Chapter 20: Surrounded

Junior Brother Bai Ming quickly vaulted over a large boulder. "As expected, cultivators from the Song family are scarce here in the Yuqing Sect. It will take time for them to gather, let alone find a way to enter the Yuqing Sect in large numbers."

It might work.

It was only an hour's journey to outside the city.

This Canglan City did not have a great formation like the Song family's; one leap would be enough to leave.

The Song family cultivators looked in the direction Junior Brother Bai Ming left, feeling somewhat annoyed. "Why did it have to be that place?"

Another cultivator arrived. "Brother Zhao, where did the thief go?"

Brother Zhao pointed with his hand. "We cannot wait any longer. Let us go in first."

"Alright."

The two flew toward the Yuqing Sect.

The cold night wind rustled. Junior Brother Bai Ming's hair scattered and drifted behind him, while the flames beneath his feet became the last light in this pitch-black land.

Several branches blocked his path, but Junior Brother Bai Ming passed through them nimbly, without pausing at all.

He navigated the outskirts of the Yuqing Sect's territory; he only had half the distance left before he could fully escape.

Once out of the Yuqing Sect, at full flight speed, half an hour would be enough to leave the city.

Junior Brother Bai Ming quickened his pace. He knew the Song family cultivators behind him were closing in; he had to use the Yuqing Sect's territory to escape as quickly as possible.

A figure in white stopped in front of him, blocking his path.

The young man in white smiled. "I wonder what urgent matter has caused you, fellow Daoist, to be in such a rush that you were forced to intrude upon our Yuqing Sect?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming stopped and cupped his hands in a salute. "I meant no offense; I am merely passing through. I hope you can understand, fellow Daoist."

By the moonlight, the young man in white finally saw Junior Brother Bai Ming's appearance. His figure was somewhat disheveled, but his handsome features were still visible.

The moonlight hit Junior Brother Bai Ming's clothes, revealing the patterns on them. The young man in white's eyes narrowed, and his expression shifted slightly.

Could this be that item from the Song family? To think such a person would use the cover of night to flee to our Yuqing Sect.

The young man in white's smile vanished. "Apologies, I…"

Before he could finish, Junior Brother Bai Ming struck out with a Fire Fist. The young man in white drew his sword with a clank to parry.

Quite decisive. It seems I must stop him.

The young man in white said, "Why don't we sit down and have a proper talk about where you got that piece of clothing?"

Tiny flames swirled around Junior Brother Bai Ming's eyes. His expression was calm, yet he circulated his spiritual energy to attack in a way that felt both like a first attempt and incredibly familiar.

Talk? Screw that! Anyone who blocks me must die!

Several fireballs appeared out of thin air beside Junior Brother Bai Ming, and the temperature of the surrounding air rose by several degrees.

His two Fire Fists struck the young man in white's sword recklessly, determined to beat it into a pile of scrap metal.

A heavy punch came hurtling toward him. The young man in white held his sword to block, then stumbled to the side.

Several fireballs seized the opportunity to strike, scorching the surroundings pitch black. The young man in white had to hold his sword with both hands, gathering spiritual energy to resist.

When the aftermath of the fireballs dissipated, there was no one left in front of the young man in white.

"Such technique and conviction… what on earth happened at the Song family?" The young man in white brushed the dust off his body, feeling somewhat curious.

Two Song family cultivators arrived. Upon seeing the young man in white, they frowned slightly.

"Are you here for that person?" The young man in white pondered for a moment. "What is his relationship with the Song family, and with Miss Song?"

The cultivator surnamed Zhao cupped his hands. "We do not know, but he must be someone who escaped from our Song family. We ask for your assistance, Senior Brother Xiao."

The young man in white sheathed his sword. "Very well."

A ball of flames appeared so bright in the dark night that even the bright moonlight seemed dim in comparison.

Junior Brother Bai Ming no longer suppressed the use of his spiritual energy; his legs were wrapped in raging flames as he ran at full speed.

"They didn't catch up. It seems they are entangled with the Song family cultivators. Using this gap, I can seize the chance to leave the Yuqing Sect's sphere of influence."

A ball of fire blasted away an obstacle in the distance, burning a large hole through the trees. Junior Brother Bai Ming went straight through; he had no time to dawdle.

When he was still a few kilometers away from leaving the Yuqing Sect's territory, four disciples of the Yuqing Sect in standard white uniforms stood in mid-air.

One of them called out loudly, "Fellow Daoist, please stop. Our Yuqing Sect has questions to ask."

Junior Brother Bai Ming's expression turned grim. "I am merely passing by by chance. I have no intention of overstepping. I ask for your understanding, fellow Daoist."

"Accidentally intruded? That doesn't seem right. Didn't you deliberately hide yourself within our Yuqing Sect, fellow Daoist?"

Junior Brother Bai Ming hesitated. Should he fight? There were two at the Qi Refining Peak and two at the Qi Refining Stage 8.

Could he escape under the siege of these four?

No, he could not drag this out any longer. The Song family cultivators behind him would arrive soon, and then there would be even less chance to escape.

Is this the only way?

Junior Brother Bai Ming restrained his aura and cupped his hands. "To tell you the truth, I escaped from the Song family dungeon. I was forced to intrude upon this immortal sect to evade capture."

The leading youth pursed his lips. "Why did the Song family detain you?"

"It was truly a disaster that fell from the sky. I was originally a free and unfettered person, but I was forcibly abducted by Miss Song and suffered endless torture. Only today did I have the chance to escape."

A Yuqing Sect disciple beside the leader whispered, "Is this true? Would Miss Song do such a thing?"

The leading youth remained silent, considering the veracity of his words.

Seeing the youth hesitate, Junior Brother Bai Ming continued, "Do not be deceived by Song Wanqing's appearance. She is actually a lunatic who takes pleasure in torturing others, a demonic woman without a shred of morality."

Time gradually slipped away, and anxiety climbed onto Junior Brother Bai Ming's forehead.

"I know this may be hard to believe, but everything I have said comes from the bottom of my heart. I trust that the Yuqing Sect, as one of the Seven Sects, will surely resist such demonic behavior. I hope you will let me pass."

The leading youth's brows were tightly furrowed, seemingly caught in a dilemma. Seeing this, Junior Brother Bai Ming felt anxious; in another moment, he would have no choice but to bite the bullet and force his way through.

The leading youth's brows relaxed. "Well, I should have let you go, but… Senior Brother is here."

Junior Brother Bai Ming released his spiritual sense and sensed someone approaching from behind, his heart filled with shock.

Could he have been stalling for time with me? How did that person come so quickly?

The young man in white appeared behind Junior Brother Bai Ming, and the five of them formed a small encirclement.

The leading youth sent a voice transmission, "Senior Brother Xiao, how should we handle this?"

Senior Brother Xiao waved his hand, signaling everyone to stop. "Fellow Daoist, we meet again."

It was like a basin of cold water poured over Junior Brother Bai Ming's heart, but he still wanted to try one last time.

Junior Brother Bai Ming bowed in apology. "I offended you earlier, but it was a matter of necessity. I hope you can be magnanimous, fellow Daoist. If I can leave today, I will surely repay you handsomely in the future."

The young man in white smiled. "My junior brother has already told me about your situation."

Junior Brother Bai Ming felt a slight relief; there was still a chance, and the Song family cultivators had not yet arrived.

"But this is Senior Sister Song's affair, so it is not my place to interfere. Let us wait for Senior Sister to come and make the decision."

Senior Sister? What is going on?

She, Song Wanqing, is actually a disciple of this Yuqing Sect? Doesn't the Yuqing Sect have conflicts with the Song family? Why!

A massive amount of information flashed through Junior Brother Bai Ming's mind; it seemed his memory had gone wrong. He found it hard to believe, his body trembling as if struck by lightning, as he realized all the connections.

Junior Brother Bai Ming clutched his head. "It can't be, it can't be. It definitely isn't like this. Xiaoxue wouldn't lie to me."

Two Song family cultivators flew over with a clank and cupped their hands in salute. "We ask for your assistance, fellow Daoists. Although we are not clear on the details, this person should have a close relationship with Miss. For now, it is best to detain him first."

Senior Brother Xiao nodded. "That is only right. This fellow Daoist should stay."