598 Tricked! (1/2)

Mr. Nian was startled.

”Where is Dugu Chou?”

As Mr. Nian turned back abruptly, sword energy cried beside him, like the rumble of thunder in the sky. Ling Xiaozui's voice rang from afar, ”Many years ago, we didn't get to see who won or lost in our battle. It has always been a regret of mine. Now that we have this opportunity today, come, Mr. Nian, let me experience the almightiness of the Four Seasons Tower's great leader!”

”Ling Xiaozui, what do you mean?” Mr. Nian was infuriated.

”Oh, nothing much. I just want to break an arm of yours. That's all, actually.” Ling Xiaozui's faint smile was reflected in Mr. Nian's eyes alongside the rumblings of a thunderous sword light.

The sword light surged, its brilliance illuminating the vast expanse of sky; the sword generated a billowing gust of wind. Ling Xiaozui had unleashed the fullest potency of his might, and the wind and clouds raged in response.

Mr. Nian began to take evasive action, moving backward swiftly. It was evident that he did not want to engage in the fight, intending to draw back.

However, Ling Xiaozui's action was intentional, much more focused compared to Mr. Nian's spontaneous reaction. The opportunity had been taken at its best possible timing. The sword energy pursued the latter, like a leech attached to blood. A single misstep would end it all.

”Mr. Nian, forget about retreating and heading back. Dugu Chou has been gone for some time. That partner of yours is probably in a sticky situation right about now. What you should do now is patiently stay with me here.”

Mr. Nian growled like thunder, his howl long and plaintive; the warning signs were obvious.

”No need to waste your energy. Even if he could hear it, it's useless. He's preoccupied. You, on the other hand, may die first if you're distracted by being concerned about others.” Ling Xiaozui guffawed. ”Come, come. Have a look at my Soaring Thirteen Sword. Compare this to what you've seen in the past!”

Suddenly, Mr. Nian saw it all clearly. ”Gu Chaliang was never restrained, was he?”

”Of course not!” Ling Xiaozui cackled, his sword light turning into a wave the size of a mountain.

Mr. Nian was growing anxious.

If Gu Chaliang had not been restrained and his partner was carrying the former without a guard, he would fare poorly if he were to be ambushed in such a situation... This was aside from the presence of Dugu Chou and Feng Xiange...

How could he not have been restrained? He had checked the man several times himself!

The more Mr. Nian considered the issue, the more anxious he was. His roar was thunderous, his attacks were launched with full force; he wanted to be rid of Ling Xiaozui's entanglement. At the same time, Ling Xiaozui matched his opponent's ferocity; his sword light wove a net to prevent Mr. Nian from freeing himself.

With the constraint of an expert like Ling Xiaozui, it was impossible for Mr. Nian to leave without paying a price. Mr. Nian roared deafeningly, about to explode from anger, but he could only let time slip away, fighting Ling Xiaozui without any way to pull extricate himself.

…

Further away, a man clad in black carried Gu Chaliang as he sprinted through the forest. He moved incredibly fast, comparable to Ling Xiaozui's maximum speed. Out of the instinct to be cautious, the route he chose currently consisted of many isolated paths.

However, just as he took a turn around a hill, there was a loud crack that came from somewhere ahead. The cliff in front of him collapsed without warning. A white-haired and white-bearded form appeared out of the blue.

”Put Old Gu down!”

The man in black chuckled, saying, ”Feng Xiange, this is a choice you've made. Why do you change your mind now? Are you turning back on your words?”