Lan Yan then confined herself to her room, reading books while also activating the firebird's feather. "This formation is truly difficult, requiring this feather as a weapon, along with the practitioner's spiritual power."
At the same time, she realized how formidable her master was to have researched such a formation. If she hadn't obtained this book, she would have found it impossible to unravel Jun Yelan's formation in her lifetime.
"Host, after you break the formation, you will become a traitor to the sect. Have you thought of a countermeasure?" The system usually didn't concern itself with such matters, but having spent a long time with this host, it had developed some feelings and decided to ask.
Lan Yan narrowed her eyes. "Actually, I haven't thought it through. I'll take it one step at a time." She felt that if she thought too much, she would lose the courage to move forward.
Besides, with her intellect and Jun Yelan's martial prowess, it should be fine.
System: "..." It shouldn't have asked out of kindness. Let the host handle it.
Seeing the system fall silent, Lan Yan continued to work on the formation. She injected all her spiritual power into the feather, watching it gradually transform into a key. She nodded in satisfaction.
Meanwhile, the Spiritual Mountain Sect Leader, noticing the activity within Jun Yelan's cave, felt a sense of unease. If something happened to Jun Yelan, his alchemy would fail.
Unable to tolerate this, he ventured to the cave alone and saw that Jun Yelan had broken free from his chains, his eyes trembling slightly. "Even in this state, you possess such immense power!"
Jun Yelan stared at him coldly, his eyes devoid of any emotion. In his view, the sect leader before him was merely a man driven by selfish desires.
The Spiritual Mountain Sect Leader saw disdain in Jun Yelan's eyes, a look he detested. "A mere demonic beast dares to treat this sect leader with such disrespect. You deserve to die!"
Enraged, and recalling the poison within Jun Yelan, he unleashed his magical artifact. "I don't need a functional demonic beast; just keeping you barely alive is enough!"
He activated the artifact, which shot out dozens of arrows that embedded themselves into Jun Yelan's flesh and blood.
"Hmph!" Jun Yelan spat out a mouthful of black blood. He channeled his power, forcing the arrows within his body to shoot outward, leaving him riddled with wounds.
The Spiritual Mountain Sect Leader grew even more furious, having not expected Jun Yelan to still be able to move. A sword exuding icy coldness appeared in his palm, which he plunged directly into Jun Yelan's chest, freezing his body.
Seeing Jun Yelan finally immobilized, he sneered, "It's your own fault for struggling; you're worse off than before. Once Feng Qing's alchemy is successful, you'll be worthless. Just a demonic beast!"
Jun Yelan, observing the contempt and hatred in the man's eyes, was suddenly reminded of Lan Yan's gaze. Lan Yan had never looked at him like this; her eyes were always filled with smiles and warmth, as if he were incredibly important.
He finally understood why Lan Yan was different. Her attitude towards him was always distinct from that of these people. Recalling the promise he owed Lan Yan, his eyes darkened, and he grabbed the sword, pulling it out viciously.
"You are not worthy of killing me."
The Spiritual Mountain Sect Leader was taken aback and tightened his grip on the sword. He truly had no other recourse at the moment, but this Jun Yelan would not be spared!
Jun Yelan gathered all his strength to prevent himself from freezing too quickly. He wanted to see Lan Yan's smile; he couldn't lose consciousness like this!
At this moment, Lan Yan was still in her room, tidying her belongings, when a sharp pain suddenly pierced her chest, as if something was calling out to her. Growing increasingly uneasy, she took the feather and ran towards the cave.
She saw the Spiritual Mountain Sect Leader leaving and her pupils contracted in alarm. She anxiously looked into the cave, "How is Jun Yelan?" Every time that hateful sect leader visited, Jun Yelan would lose half his life.
She sped inside, her heart sinking as she saw Jun Yelan encased in ice. "Jun Yelan, what's wrong?" she cried out.
Jun Yelan's lips had turned purple, his tongue frozen, rendering him unable to speak. Ice clung to his eyelashes, and his eyes were wide open as he stared at Lan Yan.
If he was destined to lose consciousness, at least he could see the warmest presence in his final moments.
"Jun Yelan, hold on." Lan Yan picked up the feather from her embrace and shouted, "Look, I promised I would help you leave. This can break the formation, and you'll be free."
She tossed the feather into the air, and the entire cave began to shake.
Jun Yelan's spiritual power began to return as the formation disintegrated. He channeled energy into his palm, and a layer of fire erupted from his body, burning away the cold.
Lan Yan watched, a faint smile gracing her lips. Fortunately, she had arrived in time to save him.
However, the commotion in the cave drew the Spiritual Mountain Sect Leader back. Upon witnessing Lan Yan's actions, he struck out with a palm strike.
Lan Yan didn't react in time. Just as she was about to be hit, Jun Yelan pulled her to his side. He placed her in a safe spot and then confronted the Spiritual Mountain Sect Leader directly.
"No wonder Jun Yelan hasn't fallen; you've been helping him!" The Spiritual Mountain Sect Leader's eyes were filled with fury as he looked at Lan Yan. His plan had been foiled by this junior.
Unwilling to accept defeat, he attacked Jun Yelan.
Jun Yelan managed to resist initially but gradually found himself at a disadvantage. His spiritual power had not fully recovered, and he was forced to retreat, backing away to the open space outside the cave.
Beyond that lay a sheer cliff.
Lan Yan followed out worriedly, channeling her spiritual power to attack the sect leader. However, her spiritual power had been depleted from breaking the formation, and she could barely protect herself now. She had originally planned to sneak Jun Yelan away on a dark, windy night.
But she hadn't expected to encounter a mad sect leader, and the situation had now become dire.
The sect leader, sensing Jun Yelan's weakness, intensified his attacks, roaring, "Jun Yelan, you cannot escape."
Jun Yelan clenched his fist, glanced at Lan Yan, and continued to fight.
Lan Yan saw Jun Yelan spitting blood with increasing frequency. She realized that although her spiritual power was insufficient, she could use other methods. She fumbled in her bag and found the gyroscope from before.
Heh heh, she had an idea.
She made the gyroscope spin and tossed it towards the sect leader, who was instantly ensnared. Seizing this opportune moment, she grabbed Jun Yelan's hand and ran forward.
The sect leader was enraged. "Lan Yan, if you insist on protecting this demonic beast, I will fulfill your wish." He swallowed a pill, his eyes turning red, and launched a fierce attack towards Lan Yan.
The palm strike was incredibly powerful, sending Lan Yan flying. She plummeted towards the bottom of the cliff. "Oh heavens, I'm going to be smashed to pieces, aren't I? This damnable sect leader."
Seeing this, Jun Yelan tightened his grip on Lan Yan's hand, wrapped his arm around her waist, and they fell down the cliff together.
The sect leader ceased his attack and looked at the cliff shrouded in thick fog, sneering, "You'd best die down there." With that, he clutched his chest, having consumed an unrefined medicinal pill and expended his vital energy. He would require a period of recuperation.
He then delegated the task of capturing people to True Master Feng Qing and his disciples.
At this moment, Lan Yan was falling towards the bottom of the cliff, her eyes squeezed shut in fear. Suddenly, she felt herself becoming steady.
She opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was Jun Yelan's exquisite face, and behind him, a pair of broken but still supporting wings.