Lu Rui sneered, "No need for your concern. Even if I die, it's better than living like a groveling slave like you."
"Hmph! Sharp-tongued. I'd like to see who can save you. You're helping that useless Fan Lin, can he save you? I'm afraid he's like a clay Buddha crossing the river, unable to save himself. Perhaps he's already been killed by True Disciple Lei of Tianyi Sect," Yuan Hongsheng said triumphantly.
"Choose as you please. However, I've already given you a chance to apologize. When you're truly in dire straits and come begging me for help, I'll have to ask for something in return."
Yuan Hongsheng looked at Lu Rui's cold and beautiful face, and her mature, curvaceous body beneath the silver battle armor, a wicked smile playing on his lips.
Lu Rui was so angry her body trembled slightly.
Just then.
A voice suddenly echoed in her mind.
"Lu Rui, what's going on?"
Hearing this voice, Lu Rui's delicate body trembled.
"Fan Lin! Where are you?"
"I'm within the formation restrictions of the divine path."
"What? You're the one who entered the Dragon Hall ahead of us! Weren't you being chased by True Disciple Lei?" Lu Rui was greatly shocked, countless questions flooding her mind.
"True Disciple Lei has already been suppressed and refined into a puppet by me," Ling Fan said calmly.
Lu Rui was shocked again!
That was a half-step sixth-tier Xuan Emperor.
Even she was no match for him.
How did Ling Fan achieve this?
Her doubts grew more and more.
"I'll explain these matters to you later. First, tell me about your current situation."
Lu Rui recounted how the three True Disciples of Tianyi Sect were forcing them to be cannon fodder.
Ling Fan sneered, "Heh, well said, Yuan Hongsheng, whose servile nature is hard to change. He's practically begging to recognize the people of Tianyi Sect as his father."
Lu Rui said, "Fan Lin, since you can traverse the divine path, don't worry about me. Hurry and get the Dragon Hall's treasures. There's a rogue cultivator behind us who also understands these ancient dragon restrictions."
Ling Fan remained silent.
His gaze fell upon the portal behind them.
After he refined that dragon flame.
The Demonic Fire Red Lotus had grown stronger, and along with it, the Heavenly Demon Eyes had also ascended, their pupil power becoming even more potent.
He saw that beneath the portal, powerful figures stood tall.
Among them, four figures were particularly terrifying.
"Heh, there are actually two sixth-tier Xuan Emperors and two half-step sixth-tier Xuan Emperors."
"What! Sixth-tier Xuan Emperors! Which two are they? That's impossible, how did I not notice?" Lu Rui exclaimed in surprise.
Ling Fan said calmly, "True Disciple Feng of Tianyi Sect has already advanced to the sixth-tier Xuan Emperor, though he is currently hiding his strength. Furthermore, True Disciple Dian and True Disciple Yu, both of them should have attempted tribulation transcendence. Although they didn't succeed, they have accumulated immense power and are closer to the sixth-tier Xuan Emperor."
Lu Rui asked, "Didn't you say there was another sixth-tier Xuan Emperor? Could it be that someone among the geniuses of Night Demon Mountain, Carefree Sect, or Spirit Sea Sect has also broken through to the sixth-tier Xuan Emperor?"
"It's not these people."
Ling Fan said, "It's that black-robed rogue cultivator."
"What, it's him! He's actually a sixth-tier Xuan Emperor! He's been hiding so deeply. He's the one who understands the ancient dragon restrictions."
"Is that so? It seems this person is likely related to the dragon race, perhaps even a strong individual infiltrated from the Heavenly Dragon Realm," Ling Fan mused.
He pondered, "Two sixth-tier Xuan Emperors, two half-step sixth-tier Xuan Emperors, and over ten top-tier True Disciple geniuses from various sects. With my current strength, I can at most deal with one sixth-tier Xuan Emperor before I'm exhausted. It seems I can't confront them directly; I'll have to use some strategy and tactics."
He thought for a moment and looked at Yuan Hongsheng and the other two not far behind Lu Rui.
Suddenly, a plan struck him.
"Lu Rui, listen to me..."
Ling Fan's voice echoed in Lu Rui's mind, instructing her in detail.
"Go this way."
"Then go this way."
"Don't go there, go this way."
...
Ling Fan began to guide Lu Rui.
"Doesn't that seem dangerous?"
"Indeed, there is a terrifying restriction there, but don't worry, I will temporarily disable it. Just keep going."
"Okay!"
...
With Ling Fan's guidance.
Lu Rui's speed suddenly increased.
Yuan Hongsheng and Mo Fei behind them were startled.
Mo Fei couldn't help but exclaim, "What's going on! She's moving so fast, does she not want to live anymore!"
Mei Zhenzhen said, "Lu Rui has already gone so far and seems safe, without triggering any restrictions."
Yuan Hongsheng frowned, "Could her luck be this good?"
"Remember the route she took. Mo Fei, go and try it, and you'll know," Yuan Hongsheng instructed.
"Ah!"
Mo Fei cried out.
He was somewhat apprehensive.
"If anything dangerous happens, you must save me quickly!" Mo Fei nervously followed the path Lu Rui had taken.
He walked a certain distance along it.
Surprisingly, no danger erupted.
Mo Fei's heart, which had been in his throat, finally settled.
"It's really safe! Hurry and come over."
Thus.
The three of them followed Lu Rui, not too close, not too far.
They also covered a considerable distance.
At the very rear.
True Disciple Feng, with his hands behind his back, said mockingly, "These four cannon fodder are quite lucky to still be alive."
"This luck is indeed a bit too excessive," True Disciple Yu remarked.
"Could there be a trap inside?" True Disciple Dian wondered.
"Regardless of whether it's genuine good luck or a trap, as long as it proves the route they took is safe, what kind of storm can a few wastes from Qingxuan Sect stir up?" True Disciple Feng said arrogantly.
The black-robed rogue cultivator remained silent, his thoughts unknown.
...
"Senior Brother Yuan, if this continues, if we just follow Lu Rui, we might be able to pass the divine path!" Mo Fei said, suppressing his excitement.
"I'm also seeing a glimmer of hope!" Yuan Hongsheng couldn't hide his excitement either.
"Then... should we tell the people from Tianyi Sect and let them come over? If we tell them, we might only get a small share. What if we keep it all for ourselves..."
Mo Fei said.
It was impossible for Yuan Hongsheng not to be tempted.
But the thought of the behemoth that was Tianyi Sect made him feel intimidated.
In the end, he restrained himself and said, "We can't afford to offend Tianyi Sect. It's better to inform them. We need to be alive to enjoy opportunities and treasures, so a smaller share is fine!"
Saying this.
He took out a strange talisman artifact, infused a wisp of divine sense into it, and it vanished.
"Keep following Lu Rui, don't lose her."
...
"The fish have taken the bait,呵呵."
The mark of the Heavenly Demon Eyes in Ling Fan's eyes flashed with an eerie light.
"Lu Rui, first follow the route I gave you and rendezvous with Long Xuan."
"And you?"
Lu Rui asked.
"Me? I'll naturally stay behind and deal with all of them, so they don't disturb me when I collect treasures later."
Ling Fan said calmly.
Lu Rui was shocked and said, "Are you crazy! Fan Lin, I admit you have incredible methods and are deeply hidden, but have you thought this through? There are two sixth-tier Xuan Emperors and so many prodigies. How many nails can you hammer with your whole body? Can you handle them all? I'll stay and help you."
"Can you help me deal with a sixth-tier Xuan Emperor?"
Ling Fan chuckled.
Lu Rui immediately fell silent.