As Yun Lang finished dealing with all the Wang family retainers, he sensed another unusual presence.
It was an incredibly powerful oppressive aura, rushing towards him at extreme speed.
Yun Lang couldn't help but think of the signal flare the Wang family retainers had just fired, likely to lure this person.
The ninth level of the Foundation Establishment realm… no, at least the first level of the Golden Core realm, could give Yun Lang such immense pressure!
Even though Yun Lang had faced countless life-or-death battles in the underground arena before, he had never experienced such a powerful oppressive aura!
The Golden Core realm!
Apart from his master Lin Ru Xue, Yun Lang hadn't encountered a cultivator beyond the Foundation Establishment realm for a long time.
Despite his efforts to remain humble and patient during his battles in the underground arena, he had inevitably become somewhat complacent.
Yun Lang had assumed he could handle any kind of fight, but in that very moment, he remembered that there were still countless powerful beings in this world!
And he, at present, was merely a Foundation Establishment realm cultivator at the very bottom!
Yun Lang was filled with regret, realizing that his recent impulsiveness had led to this predicament.
"Boom…" Yun Lang leaped up, landing on a large tree again, and scooped up the still oblivious Zhao Wan Er, then fled into the distance.
The Golden Core realm expert was likely rushing from afar. To avoid encountering him as much as possible, Yun Lang could only change direction and head towards Xuyang City.
"Benefactor… can I open my eyes now?" Zhao Wan Er asked softly.
She could feel Yun Lang's heart pounding rapidly. Even while holding her, Yun Lang's speed hadn't diminished at all. The wind whistled past her ears. Even if Yun Lang said nothing, Zhao Wan Er could sense an inexplicable tension.
She instinctively tightened her grip around Yun Lang's neck, as if that would bring her some peace of mind.
"No… wait, you can open them." Yun Lang's voice seemed somewhat indistinct amidst the rush of wind.
Zhao Wan Er cautiously opened her eyes, only to find that there was surprisingly no terrifying sight before her.
However, hearing Yun Lang's somewhat hurried breathing, she felt that perhaps it was just not yet time for the terrifying events.
"If we encounter danger later, don't mind me, just run yourself."
"Their target is me; they won't bother you. But you shouldn't run towards Xuyang City anymore, run in another direction. You cannot go back to Xuyang City!" Yun Lang instructed Zhao Wan Er.
Although things between Zhao Wan Er and the young master Wang hadn't escalated due to Yun Lang's intervention, it was hard to guarantee what the Wang family might do after the young master Wang's demise.
Moreover, Xuyang City was too vast. For a frail young woman like Zhao Wan Er, if she didn't want to rely on others, a small village with simple folk would be a more suitable place to live.
Zhao Wan Er hadn't expected Yun Lang to give her such instructions, and she immediately panicked. She was already nervous under the tense atmosphere, and hearing Yun Lang's words, she began to cry out of anxiety.
Her beautiful eyes were instantly filled with tears.
"Bene… Benefactor, I'm not leaving! I won't leave you!" Zhao Wan Er said, clinging tightly to Yun Lang's neck, unwilling to let go.
"Listen to me, run by yourself. If you stay with me, you'll only hinder me." Yun Lang was already somewhat flustered trying to find an escape route, and now he had to distract himself by coaxing Zhao Wan Er, making him incredibly busy.
Just as Yun Lang was overwhelmed, a sinister voice echoed, clear as if it were right beside them!
"Truly touching. No wonder you're willing to offend the Wang family for such a little thing!"
This must be the "Mr. Xu" mentioned by the Wang family retainer earlier. Hearing his voice, Yun Lang broke out in a cold sweat.
When Mr. Xu was at a distance, the pressure he exerted was even greater. Now that they were closer, he had vanished like a ghost, his presence undetectable.
"Run!"
Yun Lang shouted, forcefully throwing Zhao Wan Er away while being thrown back himself by inertia.
Although Yun Lang's throw appeared to use his full strength, it actually contained his spiritual energy. As Zhao Wan Er landed, she was enveloped by a gentle spiritual force, preventing any impact.
Meanwhile, Yun Lang, disregarding Zhao Wan Er's situation, turned to engage the so-called Mr. Xu.
The man named Xu was quite slender. Despite being a male, he was as thin as a frame, wearing a jet-black robe that seemed to hang loosely on him.
No wonder his voice had sounded so sinister earlier. Now, looking at Mr. Xu's appearance, he was indeed like a specter!
"Heh heh, don't be scared. I'll deal with you first, and then I'll take that little girl with me," Mr. Xu grinned.
The aura of a Golden Core realm expert was released, and Yun Lang felt a powerful pressure descend upon him like a dark cloud.
He had underestimated Mr. Xu. This level of power was likely not just the first level of the Golden Core realm, but possibly the third level!
Currently, Yun Lang's overall strength was only at the first level of the Foundation Establishment realm, a difference of more than one full realm from Mr. Xu.
Under the immense pressure, Yun Lang felt his heart rate accelerate.
"Detected: Host is experiencing immense pressure, heart is continuously strengthening. Distance to next upgrade: 4/20 times."
The system's voice echoed in Yun Lang's mind, but he had no time to spare. He felt his temples throbbing, and vast amounts of spiritual energy surged into his body.
"Urgh…" Even the resilient Yun Lang couldn't help but let out a groan of pain.
The pressure his meridians were enduring at this moment was unimaginable to ordinary people, accompanied by immense agony!
"Strange, how is he still able to move?" Mr. Xu floated over, scrutinizing Yun Lang's condition, finding it peculiar.
The difference in their strength was more than one realm. Under his aura, Yun Lang should have shown absolute submission. Yet, his body was still contorting, clearly resisting the pressure!
How could he resist a full realm of spiritual energy?
"Ah!" Yun Lang's eyes turned red. He roared, and vast spiritual energy erupted from his body, increasing his power manifold in an instant.
"Primordial Fist Technique!"
Yun Lang shouted again. His fists pulsed, and the approaching Mr. Xu, who had been observing Yun Lang closely, was struck by this terrifying power. He immediately vomited blood uncontrollably.