Feng Mo Ran swiftly headed towards the breach in the barrier.
However, the one intending to forcefully break through the barrier was not Xiao Man, which left Feng Mo Ran somewhat disappointed and annoyed. He immediately waved his sleeve, sending a surging power towards the person.
The other person remained unfazed. The sword in his hand pierced through the barrier, which let out a sound of being unable to withstand the strain. Feng Mo Ran's expression changed, and he moved downwards rapidly, intending to stop the person's actions. If the barrier broke at this moment, Xiao Man would surely seize the opportunity to escape. With Xiao Man's cunning and abilities, if she were to escape, the vast world would make it incredibly difficult to recapture her.
"Everyone, attack together and break the barrier!" A voice suddenly erupted from the crowd. Moments later, everyone attacked the cracked barrier. The once-stable barrier, under the onslaught, groaned under the strain before a large hole appeared. Consequently, those inside the barrier rushed out with great haste.
Feng Mo Ran tried to stop them, but the person rushed forward and blocked him, clearly intending to let others escape!
Jun Fei Er and the others maintained the opening in the barrier, allowing people to exit. Their eyes constantly scanned the crowd that was scrambling out. "Has anyone seen Xiao Qin? Has anyone seen Xiao Qin?"
No one had seen Xiao Man, nor did anyone know her whereabouts. Everyone inside had fled, leaving only the man in black and Feng Mo Ran trembling within. At this moment, the barrier restored itself.
Feng Mo Ran watched the people who had escaped disperse in all directions, his eyes blazing with anger, as if ready to erupt. He glared hatefully at the man before him. "You're courting death!"
"It is you who is courting death!" The man raised his head. He wore an exquisite mask, obscuring his features. Feng Mo Ran narrowed his eyes and, after a moment, finally realized who it was.
"It's you!"
"Guess, can you escape today?"
"Nangong Yu, you're still alive!" Feng Mo Ran sneered repeatedly. "Very good, excellent. Once I capture you, Xiao Man will come to me herself!"
The person was indeed Nangong Yu. Nangong Yu let out a cold laugh and quickly headed deeper into the Eastern Yue Forest. Feng Mo Ran pursued him rapidly. Outside, people, after finding their disciples, impatiently departed, leaving only Jun Fei Er and Zong Yi standing before the barrier.
"Xiao Qin didn't come out with you?"
"We got separated," Bai Chen quickly explained. "Junior Brother Xiao was paired with Junior Brother Xi Wen."
"She was with Martial Ancestor Lu Qing."
"Did Lu Qing come out?" Jun Fei Er looked around. There was no trace of Lu Qing, nor was Xiao Man in sight. "Who was that person?"
"This... I don't recognize him."
"Did you have any conflict with him?"
Everyone shook their heads in unison. They had not clashed with this person, nor had they even met him.
"Did Xiao Qin have a conflict with him?"
"This person should be a Nascent Soul stage cultivator. If Junior Brother Xiao had a conflict with him, the commotion would have been significant. Moreover, Martial Ancestor Lu Qing was always with Junior Brother Xiao, but we didn't hear of any major disturbances."
"Then why would this person trouble Xiao Qin?" Jun Fei Er was extremely uneasy. Her beautiful eyes were fixed on the barrier. "And who was the person in the black cloak?"
"Martial Uncle, there's a saying: the enemy of my enemy is my friend. No matter who that person was, he ultimately helped us."
"What I'm worried about now is Xiao Qin's safety," Jun Fei Er said, distraught. For some reason, trouble always found her. She was currently trapped by her inner demons, her cultivation stagnant. This was not good for Xiao Man. To make matters worse, a powerful enemy had appeared at this moment. Truly, it was one misfortune after another!
"Martial Ancestor is with her, she'll be fine."
"Let's hope so."
Nangong Yu led Feng Mo Ran deeper into the Eastern Yue Forest. By then, there were few people left inside the forest; everyone had fled when the barrier broke.
"Where do you think you're escaping to?" Feng Mo Ran blocked Nangong Yu's path. "Since you've shown yourself, you might as well surrender."
"Feng Mo Ran, why don't you ever learn?" Nangong Yu said calmly. "Back in Devil City, I couldn't take your life, you should have tucked your tail and behaved yourself. But you insisted on gallivanting around!"
"Nangong Yu, why don't you ever learn? You've fallen into my hands several times, nearly losing your life, yet you still don't learn," Feng Mo Ran's eyes flashed with a bone-chilling hatred. "You should have died at Xiao Man's hands. Why are you unharmed?"
"Why would I die at her hands?"
"Right, you don't know yet." Feng Mo Ran's lips curled into a wicked smile. "You know about Xiao Man's special constitution, don't you?"
"I do."
"Her 'invincible to a hundred poisons' constitution makes poisons shy away from her, but it can also claim the lives of those close to her." Feng Mo Ran's expression contorted for a moment. "I deliberately had someone guide her to Tingfeng Courtyard, intending to use her to take your life. I never expected that, by some twist of fate, I would end up saving you!"
"You are truly despicable and cruel!" Nangong Yu's killing intent seemed to overflow, wishing to tear Feng Mo Ran to shreds.
"Thank you for the compliment." Feng Mo Ran regained his calm and composed demeanor. "Guess what will happen if Xiao Man finds out that the one who killed Wen Mo Han was not me, but herself?"
"She'll take your life!" A voice sounded next to Feng Mo Ran's ear. Startled, he had no time to dodge. A dagger pierced his Dantian. It was only thanks to his quick reaction that his newly formed Nascent Soul was not damaged. He struck out, sending the sneak attacker flying.
Nangong Yu caught the flying Xiao Man. "Man'er."
Xiao Man steadied herself, wiping the blood from the corner of her mouth. "I'm fine. It's great that you're safe."
Nangong Yu looked at Xiao Man, with many words he wanted to say but didn't know where to begin. "Kill him first."
Xiao Man nodded and looked at Feng Mo Ran. "Today, there is no way you can escape. Today, I will kill you." Su Dan Novel Network
"Just the two of you?"
"How can it be just the two of us?" Xiao Man smiled brilliantly. Feng Mo Ran felt a sharp killing intent behind him. He turned and struck out a palm, meeting Lu Qing head-on. Both retreated, but Feng Mo Ran coughed up a mouthful of blood.
The three formed a triangular formation, trapping Feng Mo Ran in the center. "I told you, you cannot escape today. Do you think you can do as you please just because you've reached the Nascent Soul stage? I should thank you for creating this cage. Otherwise, I wouldn't be so confident in killing you."
"Xiao Man, if you kill me, you'll never find your mother!" Feng Mo Ran observed his surroundings while searching for an escape route. He had been careless. He thought Xiao Man was alone, but he hadn't expected Nangong Yu to be here, and that she was accompanied by an expert whose cultivation was close to the Nascent Soul stage!