After spending some time on it, Li Chen had his puppets gather everything up, then put away the Earth-Covering Cloud-Banishing Banner himself.
Only then did the people in the valley realize something was wrong. They gathered around to investigate.
They discovered that the courtyard here had been enveloped by a mysterious power. The scenery that had looked perfectly normal from afar was actually an illusion.
The Earth-Covering Cloud-Banishing Banner could conceal energy fluctuations. Even if heaven and earth were torn apart by the fighting inside, those outside would feel not the slightest ripple. Everything remained as peaceful as ever, and unless someone approached to investigate, they would never notice anything amiss.
Thus, only when the barrier opened on its own did the guards and the elder stationed outside discover the disturbance.
With his back to them, Li Chen stood atop the Red-Feather Thundercloud Crane, holding a great banner over thirty feet long as he soared into the sky.
"Stop, you thief!" The Core Formation elder stationed here hastily struck. He unleashed a streak of Red-and-Black Divine Light from his palm, sending it hurtling after Li Chen like a meteor.
The Red-Feather Thundercloud Crane beat its Steel Wings.
Boom!
Two powerful Gang Edges collided, bursting into a blossom in midair.
Seizing the opportunity, the Red-Feather Thundercloud Crane beat its wings and soared away, leaving the battlefield outright.
Still unwilling to give up, the defending elder sent a voice transmission ordering the guards to investigate the ruined courtyard, then gave chase himself.
Unhurried, Li Chen sent a voice transmission from afar. "The possessions belong to Chess Mountain, but your life belongs to you. Elder Xu, if you still intend to pursue me, you had better think through the consequences!"
Elder Xu's gaze sharpened. "Who exactly are you?"
Li Chen finally turned his