262: Chapter 262 Pursuit

The dense forest deep within the Wangchuan Secret Realm had long lost its usual tranquility; emerald leaves were shredded by Sword Qi, scattering into the sky and intermingling with dust to form a fog that blotted out the sun.

Cultivators from the Hu Family, Wu Family, Zhao Family, and Lihuo Sect had formed a four-sided encirclement, forcing the White Lion to the edge of a cliff within the dense forest; the cold gleam of drawn blades reflected a chilling light upon his silver mane.

Hu Yunxiao's green robes fluttered violently in the strong wind, his long sword pointed directly at the White Lion. Veins bulged on his forehead, clearly showing that he had exhausted much effort to hunt down this exotic beast. Seeing that he was still putting up a desperate resistance, his tone was filled with irritable rage: "You beast! If you dare to resist again, I will surely skin you, pull out your tendons, and refine your soul!"

Before his words had even faded, he caught a glimpse from the corner of his eye of the Zhao Family Cultivators' encirclement slackening slightly, as they had been forced back half a step by the White Lion's counterattack, causing his anger to flare even higher.

"Are all the Zhao Family members trash? You're even afraid of a severely wounded exotic beast!" Recalling the Zhao Family's previous failures, Hu Yunxiao immediately scolded them in a shrill voice, his words like poisoned ice picks, "I don't think you Zhao Family members are qualified to come to this Secret Realm at all. You might as well roll back to your own territory and guard your ancestral graves, so you don't get in the way here!"

These words exploded like thunder in the ears of the Zhao Family members. A young Cultivator's eyes immediately turned red, and his hand gripping his sword trembled uncontrollably: "Hu Yunxiao, don't you dare go too far! We, the Zhao Family, have done our best to cooperate. It is your Hu Family that has repeatedly misjudged the direction and delayed the timing of the pursuit!"

"Insolent!" Hu Yunxiao roared, pointing his long sword directly at that Cultivator, "What kind of thing are you? How dare you speak to this Martial King like that!"

"Your Zhao Family will only ever be like this in this lifetime, a bunch of timid cowards. No wonder you can only follow behind our Hu Family to drink the soup!"

The insults poured out one after another. The Zhao Family members all glared with wide eyes, and several of them had already gripped their weapons, their spiritual power surging, looking as if they were about to rush up and fight the Hu Family to the death.

"Stop, all of you!" At the critical moment, a deep, resonant voice rang out. Zhao Zuoyang, his clothes stained with blood, flashed into position and stood in front of his own Disciples.

His face was livid, and he stared at Hu Yunxiao with eyes like torches: "Hu Yunxiao, hunting the Yao Beast King is what matters. Why resort to verbal abuse? Although the Zhao Family is not as powerful as the Hu Family, we will not tolerate anyone insulting us at will!"

Hu Yunxiao let out a cold snort, his face full of disdain: "What? Did I say something wrong? If it weren't for you dragging your feet, this White Lion would have been captured by me long ago!"

Zhao Zuoyang took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in his heart: "Those who follow different Dao cannot make plans together. Since the Hu Family looks down on the Zhao Family, from this moment on, we will part ways!"

"Each of your three families must produce one Level 5 precious herb, and we, the Zhao Family, will leave immediately!"

"Hmph, give it to him!" Hu Yunxiao waved his hand and ordered the Hu Family Disciples to throw a Level 5 precious herb to the Zhao Family members.

The Wu Family and the Lihuo Sect originally did not want to agree, as Zhao Zuoyang had been injured during the recent pursuit and was no longer capable of competing for the treasure.

But since the Hu Family had already agreed, and the Zhao Family's withdrawal was beneficial to them all, they didn't say anything more!

They ordered their respective Disciples to reluctantly hand over a Level 5 precious herb, comforting themselves with the thought that the Level 6 precious herb was right before their eyes—you have to set a bait to catch the wolf!

Zhao Zuoyang, having obtained three Level 5 precious herbs, immediately waved his hand and led the Zhao Family members to turn and leave, leaving behind the three parties of the Hu Family, the Wu Family, and the Lihuo Sect.

Ever since Zhao Zuoyang learned of the White Lion's identity, he had been burning with anxiety, not knowing how to extricate himself without arousing the suspicion of the other families. Hu Yunxiao had eagerly provided such a good excuse, so he took the opportunity to step down the slope and slip away.

Hu Yunxiao, Wu Muchuan, and Yuan Zhe sensed that the Zhao Family had withdrawn dozens of miles away and felt relieved. Zhao Zuoyang had not played any tricks; it seemed that his injuries were more serious than they appeared on the surface.

At this moment, the White Lion was at the end of his rope; several wounds on his body that were deep enough to show bone were bleeding continuously, and his limbs were trembling slightly.

The Cultivators from the Hu Family and the Wu Family took the opportunity to close in, their attacks becoming increasingly fierce.

The White Lion gripped the Level 5 Talisman, the Nine Heavens Divine Fire Talisman, which he had obtained from Ye Yisong, and threw it at the two waves of the Hu Family and the Wu Family who were surrounding him.

"Boom!"

Nine bolts of heavenly thunderous divine fire struck from all directions, and scorching fire dragons blocked the two groups of the Hu Family and the Wu Family.

This brief explosion gave the White Lion a chance to catch his breath. Taking advantage of this gap, he suddenly leaped forward and fled toward the core layer of the Wangchuan Secret Realm.

"Where did this beast get a Level 5 Talisman?"

Seeing this, Hu Yunxiao was furious and utterly bewildered! Since when could the Yao Beasts of the Wangchuan Secret Realm use Talismans?

Someone among them was secretly helping the White Lion. The Lihuo Sect? The Wu Family?

Or was it the Zhao Family that had left?

Hu Yunxiao looked around, his suspicious gaze sweeping unscrupulously over the other two groups.

"What, is Brother Hu suspecting us?" Wu Muchuan said with an unfriendly tone.

"Brother Hu, it would be better not to guess wildly, lest we damage the harmony between us," Yuan Zhe of the Lihuo Sect said impolitely.

"Hmph."

Facing the two of them alone, Hu Yunxiao did not dare to claim he had the upper hand, especially since Yuan Zhe had learned a powerful blade technique from somewhere. He let out a cold snort and was the first to pursue.

"The core layer?"

Wu Muchuan looked ahead, his steps stalling, and said hesitantly.

"Brother Wu, are you afraid?" Yuan Zhe smiled mockingly and, leading the Lihuo Sect Disciples, followed in the footsteps of the Hu Family to pursue deeper inside.

"Retreat!"

Wu Muchuan pondered for a long time, and only after the figures of the Hu Family and the Lihuo Sect Disciples had completely disappeared did he make up his mind.

"Alright, pursue... what? Muchuan, retreat?" Hu Yuanzhao said with an expression of disbelief.

"Muchuan, this is a Level 6 Purple Mansion Spirit-Nourishing Mushroom, are we just giving it up like this!"

"If the precious herb is obtained by the Hu Family and they produce another Martial Emperor, the interests of our Wu Family will surely suffer heavy losses."

"Muchuan, there hasn't been any movement in the core layer for hundreds of years. Perhaps that Yao Emperor has already fallen, so why are we in such a hurry to retreat?"

The Wu Family members all spoke one after another, trying to persuade Wu Muchuan to continue the pursuit.

"I said retreat!" Wu Muchuan did not say much more. A wave of a King's pressure emanated from his body, suppressing the crowd, and he was the first to leave the dense forest, flying toward the outer perimeter.

"Listen to Muchuan, let's go!" It was the two brothers, Hu Yuansong and Hu Yuanzhao, who were the first to convince themselves, calling for everyone to quickly follow in Wu Muchuan's footsteps.

Hearing the huge explosion from behind, Ye Yisong knew that the White Lion had broken through. Looking in the direction of the core layer, a faint smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

Lion King, I can only help you this much!

In order to deliver this Level 5 Talisman to the White Lion, Zhao Zuoyang, this Martial King powerhouse, had to let himself be heavily wounded by it to deceive everyone.

Ye Yisong was powerless to offer any more help!

He had no intention of making enemies with other forces; he simply did not want to anger that Yao Emperor.

With his small arms and legs, he couldn't afford to offend anyone!

Meanwhile, the White Lion, having fled into the core layer, looked back and found that there were still two groups of people in hot pursuit, a flash of ferocity crossing his eyes.

Damn it, you actually dare to chase me to my home. Later, I'll see if you can escape!

Father! Your child has returned!