Chapter 99: One Pursuit, Two Escapes

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Dongfang Bai stared in shock at the scene before her. She had never expected Yun Zhonghe’s martial arts to be so formidable that even Ren Woxing was no match for him. Recalling her earlier boasts, a blush of embarrassment spread across Dongfang Bai’s face. Yun Zhonghe had likely never taken her seriously; otherwise, fearing the involvement of others, he would have captured her long ago. Surprisingly, this licentious scoundrel Yun Zhonghe seemed to possess a certain regard for delicacy and virtue.

As this thought crossed her mind, she spat contemptuously, berating herself for such wild imaginings.

Ren Woxing’s gaze fixed on Yun Zhonghe, his voice tinged with astonishment: “Yun Zhonghe, what martial art do you practice?”

He had already refined the Star Absorbing Technique to its highest level, beyond the reach of any external force that could siphon his true energy. More importantly, from Yun Zhonghe’s display of martial skill, Ren Woxing detected a familiar essence. The martial art Yun Zhonghe wielded bore a resemblance to his own Star Absorbing Technique, perhaps even subtly surpassing it.

Yun Zhonghe’s face remained calm as he listened. Ren Woxing was indeed a master; he had discerned the truth in such a short time. Yun Zhonghe had no intention of hiding anything.

“I cultivate the Northern Darkness Divine Skill of the Carefree Sect,” Yun Zhonghe replied. “It is the very origin of your Star Absorbing Technique.”

Ren Woxing’s expression cleared with understanding. No wonder it felt so familiar.

“Yun Zhonghe, hand over the Northern Darkness Divine Skill to me, and I will let you leave Black Wood Cliff unharmed!” Ren Woxing demanded bluntly.

“We are all thousand-year-old foxes here; what ghost stories are you trying to spin?” Yun Zhonghe retorted. “If we give you the Northern Darkness Divine Skill, we won’t be able to leave Black Wood Cliff alive. Moreover, your Star Absorbing Technique cannot harm me, but the Northern Darkness Divine Skill can reverse and absorb your internal energy.”

“Now, the one who should be worried is you.”

Yun Zhonghe’s words darkened Ren Woxing’s face like the bottom of a pot. Indeed, even together, the two were a formidable challenge. But this was Black Wood Cliff—no one could safely descend without Ren Woxing’s permission.

Thinking of this, Ren Woxing turned his gaze to Dongfang Bai. “Are you wondering why, though I know you harbor treachery, I still keep you close?”

Dongfang Bai’s eyes narrowed; this was indeed suspicious. Within the Sun and Moon Sect, she had learned much about Ren Woxing. He tolerated no disloyalty. The moment he suspected betrayal, he unleashed thunderous retribution. Even a hint of doubt was met with the resolve to kill rather than let anyone escape.

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“You have prepared for today for a long time. I have a gift for you as well!” With these words, Ren Woxing pulled out a signal flare and hurled it sharply into the sky.

Yun Zhonghe, who had been closely watching Ren Woxing’s every move, reacted immediately and hurried forward—but it was too late.

Boom!

A deafening explosion. The sky erupted in a dazzling display of colors.

Both Yun Zhonghe and Dongfang Bai’s faces changed drastically. Despite their caution, they had been exposed. Worse, they had underestimated Ren Woxing’s cunning.

Thinking too much now was useless. Their only hope was to capture Ren Woxing, which might offer a sliver of survival. Otherwise, with the numerous masters atop Black Wood Cliff attacking together, even Yun Zhonghe’s Northern Darkness Divine Skill had limits to how much internal energy it could absorb. If exceeded, and the energy could not be converted in time, their meridians would be shattered.

Ren Woxing, having mastered the Star Absorbing Technique to its peak, surely understood this.

“What now? Still want to resist stubbornly?” Ren Woxing sneered, confident he had them cornered. “Hand over the Northern Darkness Divine Skill, and I swear to send you safely down the mountain!”

Yun Zhonghe and Dongfang Bai exchanged a glance and silently made their decision. They were not yet cornered; they still held a trump card.

“Leader Ren, don’t forget, your daughter is still in our hands. If you push us too hard, we might all perish together!” Yun Zhonghe threatened.

Ren Woxing’s face remained expressionless, which unsettled Yun Zhonghe.

“If that’s the case, then let Yingying go down to accompany her mother, so she won’t be lonely in the afterlife.”

At these words, Yun Zhonghe grudgingly gave Ren Woxing a thumbs-up. No wonder he had become a great man—he was a wolf among men.

“Ren Woxing, even a tiger does not harm its young, yet you would do such cruelty to a mere child!” Dongfang Bai shouted in outrage.

“You and your comrades caused their deaths. I will avenge them.”

“No more talk. Hand over the Northern Darkness Divine Skill manual, and I will spare your lives!”

Ren Woxing’s ruthless manner left no room for cooperation. In the next instant, both figures blurred into afterimages and dashed recklessly down the mountain. Defeated, their only choice was flight.

For Yun Zhonghe, this trip to Black Wood Cliff had achieved its purpose.

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After this encounter with Ren Woxing, Yun Zhonghe deeply realized that his strength was still insufficient to establish a foothold in the martial world. He must find a way to improve his skills as soon as possible.

“Sun and Moon Sect disciples, obey orders: stop Dongfang Bai and Yun Zhonghe at all costs! Show no mercy!”

At Ren Woxing’s command, Sun and Moon Sect disciples swarmed out like locusts, their force formidable.

Hearing the commotion behind them, Yun Zhonghe turned his head, his scalp tingling. He pushed his internal energy to the limit, unleashing his lightness skill to its utmost. His speed surged again.

As long as they could reach the territory of the Seven Great Sects, all would be well.

Before coming to Black Wood Cliff, Yun Zhonghe had prepared for the worst.

Dongfang Bai, aware of the dire situation, also pushed her speed to the extreme. At this moment, the map that Xie Xun had drawn for them proved invaluable, helping them avoid many detours.

Ren Woxing pursued swiftly behind. Seeing that their speed did not wane, suspicion grew in his heart. There were traps on Black Wood Cliff, some unknown even to Dongfang Bai, yet none hindered their progress.

His gaze sharpened on Yun Zhonghe. If not Dongfang Bai, then it must be Yun Zhonghe. But how could Yun Zhonghe know Black Wood Cliff so well?

Could it be...

The thought weighed heavily on Ren Woxing. If Yun Zhonghe truly belonged to the Ming Cult, Ren Woxing could not bring himself to kill him.

Yet letting the two escape so easily left Ren Woxing unwilling.

If he could obtain the Northern Darkness Divine Skill manual, his martial prowess would ascend to new heights, and perhaps he could return to the Ming Cult.

Once he captured Yun Zhonghe, he would question him thoroughly. If his suspicions proved true, he would only demand the manual.

Dongfang Bai dared to betray the sect—it was a death sentence.

With this thought, Ren Woxing suddenly quickened his pace, drastically closing the gap between the three.

Just as Yun Zhonghe relaxed briefly, his heart tightened once more.

Does this old man ever tire?