Xu Yang and Lin Heng fled toward the mouth of the valley, one in front of the other. Two Corrosive Poison Death Strikes shot toward them at terrifying speed. Fortunately, Xu Yang had prepared in advance and had already taken out a Talisman Treasure, summoning it before him. As he activated it, the Talisman Treasure transformed into a fiery red ring.
The ring looked exactly like the one depicted on the Talisman Treasure. It was called the Samadhi Ring and could unleash powerful Samadhi True Fire for both offense and defense. At Xu Yang's command, the Samadhi Ring flew into the air and fired a volley of flaming arrows at the two Corrosive Poison Death Strikes.
A faint sizzling sound rang through the air. The arrows, transformed from Samadhi True Fire, struck the Corrosive Poison Death Strikes and immediately burned away most of them. Only about a third remained, still hurtling toward Xu Yang and Lin Heng.
Xu Yang had no time to rejoice. He hurriedly controlled the Samadhi Ring to release a wall of fire in front of them. The remaining Corrosive Poison Death Strikes slammed into it, making it shudder violently. Fortunately, the wall of fire held and ultimately blocked their attack.
Xu Yang was overjoyed. He immediately beckoned the Samadhi Ring back. It reverted to a Talisman Treasure and flew into his hand. Xu Yang gave it a quick look, and his heart ached. A third of the Talisman Treasure's power had already been depleted; it wouldn't be usable much longer. The Corrosive Poison Death Strike was indeed powerful. Even a Talisman Treasure had to expend so much power to stop it.
Xu Yang didn't dare linger. He quickly regrouped with Lin Heng, and the two fled at full speed toward the valley's exit. Seeing that Xu Yang had blocked its attack, the Jade Blood Toad flew into a rage. It was about to attack again when it realized the two had already escaped the valley and were out of reach.
It croaked furiously, opening its mouth to spray clouds of poisonous mist in every direction. The surrounding vegetation was corroded until it lay in tatters. Then it leaped over to the other Jade Blood Toad, which lay severely wounded on the ground. Opening and closing its mouth, it began absorbing the power of the moonlight. A thin silver thread descended from the sky onto the wounded Jade Blood Toad.
A moment later, the Jade Blood Toad on the ground opened its eyes and croaked twice at the other one. It struggled to its feet, and the two Jade Blood Toads slowly entered the pool and disappeared.
Xu Yang and Lin Heng fled the valley in a sorry state, flying at full speed for fear the Jade Blood Toads would pursue them. Only after they had put considerable distance between themselves and the valley and confirmed that the toads weren't chasing them did they finally breathe a sigh of relief. They landed in a secluded patch of mountain forest.
Still shaken, Lin Heng said to Xu Yang, "I never expected there to be two Jade Blood Toads in the valley, both with such monstrous strength. We were incredibly lucky to escape alive."
With that, Lin Heng bowed gratefully to Xu Yang. "I also have to thank you, Senior Brother Xu, for bringing up the rear and blocking the Jade Blood Toad's attack. Otherwise, I would have been killed by a Corrosive Poison Death Strike."
Xu Yang waved his hand and said solemnly, "I brought you along on this mission, so of course I had to ensure your safety. Luckily, I happened to get a Talisman Treasure. Otherwise, both of us would have been left in that valley."
Lin Heng said with lingering fear, "This mission really was too dangerous. Thank goodness you had a Talisman Treasure, Senior Brother Xu, or the consequences would have been unimaginable." As he spoke, Lin Heng took out the scroll and said through gritted teeth, "This mission scroll is a complete swindle. It didn't even mention that there were two Jade Blood Toads in the valley. We nearly died because of it."
Xu Yang took the scroll and examined it carefully. With a grave expression, he said to Lin Heng, "Something is very suspicious about this mission. With our strength, we couldn't possibly have completed it. Yet that senior gave it to us. This was a scheme to use someone else's hand to kill us."
Lin Heng said, bewildered, "We've never even met that senior. How could we have offended him? I just can't understand it!" "I don't understand it either, but he really did intend to use the Jade Blood Toads to kill us. Now that the mission has failed, we should think about how to deal with him."
Lin Heng nodded, his face troubled. "He's a Foundation Establishment Realm cultivator, stronger than us, and one of the sect's officials in charge of the border battlefield. How could we possibly fight him?"
Xu Yang lowered his head and pondered for a moment. "I have an idea. I'll tell you now, Junior Brother, and we can see if it'll work." With that, Xu Yang went to Lin Heng's ear and whispered for a while. As he listened, Lin Heng's brows gradually relaxed, and he nodded repeatedly in agreement.
The two sat cross-legged and meditated for a while, restoring the Gang Qi in their bodies. Then they mounted their flying swords and headed for the border camp. Three days later, Xu Yang and Lin Heng arrived at the heart of the camp and met with Han Xing to return the mission and explain why it had failed.
The two entered the room and first bowed to Han Xing. Then they recounted how the mission had failed, how they had narrowly escaped death, and how they had been lucky to get away. Naturally, this account wasn't the truth. Xu Yang and Lin Heng had made it up.
Han Xing listened to them with an expressionless face. Then his expression darkened, and he released a powerful aura that bore down on them. "Useless fools. You failed the mission and still have the nerve to come back? I'll punish you on behalf of the sect right now." As he spoke, Han Xing raised his right hand, his face filled with murderous intent, and prepared to strike Xu Yang and Lin Heng.
Xu Yang and Lin Heng's expressions changed. They were about to react when a cold laugh came from outside the room. "What a fine show of authority, Daoist Han. You needn't trouble yourself over my disciples."
Hearing this, Han Xing's expression changed. He looked toward the doorway and saw Xu Xianzhong slowly enter the room, watching him with a cold smile. Han Xing's thoughts shifted. He knew his chance had passed; he could no longer make a move against Xu Yang and Lin Heng.
With that thought, Han Xing's expression changed, and he rose with a hearty laugh. "Daoist Xu, don't misunderstand. I was only testing their resolve to see what kind of character they had."
Xu Xianzhong replied with a smile that didn't reach his eyes, "I see. You've certainly gone to a lot of trouble, Daoist Han. I have something to discuss with the two of them, so I won't disturb your meditation." As he spoke, Xu Xianzhong beckoned to Xu Yang and Lin Heng, signaling them to leave with him.
Han Xing's expression changed, and he said sternly, "Please wait, Daoist Xu. Xu Yang and Lin Heng failed their mission, and according to the rules, I must punish them. I'm in charge of this camp. You can't make things difficult for me."
Xu Xianzhong's face darkened. Turning back to Han Xing, he said, "Daoist Han, I know the details of the mission. It was never suitable for Qi Refining Realm disciples in the first place. You forced them to undertake it; that was asking the impossible! Wouldn't it be going too far to punish them as well?"
Han Xing said with a grim expression, "Without rules, there can be no order. I have no choice. They failed their mission, so they must accept punishment. Otherwise, what becomes of the sect's rules?"
Xu Xianzhong gave a cold snort. "This mission didn't meet the requirements at all, and the two of them won't be punished. I think you're just trying to abuse your authority for personal gain!"
Han Xing was furious. He swept his sleeve and said, "Daoist Xu, that's going too far. I'm only upholding the sect's rules. You can't take the two of them away today." As he spoke, he stepped forward to grab Xu Yang and Lin Heng. Xu Xianzhong quickly raised his right hand to block him. For a moment, neither man would yield, and they faced off where they stood.
Just then, another low laugh came from outside the room. Liu Yuan quickly leaped between Xu Xianzhong and Han Xing, raising a hand to separate them. Then he smiled and said, "Let's not fall out with each other, fellow Daoists. I've been listening for a while, and I believe Daoist Han is right. The sect's rules cannot be broken. Otherwise, how can we uphold the sect's dignity?"
With that, Liu Yuan turned to Xu Yang and said, "Junior Brother Xu, you should accept your punishment. That way, outsiders won't say Master is too protective of his own disciples and disregards the sect's rules, bringing shame upon him." When Xu Yang saw Liu Yuan appear, he suddenly understood. It had been Liu Yuan plotting against him all along. No wonder Han Xing was determined to kill him.
At the thought, Xu Yang glanced at Lin Heng, silently apologizing. Lin Heng caught his look and shrugged to show he didn't mind. Xu Yang felt a warmth in his heart and grew much more fond of Lin Heng.
When Xu Xianzhong saw Liu Yuan come to Han Xing's aid, his heart sank, and he began to waver. After all, he was no match for two Foundation Establishment Realm cultivators by himself.
Xu Yang opened his mouth to answer Liu Yuan, but a burst of laughter cut him off. A burly cultivator walked into the room. The moment Liu Yuan saw him, his face darkened and turned exceedingly grim. Xu Yang, however, was delighted and breathed a huge sigh of relief.
The newcomer was Huo Lian. He had always been elusive, and Xu Yang hadn't seen him for a long time. His sudden appearance filled Xu Yang with joy. Huo Lian entered the room, glanced at Han Xing, and said, "I heard Daoist Han was going to punish my junior brother. What terrible offense did he commit? Could you tell me, so I can inform Master and have him severely disciplined?"
Han Xing looked immediately embarrassed. He knew the matter was beyond saving. Huo Lian was a Foundation Establishment Middle Stage cultivator with astonishing strength, and Han Xing was no match for him. What's more, Huo Lian had invoked Elder Qing Yuanzi. Han Xing could only let the matter drop and look for another chance to kill Xu Yang later.
With that thought, Han Xing put on a false smile. "Xu Yang and Lin Heng failed to complete the assigned mission, and according to the sect's rules, they should be punished. But I was too careless and took the wrong mission scroll, which led to their failure. I bear some responsibility too. Since all of you are here to witness this, I'll withdraw the mission and pretend none of this happened."
Liu Yuan's face turned gloomy. He forced a smile at Xu Yang and said, "That's for the best. You've managed to escape punishment, Junior Brother. I must congratulate you." Xu Yang looked at Liu Yuan's fake smile and thought bitterly, Liu Yuan, just you wait. I'll make you pay for this. As he thought this, he bowed to Liu Yuan to express his thanks.
After the matter was settled, Huo Lian smiled at Liu Yuan and said, "Junior Brother Liu, what brings you here? I happen to be stationed here. Why didn't you come see me?"
Liu Yuan pretended to look surprised. "Oh? You're stationed at the camp? I didn't know, Senior Brother. I came to visit Daoist Han and just happened to run into this."
"I see. If you have time, come visit me. I have other matters to attend to, so I won't stay." With that, Huo Lian beckoned to Xu Yang and the others, then led the way out. Xu Yang and the others hurried after him, leaving only Liu Yuan and Han Xing behind, their faces dark and resentful.
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