302: One against three

Chen Xuan looked up at the towering mountain gate of the Tianque Sect, where vermilion pillars stood on both sides, and the mist-shrouded surroundings exuded the grand air of a great Sect.

As expected of one of the Three Great Sects of the Rain God Continent, it was nearly one-fifth the size of his own Dao Seeking Sect.

He withdrew his gaze and instructed the Disciple beside him, "Pingan, go and announce our arrival."

"Yes, Revered Master!"

Li Pingan obeyed the command and walked quickly toward the mountain gate with light steps.

Chen Xuan's visit this time actually held three layers of intention.

First, Chu Haotian had taken great care of his two Disciples, Ye Hao and Li Pingan, so as their Revered Master, he should naturally visit in person to express his gratitude and, in passing, clear up the misunderstanding regarding the two using the Tianque Sect's name, thus fulfilling a social obligation.

Second, it was to help his Disciple complete that trade; it was merely a scroll of a Heaven-rank Divine Ability, and he already had several scrolls stored in his System space.

Fortune and misfortune were unpredictable when traveling, so it was better to stock up on more Divine Abilities and spiritual materials; should he encounter something he liked in the future, he could use them for bartering.

Therefore, whether it was secret techniques from the Divine Ability Pavilion or immortal peaches and spiritual fruits from the Sect's back mountain, Chen Xuan had always habitually stockpiled them for a rainy day.

Third, and most crucially, he wanted to investigate the true situation of the Yao Race's offensive. Although Number Three in the Chaos Void Jade had spoken with certainty, the Tianque Sect, as a leading power of the Rain God Continent stationed at the front lines, would surely possess more detailed military intelligence.

If the Rain God Continent was truly in grave danger!

His Dao Seeking Sect should make plans early, and he should also notify the Yin Shen Sect to take precautions.

Besides that, he also wanted to ask Peak Master Chu about the whereabouts of Daoist Yunche; anyone who dared to move against his two Disciples would not be shown mercy by Chen Xuan if given the chance.

A moment later, Li Pingan returned with two people.

"Revered Master!"

Li Pingan approached and said in a low voice, "These two are Peak Master Chu's Disciples, Young Master Zhao and Miss Lin."

Revered Master?

Hearing this form of address, an expression of astonishment immediately appeared on Zhao Jingchen's face. The Chen Xuan before him had a handsome and elegant face, looking no older than his early twenties; could he really be the Revered Master of someone like Li Pingan? He did not dare to be negligent and quickly straightened his posture, bowing respectfully:

"Greetings, Senior."

Lin Xiuqin, beside him, followed suit with a bow, but her gaze lingered on Chen Xuan.

Since parting at the ten thousand demon blood quenching pool, she had more than once wondered what kind of peak-level figure could teach Disciples as brilliant as Li Pingan and Ye Hao.

But seeing him today, she felt somewhat disappointed.

Although the person before her was handsome, he was far too young; he possessed neither the unfathomable pressure of a Sect Master or Grand Elder nor the heavy, settled aura of a peak-level powerhouse. Instead, he looked like a pampered noble Young Master from a wealthy family.

To put it simply, aside from being handsome, no other characteristics could be seen.

It seemed this Senior was merely lucky, happening to have a Wisdom Eye to pick out those two pieces of uncut jade, Li Pingan and Ye Hao.

Golden Core and Nascent Soul stages were fine, but the higher the Realm in the future, the more the two would inevitably be dragged down by their Revered Master. It was a pity that Ye Hao and Li Pingan were not Disciples of the Tianque Sect.

If they were personally cultivated by the Sect Master or her own Revered Master, with such talent, they would surely grow into true peak-level powerhouses in the future.

Chen Xuan simply waved his hand dismissively and got straight to the point: "No need for formalities. I have come today first to thank Peak Master Chu for his care of my two Disciples, and second to ask Peak Master Chu about a few matters."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhao Jingchen replied with cupped hands: "Senior may not be aware, but my Revered Master has already left for Yaoshi City. As the Yao Race's offensive grows increasingly fierce and the Yaoshi City defense line is under pressure, my Revered Master, as a Peak Revered Master of the Sect, has personally gone to the front lines to oversee the resistance."

"Yaoshi City!" Chen Xuan muttered under his breath, then asked, "Can you point me in the direction?"

Zhao Jingchen immediately cupped his hands: "If Senior wishes to go, this Junior is willing to act as a guide. Yaoshi City is only half a day's journey from here, and I am very familiar with the route."

Chen Xuan nodded slightly. Lin Xiuqin and Li Pingan followed closely behind as the four of them took to the air, racing toward Yaoshi City.

When they arrived above Yaoshi City, the sight was one of ruins and debris. High in the sky, techniques and Divine Abilities intertwined and collided, scattering light everywhere; on the ground at the city walls, waves of the Yao Race army charged frantically, while the Human Race Cultivators relied on the high walls to resist stubbornly, fighting to the death without retreating.

It couldn't be called magnificent, nor was there any sense of inspiration; there was only the purest clamor and life-risking struggle.

Because they simply couldn't afford to care, the roars of the Demonic Beasts intertwined, and the thick scent of blood soared into the sky, striking fear into the heart.

Lin Xiuqin's pupils shrank as a cry escaped her lips: "That's... Revered Master!"

Chen Xuan looked toward the sound and saw that in the center of the battlefield, above the eastern side of Yaoshi City, Chu Haotian was alone with a longsword, struggling to fend off the siege of three Void Refining Realm great demons.

No, it should be four.

Beneath the clouds, on a piece of broken city wall wreckage, a Red-Eyed Demonic Ape crouched, watching the battle intently to provide support. Its crimson eyes were fixed on Chu Haotian, clearly searching for a fatal moment to strike.

The three great demons exchanged looks and nodded simultaneously, their Demonic Qi suddenly surging as they each summoned their Life-Bound Demonic Manifestation, launching a joint attack on Chu Haotian.

The Green-Scaled Giant Python struck first, a massive snake shadow suddenly appearing behind it. Its giant tail swept across like a pillar supporting the heavens; wherever it passed, the air cracked and rubble flew. Chu Haotian's expression remained unchanged as the Golden Lion Shadow behind him raised its head and roared, its cry causing the clouds to churn. He then reached out a palm to meet the attack, the golden palm print colliding violently with the giant tail.

Boom!

A thunderous roar echoed through the sky as violent energy exploded like a tsunami. Ripples of Spiritual Qi spread out from the two of them as the center, causing even the Nascent Soul Yao Race and Human Race Cultivators fighting below on the city walls to stop by mutual agreement, looking up at the sky for a moment.

At that level of power collision, even a slight brush with the aftershocks would result in their total annihilation.

Before the dust could settle, the Black-Feathered Roc's ink-colored wings suddenly unfurled, their sky-blotting shadow instantly covering the battlefield. Three beams of green sword light erupted from the wingtips, striking the head of the Golden Lion Shadow like meteors chasing the moon.

With a crisp "crack," the Golden Lion Shadow roared as it dimmed slightly, its head suddenly covered in cracks like porcelain.

A hint of sweetness rose in Chu Haotian's throat as a trace of blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, yet he remained unfazed.

He pressed his fingers together to form a Sword Seal and made a light stroke in front of him. A pale silver Sword Astral Qi shot across the sky, appearing slow yet striking the ink-colored wings with absolute precision, returning the favor in kind.

A strange, mysterious sound suddenly exploded, like an ancient witch's curse or a wail from the netherworld, piercing straight into the Sea of Consciousness. Chu Haotian's movements suddenly faltered, and a faint golden light flickered between his brows as he clearly used his own spiritual power to forcibly resist the soul impact, causing even the movements of the Golden Lion Shadow behind him to slow by half a beat.

The Red-Eyed Demonic Ape, which had been watching for a long time, saw its eyes flare with fierce light; it finally moved!

It lunged from the city wall wreckage, its body turning into a crimson afterimage in the air. Its fists were clenched tight, veins bulging at the knuckles, as dense Demonic Qi condensed into solid black gauntlets. With a sharp whistle that tore through the air, it slammed a punch down toward the already sluggish Golden Lion Shadow!

"Revered Master!"

Lin Xiuqin cried out in alarm, her face turning pale instantly, her heart leaping into her throat.

Beside her, Zhao Jingchen also clenched his fists, his expression anxious, yet he had no way to provide aid and could only stare in helpless worry.