Rumble...
The earth shook and the mountains rocked amid the forests. Mountainsides collapsed in several places, some even sliding down, making the cultivators scattered across the area turn to look.
Worried that Madam Han might escape from Snake King Cave, Lü Yan had not dared rush over to investigate. But the tremors had lasted only a moment when a white-robed figure concealed in the Rat Tunnel burst through the ground and shot into the sky, landing atop a tree amid flying sand and dirt.
Thump-rustle...
The figure and clothing were so familiar that everyone recognized him from his nimble movements alone:
"It's Xie Jinhuan! He must have cornered Madam Han-"
"Who blasted him out?"
"Probably that old fellow Chen Yishan."
As they spoke, Lü Yan, Zhang Jiwu, and the others abandoned their blockade almost simultaneously and raced toward the hill at full speed.
Landing atop the towering tree, Xie Jinhuan saw figures closing in from every direction. Rather than break out and flee, he remained composed and looked toward the cloaked figure hidden in the dark forest.
"A fine trick, Elder Chen."
Chen Yishan stopped forming spell seals. Rather than approach to attack, he lowered his hood, revealing his face and graying hair, and spoke with an elder's air:
"A paltry trick, hardly fit for distinguished company. We all came seeking an opportunity. I hope you won't begrudge an old man picking on his junior, young friend Xie."
Whoosh, whoosh.
In the time it took to exchange those two remarks, Lü Yan and the other sect leaders and ancestors had already rushed over from Dragon-Spine Ridge. The slightly weaker first- and second-grade cultivators also emerged from various places and gathered nearby. Mo Yuan and Fang Qingxuan, lurking in the shadows, saw Xie Jinhuan surrounded and knew their chance was approaching.