Judging by the situation, things wouldn't be going well for the other side.

Even if they barely managed to fend off that Bipolar Heavenly Eagle, more trouble would be waiting for them next.

Lei Jun estimated the timing, thinking Zhang Jingzhen should have already made a move on her end.

......

*Zhang Jingzhen was puzzled who had helped her get out of trouble, but she had no other choices at the moment, so she could only use the opportunity to escape as quickly as possible, leaving the dangerous situation first before thinking further.*

She proceeded stealthily, quietly distancing herself from that stretch of mountains.

After traveling for a long while, having calculated that she was now outside the range where the Lin Clan's Elder with Seventh Heavenly Layer cultivation blocked divination, Zhang Jingzhen immediately contacted the Ancestral Courtyard of the Sect.

*Although she didn't want anyone to learn about her secret of leaving Red Mountain Manor to find a secluded place for cultivation, right now she could not keep it hidden any longer.*

*If she managed to escape safely tonight, news would soon spread from the Lin Clan's side anyway.*

*Besides, she still couldn't say she was truly safe now, so contacting the Sect as quickly as possible would be best.*

As one of the top young talents of Celestial Master Mansion today, Zhang Jingzhen had been ambushed by the Lin Clan while away from home, with even Lin Clan elites of the Upper Three Realms involved, so Dragon Tiger Mountain naturally would not dare take the matter lightly.

To be safe, not only did the Fifth Elder, Shangguan Ning, who was close to Zhang Jingzhen come in person, but also the Third Elder, Li Ziyang, joined in to prevent the Lin Clan experts from laying an ambush against reinforcements.

On the Sect's side, aside from Supreme Elder Li Song, there was also Yuan Mobai overseeing the Altar of Wanfa Sect, with Li Hongyu donned in her Celestial Master Robe, so they weren't worried about the Dragon Tiger Mountain's Main Residence being left unguarded.

Under these circumstances, that Lin Clan's Sixth Uncle would naturally be in deep trouble.

He had already been forced into a desperate situation by the Bipolar Heavenly Eagle, and now had to face two major enemies from Celestial Master Mansion.

Fortunately, the Bipolar Heavenly Eagle hadn't intended to keep teaming up with Shangguan Ning and Li Ziyang to continue attacking the earlier opponent.

This Great Demon might have been fierce, but it was relatively cautious, otherwise it wouldn't have kept quiet and hidden its aura in Tiansong Mountain earlier.

Once Shangguan Ning and Li Ziyang arrived, the Bipolar Heavenly Eagle instead raised its wings and soared, leaving the battlefield and flying toward the outskirts of the mountains.

Of the warring sides, it held the absolute advantage and initiative, and with its speed, it could leave whenever it wanted.

Seeing this, Shangguan Ning and Li Ziyang chose not to waste effort pursuing the Great Demon for now.

Their target was now locked on the Lin Clan's Elder, not giving him any chance to catch his breath.

At this point, Lin Clan's Sixth Uncle no longer had the strength to search for any surviving members among his kin, and immediately headed north, fleeing for his life.

Shangguan Ning and Li Ziyang, two high-level Elders of Dragon Tiger Mountain, chased him all the way, leaving him severely wounded.

If it hadn't been for another Lin Clan expert rushing to his aid, this Lin Chi, the elder of the Lin Family, most likely would've never made it back alive to the ancestral lands of Jiangzhou.

Even as the fight turned into a two-on-two, the two Lin Clan Elders still held no advantage.

Li Ziyang, trained in Thunder Law Heavenly Scripture Talismans.

Shangguan Ning, trained in Fire Dharma Earth Script Talisman.

The two high-level Elders of Dragon Tiger Mountain, one summoned the Yang Thunder Dragon and the other the Yin Fire Tiger—together unleashing the Celestial Master Mansion's top magical combination, the Dragon-Tiger Strike, inflicting heavy injuries on Lin Chi and the other rescuing Lin Clan Elder on the spot.

Lin Chi was only barely clinging to life, dragged away by his kin, and managed to escape back to Jiangzhou territory by a hair's breadth.

Only then did Li Ziyang and Shangguan Ning give up the chase.

They regrouped with Zhang Jingzhen, "So, did you manage to find that person?"

Zhang Jingzhen shook her head, "Nowhere in the surrounding mountains could I find any trace of that person. All I could figure out was that it involved some extraordinarily skilled magic or artifact rich in the Spiritual Nature of earth and stone, but as for the source of their Taoist heritage, I couldn't see through it, nor do I know why they'd want to save me."

Li Ziyang swept his gaze across the mountains, "If I recall, Jingzhen, you went to Red Mountain Manor's Red Abyss Cave Heaven for cultivation, didn't you?"

Zhang Jingzhen nodded, speaking openly, "During my cultivation, I became confused in my heart, so I traveled the lands to broaden my mind and spirit.

I hadn't expected to encounter such disaster, it was my carelessness that gave the Lin Clan an opening, and also disturbed Third Elder and Fifth Elder."

"It's not a big deal, after all, we have been old rivals for years. Cutting off one of their grasping claws this time is actually good for us."

Li Ziyang said slowly, "Looking at it this way, those disciples led by Disciple Zhenchang who were killed earlier, were probably victims of the Lin Clan too."

He left that topic for now, turning his eyes to the direction of Red Abyss Cave Heaven, "But as for that mysterious person who saved Jingzhen, who are they? And why wouldn't they show their real face?"

Shangguan Ning said, "Maybe they just happened upon injustice and lent a hand but don't wish to get entangled in our Sect's conflict with Jiangzhou."

Li Ziyang glanced at his Fifth Martial Sister.

*He was sure she had her own doubts, only she wasn't being fully honest at this moment and wouldn't respond directly to his comments.*

*This wasn't a very good sign.*

"With Great Demons running rampant here, I just hope that person doesn't get mixed up with them again." Li Ziyang laughed, "Or perhaps I'm just overthinking it; maybe it's all a coincidence."

The two took Zhang Jingzhen, heading back together to Dragon Tiger Mountain's Ancestral Courtyard of the Sect.

At Shangguan Ning's suggestion, Zhang Jingzhen accompanied her to the high-level Elder's private mansion.

"Chongshan, Master Yuan's disciple Lei Chongyun—Lei—if memory serves, he also went to Red Mountain Manor's Red Abyss Cave Heaven before."

Shangguan Ning instructed her primary disciple, Lin Shan, "Is Lei already back on the mountain?"

Lin Shan bowed and left.

Zhang Jingzhen said softly, "When I left Red Mountain Manor, Lei hadn't left yet."

Shangguan Ning nodded slightly.

Zhang Jingzhen asked, "Do you think it was him?"

Shangguan Ning said, "Lei might be getting brighter and brighter, but purely by his current cultivation strength, he's not quite there yet.

Even if he'd helped you escape, he wouldn't be able to remain completely undetected with so many eyes on you—not a trace left, not a hint of identity shown.

But, let's not jump to conclusions. Maybe Lei will surprise us again?"

Later, Lin Shan returned to deliver a report, "Master, someone in the Sect saw Lei return to the mountain just before midnight, heading to Master Yuan's cave mansion.

The news from Red Mountain Manor said Lei left there in the afternoon."

Zhang Jingzhen calculated the timing.

*With Lei Jun's current cultivation, if he didn't let anything distract him and hurried full speed, the timing could roughly line up.*

*And the period before and after Lei Jun's return, happened to match when that mysterious person helped her escape danger.*

*If the mysterious person was Lei Jun, he'd need to shake off all those Lin Clan members and then rush back as fast as he could, but the timing wouldn't add up.*

*But...*

*With Lei Jun's figure flashing in her mind, Zhang Jingzhen's suspicions were still unresolved.*

"Mm, Jingzhen, you should rest now," Shangguan Ning said, her tone ambiguous.

......

*Lin Shan's report was accurate—and inaccurate at the same time.*

In reality, Lei Jun had only just returned to the mountain.

Only, after leaving the area around Tiansong Mountain, where the Demonic Qi and evil miasma no longer obstructed the Spiritual Energy Veins, and with Lin Clan's Sixth Uncle Lin Chi no longer masking divination, Lei Jun had promptly contacted his master, Yuan Mobai.

Yuan Mobai oversaw the Altar of Wanfa Sect, and rarely left the mountain.

But being on the mountain, he could disguise and cover up for his own disciple.

Thus, it appeared that Lei Jun was already back at the mountain, though he was truly still outside.

And when Lei Jun really returned, his master Yuan Mobai also helped with a cover.

"Doing good without seeking fame, showing kindness without asking for reward."

The young man in purple regarded Lei Jun with a smile, "Chongyun, you truly carry the spirit of the righteous heroes of old."

Lei Jun replied solemnly, "This disciple just tries to follow Master's teachings. I still have much to improve, please guide me more, Master."

Yuan Mobai couldn't help but laugh and shake his head, "Alright then, keep forging ahead in cultivation—as long as your heart is steadfast, even if you catch people's eyes, it shouldn't trouble you.

In daily conduct, being more peaceful and practicing Serene Insight is no bad thing. As for the favor you did today, you may have a chance to repay Jingzhen someday."

Lei Jun said, "Whether or not favors are owed, just let things run their own course. Last night I was a bit reckless, and honestly, it wasn't all for Zhang's sake."

*Otherwise, he wouldn't have finished off those Lin Clan youths himself.*

*By his usual habits, drawing the worst lot meant he'd screw them over if he could; if they couldn't be killed, so be it.*

*Everything was just destiny's gift to everyone.*

*Master Lei himself wouldn't dirty his own hands.*

*Having made an exception this time, there was no way he'd step out and take credit for the deed.*

Yuan Mobai listened carefully and gave Lei Jun a serious look.

He still smiled, but his gaze grew solemn, "So it wasn't just about our Sect's old grudge with the Jiangzhou Lin Clan?"

Lei Jun answered frankly, "Not entirely."

Yuan Mobai nodded slightly, not saying more, but then laughed and said,

"Since you supposedly returned ahead of time and didn't know what happened overnight, you should go rest early."

Lei Jun laughed, "Yes, Master."

He then took his leave from Yuan Mobai and returned to his own residence.

Only now did Lei Jun finally have the time to carefully check his spoils from tonight.

Aside from the Southern Extreme Cold Iron, there was the odd crystal he'd gotten from a Lin Clan youth.

He loosened the earthen wrappings, revealing the crystal once more.

Lei Jun reached out, letting his own Mana touch the crystal.

In his mind arose a name,

[Soul Dispersion Essence]

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.