At the critical moment, the void beside Nan Shangfeng suddenly tore open, and dozens of thick black roots broke through the void, wrapping around Nan Shangfeng. They were indeed the roots of the Undying Tree.

The roots and the black shadow's tendrils vied with each other, both trying to pull Nan Shangfeng toward their own side.

Hei Lian raised an eyebrow, not expecting such a turn of events. Just as she was about to cast a spell, she saw the void near Nan Shangfeng crack open, and two large thunder spears shot out from it.

One shot towards the shadow under Nan Shangfeng's feet, while the other aimed at her.

A violent thunderous aura erupted from the thunder spears, as if it would tear the void apart wherever it passed.

"Destruction Thunder!"

Hei Lian's pupils contracted sharply, her hands forming seals, as the black shadow's dharma manifestation stepped forward. The creeping darkness spread in the void, swiftly enveloping the incoming thunder spear and devouring it quickly.

At the same moment, the other thunder spear had already struck the shadow under Nan Shangfeng's feet.

After a brief silence, a blinding lightning accompanied by a huge boom erupted, forming a sky-reaching pillar of lightning on the sea surface. Countless silver thunder arcs leaped up, easily shredding the shadow entangling Nan Shangfeng.

The roots of the Undying Tree pulled back rapidly, narrowly pulling Nan Shangfeng out of the range of the Destruction Thunder's explosion.

Nan Shangfeng coughed twice, not having time to speak, when the Soul Descent Rune in his Sea of Consciousness lit up, his expression changing instantly as his body was controlled by Yuan Ming.

"Fellow Daoist Qin, this person is too formidable. No need to protect me, let's each flee for our lives!" Nan Shangfeng shouted, raising his hand to summon a Thunderbolt Flying Car.

A glaring thunder light circled around the flying car, then transformed into a long rainbow of lightning, disappearing into the distant sky in the blink of an eye.

Qin Meiniang was momentarily stunned. Seeing Nan Shangfeng decisively retreating, she was shocked and angry, stomping her foot.

However, as Nan Shangfeng had said, she was not at all a match for Hei Lian. She bit her teeth, turned around, and fled in flying escape in the opposite direction.

All this happened in just a few breaths. Hei Lian, having just used her black shadow dharma manifestation to swallow the thunder spear, looked up and saw the scene, also momentarily stunned.

"Without Qin Meiniang's protection, do you really think you can escape?" The woman was not frightened but delighted, her figure transforming into a black long rainbow, chasing directly after Nan Shangfeng.

The black long rainbow, whose escape technique was unknown, was more than twice as fast as using a Thunderbolt Flying Car, quickly closing the distance between them.

"Nan Shangfeng" turned his head, noticing the situation, but did not panic, raising his hand again.

A gigantic silver thunder shadow appeared, lifting his body. It was Lei Yu.

Lei Yu unfolded its four wings, fully unleashing its Wind and Thunder Power, intertwining with each other.

Boom!

Nan Shangfeng's speed suddenly increased severalfold, far surpassing the black long rainbow behind, rapidly widening the distance between them.

"How is it possible!" Hei Lian was incredibly stunned.

At this moment, she was using the Void Stealth Technique. How could she be outpaced by someone in the late stage of Returning Void!

Hei Lian quickly formed seals again, and specks of silver light appeared within the black long rainbow, increasing its tunneling speed by nearly half.

However, the speed of the Thunderstorm Wind Thunder Escape far exceeded her expectations. Even with the secret technique, she still couldn't catch up, and could only watch as Nan Shangfeng's figure gradually turned into a small dot, soon disappearing at the edge of her vision.

In less than half an incense stick's time, Lei Yu completely left her Divine Sense's detection range.

...

One day and one night later.

Yuan Ming had long since stopped controlling Nan Shangfeng's body, only allowing Lei Yu to fly with all its might.

Hei Lian had been left far behind somewhere, but since Hei Lian's cultivation was a whole Great Realm higher than his, whether she could still track his trail remained an unknown.

"Nan Shangfeng, how did you provoke that Hei Lian? Why does she want to kill you? Tell me truthfully, or don't blame me for leaving you behind and letting that demon handle you," Yuan Ming transmitted his voice to Nan Shangfeng, his tone clearly displeased.

"Fellow Daoist Wan, don't be angry. I'm not very clear on this matter either. Today is the first time I've met that Hei Lian, how could I provoke her? It's just..." Nan Shangfeng hurriedly begged for mercy, then hesitated.

Judging by his expression, he seemed to have some guesses about Hei Lian's arrival, but wasn't very sure.

"Just what is it, don't hem and haw, speak quickly!" Yuan Ming said impatiently.

"It's like this, Fellow Daoist Wan also knows, I am the second disciple of the Daluo Sect Master. Our master is already advanced in age, and he has been intending to seclude himself in an attempt to take the final step to see if he can break through the Mahayana Heaven Barrier. However, the position of Sect Master still needs someone to inherit it, and the candidate will be chosen among us disciples." Nan Shangfeng hastily explained.

"You mean to say, this Hei Lian is here because of the succession of the Daluo Sect?" Yuan Ming realized what he was trying to say.

"Exactly, senior is unaware that my master has four disciples in total. Senior Brother He Xiuwen has the highest cultivation and has already reached the Dharma manifestation stage; Third Junior Brother Yang Fan is a Sword Cultivator, following the path of Supreme Forget Love, and his cultivation is also above mine; Junior Sister Gan Wenqing practices the way of Soul Cultivation and has reached the Word Witch Realm. According to the sect rules, if nothing unexpected happens, the next Sect Master will be chosen from the four of us. Those three have been fighting openly and secretly for the position for a long time. Although I'm not very capable, I have some influence from my family, and some people in the sect are willing to support me. I'm not interested in becoming the Sect Leader at all, nor do I want to be drawn into the whirlpool of intrigue, so I've been trying to stay away from the sect over the years. I came to the Extreme East this time to participate in the Ten Thousand Treasure Auction for this reason, but I didn't expect they still wouldn't let me go." Nan Shangfeng said with hatred.

The Flying Boat was destroyed, and the Ruan Brothers were killed, which was fine, but several of his concubines were also on the Flying Boat, and they were probably doomed.

"So, you think this Hei Lian was sent by one of your three fellow disciples?" Yuan Ming asked.

"Yes, if my guess is correct, it's most likely sent by my Senior Brother. There have long been rumors in the sect that he has dealings with the Three Realms Sect, and now it seems, it's probably true." A trace of coldness flashed in Nan Shangfeng's eyes.

During their conversation, Yuan Ming quietly cast the Emotion Manipulation Divine Ability to sense Nan Shangfeng's emotional fluctuations and found no inconsistencies, indicating that what Nan Shangfeng said should be true.

If Hei Lian's attack was merely due to internal strife within the Daluo Sect, it had nothing to do with him, so there was no need to worry excessively.

"This... Fellow Daoist Wan, forgive my boldness, you have seen the current situation. Hei Lian is pursuing me, and I don't know what the other fellow disciples think, they might also send someone. My life is at stake, and I wonder if you could protect me for the sake of my sincere efforts during the Ten Thousand Treasure Auction? Rest assured, I won't make you come for nothing. As long as I survive, whatever price you name, I, Nan, will have no objections." Nan Shangfeng's expression changed, and he suddenly stood up and bowed.

"... That Qin Meiniang, did you hire her in this way?" Yuan Ming asked quietly after a moment of silence.

"Exactly, but I don't know where she is now, and with Qin Meiniang's nature, she might not risk coming to fulfill the promise anymore." Nan Shangfeng said wistfully.

"According to your original plan, you were supposed to let her escort you back to the sect. Now, are you asking me to replace her and take you back?" Yuan Ming asked.

"Fellow Daoist Wan, that is absolutely impossible. If my Senior Brother has already resorted to such means, returning to the sect would likely be a dead end. For now, I can only seek out Master and ask him to resolve all this." Nan Shangfeng hurriedly said.

"At such an important time for choosing the next Sect Master, your Master isn't personally presiding over the sect?" Yuan Ming asked somewhat puzzledly.

"He was personally presiding over it previously, but years ago he suddenly received a message and went alone to Wuliang City in Central Continent, leaving the sect affairs to the four of us as a test for inheriting the position. He will finalize the candidate when he returns." Nan Shangfeng explained.

"In other words, you're asking me to accompany you to Wuliang City? That's absolutely impossible, seek someone else, Fellow Daoist Nan." Yuan Ming pondered for a long time and finally shook his head.

"This... Fellow Daoist Wan, my safety now depends solely on you. I beseech you to save me. I still have thirty million Spirit Stones, and I'm willing to give them all to you, Fellow Daoist Wan!" Nan Shangfeng said, his face turning pale.

"In essence, this is still trouble within your sect, and I have other matters to attend to, with no intention of getting involved. For the sake of past interactions, I will help you evade Hei Lian's pursuit as best as I can, but then we part ways. As for the Spirit Stones, keep them to hire other cultivators." Yuan Ming still refused.

He had heard of Wuliang City, located in the northwest of the Central Continent, while his destination was White Emperor City to meet with Xi Ying and Wulu, so it was impossible to go to Wuliang City, which was too far away.

As for helping Nan Shangfeng restore his Spirit Root, it would also have to be disregarded.

This man had too many troubles, and Yuan Ming felt that helping him escape from Hei Lian's pursuit was already a magnanimous gesture on his part.

Nan Shangfeng looked desperate upon hearing this.

Yuan Ming did not speak further with him and directly left the Void Palace, landed on Lei Yu's back, and summoned Shura Palace, entering it.

Before Yuan Ming could instruct further, Lei Yu opened its mouth and swallowed Shura Palace whole.

Seeing Yuan Ming unwilling even to stay in the Void Palace, Nan Shangfeng's face showed even more gloom.

Yuan Ming paid him no mind and telepathically instructed Lei Yu to continue fleeing at full speed to avoid being caught by Hei Lian.

"Master, at this full speed, Hua Zhi and Vajra might not be able to keep up," Lei Yu reminded telepathically.

Hua Zhi and Vajra had been out training for years, returning occasionally. Although Hua Zhi had informed Yuan Ming about the Ten Thousand Treasure Auction, Hua Zhi was busy with Holy Spirit Association affairs and did not attend with Yuan Ming.

"No worry, we're not going somewhere too far, let them take their time to catch up," Yuan Ming was unconcerned.

Hearing this, Lei Yu ceased further comment and focused on speeding away.

"I plan to seclude myself for a few days, keep watch over Nan Shangfeng for me, and if he makes any wrong moves, toss him off immediately," Yuan Ming instructed further.

"Rest assured, Master, I understand," Lei Yu replied.

After eighty years of arduous training, Lei Yu's strength had nearly reached the Upper Fifth Level, and dealing with someone like Nan Shangfeng, who wasn't adept at combat, shouldn't pose a problem.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.