15: Chapter 15 features Old Six.

The siege continued as the three men and the bear fought from the mountain peak to the mountainside, and then down into the valley.

As for the other Martial Artists, they had long since steered clear; a battle of this level was simply not something they could interfere with.

Even the elites among the Rank Three practitioners found it difficult to leave a scratch on a Rank Four Vicious Beast, while a casual swipe from the beast’s paw could end their lives on the spot.

Three figures stood firmly in the valley clearing, their blood and Qi surging, their Aura as heavy as a mountain as they trapped the bear-like Vicious Beast in the center.

One was dressed in simple green robes, his longsword pointing diagonally at the ground, his face lean and refined; he was none other than Elder Su Xuan of the Qingxuan Sect, whose swordsmanship was masterful and his sword intent incomparably sharp.

A burly man with a bare torso and knotted muscles held a man-high, broad-backed Nine-Ring Saber. The blade was heavy, and its nine iron rings vibrated softly with his breath, emitting a low hum. He was Elder Zhou Lie of the Blazing Flame Valley, whose fierce external cultivation combined with his domineering saber techniques could split mountains.

Qin Cang, a Chiliarch of the Zhenwu Division, wore the ink-black official uniform of the Zhenwu Division, with a cold, gleaming Spring Embroidery Saber at his waist. He stood tall as a pine, his eyes sharp as an eagle's; his saber techniques were fast, precise, and ruthless, excelling in both offense and defense with decisive killing intent.

The three locked their gazes onto the bear-like Vicious Beast, which let out a deafening roar.

"This bear is likely nearing the Rank Four Middle Stage. Its hide is thick and its flesh tough; you two had better stop holding back."

After speaking, Zhou Lie didn't wait for Su Xuan or Qin Cang to respond. He gripped his Nine-Ring Saber, let out a low shout, and was the first to attack. He stomped heavily on the ground, leaping high into the air, executing a direct 'Splitting Mount Hua' strike. A powerful surge of blood and Qi erupted, making the surrounding temperature seem to rise by several degrees.

The giant bear roared, its massive body suddenly sidestepping as it slammed a heavy paw against the side of the saber. The collision of paw and blade produced a piercing metallic clang. Zhou Lie felt a massive force travel through the saber, forcing him to stumble several steps to the side, his feet carving deep pits into the ground.

Seeing this, Qin Cang gave a furious shout and unsheathed his Tang saber, aiming surprisingly for the bear-like Vicious Beast's rear. The beast had no choice but to abandon its pursuit of Zhou Lie, turning around in a panic to block.

At that moment, Su Xuan also pressed forward, his feet moving in an exquisite footwork pattern. His figure was ethereal, his sword light like a ribbon of silk, as sharp sword shadows enveloped the giant bear's vital points.

Besieged by the three men, the giant bear was enraged. It roared and rampaged, its paws striking out frantically. Every blow carried the power to shatter mountains and crack stones, sending debris flying wherever its paws hit the ground.

As it rampaged, its Aura was terrifying. Zhou Lie met it head-on with his saber, his blood and Qi churning from the impact. Qin Cang used his agile movement to dodge, his Tang saber constantly seeking openings to counterattack. Su Xuan circled the perimeter, using his refined swordsmanship to wear down the beast's stamina. The three coordinated perfectly—one attacking, one defending, and one harrying—firmly pinning down the ferocious giant bear.

The fierce battle lasted for a full half-hour. The three men's clothes were soaked with sweat, their arms were sore and swollen, and their blood and Qi were heavily depleted. Many wounds had appeared on the Vicious Beast's body, blood flowing steadily. Its movements gradually slowed, and its frenzied Aura weakened.

"Now!" A cold light flashed in Qin Cang's eyes. He suddenly lunged forward, his Tang saber sweeping toward the giant bear's throat with the force of a thunderbolt. Zhou Lie followed closely behind, his broad-backed Nine-Ring Saber hacking down with full force at the bear's front leg to restrict its movement. Su Xuan changed his sword technique, his Qingxuan Sword thrusting directly at the bear's right eye.

A three-pronged attack, every move lethal! The giant bear had nowhere to hide. It roared and struggled desperately, its paws blocking frantically, but it was ultimately a step too late. The Tang saber slashed across its throat, the heavy saber shattered its leg bone, and the longsword pierced its eyeball. The three heavy blows landed simultaneously.

The giant bear let out one final, shrill roar before its massive body crashed to the ground. The earth shook violently, and its breath ceased entirely. The Rank Four bear-like Vicious Beast had finally been slain by the three after a hard-fought battle.

The three slumped to the ground, panting heavily, their bodies aching and weak. Looking at the fallen giant bear, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

The combat power of a Rank Four Vicious Beast was already formidable, and this giant bear's defense and strength were among the best of its rank. Had the three not joined forces, none of them could have slain it alone. This battle had truly been a series of narrow escapes.

The three ordered their subordinates to divide the giant bear's carcass. After resting briefly to recover some strength, Qin Cang stood up, wiped the sweat from his face, and said:

"Bear-type Vicious Beasts are cave-dwellers; their den is surely hidden nearby. From here on, it’s every man for himself!"

Zhou Lie and Su Xuan stood up upon hearing this. The three followed the tracks left by the giant bear, heading deep into the dense forest. Before long, a hidden cave appeared before them, its entrance permeated with a faint, rank scent.

The three gripped their weapons and cautiously approached the cave entrance. Just as they were about to investigate the interior, a white figure suddenly darted out from within!

The figure's speed was uncanny and its steps light, moving like a phantom. Its movements were erratic and ethereal, completely unlike the techniques of an ordinary Martial Artist. It seemed slow but actually covered several yards in an instant.

"Who goes there!" Qin Cang shouted sternly, being the first to raise his saber and give chase. Zhou Lie and Su Xuan reacted immediately and followed close behind.

But the white figure's Movement Technique was too strange, darting left and right as it wove through the dense forest with ease. Even with three Rank Four experts chasing at full speed, they could never surround it; instead, the distance between them grew wider.

After bursting out of the forest, the white figure sprinted toward Qingyang County. The Martial Artists on the road only marveled at the person's speed, only realizing something was amiss when the three experts arrived in pursuit. Realizing this person likely carried a great treasure, they immediately set off to follow.

By the time the crowd reached Qingyang County, the person had already vanished, using the city's complex streets and alleys to disappear. However, night had not yet fallen, and the streets were teeming with people; a bit of inquiry would surely turn up some clues.

Sun Shaoping knew he definitely couldn't stay in places like inns anymore, so he specifically ducked into secluded alleys. Before long, he found a deserted small courtyard and leaped over the wall.