"How do you feel now, no more arrogance?"
As Lu Fan and the others were talking, Liu Haoran approached, a playful smirk on his face. He had been thoroughly humiliated by Lu Fan and his companions earlier and was now relishing the opportunity for revenge.
Lu Fan simply chuckled at his words. "You're just an ordinary disciple of the Taiyan Sect. You can't even defeat me, so what's there for you to be arrogant about?"
"You!"
Liu Haoran's face contorted with anger. Lu Fan's words had struck a nerve, filling him with a mix of emotions. Within the Taiyan Sect, he was unremarkable, and Lu Fan's taunts only amplified his sense of injustice.
"Your Sect Master has always desired my Taiyan Divine Step secret technique. If you secretly let us go, I can pass this technique to you!"
Lu Fan shrugged. "That way, you can present it to the Taiyan Sect Master, and you'll surely be highly valued!"
"Don't try to trick me!" Liu Haoran retorted coldly. "When the Sect Master demanded the secret technique just now, you refused to hand it over. Why would you give it to me instead?"
"If I were to hand it directly to the Taiyan Sect Master, he might silence me!" Lu Fan shrugged. "But if I give it to you, you can't do much to me, can you?"
"Is that true?"
Liu Haoran's expression turned serious. If he could obtain such a secret art and then present it to the Taiyan Sect Master, even letting Lu Fan and his companions go would likely earn him great favor. After all, this secret art was precisely what the Sect Master craved and his ultimate wish.
"Of course, it's true. I can swear to the heavens that as long as you let us leave, I will teach you the Taiyan secret technique!" Lu Fan said earnestly.
Liu Haoran nodded slightly. "In that case, when it's late and no one is around, I'll come and open the formation."
Lu Fan nodded in satisfaction, a hint of joy appearing on his face. This was indeed the best possible outcome.
"Are you really going to give him the secret technique?"
Liu Ruyan asked in surprise, looking at Lu Fan with confusion. Given Lu Fan's usual personality, he wouldn't act like this.
"Giving him the secret technique will save our lives!" Lu Fan shrugged. "Isn't that the best choice?"
Liu Ruyan was taken aback but said no more. However, he had a nagging feeling that things weren't as simple as they seemed. At least, in his opinion, Lu Fan wasn't someone who would easily suffer a loss.
When night fell and the surroundings were deserted, Liu Haoran prepared to head to the Purple Bamboo Forest. If he could indeed obtain the Taiyan secret technique beforehand and then present it to the Sect Master, he would have achieved a great feat.
After only a few steps, Liu Haoran saw a graceful figure approaching him, causing his heart to tighten.
"Junior Brother Haoran, why aren't you resting so late? Where are you headed?" Han Feixue asked, her gaze filled with curiosity as she looked at Liu Haoran.
"Just taking a stroll. Are you on duty tonight, Senior Sister Feixue?" Liu Haoran asked with a smile.
"Yes, the Sect Master assigned me guard duty, which is why it's so quiet tonight!" Han Feixue nodded. "If you have nothing else, Junior Brother Haoran, get some rest. The sect competition is in a few days, so you'll need to perform well then!"
"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister!"
Liu Haoran nodded. After waiting for a suitable moment, he finally reached the Purple Bamboo Forest and looked at Lu Fan solemnly. "I will release you now, but you must keep your promise!"
Lu Fan didn't hesitate and sent a beam of light directly towards Liu Haoran's forehead. Sensing the surge of energy, Liu Haoran's joy overflowed. He knew with certainty that this was the secret technique of the Taiyan Divine Step.
"This is only the first half. Once you let us out, I'll give you the second half!" Lu Fan stated frankly. "Since this is a transaction, you should show your sincerity. I believe I'm right?"
"Yes, of course, you're right!" Liu Haoran nodded repeatedly, his spiritual energy surging as he directly opened the barrier to the Purple Bamboo Forest. This was a rare opportunity, and he had no intention of missing it.
After leaving the Purple Bamboo Forest, Lu Fan turned to Princess North America and the others. "You all leave first. Since I promised to teach him the secret technique, I will not go back on my word!"
"Be careful then!" Liu Ruyan said softly before quickly leaping away, preparing to leave the area. If they didn't depart now, they might not be able to later.
After they had left, Liu Haoran looked at Lu Fan. "They've gone far enough. Hurry and tell me the second half!"
Lu Fan waved his hand, and a surge of spiritual energy flowed into Liu Haoran's body. Overjoyed to receive the latter half of the secret technique, Liu Haoran was ecstatic.
"Who's there!"
Just then, Han Feixue's voice rang out. Seeing Lu Fan's figure, her expression drastically changed. She clearly hadn't expected Lu Fan to be out.
Lu Fan said nothing, turning and striding away from the Taiyan Sect.
"Quick, chase!"
Han Feixue cried out in alarm, activating the sect's signal. In an instant, numerous powerful figures emerged throughout the Taiyan Sect, wondering what had happened.
"Senior Sister, don't worry. I've obtained the secret technique, so it's fine if they've left!" Liu Haoran declared confidently, a sense of joy evident in his voice. He was certain that the secret technique Lu Fan had given him was legitimate. Once he presented it to the Sect Master, he might even become a direct disciple, a prospect he had long yearned for.
"Junior Brother Haoran, are you losing your mind?" Han Feixue exclaimed angrily. "The Sect Master knows about this, and he will definitely hold you accountable for releasing them against his will!"
"Senior Sister, don't worry, I'll be fine!" Liu Haoran said with a confident smirk. If it were before, he might have been worried, but now he was brimming with confidence.
As they were talking, a figure arrived, radiating an imposing aura. This was none other than the Taiyan Sect Master.
"What's going on? Where are the people from the Purple Bamboo Forest?"
"This..."
Han Feixue stood frozen, too afraid to speak. It was his duty to guard tonight, and this incident meant he bore significant responsibility.
"Sect Master, I released them!" Liu Haoran stated proudly. "And I also obtained the Taiyan secret technique!"
"The Taiyan secret technique?"
The Taiyan Sect Master trembled and looked at Liu Haoran. The very existence of Lu Fan and his companions was tied to the Taiyan secret technique. If they possessed it, perhaps their presence was no longer a major concern.
"This Taiyan secret technique is in my mind. I will present it to the Sect Master right now!" Liu Haoran declared with conviction, preparing to write it down.
Seeing this, the Taiyan Sect Master's face lit up with joy. Obtaining the secret technique would be a momentous occasion for him. He hadn't expected Liu Haoran to be so capable as to acquire it from Lu Fan.
However, after writing for a long time, Liu Haoran hadn't produced a single character.
"What's wrong? Write it down!" the Taiyan Sect Master demanded, his voice laced with anger. If Liu Haoran couldn't write it, he wouldn't let him off so easily.
"For some reason, the secret technique is in my mind, but I can't remember a single word, nor can I write it down!" Liu Haoran stammered, his face turning pale.