Meng Ruoqi looked into the night ahead, her beautiful eyes showing hesitation.
Not long after, her expression changed. She took out a green bamboo slip with only one word on it.
After reading it, Meng Ruoqi's delicate body trembled.
Her beautiful eyes struggled, then as if she had made up her mind, spiritual light flashed in her hand. She struck a spiritual energy mark onto the bamboo slip, and it immediately disappeared.
She said with a trace of sadness, "Uncle Ren's team has been caught up to."
The Meng family members around them fell silent, their expressions becoming more fearful. They clearly knew what fate awaited them if they were caught.
However, Meng Ruoqi said sternly, "Uncle Rui, adjust the direction of travel slightly, head due west, and embed those mid-grade spirit stones onto the Flying Boat as well. Don't be afraid of wasting them."
From within the crowd, a middle-aged cultivator with a sallow complexion hesitated, "But heading due west means entering the Ning Family's territory."
Shi Shaoyang couldn't help but look at her with surprise, his expression showing some displeasure.
Meng Ruoqi seemed to be explaining to him as she said, "Precisely because it's Ning Family territory, those pursuers shouldn't be so arrogant. I have a deal with the Ning Family's Eleventh Elder, and I can borrow passage through the Ning Family's lands."
Upon hearing this, Shi Shaoyang's expression immediately eased considerably.
The Flying Boat immediately changed direction, switching from northwest to due west.
Several hours later.
A crimson Spirit Boat was rapidly pursuing the Meng family's group.
Even though the Spirit Boat the Meng family members were on was also extraordinary, they were still being caught up to, bit by bit.
The Meng family members had pale, bloodless faces.
The middle-aged cultivator with the sallow complexion slumped to the ground, muttering, "We're finished... Xie Feng has caught up to us. We're all going to die here today..."
Meng Ruoqi's face was also extremely pale, but she hadn't completely despaired.
She continued to stare intently ahead, a glimmer of hope in her eyes, and said sternly, "Use the remaining Swiftness Talismans on the Spirit Boat. Push the Spirit Boat beyond its limits. We're almost at the Ning Family's Yellow Cloud Island. Once we get there, we'll be safe!"
Under Meng Ruoqi's command, several light blue Swiftness Talismans were immediately used on the Spirit Boat. The Spirit Boat also accelerated to its maximum, its speed instantly increasing by more than double.
They gradually widened the distance between themselves and the pursuing enemy behind them.
Not long after, the Meng family members finally saw a small, yellowish island appear in front of them.
Meng Ruoqi's face showed a look of pleasant surprise.
But at that very moment, on the crimson Spirit Boat that was relentlessly pursuing them.
A middle-aged man in brocade robes, with a cold expression, showed impatience on his face.
He flicked his sleeve, and a small yellow sword flew out, instantly growing to about ten feet long.
The man stepped onto the flying sword and sped away, his speed incredibly fast.
The Meng family members, who were prepared, unleashed a Talisman Treasure. It was a giant blue net that trapped the middle-aged man within it.
Seeing the Meng family members escaping further and further, the middle-aged man in brocade robes showed anger.
He opened his mouth and spat a mouthful of blood onto his flying sword.
The next moment, a deep yellow sword energy slashed out fiercely, splitting the blue net apart.
The middle-aged man in brocade robes, riding his yellow sword, pursued them closely, catching up to the Meng family members in the blink of an eye.
He let out a sinister laugh and suddenly unleashed a yellow sword energy.
Sensing the powerful might of this sword.
Meng Ruoqi's face couldn't help but show despair.
But at that moment, a crimson fist shadow violently struck.
It directly shattered the yellow sword energy with a single punch.
The middle-aged man in brocade robes' expression changed drastically. He looked up at a figure rapidly flying towards them and his pupils contracted, a hint of unease appearing in his eyes.
A few breaths later, a middle-aged cultivator arrived at an incredibly fast speed.
He wore a profound robe, his face was a light gold, and his thick eyebrows slanted upwards to his temples. Although his expression was calm, an aura of dominance and disdain emanated from him.
"Are you Ning Zhongjiu?"
The middle-aged man in brocade robes asked with a hint of fear, his previously powerful aura weakening considerably.
Ning Zhongjiu glanced at him indifferently, "Are you that Xue Family guest elder, Xie Feng? What is the meaning of coming to my Ning Family's territory to act so outrageously? It seems you don't put our Ning Family in your eyes at all."
Xie Feng forced himself to remain calm and said politely, "I am here to pursue those Meng Family fugitives. I request your family's convenience. I will surely reward you handsomely."
Ning Zhongjiu said indifferently, "I don't care who they are. Since they have trespassed into our Ning Family, it is naturally up to us to handle them. Fellow Daoist, please return."
Xie Feng said anxiously, "Daoist Ning, are you truly going to act so recklessly? Our anti-Meng army has not yet disbanded!"
A cold glint flashed in Ning Zhongjiu's eyes, "How dare you! It's been a long time since anyone dared to threaten me to my face!"
With that, crimson light erupted from Ning Zhongjiu's body, his aura surging.
"Not good!"
Xie Feng was in a panic and could only draw his sword to defend himself.
The great battle erupted, and the area where the two clashed was filled with a deafening roar like mountains and seas.
However, after only a few dozen breaths.
A massive crimson fist shadow, several zhang in size, shot out, directly shattering countless yellow sword qi in the air. The momentum continued, striking the unprepared Xie Feng.
Xie Feng was sent flying backward like a kite with a broken string, spitting out a large mouthful of blood.
Then, he crushed a Swiftness Talisman and fled at full speed without looking back.
Ning Zhongjiu stood with his hands behind his back, not pursuing further.
Ning Fa, who was not far away, hurried over and flattered him, "Third Elder, your might is unparalleled!"
Ning Zhongjiu looked at him and said with a half-smile, "To save your beloved, you had me personally step in. I never do business at a loss, so don't forget what you promised me."
Ning Fa's face contorted, and he could only nod.
He felt a headache coming on, not expecting this Third Elder to be such a battle maniac.
Although Ning Zhongyuan had asked him to accompany Ning Fa and support him, Ning Zhongjiu had privately proposed a condition: that Ning Fa spar with him, using only body cultivation techniques.
Of course, Ning Zhongjiu would suppress his cultivation level.
This naturally made Ning Fa groan in misery.
However, thinking about sparring with the experienced Ning Zhongjiu would greatly help his own strength, Ning Fa wasn't entirely against it anymore.
Ning Zhongjiu glanced at the Meng Family members again and said seriously, "Little Fa, you know our Ning Family's rules. These Meng Family members must be carrying quite a few resources. Since our Ning Family is protecting them, we naturally need to collect some resources as protection fees to maintain order. However, for your sake, I can reduce the amount."
Ning Fa nodded, "Third Elder, don't worry, I know what to do."
Ning Zhongjiu gave him a faint smile, then rose into the air and vanished in an instant.
Ning Fa flew to the front of the Meng Family members.
Meng Ruoqi immediately stepped forward, her face full of gratitude, "Fellow Daoist Ning, our Meng Family will never forget your kindness in helping us."
The other Meng Family members also looked as if they had narrowly escaped death, and they all stepped forward to express their thanks.
Shi Shaoyang's expression, however, was as if he had eaten a fly.
He looked at Meng Ruoqi and said, "Ruoqi, since that Xie Feng has left, we should also hurry and take a detour to leave."
Ning Fa looked at him, a meaningful smile curling at the corner of his lips.
Meng Ruoqi apologized, "Shaoyang, I'm sorry, but I've decided to stay with the Ning Family."