No Need to Fight Head-On

The man in green from Mount Putuo stood beside Ye Zhong, a cold gleam flashing through his eyes as he looked at Shen Luo.

"You followed me! How is that possible?" Xie Yuxin's eyes widened in disbelief.

"How could unaffiliated cultivators like you possibly imagine the methods of the Azure Water Gate?" a balding man in blue robes snorted mockingly.

A small emerald-green pouch hung at his waist, swelling and wriggling from time to time as though something alive were inside.

Shen Luo glanced over, his gaze lingering briefly on the pouch at the man's waist as a thoughtful look crossed his face.

"You're quick on your feet, brat. The men I sent couldn't even keep up with you. If I hadn't found out that you entered the market with this girl, you really would have gotten away." Ye Zhong ignored Xie Yuxin, keeping his eyes fixed on Shen Luo.

"What do you want?" Shen Luo asked calmly, without moving.

"Brother Wu, you're the one he offended. How would you like to deal with him?" Ye Zhong turned to the man in green beside him, his tone carrying a hint of ingratiation.

"You're too kind, Brother Ye. I'm only here to retrieve those two materials for Junior Sister Li. Naturally, it's up to you to decide how to deal with these two. Still, they disregarded your sect's rules and caused trouble in the market. Unless they're punished severely, I'm afraid it won't serve as a warning to others," the man in green said with a faint smile.

"Quite right, Brother Wu. Men, seize them both." Ye Zhong nodded, then turned and gave the order lightly.

The surrounding Azure Water Gate disciples answered in unison and attacked together. More than a dozen streaks of light shot out—flying swords, flying knives, and