"Elder, you didn't run when I told you to earlier, and now neither of us can escape," He Ao said with a wry smile.
"Alas, there was truly no need for you to get involved for our sake. Now we'll all die here," Jiang Pan also expressed regret.
He regretted not sticking to his own idea and letting Huo Zhu leave first.
At least that way, they might have had a chance to avenge them later.
Huo Zhu fell silent upon hearing this.
He naturally understood their good intentions.
However, he had kept them waiting precisely because he hoped all three of them could survive.
After all, his own escape also carried a certain risk, and if he could stall for time until Zhang Yang arrived,
Then perhaps a turning point would appear.
It seemed now, however, that the time they had managed to delay was far too short; they couldn't wait for Zhang Yang to show up and save them.
Despite his unwillingness, Huo Zhu chose to face the situation with equanimity.
He endured the pain of his internal injuries and stood before them, facing five late-stage True Essence realm experts.
"If you truly want to kill us, then come! Even in death, this old man will take one of you down!" Huo Zhu declared fiercely.
However.
His threat had no effect whatsoever.
The late-stage True Essence realm experts from the five factions all sneered.
"Haha, take one of us down? With you being half-crippled?"
"How ridiculous. I don't know where you get the courage to speak such big words."
"Take this sword first!"
Suddenly, the late-stage True Essence realm expert from Shujian Mountain made his move.
A cold, gleaming longsword slashed out, leaving a sword mark on Huo Zhu so deep it exposed bone.
Staggering back from the heavy blow, Huo Zhu finally fell beside He Ao.
"Your strength has also improved?" Huo Zhu asked with unease.
"Do you think we'd stand still just because your realm has advanced?" the Shujian Mountain expert scoffed.
This time,
They must have gained something from entering this place, and their realms would surely have improved.
Although they hadn't broken through the True Essence realm, they were infinitely close.
That was why they had absolute confidence in their ability to kill Huo Zhu today.
Cough, cough~
Huo Zhu coughed up blood repeatedly, his face turning pale.
It was clear that the sword wound had inflicted irreparable damage on his body.
Huo Zhu had initially thought he could take one of them down, but now, that hope was gone.
"If you want to kill us, then do it."
Huo Zhu stopped struggling and closed his eyes.
He Ao and Jiang Pan also looked dejected, never expecting to be unable to escape in the end.
Not so long ago,
Those who dared to try and kill them today would have bowed respectfully in their presence.
Now, like tigers fallen into the plains, they could only be slaughtered like fish on a chopping block.
"Stop wasting time with them. Let's get it done. Who wants to go first?" the Shujian Mountain expert asked.
"I will."
"Let me."
"Haha, stop arguing, let me do it," the Deputy Sect Leader of Seven Kills laughed heartily.
After speaking,
Without waiting for anyone's agreement, he instantly unleashed his internal energy, bombarding Huo Zhu and the other two.
Having already prepared for death, Huo Zhu and the other two showed no sorrow, joy, or fear on their faces.
They calmly closed their eyes, awaiting the arrival of death.
However.
After waiting for a while.
The killing blow from the Deputy Sect Leader of Seven Kills did not land on them.
Instead, they heard screams!
Following closely behind, a familiar voice emerged!
"Do you think mere cowards who rely on numbers dare to touch the people of our Huaxia Five Dragons? You are the ones who deserve to die!"
At the critical moment, Zhang Yang arrived.
With a cold shout, his True Essence surged forth.
With a wave of his hand,
These five late-stage True Essence realm experts were instantly annihilated by his True Essence.
"Ah!"
"No, how is this possible!"
...
Screams and exclamations continued.
These were the last sounds the five of them made in this world.
After their cries, they were already killed on the spot by Zhang Yang.
"Zhang... it's Zhang Yang! How is he so strong?"
"No... impossible, didn't he go to find the Zhang family? Why didn't the Zhang family ancestor kill him?"
"The Deputy Sect Leader and the ancestors are all dead, what do we do?"
"Run!"
From within the crowd of the five factions, someone shouted.
Everyone reacted simultaneously and fled in all directions.
However, how could Zhang Yang let them escape!
Zhang Lihe, Luo Yiren, the giant python, and the giant crocodile had already blocked their escape routes.
Although the four of them could only hold them back for a moment, Zhang Yang soon arrived.
At this moment,
Zhang Yang was enveloped in ethereal and transcendent True Essence.
His figure stood tall in the sky, and he shouted without mercy.
"Die!"
Zhang Yang never showed mercy to his enemies. His internal True Essence continuously surged out, instantly engulfing the people of the five factions.
The white True Essence was ethereal and mysterious; it could save people in the Zhang family ancestral house, and it could kill people here!
Puff~
Puff, puff~
In the blink of an eye,
Streams of blood mist exploded within the range covered by the True Essence.
Figures fell to the ground with unfulfilled regrets.
After resolving everything,
Zhang Yang approached Huo Zhu and the others.
"Elder, are you alright? I'm late," Zhang Yang said with deep apology.
"Good lad, you've arrived just in time. We're all fine. Hahaha, I knew you could do it," Huo Zhu laughed heartily.
Clearly,
Huo Zhu knew some of Zhang Yang's secrets.
He knew he had gambled correctly, and Zhang Yang could indeed save them!
He Ao and Jiang Pan were filled with surprise.
They hadn't expected Zhang Yang to be so powerful!
He could actually simultaneously kill five late-stage True Essence realm experts!
Such strength was probably close to that of their部长 (Minister/Leader), wasn't it?
"Zhang Yang, how did you suddenly become so strong? Have you broken through the True Essence realm?" He Ao asked excitedly.
"Yes, I happened to break through when I entered," Zhang Yang replied with a light smile.
His casual answer caused a storm in the hearts of He Ao and the other two.
Although the three of them had guessed Zhang Yang's strength from his actions just now,
They were still greatly shocked when they heard it directly from Zhang Yang.
The Hunyuan Realm!
What a distant and unattainable realm that was!
The three of them all showed great joy.
The Hunyuan Realm!
Zhang Yang had broken through to the Hunyuan Realm.
Then, even if their Huaxia Five Dragons chose to reappear, they wouldn't have to live in fear and hide their tracks.
They could openly announce to the world, letting all the existing powers in Huaguo know.
That they had a strong expert, a Hunyuan Realm expert, as their pillar!
At the same time, it would give hope to the hidden experts of the Huaxia Five Dragons for their resurgence.
It would encourage them to return to the organization and rebuild their forces together.
"The younger generation surpasses the old, Zhang Yang, you truly surprise me."
"Haha, with Zhang Yang, why would our Huaxia Five Dragons not rise?"
"Yes, this is the day we old folks have finally waited for!"
Listening to the three's happy exclamations, Zhang Yang also chuckled.
Initially, in Jiangnan City, Zhang Yang was somewhat resistant to getting involved.
However, as he interacted with He Ao and the others, and considering the help he received from the Huaxia Five Dragons in the Jiangnan Dragon Pit,
Coupled with Zhang Yingxiong's own identity, Zhang Yang had unknowingly begun to consider himself a member of the Huaxia Five Dragons.
"Seniors, don't rush to express your emotions yet. Let me help you heal your injuries first," Zhang Yang said with a smile.
Then, his True Essence surged out, enveloping the three of them.
Half an hour later.
The injuries of the three were completely healed.
They were all very surprised by this.
Just like Zhang Lihe earlier, they were shocked by Zhang Yang's miraculous methods.
This speed was even faster than recovering with pills!
Huo Zhu revealed a knowing smile and said,
"While the new injuries have healed, your old wounds remain. Why don't you quickly pick the Nine-Colored Exquisite Fruits?"
Hearing this, He Ao and Jiang Pan finally remembered the main purpose of their visit.
They quickly ran to the Nine-Colored Exquisite Fruit tree and picked the only two fruits remaining on it.
After swallowing them on the spot, both of them immediately felt a surge of power within them.
How miraculous the Nine-Colored Exquisite Fruits were; upon entering the body, they transformed into a nine-colored torrent, permeating their meridians and energy channels, slowly repairing the old hidden ailments they had suffered for many years.
It was like filling and repairing a body that was riddled with holes.
This process took quite some time.
It lasted for about an hour.
Zhang Yang and Huo Zhu waited patiently.
During this period, Zhang Yang also took the opportunity to tell Huo Zhu about Zhang Lihe's undercover mission.
After clearing the air,
Huo Zhu's lingering doubts about Zhang Lihe disappeared.
The few of them sat together and chatted.
Suddenly.
With a boom!
A vast surge of energy emanated from He Ao and Jiang Pan.
Subsequently,
The energy in this area continuously flowed into their bodies.
"They're breaking through? Heh, these two old fellows have benefited from misfortune," Huo Zhu chuckled.
From the aura they released, he could clearly sense that they had broken through.
Before they were injured, He Ao and Jiang Pan's strength was at the late stage of the True Essence realm.
For many years, due to the presence of their injuries,
Their strength had not regressed but had advanced, which was why they were caught up by the five factions earlier.
Now, they had finally received the favor of heaven, with one foot stepping out of the True Essence realm.
"Hahaha, Elder, we've broken through!"
He Ao and Jiang Pan walked over, laughing.
With their injuries healed and their strength improved, they were naturally happy.
Now, with Zhang Yang added to their lineup, they wouldn't fear even if ordinary factions launched a full-scale attack.
"This is destiny. We've endured for so long, so we're bound to get lucky," Huo Zhu said with a smile.
He Ao and Jiang Pan nodded in unison, feeling extremely happy.
However, in the next moment, they also noticed Zhang Lihe beside Zhang Yang, and their expressions immediately turned grim.
"Zhang Lihe, you traitor, how dare you show your face! Die!"
He Ao's temper flared up instantly.
Without a second word, he charged directly at Zhang Lihe.
Fortunately, Zhang Yang was standing beside Zhang Lihe and quickly blocked him, saying with a wry smile,
"Sir, please calm down, let me explain!"
"Zhang Yang, move aside and let me capture this traitor!"
"No, it's not what you think..."
Zhang Yang quickly pulled He Ao back and repeated what he had told Huo Zhu earlier.
Only then did He Ao give up his intention to kill Zhang Lihe, but his eyes still flickered with suspicion.
"Are you telling the truth?"
"Otherwise? Senior Zhang also helped me find the Creation Water to treat Han Xiyao, and he also helped me a lot in the ancestral house."
After hearing Zhang Yang's explanation, He Ao readily admitted his mistake.
"Old Zhang, I misunderstood you. I apologize."
"It's alright, we're all for the Huaxia Five Dragons, I don't mind," Zhang Lihe said, shaking his head and smiling.
After so many years, Zhang Lihe had grown accustomed to it.
Ever since he joined the Zhang family, he had been mocked as a traitor by many of them.
"It's about time, shall we leave then?" Zhang Yang said.
Huo Zhu and the others nodded in response.
Thus, the group boarded the giant python and headed towards the exit.
"You two stay here and behave. I'll come back to see you when I have time."
Zhang Yang said to the two fierce beasts who were reluctant to part with him.
The giant python and the giant crocodile nodded.
Ever since they sensed the True Essence emanating from Zhang Yang, they had completely submitted to him.
However,
The passage was not easy to exit, and they were somewhat fearful.
As far as they could remember, they had never left this place.
However, besides them, others had also tried to leave, but the consequences were that their bodies were directly pulverized.
Zhang Yang, on the other hand, was also worried that bringing these two large beasts out might cause negative repercussions, so he chose not to take them with him.
Five minutes later.
Zhang Yang and the others left the mysterious realm.
Upon exiting, they headed straight to the courtyard where they were temporarily residing, preparing to pack up and return to Jiangnan City.
However, just as they were about to leave,
People from the Zhao and Sun families arrived simultaneously.
Zhao Linglong, Zhao Fenghuang, and Sun Wei walked towards Zhang Yang.
"Zhang Yang, are you planning to leave?" Zhao Linglong asked curiously.
"What? Am I not allowed to leave?" Zhang Yang responded sternly.
After learning that Huo Zhu and the others were ambushed, and that the Zhao and Sun families had left early,
Zhang Yang no longer had any good feelings towards these two families.
"Of course, you can leave. As a friend, it's only right for me to see you off," Zhao Linglong said with a smile.
"Hmph, friends? I'm not worthy of being friends with your esteemed families in the capital. If there's nothing else, please move aside," Zhang Yang said sternly.
With that, he led Huo Zhu and his group past them.
Seeing this, Zhao Linglong hesitated to speak.
With her keen intellect, she naturally guessed why Zhang Yang was treating them this way.
At the same time, she confirmed her own suspicions.
Although their two families and Lengyue Villa were the earliest to leave,
They had all left informants at the entrance of the Zhang family mansion.
After waiting for a long time and seeing no one from the other factions emerge,
Zhao Linglong finally couldn't sit still and decided to find Zhang Yang to inquire about the news.
However,
Seeing Zhang Yang's attitude, Zhao Linglong knew it was unlikely she would get any information.
But the more this was the case, the more shocked Zhao Linglong felt!
Because those people might never come out.
And the reason why they wouldn't come out was self-evident.
However, although Zhao Linglong knew, Sun Wei did not.
He didn't think as much as Zhao Linglong, and with the arrogance of the young master of the Sun family, he snorted coldly.
"You, stop right there. I have a few questions for you."
Sun Wei's arrogance actually made the departing Zhang Yang pause and look back.
"What? Does Young Master Sun have any instructions?" Zhang Yang asked.
"First, answer my question. Where are the people from Seven Kills and the Zhang family? Why haven't they come out?" Sun Wei asked.
"Why should I answer?" Zhang Yang retorted dismissively.
"Because your Huaxia Five Dragons is just a struggling force! Without the support of our two families, you wouldn't even have the chance to enter the Zhang family ancestral house. Is that reason enough?" Sun Wei said forcefully.