The encounter at the Hundred Herbs Pill Pavilion made Fang Hao and the other three realize that the dangers hidden here far exceeded their expectations. Carrying heavy treasures and having made a powerful enemy like Blazing Evil, continuing to explore was no different from seeking their own deaths.

"We shouldn’t stay here for long," Fang Hao said decisively. "With our current strength, we aren’t capable of exploring the core area. It won’t be too late to return once my cultivation reaches the Golden Core."

Liang Ling and the other two women deeply agreed. They had already gained a massive harvest; being too greedy would only lead to disaster. The most urgent matter now was to return safely to the Sect with their gains.

The four of them wasted no more time and quickly retreated toward the exit of the ruins along the path they had come. Along the way, they were even more cautious, avoiding any suspicious fluctuations. Fortunately, they did not trigger any other Restrictions or encounter other Cultivators.

However, just as they were about to reach the multi-colored light barrier at the exit of the ruins, two powerful auras coming from ahead caused their hearts to sink to the bottom!

Near the exit, two figures stood with their hands behind their backs, blocking the only way out. One of them was none other than the red-haired, red-robed, and gloomy-faced Blazing Evil Immortal Master! The other person also wore the robes of a Chiyang Sect Elder; he was tall and thin with a cold expression, eyes as sharp as a venomous snake, and emitted a Late Golden Core Stage pressure that was not at all weaker than Blazing Evil’s!

"Blazing Evil! Gloomy Dove! Two Late Golden Core Stage Elders of the Chiyang Sect are actually teaming up to block the exit!" Liang Ling’s face turned pale, her voice trembling slightly. Gloomy Dove Immortal Master was known for being treacherous and ruthless, his reputation rivaling Blazing Evil’s overbearing ferocity.

Fang Hao’s heart tightened. The worst-case scenario had happened! Blazing Evil truly wasn’t willing to let it go and had even brought a helper!

"Jie jie jie... Blazing Evil, are these the juniors you were talking about? That kid at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage really has a nascent soul puppet on him?" Gloomy Dove Immortal Master let out a piercing laugh, his gaze like a hook as it locked onto Fang Hao, as if trying to see right through him.

Blazing Evil Immortal Master stared fixedly at Fang Hao, his eyes burning with greed and malice. "It’s him! Junior Brother Gloomy Dove, let’s join forces and take down this kid. We’ll split the nascent soul puppet and everything else he obtained in the ruins!"

The pressure of the two Late Golden Core Stage Cultivators was like physical mountains, crashing down upon the four of them. Lin Wan and Liu Yiyi had the weakest cultivation; under this terrifying pressure, they could barely stand, their pretty faces turning pale. Liang Ling pushed her Ice Heart Art to the limit to barely hold on, but she was also drenched in cold sweat.

A desperate situation! A truly desperate situation! Facing one Late Golden Core Stage, they might have been able to maneuver or force a retreat using the golden puppet. But with two Late Golden Core Stage Cultivators working together, the golden puppet could at most tie up one person, while the other could crush the three of them with a wave of a hand! Moreover, since the opponents knew about the golden puppet, they would surely be on guard and would never give them another chance to summon it leisurely.

In a flash, thoughts raced through Fang Hao’s mind. Fighting head-on meant certain death! The only chance of survival lay in dividing the opponents and creating chaos!

He took a deep breath and secretly sent a transmission to Liang Ling and the other two women, speaking extremely fast: "Senior Sister, listen to me! I’ll find a way to lure them away. Take that chance to immediately rush through the light barrier. Don’t look back and return to the Sect at full speed! Only if you leave safely will I have a chance to escape!"

"No! It’s too dangerous!" Liang Ling said urgently, her beautiful eyes filled with worry.

"Junior Brother Ning, we’ll stay together..." Lin Wan was also anxious.

"There’s no time to argue!" Fang Hao’s tone was resolute. "Trust me! This is the only chance! If you stay, I’ll be held back! Go quickly!"

His gaze was incredibly firm, carrying an unquestionable determination. Looking at him, Liang Ling knew that hesitating now would only lead to everyone’s doom. She gritted her teeth and nodded heavily. "Alright! Be extremely careful! We’ll wait for you at the Sect!"

"Take care, Senior Brother Ning!" Liu Yiyi’s eyes shimmered with tears.

Lin Wan clenched her fists. "Junior Brother Ning, you must come back!"

At that moment, Blazing Evil Immortal Master grew impatient and sneered, "Kid, hand over the Puppet and the treasures, and perhaps I’ll leave your corpse intact!" After saying that, he and Gloomy Dove Immortal Master stepped forward simultaneously, their pressure intensifying as they prepared to strike.

Now!

A sharp light flashed in Fang Hao’s eyes, and he suddenly threw out several Formation Plates he had been holding in his hands! These were not offensive Formation Plates, but rather the "Mist Formation," "Illusion Formation," and "Spirit-Disturbing Formation" that he had meticulously refined!

"Explode!"

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The Formation Plates were instantly activated, and a thick mist immediately enveloped the exit area. Within it, illusions appeared, and Divine Sense was severely interfered with! Although it was impossible to truly trap Late Golden Core Stage Cultivators, it was enough to create a moment of chaos and obscure their vision!

"Junior, you’re looking for death!" Blazing Evil and Gloomy Dove shouted angrily. Their spiritual power erupted, instantly dispersing large patches of the mist.

But in that split second, Fang Hao roared at Liang Ling and the others, "Go!"

At the same time, he performed Shrinking the Ground to an Inch, turning into a wisp of green smoke and racing toward the depths of the ruins in the opposite direction of the exit! Furthermore, he deliberately released a strong aura, vaguely mixing the scent of Chaos Qi within it to act as bait!

"Thinking of running?" Blazing Evil Immortal Master instantly sensed the direction Fang Hao was fleeing and that strange aura. Thinking that Fang Hao was trying to escape into the depths of the ruins with the treasures, he immediately turned into a red streak and gave chase! "Junior Brother Gloomy Dove, you clear things up here; I’m going after that kid!"

Gloomy Dove Immortal Master had just dispersed the mist when he saw Liang Ling and the others taking the opportunity to rush toward the multi-colored light barrier. He snorted coldly and struck out with his palm, an insidious black claw shadow grabbing toward the backs of the three women! He intended to deal with these three ants first before meeting up with Blazing Evil.

However, Fang Hao had already anticipated this! At the same time he threw the Formation Plates, he had also secretly activated the last simple "Small Five Elements Defensive Formation" he had set up near the light barrier! Although it was set up in haste and wasn’t very powerful, it was enough to withstand an attack for an instant!

The black claw shadow slammed into the suddenly rising multi-colored light barrier and was momentarily stalled!

In that brief moment, Liang Ling, Lin Wan, and Liu Yiyi successfully passed through the multi-colored light barrier and disappeared outside!

"Dammit!" Gloomy Dove Immortal Master cursed, not expecting this move. But his Divine Sense swept out and confirmed that there were no particularly strong treasure fluctuations on the three women, and Fang Hao and that possible nascent soul puppet were the primary targets. He no longer hesitated, his body flickering as he also gave chase in the direction where Fang Hao and Blazing Evil had disappeared!

The exit of the ruins instantly returned to tranquility, leaving only the turbulent spiritual energy and faint mist behind.

Meanwhile, Fang Hao was pushing his Divine Spirit Steps and Shrinking the Ground to an Inch to their limits, fleeing for his life through the complex tunnels of the ruins! Behind him, Blazing Evil Immortal Master was like a maggot on a bone, pursuing him relentlessly, and the terrifying pressure was getting closer and closer!

Further away, Gloomy Dove Immortal Master’s aura was also rapidly approaching!

With unknown dangers ahead and two powerful enemies behind, Fang Hao’s situation was as precarious as a pile of eggs!

But his gaze was sharp, and there was only one thought in his mind: Senior Sister Liang and the others should be safe now... Now, it’s time to find a way to fight for my own survival.