Chapter 41: The Sect Master’s Target

The promised battle between the Heavenly Twin Stars and the Sect Master of the Black Desolation Sect was finally underway.

The disciples of the Black Desolation Sect had expected an intense battle, one where it would be difficult to determine who would emerge victorious.

At least, that was what they had expected.

Those who secretly watched the battle from a distance soon realized just how wrong they had been.

Of the Heavenly Twin Stars, only Ji Yan, the Sun Fairy, was fighting.

Yet, she alone was enough to overwhelm both Han Wuchang and the Great Elder, despite the two of them being at the Embryo Realm, a realm far above her own.

The disciples could only watch in admiration, cheering for her silently in their hearts.

Yes. That was how the disciples of the Black Desolation Sect were.

It wasn’t the Sect Master who earned their loyalty.

It was strength.

As long as someone was strong enough, they would naturally earn their respect.

Yet, there was one disciple who thought a little differently.

Ye Chen had heard that the twins were not much older than him, so how could they be this strong?

He stared at the battle, his blood gradually heating up.

He wanted to fight like that too.

Without saying a word, Ye Chen quietly made the twins his targets to surpass.

Then, just as the battle continued, something suddenly changed.

Han Wuchang, who had been overwhelmed by Ji Yan, suddenly took out a blood-red flag.

The moment it appeared, a heavy aura of blood and killing intent spread across the battlefield, shaking the surrounding space.

"I beseech the predecessors to make their move!"

Han Wuchang’s shout rang out.

Dark blood seeped from the Black Desolation Banner, gathering in the air and gradually taking the shape of fierce-looking blood men.

Each one possessed the cultivation of the Embryo Realm.

More than ten Embryo Realm blood men appeared at once.

This was the true strength of the Black Desolation Sect, the very reason the surrounding sects feared it.

Ji Yan naturally showed no fear and immediately engaged them.

Even so, the sheer number of opponents made things difficult. They were not as strong as genuine Embryo Realm cultivators, but they still possessed the cultivation of that realm, and more than ten of them attacking at once was enough to put considerable pressure on her.

Finally able to catch his breath, Han Wuchang didn’t turn his attention toward Ji Yue as the Great Elder had.

Instead, he looked toward the inner sect and transmitted his voice to a group of core disciples there.

"I heard there’s an inner sect disciple those two bitches are close with. He’s currently in the Demonic Beast Garden. Go and bring him here."

The disciples hesitated for a moment.

Then Yu Cheng stepped forward.

An intense gleam flashed through his eyes as he made his way out of the inner sect. After seeing the dozen Embryo Realm blood men surrounding Ji Yan, the other disciples followed him as well.

Ji Yue, who had been casually deflecting the Great Elder’s attacks, naturally noticed their departure.

But she made no move to stop them.

They were only at the Golden Core Realm, with the strongest among them being at the Sixth Stage. They shouldn’t be a threat to Gu Yuan.

It was actually a good opportunity for him to gain some experience.

At least, that was what Ji Yue thought as she calmly continued watching the battle.

-----

Back in the Demonic Beast Garden, Gu Yuan and the others had already noticed the strange fluctuation that seemed to seep into the secret realm through the teleportation array.

The blood and killing aura were affecting the demonic beasts, and many of them had become berserk.

"Senior Brother, what should we do?"

"Well..." Lin Hao thought for a moment before saying, "We should go and see what’s happening outside first. Whatever caused these changes is coming from there."

Gu Yuan nodded.

He had no objections. Compared to staying here and fighting the countless demonic beasts that had suddenly gone berserk, checking what was happening outside was clearly the better choice.

That was the plan.

However, halfway there, they suddenly saw a group of core disciples coming out of the teleportation array and heading straight toward them.

Their intentions were clearly not peaceful.

Yu Cheng, who was leading the group, stopped in front of them. His gaze, which had initially been fixed on Gu Yuan, shifted toward Lin Hao.

"Brother Lin, we’ve been ordered to arrest the disciple Gu Yuan. You won’t interfere... right?"

Lin Hao remained silent.

He was already suspicious of the situation, and his gaze moved between Gu Yuan and the group in front of him before he tentatively asked, "What about the reason? Why are you doing this?"

Lin Hao had already sensed that something was wrong.

If possible, he didn’t want to abandon the friend he had made during this mission.

"I can’t say the reason, but these are the Sect Master’s orders."

At those words, Lin Hao’s expression changed. Gu Yuan, who had already shifted into a ready stance and prepared to unleash his strongest attack, felt his own expression change as well.

The Sect Master?

Then this was almost certainly because of those twins.

Gu Yuan silently cursed his luck. He was increasingly convinced that no peaceful life awaited him as long as he was tied to them.

He had only just become their Dao Companion, and already a group of Golden Core cultivators had come looking for him.

What would it be like later? Gu Yuan could only hope that things would become more peaceful by then.

"Brother Gu, I’m sorry."

Lin Hao suddenly apologized.

"No, it’s fine. It’s not your fault."

Gu Yuan shook his head and prepared to escape.

Yu Cheng noticed his movement and raised his hand, signaling the others to surround him.

But then Lin Hao went against the script.

Together with the women beside him, he suddenly attacked.

Caught off guard, two of the original six were heavily injured.

Lin Hao turned toward Gu Yuan and shouted, "Brother Gu, run! I can’t hold them for long!"

In truth, he could.

Even though Yu Cheng’s cultivation was higher than his, Lin Hao was confident in his own strength.

But he didn’t intend to let his women get injured just for Gu Yuan.

This was the most he could do for the friend he had made during this mission.

Gu Yuan was equally stunned by the sudden actions of Lin Hao’s group, but he quickly recovered and gave him a grateful nod.

Then he steered his leaf-shaped flying treasure away and made his escape.