"Run!"

Ye Hao and his two companions were horrified. They didn’t dare to delay.

They each used their Escape Techniques and fled at top speed in different directions.

Faced with a Late Stage of Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator, they didn’t have the courage to even consider fighting.

’That Sword Qi just now... Li Fan actually blocked it!’

As he fled for his life, Ye Hao recalled that previous sword strike, his heart still reeling from the shock.

If it had been him, he would have had no way to block it. He would have instantly been reduced to a mist of blood.

’Just what is Li Fan’s Cultivation level?’

Ye Hao thought he had already overestimated Li Chang’an’s strength.

But now it seemed he had still underestimated him.

’If I can survive this, I must recruit Li Fan into the Huanghe Alliance, no matter the cost!’

He secretly made up his mind.

Of course, all of this was predicated on him surviving.

Fortunately, the Late Stage of Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator didn’t pursue him. Instead, she chased after Li Chang’an in the direction he had disappeared.

Ye Hao let out a quiet sigh of relief.

「At the same time.」

In the other two directions, Jiang Yunsheng and Xiao Wantang also breathed sighs of relief.

’I wonder if Li Fan will be able to survive.’

...

「At that moment.」

Li Chang’an was still fleeing.

In truth, with his current strength, he wouldn’t have had a problem facing Pei Yingyao head-on.

After entering Human-Turtle Unity, his Magical Power rose to the level of the Middle Stage of Foundation Establishment, making him fully capable of fighting a Late Stage opponent.

But he was afraid that if he couldn’t defeat Pei Yingyao quickly, his true identity would be exposed, which might even attract the attention of Huang He Master.

Thus, it was best to just flee.

’As I expected, she’s chasing me.’

Li Chang’an could feel a sharp Sword Intent rapidly approaching from behind.

He had anticipated this.

Given Pei Yingyao’s personality, she would definitely hunt down the strongest enemy.

’My Little Five Elements Escape Technique is ultimately proving to be insufficient.’

Li Chang’an sighed internally.

If this continued, it wouldn’t be long before Pei Yingyao caught up to him.

After reaching Foundation Establishment, he had been constantly searching for a better Escape Technique, but unfortunately, such techniques were too rare.

Most shops only sold Low Grade and Middle Grade Escape Techniques.

Only the Ten Thousand Treasures Tower was willing to sell him two types of Top Grade Escape Techniques.

But those two Top Grade Escape Techniques had barely crossed the threshold into Top Grade and were actually inferior to his Little Five Elements Escape Technique.

As for Earth Grade Escape Techniques...

The Jin Family did indeed have one.

However, the Jin Family didn’t sell it to outsiders.

If Li Chang’an wanted it, he would have to join the Jin Family as an Honored Guest Elder, toil away for them for several decades, and then exchange his contributions for it.

Naturally, he was unwilling to spend decades of his life just for a single Escape Technique.

’Thankfully, the Profound Water Turtle’s Water Escape Technique is exquisite enough.’

With a flicker of his body, Li Chang’an dove into a large river below.

He released the Profound Water Turtle and commanded it.

"Xiaohai, get me out of here, quickly!"

The Profound Water Turtle nodded and immediately executed its Water Escape Skill, carrying Li Chang’an away at great speed.

Its escape speed far surpassed Li Chang’an’s.

「In the blink of an eye.」

The man and the turtle vanished into the vast river.

Just a few breaths later, Pei Yingyao transformed into a streak of sword light and plunged into the water. After a moment of pursuit, she stopped.

Her expression was cold and harsh as she stared in the direction Li Chang’an had disappeared.

"A Water Spirit Root Cultivator?"

’If he wasn’t a Water Spirit Root Cultivator, it would be impossible to escape so quickly, even with an Earth Grade Water Element Escape Technique.’

...

「That night.」

Ye Hao and his two companions returned to the Huanghe Alliance’s temporary base.

The others quickly gathered around, asking about the situation.

When they learned that Li Chang’an had killed the three Foundation Establishment cultivators, they were all utterly shocked, realizing they had completely misjudged him before.

However, Li Chang’an was being pursued by that Late Stage of Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator and had yet to return.

"Alas, I fear it’s not looking good for Daoist Li."

Jiang Yunsheng sighed.

Recalling that sharp sword light, he still felt a lingering fear.

Just then, a light chuckle sounded.

"Daoist Jiang, you have too little faith in me."

Li Chang’an stepped into the secret chamber, his aura steady and his expression relaxed.

Jiang Yunsheng was stunned.

"Daoist Li, you actually managed to escape from her?"

"She’s just a Late Stage of Foundation Establishment Sword Cultivator. Not enough to hold me back."

"Daoist Li, your strength is extraordinary. I am truly impressed!"

After this battle, no one in the Huanghe Alliance ever questioned Li Chang’an’s strength again.

The cooperation he had proposed earlier was approved with great ease.

...

「A year later.」

Li Chang’an remained securely on Changqing Mountain, receiving occasional news from the Huanghe Alliance.

Due to the previous incident with Pei Yingyao, the Huanghe Alliance had kept a low profile for a while.

Recently, the Huanghe Alliance had become active again.

They were still targeting Chu Xiong, having attacked several Yellow Crane Immortal City assets under his management.

It was said that when Chu Xiong received the news, he was overcome with rage. He flew into a thunderous fury, so angry that he smashed his own residence to pieces and swore to completely eradicate the Huanghe Alliance.

’That idiot should be taking the bait soon.’

Li Chang’an mused to himself.

Sure enough, just three days later, the Huanghe Alliance attacked another mine under Chu Xiong’s management.

This time, they ran into Chu Xiong again and were soundly defeated. Several of them had to resort to using life-burning Magic to escape.

The Huanghe Alliance sent all the details of this battle to Li Chang’an.

Ye Hao suspected that there was another mole working for Chu Xiong within the alliance.

He had been investigating recently but had no leads yet, so he could only probe slowly.

"Daoist Li, in three days, I will launch another attack. But this time, it’s just for show, to lure out the spy in our alliance."

’Alright, I understand!’

Having received the message, Li Chang’an began his preparations.

Ye Hao planned to kill the spy.

And he intended to use this matter to settle his grudge with Chu Xiong.

...

「Three days later.」

「Midnight.」

The Divination appeared as usual, showing "Auspicious."

Li Chang’an’s mind was put at ease. He left that night and headed for the Tier Two Mine that the Huanghe Alliance planned to attack.