Night was thick, mountains and forests silent; only chaotic footsteps, suppressed breathing, and the rumbling of wheels over gravel broke the quiet. Kaoshan Village's villagers, nearly a hundred people including men, women, and children, under the escort of five Clear Void Temple disciples, formed a silent and hurried group, struggling toward Clear Void Temple. Fear like an invisible whip drove them not to stop. Children's sobs were firmly muffled by adults; elders' sighs drowned in the night wind. They frequently looked back toward their hometown direction now merged into darkness, eyes filled with reluctance and deeper fear — fear of the man-eating demon lair and uncertainty about the unknown road ahead.
Liu Yun and Mu Qingfeng walked at the group's foremost and rearmost positions, spiritual sense fully expanded, vigilantly sensing any disturbance. Chen Feng and Lin Wan patrolled the group's flanks, talismans in hand, ready to respond to emergencies. Xiao Qi, due to arm injuries, was arranged on a borrowed ox cart, cared for by an elderly villager slightly versed in medicine. Though unable to fight, his spiritual sense was not damaged, also sensing the surroundings at all times; the jade pendant against his chest continuously sent weak warnings, reminding him danger had not left. That black jade slip recording the Myriad Soul Devouring Spirit Formation information was stored by Liu Yun after being sealed with several layers of restriction talismans. It was like a red-hot branding iron, burning her heart. The information in the jade slip was too terrifying; it had to reach the sect safely and quickly.
"Hurry up!" Liu Yun looked back, voice coldly urging, her tone carrying urgent insistence that brooked no argument. She clearly understood that the Iron Mask Enforcer's death and the jade slip's loss must have alarmed Shadow Snake Pavilion's upper levels. They would absolutely not let it go, likely sending even more powerful forces to pursue and eliminate. They were racing against time now.
The group silently quickened pace. Villagers bit the bullet, dragging tired bodies, desperately following. They knew these immortal masters were their only hope. They traveled urgently through the night until daybreak; both people and animals were exhausted. They found a relatively hidden mountain cove for a brief rest, distributing dry food and water. Villagers sprawled on the ground, faces full of exhaustion and fear.
Xiao Qi took the water bag from the elderly villager, took a drink; cool water slid down his throat, slightly relieving bodily dryness and pain. He looked at Liu Yun and Mu Qingfeng; though still steady, fatigue showed in their brows, especially Liu Yun, who had consumed much energy breaking the jade slip restriction last night, her face paler than usual.
"Sister, Brother, you should rest too," Xiao Qi could not help but say.
Liu Yun shook her head, gaze still sharply sweeping the surroundings: "Cannot relax yet. We have not left the danger zone." She took out the sealed jade slip, brow tightly furrowed, "I am worried this jade slip itself... is a tracking marker."
Mu Qingfeng heard this, his expression becoming even graver: "Correct. Shadow Snake Pavilion's methods are deceitful; we must guard against them. We must return to within the sect's protective formation as quickly as possible."
After resting less than half an hour, the group set out again. Though daytime forest vision was better, the target was also larger. Liu Yun chose a more rugged and difficult yet relatively hidden route, avoiding official roads and densely populated areas as much as possible. However, what was coming came sooner than expected.
During afternoon, as the group crossed a dense fir forest, the jade pendant against Xiao Qi's chest suddenly heated up! At the same time, Liu Yun and Mu Qingfeng also sensed something simultaneously, looking up at the sky! At the horizon's end, three tiny black dots were approaching at amazing speed, that speed, carrying demonic aura, like dark clouds pressing down!
"It is Shadow Snake Pavilion's pursuers! At least three Foundation Establishment levels!" Mu Qingfeng cried out in alarm, his face greatly changing. They came too fast, and launching with three Foundation Establishment immediately showed they were determined to succeed!
"Form formation! Protect the villagers!" Liu Yun shouted the order, instantly drawing her sword, icy sword energy soaring skyward. Chen Feng and Lin Wan also immediately reacted, quickly directing panicked villagers to gather toward the center while activating several formation flags they carried, setting up a simple defensive light barrier. Xiao Qi also stood up from the ox cart, disregarding the intense pain in his arms, gripping the wok in his hand, his gaze resolute. He knew the true test of life and death had arrived.
The three black dots quickly enlarged into three cultivators stepping on black clouds, wearing Shadow Snake Pavilion attire. The leader's aura reached Foundation Establishment late stage, his face sinister, gaze like a venomous snake sweeping the group below, finally fixing on Liu Yun, or rather, the sealed jade slip in her bosom.
"Hand over the jade slip, and I will leave your bodies intact!" The sinister cultivator's voice was hoarse, carrying killing intent that brooked no argument.
"In your dreams!" Liu Yun's response was only two ice-cold words.
"Kill!" The sinister cultivator did not waste words, waving his hand; the two Foundation Establishment middle stage cultivators behind him like hawks diving, carrying immense demonic energy, directly descended!
"Senior Brother Mu Qingfeng, you block the one on the left! Chen Feng, Lin Wan, maintain the formation! Xiao Qi, prioritize self-preservation!" Liu Yun's words came extremely fast as she issued orders, while becoming one with her sword, transforming into a brilliant ice rainbow, proactively facing the Foundation Establishment late stage and another Foundation Establishment middle stage! She knew this was a battle with vastly unequal strength; their only chance was to delay, waiting for a possible turn of events, or... waiting for sect reinforcements? But this place was still several hundred li from Clear Void Temple!
The great battle instantly erupted! The roar of sword light and demonic energy colliding, the glow of techniques exploding, instantly enveloped this fir forest. The simple defensive light barrier shook violently under the aftermath's impact, seemingly on the verge of collapse. Villagers trembled with fear, huddled together. Xiao Qi stood at the light barrier's edge, watching the intense and dangerous battle in the sky, his heart anxious. His arms could not exert force, spiritual energy also not smoothly circulating due to unhealed injuries; he absolutely could not participate in this level of battle. He hated his weakness so much for the first time.
Just as Liu Yun and Mu Qingfeng, under the siege of two Foundation Establishment middle stage and one Foundation Establishment late stage, were in a critical situation, the defensive light barrier also about to shatter — at this crucial moment —
Whoosh!
A clear, melodious sword cry, as if from beyond the Nine Heavens, came approaching from afar at extreme speed! A magnificent, like the sun, righteous and stern golden sword light, tore through the sky, hacking into the battle group with an utterly domineering posture!
"Which demons dare trespass in my Clear Void territory?" A steady voice filled with dignity, like thunder exploding in the air.
Feeling this familiar yet powerful aura, Liu Yun, Mu Qingfeng, and Xiao Qi on the ground, after an initial startled pause, simultaneously burst out with ecstatic joy! "It is Senior Uncle Xuanxu!"
The golden sword light dispersed, revealing a middle-aged Taoist priest wearing a blue Taoist robe, with ancient, simple features and sharp eyes like swords. He stood on empty space, his entire body emanating Golden Core stage massive spiritual pressure; merely standing there caused the three Shadow Snake Pavilion Foundation Establishment cultivators' faces to change dramatically, their attacks stopping abruptly!
Clear Void Temple Golden Core Elder, True Lord Xuanxu, had arrived just in time!