If a mountain fire were to start, the spectacle would be massive. We must not end up suffering as a result without having gained any benefits!
Everyone started sprinting together, dashing toward the direction of the ridge's exit. Along the way, they heard many cries of alarm and wailing from passing cultivators who had been accidentally caught up in the chaos.
These cultivators were much like the members of the Xianlai Sect; they were relatively poor and lacked any decent magic treasures to protect themselves, and most of them were rogue cultivators.
"Why is there a dog?"
As the people from the Xianlai Sect were running, they inadvertently discovered a spotty dog following along behind them. Its fur was somewhat mottled, appearing to have traces of being scorched, and it was also injured.
"It was probably also innocently caught up in this," Meng Ling said after taking a glance. "Perhaps it was originally resting in the forest when it suddenly found itself engulfed in flames."
"It has a lucky life to have been able to run out," Old Man Liu said with a smile.
By this time, they had already left the fire behind them, as this direction was not downwind of the blaze.
Because of this, everyone gradually began to relax and slacken their pace, feeling that there was no need to keep running.
Until—
【Oh no! It's an ambush!】 Mo Jiuwei suddenly began to grunt, attempting to warn them.
Whenever she felt this anxious, she would use both her arms and legs, shaking them together to attract their attention.
Speaking of her legs, Mo Jiuwei already knew that there was something wrong with this body. Other parts were fine, but there was a clear sense of stiffness in her legs, though it did not prevent her from kicking them.
What happened??
The members of the Xianlai Sect heard Mo Jiuwei's words and were startled, instinctively looking around with vigilance!
Then, they discovered figures suddenly darting across the trees nearby!
"Be careful!" Old Man Liu immediately called out.
"Bang! Bang! Bang!"
Several black, ball-shaped thunder orbs were thrown toward their side. Fortunately, everyone discovered them early and dodged in time, so they were not hit directly.
After these thunder orbs landed, they emitted several muffled sounds, and the ground they struck was blasted into craters of varying sizes.
Having been discovered, the people in the trees no longer hid. The leader waved a hand and gave a short order, "Attack!"
Four people jumped down, all of them at the Foundation Establishment Stage: two at the early stage, one at the mid stage, and one at the late stage.
To Mo Jiuwei, who had cultivated for several lifetimes, such cultivation levels were naturally beneath her notice, but they were enough to crush these people from the Xianlai Sect.
"Gentlemen, I do not know you. What is the meaning of this?"
Old Man Liu stretched out his arm to shield Chen Lan and Mo Jiuwei behind him, while simultaneously adopting a defensive stance and staring at the people opposite him.
"Naturally, it is to kill for treasure." The leader was a sinister-looking elder—the Foundation Establishment late-stage cultivator—who sneered as he spoke.
Taking advantage of the fire to rob others; they were truly carrying out those words to the extreme.
In reality, they had come here to try their luck because they also knew that a treasure had appeared in Qingfeng Ridge, and many cultivators had come to join in the excitement.
Therefore, if things went smoothly, they could catch a few groups whose cultivation was inferior to theirs and then kill them for their treasures.
They had only observed for a while before realizing that the others were either Golden Core Great Powers with higher cultivation or people who had vanished like a gust of wind while riding flying magical artifacts.
Until they met Old Man Liu and his group—these people were old and young, and their combat strength was low. If they didn't rob them, who else would they rob?
"Since that is the case, then there is no need for nonsense."
Old Man Liu pulled out his sword with a cold face.
He had already prepared himself for a death match, as he feared today would not end well, and even if everyone on their side went all out, they were simply no match for the opponents.
He cast a glance at the many young disciples of the Xianlai Sect, signaling them to flee first.
Hu Jiu's eyes turned red. He stroked the wine gourd at his waist and then resolutely stood by Old Man Liu's side. "It's just risking our lives! Who's afraid of whom!"
He even managed a smile.
Leave? How could they leave?
There were four of them; how could Liu Feng alone stop them!
Chen Lan pursed her lips, intending to unfasten Mo Jiuwei from her body and hand her to Yi Xingyun.
Among these disciples, Yi Xingyun was undoubtedly the one with the most hope. If he took Mo Jiuwei and left, there might still be a glimmer of survival.
As for herself, she was a Foundation Establishment cultivator; anyone else present could retreat, but she could not.
Meng Ling had a cold face, but she drew her own sword.
After her spiritual root was damaged, her life had been difficult. In order to treat her illness and help the Xianlai Sect overcome its hardships, she had sold almost everything she could, including her former sword.
The sword she used now was like scrap metal and could hardly be considered a good weapon, but it was still much better than being empty-handed.
In any case, living was of no use, so it would be better to risk her life to help Senior Brother Yi and Mo Jiuwei escape.
Du Yue and Ji Qingqing also stood silently by their side, standing tall and straight without any fear.
Yi Xingyun pushed away Chen Lan's attempt to hand over Mo Jiuwei, wanting to step forward himself and let Chen Lan take Mo Jiuwei away.
However, Chen Lan used her spiritual power to press down on his hand, forcing him to take her with her gaze.
They had no verbal communication, but the determination in their eyes and expressions was clear; each of them had the composure of those ready to face death.
The four Foundation Establishment cultivators could not help but be stunned, looking at each other.
It was naturally not the first time the four of them had engaged in such business. Every time, they had seen tragedies of people scrambling to escape or using their companions as shields. A situation like this... seemed to be the first time.
However, they soon revealed smiles.
If these people were to run, they would have to expend some effort, but now that they were all stepping forward as if to risk their lives, it was rather interesting.
Very well, kill them quickly, leave this place, and find the next target!
【What time is it, and you're still standing there like fools!】 Mo Jiuwei became anxious seeing them all like this.
【You don't really think Yi Xingyun can take me and run, do you? That's simply impossible; the gap in cultivation is too large, how could he possibly get away!】
Mo Jiuwei's words made everyone's hearts ache, and then despair began to surface.
That's right, even if they all stood their ground, how long could they hold them off?
To cut weeds, one must pull out the roots. Since these people had already made their move, it was impossible for them to let any living soul leave.
Could it be that they were destined to lose their lives here today?
【I have an idea!】 Mo Jiuwei's gaze shifted, and she had an idea.
At this moment, her words caused everyone's hearts to tremble, and they all looked over here in unison—
What idea?
Mo Jiuwei was looking toward a spot and did not notice their gazes.
【There is a patch of Mi Yu Grass over there. We only need to add Tuoye flower nectar to turn them into a deadly poison. Once they step into it, they won't last two breaths!】
【Within ten steps of the Mi Yu Grass, there will be Tuoye flowers. After pulling off the flower petals, the nectar can flow out... Right, you must hold a petal in your mouth, otherwise, you will be poisoned yourself.】
✦✦✦