Ye Xin in Danger

A deafening roar echoed from the distance, and a massive red mushroom cloud rose from the east, accompanied by constant explosions. Clearly, there were more than a dozen evil cultivators.

Five Han Clan disciples each activated a Tier 2 talisman, transforming them into a vast sea of crimson flames that surged toward Chen An and his group.

Chen An did not dare to be careless. He hurriedly activated a pale blue command flag, giving it a light wave. A blue glow rippled across the flag's surface, and a water curtain several zhang high suddenly manifested, blocking his front.

He then activated a palm-sized blue shield, which instantly expanded to shield him.

Rumble!

A massive roar erupted as the blue water curtain was shattered by the crimson flames, though the blue shield managed to block the remaining fire.

As the flames dissipated, Han Changming and the others had vanished.

They had appeared more than ten zhang deep underground, encased within a massive yellow light barrier.

According to their prior deployment, if they encountered an unstoppable force of cultivators, they were to flee immediately.

They had already used the Communication Disk to notify Han Deling, telling her to escape and not to fight to the death.

Not long after, seawater began to seep in. Han Delei took out a Blue Short Ruler carved with the image of a blue shark. With a gentle wave, the shark seemed to come to life, spraying a beam of blue light that formed a thick, protective barrier around the twelve cultivators, allowing them to move rapidly through the water.

Han Changming could see a school of Fish-Lizard Beasts not far away.

Suddenly, a massive blue sphere appeared before them, blocking their path—it was Chen An.

Han Delei gritted his teeth and said, "Fifth Brother, I will hold them off with you. Everyone else, scatter and flee! Meet at the agreed location. If you cannot wait for the others, head back to the market first. Your own safety is the priority. Retreat quickly!"

The light from the Blue Short Ruler in Han Delei's hand flared, transforming into a blue shark two zhang in size.

Han Changming and the others scattered to flee. The faster they ran, the higher the chance their clan uncle would survive.

The evil cultivators clearly did not intend to let them go; they split up to pursue them.

A Qi Refining cultivator followed closely behind Han Changming, refusing to give up.

Han Changming took out a dozen pieces of blood-soaked beast meat and threw them toward the two Qi Refining cultivators.

Protected by a blue light barrier, the Qi Refining cultivator moved rapidly, and the meat caused him no harm.

The bloody scent of the meat attracted many demonic beasts, which charged rapidly toward the evil cultivators and Han Changming.

Han Changming crushed a Tier 2 Water Escape Talisman, more than doubling his escape speed.

Suddenly, a group of massive sharks charged toward him, their rows of sharp teeth bared; leading them was a Tier 2 demonic beast.

Han Changming cursed inwardly and hurriedly moved upward.

Before long, Han Changming broke the surface of the sea. He could still see the small island, where flames were soaring into the sky and spiritual light was scattering in all directions.

He did not know how the other clansmen were faring. Unable to look after anyone else, Han Changming could only pray to the ancestors of the Han Clan that his kin were safe and sound.

He activated a palm-sized azure boat, which instantly expanded. He leaped onto it and flew toward the east at high speed.

Three days later, the Azure Wind Boat appeared above a tiny island several miles wide. Han Changming's face was pale, and he gripped a Spirit Gathering Stone in his hand.

Behind Han Changming followed a dozen streaks of black light—they were a dozen massive Black Giant Eagles.

As soon as Han Changming landed, he hurriedly stowed the Azure Wind Boat.

With a sharp, piercing sound, a vast wave of black Wind Blades descended from the sky.

Han Changming hurriedly threw out a stack of Chain Fireball Talismans, which transformed into dozens of crimson fireballs that smashed into the incoming attack.

Rumble!

Dozens of crimson fireballs shattered the black Wind Blades, and once the flames dissipated, Han Changming had vanished.

Encased in a yellow light barrier, Han Changming dove rapidly into the ground.

This was the one advantage of earth-element cultivation techniques: when encountering demonic birds, one could quickly escape into the earth.

A cup of tea's time later, Han Changming appeared inside a cave over a hundred zhang wide.

Because he had encountered the demonic birds, he could not reach the island his clan uncle had mentioned. He decided to hide for a while and then return directly to the market.

Before that, he needed to craft a batch of talismans, as his current supply was nearly exhausted.

Han Changming's hands glowed with yellow light as he pressed them against the ground.

Rumble!

A massive yellow stone protruded from the ground, its surface smooth.

Han Changming sat in meditation for over an hour. Once his mana had fully recovered, he took out Blank Talisman Paper to craft talismans.

Two days later, Han Changming walked out of the cave. He released the Azure Wind Boat, jumped on, and flew toward the northwest.

He had not flown far when several streaks of light appeared on the horizon, flying rapidly in his direction.

Han Changming frowned, hurriedly changed course, and landed on an island.

He pinched a spell, a yellow glow covered his body, and he dove into the earth.

A streak of blue light appeared on the horizon and landed rapidly on the island.

The blue light was actually a blue flying boat, and two young women stood upon it. They were Ye Xin and Ye Xue, and their expressions were filled with terror; clearly, they had encountered trouble.

"Sister, I will hold them off. Take this Water Escape Talisman and run!" Ye Xin took out a Water Escape Talisman and handed it to Ye Xue.

"No, sister, if we go, we go together. I cannot leave you behind."

Ye Xin frowned deeply and scolded, "The two of us together make too big a target. I will buy you some time, you must leave quickly."

Ye Xue bit her red lips, took the Water Escape Talisman, and crushed it. A pale blue curtain of light emerged, enveloping her entire body.

Wrapped within the blue light, Ye Xue dove into the sea and vanished.

At this moment, a streak of azure light appeared above the island. The azure light was an Azure Flying Shuttle, upon which stood five men. The leader was a bald man of about thirty years old at the eighth level of Qi Refining, his eyes filled with lewdness.

In the distance, behind a giant yellow rock, Han Changming poked his head out from the ground, watching Ye Xin in the distance with a deep frown.

If it were anyone else, he would not bother, but he had been in contact with Ye Xin for several years and had a decent impression of her. If Ye Xin died, he would have to find a new buyer.

The Azure Flying Shuttle slowly descended, and the five men stepped off.

"You two, go chase that girl. Don't let her get away," the bald man ordered.

Two cultivators at the fifth level of Qi Refining acknowledged the order and walked toward the seawater.

Ye Xin naturally would not let them have their way. She threw out a dozen Chain Fireball Talismans, which transformed into dozens of Crimson Fireballs that smashed aggressively toward the five men.

"Hmph, refusing a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit. Forget about that girl; take this one down, keep her alive, and we brothers will have some fun with her." The bald man rubbed his forehead, looking at Ye Xin with a lewd grin.

He summoned a Yellow Shield, which grew in the wind and blocked his front.

A dozen Crimson Fireballs slammed into the Yellow Shield, and a large expanse of crimson flames engulfed it. Before long, the flames dissipated.

The five men each cast a defensive barrier upon themselves and summoned their magical artifacts to attack Ye Xin.