74: Hidden tracking, fraught with danger

After the Mysterious Figure disappeared, the group did not relax their vigilance. Instead, they quickly gathered to discuss countermeasures. The elder said with a solemn expression, "This Mysterious Person's strength far exceeds our imagination, and his actions are strange. We must move quickly and find the location where the southern bright fire pearl is sealed."

Qiao Feng nodded in agreement, "Senior is absolutely right, but we will probably encounter attacks from that Mysterious Person along the way, so we must remain vigilant at all times."

The Man in Black Robe pondered for a moment before saying, "I might be able to track some of that Mysterious Person's aura. Although I can't pinpoint his exact location, I can roughly tell if he's nearby." With that, he formed hand Seals, and a mysterious spiritual energy emanated from him, circling in the air for a moment before drifting in one direction.

"Follow me. He seems to have left in this direction, but his aura is very faint, possibly intentionally hidden," the Man in Black Robe said.

The group cautiously followed the Man in Black Robe. Along the way, everyone maintained a high level of vigilance, ready to respond to any potential danger. The environment of the Yanhuo Mountain Range was already complex, and with the potential threat of the Mysterious Person, everyone's nerves were taut.

After walking for a while, the Woman in White suddenly stopped. She lightly raised her jade flute and played a melodious tune. The tune seemed to contain some special power, and the surrounding air subtly fluctuated. "Everyone be careful, I sense a faint evil aura around us. That Mysterious Person might be nearby," the Woman in White whispered.

Everyone immediately assumed a combat stance. Qiao Feng looked around and said, "Everyone, back to back, don't panic. Since that Mysterious Person is hiding in the dark, he must be looking for the best moment to strike. We cannot let ourselves fall into disarray."

Just then, several dark figures suddenly leaped down from the branches above their heads. The dark figures, holding sharp blades, lunged at the group. Qiao Feng reacted quickly, unleashing the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, and golden palm prints slammed into the dark figures. "Bang, bang, bang!" With several muffled thuds, the dark figures were struck by the palm prints and sent flying backward.

However, this was just the beginning. Immediately after, a group of Men in Black swarmed from all directions. These Men in Black were well-trained; they coordinated with each other and launched attacks on the group. The Blood Demon Hall members and Nether Ghost Sect members also quickly joined the battle, fighting fiercely with the Men in Black.

"These Men in Black must be that Mysterious Person's subordinates. It seems he wants to exhaust our strength first," Fu Hongxue said, while swinging his long saber and cutting down the Men in Black.

West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng combined their swords, their Sword Qi crisscrossing as they moved freely through the crowd of Men in Black. Their sword moves were sharp, each strike accurately piercing the vital points of the Men in Black. Although the Men in Black were numerous, under the swordsmanship of West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng, people continuously fell.

The Man in Black Robe continued to use his tracking technique, while also attacking the Men in Black. He waved his hands, and streaks of ice-blue runes flew towards the Men in Black. When the runes hit the Men in Black, they erupted with powerful spiritual energy fluctuations, sending them staggering.

The Woman in White, meanwhile, played her jade flute from the rear, bestowing defensive shields upon the group and using the flute's sound to disrupt the Men in Black's actions. The flute's sound transformed into white light, circulating around the group, forming a faint light barrier that resisted the Men in Black's attacks.

The elder, holding his staff, stood in the center of the group. His gaze was sharp, constantly monitoring the battlefield. Whenever someone encountered danger, he would wave his staff, releasing a powerful force to repel the enemy.

Under the combined attacks of the group, the Men in Black gradually couldn't hold on. However, just as the Men in Black were about to retreat, a black mist suddenly spread rapidly from a distance. Within the mist, the Mysterious Figure reappeared.

"Hmph, do you think you can easily get rid of me? I must get the southern bright fire pearl today!" the Mysterious Figure roared. With a wave of his hands, the black mist instantly transformed into countless black blades, shooting towards the group.

The group quickly unleashed their defensive measures. Qiao Feng used the defensive technique of the Eighteen Dragon-Subduing Palms, a golden light shimmering around him, resisting the attacks of the black blades; Fu Hongxue wielded his long saber impenetrably, his Saber Qi forming a barrier that blocked the blades shooting at him; West Gate Blows Snow and Ye Gucheng formed a solid shield with their Sword Qi, protecting themselves and those around them; the Man in Black Robe deployed ice-blue runes, creating a massive defensive cover that enveloped the group; and the Woman in White played an even more intense tune, her white light deflecting the black blades one after another.

The Mysterious Figure's eyes flashed with surprise upon seeing the group successfully block his attack. "You have some skill, but it's not enough!" He attacked again, the black mist around him growing even denser, condensing into a giant black fist that smashed towards the group.

"Everyone, concentrate your power and resist together!" Qiao Feng shouted. Everyone unleashed their strongest defensive techniques, trying to withstand the Mysterious Figure's attack. However, this giant black fist contained immense power, and the group's defenses wavered under its impact.

At this critical moment, the elder took a deep breath, pouring all his strength into his staff. The tip of the staff shone brightly, and a dazzling pillar of light shot into the sky, colliding with the black fist. "Boom!" With a huge roar, the powerful impact caused the surrounding ground to collapse, and dust flew everywhere.

The Mysterious Figure was pushed back a few steps by the elder's attack. He looked at the elder, his eyes filled with anger. "Old man, I'll remember you!" With that, he quickly retreated with the Men in Black.

The group watched the Mysterious Figure leave and all breathed a sigh of relief. But they knew the crisis was not over. "Senior, thanks to your timely help, otherwise we would have been in danger today," Qiao Feng said gratefully to the elder.

The elder nodded slightly and said, "This Mysterious Person is powerful and ruthless. We cannot be complacent. We must quickly find the place where the southern bright fire pearl is sealed and ensure its safety."

However, what the group didn't know was that the Mysterious Figure, during his retreat, was plotting an even more sinister plan. He intended to rally more evil forces to pursue and intercept Qiao Feng and the others, determined to reclaim the southern bright fire pearl. Moreover, he seemed to have reached some agreement with the Cult Master of the Dark Holy Cult, preparing to join forces against the group.

Can Qiao Feng and the others successfully find the place where the southern bright fire pearl is sealed under the combined pursuit of the Mysterious Figure and the Dark Holy Cult? How will they face the greater crisis that is about to come? The Jianghu situation is becoming increasingly tense, and everything awaits them to confront...