The expression on the protector's face changed as soon as the Sky Piercing Finger was unleashed, because the two of them were practically within arm's reach. Despite the powerful surge of Northern Spiritual Energy, the protector chose to forcibly withstand it.

Even someone at the Dawen Realm wouldn't want to directly take such a powerful strike, but there seemed to be no other option at that moment.

This strike from the protector was initially aimed at attacking Ling Zhenfei, but he hastily transformed his attacking energy into defensive energy.

Originally intending to use only thirty percent of his power for the attack, he now had to muster all of his spiritual energy for defense.

Boom!

A thunderous explosion erupted as two immensely powerful energies collided, Ling Zhenfei's Sky Piercing Finger clashed directly with the protector of the Dawen Realm.

Ling Zhenfei had utilized the Sky Piercing Finger many times before, but no one had ever dared to receive it head-on, yet now the protector had taken the hit.

The impact was overwhelmingly strong, and even with the protector's formidable strength, he couldn't fend off the powerful Sky Piercing Finger in such a hurried defense.

The protector was directly knocked back by the mighty Sky Piercing Finger, but Ling Zhenfei didn't fare well either, due to injuries he already had. Without these injuries, a single finger would have almost guaranteed a victory.

Driving the protector away with just a finger was fortunate enough; he dared not linger, quickly grabbing Ru Meng's hand and saying, "Let's go."

Ru Meng, being at the Zhiyi Boundary, reacted quickly, instantly understanding the situation and followed Ling Zhenfei over the courtyard wall, running outside.

Once outside, they poured all their spiritual energy into the Blooming Step Technique, sprinting away, while angry shouts echoed from behind, clearly signaling the protector's pursuit.

Ru Meng was a bit anxious, her hands cold with sweat, fully aware that being caught by the protector would end badly.

"Where can we possibly go now? We cannot escape the protector's pursuit."

Ling Zhenfei pondered for a moment and said, "I know a place where we might evade capture."

"Well, then tell me, where can we hide?"

Ling Zhenfei replied, "You are very familiar with Xianling Mountain; if we go there, we should be able to escape the protector's pursuit."

Ru Meng scoffed briefly, "You just want an excuse to take me into the mountains with you."

Ling Zhenfei insisted, "This is not an excuse. Think about it: the protector's strength surpasses ours; if we take the main road, there's no way to escape. However, if we enter Xianling Mountain, it's a different story.

You are familiar with the paths in Xianling Mountain. Now the snow has sealed the mountain, and the paths are buried, only you know the way. The protector won't find the path inside and certainly can't pursue us."

Ru Meng considered Ling Zhenfei's reasoning and glanced back at the protector, who was indeed furiously chasing them with four underlings, the distance not very far.

Ru Meng agreed, "Alright, let's head into the mountains."

With this decision, they changed direction and dashed towards Xianling Mountain.

Currently, Xianling Mountain was buried under snow, with no visible paths, but fortunately, neither of them required roads. With the Blooming Step Technique, they left no footprints on the snow.

Unless one lay down to look closely, no one would suspect people had passed through.

The two were fully utilizing their spiritual energy, their speed incredible, holding hands and pulling each other along.

The protector behind them was incredibly fast, even faster than the two.

"Little Ru Meng, I taught you the Blooming Step Technique, yet here you are, trying to use it to escape from me. It's simply laughable."

The protector had caught up.

Ling Zhenfei, using his Divine Sense, had already locked onto the protector's movements, allowing him to see clearly without turning back.

Ling Zhenfei was astonished. With his injuries and Ru Meng's lower realm, they couldn't possibly escape from the protector.

The Great Protector was already behind them, ready to threaten their lives.

Ru Meng exclaimed in shock, "What do we do? He's caught up."

Ling Zhenfei reassured, "Don't worry, I have a plan."

With that, Ling Zhenfei suddenly unleashed a Divine Sense Attack on the protector within range, catching him off guard.

His head buzzed as if punched, but being a Dawen Realm expert, he quickly regained composure, though bewildered.

They had been chasing through the snow, yet the surroundings transformed, suddenly presenting a bamboo forest.

They were clearly in the primeval forest, yet now it had become a vast bamboo grove.

The wind rustled the bamboo leaves audibly.

Instinctively sensing unease amidst such surreal surroundings, the protector realized something wasn't right; they had been outside Xianling Mountain, now impossibly in a bamboo grove.

Everything appeared real: small bridges and flowing streams, extensive bamboo, even drops of water upon the leaves, felt by touch.

Stricken with fear, the protector struck out with a palm infused with powerful spiritual energy, breaking several bamboo stalks.

Amidst the illusionary realm, Ling Zhenfei and Ru Meng had escaped into the forest. Ru Meng asked in amazement, "What did you just do?"

Ling Zhenfei explained, "It's a bamboo illusion. Even for someone as powerful as the protector in the Dawen Realm, it will take a while to break free, allowing us a safe escape."

Ru Meng remarked, "That must be a valuable treasure of yours, yet leaving it behind like that seems wasteful."

Ling Zhenfei replied, "Compared to a magic treasure, our lives are much more important."

The duo continued running hand in hand, never letting go, as if accustomed or simply unaware.

They had visited here once before. Despite the snow-covered mountain, Ling Zhenfei felt somewhat familiar with the place.

Ru Meng, evidently well-acquainted with the area, glanced at Ling Zhenfei, asking, "What's your purpose for coming into the mountains this time?"

Ling Zhenfei sheepishly admitted, "I'm still after the Rejuvenation Grass."

Ru Meng paused, her footsteps faltering momentarily, "Still after the Rejuvenation Grass? Aren't you heading to that perilous cliff again?"

Ling Zhenfei sighed, "I have no choice. We know the Rejuvenation Grass is there; finding it elsewhere is uncertain and time-consuming."

Ru Meng scoffed, "Are you insane? Last time the eagle pursued us out of Xianling Mountain. It must hate us to its core. You're going back there to that place? Are you looking to die?"

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