Chapter 415 - 176: Fierce Battle, Retreat in Defeat

Chapter 415: Chapter 176: Fierce Battle, Retreat in Defeat

The youth in brocade clothing closed his eyes and his nose twitched. A moment later, he opened them again.

He shook his head. "It’s no use. He has a treasure that conceals his celestial presence. My Divine Technique can’t track him."

Hearing this, the faces of the other figures turned ashen.

"He got away again!"

"Damn it, we’re always just one step behind!"

"That Xuan Yin is a useless piece of trash! Couldn’t he have held on a little longer?!"

"Let’s go. If we can’t catch him, we can’t catch him. There will be plenty of other chances in the future," the youth in brocade clothing said, before vanishing without a trace.

The other figures glanced at each other before quickly vanishing as well.

——

Using the Zongyi Ascension Step, Fang Xing only returned to the Observatory as dusk approached.

He didn’t go to Hong Miaojin’s residence, instead heading straight for the Demon Suppression Mansion.

"M-My lord... what happened to you?!"

Seeing Fang Xing’s deathly pale face and listless appearance, Hong Luan was startled and rushed forward to support him.

"I’m fine, just a minor injury. I’m going to the Training Room to recuperate. I’m not seeing anyone."

Fang Xing said, then quickly headed for the Training Room.

Watching Fang Xing’s departing figure, Hong Luan’s expression grew solemn.

’My lord can easily slay a Top Level Demon King. For him to be so severely injured, could it be that he encountered a Grandmaster, or even a Demon Emperor?!’

The thought flashed through Hong Luan’s mind, and her expression tensed at the possibility.

’I can’t just let this be. I have to report this to the Commander.’

With that, Hong Luan quickly left the mansion. A short while later, she arrived at the gate of the Commander-in-Chief’s Residence.

After being granted permission, Hong Luan entered the Commander-in-Chief’s Residence and soon arrived before its study.

"Her Ladyship is inside. You may go in," the female Steward said to Hong Luan.

Hong Luan nodded and stepped into the study.

Inside the study, Hong Miaojin sat at her desk, reading through memorials.

"Is there news of Fang Xing?"

Hong Miaojin asked without looking up from the memorials.

Hong Luan bowed. "My Lady, Lord Fang has just returned, but he’s been seriously injured!"

"Hmm?"

Hearing this, Hong Miaojin immediately looked up at Hong Luan, her fine brows tightly knitted.

"What happened?"

"How bad are his injuries?"

Hong Miaojin asked, staring intently at Hong Luan.

Hong Luan clasped her hands. "In reply to My Lady, Lord Fang is currently recuperating, but the situation doesn’t look good. Your subordinate came specifically to report this."

’Seriously injured... Did that guy run into a Demon Emperor?’

Hong Miaojin’s gaze drifted out the window as the thought crossed her mind.

"Since he’s already recovering, it shouldn’t be a major problem. You are responsible for looking after him. No one is to disturb him."

"If his injuries are too severe, give this Elixir to him. It will aid his recovery."

As she spoke, Hong Miaojin took out a Treasure Box and handed it to Hong Luan.

Hong Luan accepted the Treasure Box and nodded. "Yes, My Lady. Your subordinate will ensure no one disturbs Lord Fang."

"You may go," Hong Miaojin said with a wave of her hand.

Hong Luan bowed, and only after paying her respects did she turn and leave the study.

Watching Hong Luan leave, Hong Miaojin pondered for a moment before taking out a Sound Transmission Bell to communicate with someone.

"The Jiuyou Demon Sect!"

"Xuan Yin!"

Upon hearing the answer, Hong Miaojin’s face instantly darkened.

A chilling aura swept through the entire study.

’Was this his own initiative, or was it ordered by the Immortal God behind him...’

Hong Miaojin gazed out the window, her eyes cold as Killing Intent surged within her.

After a moment of contemplation, her figure vanished from the study.

In the next instant, she appeared above the Demon Suppression Mansion.

She looked down upon the Demon Suppression Mansion, her gaze falling upon the Training Room within.

’His qi and blood are depleted. This battle certainly took a heavy toll. But to be able to critically wound a Grandmaster... it seems his power has truly reached the standard.’

With that thought, Hong Miaojin gave one last look and vanished without a trace.

Fang Xing was in the middle of his recovery, so there was no need for her to disturb him.

Although his injuries were not light, they weren’t overly severe either.

He would be fine after spending some time to recuperate.

...

Inside the Training Room, Fang Xing sat cross-legged.

After swallowing an Elixir and beginning the Refinement of the Divine Beast Essence in his body, the color returned to his face at a visible rate, a healthy flush appearing on his cheeks.

Gang Qi enveloped him all around, and as his aura circulated, his depleted Power rapidly recovered.

Three days passed before Fang Xing slowly opened his eyes.

It had taken him three whole days to recover.

His physical injuries weren’t actually that serious. Having cultivated the Prison-Suppression Golden Body, not only was his Defense Power greatly enhanced, but his regenerative ability was also beyond imagination.

By continuously consuming Elixirs and some of the fortified Divine Beast Essence, his qi and blood had returned to their peak.

As for the injuries to his Primordial Spirit, he had to consume some Spiritual Divine Essence to heal them.

It was a good thing he had saved some; otherwise, relying solely on his body’s natural, slow recovery, it might have taken him a whole month to return to his peak state.

The toll on one’s Primordial Spirit was no small matter.

"Whew..."

Letting out a soft sigh, Fang Xing immediately got to his feet.

This recovery period had also brought him a deeper understanding.

Combat was the best medicine for improvement.

Especially a life-or-death battle.

This was his first head-on clash with a Martial Arts Grandmaster. Compared to his previous encounter and flight from the Demon Emperor, the situation was much better this time.

His current strength had now risen to a level just below that of a Great Jing Celestial.

Although he was still far from the very top, once he stepped through the Grandmaster’s Dragon Gate, his power would experience an explosive increase.

After stabilizing his aura, Fang Xing rose and left the Training Room.

The moment he stepped out of the Training Room, he saw Hong Luan standing at the door.

During his three days of seclusion, Hong Luan had been standing guard outside the entire time.

Even while he was recuperating, he had sensed her presence.