Regardless of others' shock, An Wuzhi seemed to have other thoughts. He quietly tugged at Tong Mingshan's sleeve, nodded toward Dongguo Shou's movements, and whispered, "Why not borrow some ideas from your 'True Escape Light Technique'?"

Tong Mingshan nodded slightly; there was no need for reminders as he was already so captivated that he had grasped some insight. When used well, speed can also become a weapon to suppress opponents, wasn't the speed advantage Dongguo Shou displayed before their eyes exactly that kind of suppression?

He began secretly speculating on corresponding adjustments to his own cultivation technique.

Suspended mid-air, Li Hongjiu also looked grave and suddenly turned his head to them, saying, "If we don't leave now, when will we? You leave first!"

He had only watched the battle briefly before realizing that, as it stood, there was no way he could compete with Dongguo Shou. Without the help of the right environment, there's a chance he might not win against any of the three people, seeing today showed him clearly that these top sects' reputations in the cultivation world were no exaggeration—they were indeed extraordinary.

Witnessing today, he truly understood why the Master was so heartbroken over his lax cultivation efforts.

"What do you mean we go first, let's go together!" Wu Jinliang shouted, raising his arm.

Li Hongjiu felt helpless. He wished to leave, but given Luo Que's current predicament and his senior brother Ming Chaofeng being the Nanshan Team's commander, how could he leave?

If something truly happened to Luo Que, the Little Xuan Sect wasn't just any small sect. If caught by them, held accountable, someone would have to take responsibility, whether it be his senior brother or his sect.

Especially since he would be running with people from other teams, how would it look if he left Luo Que to die? When the time comes, Little Xuan Sect wouldn't let him go.

Leaving to join the battle—regardless of whether they could defeat Dongguo Shou—would be best if Mingshan Sect's people left first.

At this time, Dongguo Shou's voice also came through, "Leave, can he still leave?"

As he spoke, he suddenly appeared in front of Wu Jinliang, nearly startling him. But then he turned his head and disappeared again, reappearing beside Luo Que, continuing the suppression.

A blatant show of strength!

This act was no less than telling them that even if there was another Li Hongjiu, he would still have the strength to stop them. If he did not wish for someone to leave, none would leave!

The group's expressions changed dramatically, looking at each other, and Wu Jinliang swallowed dryly, loudly proclaiming, "Mr. Dongguo, we're all in the same team. The Xuanji Token Master's daughter is here too. Give us face and let us leave, how about that?"

Mulan Qingqing rolled her eyes upon hearing this, looking towards this shameless guy, wanting to ask him whether he asked her consent when saying such things.

Dongguo Shou's voice came again, "He can stay, you can leave if you want, I won't stop you."

Wu Jinliang made a face, not wanting to stand out among these masters, only wishing to turtle away alive for ten thousand years.

But no matter, Li Hongjiu couldn't handle it. He knew how crucial Li Hongjiu was to Shi Chun; otherwise, they wouldn't have risked so much to retrieve him before.

Thus, he shouted again, "He's our friend. For the sake of him getting so many tokens for our Heavenly Court Team, could you spare him this once?"

As he finished speaking, he sensed something was amiss, noticing the whirlwind beneath Li Hongjiu's feet becoming increasingly violent, seeming to threaten to sweep them away, and maintaining balance with spells became difficult.

The crowd immediately sensed something from Li Hongjiu's expression, with several people shouting in unison, "No!"

Dongguo Shou's voice came as well, "I know getting him before wasn't easy. If he hadn't attacked me just now, I might have listened to you and let him go. But since he has attacked me, then let him stay; if he can show skill to leave, that will also work!"

As he finished speaking, Li Hongjiu's figure was already sinking into the almost substantial whirlwind, pulling away into the sky, leaving a trail in the air, growing faster and faster, aimed straight at Luo Que.

Observing the battle, he knew that given the current situation, facing someone like Dongguo Shou, fighting was impossible. He aspired to wrap Luo Que in the wind, fleeing together at super speed.

Hoping the protecting wind would inhibit and delay Dongguo Shou's speed.

Mulan Qingqing, perceptive and keen, knew at a glance there was trouble, her expression changed dramatically, "Not good!"

The insight from her sect allowed her to understand that the Carefree Sect's divine skill 'Inch and Mile' was not what Li Hongjiu thought it was. The strong wind couldn't stop it, not even ordinary arrays could.

As expected, Dongguo Shou gave a cold glare, snorted, still wanting to see more of Li Hongjiu's prowess, hence didn't rush to act. But since the other was eager to court death, he couldn't be blamed.

He disappeared instantly from the original position, reappearing beside Li Hongjiu, striking with a palm.

The wind shifted around him; Li Hongjiu guessed what was happening, shocked, quickly raised his hand to cast a spell to counter.

However, Dongguo Shou's cultivation, the speed of his strike, was simply unmatched by his reaction speed. His reaction speed was inferior to the suppressed other two, compounded by the adversary's proximity and quick speed, it was all too unexpected.

Furthermore, he was still suffering from severe injuries, with blood previously almost drained, impacting every aspect considerably.

At this moment, he personally experienced the terrifying suppression faced by a disciple from the top Sect and the one known as the strongest below a Heavenly Immortal; no wonder these two were so utterly restrained and trapped in this area.

Is this the Divine Skill that can only be mastered in the Upper Heaven Immortal Realm?

Bang! With just a face-off, Li Hongjiu's figure was directly struck and sent flying, spitting blood amidst the whirlwind, his balance lost within it.

"Ah!"

Ming Chaofeng and Pu Gong from the Nanshan Team Command Center were both taken aback, neither expecting Li Hongjiu to be so inferior against Dongguo Shou, a disparity so great it was hard for them to grasp.

Having seen Luo Que in danger, they were hoping the junior brother would lend a hand, yet the outcome was entirely unexpected.

It wasn't just them; both Wei Mo from the East Victory Team and Niu Qian from the West Ox Team Command Centers were left speechless by the sight.

The fearsome figure who obliterated tens of thousands of their troops, injured Feng Yin heavily with a single move, and sent Yan Zhili fleeing wounded, was overthrown by Dongguo Shou in one strike.

This scene nearly shattered their inner morale; how could they fight Dongguo Shou now? They were at a loss about what to do in the final battle.

"..." The Mingshan Sect group was equally stunned.

Wu Jinliang even doubted whether Li Hongjiu was acting, considering Shi Chun had instructed Li Hongjiu earlier to only pretend to be injured and defeat him; however, one would know, with some sense, that getting killed is no play-acting, and if acting, it couldn't be done like this.

Unknown to him, Dongguo Shou, who landed a palm on Li Hongjiu, uttered a surprised 'huh'; he thought he could end Li Hongjiu with one palm but felt a strange lack of force when his palm met Li Hongjiu – a sensation of explosiveness not fully deploying.

Unable to ponder further, Luo Que and Su Jikuan were showing signs of wanting to escape, and he swiftly moved to attend to them.

"It's over."

Seeing Li Hongjiu swept by the wind, Wu Jinliang muttered, knowing they were powerless, knowing Li Hongjiu would surely die, desperate and inspirited, he urgently shouted, "Mr. Dongguo, don't blame me for not warning you, Li Hongjiu is a kin of your Sect Leader in Carefree Sect, a blood relative, don't act rashly!"

Dongguo Shou was about to dash over to end Li Hongjiu's life when he paused, his mind instinctively cautious, could it be true? Surely, he wouldn't have the guts to spout nonsense about the Sect Leader of Carefree Sect, the consequences weren't trivial.

This thought weighed heavily on his mind, keeping him from rashly delivering a lethal blow.

Hearing Wu Jinliang's voice, the heavily injured Li Hongjiu amidst the wind spat another mouthful of blood.

The people on the mountain all simultaneously looked at Wu Jinliang in shock; Li Hongjiu is a blood relative of the Sect Leader of Carefree Sect?

Suddenly, everyone realized that this might be the reason Shi Chun took such significant risk earlier to save Li Hongjiu.

Chu Jingtang couldn't help but ask, "A blood relative? The Sect Leader's illegitimate child?"

Wu Jinliang stomped his foot, muttering softly, "Bah, nonsense about relatives, it's just to save people."

"..." The group collectively fell silent, incredulous, wanting to know if such words could be spoken lightly, aware of the potential trouble it might bring upon themselves or Mingshan Sect; after all, the Sect Leader of Carefree Sect commanded respect from many high officials!

Wu Jinliang wasn't concerned about that but was anxious about the present moment; suddenly, he slapped his leg and exclaimed, "It's a pity the Sky Splitting Sword is in the Master's hands!"

Several gazes shifted toward him, all thinking it nonsensical; what if the sword was in hand? Who would dare use the Sky Splitting Sword against Dongguo Shou in public? They were allies in the same team with Dongguo Shou; killing him might lead to their own downfall.

Seeing Li Hongjiu still convoluted in the whirlwind with some movement, not dead yet, Wu Jinliang, driven by desperation, turned his eyes to Han Bao, considering the opponent's cultivation, grasping at straws, he pleaded, "Mr. Han, if not for Li Hongjiu, Miss Mulan would have been killed; you're high in cultivation, ought to repay the favor, quickly go save him."

"..." Mulan Qingqing was speechless, realizing the shamelessness of this big-eyed man, yet couldn't deny there's some truth to what he said.

The issue was Han Bao couldn't even beat Su Jikuan, how could he possibly defeat Dongguo Shou?

Han Bao, noticing she didn't refute, hesitated before saying, "Facing Dongguo Shou, I might protect myself, but can't stop him from killing Li Hongjiu."

This statement astonished many; he failed to beat Su Jikuan but claimed he could preserve in front of Dongguo Shou – was it not somewhat boastful?

Yet at this moment, a mass of flame suddenly lit up beside them.

Everyone turned and saw a dense flame gradually gather at Tong Mingshan's feet, slowly covering his body, unclear of his intention.

Tong Mingshan knew Shi Chun valued Li Hongjiu greatly; he took a deep breath, staring ahead, calmly saying, "Alright, Mr. Han, go save Li Hongjiu; I'll entangle Dongguo Shou!"

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