"Young people daring to put themselves on the forefront requires immense courage. Kid, I was right about you."
Dongfang Ji patted Ren Yuanhao's shoulder. "Kid, come here for a moment. I have some things to tell you."
Everyone watched as Dongfang Ji and Ren Yuanhao walked towards the葫芦口 (húlu kǒu -葫芦 mouth) formed by the convergence of two stone walls, gradually disappearing into the dim light.
"Kid, this journey is fraught with peril. Are you truly prepared?"
Dongfang Ji's words seemed to carry a hint of unease.
"Grandma, please just say what you need to. Since I've made up my mind, I won't easily change it. Besides, my friends should be locked up there too."
Dongfang Ji hesitated for two seconds before continuing, "Kid, the first-rate combat power of the Chixiao Sect is undoubtedly their Sect Master. However, what I'm saying is, there are those who can contend with him."
Ren Yuanhao's spine chilled. He knew that if he encountered that old fox alone, he might not have absolute confidence in winning. He had already perceived the strength of a cultivator at the Foundation Establishment realm from the aura Dongfang Ji exuded last night.
At the very least, he felt that was a realm he, in his current state, could not comprehend.
"You mean, there's someone in the Blackwater Prison whose strength is almost comparable to the old fox?"
Ren Yuanhao deduced logically.
Dongfang Ji's subsequent words became somewhat strange, not only filled with deep fear but also with a subtle thread of emotion.
"That's right. That man was actually my former fiancé. Most of my cultivation was taught by him. If it weren't for his parents dying in a vendetta, causing his temperament to change drastically, he and I~"
Ren Yuanhao fell silent. Dongfang Ji suddenly became emotional. "If you encounter him, try not to mention my name. I fear it might remind him of painful memories and cause him to kill you. With your current abilities, surviving under him won't be difficult, but rescuing someone would be utterly impossible. However, that person is not controlled by the Chixiao Sect and his whereabouts are elusive. Perhaps he's not even in the Blackwater Prison at this moment."
"This is quite a gamble."
Ren Yuanhao couldn't help but scratch his head. He thought to himself, how unpredictable life is. He thought it would be difficult enough with just the old fox of the Chixiao Sect, but now there's Grandma's old flame, who seems to be in a rather unstable mental state. To spar with a madman, oh no, with a madman at the Foundation Establishment realm~
At this thought, Ren Yuanhao felt a tremor in his mind and a chill spread through his body, cold currents seeping into the back of his neck with the mountain wind entering the cave, like a knife cutting his skin.
"Don't worry too much. Perhaps that person died before this old woman, long turned to dust in his grave."
Dongfang Ji could only comfort Ren Yuanhao this way. In truth, she knew very well that once one reached the Foundation Establishment realm, living beyond a hundred years was easily achievable. However, how could a madman's lifespan be calculated by normal standards?
Ren Yuanhao nodded. The two then emerged from the darkness. The crowd gathered around, only to see Ji Fu and Yang Lingxue seemingly in a dispute.
"My dear little aunt, what's going on between you two?" Ren Yuanhao stood between them, like a river separating the Chu and Han territories.
Shen Lanní whispered, her expressionless face betraying nothing, "Miss Ji wants to go with you via the back mountain, and we disagree."
Upon hearing this, Ren Yuanhao secretly gave her a thumbs-up. He then looked at the indignant Ji Fu. "The back mountain is steep and precipitous, with who knows how many poisonous insects and snakes. I'll go alone. The resistance you face from the front won't be small either. Only if you can successfully tie down the main force can I wholeheartedly rescue the people. So, stop arguing. I'll go alone."
"But~"
Ji Fu stamped her foot, only to hear Dongfang Ji say, "The two of you should stay here at the main camp and protect the safety of the little girl Ye Lan. Little girl, you are the overall commander now, and we will all obey your dispatch. Is that clear?"
Ye Lan was not one to fool around. Although she was well aware of Ren Yuanhao's predicament, it was indeed as he said: only by tying down the enemy from the front could the rear operations be carried out smoothly. With a pincer attack from both sides, sowing confusion in their minds, they might be able to destroy the Chixiao Sect in one fell swoop.
"Yes, I will follow Grandma's instructions," Ye Lan said, cupping her hands.
"Hey, Ye Lan, why are you turning your elbow outward? You're just going to stay here?" Yang Lingxue stared intently at Ren Yuanhao. "Speaking of which, there are fifty to sixty of us here, at least ten or so ability users, and Grandma, who is as powerful as a deity. How can you bear to let him risk his life alone?"
"That's why I said I'll go with him, why won't you agree?" Ji Fu snorted, and the two seemed to be in a confrontation.
Yang Lingxue put her hands on her hips. "Fine, I have no objections at all. But we'll all go with you then. Don't think only you can disregard your life for him~ We~"
"Alright!" Ren Yuanhao's ears turned red. He knew they were considering his safety, but they were being too unruly. Thus, he could only raise his voice slightly. "I, Ren Yuanhao, have a resilient physique. I always manage to turn disaster into fortune. If you continue to argue like this, it will only give that old fox more time to think. Once our plan is exposed, getting up the mountain will be as difficult as reaching the heavens!"
Upon hearing the gravity of the situation, everyone fell silent, their voices hushed. After a moment of quiet, Ren Yuanhao softened his tone. "Lingxue, Ji Fu, I know you are considering me, but rescuing someone is not the same as fighting. The more people there are, the easier it is to be exposed. Besides, the seniors responsible for the frontal assault are already under considerable pressure. They are facing true cultivators, and even ability users. Even with Grandma, their pressure is not much less than mine."
As he spoke, Ye Lan had already connected the laptop and spare batteries. An extremely detailed cross-section map was magnified to show every minute detail.
"Sister Lingxue, now is not the time for arguments. It's almost 10 o'clock, the optimal time for the offensive."
At the same time, Ren Yuanhao attempted to comfort Yang Lingxue and ease her mind, but before his hand could reach her head, she brushed it away.
"Hmph, offering good intentions only to be met with ingratitude. I'll listen to you all."
Ji Fu and Yang Lingxue glared at each other and retreated to their respective groups.
"Alright, look, my map shows that the Chixiao Sect has a strict hierarchy. Within the sect, disciples with lower cultivation realms live closer to the main gate, and then gradually ascend. We have nearly fifty people. If we go in a single group, it will inevitably cause a huge commotion. Therefore, we will divide into teams of ten. Among them, Grandma will lead two to three of the strongest directly to the Sect Master's residence to capture the leader. The other four teams will绕行 (rào xíng - detour) the periphery. Each team must have an ability user as the leader. Once combat begins, do not linger in fights; only use branches or footsteps to create momentum and confuse the enemy."