Enemies Beyond Enemies

East of the Hanging Sword Pavilion, deep beneath the ground for ten thousand zhang, the surroundings in every direction were made of pitch-black, heavy rock strata.

Yet a fiery-red qilin was carrying two people as it raced onward in an unbelievable manner.

It was not forcing its way through by digging, but had instead caused itself and the two people on its back to enter a state of Etherealization.

Then, like a ghost, it silently passed through layer after layer of solid rock and underground rivers, moving as fast as lightning.

Du Mingfeng and Qiu Fangzheng clung tightly to the Fire Lotus Qilin's broad back. All around them were blurred scenes racing backward, along with the occasional enormous underground cavern.

"Senior Brother! Thank goodness your 'Hidden Presence, Concealed Form' hid us, and Little Fire has this ability to travel while Etherealized. Otherwise, we really would've been finished there."

Using some kind of spiritual secret art, Qiu Fangzheng's voice, thick with lingering fear and relief, sounded directly in Du Mingfeng's mind.

"Yes. It's a pity Little Fire hasn't fully matured and can't take more people away. Otherwise, Pavilion Master Shen—huff..."

Unlike Qiu Fangzheng, Du Mingfeng felt regretful and worried.

Though the Fire Lotus Qilin was extraordinary, after becoming Etherealized, it could carry at most two people. Any more would exceed its limit.

"Then what do we do now, Senior Brother?" Qiu Fangzheng asked urgently.

"Go find Master!"

Du Mingfeng said decisively, "Only Master has the ability to deal with that green-haired monster."

"Right! Find Master!"

Qiu Fangzheng agreed without hesitation. "Master is in the west. We'll go west and find him!"

Roar—

The Fire Lotus Qilin let out a low roar, adjusted its direction, and Etherealized its way through the western strata at the terrifying speed of twelve hundred times Mach.