Just as Xuan stepped around the bend of the mine tunnel, about to speak to the disciples of the Great Luo Sect, a sudden crimson mist enveloped her legs. Her protective shield offered no resistance whatsoever. The red fog clung to her calves and immediately began to infiltrate, sending a tingling sensation rapidly creeping upward from her lower legs throughout her body.

""

Yan Xuan gasped in shock, attempting to launch a flying sword she held, but as the sword began to grow mid-air, she had already completely lost control of her body, slumping weakly onto the ground. The flying sword shrank back to a few inches and clattered onto the floor.

"Hah! Little beauty Yan is quite obedient, running out here herself. How does it feel to be caught in my Red Soothing Mist? It's been two years, and you've certainly grown fuller. Tsk, tsk. Senior Brother has pondered this for years, and today my wish is finally fulfilled."

A short, thin youth in black robes was ecstatic. He darted forward in a single leap and snatched Yan Xuan's delicate body into his arms. However, while he was clearly coveting her beauty, he knew this was not the time. He coldly waved a hand toward the other Great Luo Sect disciples.

"Kill! Leave none alive within the tunnel!"

The Great Luo Sect disciples, grasping their swords and blades, exchanged glances, but none moved. Instead, they stared fearfully at the mass of red mist. The mist spanned several yards, completely blocking the tunnel; they had no way to pass through.

Wei Ming was momentarily stunned, immediately realizing the problem. He hurriedly slapped the red gourd at his waist, swiftly drawing the strange crimson fog back into it.

He treasured this item greatly; it had been gifted to him by a Martial Aunt from the main sect. Each use diminished its supply, so he was loath to deploy it normally. If not for ensuring the secure capture of the little beauty Yan without damaging her body, he would never have used it. Against Yan Xuan just now, nearly a fifth of the red mist had clearly been consumed. This diminished portion had naturally seeped into Yan Xuan's body, temporarily seizing control of both her spiritual power and physical form.

Ye Qin's icy gaze had been fixed intently on Yan Xuan’s movements. He rapidly calculated his final options. Heading toward the beast lair offered a fifty percent chance of survival if there was an exit. Charging directly toward the Great Luo Sect meant nine against their four—a near-certain death.

Ye Qin gritted his teeth and chose the direction that gave him the greatest possibility of survival.

Yan Xuan had just stepped out from the tunnel's curve when Ye Qin abruptly emerged from where he had been concealed close to his body, dashing rapidly toward the direction of the beast lair within the mine tunnel. Now forced into an inescapable dilemma, he could only gamble on luck.

Shen Bao was taken aback by this action, realizing Ye Qin intended to flee via the beast lair, and immediately flew after him.

Zhang Yunci remained silent, closely trailing Shen Bao.

Old Man Kong walked at the rear. He glanced back toward the tunnel bend, saw Yan Xuan reach the corner, suddenly engulfed by the red mist, and then collapse to the ground. Startled, he immediately stamped his foot and swiftly followed Shen Bao and Zhang Yunci deeper into the mine tunnel.

These rogue cultivators had clawed their way up from the very bottom of the cultivation world. A core of fierce ruthlessness resided in their hearts; seeking a path forward at any cost was their ingrained instinct.

After fleeing nearly a hundred zhang, nearing the beast lair, Ye Qin activated his Golden Light Shield to its maximum, bathing himself in brilliant golden radiance. He then instantly spotted a massive nest constructed of gravel and stone on the tunnel wall—two adult Pangolin Beasts resting upon it.

Their intrusion into the beast lair inevitably disturbed this small cluster of Pangolin Beasts. Among them were two smaller cubs, both first-tier minor demonic beasts, four second-tier Pangolin Beasts covered in greenish-brown scales, and one third-tier Pangolin Beast King with ancient-hued scales.

Ye Qin glanced over them quickly and accelerated again, flying past the nest.

Shen Bao, Zhang, and Kong bolted even faster.

"Hiss—!"

The Pangolin Beast King was the first to detect the intruders at its nest. It leaped up violently, charging out of the lair, its long, sharp claws raking wildly toward them.

Pangolin Beasts are Earth-elemental demonic beasts. Their claw attack power and scale defense are both exceptionally formidable. Furthermore, as burrowing Earth-elemental beasts, their tunneling ability is immense; they possess innate Earth Evasion and move with terrifying speed through soil.

If they had an entire day to prepare meticulously, without distraction, clearing this small nest of Pangolin Beasts might have been achievable. But now, they had no time.

After sprinting wildly for a short while, Ye Qin and the others managed to shake off the Pangolin Beasts and reached the deepest part of this mine tunnel.

Ye Qin froze.

Ahead was a solid rock wall. This cavern had no exit; it was a dead-end mine tunnel. They were now not only blocked by the Great Luo Sect disciples but also entangled by five demonic beasts.

A green silhouette appeared as Shen Bao stopped behind Ye Qin, staring at the rock wall, momentarily dumbfounded. He cursed loudly, "Damn it, it’s a dead end! Have I used up all my luck?"

Zhang Yunci, rushing up from behind, saw it was a dead end and shouted urgently, "Those five beasts are coming right behind us! Old Man Kong is buying time, but not for long! What do we do now?! Should we kill these Pangolin Beasts first, or fight our way back and clash with the Great Luo Sect disciples?!"

Ye Qin’s gaze sharpened. "We cannot kill these beasts. Killing the five adult Pangolin Beasts would certainly deplete our vital energy, making it easier for the Great Luo Sect to finish us off. We must head back, lure these five adult Pangolin Beasts to the tunnel exit, create chaos, and perhaps find a slim chance of survival. We are cornered beasts now; after creating chaos, everyone must fend for themselves! Go!"

"Good, that's settled!"

Shen Bao and the others immediately hardened their resolve and agreed to the plan. It was their only option left. The four green-robed shadows once again streaked rapidly through the tunnel. However, this time they were moving backward, not forward.

The five adult Pangolin Beasts, roaring incessantly, pursued them closely and were now catching up head-on.

"Whoosh!"

A fierce, ancient-hued claw struck out directly toward them.

The Pangolin Beast King!

Ye Qin hastily dodged with all his might. His peripheral vision caught sight of a small cub clinging to the Beast King's back. A sudden thought struck him, and he violently seized the cub by the neck, ripping it forcefully off the Beast King’s back.

Bang!

The Pangolin Beast King’s sharp claw struck Ye Qin’s protective shield, piercing it instantly. Ye Qin took a heavy blow, slamming into the rock wall and spitting out a mouthful of blood. Yet, before he hit the ground, he pushed up with one hand, leaped up, and continued sprinting toward the outer tunnel, appearing not seriously injured.

Shen Bao followed behind, glancing at the scene in astonishment. "Wow, Ye Senior Brother, you can withstand a strike like that? The Pangolin Beast King's claws are nearly as formidable as high-grade spirit artifacts."

Ye Qin reinforced his shield and touched his chest, feeling a burning pain. His green robe had a large section torn by the claw, and the Flame Thorn Silk Armor underneath bore three sharp fissures. Fortunately, the silk armor had not completely shattered; he had only suffered from the impact.

Ye Qin looked down at the Pangolin Beast cub clutched in his hand. He chuckled; taking that blow was worth it for this little fellow. "Everyone, prepare your Earth Evasion Talismans. We will lead the trouble toward the Great Luo Sect disciples next to create confusion! We will act according to circumstances."

Shen Bao was sharp-witted and immediately understood why Ye Qin had endured a heavy blow to capture this cub. He flew close to a second-tier adult Pangolin Beast, snatched a cub clinging to its back, and kicked the adult beast away.

The four rushed back toward the tunnel exit.

Behind them, the five Pangolin Beasts, enraged by the abduction of their young, shrieked wildly, chasing them regardless of the danger. The entire mine tunnel vibrated intensely with their roars.

Ahead, the hurried sounds of fabric rushing past from the fleeing Great Luo Sect disciples could be heard.

"Get ready to burrow!"

Ye Qin roared low, squeezing the cub in his hand fiercely. The cub immediately let out a sharp cry, stimulating the five pursuing Pangolin Beasts so much that their eyes turned bloodshot, almost spitting flames.

He then hurled the cub in his hand toward the figures rushing toward them, subsequently crushing an Earth Evasion Talisman and vanishing directly into the earth.

Shen Bao and the others followed suit, tossing the cubs away and then burrowing underground.

The few Great Luo Sect disciples rushing head-on saw a blurred object flying toward them, emitting strange screeches, and instantly cried out in alarm.

"What is th—"

"Quick, stop them! Don't let them get close!!"

The spells they had prepared were immediately unleashed—massive fireballs, wind blades, and ice arrows pelted the small yellow mass. The scales of a first-tier Pangolin Beast cub were not yet fully hardened and could not withstand such an onslaught of magic. It immediately squealed wretchedly, its flesh charred and bloody, barely clinging to life.

The disciples at the very front sensed that something was terribly wrong.

The five Pangolin Beasts, hearing the agonizing shrieks of their dying young, erupted in frantic roars. Driven by the desperate need to save their offspring, they paid no heed to the four burrowed individuals—Ye Qin and his group—and furiously charged toward the Great Luo Sect disciples near the tunnel entrance, attempting to rescue the two cubs. In the eyes of these beasts, the Great Luo Sect disciples were no different from Ye Qin’s group; they were all enemies who had invaded their lair, and whoever harmed their young, they would fight to the death.

"Ah!"

Screams echoed one after another.

"Not good, it's the Pangolin Beasts! There are four or five of them, fall back quickly!"

"The people from the Azure Pill Sect have lured the Pangolin Beasts over!"

The entire mine tunnel descended into panic and chaos.

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