Zhou Xun heard the words and immediately sat up.

He took out the magical artifact, the Golden Cicada Mother-Child Blade, and held it in his hand.

Slowly, he crept towards the entrance of the cave.

Wang Erniu and his wife did the same, each taking out their artifacts, ready for battle at any moment.

They peeled away the dense vines at the entrance and looked towards the source of the commotion.

They saw more than a dozen cultivators searching along the mountainside.

"Hurry, search carefully. Don't let that little girl escape, she's a big catch!" A lewd voice, familiar to Zhou Xun, said.

"Wei Shangren!"

Zhou Xun frowned.

What a small world, why is he here.

He immediately concealed himself and continued to observe.

"One, two, three..."

There were eleven in total, four were Middle-Stage Qi Refining cultivators.

Wei Shangren's older brother, Wei Shangli, was among them.

Judging from their words, they were pursuing a woman here.

He immediately lowered his voice to ask Lin Xue'e beside him:

"Sister-in-law, are there any young women of high status in your family?"

Being called a "little girl," she couldn't be too old, and to cause Wei Shangren and many cultivators to chase her, her status must not be low.

"In our generation, apart from my cousin, there's only Fourteenth Uncle's daughter, but she's currently at the Spirit Medicine Pavilion in White Cloud Immortal City, not in Red Leaf Square!"

"Doesn't that mean my cousin also escaped to this place?" Lin Xue'e thought of this conclusion and immediately panicked.

"No, Erniu, big brother, we have to save her!"

"Lin Xue'e's cousin is none other than Lin Xueying!" Zhou Xun thought to himself.

What a coincidence, she also came here!

But now it was no longer a question of whether to rescue or not. With the way these cultivators were searching, they would soon find their hiding spot in this cave.

So regardless of whether he wanted to save anyone, he had no choice but to act!

The saying goes, strike first to gain the advantage!

Since he had to act, it was essential to find the right moment.

He then looked towards the Wang Erniu couple next to him.

One was Fourth-Layer Qi Refining, and the other was at the Peak of Third-Layer Qi Refining, coupled with the middle-grade artifacts in their hands, they were formidable.

In the short term, one could match two cultivators of the same rank without difficulty.

And the hidden Lin Family's eldest daughter was a Peak of Fifth-Layer Qi Refining cultivator. Even if injured, she could match a Middle-Stage Qi Refining cultivator.

With this calculation, as long as he took the initiative and killed a Middle-Stage Qi Refining cultivator while they were unprepared, their side wouldn't be too outmatched.

Fight and retreat, there's a good chance of escaping unscathed.

He then lifted his head and instructed:

"Erniu, sister-in-law, let's remain hidden. Once those searching get close, we'll strike together, kill a few, and then find your cousin to escape together!"

Upon hearing this, Wang Erniu and his wife looked hopeful, finding it a very viable plan. They nodded, gripping their artifacts, holding their breath by the cave entrance.

Below, the search party spread out in a line. Upon entering the forest, they grouped in pairs; one searched while the other held a half-enchanted artifact shield for defense.

Meanwhile, Wei Shangli and the other three Middle-Stage Qi Refining cultivators closely followed, supporting the frontline searchers.

The Lin Family's eldest daughter was a Peak of Fifth-Layer Qi Refining cultivator, equipped with fine artifacts.

In the previous pursuit, she counterattacked and killed several.

This search was to prevent further casualties if she suddenly attacked again.

So Wei Shangli proposed this plan.

Thus, leaving no room for error, once Lin Xueying was discovered, the four would surround her.

This plan was prudent and steady, demonstrating great composure.

However, it inadvertently disrupted Zhou Xun's plan.

"Big brother, what do we do?" Wang Erniu asked softly.

Zhou Xun saw this and felt troubled.

Four Middle-Stage Qi Refining cultivators supported each other, both offensive and defensive, making them tough to deal with. Even with his current strength, getting caught might mean no escape.

At this moment, the monkey-faced youth and the long-faced man were less than ten yards from the cave and would soon discover it!

The vines would not be enough to hide from them.

As he felt at a loss, he glanced at Lin Xue'e, and suddenly a plan formed in his mind.

He said:

"I have an idea, but sister-in-law might have to take some risks!"

"Big brother, just tell me!" Lin Xue'e replied without hesitation.

Beside her, Wang Erniu seemed concerned and quickly spoke:

"Big brother, how about I go?"

Zhou Xun shook his head:

"This can only be done by sister-in-law!" He then shared his plan.

Lin Xue'e looked very similar to Lin Xueying. Temporarily posing as Lin Xueying and running from the cave into the distance would draw their attention.

Once the four Qi Refining cultivators chased past the cave, Zhou Xun and Wang Erniu would ambush them from behind.

With the element of surprise, they would surely succeed in making a crucial hit.

However, this plan was somewhat risky for Lin Xue'e.

If all those cultivators attacked, Lin Xueying might face the risk of falling.

"Erniu, let me do it. Even hiding in the cave won't ensure safety, so it's better to fight!" Lin Xue'e made a quick decision, gave a brief instruction, and immediately dashed out.

The monkey-faced youth and the long-faced man were extremely tense as they carefully searched.

Suddenly, a white figure darted out ahead and ran into the distance.

They focused their gaze, realizing it was a woman, and she glanced back as she ran.

Looking closely, wasn't she the woman they were pursuing?

Without hesitation, they raised their half-enchanted artifact shield for complete protection.

Then shouted towards the back:

"I found her! I found the Lin Family's eldest daughter, she's running that way!"

No sooner had those words fallen than the four Middle-Stage Qi Refining cultivators and other searchers converged quickly.

They moved with speed, covering the distance in the blink of an eye.

In moments, several figures crossed past the side of the cave.

Due to the dense vines and their focus entirely on the distant white figure, none noticed Zhou Xun and his companion just a few yards away.

At that moment, the four Middle-Stage cultivators arrived at the spot and leapt forward.

"Now!" Zhou Xun's hand, held high for so long, dropped heavily.

He then activated the Golden Cicada Mother-Child Blade he held for a long time.

Two golden shadows streaked out, slicing through the vines at the cave entrance like lightning, cutting into the last Fifth-Layer Qi Refining square-faced middle-aged cultivator.

The two shadows connected seamlessly, piercing through the man's neck.

A slight pft sound.

The man's head flew high while his body continued forward, tumbling two yards before crashing heavily to the ground.

As Zhou Xun charged out, Wang Erniu was not slow, wielding an Eight-Sided Han Sword artifact, he fiercely struck a pockmarked face man nearby.

The man was caught off guard, without any defense, beheaded by Wang Erniu's sword, dying instantly.

Such a sudden change shocked the group opposite them.

"Who are you!"

At this time, Zhou Xun also emerged from the cave.

A handsome face appeared before them, Wei Shangren was shocked, and then gritted his teeth.

"Zhou Xun!"

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