These three cultivators were actually from the fifth-rank sect, Verdant Breeze Valley!!
For the entire Eastern Loong Continent, Xiabo was merely a small region. Among the dozen or so cultivation sects within Xiabo's cultivation world, the two most powerful were only fifth-rank sects. Verdant Breeze Valley was one of them.
Within the broader cultivation world, a fifth-rank sect was considered only mid to low tier. But within the confines of Xiabo's cultivation world, they represented the pinnacle of strength and influence, virtually untouchable.
Back when Wei Wuyi had heard that members of Verdant Breeze Valley had also arrived in Xing City, he had been deeply apprehensive.
The middle-aged cultivator among these three, with long hair and thick brows, was precisely the 'Tian Guangshu' Wei Wuyi had spoken of—one of the renowned elders of Verdant Breeze Valley. A long-established Golden Core cultivator, his cultivation had already reached the ninth layer of the Golden Core stage.
Of the two youths beside him, the handsome young man in white robes on the right was his eldest disciple, Qin Lin. Not yet thirty, he was already at the first layer of Golden Core, considered a genius within Xiabo's cultivation circles. The round-faced youth around twenty-four or twenty-five on the left was his second disciple, Li Hao, at the eighth layer of Foundation Establishment.
They too had heard the news of the Great Python Mountain treasure and arrived in Xing City two days prior. Tonight, they had also been searching within the mountain. However, when the celestial phenomenon manifested, they were in a more remote area, battling a tier-three demon beast over a spirit herb. By the time they dealt with the troublesome beast and rushed to the scene, the massive free-for-all there was already winding down.
While Tian Guangshu was using his divine sense to observe the situation, he coincidentally spotted Wei Wuyi and Loong Tian'ao emerging stealthily from underground and attempting to slip away unnoticed.
With Tian Guangshu's cultivation at the ninth layer of Golden Core, his divine sense range normally extended nearly a kilometer. However, probing deep underground significantly reduced its effectiveness. Thus, he hadn't detected the situation concerning the Spirit Spring at the deepest point. Although he sensed some chaotic tunnels beneath, upon noticing Wei Wuyi's suspicious actions, he decided after consideration to follow them first.
He had initially assumed Wei Wuyi had covertly obtained the treasure without anyone else's knowledge. But then he observed the pair stopping within a patch of woods some distance away. They seemed to be meditating to recover while also… waiting for something.
This convinced Tian Guangshu further that something was amiss. After some deduction, he concluded it was likely connected to the treasure. So, he remained hidden nearby, playing the part of the oriole stalking the mantis.
His divine sense was far stronger than Wei Wuyi's, so Wei Wuyi remained completely unaware of their distant observers. However, if Tian Guangshu's divine sense sweep became too obvious, Wei Wuyi would have sensed it. Therefore, Tian Guangshu only monitored the situation subtly. Consequently, he hadn't overheard Lin Feng and the Swordsman's earlier conversation and remained unaware that the treasure was a Spirit Spring.
Watching Wei Wuyi's disastrous defeat and escape, and seeing Lin Feng and the Swordsman change direction to head deeper into the wilderness, Tian Guangshu decided to wait no longer. He signaled his two disciples, and the trio swiftly gave chase.
......
...
Meanwhile, Lin Feng and the Swordsman, having decided against returning to Xing City, altered their course. Their immediate plan was simply to leave the Great Python Mountain area and then consider their next steps. As they traveled, both were preoccupied with restoring the true essence depleted during the previous fight, exchanging few words.
However, less than ten minutes into their journey, as they approached a small stream, the Swordsman walking on the left suddenly paled. He whirled around, staring intently back the way they'd come.
"Huh?! What's—"
Lin Feng jumped at the Swordsman's abrupt movement, instinctively turning to look. He started to ask what was wrong, but the words died on his lips. His expression mirrored the Swordsman's shock as his eyes locked onto three figures standing silently only fifty meters behind them.
To approach so closely without either him, the Swordsman, or their spirit beasts detecting them beforehand… these newcomers were undoubtedly formidable. Lin Feng immediately activated his Observation Art, scrutinizing the trio. His heart sank like a stone.
"Eighth layer Foundation Establishment… First layer Golden Core… and one… likely late-stage Golden Core!!"
He instantly discerned the cultivation levels of Li Hao and Qin Lin. But Tian Guangshu's cultivation was utterly unfathomable to him. Yet, the man wasn't suppressing his aura. From him, Lin Feng felt an oppressive pressure far exceeding that of Wei Wuyi earlier. This confirmed it—this was almost certainly a late-stage Golden Core cultivator!!
"Verdant Breeze Valley!!"
While Lin Feng was reeling internally, the Swordsman beside him voiced the name aloud, his expression grave.
"Fifth-rank sect, Verdant Breeze Valley?!" Lin Feng's gaze sharpened, his sense of foreboding intensifying. They had just driven off people from the fourth-rank Absolute Sword Sect, and now members of the more powerful Verdant Breeze Valley appeared? He harbored no illusions that this was a coincidence or a friendly visit. In fact, the moment he guessed Tian Guangshu's cultivation level, he realized these people had likely been nearby during their fight with the Absolute Sword Sect cultivators.
Their pursuit now made their intentions painfully clear…
The Swordsman had naturally reached the same conclusion. A wry smile touched his lips, but he forced himself to remain composed. He cupped his fists respectfully towards Tian Guangshu. "This junior pays his respects to the elder of Verdant Breeze Valley. May I inquire as to the purpose of seeking out the two of us?"
Tian Guangshu wasn't surprised they recognized him. His expression remained impassive as he scrutinized them both. His gaze lingered momentarily on the Swordsman's right arm, clearly noting the presence of the Ice-Eyed Python. A flicker of surprise and doubt crossed his eyes before he finally addressed the Swordsman, his voice cold and flat. "I care not for your identities. Hand over the treasure, and you may leave unharmed. Otherwise… you die."
The blunt threat caused both Lin Feng and the Swordsman's expressions to darken. They exchanged a swift glance, seeing only shared frustration and resignation in each other's eyes.
"No choice, Lin Feng! We split up and run!! I'll draw off the late-stage Golden Core cultivator! The other two… you'll have to handle on your own!"
While Lin Feng was still mentally weighing the options of fight or flight, the Swordsman beside him had already made his decision. He gritted his teeth and whispered the plan urgently into Lin Feng's ear.
Lin Feng frowned deeply. "But he's late-stage Golden Core! Are you confident you can escape?"
"Heh, don't worry! I'm not that easy to kill!" The Swordsman offered a strained grin. He clapped Lin Feng firmly on the shoulder, his voice suddenly serious. "Lin Feng… it's been good knowing you, friend. Stay alive. We'll meet again if fate allows!"
"GO!!"
In the next instant, the Swordsman's true essence surged. He kicked off the ground, his body shooting towards the left like an arrow loosed from its bow.
"Stay safe!!"
Just before the Swordsman moved, Lin Feng spoke two solemn words. Then, almost simultaneously, he propelled himself towards the right.
On the opposite side, Tian Guangshu watched their sudden flight without a trace of surprise. He had, in fact, clearly overheard their whispered exchange moments before, finding it both laughable and contemptible.
"Trying to run? Utterly deluded!!" Tian Guangshu snorted coldly. With unhurried calm, he raised his right hand and flicked it forward. A streak of cyan light flashed into existence, streaking towards the fleeing Swordsman with indescribable speed!
The Swordsman had barely covered twenty meters when an icy chill shot up his spine. His pupils contracted violently as he whirled around in horror—just in time to see a cyan-glowing flying sword already upon him!
"Tch!!"
Gritting his teeth, the Swordsman poured his true essence into his left hand. A burst of orange light erupted, instantly forming a protective dome around him.
"CLANG!!"
A piercing metallic clangor rang out. The orange dome shuddered violently, nearly shattering. The cyan flying sword, however, was deflected and sent spinning back. The Swordsman didn't pause for a heartbeat. He pushed his speed even further, covering another hundred meters in a blink before vanishing into the thick undergrowth ahead.
"Hmph?!" Tian Guangshu's eyes narrowed slightly in genuine surprise. The strike he'd expected to end the chase had been blocked. "A light-element defensive treasure… At least a high-grade spirit artifact!"
A flash of avarice immediately replaced the surprise in his eyes. He locked his divine sense firmly onto the fleeing Swordsman. With a cursory glance towards Lin Feng, who was already over two hundred meters away racing in the opposite direction, he commanded his disciples curtly: "Deal with that one. He possesses a flying sword. Be cautious."
"Yes, Master!!"
Qin Lin and Li Hao responded respectfully in unison. They immediately turned and sprinted after Lin Feng with fierce determination.
Tian Guangshu, meanwhile, offered a cold smirk. He moved after the Swordsman's path, his pace seemingly unhurried, almost leisurely. Yet, with each step, the earth seemed to shrink beneath his feet, covering over ten meters effortlessly. Within moments, he too disappeared into the dense forest ahead.
...
On the other side, Lin Feng sprinted over two hundred meters before leaping powerfully across the small stream ahead. He landed and kept running, sparing a quick glance backward. As expected, the two young cultivators were in pursuit.
Despite running at full tilt, his speed couldn't match theirs. The distance between them was closing rapidly, deepening the grim expression on Lin Feng's face.
His eyes flickered towards the direction the Swordsman had fled, a trace of worry surfacing. He murmured to himself, his mind racing, "Not yet… Need to get further away first…"