Spirit Ruin, Sword Coffin, Blind Swordsman

Li Guanqi and Ye Feng widened their eyes in shock as Cao Yan shot past them.

The attacker glanced at them briefly, then broke off pursuit and turned toward Cao Yan instead.

Li Guanqi saw space itself ripple faintly around the man as he shot off at extreme speed. He was a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator who could control space.

“Boss… what do we do?” Ye Feng’s voice trembled with unwillingness. He already knew the truth: this was no Fang Yishan, but someone far stronger. He was a true Nascent Soul Realm cultivator—a man who could split mountains and sever rivers.

Li Guanqi only hesitated a heartbeat before seizing Ye Feng and chasing after them.

Ye Feng’s eyes lit up as he looked at Li Guanqi, but then he frowned. “Boss, this isn’t someone we can beat. Are we really going to do this?”

Li Guanqi’s gaze hardened. “I know. But we still have to go. If I abandon Cao Yan today, then one day—when I can’t win—should I abandon you too? If I did that, what would you or Cao Yan do if I were the one who needed help? I’ve chosen you both, so I won’t abandon either of you!”

Boom!

The Thunder Wings beat furiously behind him, sending them arcing across the sky. Wherever they passed, the gales they whipped up flattened swathes of towering ancient trees.

“You’re about to break through to the mid Golden Core Realm, aren’t you?” Li Guanqi asked.Ye Feng nodded. “I can force the breakthrough now.”

Li Guanqi replied without hesitation, “Then do it! And give me all the spirit stones and pills you’ve got.”

Ye Feng immediately handed over everything, keeping only what was necessary for his breakthrough. He drew a deep breath mid-air and shut his eyes. Golden light erupted from his body as his vital force surged chaotically.

Li Guanqi crushed spirit stones in his palms, releasing clouds of qi that condensed into a mist around Ye Feng. The pill in Ye Feng’s mouth dissolved, flooding his body with medicinal power.

Despite the danger, Ye Feng felt proud of Li Guanqi’s choice. They were weak, yes, but they did not want to give up. More specifically, Li Guanqi did not want to abandon anyone.

Li Guanqi had taken Cao Yan in despite his past, and Ye Feng understood. If he were the one being hunted and Li Guanqi abandoned him, he’d be devastated. However, Li Guanqi refused to give up on anyone.

Boom!

Driven by his determination, Ye Feng’s vital force erupted. The surrounding spirit qi turned into two streams, surging into his body as he focused wholly on his breakthrough.

Meanwhile, the attacker finally noticed they were chasing after him. His eyes flashed with killing intent.

“Hmph. Weaklings dare chase me? I’ll kill you first!”

The man charged at Li Guanqi and Ye Feng.

The moment Li Guanqi saw the black-robed man turn, he spun around and fled. With his sprint technique and the Thunder Wings, he barely managed to keep ahead while dragging Ye Feng with him. His divine consciousness guided him as he dodged the sword lights raining down on them.

Ye Feng’s aura swelled, then suddenly skyrocketed. His eyes snapped open in shock when he saw the attacker just two hundred zhang away. “He’s after us now!”

“Contact Cao Yan!” Li Guanqi ordered grimly, still dodging the searing strikes that could reduce them to ash. Sweat trickled down his temples as he forced himself to remain calm.

Ye Feng pulled out his jade slip, only to blanch. “He’s shut it off. I can’t reach him!”

At that same moment, Cao Yan, flying in the distance, sensed that something was wrong. His chest tightened as he realized the enemy had turned on Li Guanqi and Ye Feng. His eyes reddened.

“Why… Why would you two…” he muttered. “We only just met…”

Cao Yan did not want them to die because of him. Though they had not been together for long, he knew how well they treated him. He was fully immersed in the brotherhood they shared, and he did not want it to end. However, reality struck hard. With his identity, if he continued to stay with them, he would only drag them into endless killing.

Today, it was a Nascent Soul Realm cultivator. Next time, would it be a Divine Transformation Realm expert?

Cao Yan took a deep breath. He knew they were surely trying to get in touch with him.

Drawing a steadying breath, Cao Yan pulled out his transporter talismans—twelve in all. He stared at them for a moment, then pressed them all to his body.

As a mysterious light enveloped him, he roared, his voice amplified by vital force to echo for a thousand zhang. “Motherfucker! Come and kill me! Wasn’t I your target?!”

Whoosh!

The moment he finished, Cao Yan’s silhouette warped slightly, and he disappeared.

The attacker turned to lock in Cao Yan’s direction. His eyes flickered with surprise. “A transporter talisman? Heh. I nearly forgot why you became like this. I underestimated you.”

Then, he made a grasping motion at Ye Feng and Li Guanqi. He narrowed his eyes and cried out, “Sealing Prison!”

Boom!

Li Guanqi slammed against an invisible wall mid-flight, blood spraying from his mouth under the impact.

The attacker ignored Cao Yan’s escape and rushed at them, sword in hand.

Li Guanqi grabbed a handful of pills and swallowed them all. Vital force roared violently through his body. Despite only recently reaching the mid Golden Core Realm, he was determined to force his breakthrough to the late Golden Core Realm.

A searing pain tore through his dantian as it swelled sharply.

Boom!