71: Fierce battles, the struggle for power between the Southern Ming and the Central Plains

Qiao Feng and the others confronted the Men in Black from the Mysterious Evil Force, the atmosphere tense to the extreme. The Man in Black held the southern bright fire pearl tightly in his hand, the bead emitting a scorching light that illuminated his face crimson. He looked at Qiao Feng and the others, his eyes full of triumph and disdain.

"You think you can take the southern bright fire pearl back from me with just you lot? You're dreaming!" the Man in Black laughed maniacally.

Qiao Feng's expression was grave. He knew that since the Man in Black dared to be so arrogant, he must have something to rely on. The southern bright fire pearl in the Man in Black's hand continuously released powerful flame spiritual energy, which fused with his own evil Cultivation Technique, significantly enhancing his strength.

"Do you think you're safe just because you have the southern bright fire pearl? Today, you won't escape!" Qiao Feng roared, launching the first attack. He unleashed the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, which had fused with the power of a mysterious Legacy. The palm force was even more powerful than before, and golden palm prints shimmered with mysterious runes as they shot towards the Man in Black.

The Man in Black snorted coldly. He channeled the power of the southern bright fire pearl, and a thick pillar of flame shot out from his hand, meeting Qiao Feng's palm print. "Boom!" The two collided, erupting in a deafening roar. The powerful impact stirred up a fierce gale, uprooting surrounding trees, and sand and stones filled the entire space.

Fu Hongxue's figure flickered, rushing towards the Man in Black like a black lightning bolt. His long saber danced, and the Saber Qi of the Bright Moon Blade of the Horizon crisscrossed, carrying a chilling killing intent, attempting to break through the Man in Black's flame defense. The Man in Black sensed Fu Hongxue's attack, dodged sideways, and simultaneously manipulated flames to form a wall of fire, blocking Fu Hongxue's advance.

West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng exchanged glances, their figures intertwining as they performed a combined sword technique. West Gate Blows Snow pointed his sword at the Man in Black's throat, while Ye Gucheng slashed his sword at the Man in Black's wrist. The two swords combined, their Sword Qi crisscrossing like a silver lightning bolt, pressing directly towards the Man in Black. The Man in Black dared not be careless. The southern bright fire pearl in his hand glowed intensely, releasing streaks of flame Sword Qi that collided with West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng's Sword Qi, emitting a series of crisp "ding-ding" sounds.

The Man in Black Robe formed hand Seals, muttering incantations. He unleashed a unique skill from Lingxiao Pavilion combined with a mysterious Legacy. Streaks of ice-blue runes flew from his hands, intertwining in the air to form a massive ice-blue magic array that enveloped the Man in Black. The Man in Black felt the threat of the magic array. He concentrated the power of the southern bright fire pearl above his head, forming a flame shield, attempting to block the Man in Black Robe's attack.

The Woman in White played a melodious and stirring tune on her jade flute. The flute's sound transformed into white light, flowing around everyone like a clear spring. The light not only provided a defensive shield for everyone but also had a bewildering effect on the Man in Black, slowing his movements and making his eyes unfocused. The Man in Black was startled. He circulated his Internal Energy, attempting to dispel this bewildering force.

Although the Blood Demon Hall and Nether Ghost Sect members had previously clashed with Qiao Feng and the others, facing a common enemy—the Mysterious Evil Force—they chose to temporarily join forces. The Blood Demon unleashed his eerie Blood Demon Cultivation Technique, and blood-red spiritual energy converged into blood blades that rained down on the Man in Black. The Sect Master of the Nether Ghost Sect wielded his staff, summoning a group of powerful Ghost Spirits. The Ghost Spirits, baring fangs and claws, charged towards the Man in Black, attempting to attack him from the side.

Under the combined assault, the Man in Black gradually fell into a predicament. But he was unwilling to give up the southern bright fire pearl just yet. He poured all his strength into the southern bright fire pearl, which then glowed intensely, releasing an extremely powerful fluctuation of flame spiritual energy. This fluctuation spread outwards from the Man in Black, forcing everyone back a few steps.

"None of you will get the southern bright fire pearl!" the Man in Black roared. He prepared to unleash a forbidden technique, using the power of the southern bright fire pearl to perish with everyone.

Just at this critical moment, a mysterious figure suddenly flashed into the battlefield. This figure was incredibly fast; everyone just saw a blur, and an old man in a gray robe appeared before the Man in Black. The old man held a simple, ancient staff in his hand. He gently waved the staff, and a gentle yet powerful force surged towards the Man in Black. The Man in Black felt an irresistible force bind him. He tried to struggle but could not move.

"You... who are you?" the Man in Black asked in terror, looking at the old man.

The old man did not answer his question but turned to Qiao Feng and the others, saying, "Everyone, this person is attempting to use the power of the southern bright fire pearl to unleash a forbidden technique, the consequences of which would be unimaginable. I will restrain him first; you all quickly discuss how to handle the southern bright fire pearl."

Qiao Feng and the others looked at the suddenly appearing old man, their hearts filled with doubt, but the situation was urgent, and they had no time to ask more questions. "Thank you, Senior, for your assistance. We must ensure that the southern bright fire pearl does not fall into the hands of evil forces. Please join us in our discussion," Qiao Feng said.

The old man nodded. He waved his staff again, and the southern bright fire pearl in the Man in Black's hand detached from his control, flying into the old man's hand. Seeing this, the Man in Black cried out in despair, "No! Give me back the southern bright fire pearl!"

The old man looked at the southern bright fire pearl in his hand, a complex expression flashing in his eyes. "This southern bright fire pearl is of great importance; it must not become the source of chaos in the Jianghu."

Qiao Feng and the others gathered around, looking at the southern bright fire pearl in the old man's hand, each with their own thoughts. Although the Blood Demon and the Sect Master of the Nether Ghost Sect also coveted the southern bright fire pearl, they dared not act rashly in the face of the old man's powerful strength.

"Senior, how do you think this southern bright fire pearl should be handled?" Qiao Feng asked.

The old man pondered for a moment before saying, "I have a suggestion: the southern bright fire pearl will be temporarily kept by me. I will find a hidden place to properly Seal it, preventing evil forces from snatching it again. At the same time, I will also seek suitable methods to completely eliminate any potential hidden dangers it might bring. What do you all think?"

Qiao Feng and the others exchanged glances, weighing the pros and cons in their hearts. Although they were somewhat uneasy about the southern bright fire pearl being in the old man's hands, it seemed to be the best solution for now. After all, the old man was powerful and had helped them, seemingly without ill intent.

"Since Senior has this suggestion, we are willing to trust you. But we hope Senior can leave contact information so that we can know the situation of the southern bright fire pearl in the future," Qiao Feng said.

The old man nodded. "Alright, I will leave a sound transmission talisman for you. If there is any important news about the southern bright fire pearl, I will inform you through the sound transmission talisman."

Just as everyone had settled their discussion, suddenly, a sound of horse hooves came from afar. Everyone was startled and looked in the direction of the sound, only to see a group of riders galloping towards them. The leader was none other than the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult.

"Hmph, I knew you'd be here. The southern bright fire pearl is mine now!" the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult shouted loudly. He saw the southern bright fire pearl in the old man's hand, and a greedy glint flashed in his eyes.

The sudden appearance of the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult made the temporarily eased situation tense again. Could Qiao Feng and the others protect the southern bright fire pearl's disposition plan from the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult's snatching? How would the old man respond to the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult's provocation? The Jianghu situation became increasingly complex, and everything awaited them to face...