Amidst the ruins of an old residential area.
Three figures were engaged in a chase.
To be precise, two were running for their lives, while one was leisurely pursuing them.
The ones desperately fleeing were Gao Feng and the black-robed elder from the Poison Doctor Sect.
Both their faces were panicked, their composure lost.
"Who exactly is chasing us? Their strength has clearly broken through to the True Essence Realm, yet they show no regard for the rules!" Gao Feng exclaimed in panic.
"I can't recognize the other party either, nor do I know which faction they belong to," the black-robed elder replied with a grim expression.
As they fled, the two exchanged words.
Ten minutes prior.
Hidden in the shadows, they had heard Nangong Yi's plea for help.
They had originally intended to intervene.
After all, until the location of the Dragon Vein was confirmed, no opportunity could be missed.
However, just as they were about to make their move.
A terrifying aura suddenly attacked them.
The three exchanged a blow.
Gao Feng and the elder were instantly routed.
Had it not been for their quick reactions and swift escape.
They would likely have met a tragic end by now.
At the same time.
The two also realized that the opponent's strength was on an entirely different level from theirs.
The pursuer was an undisputed expert of the Heavenly Essence Realm.
Yet, it was precisely this fact that puzzled them.
Within China's martial arts world, there was an unwritten rule.
Everyone tacitly understood and adhered to it.
Those above the Heavenly Essence Realm were forbidden from acting against those who had not yet reached it.
Unless provoked.
"Do you think it could be someone from the Dragon Group?" the black-robed elder suddenly asked.
This time.
To contend for the Dragon Vein.
The existing factions in Jiangnan City were bound to have Heavenly Essence Realm experts present to maintain order.
Their presence.
Was also to prevent Heavenly Essence Realm experts from other factions from acting recklessly.
Thus, serving as a check and balance.
"It shouldn't be. I know all the Heavenly Essence Realm experts from the Dragon Group, and this person is not among them," Gao Feng immediately shook his head.
"If not the Dragon Group, then who else? Could it be from the Seven Killers?" the black-robed elder wondered.
"It won't be the Seven Killers. I know who they sent this time," Gao Feng continued to shake his head.
Gao Feng might not know who the Heavenly Essence Realm experts from other factions were.
But he was perfectly aware of who the Seven Killers had sent.
This was because, like him, that person had also come from the capital.
That individual was not only the pride of the Seven Killers.
But also the most brilliant prodigy of the Zhang family in the capital.
"Strange, if it's not them, then who could it be? Could there be other hidden forces trying to take advantage of the chaos!"
The black-robed elder was on the verge of collapse.
They noticed the person pursuing them was getting closer and closer.
If this continued, it would certainly not end well.
"Gao Feng, stop holding back your trump cards," the black-robed elder urged.
"What do you mean?" Gao Feng replied.
At the same time, he slowed his pace slightly.
The black-robed elder was even more direct, stopping altogether.
"This person has likely only recently broken through to the Hidden Essence Realm. If we fight them head-on, there's a chance we might be able to deter them."
"Besides, haven't we already sent word back? If the commotion here escalates, they might not dare to continue chasing us."
Hearing this, Gao Feng pondered for a moment.
While what the black-robed elder said carried risks, the potential benefits were also immense.
Instead of constantly evading and buying time.
It would be better to use their trump cards and engage in a fight.
This way.
It would also allow their Heavenly Essence Realm experts to locate them faster.
Lost in thought.
Gao Feng's eyes suddenly flickered with a different light, and he said solemnly.
"Alright, let's give it a try."
"Good!"
With their opinions aligned.
Both their expressions turned serious.
Concurrently.
The person pursuing them also drew near.
The pursuer was clad in a black cloak.
Indeed, this person was Zhang Yang.
When Zhang Yang and He Qiyan arrived at the old residential area earlier.
Zhang Yang had discovered the presence of these two individuals, which was why he had found an excuse to send He Qiyan away.
He then proceeded to disguise himself.
The cloak was the same cloak.
But Zhang Yang's current face was no longer the one he had shown at the Qin family's residence.
He…
Had changed into a new face.
"Who are you? We seem to have no enmity with you, why do you relentlessly pursue us?" the black-robed elder inquired.
Since they had decided not to run.
It wasn't impossible to stall for time and ascertain the pursuer's motives.
Zhang Yang's gaze narrowed as he fixed his eyes on the two.
While wondering why they had stopped running, he also became secretly vigilant.
After a moment of contemplation, Zhang Yang suddenly spoke.
"A few days ago, you injured my junior brother. How can you say we have no enmity today?"
Upon hearing this, Gao Feng and the black-robed elder were taken aback.
"Your junior brother? Who?"
As soon as this question was uttered.
The two scrutinized Zhang Yang's attire and suddenly thought of someone.
"Could it be that you are a senior brother of Zhang Yang's master?"
"Which faction do you belong to? Why have we never heard of you!" Gao Feng exclaimed.
"Among China's factions, there doesn't seem to be any that favors wearing cloaks. Where exactly do you come from?" the black-robed elder asked sternly.
"Heh, our Carefree Sect does not care for empty fame. Why should we let you hear of us?" Zhang Yang sneered.
Carefree Sect?
This…
Gao Feng and the black-robed elder exchanged glances and shook their heads slightly.
Clearly, neither had heard the name before.
However.
It was precisely because they hadn't heard of it that they felt fear.
For in China, there were still some forces that had existed for a much longer time.
Could it be…
Them!
Upon considering this possibility, the two trembled instantly.
They hadn't expected.
That they had unknowingly offended such a powerful force.
However.
Before they could ponder further, Zhang Yang suddenly attacked.
He gathered his strength in his right hand for a strike, and terrifying true qi permeated the surroundings, causing the very air to solidify.
The ruins beneath their feet.
Like a whirlwind, they swept up the debris and rubble from the ground into the air.
Boom!
Zhang Yang's sudden punch was unleashed with immense force.
A massive fist shadow of true qi swept towards the two.
Witnessing this scene.
The two desperately retreated, but they were still shaken, spitting out blood.
"So strong!"
"The gap between the True Essence Realm and the Hidden Essence Realm is truly vast."
Wiping the blood from their lips, Gao Feng suddenly shouted.
"Let's fight!" Gao Feng roared.
With that, Gao Feng proactively took out a brocade banner from his embrace.
As his true qi erupted, the brocade banner in his hand continuously waved.
Instantly.
Sand and stones flew around, and all the debris on the ground was lifted.
For a moment, it exuded an imposing aura, truly spectacular.
Seeing this, the black-robed elder was not to be outdone.
He took out a small ceramic jar from his pocket and opened it.
"This is the Poison King Bee refined by the sect master of my Poison Doctor Sect. It is incredibly venomous and can break through all elemental energy!"
After speaking.
The black-robed elder waved his sleeve, and three Poison King Bees flew out of the ceramic jar.
The Poison King Bees were not large, entirely black.
But the shimmering silver stingers at their tails were extremely menacing.
With a swift "swoosh."
The three Poison King Bees rapidly flew towards Zhang Yang.
Seeing this.
Zhang Yang's vigilance did not diminish.
He knew that these two had resorted to their trump cards.
Otherwise, they wouldn't have dared to stop and fight him.
Instantly.
Zhang Yang swung his arm, and a torrent of true qi surged from his sleeve.
He had intended to use his true qi to directly shatter the three Poison King Bees to death.
However…
To Zhang Yang's surprise.
These three Poison King Bees not only failed to be shattered by the true qi.
But instead, they moved as if in water within the true qi, their speed towards him increasing even further.
Seeing this, the black-robed elder's face lit up with joy.
The Poison King Bees were indeed formidable.
They were truly the nemesis of those in the True Essence Realm.
Fortunately, when he came out this time.
The sect master had instructed him to bring three, otherwise…
"Go! Poison King Bees, sting him!" the black-robed elder shouted, his eyes fixed ahead, praying fervently.
As long as the Poison King Bees stung Zhang Yang.
They might just become the first in China's history.
To kill a True Essence Realm expert while in the Hidden Essence Realm!
At that time, the Poison Doctor Sect would once again become renowned.
"These little bees are quite interesting," Zhang Yang remarked with a hint of surprise.
With his superior skill and bold demeanor.
He made a move that delighted the black-robed elder.
Zhang Yang actually extended his hand, allowing the three Poison King Bees to sting him.
"Hahaha, are these people from the Carefree Sect fools? To dare test the Poison King Bees with their own bodies," the black-robed elder guffawed.
Then.
He quickly beckoned to Gao Feng, who was still waving the brocade banner.
"Quick, come with me! The opponent is ignorant of the immensity of heaven and earth, and has willingly let the Poison King Bees sting him. His elemental energy must be depleted. This is the best moment to strike."
After shouting, the black-robed elder charged towards Zhang Yang.
As long as they could kill Zhang Yang of the True Essence Realm today with the help of the Poison King Bees.
Then…
It would undoubtedly make the Poison Doctor Sect famous throughout the land.
Simultaneously, it would also intimidate other factions.
Making them deeply wary of the Poison Doctor Sect.
"Is it really that simple?" Gao Feng frowned slightly.
The brocade banner in his hand instantly changed direction.
The debris that had been swept into the air moments ago suddenly coalesced into a stone dragon, which then descended to suppress Zhang Yang.
Regarding the attack from the two.
Zhang Yang merely glanced at them indifferently, not taking them seriously.
He carefully felt the Poison King Bees on his arm, seeming to understand their purpose.
"So that's how it is," Zhang Yang smiled.
With that said.
Zhang Yang suddenly took out a jade bottle from his pocket, grabbed the three Poison King Bees, and put them into the bottle one by one.
"Heh, truly ignorant. They're about to lose their lives, yet they still want to hoard my Poison Doctor Sect's Poison King Bees," the black-robed elder sneered dismissively.
His figure landed behind the stone dragon formed by Gao Feng's debris.
He intended to let Zhang Yang bear the brunt of this attack first, and then strike him down.
The black-robed elder knew how powerful Gao Feng's brocade banner was.
It was a divine weapon from the Patrol Division, known as the Yuan Summoning Banner.
It allowed the wielder to exert the strength of the True Essence Realm while below that cultivation level.
In essence, it enabled them to challenge opponents across realms.
Such a treasure was incredibly formidable; the Patrol Division only possessed five such brocade banners.
They were specially forged from extraterrestrial meteorites.
However, despite the treasure's might, its consumption was also immense.
Even someone at the peak of the Hidden Essence Realm could only use it twice.
After that, they would be utterly exhausted.
"Using external objects, a devious path," Zhang Yang snorted disdainfully.
From the stone dragon, Zhang Yang sensed something stronger than pure qi.
This must be elemental energy without a doubt.
However…
What of elemental energy?
The true qi cultivated by Zhang Yang through the "Carefree Immortal Scripture" could overcome everything under heaven.
With a resounding boom.
Zhang Yang stomped his feet, and a terrifying surge of energy swept out from his surroundings.
The debris and rubble beneath his feet were also instantly lifted.
Quickly forming a long sword!
Although the long sword was assembled from debris and looked rough,
Under the shroud of true qi, it actually emanated a mysterious and unfathomable brilliance.
"Slash!"
Zhang Yang waved his hand, and the long sword directly struck the stone dragon.
With a thunderous roar~
The stone dragon instantly shattered.
The debris that formed its body disintegrated.
And began to fall from the air.
The long sword, however, remained suspended in the air, its imposing aura undiminished.
"This… how is this possible? Wasn't he stung by the Poison King Bees? How can he still use elemental energy?" The black-robed elder's joy turned to shock.
But the next moment.
His shock turned into terror!
He had no time to think further, as the long sword was already slashing towards him.
"Slash!" Zhang Yang roared again.
The long sword descended with a mighty force.
"Gao Feng, save me!" The black-robed elder, naturally unwilling to face his demise, turned to flee.
"Quick, use the Yuan Summoning Banner to save me!"
"…"
For the first time, the black-robed elder felt death so close.
However…
The black-robed elder of the Poison Doctor Sect had been too presumptuous.
From the very beginning, Gao Feng had felt something was amiss.
At this juncture.
Asking him to use the Yuan Summoning Banner to save him, he had no absolute certainty of success.
On the contrary.
Gao Feng had absolute certainty.
If he didn't leave now, he would also be finished.
With a swift "swoosh."
Gao Feng simply ran.
That's right.
He ran away right in front of the black-robed elder.
His speed was incredibly fast.
"Gao… Gao Feng, you…" the black-robed elder stared in disbelief.
Ultimately.
He could only despairingly be struck by the long sword, buried beneath the ruins.
The commotion from the fight here was significant, but fortunately, this area was on the outskirts.
Moreover, the entire southern part of Jiangnan City was undergoing demolition and excavation, with dust and fog everywhere.
The commotion here, however, went unnoticed by others.
Zhang Yang stood in place, muttering to himself.
"Next, I'll just wait to watch you dogs turn on each other."
Zhang Yang's gaze swept towards the black-robed elder, who was pinned beneath the debris.
In fact.
As the long sword descended, Zhang Yang had already withdrawn most of his true qi.
He could now definitively say.
That the black-robed elder, buried under the ruins, would absolutely not die.
This was also part of Zhang Yang's plan.
Otherwise.
Why would he have dallied with these two for so long?
From the very beginning, Zhang Yang had never intended to kill them.
Because…
The Dragon Vein was about to appear.
The Abbot of Lingtai Temple had mentioned that True Essence Realm experts would also appear.
Therefore.
Zhang Yang wanted to begin dismantling their alliance now.
At the same time.
Zhang Yang also wanted to let them know about something.
That was, the Carefree Sect he had fabricated.
This sect.
Might prove useful at certain times.
With the plan complete.
Zhang Yang did not linger here any longer, heading towards the old residential area.
Approximately an hour later.
A disheveled figure, covered in dust, pushed aside the debris pressing down on him, revealing its head from the ruins.
"Cough cough! Gao Feng, you cowardly wretch who abandoned your ally, you just wait for me."
A while later.
The black-robed elder laboriously crawled out of the ruins.
And the next moment, a figure appeared before him out of thin air.
"You… who are you?" the black-robed elder exclaimed in shock.
Looking at the man in the hospital gown before him, he was utterly stunned.
"Heh heh, you've already died once. You can't be alive now," the man in the hospital gown chuckled.
Subsequently.
An aura emanated from him.
Instantly killing the black-robed elder, he once again buried the body beneath the ruins.
After completing the task, he then walked towards an uninhabited direction.
As he walked, he looked up at the sky and said with a smile.
"Heh heh, the game in Jiangnan City is getting more and more interesting…"