"Donât let him escape! His strength has diminished!"
Jiang Baishanâs eyes lit up, noticing something was off. This personâs state was unusual, and his Gang Qi was no longer as fierce as before.
His eyes were cold as he charged forward with his sword enwrapped in Gang Essence.
The presence of this person was mysterious, and his intentions had to be clarified. It was best to capture him, or it would be hard to sleep with such an unknown lurking around True Martial Sect.
Strike when the iron is hot.
The disciples of the True Martial Sect all understood this principle.
The Martial Arts practiced by several True Disciples originated from the same source. Though they hadnât reached the level of the âNine Great Celestial Beings battling the Martial Saint,â they managed to suppress the weakened Tie Long together.
Tie Longâs fury surged to the heavens.
If not for suffering backlash from the Unity Gu and having no intention to engage in battle, how could he be humiliated by these True Martial Sect brats?
At this moment.
With Tie Ying already dead in the Scripture Pavilion, he couldnât bother to hide his Ultimate Skill.
With a swift strike.
Gang Qi roared like a dragon, ferociously crashing towards Ye Qinghe with formidable force.
Jiang Baishanâs expression changed as he immediately dodged and landed before the furious dragon Gang Qi, finally shattering it with sword Qi like rain.
Xiong Shi recognized Tie Longâs identity and shouted angrily:
"River Overturn Dragon! Youâre the River Overturn Dragon of the Iron Ridge Three Fierce!"
With those words.
Everyone was taken by surprise.
The Iron Ridge Three Fierce had a well-known reputation, which they were familiar with, but what truly alarmed them was not individual strength, but the fact that the three were inseparable, implying that three Gang Essence Realm experts had invaded True Martial Mountain.
At this thought, everyoneâs hearts pounded, their expressions cautious as they glanced around, not daring to pursue.
Seizing the opportunity.
Tie Long quickly increased the distance.
He coldly glanced at Jiang Baishan and the others, not uttering a word.
At this moment.
A stout figure shot from afar, growling low:
"Boss, Iâm here to support you. How did second brother die?"
His eyes were crimson red, like a fierce beast, instantly revealing his identity as Walking Tiger Tie Hu to the True Martial Sect members, but his words left everyone in shock.
The second of the Iron Ridge Three Fierce, Flying Heaven Eagle, was dead?
Tie Long shouted in anger:
"You fool, we were set up, hurry and leave!"
Without explaining further.
He dashed towards the mountainâs base first-hand, leaving the newcomer Tie Hu momentarily stunned. He unwillingly looked into the distance, then stomped his foot and turned to leave.
The True Martial Sect members dared not act recklessly.
Who knows if Flying Heaven Eagle is truly dead? If it were a trap, pursuing would be walking into their hands, and even if he is really dead, the remaining two Gang Essence Realm figures arenât ones they could chase.
Tie Long and Tie Hu sped through the forest, and only when they were very far away did Tie Long stop, panting.
"Damn it!"
He struck a tree hard with his fist, leaving a hole.
Tie Hu, unconvinced, murmured:
"Boss, whatâs going on? With just those brats just now, what do we have to fear? How did second brother really die?"
Tie Long turned his head, speaking fiercely:
"Weâve been tricked by that Wang, True Martial Sect doesnât only have Jiang Baishan at Gang Essence Realmâthere are likely hidden masters!"
"I attracted everyoneâs attention earlier, while second brother snuck into the Scripture Pavilion amidst the chaos. But after a short while, the Unity Gu started backlashing, do you know what this implies? Second brother was easily killed by that hidden master!"
"I even suspect that the person might be Taoist Longshan, who hasnât truly secluded himself. He might be fishing for people using this opportunity!"
Understanding the situation, Tie Huâs pupils contracted sharply, yet he hesitated:
"It canât be Taoist Longshan, right? Otherwise, we couldnât have possibly left so smoothly. The hidden master didnât pursue, so perhaps... that person isnât so strong, and maybe second brother was just careless?"
Tie Long pondered deeply, realizing Tie Hu made some sense - he was indeed overly cautious. However, he quickly added:
"Even if itâs not Taoist Longshan, that hidden person is absolutely not simple. Second brother acts cautiously and wouldnât be easily deceived."
"Regardless, todayâs matter ends here. Now that our identities are exposed, we must immediately leave Qing State, or Taoist Longshan might come for revenge, and we wouldnât be able to withstand it!"
Tie Hu was entirely reluctant, looking toward the mountain:
"But my Dominating Tiger True Intent Painting..."
Tie Long reprimanded:
"Donât let minor details ruin major plans. Going back now would be walking into a trap!"
Tie Hu fell silent.
Tie Long patted Tie Huâs shoulder, comforting him:
"Hu, from now on, itâll just be us. I assure you, this wonât end here. Letâs lay low in another state for a few years. Revenge can wait ten years for a gentleman. When we break through to the Jade Liquid Realm or even Primordial Core Realm, we will come back for second brotherâs revenge!"
Tie Hu replied, somewhat gruffly:
"Yes, big brother."
But he felt somewhat uneasy inside; if it had been his big brotherâs Furious Dragon True Intent Painting that was lost, he might not have been so rational, as, in the end, it wasnât his own loss. He scratched his back, feeling the raised pattern, growing somewhat irritable.
The two rested for a while, then gradually disappeared into the distance.
...
Meanwhile, at the True Martial Sect Martial Arts Arena.
Jiang Baishan and Xiong Shi, among others, remained vigilant. The firelight illuminated everything around to ensure enemies wouldnât ambush them unnoticed.
"Why did the Iron Ridge Three Fierce suddenly attack our True Martial Sect?"
"Those two earlier should have been River Overturn Dragon Tie Long and Walking Tiger Tie Hu. The third wasnât seen; could Flying Heaven Eagle Tie Ying really be dead? If so, who killed him?"
Numerous questions filled everyoneâs minds.
As Ning Qi approached the Martial Arts Arena, he managed to discern the invadersâ identities from the disciplesâ whispered discussions.
"Iron Ridge Three Fierce? Could it be that the one I killed earlier was Flying Heaven Eagle?"
Ning Qi pondered.
"Should I go down the mountain to pursue them and capture them all?"
This thought arose, but Ning Qi quickly dismissed it.
It was uncertain whether the intruders were only the Iron Ridge Three Fierce. Pursuing now might leave others to strike while he was away, leading to regret. Itâs better to stay on the mountain to protect everyone.
Moreover, chasing them in the dark forest at night might not end well. If they fell into an ambush, it would be troublesome.
Ning Qi, adjusting his form with the Body Shifting and Bone Changing Skill, returned to his original appearance and stepped forward.
Ye Qinghe immediately noticed Ning Qi approaching with a sword on his back.
"Jiu, why did you come here?" she reproached. "With bandits attacking, how can you wander around? If you encounter them, it would be disastrous!"
Ning Qi softly replied:
"I heard the commotion and wanted to help the senior brothers and sisters."
Everyone felt relieved, but still said:
"If this happens again, Jiu, you should stay hidden. Leave the rest to us."
Though they all knew Ning Qi was exceptionally gifted, beyond his peers, he was still young, and this level of battle might be too much for him to handle.
While everyone remained on guard.
A distant voice from a disciple called out:
"Second senior brother, third senior sister, traces of battle were found here, along with a body!"
Upon hearing this.
Everyoneâs spirits lifted.