Zhang Daoquan still trusted his instincts. He scanned his surroundings nervously, trying to locate the person spying on him.
However, after searching with wide eyes for a long time, he found only emptiness. The area was silent, with no large animals, let alone humans.
Just then, he heard a sound from above. He quickly looked up and saw an owl flying overhead at an altitude of over ten meters.
"Damn it, I'm just being paranoid, scaring myself!" Zhang Daoquan mumbled softly and turned to leave. At that moment, a voice called out.
"Flying a paraglider in the middle of the night, Uncle-Master, you truly have a refined taste!" The voice was filled with mockery and sarcasm.
Zhang Daoquan flinched at the sound. He quickly turned around and saw a person standing behind him.
"You... you..."
Through his night-vision goggles, he realized that the person behind him was none other than Ling Tian.
"What nonsense are you spouting? This is Longhu Mountain, and it's none of your business where I go!"
"Uncle-Master, your methods are impressive. First, you lured the tiger away, then you silenced the witnesses, and finally, you made a clean escape. The entire operation was seamless.
I never imagined you'd be an extreme sports enthusiast. Escaping with a paraglider is simply too creative!"
"Shut up, what nonsense are you talking about!" Zhang Daoquan was extremely flustered because what Ling Tian was saying was exactly what he had just done!
Zhang Daoquan couldn't understand how Ling Tian had learned all of this. What troubled him even more was that he didn't know how Ling Tian had caught up to him or how he had appeared behind him so stealthily.
"Uncle-Master Zhang, as the saying goes, if you don't want others to know, don't do it. You went to such lengths, all for this!"
As Ling Tian spoke, he raised his hand, holding a book. This book was "Compendium of Talisman Formations" written by Ling Tian himself!
Upon seeing the book, Zhang Daoquan's pupils contracted sharply. He quickly touched his chest and was stunned. The book had been hidden in his embrace, and he had even sewn a hidden pocket inside his robes to prevent it from falling out.
But now, the book in his embrace was gone!
He felt like dying. He had plotted for so many years in Longhu Mountain, and for this book, he had not hesitated to reveal his identity and even sacrificed his disciple.
Although his disciple, Zhang Xiujian, was merely a tool to him, he had spent many years with this tool and had developed some feelings. Moreover, he had invested a significant amount of resources in Zhang Xiujian.
But now, the book was gone, and everything he had done was in vain!
"Give me the book!" Zhang Daoquan said through gritted teeth, his fierce gaze capable of tearing Ling Tian apart.
If looks could kill, Ling Tian would have been dismembered long ago.
"Why should I give you my book? Besides, this book was a gift from me to Sect Leader Zhang Daoyun, meant as my betrothal gift. Why is it in your hands?
Uncle-Master Zhang, I call you Uncle-Master out of respect for Cai Feng. Don't you owe me a reasonable explanation!"
"Who do you think you are? Why should I explain myself to you! Stop your nonsense and give me the book!"
"Are you dreaming?"
"You..." Ling Tian's reply completely enraged Zhang Daoquan. After all, his public identity was that of a high-ranking official in Longhu Mountain, and no one had spoken to him like this in years.
Especially not a young, inexperienced youth speaking to him in such a manner, it was a humiliation!
"Ling Tian, I admit you are a very outstanding young man, but don't forget, in this world, there's always someone better.
I advise you to be sensible, otherwise, today will be your death anniversary!"
"So, you intend to kill me?" Ling Tian asked mockingly.
"If you want to interpret it that way, then so be it! Young people should respect their elders."
"Heh, respecting elders is contingent on the elders' actions being worthy of respect, not just their age. Have you lived for so long and still don't understand this principle?
Furthermore, don't you need to explain why the talismans of the Yin Talisman Sect appeared in your disciple's hands?"
"What explanation do I owe you? His legs are his own; what Zhang Daoxiu did has nothing to do with me!
Besides, you stole Cai Feng. Zhang Xiujian has long admired Cai Feng, and he harbors resentment towards you, even acting rashly. This is perfectly normal...
Ling Tian, I am Cai Feng's elder. You must know that in our Longhu Mountain, disrespecting elders and defying superiors is a very serious offense. If I reveal this matter, it will be difficult for you to marry Cai Feng."
Zhang Daoquan's words were filled with threats, but Ling Tian only laughed after hearing them.
He was aware of Cai Feng's feelings for him, and even Zhang Daoyun couldn't interfere with their marriage, let alone a traitor like Zhang Daoquan.
"You still remember you are from Longhu Mountain. Very well, come back with me and explain everything to the Sect Leader.
If the facts prove you are innocent and have no connection with the people of the Yin Talisman Sect, then I, Ling Tian, will personally beg for your forgiveness!"
"Fine, Ling Tian, I will go back with you. I want to see how the Sect Leader will deal with you, this disrespectful fellow!"
Zhang Daoquan turned around and walked towards Longhu Mountain. Ling Tian followed him, a cold smile on his face, about ten meters behind.
Using the cover of the darkness, Zhang Daoquan placed his hand on a wooden plaque he wore on his chest and muttered an incantation. Immediately, five wisps of black energy floated out from the plaque and disappeared into the darkness of the night.
As Ling Tian walked, a sudden sense of danger flashed through his mind. In the next moment, five sharp daggers silently pierced towards Ling Tian from five different directions.
These daggers were entirely black, making them almost invisible in the dark mountain forest!
However, through his Heavenly Eye, Ling Tian clearly saw that the ones holding these five daggers were five spiritual entities, about one meter tall, with childlike figures!
These spiritual entities were dark blue and black, hidden in the darkness. They had green faces, fangs, and horns on their heads, clearly not benevolent beings!
Seeing the daggers less than a meter away from Ling Tian's body, Ling Tian suddenly stopped. Then, five talismans appeared in Ling Tian's hand.
Injecting his true essence into the talismans, the five talismans shot out instantly, flying towards the five spiritual entities.
"Spirit Binding Talisman!"