Rumbling blasts of fire techniques and the shriek of swords rang out from the underground cavern crawling with snakes and insects.
The cultivators searching the desolate mountains immediately rushed toward the sound. Before they were halfway there, fire burst through the ground, and a figure shot out from underground, charging toward Dragon-Spine Ridge with murderous intent.
"Lü Yan's over there! After him!"
"Old ox-nose, you still think you can run-"
Spotting their target, Zhang Jiwu and the others charged at Lü Yan in his black-and-yellow Daoist robe as though injected with chicken blood.
Having been openly robbed by an Unorthodox Dao demoness relying on a Divine Weapon, only to be surrounded the moment he surfaced, Lü Yan naturally erupted in fury:
"Do I look like I have the opportunity on me?! Hundred Flowers Grove has it! She ran toward the Snake King Cave exit-"
"Spare us your excuses! You're the second-in-command of the Daoist Sect, a renowned elder of the Righteous Path. Would you really be bewitched by a demoness batting her eyes and swaying her hips into handing over an opportunity?"
"You-?"
Lü Yan opened his mouth, wondering whether that was a compliment. Suppressing his anger for that reason, he said:
"Can't you count the time? If I'd already devoured it and wiped my mouth clean, would I be here arguing with you? That demoness has a precious sword. If you don't go after her now and Brat Xie gets there first, you won't even get a whiff-"
The sect leaders and patriarchs present had all noticed Xie Jinhuan's arrival. Hearing this, they provisionally took Lü Yan at his word and sped toward Dragon-Spine Ridge.
Lü Yan had only thrown away the opportunity earlier because he treasured his heirloom Dharma Artifact and feared that black sword would damage it.