Chapter 495: Chapter 113: Cranes Fly Away Outside Qingcun Mountain (Part 2)_2
Huo Jinglan initially assumed that the Ganoderma Ancestor’s remains had been destroyed along with Dong Jinzi. He had been frustrated, but upon hearing this sound, his entire body shook. He turned his startled gaze to Zhang Yan; moments later, his eyes burned with fire, and he abruptly stood up, pointing at Zhang Yan and shouting, "Fellow disciples, don’t let this man escape!"
He Daoist, who was still suspended in the air, also heard the tolling bell. However, before he could investigate, the two women flying toward him let out a synchronized, sharp cry. Two Nascent Souls, glowing like radiant sunsets, leaped from their crown chakras. A surge of red light flowed like water, scattering peach blossoms in every direction. Amid the brilliant, flying flowers, a long rainbow streak shot across the azure sky, rapidly approaching the Array Gate. Before it could arrive, the air was already pierced by a barrage of enchanting crimson branches, shooting forth like lightning.
Daoist Qingyao and He Daoist were both taken aback. If those flower branches were allowed to sweep down, they would undoubtedly affect the Taihao Sect disciples gathered around the Array Gate. Neither dared to let them come closer. He Daoist immediately stepped forward, activated his Mysterious Skill, and released a cluster of white mist from his crown chakra. Supporting it, a faintly golden Nascent Soul appeared, shouldering a cane woven of vines.
This Nascent Soul stepped into the mist, raised its hand, and sent waves of rippling Clear Light to block the crimson rain of branches.
Daoist Qingyao also raised her horsetail whisk. From her altar gate, a Nascent Soul ascended.
The visage of this Nascent Soul resembled hers, emitting a brilliant white light. Around its body danced colorful threads, like petals falling in a courtyard, festive and radiant.
In the blink of an eye, the four Nascent Souls clashed together. Thunderous booms echoed across the sky as hundreds of light arcs intersected and collided. Cascading green energy and clouds of colorful radiance burst forth, dazzling everyone with explosive brilliance.
Witnessing such fierce combat between True Masters even for a single moment would leave one’s head spinning and their breath stagnated. The nearby cultivators didn’t dare to get close; all chose to retreat.
Meanwhile, Han Guzi remained seated and unmoving, unconcerned with the others. He had long locked his gaze onto Zhang Yan. As Zhang Yan emerged from beneath the Array Gate, Han Guzi’s lips curled into a cold, sinister smile. Raising his hand, he made a swift grabbing motion, summoning a cluster of Green Thunder into his palm. With a downward throw, a crackling roar erupted as a streak of thunderbolt struck.
Zhang Yan had intended to use the Small Movement Escape Technique after passing through the Array Gate, but upon sensing the incoming Thunder Radiance, he quickly activated a spell, releasing his two golden hammers to block in front of him.
A deafening, metallic blast resonated through the air as the Green Thunder struck the two golden hammers. One hammer quivered violently before being sent flying a hundred meters away in an instant.
Zhang Yan lifted his eyes and locked gazes with Han Guzi. Recognizing the old Daoist almost instantly, his heart skipped a beat.
Though Zhang Yan knew that Han Guzi’s Nascent Soul had been severed and his foundation ruined, leaving his powers on par with those of a Hua Dan Cultivator, he was still not someone Zhang Yan felt he could easily contend with.
Han Guzi’s beard trembled as he bellowed, "Li Yuanba, are you still not surrendering?"
Seated atop his Banana Leaf, Han Guzi waved his wide sleeves, sending torrents of Thunder Radiance cascading like a hailstorm directly toward Zhang Yan.
Zhang Yan saw the Thunder Radiance coming fast and dense, leaving him no time to cast a spell. As he prepared to evade, his gaze shifted, spotting Huo Jinglan maneuvering outside, blocking his escape route and watching him intently like a predator. On the other side, Senior Brother Qi, whom he had forced away earlier, was now returning with a grim face. Zhang Yan couldn’t help but seize the moment strategically—he feigned panic, dodging several bolts of Thunder Radiance before pretending to be cornered and allowing one strike to hit him directly.
Protected by Xiao Han’s Seven Star Treasure Robe, Zhang Yan felt only a faint numbing sensation from the Green Thunder’s blast without any real harm.
In an instant, Zhang Yan loosened his body, acting as if he’d lost consciousness, letting himself fall downward.
Unaware of Zhang Yan’s true situation, Huo Jinglan was overjoyed when he saw Han Guzi’s Thunder Radiance strike him. Thinking Zhang Yan was gravely injured, he quickly shouted, "Martial Uncle, cease your attack! This man possesses treasures that my Master requires; they must not be damaged. Let me retrieve them." With these words, he leaped up and darted forward.
His shout compelled Han Guzi not only to halt his attack but also forced Senior Brother Qi, who had been closing in, to pause.
Huo Jinglan dashed forward. Grabbing Zhang Yan’s shoulder, he intended to pull him up, then reached to take Zhang Yan’s Sleeve Bag.
But just as he extended his hand, he felt a sharp pain in his wrist—his arm was seized by Zhang Yan. Turning around with a mischievous smirk, Zhang Yan landed a sudden and fierce punch straight at Huo Jinglan.
Huo Jinglan instantly turned pale with shock, unable to react in time, as the punch thundered into his chest and abdomen. His ribs shattered, his organs ruptured, and blood spewed from his mouth as he collapsed unconscious.
Fortunately for Huo Jinglan, Zhang Yan still had uses for him and didn’t end his life immediately, grabbing him and tucking him under his arm.
Han Guzi, witnessing this, was infuriated and shouted, "How dare you, insolent junior!"
He had intended to send another barrage of Green Thunder to strike Zhang Yan down. However, with Huo Jinglan now in Zhang Yan’s grasp, his hands were tied. Though he raised his hand, he hesitated and ultimately stopped. His face twitched as he suddenly rose, reaching for the purple-red gourd hanging on his bamboo staff.
Though Zhang Yan didn’t know what the gourd was, he instinctively sensed it wasn’t something to be trifled with. Using this narrow opportunity, he didn’t hesitate to act. He quickly formed a hand seal and activated the Small Movement Escape Technique.
Just as Han Guzi had taken the purple-red gourd down but hadn’t yet wielded it, he saw a flash of light before his eyes—Zhang Yan vanished without a trace.
Han Guzi froze momentarily, scanning his surroundings before spotting a distant black speck. Enraged, he let out a sharp howl and transformed into tunneling light, giving chase.
Zhang Yan glanced back and saw Han Guzi closing in fast. He smirked faintly and tightened his grip, instantly killing Huo Jinglan. He then casually tossed the body aside and drew a wisp of Essence Qi from his Golden Core, repeatedly deploying the technique within mere breaths.
Han Guzi watched as Zhang Yan’s tunneling light streaked across the sky like a comet, each flash sending him further away. The gap between the two widened with every moment until Han Guzi could only watch helplessly as the glimmer of light disappeared into the distant horizon. Forced to stop, his body trembled with fury. Overwhelmed, he threw his head back and roared into the heavens, rage churning inside him until his throat tightened and a mouthful of fresh blood sprayed out.
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...(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, please visit Qidian () to cast your recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation.)