If he had to face Yang Zhilu—ranked ninth on the Sky List—alone, Luo Xiu would have felt no pressure. Even though he didn't know his own cultivation realm, this so-called Sky List Strong One couldn't impose any sense of oppression on him.

However, Luo Xiu dared not relax in the slightest, because Xia Chan was still behind him. He had to guarantee that while he dealt with Yang Zhilu and her group, Xia Chan would not be harmed.

"Little guy, remember what I told you back at the Chu Family," she said. "Next time we meet, this sister is definitely going to teach you a lesson."

Luo Xiu replied coolly, "I also remember saying that if you dare block my path again, I'll beat you as if you were Ye Piaoling."

"Little fella, not very old, but your boasts are bigger than anyone's," she retorted.

Yang Zhilu stopped, a powerful aura suddenly erupting from her. In an instant, a wild wind surged through the forest, sending leaves scattering everywhere!

"BOOM!"

But in the next moment, an elderly figure descended from the sky, landing squarely between Luo Xiu and Yang Zhilu.

Luo Xiu looked up and saw that the newcomer was none other than the old patriarch of the Chu Family—Chu Aoran!

Following Chu Aoran, figures began to flicker rapidly in the nearby woods. One after another, Chu Family Disciples emerged from the night's darkness, completely surrounding Yang Zhilu and her companions.

"Luo Xiu!" Xu Qianqing ran to his side, her face filled with concern. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Luo Xiu gently shook his head, breathing a quiet sigh of relief. The Chu family arrived just in time.

At that moment, Chu Aoran, who was standing before them, spoke. "Ninth Sister, you've got some nerve. This is Chu Family territory, after all. Trespassing is one thing, but to think you'd actually intend to harm a guest of the Chu Family here?"

Hearing the term "Ninth Sister," Yang Zhilu's expression soured with annoyance. Being ranked ninth among the ten on the Sky List, those ranked higher than her often teased her with that name. But she was far too proud; she didn't want to be a younger sister, she only wanted to be the elder one.

Chu Aoran mocked, "What's this? The mighty ninth on the Sky List has been reduced to someone's attack dog?"

Yang Zhilu naturally understood his meaning and replied coolly, "It's not as degrading as you think. I simply owe the Prince a favor."

Hearing this, Chu Aoran felt quite helpless himself. Wasn't it because he owed the Tianyu King a favor that he had agreed to give Luo Xiu a hard time before?

"Xie Rou, take Luo Xiu and this young lady to Lake Chu Tian. Leave this to your grandfather," Chu Aoran instructed.

Without a word, Xu Qianqing grabbed Luo Xiu's hand and led him in another direction. The contingent of Chu Family Disciples followed closely behind.

Before long, Luo Xiu heard immense booms echoing from the dense forest behind them, as if the very heavens and earth were shaking.

One of the Chu Family Disciples couldn't help but exclaim, "The Sky List Strong Ones are truly terrifying!"

Another disciple voiced his concern. "The old patriarch... he'll be alright, won't he?"

"Ha, don't be ridiculous. Our old patriarch is fifth on the Sky List. What trouble could he possibly have against Yang Zhilu, who's ranked ninth?"

Xu Qianqing led the way in silence, paying no attention to the disciples' discussion. From time to time, she would sneak a glance at Xia Chan. Seeing Xia Chan clutching Luo Xiu's sleeve with a dependent, bird-like demeanor, she couldn't help but feel a pang of jealousy.

"Did you get it back?" Xu Qianqing asked, breaking the silence.

Luo Xiu nodded slightly. "I did."

"That's good." Xu Qianqing visibly relaxed and smiled. "We'll be out of the Formation soon. Once we reach Lake Chu Tian, no one will dare come after you."

Luo Xiu said, "I didn't expect you to actually bring people to meet me here. You even brought your grandfather."

Xu Qianqing rolled her eyes. "Well, of course. We had an agreement, didn't we?"

Looking at her, Luo Xiu suddenly felt a bit guilty. Truthfully, he hadn't planned on coming to the Chu Family at all. His original plan was to retrieve the Elixir from the Ye Family, pick up Xia Chan from the hotel, and then flee the Capital City with her. In the Capital City, right under the Empress's watchful eye, slaughtering an entire ancient martial family with his sword would undoubtedly bring endless trouble. He would be a wanted man for life. Therefore, he hadn't wanted to bring that trouble to the Chu Family and implicate Xu Qianqing. But plans never keep up with reality. Who could have predicted that before he even left the Ye Family, Xia Chan would fall into enemy hands? He had no choice but to bring her to the Chu Family for refuge.

After a moment of silence, Xu Qianqing spoke again. "I just received news about what happened at the Ye Family… Luo Xiu, you should stay with the Chu Family for now. If you go out, the people from the Imperial Palace will definitely be looking for you."

But Luo Xiu shook his head. "That would bring trouble to the entire Chu Family. Once Xiaochan is settled, I'll leave immediately."

"If our Martial Champion is so eager to leave, then why not come and be my guest?"

Suddenly, a playful voice drifted from the darkness ahead.

Luo Xiu's heart sank. He stopped and looked up to see a middle-aged man in traditional attire standing beneath a tree.

The Chu Family disciples instantly grew vigilant, quickly fanning out into a defensive formation to protect Xu Qianqing.

Standing behind Luo Xiu, Xia Chan's eyes lit up when she saw the middle-aged man. It was none other than Chen Xuanbao! The Archbishop of the Holy Boi Religion!

Evidently, Di Yu was highly efficient. He had seized the opportunity, while the Ye Family was in chaos and the Empress had dispatched the Imperial Palace's masters there, to rescue the detained Chen Xuanbao.

Xu Qianqing stared at Chen Xuanbao and said coldly, "Who are you?"

She couldn't understand how these people knew the route through the Formation around Lake Chu Tian. How could they have slipped past them so quietly to block their path? Could there be a traitor in the Chu family? But she had no time to ponder that now. The most important thing was to protect Luo Xiu.

Chen Xuanbao smiled faintly. "Miss Chu, there's no need to be nervous. The person I'm looking for isn't you, but the one behind you."

Hearing this, Xu Qianqing glanced back at Luo Xiu before fixing her gaze on Chen Xuanbao again, her tone unyielding. "You're on Chu Family territory! It doesn't matter who you're looking for, the answer is no!"

Chen Xuanbao ignored her and casually snapped his fingers with a flourish. A graceful figure slowly emerged from the shadows behind him.

When he saw the figure's face, Luo Xiu's brow furrowed. It was Luo Ying.

Chen Xuanbao spoke in a commanding tone, "Kill Luo Xiu. As for these Chu Family members, apart from Miss Chu of the Chu Family, if any of the others dare to stop you, kill them without mercy!"

Killing a few Chu Family disciples was no big deal, but harming the Chu Family's own young miss would surely invite their frenzied retaliation. He had to weigh his options carefully.

Luo Ying, like a walking corpse, received the order. Her figure flickered and vanished into the night. The next instant, she appeared before Luo Xiu.

His expression unchanging, Luo Xiu's body erupted with a terrifying aura as he threw a punch!

"BOOM—!"

The two fists collided, making The Void itself tremble. Luo Xiu and Luo Ying were each forced back several steps before they could regain their footing.

"Qianqing, take everyone and get back! I'm the only one who can handle this woman; you can't interfere!"

Without hesitation, Xu Qianqing immediately led the Chu Family Disciples to fall back and seek cover.

Just then, Luo Ying's figure flashed again, this time choosing to attack Xia Chan.

Luo Xiu's heart plummeted. He instantly changed direction, moving even faster than Luo Ying to rush toward Xia Chan, embracing her in the nick of time.

"BANG!"

Luo Ying's punch, originally aimed at Xia Chan, landed squarely on Luo Xiu's back with a deafening thud. The tremendous force sent Luo Xiu flying backward, still clutching Xia Chan.

In mid-air, Luo Xiu endured the intense pain and quickly shifted his body to shield Xia Chan completely.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

His body snapped several large trees in succession before he finally crashed to the ground.

"Brother Luo…" Xia Chan opened her eyes and stared at Luo Xiu in disbelief. She never expected that when she was in danger, he would protect her with such reckless abandon for his own life. She couldn't understand what she truly meant to this man.

Luo Xiu spat out a mouthful of blood and quickly scrambled to his feet, facing Luo Ying with a wary expression.

Watching Luo Xiu's back, Xia Chan clenched her fists as a surge of anger rose within her. She thought Chen Xuanbao was despicable! He must have known it would be difficult for Luo Ying to kill Luo Xiu, so he ordered her to attack me instead. Yet, at the same time, she felt helpless. From her standpoint, Chen Xuanbao was an ally, while Luo Xiu was the enemy.

"Brother Luo… you don't have to worry about me. Just focus on the enemy," Xia Chan said, her lips pursed. It was the only thing she could do for him. She knew Luo Ying wouldn't truly harm her.

But just as her words fell, a piercing whistle cut through the night. Dozens of crystal swords, formed by the Dragon Drill, came soaring toward her through the air.

"Watch out!" Luo Xiu yelled, hastily shoving her aside while simultaneously activating Luo Tian's Control over Xuanzhong, easily blocking the crystal swords.

To his shock, in the next moment, Luo Ying's figure appeared behind Xia Chan, a crystal sword in hand, thrusting it directly at her!

"Damn it!" Luo Xiu was so furious he felt his lungs would explode. He lunged forward, pushing Xia Chan out of the way.

"SSST!"

At the very instant he shoved Xia Chan aside, Luo Ying's crystal sword easily pierced his physical defenses and plunged into his chest.

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