They were both disciples, both encountered trouble, so why did Jun Changxiao’s reactions differ so drastically?

Favoritism?

That didn’t exist.

Having reached peak Sword-Martial Dual King, and possessing both the Sacred Flame Body and Mechanical Armed Wings, Sect Master Jun had become much more mature and steady than before.

Those who offend my disciples naturally cannot be forgiven.

However, if he still acted like when rescuing Lu Qianqian—directly bringing disciples and recklessly charging over to kill—that would truly lack rationality.

Moreover.

Ye Xingchen and Xiao Zuiji had both advanced to Martial King. Even if they couldn’t defeat Martial Emperors, they should have the ability to protect themselves.

The palm and back of the hand are both flesh—there was no such thing as treating men and women differently.

Jun Changxiao had actually guessed correctly.

Although Ye Xingchen and Xiao Zuiji were trapped in Yinshan Ridge, several Martial Emperors couldn’t find them for the time being.

“Strange!”

A powerful figure wearing black robes and a bizarre mask released his spiritual sense, blanketing the entire mountain forest. His voice was cold: “We clearly saw them enter. How have they vanished without a trace!”

A total of four people had come to pursue Ye Xingchen and Xiao Zuiji.

All wore black robes and ferocious masks, appearing extremely mysterious.

“This time, the Master issued a death order—no matter what, we must capture a Myriad Ancients Sect disciple. If we fail to complete this, we’ll definitely be punished upon return!” another Martial Emperor said.

“I thought this would be an easy assignment. Who knew these two little fellows would be so clever—one lapse in attention and we’ve lost track of them.”

“Don’t lose focus.”

The Martial Emperor walking at the front said in a deep voice: “The two of them are definitely still in Yinshan Ridge. They must have used some kind of treasure to shield their own auras and evade our spiritual sense detection.”

……

In a hidden location.

Xiao Zuiji gently parted the leaves, revealing a pair of pitch-black eyes, giving quite the feeling of special forces executing a mission in the jungle.

“Senior Brother Ye, they really can’t find us!”

Ye Xingchen, hidden nearby, raised the corner of his mouth in a trace of disdain.

In terms of strength, he temporarily couldn’t defeat Martial Emperors.

However, with the Taixuan True Scripture circulating, he could seal off both his own and Xiao Zuiji’s auras. It would be absolutely impossible for the opponents to find them.

They wouldn’t find the people.

But being trapped within a valley, surrounded on all sides by towering mountain walls reaching the clouds, with the external entrance blocked, they could only crouch in the shadows playing hide-and-seek with several Martial Emperors.

“I’ve already notified the nearest Fine Rain Hall members.”

Xiao Zuiji said: “When the Sect Master receives the message, he should come to rescue us very quickly.”

“Troublesome.”

Ye Xingchen stood up and left the brush.

Given his personality, he would never wait for the Sect Master’s rescue. Instead, he was thinking about how to break through the encirclement of several Martial Emperors.

“Senior Brother Ye!”

Xiao Zuiji said: “Don’t be impulsive!”

Ye Xingchen said coolly: “To survive in this cruel world, you can’t rely on others—you must rely on yourself.”

Those words… made sense!

Xiao Zuiji said nothing and hurriedly followed.

The two didn’t dare recklessly release their spiritual sense, to avoid being detected, and could only stealthily move through the forest.

“There!”

They were still discovered!

Whoosh whoosh—

Violent spiritual energy came roaring, instantly pulverizing the surrounding trees.

Ye Xingchen and Xiao Zuiji immediately used the Cloud-Treading Step to dart into the nearest bushes, vanishing without a trace in an instant.

Hum!

In a moment, an Energy Domain opened.

The pursuing Martial Emperor sealed off this area, then carefully searched, but still didn’t find them.

The Energy Domain could work on other Martial Kings, but had no effect on Xiao Zuiji and Ye Xingchen.

Because the two regularly cultivated in the Training Tower, as long as it wasn’t crushing-level Pressure Aura, they wouldn’t be affected in the short term.

“Damn it!”

That Martial Emperor said angrily: “Could they also have treasures on them that resist Energy Domains?”

Another person who rushed over said: “If the Myriad Ancients Sect didn’t have some capabilities, there’s no way they could have risen so quickly in such a short time.”

“We’d be better off going to Qingyang Commandery, hiding in the shadows and waiting for Myriad Ancients Sect disciples to come out, then randomly capturing one to take back and report to the Master.”

“Mu Changhong has already broken through to Half-Step Martial Saint, and Jun Changxiao has even brutalized the Grand Elder of Extreme Cold Palace. If we go there, we’ll definitely be discovered by them.”

That Martial Emperor fell silent.

Since the Myriad Ancients Sect’s Sect Master could brutalize a Half-Saint, naturally they didn’t have the courage to dare go to his territory.

……

“Senior Brother Ye.”

The hidden Xiao Zuiji transmitted: “These people are wearing masks and look very mysterious. They may not necessarily be powerhouses from the Royal City.”

Ye Xingchen didn’t speak.

Actually, he’d already realized this.

“This group’s attire is bizarre—they must be from a force that can’t show their faces.” Ye Xingchen thought silently.

“Let’s go.”

After observing for a while, they moved again.

Xiao Zuiji followed closely behind. The two stealthily wandered through the mountain forest and soon arrived at the entrance.

“Junior Brother, they seem to have left.”

“It’s not that simple.”

Ye Xingchen didn’t believe the four Martial Emperors had already departed. Perhaps they were deliberately showing an opening.

The two hid in the shadows, waiting just like that.

Half an hour later, the entrance remained empty. Occasionally a few fierce beasts passed by, indicating there were no people nearby.

Ye Xingchen still wasn’t reassured and continued waiting in the shadows.

As expected.

Another half hour passed, and two masked Martial Emperors came flying over. They released their spiritual sense into the valley, and after gaining nothing, couldn’t help but start complaining.

“Could they have already slipped away?”

“Yinshan Ridge only has one exit. That shouldn’t be possible.”

“The Myriad Ancients Sect disciples are a bit demonic. Maybe they used some secret technique to escape.”

“They must return to Qingyang Commandery. We can intercept them on the necessary route.”

“Exactly!”

The two Martial Emperors departed Yinshan Ridge by flying through the air.

Two Martial Kings had disappeared right under their four pairs of eyes—this was extremely vexing.

“Junior Brother.”

Xiao Zuiji transmitted: “We can leave now, right?”

“Let’s go.”

Ye Xingchen started moving.

The two very smoothly emerged from Yinshan Ridge, but had no intention of returning to the sect.

Seizing first place in the Human tier wasn’t enough to satisfy Night Emperor. Next, he wanted to issue challenges to the Earth tier talents.

“Whoosh whoosh—”

However, when the two had just traveled a few miles, as if triggering some kind of restriction, the surrounding space distorted, and they immediately appeared in an illusory, ethereal environment!

“Not good.”

Ye Xingchen frowned: “It’s a formation!”

“Hahaha!”

A masked Martial Emperor walked in, laughing strangely: “Did you really think that by hiding inside and using some kind of treasure to shield your auras, you could leave safely?”

Unable to find anyone in Yinshan Ridge, he had set up a formation outside, waiting for the opponents to walk into the trap themselves!

“You two.”

That person said coolly: “Don’t resist. Come with me.”

“Where to?”

“No need for many questions. You’ll know when you get there.”

“What if we don’t go?”

“That’s not up to you.”

Ye Xingchen said: “In that case, we can only go with you.”

“Junior Brother…”

Xiao Zuiji had just opened his mouth when Ye Xingchen transmitted: “We’ll make plans after leaving the formation.”

In the current situation, fighting definitely wouldn’t work, and they were trapped in the formation. They could only pretend to comply, then seek another way to escape.

Although Night Emperor was arrogant and conceited, that didn’t mean he was a blockhead. In circumstances extremely unfavorable to himself, he definitely wouldn’t be reckless.

Of course.

If recklessness could turn danger into safety, he could try it once—the key was that recklessness wouldn’t work anyway.

“However.”

Ye Xingchen reminded: “Our Sect Master values his disciples extremely highly. You’d better consider the consequences, lest the gains not make up for the losses.”

“Kid, stop deliberately stalling for time.”

That Martial Emperor said coolly: “Will you seal your own energy channels, or shall this old man do it?”

Ye Xingchen and Xiao Zuiji looked at each other, then cooperatively sealed their own energy channels.

Swoosh!

The flowing light dispersed, and the formation was withdrawn.

The leader standing outside said: “We’ve wasted quite a bit of time. Return quickly.”

Two companions walked toward Ye Xingchen and Xiao Zuiji, just about to take them away, when they saw a streak of light shooting rapidly from the distance, then stopping mid-air, transmitting a cold voice: “No one is going anywhere.”

“Sect Master!”

Xiao Zuiji was overjoyed.

Ye Xingchen said: “You’re all going to be in trouble.”

—