they could see through disguises like human skin masks without needing to examine them up close.

The other golden-masked figure spoke, her voice cold and crisp, “Yang Qianhuan came too?”

“Yes,” Tianji nodded. “Xu Qi An has always had a good relationship with the Court of Astronomy’s mages. It’s not surprising.”

The female spy snorted coldly, “Does he think he can divide and conquer us?”

The Earth Sect’s Cyan Lotus Daoist sneered, “How foolish.”

The female spy codenamed “Tianqiu” glanced at him and said, “A fourth-grade mage’s teleportation range is limited to about thirty li. It’s not too far, but we can’t be certain which direction he took them.”

Tianji pondered, “We can’t wait any longer. We need to split up and track them. Hmm, a mage’s teleportation can be interrupted. It might have caught us off guard this time, but with those two experts’ strength, it won’t happen again. Don’t chase too far. If you don’t sense any energy fluctuations, it means you’re going the wrong way. Turn back immediately.”

At this moment, outside the inn, multiple groups converged. There were Earth Sect disciples in feathered Daoist robes, independent martial artists who had formed a secret alliance, Prince Huai’s spies, and forces from the Martial Arts Alliance who had been alerted.

Over a hundred people gathered outside the inn, filling the streets and alleys.

This was a premeditated ambush. After forming an alliance in the Three Immortals District during the day, the young man in white robes revealed his plan.

The spies and Earth Sect Daoists thought it was worth a try and sure enough, their targets had arrived.

What they hadn’t anticipated was the fourth-grade mage hidden in the Yue Clan Manor.

As the five fourth-grade experts rushed out of the inn, Tianji looked around and said, “I’ll take the west. The rest of you…”

He suddenly fell silent and turned to look down the street. Heavy footsteps approached each step causing a slight tremor.

In everyone’s line of sight, a young woman came sprinting, holding high… a cannon?

“Heyah!”

Using the momentum from her run, she hurled the cannon with all her might.

Whoosh… The steel behemoth spun through the air towards the crowd, accompanied by a faint whistling sound.

Instinctively, people scattered in all directions, ducking for cover.

Tianji strode forward to meet it, tearing off his cloak as he moved. With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed wave after wave of energy, each impact reducing the cannon’s momentum.

Tianji reached out and caught the cannon, casually tossing it aside with a thunderous “boom.”

“You go ahead. I’ll deal with this girl from the Strength Gu Tribe,” Tianji said with a cold snort.

“This little girl’s quite pretty. Remember not to kill her, leave her for this Daoist to play with,” Blue Lotus Daoist said with a sinister laugh.

Tianji frowned, somewhat disgusted by the Earth Sect Daoist’s ever-present malice. He said flatly, “I never go easy on my enemies.”

Blue Lotus Daoist sneered and left with his disciples towards the other end of the street.

“Amitabha!”

A burly monk blocked their path.

Almost simultaneously, two sword lights flashed as Li Miaozheng and Chu Yuanzhen arrived on their flying swords, intercepting the remaining three fourth-grade experts.

“As expected, this was all planned. We underestimated you,” Tianji said gravely.

“Enough talk. Last time in Chu State, you were lucky to escape,” Li Miaozheng said impatiently.

The female spy Tianqiu narrowed her eyes and said coldly, “Li Miaozheng, I’ve been wanting to settle that score with you.”

She then smiled and added, “You think this is all we have prepared?”

Chu Yuanzhen smiled slightly, “I could say the same to you.”

…

The small town was filled with experts, especially the inn, which had been occupied by martial artists for days.

As soon as the battle began, the martial artists in the inn fled, while those staying further away, along with other sects from the Martial Arts Alliance, rushed to the scene.

“What’s happening?” Miss Rong pushed open her room door to find the elders already gathered in the courtyard.

The Pavilion Master stood on the roof ridge, gazing towards the inn.

“A fight has broken out at the inn. Judging by the energy fluctuations, it’s at the fourth-grade level.”

Xiao Yuenu came to her senses and looked down at the disciples in the courtyard, saying sternly, “Evacuate the townspeople immediately. If anyone refuses to cooperate, use force.”

“Yes!” the Wanhua Pavilion disciples and elders responded in unison.

“Pavilion Master, who’s fighting?” Miss Rong asked in her crisp voice.

She then saw Pavilion Master Xiao Yuenu’s expression become complex as she slowly said, “Xu Qi An has come to kill.”

“What?!”

Everyone exclaimed in shock.

This is truly his style… Miss Rong immediately turned to look towards the inn.

…

Outside the town, three figures flew low on swords.

They wore identical Daoist robes, one embroidered with a red lotus, another with an orange lotus, and the third with a yellow lotus.

The Red Lotus and Orange Lotus Daoists had graying hair, clearly not young. Yellow Lotus appeared middle-aged, noticeably younger than the other two.

“To the south, there are energy fluctuations to the south…”

Yellow Lotus sensed for a moment before taking the lead on his flying sword.

Except for the sect leader, who remained vigilant against the mysterious expert who had appeared in Chu State, all the Lotus Daoists of the Earth Sect were in the small town.

Li Miaozheng and the others had intercepted the fourth-grade experts at the inn, but they couldn’t stop these three.

The Red, Orange, and Yellow Lotus Daoists were originally the “reserve force,” prepared for unexpected situations. Now was the perfect time for them to act.

Although the Lotus Daoists had fallen into demonic ways and often struggled to control their evil thoughts, their minds hadn’t completely deteriorated.

“Heh, truly a simpleton of the highest order. We kill one of his people, and he comes charging in, right into our trap,” Orange Lotus Daoist sneered, his face full of malice and contempt:

“A brute is just a brute, so crude it’s pitiful.”

“Golden Lotus’s biggest mistake was asking a brute for help. Among all the systems, only our Earth Sect’s demonic path is eternal,” Red Lotus Daoist said calmly.

If they could kill or even seriously injure these young experts, Golden Lotus wouldn’t be able to protect the Lotus Seed tomorrow.

If Golden Lotus destroyed the Lotus Seed out of desperation, it would be painful and regrettable, but they would suffer the greatest loss.

Soon, the three Daoists saw the battling parties.

It was a middle-aged swordsman with a handsome beard and a man with iron gauntlets and a muscular, bare chest.

Sensing the arrival of the three Lotus Daoists, the two men paused in tacit agreement and smiled warmly: “We’ve been waiting for you for a long time.”

The expressions of the Red, Orange, and Yellow Lotus Daoists froze simultaneously.

…

Thirty li away from the town, on a gentle slope, five figures appeared at the same time.

Qiu Qian looked around nervously, but after seeing the surroundings clearly, he sighed in relief and chuckled:

“To be honest, I thought you’d teleport us to the Yue Clan Manor. That would have been truly dangerous for this young master. We were caught off guard earlier, but now, don’t even think about teleporting us again. Should I call you clever or foolish?”

He suddenly burst into laughter, bending over and straightening up again, his demeanor arrogant: “I think you’re very clever because you know how to flatter and please me, delivering yourself to your death.”

Xu Qi An slowly drew his black-gold long saber, “Killing a small fry like you, my senior brother Yang and I are more than enough.”

Teleporting Li Miaozheng and the others to the manor was pointless. First, the Nine-Colored Lotus couldn’t withstand strong energy fluctuations. Although it was a supreme treasure, its miraculous properties weren’t in defense.

Secondly, the two attendants of the young man in white robes were extremely powerful. If a fight broke out in the manor, it would inevitably involve the Tiandi Society disciples, even though they would have to join the battle tomorrow anyway.

Lastly, Yang Qianhuan had set up several layers of defensive formations, like guarding a city. If the enemy wanted to climb the city walls, they would have to pay a bloody price.

There was no logic in freely delivering the enemy to the top of the city walls.

Yang Qianhuan snorted and shook his head, “I won’t make a move. Despicable insects aren’t worth my effort.”

Qiu Qian’s eyebrows raised, and he couldn’t suppress his anger. He deeply resented the white-robed mage’s tone and arrogant attitude.

“If you’re intentionally provoking me to anger, then you’ve succeeded,” Qiu Qian said with a cold smile.

“Are you even worthy?” Yang Qianhuan said indifferently.

“Afraid to show your true face for fear of my retaliation?” Qiu Qian stared at the back of his head.

To this, Yang Qianhuan merely snorted dismissively.

“…” Qiu Qian’s face twitched, and he said in a deep voice, “Left and Right Envoys, kill this fellow for me.”

The taciturn Right Envoy suddenly vanished, reappearing behind Yang Qianhuan with a punch.

His fist passed through Yang Qianhuan’s body, but it only struck an afterimage.

The white-robed mage appeared in the distance, still with that irritatingly calm tone:

“Crude brutes, dealing with you is like toying with stupid mice. No, mice will bite when cornered, you’re more like insects.”

“Kill him!” Qiu Qian shouted fiercely.

Senior Brother Yang is good at drawing hatred… Even Xu Qi An felt a bit uncomfortable hearing those words.

I didn’t see him bend his knees to gather strength, yet he appeared behind Senior Brother Yang in a flash. This is the miraculous ability of the fifth-grade Energy Consolidation, perfect control over one’s physical power. I never understood before why Yang Yan and the others seemed to flicker when they moved, but now I finally get it.

Yang Qianhuan unhurriedly took out an iron box from his bosom, opened it, and cannons and crossbows appeared around him, surrounding him in the center.

At the same time, numerous firearms materialized, scattered in the space around him.

The cannons, crossbows, and firearms were all inscribed with formation patterns, their power more than ten times that of ordinary weapons of the same type.

Formation patterns appeared under Yang Qianhuan’s feet, encompassing these heavy weapons. They seemed to become one with Yang Qianhuan, teleporting and flickering with him.

“Crude brutes, let me show you the greatness and terror of a mage,” Yang Qianhuan snapped his fingers.

The crossbows, cannon muzzles, and gun barrels were all aimed at the straw-hatted, cloaked Right Envoy.

“Boom! Boom! Boom!”

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

“Pop! Pop! Pop!”

A barrage of firepower.

Even with his copper-skinned, iron-boned body, the Right Envoy didn’t dare to directly face such dense, terrifying firepower. Using a martial artist’s formidable explosive power, he ran wildly around Yang Qianhuan, trying to flank him for a sneak attack.

But Yang Qianhuan, with his mastery over teleportation, was even faster. He could always change position in advance, adjusting his aim, forcing the Right Envoy to constantly abort his attack plans and continue circling.

Crossbow bolts pierced the ground, and cannons tore the earth, splashing soil and rubble, creating dazzling flashes and thunderous booms.

Yang Qianhuan’s iron box seemed like a bottomless treasure bag, continuously replenishing ammunition and crossbow bolts.

Suddenly, the Right Envoy, who had been helplessly pressured by the firepower output, mysteriously vanished. The burly giant then appeared behind Yang Qianhuan, less than three feet away.

For a fourth-grade peak martial artist, this distance was enough to seriously injure or even kill an expert of the same grade from other systems.

Easily.

But the Right Envoy still only struck an afterimage.

That was close, almost fell into a trap… Yang Qianhuan appeared dozens of zhang away, his back covered in cold sweat, but he maintained a calm exterior:

“You use teleportation artifacts against me, use mage techniques against me. Should I call you clever or foolish? I think you’re very clever because you’ve successfully let me experience the joy of intellectual superiority.”

As a mage, Senior Brother Yang’s professional skills are indeed strong. I was worried for him earlier, but it turns out I was concerned for nothing. He’s completely at ease… Xu Qi An nodded slowly, the weight lifting from his heart.

He was influenced by Yang Qianhuan’s steady-as-a-rock tone.

No longer paying attention to Yang Qianhuan’s battle, he lifted his saber and slowly walked towards Qiu Qian and the Right Envoy. “It’s our turn now.”

Qiu Qian lifted the corner of his mouth and stepped forward, saying, “Left Envoy, you cover me. I’ll deal with this little bastard.”

The Left Envoy frowned, habitually advising, “Young Master, you’re worth a thousand gold. How can you risk yourself? Let’s kill him together. That’s the safest way.

“In a life-and-death struggle, there’s no need for impulsive actions.”

Xu Qi An nodded, “Come at me together, otherwise, with just one insect like you, I could take on ten.”

His tone was calm, his expression serene, as if stating an insignificant fact.

Qiu Qian grinned viciously, “I’ve cultivated martial arts since childhood, day and night without rest. I dare say I’m not inferior to any peer. Everyone in Great Feng praises you, Xu Qi An, for your exceptional talent, saying you’re no less than a genius like the Northern Border King.

“But I know you’re nothing without relying on its blessing and your lucky encounters. You’re nothing.”

He slowly approached Xu Qi An, extending his right palm. The Left Envoy quickly opened a black wooden box, from which a small sword flew out, rapidly expanding into a sword as clear as autumn water.

This sword was as transparent as autumn water, seeming to absorb the moonlight from the sky. The blade and spine were covered with a faint, water-like glow.

He indeed knows about the fortune I carry and harbors jealousy… Xu Qi An’s heart burned, eager to kill and summon souls.

Both men’s figures vanished simultaneously. The difference was that where Xu Qi An had been standing, two deep footprints appeared with a “boom,” while Qiu Qian left no trace.

“Clang!”

The next moment, dazzling sparks appeared in mid-air, followed by the emergence of their figures, sword and saber locked together.

“Your saber is an artifact forged by the Supervisor, but my Moonlight Sword is no less impressive.”

Qiu Qian suddenly exerted force, actually pushing Xu Qi An back. Sword light followed closely, with over a dozen sword strikes almost simultaneously erupting, slashing at Xu Qi An’s chest, limbs, and throat…

Bringing a series of dazzling sparks.

“Fifth grade?”

Xu Qi An, now in his Vajra Body form, frowned slightly, feeling the faint pain from where the sword light had struck.

He believed that the opponent’s sword was indeed a divine weapon no less than his black-gold long saber.

“I told you, without fortune’s blessing, you’re just a nobody. Today I’ll crush you, cut off your limbs, and turn you into a human stick. Not only that, I’ll take everything you have.”

As he said the last sentence, Qiu Qian’s afterimage dissipated, and his true body appeared at Xu Qi An’s side, making the perfect strike.

A warrior’s instinct for danger gave Xu Qi An a premonition, allowing him to capture the relevant images in advance. He immediately swung his black-gold long saber to block.

“Clang!”

Another burst of dazzling sparks and Qiu Qian’s expression suddenly stiffened, his pupils briefly dilating.

Heart Sword!

The previous strike was just a probe. This person wasn’t in fourth grade and hadn’t grasped “Intent,” so his Heart Sword could effectively shock the opponent’s primordial spirit.

Xu Qi An’s strike hit home, immediately followed by an ear-splitting Lion’s Roar, once again shocking the opponent’s primordial spirit.

At the same time, he gathered his energy and slashed his saber towards the opponent’s head.

There was no time to use Heaven and Earth Slash. He had to behead this arrogant fellow before the guard standing by could react.