Zhong and Luo both nodded in agreement.

Huo Xuan felt a more significant burden in his heart. Initially, he had many backup plans. Even if he couldn’t kill Feng Haiyang this time, he could devise new strategies. However, with the death of two Yuan Yang Sect members, many paths were directly blocked. In this shifting balance, Feng Haiyang unexpectedly gained more advantages compared to them.

He glanced at Elder Shen and saw his face was ashen while sitting on a stone regulating his breath. He asked, "Daoist Shen, how are you?"

Elder Shen struggled to clasp his hands, sighed, and said, "Thank you, True Master Huo, for your concern. It was due to recklessly using my sect’s treasure in haste to escape."

The Golden Luo Earth Axis Talisman was a heavy treasure of Guangyuan, but it wasn’t easy to control. Using it twice in one day would inevitably cause severe damage to his Primordial Qi, and recovering would not be easy.

Zhong Muqing frowned and said to Huo Xuan, "Brother, we shouldn’t linger here; we must find the Junyang Pot immediately to avoid Feng Haiyang taking it again."

Huo Xuan nodded slightly; this proposal made sense. Whether Feng Haiyang had truly retreated or was lurking, they needed to find the Junyang Pot. Once obtained, they would have control over their actions.

Luo Qingyu asked, "What should Daoist Shen do?"

Elder Shen wouldn’t have the strength to fight again for a while, which was more troublesome than killing him. If they left him, Feng Haiyang only needed to dispatch a devil to kill him. But if they took care of him, it would require allocating personnel, which was even less suitable.

Zhong Muqing said calmly, "I have a method, but I don’t know if Daoist Shen is willing."

Elder Shen understood his meaning clearly; he first glanced at Zhang Yan, seeing the latter nod before tremblingly standing up and clasping his hands, "I lack the mana to avoid dragging everyone down, so I am willing to withdraw from the swordfight."

Huo Xuan saw Elder Shen understand when to advance and retreat and nodded. He pondered briefly, took out a Jade Talisman from his Sleeve Bag, and kindly said, "Daoist Shen, if Guangyuan has any issues in the future, you can use this talisman to find me at Mingcang."

Elder Shen fixed his robes, stepped forward to receive the talisman respectfully, and bowed, "Thank you, True Master Huo."

He took several pieces of talisman paper from his Sleeve Bag, distributed them to everyone, and said, "These are Guangyuan’s token talismans; they may be useful to you. I hope you accept them."

Although Huo Xuan and others accepted them, it was clear they were merely being polite and didn’t truly value these talisman papers.

Finally, Elder Shen approached Zhang Yan, offering a stack of talisman papers with both hands, saying, "True Master Zhang, I appreciate your assistance, and I have nothing else to offer but these Dharma Talismans, hoping they can aid you."

Zhang Yan took the Dharma Talismans subtly, feeling a slight shift in his heart, and said, "Daoist Shen, take care. Once I return from the swordfight, I will visit."

Elder Shen stepped back, bowed to everyone, and said, "Farewell, fellow Daoists." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

He took out a token talisman, recited a mantra, and after a moment, felt a void throughout his body. The talisman absorbed all the mana within a cultivator’s body, but those with stronger mana activated it faster. After twenty or so breaths, a dazzling glory erupted, like rosy clouds rising, enveloping Elder Shen. The Spiritual Energy spread out quickly, causing everyone to take a few steps back, watching a beam of golden light shoot up into the sky, flying beyond the Star Stone.

Huo Xuan watched the light fade away, turned to the group, and said, "Now we are only five. In all honesty, continuing to besiege Feng Haiyang is no longer advisable."

He was the foremost of Mingcang Sect’s Top Ten Disciples and came to the swordfight to ensure every disciple returned to the sect; otherwise, he would have difficulty explaining. Persisting in besieging Feng Haiyang, even if they could kill him, if anyone among them fell, it would be a loss beyond gains.

Zhong Muqing understood his concern and asked, "Does Brother Huo have any other ideas?"

Huo Xuan glanced between Zhang Yan and Xun Huaiying and said, "We’ll move together later, pretending to search for the Junyang Pot. I expect Feng Haiyang will try to obstruct us, and then we, along with my two junior brothers, will attempt to hold him off, while asking Daoist Xun and Junior Brother Zhang to find the Junyang Pot. With their Sword Escape Technique, they should be able to move ahead, making it difficult for Feng Haiyang to catch up."

Since they couldn’t kill Feng Haiyang, they had to settle for a different strategy. With a changed objective, their approach must also adapt accordingly.

The five of them traveling together wouldn’t fear Feng Haiyang, but Xun Huaiying and Zhang Yan’s Sword Escape Skill couldn’t be deployed. Only by maximizing their capabilities usefully could they break the deadlock.

Huo Xuan courteously clasped his hands toward Xun Huaiying and said, "Daoist Xun, what do you think?"

Xun Huaiying pondered and said, "Right now, it’s about facing a formidable enemy together. Since Daoist Huo already has a plan, I have no objections to following your arrangement."

Luo Qingyu considered carefully and nodded; combining their three strengths, even if they couldn’t defeat Feng Haiyang, defending wouldn’t be difficult. Additionally, Zhang Yan and Xun Huaiying could fully utilize their strengths, which indeed was the most appropriate choice at the moment.

Zhong Muqing looked at everyone and stepped forward, saying, "I don’t believe this approach is proper."

Huo Xuan smiled and said, "Junior Brother Zhong, if you have objections, feel free to speak."

Zhong Muqing calmly said, "Brother Huo’s idea is generally good, but I believe Daoist Xun and Junior Brother Zhang should hold off Feng Haiyang, and the three of us should search for the Junyang Pot."

Huo Xuan pondered this, glanced at Luo Qingyu, who understood and asked, "May I ask, brother, what is the rationale?"

Zhong Muqing pointed to Zhang Yan and seriously said, "Have any of you considered that Junior Brother Zhang has many token talismans on him? If I were Feng Haiyang, I would first target him. If he were to search for the Junyang Pot, I would risk everything to stop him. But if we go instead, there’s a better chance of success."

...

... (To be continued. If you enjoyed this work, please visit qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)