Unlike Wang Xin's surprise, Lin Yong appeared silent at this moment. He slowly got up, walked step by step to Lin Kaiwei's corpse, and silently carried it on his back. Only then did he turn to Wang Junze and solemnly said, "Wang Junze, we're even now."

Patting his sister on the back, Wang Junze then turned his gaze to Lin Yong, and a hint of complex emotions inevitably appeared in his eyes.

Truthfully, Wang Junze never really trusted Lin Yong; even when Lin Yong accompanied him back to Broken Dragon Cliff earlier, Wang Junze hadn't fully trusted him. However, when he was hiding inside the Li Dragon just now, he clearly heard the conversation between Lin Yong and Lin Kaiwei.

Despite Lin Kaiwei having the upper hand, and with no one thinking that Wang Xin could turn the tables, Lin Yong still chose to risk his life, even if it meant being killed by Lin Kaiwei, to plead for Wang Xin.

No matter the result, Lin Yong had fulfilled his promise.

Thus, even though he had a deadly feud with the Lin Family, Wang Junze still felt grateful to Lin Yong.

This wasn't merely about settling scores; to some extent, Wang Junze felt he owed Lin Yong a favor.

However, under such circumstances, Wang Junze found that he couldn't say anything else. After several moments of silence, he slightly bowed, and facing Lin Yong, he announced, "Second Brother Lin, you have shown great righteousness. I owe you a favor, and no matter what in the future... Wang Junze acknowledges you as a friend."

"A friend?" With a hint of self-mockery on his lips, Lin Yong replied solemnly, "There's no need. You and the Lin Family are mortal enemies now. The next time we meet... There's no need for either of us to hold back."

After saying this, Lin Yong dragged his weary body, walking step by step up the mountain path towards Broken Dragon Cliff.

"Xin'er, come here."

After Lin Yong left, Han Ying suddenly spoke softly.

At this moment, Han Ying was in an extremely poor condition, her voice very weak, yet a gratifying smile remained on her face.

"Master, how are you?"

Hearing Han Ying's words, Wang Xin snapped out of his previous surprise and hurriedly ran to Han Ying, kneeling in front of her.

As if remembering something, a hint of pleading appeared in Wang Xin's eyes. He turned to Wang Junze and asked, "Brother, the Li Dragon Core? Please, give the core to Master to save her, okay?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Junze's eyes showed a hint of guilt, and for a moment, he couldn't answer.

"Brother..." Wang Xin couldn't help but speak again, but before she could finish, she was interrupted by Han Ying.

"Silly girl, don't you understand? Without the Li Dragon Core, your brother would have already died." With tenderness in her eyes, Han Ying struggled to reach out, gently placing her hand on Wang Xin's head, and explained softly.

Many things were too sudden earlier, and even Han Ying was a bit surprised. But once the crisis was resolved and she calmed down, it was easy to deduce the course of events.

Risking his life to slay the Li Dragon and then falling from a height of several hundred meters, Wang Junze was merely at the Condensing Truth stage. If he hadn't swallowed the Li Dragon Core, how could he have survived unscathed until now and even ambush Lin Kaiwei?

This is fate!

A single Li Dragon Core couldn't save two people. In that situation, Wang Junze could only choose to save himself. Otherwise, not only she but Wang Junze and Wang Xin would also undoubtedly die.

"Master!!!"

Upon hearing Han Ying's words, Wang Xin finally understood. But precisely because of this, she felt all the more painful, her voice choking up.

"Silly girl, why cry? Seeing you safe is already enough for me."

Han Ying said softly, "You have a good brother. Even if I'm no longer around, I can rest assured."

In this battle, Wang Junze's performance was truly astonishing. Without exaggeration, even in the entire Northern Domain, it would be difficult to find a prodigy more outstanding than Wang Junze. Especially now, with both the Profound Moon Sword Sect and the Judgment Department favoring him, no matter which path he chooses, he is bound to have a bright future.

With such a strong backer, even if she died, Wang Xin wouldn't be bullied in the sect.

After saying this, Han Ying's gaze fell on Wang Junze, and she said softly, "From now on, Xin'er is in your hands."

"Rest assured, Elder Han. Xin'er is my sister, and I will protect her with my life." Wang Junze bowed deeply to Han Ying and answered earnestly.

"Go, return to the city as soon as possible!"

Looking up at the sky, Han Ying softly instructed, "This battle has dragged on too long; the Deserters won't give up easily. Delay will bring changes... You must return quickly..."

Using the last of her strength, Han Ying breathed her last after finishing these words.

"Master!!!"

Watching Han Ying lower her head, Wang Xin couldn't help but let out a heart-wrenching cry.

Leaving home at twelve, for Wang Xin, this master was like family. In name, it was a master-disciple relationship, but in reality, her master was like a mother to her. For Wang Xin, who lost her mother at a young age, this was another heavy blow.

"Xin'er, take your master, and let's go!"

After letting Wang Xin cry for a while, Wang Junze lifted his sister up and spoke softly.

Though heartbroken, Wang Xin understood the gravity of the situation and naturally didn't delay any longer. She refused Wang Junze's help, carrying her master's body herself, and gritted her teeth as she followed Wang Junze step by step up the mountain path.

As for the Li Dragon's corpse, even without the Inner Core, it was still very valuable. But now Wang Junze definitely couldn't manage to drag the Li Dragon's body away, so he had to leave it, hoping to pass the news back to Jubei City and see if the Cloud Mirror Sect or the City Lord's Mansion could send someone to retrieve it.

Even so, it took the two nearly a quarter of an hour to climb up Broken Dragon Cliff.

Yet, almost the instant they left the cliff, the sound of footsteps suddenly echoed from afar!

Deserters!

And not just a few, but over a hundred!

Though Wang Junze and his group had repelled the Deserters' attack earlier, these Deserters hadn't been completely wiped out. After fleeing, they continued to wait for reinforcements and remained near Broken Dragon Cliff.

Later, some Deserters heard the Li Dragon's wailing, but they couldn't understand the situation and didn't dare to rashly enter the bottom of the cliff.

Now, with more Deserters arriving, they launched a full-scale attack on Broken Dragon Cliff, blocking Wang Junze and Wang Xin who had just ascended from the bottom.

Facing these Deserters, both Wang Junze and Wang Xin felt their hearts sink.

There were too many!

Facing the assault of over a hundred Deserters, in their current state, it was exceedingly difficult for the two to fight their way out. Moreover, it was uncertain if any strong individuals at the Refining God Realm were among these Deserters.

Having barely survived to escape from Broken Dragon Cliff, would they now die at the hands of these Deserters?

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