"How about that? Not so arrogant now, are you?"
As Lu Fan and his companions were talking, Liu Haoran approached, a playful smirk on his face. He had been deeply angered by the bullying he suffered from Lu Fan and the others earlier, and now that he had the chance, he wouldn't let it go easily.
Facing these words, Lu Fan chuckled, "You're just an ordinary disciple of the Taiyan Sect. You can't even defeat me. I really don't know what you're so arrogant about!"
"You!"
Liu Haoran's expression changed, and anger flared instantly. Lu Fan's words seemed to hit the nail on the head, leaving him with a mix of emotions. Within the entire Taiyan Sect, he wasn't outstanding among the disciples. Being mocked like this by Lu Fan made him feel even more wronged.
"Your Sect Master has always wanted to obtain my Taiyan Divine Steps secret technique. If you secretly let us go, I can pass this technique to you!" Lu Fan shrugged. "This way, you can hand it over to the Taiyan Sect Master, and you'll surely be highly regarded!"
"Don't try to trick me!" Liu Haoran said coldly. "When the Sect Master asked you to hand over the secret technique earlier, you refused. Why would you give it to me?"
"If I handed it over to the Taiyan Sect Master directly, he might silence me!" Lu Fan shrugged. "But if I give it to you, you might not be able to do anything to us!"
"Is that true?"
Liu Haoran's expression turned serious. If he could obtain such a secret technique and then give it to the Taiyan Sect Master, even if he let Lu Fan and the others go, he might still be appreciated by the Sect Master. After all, this secret technique was something the Sect Master desired and his wish.
"Of course, it's true. I can swear to the heavens that as long as you let us out, I will teach you the Taiyan secret technique!" Lu Fan said earnestly.
Liu Haoran nodded slightly. "In that case, when it's late and no one is around, I'll come and open the formation!"
Lu Fan nodded in satisfaction, a look of joy on his face. This was naturally the best outcome.
"Are you really going to give him the secret technique?" Liu Ruyan asked, surprised, and looked at Lu Fan with some doubt. According to Lu Fan's personality, he shouldn't act like this.
"Giving him the secret technique will save our lives!" Lu Fan shrugged and said, "Isn't this the best choice?"
Liu Ruyan was stunned but said no more. However, she always felt that things weren't that simple. At least in her opinion, Lu Fan wasn't someone who would suffer a loss.
When night fell, seeing that no one was around, Liu Haoran prepared to head to the Purple Bamboo Forest. If he could indeed obtain the Taiyan secret technique in advance and then give it to the Sect Master, he would have made a great contribution.
After taking a few steps, Liu Haoran saw a graceful figure walking towards him, which made his expression tighten.
"Junior Brother Haoran, why aren't you resting so late? Where are you going?" Han Feixue asked curiously, looking at Liu Haoran with confusion in her eyes.
"Just taking a walk. Are you on duty tonight, Senior Sister Feixue?" Liu Haoran smiled.
"That's right. The Sect Master asked me to be on duty, so I'm this idle tonight!" Han Feixue nodded. "If Junior Brother Haoran has nothing else, go back and rest early. The sect competition is in the next few days, so you'll have to perform well then!"
"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister!" Liu Haoran nodded. Only when it was late did he arrive at the Purple Bamboo Forest and look at Lu Fan's figure, saying solemnly, "I'll let you out now, but you can't go back on your word!"
Lu Fan didn't seem to care. He directly unleashed a stream of light that surged towards Liu Haoran's forehead. Feeling this aura, Liu Haoran was overjoyed. He knew very well that this was the secret technique of the Taiyan Divine Steps.
"This is only the upper part. Once you let us out, I'll give you the lower part!" Lu Fan said directly. "Since it's a transaction, you should show sincerity. I'm not wrong, am I!"
"You're right, of course, you're right!" Liu Haoran nodded repeatedly, and at the same time, his spiritual power surged, directly opening the barrier of the Purple Bamboo Forest. This was a rare opportunity, and he didn't want to miss it.
After leaving the Purple Bamboo Forest, Lu Fan said to the Northern Commander and the others, "You guys leave first. Since I promised to teach him the secret technique, I won't go back on my word!"
"Then be careful!" Liu Ruyan said softly, and her figure suddenly leaped up, preparing to leave the place. If they didn't leave soon, they might not be able to leave at all.
After they left, Liu Haoran looked at Lu Fan. "They've already gone far. Hurry up and tell me the lower part!"
Lu Fan waved his hand, and a surge of spiritual power flowed into Liu Haoran's body. Upon receiving the lower part of the secret technique, Liu Haoran was ecstatic.
"Who is it!"
Just then, Han Feixue's voice rang out. Seeing Lu Fan's figure, her expression also changed drastically. She clearly hadn't expected Lu Fan to come out.
Lu Fan didn't say much. He turned and stepped away, leaving the Taiyan Sect.
"Quick, chase!"
Han Feixue was shocked and immediately activated the sect signal. In an instant, all the experts within the Taiyan Sect appeared, seemingly unaware of what had happened.
"Senior Sister, don't worry. I've already obtained the secret technique. It doesn't matter if they leave!" Liu Haoran said confidently, with a hint of joy. He was certain that the secret technique Lu Fan gave him was not a problem. Once he handed it over to the Sect Master, he might become the Sect Master's disciple, which was something he had always longed for.
"Junior Brother Haoran, are you confused?" Han Feixue said angrily. "The Sect Master knows about this and will surely blame you for releasing them against his wishes!"
"Don't worry, Senior Sister, I'll be fine!" Liu Haoran said with a confident expression. If it were before, he might have been worried, but now he was full of confidence.
Just as they were talking, a figure arrived, exuding an imposing aura. This person was the Taiyan Sect Master.
"What happened? Where are the people from the Purple Bamboo Forest?"
"This..." Han Feixue stood there, stunned and afraid to speak. It was his duty to be on guard today, and such an incident had occurred, making him undeniably responsible.
"Sect Master, I let them go!" Liu Haoran said proudly. "And I also obtained the Taiyan secret technique!"
"Taiyan secret technique?"
The Taiyan Sect Master trembled and looked at Liu Haoran. The existence of Lu Fan and his companions was for the Taiyan secret technique. If they possessed the Taiyan secret technique, then there was no need to pay too much attention to them.
"This Taiyan secret technique is in my mind. I will give it to the Sect Master now!" Liu Haoran said confidently and prepared to write it down.
Seeing this, the Taiyan Sect Master's face lit up with joy. If he could obtain the secret technique, it would be a great boon for him. He hadn't expected Liu Haoran to be so capable as to obtain the secret technique from Lu Fan.
However, after writing for a long time, Liu Haoran hadn't written a single word.
"What's going on? Hurry up and write!" the Taiyan Sect Master asked, his anger rising. If Liu Haoran couldn't write it down, he wouldn't let it go easily.
"I don't know why, but the secret technique is in my mind, yet I can't remember a single word or write it down!" Liu Haoran said repeatedly, his face turning pale.