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He went in this time.

He didn't know what his apprentice had done.

He didn't know whether it would work.

There was only one thing he wanted: for his apprentice to come back safe and sound.

If he could bring Grandmaster's body out too, so much the better.

But now—

His apprentice's Fire Basin had gone out.

Li Family Village, which had stood there for who knew how many years, had collapsed!

Both things had gone wrong!

With a boom, the ground gave way all at once. Though rain had fallen outside and the earth was damp, the collapse still sent a cloud of dust rising in the distance before Master.

He saw it.

The dust rose like a dragon.

The surrounding trees still crackled with fire, but Master's heart had gone cold.

Even his hopes had turned to ash.

He had been close enough for the shock to knock him down. As if he hadn't noticed, he scrambled up, dropped to his knees, and crawled forward without a thought for dignity.

His face numb, he kept crawling. Several times he tried to stand, and each time he failed.

Even so,

he kept going. He was still afraid.

He couldn't tell what he felt. Fear? Emptiness?

He didn't know, couldn't say, and didn't want to know. He only wanted to get closer.

As if every bit of ground he gained gave him another chance!

He had no idea how far he went—crawling like that, perhaps he hadn't gone far at all.

Then a dark figure burst into view!

Xu Feng!

Zhao San!

Either name would do. Xu Feng was the one who came charging out!

With Grandmaster slung over his shoulder, Xu Feng almost wished he could stab him.

Even the Baleful Aura of his Ritual Robe could no longer