For the first time, Lu Chengfeng was so desperate to kill someone, at any cost. The other party's brazen tracking had severely threatened his life.
Various thoughts flashed through his mind, "Next time when I go out, I'll coat my sword blade with poison, and use any underhanded means necessary, or perhaps just call for help and bring Senior Brother Zhou Tong along..."
At this, his eyes shifted, and he prepared to turn back towards Jade Immortal Peak, "This person is sneaky behind me, I can justifiably contact my fellow disciples and master to set a trap and capture him."
"No matter what sinister tricks he harbors, they can't be used in the open, and thus the tables can be turned."
However, at this moment, an earth-shattering beast's roar suddenly came from the Inner Five Peaks, trembling the land for thirty thousand miles around, dispersing the clouds in the Nine Heavens, and causing endless ripples to spread in the void.
"Ah..."
Countless disciples with weak cultivation began to bleed from their eardrums at this moment, clutching their ears in pain, with some even fainting from the shock.
Lu Chengfeng's face also changed drastically, the Jade Wave Internal Power quickly revolving along the trajectory of his Inner Cultivation Heart Method to resist the beast's roar, making his face turn somewhat pale.
If not for his Inner Cultivation Heart Method having broken through to the Tenth Layer, he feared he would have been injured by the roar.
"Not good... Suyi..."
His expression changed wildly, disregarding everything else, quickly revolving his Inner Cultivation Heart Method, as his body formed a phantom, speeding towards Bixiao Peak.
Along the way, he saw many disciples hurrying, with some mountains even collapsing, giant rocks rolling down from peaks to block the road.
Everything happened too suddenly, the mountains crumbling, the wind and clouds changing color, causing panic and chaos among the disciples.
"Nephew Chengfeng, where are you rushing to in such a hurry?" Lu Chengfeng was concentrating on his journey when someone suddenly blocked his way.
He saw Elder Xiao, the First Seat of Azure Dragon Peak, standing a short distance ahead, his expression cold. Wearing a black Taoist robe, with a yellow silk belt at his waist, and a long sword sheathed on his back, with a blood-red sword tassel fluttering in the wind.
Though over sixty, his face bore no wrinkles, and his hair was jet-black, demonstrating his impeccable Inner Power Cultivation.
Seeing this person made Lu Chengfeng's heart sink. He had long suspected that Elder Xiao was the primary suspect among those tracking him.
Initially, this person held some scruples, but with the sudden upheaval within the sect, throwing everything into disorder, he appeared without reservation.
Lu Chengfeng's heart sank to the bottom. Elder Xiao, after six decades of cultivating the Azure Dragon Returning to the Sea Heart Method and Cyan Dragon Sea-Raging Sword Technique, was highly refined and profound.
While not an Inner Sect Elder, the First Seat of Azure Dragon Peak was still among the rare top-notch figures within the one hundred and eight Outer Peaks, far beyond what he could currently rival.
Zhao Changzhen was also an elder, but only in his forties, with considerable gaps in martial arts skills compared to Elder Xiao.
"Today's matter may not end well!" Lu Chengfeng squinted his eyes and asked in a deliberately oblivious tone, "Elder Xiao, what do you mean by this?"
Elder Xiao sneered, "Not long ago, you killed my beloved disciple, stepping over his corpse to make a name for yourself in Yun Cang, have you forgotten so quickly?"
Lu Chengfeng replied solemnly, "Xue Dulong and I signed a life-and-death contract, deciding life and death on the Sword Discussion Platform per the rules, no one may use this as an excuse to cause trouble."
"Are you implying, Elder Xiao, that you intend to disregard sect rules to avenge Xue Dulong?"
With a clang, Elder Xiao unsheathed his sword, the blade glimmering coldly, while the blood-red sword tassel swayed, "Enough talk, with everything as it is now, who would know if I killed you?"
"Die!"
Elder Xiao, seasoned and decisive, acted immediately without hesitation, his sword light swirling like a true dragon rising, fierce and swift.
A buzzing sound was heard as the sword blade was already close to Lu Chengfeng.
At this moment, Lu Chengfeng's face was extremely grim, having injured his right hand in his earlier duel with Zhou Tong, though not severely, facing a master like Elder Xiao, his chances were slim, growing graver.
"Elder Xiao, you've truly gone mad, disregarding sect rules with your attack, do you really think you can do this without anyone knowing?"
Without hesitation, he fled, not taking the broad path, trusting the dense woods and rocks along the rugged route, heading in the direction of Jade Immortal Peak.
The Bixiao Sword Manual was originally a complete martial arts combining Swordsmanship, Heart Method, and Body Technique, known for its lightness and swiftness, with an extraordinary body technique.
During the Transmission Hall examination, he demonstrated exceedingly refined lightweight techniques, which attracted the steward's attention.
Fleeing for his life, he pushed his lightweight technique and body technique to the limit, forming multiple phantoms.
Meanwhile, the Azure Dragon Returning to the Sea Heart Method and Cyan Dragon Roaring Sea Swordsmanship of Azure Dragon Peak were famous for their powerful, relentless moves, fierce and continuous, without extraordinary body technique.
With such a contrast, combined with Lu Chengfeng's Jade Wave Internal Power and youthful vigor, he barely widened the distance, avoiding immediate execution.
"Boy, if you escape my sword, wouldn't my decades of cultivation be in vain?" Elder Xiao sneered, suddenly urging his inner strength, boosting his speed drastically.
Though such speed couldn't be maintained long, it sufficed for pursuit now. Within just a few breaths, he caught up with Lu Chengfeng, stabbing his long sword towards his back.
Clang!
Without looking back, Lu Chengfeng, holding his sword in his left hand, kept the Cold Cicada sheathed, executing the Rippling Waves move to clash fiercely against the opponent's sword.
As their weapons collided, Lu Chengfeng's sword trembled like a jade wave, not only dissipating much of the enemy's force but also leveraging it to propel himself forward.
Their exchange was lightning-fast, and Lu Chengfeng's ability to withstand wasn't due to superior martial skills but to the apt execution of tactics.
With the same martial skills, some can sweep through many foes, while others are defeated repeatedly. This depends on experience and application, not skill differences.
Lu Chengfeng, while gifted in swordsmanship, excelled more in his tactical instincts, not learnable but innate talent.
Always applying the most fitting tactic at the right moment, overcoming the strong with the weak, defeating the many with the few.
In the past, before mastering swordsmanship, he dared to venture down from the mountain, even aiding against bandits of the Black Wind Stronghold, relying on his combat talent.
Elder Xiao's expression grew grim as Lu Chengfeng escaped again, his relentless chase and repeated close encounters thwarted by Lu Chengfeng's clever tactics.
Unwittingly, the pursuit lasted over a quarter-hour, and though Lu Chengfeng repelled multiple attacks, it wasn't without cost. The freshly bandaged wound on his right hand split open, seeping crimson blood.
His back clothing was torn, exposing a bloody gash, with blood continuously dripping, presenting a shocking sight.
Boom!
At this moment, a broad sword emerged from the side, forcefully deflecting the long sword aimed at Lu Chengfeng.
"Old villain, dare to harm my junior brother, courting death."