595: Chapter 595 Conflict Escalates, Joyful Union Sect Disciples No Match for the Void Sect

Li Ergou didn't rush in blindly; his small frame darted through the crowd. He circled behind Elder Liu and pulled out the Chuanyang Gun at his waist—it was a small-scale version specially made by Xu Ruyu, shorter than the ones Zhou Daniu and the others used, but with higher precision.

He activated the array seal, and a pillar of silver-white light shot toward Elder Liu's back.

Elder Liu felt the spiritual energy fluctuation behind him. He turned and parried with his sword; the light pillar hit the blade, exploding into a cluster of silver-white sparks.

Zhou Daniu picked up a wooden stick someone had dropped and swung it in a wide arc toward Elder Liu.

He had no Magical Artifact, and his Cultivation was inferior to Elder Liu's, but he had strength and courage.

The wooden stick whistled as it came down. Elder Liu split it with a single sword strike and was about to follow up when the Grand Elder's cane arrived—it was carved with Array Pattern improved by Xu Ruyu. With a flash of spiritual light, an invisible shockwave forced Elder Liu back two steps.

More and more Loose Cultivators gathered to watch.

Some cheered, some discussed, and others whispered, "Taixu Sect is truly shameless. That girl was already kicked out, yet they're still hounding her."

"Exactly. I heard a few days ago that the Taixu Sect's Sect Head was ransomed back by this girl, but she was cursed and driven out as soon as she returned.

This Sect is really something else."

"Shh, keep it down, don't let them hear you."

Elder Liu's face grew increasingly unsightly.

As a Middle Stage Body Integration Cultivator, being entangled by people with lower Cultivation than himself would leave him with no face if word got out.

More importantly, he discovered that the Grand Elder's cane and Protective Spiritual Light were very unusual—the Array Pattern carved on them were so exquisite they didn't seem to come from an ordinary Sect. Every line was embedded with Spirit Stones, and the Origin Qi flow was extremely smooth.

He was secretly astonished; when did the Hehuan Sect acquire such methods?

But he had no time for deep thought. Today's goal was Lu Yao. He couldn't let her escape.

He suddenly pulled a Bronze Mirror from his storage ring and tossed it into the air.

The Bronze Mirror grew in the wind, turning into a mirror as tall as a person. Light flared on its surface, and a golden beam shot out, slamming into the Grand Elder's Protective Spiritual Light.

The Grand Elder's expression changed. He hurriedly activated the defensive Array Pattern on his cane, but the Bronze Mirror's light was incredibly overbearing. The Protective Spiritual Light shook violently and, after a few breaths, shattered with a 'crack.'

The Grand Elder retreated several steps, his chest tightening, and a trace of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth.

He gritted his teeth and stood firm, planting his cane on the ground. Another burst of spiritual light appeared, but its power was significantly weaker than before.

Zhou Daniu wanted to rush forward to help but was held back by Zhao Hu—Zhao Hu's face was covered in blood, but he wouldn't let go even if it meant death. Zhou Daniu kicked several times but couldn't break free.

Just then, seven or eight more Taixu Sect Disciples suddenly appeared around them.

It turned out Elder Liu hadn't come to Luoxing Ferry alone; he had brought a team to purchase supplies.

When the conflict broke out, a Disciple had run to call for reinforcements.

The seven or eight people closed in from all directions, surrounding the Grand Elder and the others.

The lowest Cultivation among them was the Late Golden Core Stage. With seamless coordination, they forced Zhou Daniu and Li Ergou back several steps within a few exchanges.

More and more blood flowed from Chen Ping's shoulder, staining his entire sleeve red, but he gritted his teeth and refused to retreat a single step.

Lu Yao watched this scene, looking at the blood on the Grand Elder's mouth and the spreading red on Chen Ping's shoulder. Tears welled in her eyes.

She bit her lip and suddenly took a step forward, her voice ringing out clearly amidst the chaos.

"Stop! I'll go back with you."

All the fighting stopped.

The Grand Elder turned his head, his eyes wide, and shouted in a raspy voice.

"Miss! No!"

Lu Yao shook her head, forcing her tears back.

She looked at the Grand Elder, her lips curving into a forced smile that was more heartbreaking than crying.

"Grand Elder, if I don't go with them, they will hurt you. You are not their match.

Senior Xiao isn't here; you can't stop them. I can't let you get hurt for my sake.

Go back to the Sect and tell the Sect Master not to come for me.

I... I'm not worth it."

Elder Liu sneered, put away the Bronze Mirror, and walked up to Lu Yao.

"Wouldn't it have been easier if you'd done this from the start? Take her away!"

Two Taixu Sect Disciples stepped forward, grabbing Lu Yao's arms from both sides.

Lu Yao didn't struggle. She glanced back at the Grand Elder, a hint of reluctance flashing in her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

That calm wasn't resignation; it was the look of someone who had prepared for the worst.

Zhao Hu crawled up from the ground, clutching his still-bleeding nose, and spat at Lu Yao's receding back.

Blood mixed with saliva splashed on the ground, looking unspeakably hideous.

"Witch, you'll get what's coming to you when you get back!"

Zhou Daniu roared and tried to rush forward but was held back tightly by Li Ergou.

"Daniu! Don't be impulsive! There are too many of them! Rushing in is just throwing your life away! We'll talk when we get back! Tell the Sect Master when we get back!"

Zhou Daniu's eyes turned red. He watched helplessly as Lu Yao was taken away, her thin back disappearing into the crowd, his teeth grinding together.

"Sister Lu Yao..."

His voice was muffled, as if he had been punched in the chest.

The Grand Elder stood where he was, his cane thumping against the ground over and over, each time heavier than the last.

He had lived for many years and experienced the ups and downs of the Luoyang Sect and the Hehuan Sect. He had seen things far more tragic than this, but never before had his heart felt so stifled.

He watched the direction where the Taixu Sect people had disappeared and remained silent for a long time.

"Let's go," he said hoarsely. "Back to the Hehuan Sect."

On the Spirit Boat, no one spoke.

Zhou Daniu crouched at the stern, head bowed, his fingers picking at the patterns on the deck until his nails turned white.

Li Ergou sat beside him, clutching his Chuanyang Gun; the barrel was still warm.

Chen Ping leaned against the cabin wall. The bleeding from his shoulder wound had stopped, but the dried blood on his robes was stiff and uncomfortable against his skin.

He closed his eyes, his lips pressed thin, thinking of who knows what.

The Grand Elder stood at the bow, gazing at the churning sea of clouds ahead.

The wind blew his white hair into a mess, but he didn't bother to tidy it.

He still clutched the shopping list in his hand, its edges crumpled from his grip.

He remembered Lu Yao haggling with a shopkeeper at a stall in Luoxing Ferry. Her voice was soft, but she didn't hold back when bargaining, leaving the shopkeeper speechless.

She had also helped Chen Ping pick out several good Materials; her eye was sharp, and even Chen Ping said she knew her stuff.

She had only been at the Hehuan Sect for a month.

The Grand Elder closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

Then he opened them and said to the Disciple at the helm, "Faster."

The Spirit Boat let out a low hum, its speed increasing as it sped toward the Hehuan Sect.