“How could your injuries be so severe?”
Chen Ping frowned. He took out several healing pills he had refined himself and, without a word, placed them into Lietian’s mouth. At the same time, he channelled a trace of pure chaotic immortal power to help dissolve the medicinal strength and clear the blocked meridians.
The pills melted upon entering the mouth. The pure medicinal power, along with that gentle yet immensely vital strange energy, quickly spread. A hint of colour returned to Lietian’s pale face, and his breathing steadied considerably.
He let out a long sigh and looked at Chen Ping with gratitude. “Many thanks, Senior. If not for your timely arrival and these miraculous pills, I fear Lietian would have…”
“This is not the time for such words.”
Chen Ping interrupted him. His gaze swept over the surviving Myriad Beast Sect disciples in the valley, a surge of anger rising in his heart.
The once thriving and bustling Myriad Beast Sect now had only these few dozen scarred and battered remnants. “What about Elder Xiongtuo? And Shiyan and Yingwu? Why do I not see them?”
At the mention of Xiongtuo, deep sorrow and anger instantly clouded Lietian’s eyes. His voice choked. “Elder Xiongtuo… to cover our retreat, he was surrounded and attacked by Zhengu and the Demon Sect villains… he has already… fallen…”
Though Chen Ping had suspected it, hearing the news firsthand still caused a sharp pain in his heart.
That hot-tempered yet straightforward and loyal Bear Elder had actually…
He closed his eyes briefly to suppress the killing intent within, then continued asking, “What about Shiyan and Yingwu?”
Lietian forced down his grief and said, “After breaking out that day, we scattered to withdraw and agreed to regroup here.”
“Shiyan and Yingwu had lighter injuries and are close to you, Senior, so I sent them each with a team of clever disciples. One group went towards the Xuantian Sword Sect, the other towards the old Myriad Beast Sect site to gather information and search for your whereabouts.”
“We agreed that, regardless of success, they must return here within ten days. Now… eight days have passed, yet there is still no sign of them, nor any message from their transmission talismans…”
Chen Ping’s heart sank abruptly!
An ominous premonition arose unbidden.
Shiyan and Yingwu were both cautious individuals. Unless something extraordinary had happened, they would never fail to return on time, let alone send no messages.
“Which directions did they go? Are there any distinctive features or agreed signals?”
Chen Ping pressed urgently, his tone unconsciously revealing haste.
Lietian detailed the directions the two had taken, their possible routes, and some simple signals they had arranged.
Chen Ping quickly memorised them.
At that moment, a leopard clan disciple responsible for guarding the valley entrance rushed in, his face ashen. He lowered his voice and said urgently, “Sect Leader! Senior! This is bad! Outside… there are signs of large enemy movements!”
“They are searching towards our direction! The distance is less than a hundred li! There are many of them, at least three patrol teams converging, and among them are two extremely powerful auras. I fear… they are experts at the sixth level of the Heavenly Immortal Realm!”
“What?!”
Everyone’s faces changed dramatically.
Lietian struggled to rise and give orders, but Chen Ping held him down.
“The enemy has come prepared, with superior numbers and experts. Fighting head-on offers no chance of victory.”
Chen Ping analysed calmly. “Though this valley is concealed, it is not absolutely safe. Discovery was only a matter of time. We must transfer immediately.”
“But… where can we go?”
One elder said despairingly, “The mountain range is vast, but the Fusion Beast Clan knows it like the back of their hand, and the Myriad Soul Demon Sect has tracking secrets. With so many wounded among us, we cannot move quickly. No matter where we hide, we will eventually be found.”
“What about going to our Xuantian Sword Sect?” Ling Shuang could not help speaking up. “Our sect’s protective mountain array is strong enough to shelter everyone.”
“Who might this be?” Lietian looked at Ling Shuang, his face full of confusion. He did not recognise her.
“This is the beloved daughter of Sect Leader Ling, Ling Shuang,” Chen Ping introduced.
Upon hearing this, Lietian hurriedly greeted her, then smiled bitterly and shook his head. “Miss Ling’s kind offer is appreciated by Lietian. However, the distance from here to the Myriad Sword Mountain Range is too great, with heavy checkpoints along the way. Our group could never pass through safely.”
Everyone fell silent, an atmosphere of despair spreading through the valley.
Pursuers behind, no path ahead. Were they truly to perish here together?
At that moment, Ling Shuang’s eyes brightened, as if she had remembered something.
After a brief hesitation, she looked at Chen Ping, then at Lietian, and spoke. “There is one place that might serve as temporary refuge.”
“Where?” Chen Ping turned to her.
“The Lihuo Secret Realm.”
Ling Shuang explained, “This secret realm is an independent small world discovered by my master, the Heavenly Fire Sword Venerable. The entrance is hidden and requires a special token and technique to open.”
“The interior space is vast and complex, with dense fire-attribute spiritual qi. Ordinary people cannot stay long, but for evading pursuit, it is an excellent location.”
“Most importantly, it is less than two days’ journey from our current position, and the route is relatively remote.”
“The Lihuo Secret Realm?” Chen Ping’s heart stirred.
Secret realms usually had unique rules that could indeed block most tracking methods.
Lietian and the other Myriad Beast Sect elders also showed hope, but it quickly dimmed. “Miss Ling, such a precious secret realm… we outsiders…”
“There is no time to worry about that now!”
Ling Shuang said decisively, “My master often taught me that the path of a sword cultivator is to uphold the heart and righteousness, to aid those in peril and distress.”
“The Myriad Beast Sect has suffered this catastrophe, with the Demon Sect running rampant. How could our Xuantian Sword Sect stand idly by? Moreover, this aligns with my father’s intentions.”
She looked at Chen Ping. “Senior Chen, what do you think?”
Chen Ping pondered briefly. Under the circumstances, this was indeed the best choice.
He turned to Lietian. “Sect Leader Lietian, what is your opinion?”
Lietian took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Ling Shuang. “Miss Ling’s great kindness will never be forgotten by the Myriad Beast Sect! If we can survive this calamity, in the future, whatever you command, the Myriad Beast Sect will repay with full effort!”
“Sect Leader Lietian, you speak too seriously.”
Ling Shuang quickly returned the courtesy, then said seriously, “There is no time to delay. We must set off immediately and leave before the enemy encircles us. I know a relatively safe shortcut.”
