314: Find Mu Chen

Amidst this oppressive search, Seventh Elder Gloomy Spring casually sent out another blast of chilling Dou Qi, instantly shattering a Tier 4 Earth Spined Lizard that had sprung from the flank into ice shards.

The lizard's massive corpse crashed onto the ground, emitting a dull thud.

However, it was this very thud that caused the more meticulous Elder Gui Ying to frown, keenly sensing that the sound emanating from the corpse's impact point carried an abnormal, hollow echo!

Almost simultaneously, an extremely faint aura, yet one carrying a distinct Wood Attribute vitality and the scent of blood, could no longer be perfectly concealed due to the vibration and impact on the ground above, leaking out from beneath that hollow spot!

"There's something below!"

Elder Gui Ying shouted sternly.

Elder Gloomy Spring reacted instantly. Hearing this, he did not hesitate; his withered palm was immediately enveloped in dense black Dou Qi, and a sinister, icy aura spread forth!

"Profound Rank High-Grade Dou Technique—Xuanming Ghost Hand!"

He let out a low shout and slammed his palm down through the air toward that spot on the ground!

A massive black ghost hand, condensed from pure, chilling Dou Qi, struck the ground fiercely, accompanied by a mournful howl!

"Boom!!"

Crushed stones flew everywhere, and dust filled the air!

The solid ground was forcibly blasted open, revealing a large hole several yards in diameter and exposing a dark nest beneath!

As the dust settled slightly, the situation inside the nest became clearly visible.

A blood-soaked youth whose aura was extremely weak was leaning against the stone wall, barely supporting his body. Who else could it be but Jiang Donghua, whom they had been desperately searching for?!

"It really is you, you little bastard!"

Elder Gloomy Spring's face twisted into a savage and cruel smile.

"So heavily injured, let's see where you can run now!"

"Act! Capture him!"

Elder Gui Ying was even more decisive. Before his words finished, his figure, like a ghost, had already rushed toward the bottom of the pit. His five fingers formed a claw, aiming straight for Mu Chen's throat, the claw wind fierce and carrying the chilling power to seal Dou Qi!

The moment his hiding spot was discovered, Mu Chen's heart sank to the bottom, knowing the final moment had arrived.

A powerful will to survive and his unresolved hatred forced him to unleash his last reserves of strength!

His eyes bloodshot, he roared, ignoring the tearing pain in his meridians, and forcibly activated the last bit of his remaining Dou Qi!

"earth rank low-tier Dou Technique—Ten Thousand Woods Worship Spring!"

The majestic Wood Attribute Dou Qi transformed into countless tenacious green vines, which surged out wildly from the ground and the stone walls like living things, wrapping around and strangling the charging Elder Gui Ying!

This was the strongest defensive counterattack Dou Technique he could currently unleash, carrying an unyielding, vigorous vitality, attempting to block the capture.

However, being severely wounded, his strength was less than ten percent of its peak.

The power of this desperate strike was greatly diminished.

"A mantis trying to stop a chariot!" Elder Gui Ying sneered.

Elder Gui Ying coldly snorted, his claw attack unchanged, and slammed fiercely into the green vines!

"Bang!"

Energy ripples exploded, and the cave shook violently.

The green vines unleashed by Mu Chen snapped and withered the instant they made contact, utterly failing to stop the full-force strike of a Five-star Dou Zong.

He himself was hit hard, spitting out a large mouthful of blood mixed with fragments of internal organs. His body slammed violently against the stone wall behind him, his aura instantly becoming even weaker, barely having the strength left to stand.

In just one exchange, his already severe injuries were worsened, adding insult to injury, and he completely lost the ability to resist.

And right at this moment, a terrifying pressure that made one's soul tremble descended from above the cave entrance, like a towering iceberg!

Second Elder Chen Ming, who had appeared above the cave entrance at some unknown point, looked down expressionlessly at the dying Mu Chen at the bottom of the pit. In his cold eyes, there was not a trace of human emotion, only bone-chilling killing intent.

He slowly spoke, his voice not loud, yet it sounded like a death sentence clearly entering Mu Chen's ears.

"Boy, I won't let you die so easily."

The huge roar and Chen Ming's undisguised cold words were like a boulder thrown into a calm lake in this dead silent mountain range, instantly shattering the tranquility of the night and clearly reaching the ears of several people anxiously searching nearby!

"Over there!"

Almost the instant the sound rang out, cold light burst forth from Jiang Donghua's eyes, who was the closest!

He no longer cared about hiding his aura, unleashing his cultivation fully. His figure transformed into a blue streak of light, stepping through the void, and shot toward the source of the sound at the fastest possible speed!

At the same time, in another direction, the Xiao Family grandfather and grandson hidden beneath black robes also had a drastic change in expression.

"This is bad! The Xuanming Sect got there first!"

Xiao Han cried out in alarm, his tone filled with anxiety.

"Such powerful energy fluctuations and killing intent—it's that old ghost Chen Ming! Go!"

Old Man Xiao Zhen's face darkened. Without further thought, he swept his sleeve, taking his grandson with him, and their figures merged into the night like phantoms, rushing over urgently as well.

Inside the cave, Chen Ming was walking step by step toward Mu Chen, who was sprawled on the ground and nearly unconscious. Dark sealing runes coiled around his withered palm, preparing to first cripple the Dou Qi of this audacious brat before slowly torturing him.

However, just as his palm was about to touch Mu Chen's Dantian!

"Whoosh—!"

A sharp sound of air being torn suddenly rang out!

A blue line of flame, profound like ten thousand years of profound ice, carrying an extreme chill that seemed capable of freezing the soul, struck Chen Ming's left temple silently and fast as lightning!

The attack angle was tricky and vicious, forcing him to defend!

Chen Ming frowned, a surge of impatience at being interrupted rising in his heart.

Without turning his head, he struck out with a backhand, and a blast of chilling black Dou Qi formed a wall blocking his side.

"Sizzle!"

The blue line of flame collided with the black Dou Qi wall, producing a strange sound of fire and ice intertwining, and both were annihilated. However, the residual chill still caused Chen Ming's left hand to stiffen slightly.

He slowly turned around, looking toward the cave entrance, only to see a young man dressed in green robes standing there, his body wreathed in deep blue flames. His aura seemed to be that of a Three-star Dou Zong?

Chen Ming curled his lip, a look of disdainful mockery appearing on his face.

"Hmph, I wondered who it was. Turns out there's an accomplice who doesn't know his place?"

"A Three-star Dou Zong dares to interfere with the Xuanming Sect's business? You must be tired of living!"

He didn't put the Three-star Dou Zong before him in his eyes at all, casually waving his hand toward Seventh Elder Gloomy Spring and Elder Gui Ying behind him. His tone was indifferent, as if instructing subordinates to swat a fly.

"Old Seven, Old Eight, go and take down this brat who doesn't know the immensity of heaven and earth. I don't care if he lives or dies. Just don't let him disturb this Elder's work."

"Yes! Second Elder!"

Gloomy Spring and Elder Gui Ying revealed cruel smiles, unleashing their Five-star Dou Zong auras without reservation. One on the left and one on the right, they rushed toward Jiang Donghua at the cave entrance like two black whirlwinds, bringing fierce killing intent!

At this moment, Mu Chen, who was slumped on the ground and semi-conscious, was slightly jolted awake by the sudden turn of events and the familiar blue flame.

He struggled to lift his head, trying hard to focus his blurry vision. When he clearly saw the face at the entrance—cold yet incredibly familiar—he felt as if he had been struck by lightning, his pupils instantly dilating to their maximum size!

It's Big Brother Donghua! Why is he here?!

There is a Peak Dou Zong and two Five-star Dou Zongs here!

Following the immense shock came overwhelming fear and anxiety!

He used the last ounce of strength in his body to shout hoarsely, his voice nearly cracking.

"Brother Donghua! Run!! Don't worry about me! They are Xuanming Sect Elders, hurry and leave!!!"

However, facing the pincer attack of two Five-star Dou Zongs, and the Peak Dou Zong glaring menacingly behind them, Jiang Donghua stood his ground, his feet not moving an inch.

He looked at Gloomy Spring and Elder Gui Ying rushing toward him, then glanced at the desperately anxious Mu Chen and the sneering Chen Ming inside the cave. Far from showing fear, his eyes flashed with cold killing intent.

"Did you ask me before laying a hand on my person?"