"He’s here! So fast!"

Shen Xiuyong pulled on the reins. Ta Xue reared up, letting out a sharp neigh.

At full sprint over a short distance, an Astral Force master was indeed faster than an ordinary steed.

"Junior Nephew, you go on ahead!"

Shen Xiuyong was decisive, sharply turning his horse around. "I’ll go deal with this Yu River! I may have only just entered the Astral Force realm, but it won’t be so easy for him to stop me! That old fellow Qiao Hongyun should be here soon. We have our own way of meeting up!"

A warmth spread through Chen Qing’s heart. This was the first time anyone had ever stood their ground to cover his retreat.

He knew this was no time for sentimentality. If he stayed, not only would he be of no help, but he would likely become a burden to Shen Xiuyong.

He nodded heavily and cupped his fist. "Junior Martial Uncle Shen, you must be careful! Take care!"

"Go on! If you run into anyone from the Earth Element Sect, show no mercy."

"The Upper Sect has explicitly forbidden provoking inter-sect conflicts without reason. Let’s see just how much nerve the Earth Element Sect really has!"

Shen Xiuyong waved his hand sharply, his gaze like a torch, already locked onto the figure at the end of the forest path, who was shrouded in ocher-colored Gang Qi and rapidly approaching.

Chen Qing hesitated no longer and charged forward with all his might.

Almost at the same moment Chen Qing’s figure vanished into the shade of the forest ahead, Yu River’s form, like a speeding meteorite, landed with a BOOM in the middle of the main road, blocking Shen Xiuyong’s path.

His powerful momentum forced the surrounding trees to rustle violently, and the ground trembled slightly.

The Li Fire True Astral around Shen Xiuyong’s body began to circulate quietly, sending waves of scorching ripples through the air that neutralized the opponent’s heavy pressure.

His expression was cold as he looked at Yu River, whose aura was deep and powerful. He said flatly, "Elder Yu, you seem to be in quite a rush to chase after my junior nephew and me. What might be your intention? Could it be that the Earth Element Sect now calls the shots in Lin’an Prefecture, to the point where they must interrogate even those who are just passing through?"

Yu River came to a stop and glanced in the direction Chen Qing had disappeared. "Elder Shen, you exaggerate. I mean no harm. It’s just that at the auction earlier, I saw your esteemed junior nephew’s exceptional demeanor and was reminded of some old matters. I have some unresolved questions in my heart, and I simply wished to invite my young friend Chen Qing to the Earth Element Sect for a cup of tea and a friendly chat. Why must you be so tense, Elder Shen?"

"Invite my junior nephew for tea?"

Shen Xiuyong sneered, his face thick with derision. "A rather unique way of inviting someone, Elder Yu. It’s comparable to a highway robbery. My junior nephew has never met you before, so what ’old matters’ could there be to discuss? What questions require such a grand mobilization to ’invite’ him? I think it’s best we skip this tea!"

The smile on Yu River’s face gradually faded, and his tone grew heavy. "Shen Xiuyong, I was being polite for the sake of the Wutai Sect. This is Lin’an Prefecture! Chen Qing is deeply involved in an old case from Yunlin Prefecture, one that may even be related to the death of my Earth Element Sect’s Elder Shi Long and the mystery of the Demon Sect’s missing Nether and Ghost Guards! I must get to the bottom of this! Do not obstruct me, or else..."

"Or else what?"

Shen Xiuyong didn’t back down an inch. The Li Fire True Astral around him circulated even faster as his aura locked tightly onto his opponent. Secretly, however, he was buying every precious second for Chen Qing’s escape.

Seeing Shen Xiuyong’s refusal to back down, the last shred of patience in Yu River’s eyes finally vanished.

"Since you insist on protecting your own, don’t blame me for being merciless!"

Before his words had even faded, Yu River’s body suddenly sank. The ocher light around him flared, and a momentum as heavy as a mountain crashed down!

He thrust his palms forward, sending a dull, air-tearing sound as he pushed fiercely at Shen Xiuyong from a distance.

Vast Earth Element Elemental Power condensed into a massive Palm Seal that blotted out the sky, seeming to crush everything in its path to dust!

"A good strike!"

Shen Xiuyong was already prepared.

He knew his goal of delaying had been achieved. His body shot into the air like a great roc, evading the fierce and domineering palm wind.

With a CLANG, the long saber at his waist left its sheath. The blade instantly turned crimson as scorching Li Fire True Astral erupted forth to meet the attack!

Tribulation Flame Sky-Splitting Saber!

Shen Xiuyong held nothing back, unleashing his ultimate technique from the very start!

The crimson Saber Astral swelled in the wind, transforming into a fiery torrent several zhang long. Carrying a heat that could incinerate the eight wildernesses and a resolute momentum that could split the heavens, it slashed brazenly toward Yu River!

Before the saber even arrived, its scorching, sharp intent had already seared and ignited the surrounding grass and trees!

BOOM—!!!

The crimson and ocher Gang Qi slammed violently into each other, producing a deafening, earth-shattering explosion!

A violent wave of energy spread wildly outward like a tsunami. The main road’s surface cracked inch by inch, and the surrounding trees were either uprooted or snapped in half. Flames and dust shot into the sky!

The flaming Saber Astral madly corroded and tore at the Panshi Palm Seal, emitting a piercing SIZZLE.

Yu River’s body shook violently, and the ground beneath his feet collapsed by about a foot. However, with the Rock Solid Astral Qi circulating around him, he actually managed to withstand the ferocious slash head-on, his face only paling for a brief moment.

Shen Xiuyong, on the other hand, used the force of the collision to drift back over ten zhang. He landed lightly and stood with his saber ready, its crimson blade still humming ceaselessly, wreathed in flames.

He was secretly astonished. ’This old guy’s defense is as good as the rumors say. The Panshi Heart Method is truly incredibly solid!’

Yu River was also shaken. ’Shen Xiuyong only just broke through to the Astral Force realm, yet his Li Fire True Astral is already this pure and violent.’

The first exchange ended in a draw, but their fighting spirit had been thoroughly ignited.

"Shen Xiuyong! I broke through to the Astral Force realm over seventeen years ago. How can you possibly be my opponent?!"

Yu River roared, his ocher Gang Qi surging once more, his momentum growing even heavier.

"Enough talk! If you want to chase my junior nephew, you’ll have to get through me first!"

Shen Xiuyong brandished his long saber, flames flaring up again as his gaze turned sharp as a blade.

The two locked eyes, killing intent filling the air. In the next moment, their figures clashed once more!