Chapter 87 - 84: I’m Afraid, So... I Can No Longer Keep You

Chapter 87: Chapter 84: I’m Afraid, So... I Can No Longer Keep You

"Immortal Masters of the Celestial Sword Sect, it’s Jiang Hao! It really is him! Hahaha, I’ve found him!"

The Cultivator who spotted Jiang Hao was ecstatic, looking even more thrilled than if he had stumbled upon a monumental stroke of luck. This person was none other than Wang Jiang.

Staring intently at the members of the Nanling Team as they streaked through the air below, Wang Jiang pointed frantically at one of the figures.

Upon hearing his shouts, all the Cultivators aboard the ark looked down, immediately locking onto the direction Wang Jiang was pointing. Even the likes of Mo Yan and Dugu Hongyun peered over, all momentarily stunned.

They had just been talking about him moments ago. Who could have expected such a coincidence—he was right under their noses!

"It really is him. Good, very good! Let’s see where you can run this time," Dugu Hongyun declared, becoming the most excited of them all the moment he clearly identified the figure.

BOOM!

Without another word, Dugu Hongyun erupted with an earth-shattering aura. He tore through the sky, causing a series of explosive sonic booms to ripple through the void. This sudden commotion instantly drew the attention of countless Cultivators.

At the same time, down in the crowd, a million thoughts raced through Jiang Hao’s mind the moment he heard that familiar voice. However, it was clearly impossible to stay hidden any longer.

"Brothers, I, Jiang, will go on ahead," Jiang Hao said. "We shall meet again if fate allows."

With no time to think, he shot into the sky and sped toward the Ancient Emperor Sect.

Although Ji Qingxue had once mentioned that Nanling Cultivators were not afraid of the Celestial Sword Sect and might symbolically intervene for the sake of their camp, Jiang Hao was never one to put his life in someone else’s hands. Right now, his best means of survival was to flee the area as fast as possible, not to rely on the Nanling Team.

"Hmph, it won’t be that easy to leave!"

The instant Jiang Hao took to the air, Dugu Hongyun closed in. With a sweeping wave of his hand, he fired off a Martial Soul Mark that firmly attached itself to Jiang Hao. Dugu Hongyun had wised up this time. Since Jiang Hao had escaped using a concealment technique during their last encounter, Dugu Hongyun employed a tracking method the very moment they met.

"Die!"

BOOM!

Taking full advantage of his higher altitude, Dugu Hongyun unleashed a terrifying sword strike. A heaven-shaking wave of Sword Qi tore through the void, carrying a dreadful suppressive force as it crashed down toward the ascending Jiang Hao.

With no time to overthink, Jiang Hao summoned his Qingfeng Sword and fiercely slashed upward. The two streams of Sword Qi exploded in the air, the Spirit Transformation Power instantly engulfing everything and sending countless Cultivators fleeing madly into the distance.

The earth-shattering boom drew even more eyes. Upon seeing the terrifying, heaven-defying Sword Qi exchanged by the two, everyone was utterly astounded.

"Is that... Dugu Hongyun of the Celestial Sword Sect?" a Cultivator watching from afar exclaimed, his eyes filled with shock.

A figure ranked among the top seventy-two peerless prodigies of the Celestial Sword Sect was the real deal. His fame had long spread far and wide, and countless experts recognized Dugu Hongyun.

"It really is Dugu Hongyun, one of the Celestial Sword Sect’s seventy-two peerless prodigies, a standout even among geniuses."

"How are the Celestial Sword Sect’s people already fighting someone before we’ve even entered the Ancient Emperor Sect?"

"Who is that young man fighting Dugu Hongyun?"

"From what was just shouted, it seems to be that rising star who’s been the talk of the town lately—Jiang Hao."

"Jiang Hao? It’s actually him?"

For a moment, countless Cultivators recalled the rumors they had heard recently, their interest thoroughly piqued.

Meanwhile, Jiang Hao had yet to reveal his full strength and continued to conceal his cultivation base.

"I can’t fight an all-out battle right now," he thought. "Getting away from here takes priority."

Taking a deep look at the terrifying figures on the other two Celestial Sword Sect arks, Jiang Hao knew he couldn’t stay here for long. Nor could he rashly display all his power. If the people of the Celestial Sword Sect realized he had broken through to Spirit Transformation, they would undoubtedly lay an inescapable Heaven and Earth Net and seize the opportunity to siege and kill him right then and there.

With this in mind, Jiang Hao allowed himself to be repelled by the clash, feigning defeat as he fled frantically.

"Heh, is this the so-called rising star? Nothing impressive."

"How did Dugu Hongyun let trash like this escape last time?"

"Senior Brother Fu, should we intervene?"

"There is no need. If Dugu Hongyun lets a piece of trash who has barely entered the Spirit Transformation Realm escape again, he will have thoroughly disgraced the Celestial Sword Sect."

The peerless prodigies on the other two Celestial Sword Sect arks remained as immovable as mountains. To them, the aura exuding from the white-robed young man was merely at Early-stage Spirit Transformation. There was absolutely no need for them to lift a finger.

However, when Ji Qingxue and her companions witnessed this scene, they found it incredibly intriguing.

"Brother Jiang is quite cunning. I’m afraid this Celestial Sword Sect disciple is done for."

"To think he wouldn’t hesitate to use the Soul Locking Technique. He’s completely cut off his own route of retreat. If I were Brother Jiang, I definitely wouldn’t let him live, though now isn’t the time to kill him."

All the peerless prodigies of the Nanling Team suddenly felt a chill run down their spines. They naturally saw through Jiang Hao’s intentions. Even if he wanted to counterattack, he wouldn’t do it within the Celestial Sword Sect’s encirclement. Otherwise, the moment those on the arks felt threatened, they would instantly swarm him. Although Jiang Hao’s current strength meant he might not fear them, there were simply too many Cultivators here; there was no guarantee a sudden mishap wouldn’t occur.

Things were exactly as Ji Wufeng and the others suspected—Jiang Hao had already formed murderous intent toward the pursuing Dugu Hongyun.

"Since you’ve used Soul Locking on me, I definitely can’t let you live," he thought.

Fleeing even more frantically, Jiang Hao made himself look exceptionally battered and exhausted. However, while he appeared to be running for his life, he was actually calculating the distance needed to prevent the Celestial Sword Sect from rapidly encircling him. As long as he widened that gap, it would be the perfect time to strike back.

Yet, the more the white-robed youth acted this way, the more he drew public sneers from countless Cultivators.

"Rumors truly are untrustworthy. This guy has been hyped up to godlike proportions lately, but who would have thought he’d be this useless?"

"He doesn’t even have the courage to face Dugu Hongyun head-on. All he knows is how to dodge. It’s only a matter of time before he’s slain."

"With such loud rumors, I thought he’d really be a dark horse. This is a bit disappointing."

As many Cultivators looked on with disappointment and disdain, the chase between the two caused an even greater commotion. Wherever Jiang Hao passed, the space was either cleaved by Sword Qi or swallowed by Spirit Transformation Power, throwing the void into total chaos. As the situation escalated, the number of Cultivators noticing this scene multiplied exponentially.

Somewhere in the crowd.

"Sister, it’s Brother Qin Fan! It’s Brother Qin Fan!" A girl in purple robes pointed wildly at the battered, fleeing white-robed youth in the distant sky, overjoyed.

This girl was none other than Qin Xiangying of the Qin Family. Alongside her were Qin Xiangyuan, Qin Ye, and a group of other favored sons and daughters of heaven from Qin City. However, the number of people in this Qin City genius team of the Fifth Camp had noticeably plummeted since Jiang Hao’s departure.

"Brother Qin Fan! It really is Brother Qin Fan!"

Wearing a pink skirt, Qin Xiangyuan was instantly overcome with excitement the moment she saw him. She frantically took flight in the direction Jiang Hao was fleeing. As she soared through the air, she cried out "Brother Qin Fan!", desperately hoping that figure would hear her calls.

Seeing this, Qin Xiangying, Qin Ye, and the others flew desperately to keep up with her. Unfortunately, this mountain range was simply too vast. Coupled with the ocean of Cultivators all flying toward the Ancient Emperor Sect, their group was quickly swallowed by the crowds.

"Brother Qin Fan..."

Qin Xiangyuan watched the white-robed youth drift further and further away, her beautiful eyes brimming with worry. The breathtakingly gorgeous girl, now teary-eyed, instantly captivated the gazes of countless nearby peerless prodigies who couldn’t bear to look away.

"Fairy Qin, don’t chase after him. The distance is too great, and there are too many people. We won’t be able to catch up."

"Yes, Miss Qin. Brother Qin has the protection of heaven; they won’t be able to kill him. What we need to do right now is enter the Ancient Emperor Sect. As long as we get inside, there will definitely be a chance to meet Brother Duan again."

Many Cultivators from Qin City offered their consolations. Listening to their voices, Qin Xiangyuan finally had no choice but to stop, watching helplessly as that familiar figure disappeared into the tide of people.

Elsewhere.

"Where do you think you’re going?"

BOOM!

Dugu Hongyun unleashed another sword strike, terrifying countless Cultivators into dodging out of the way. As a standout among peerless prodigies with a cultivation base at Spirit Transformation, he was no joke. As long as he didn’t encounter someone of the same tier, he could virtually walk completely uncontested.

Jiang Hao barely managed to deflect and dodge the strike once again, looking pushed to his absolute limit. The more wretched the white-robed youth appeared, the more Cultivators mocked him. They all believed he was just an empty name with little actual capability.

However, as the massive pursuit continued, several peerless prodigies gradually noticed something was amiss.

"Something doesn’t seem right here."

"It’s a bit illogical."

People noticed that while the white-robed youth looked terribly battered, he always narrowly avoided Dugu Hongyun’s fatal strikes, turning danger into safety by the skin of his teeth every single time. If it had only happened once or twice, it would be understandable, but since it kept occurring repeatedly, even a fool could see the writing on the wall.

Even the terrifying figures aboard the Celestial Sword Sect’s other two arks couldn’t help but narrow their eyes, their gazes growing increasingly deep and solemn.

Until a certain moment.

"Not good, he’s hiding his strength!"

"He’s not a Cultivator who just entered the Spirit Transformation Realm. He’s an expert at Spirit Transformation!"

BOOM! BOOM!

Suddenly, the two peerless prodigies overseeing the arks reacted. Abandoning their ships, they led numerous terrifying figures of the Celestial Sword Sect into the sky, tearing through the air and crossing the sea of people.

However, it was too late. The massive tide of Cultivators acted as a barrier, making it completely impossible for them to rush over quickly.

At the same time, Jiang Hao had thoroughly distanced himself from the Celestial Sword Sect group. Even though they had finally caught on, it was practically impossible for them to encircle him now. Dugu Hongyun, who had been chasing him relentlessly, also sensed something and gradually slowed his pace. When the figure ahead stopped fleeing, he subconsciously halted in midair as well.

He watched as the white-robed youth slowly turned around, a faint smile on his face. Where was the slightest trace of him being battered and exhausted?

"You’ve been chasing me for so long. Isn’t it my turn now?" Looking at the relentless peerless prodigy of the Celestial Sword Sect, the killing intent in Jiang Hao’s eyes gradually surfaced.

The other party had locked onto him with a Martial Soul. If he let him live, the man would undoubtedly be a huge threat within the Ancient Emperor Sect. The white-robed youth’s abrupt stop instantly drew the stares of countless nearby Cultivators. Many of them had guessed what was happening, and one by one, they couldn’t help but hold their breath.

Seeing Jiang Hao turn around with such confidence, Dugu Hongyun was momentarily taken aback, clearly stunned.

"You actually dare to stop? Aren’t you afraid I’ll cut you down with a single sword strike?" Dugu Hongyun asked instinctively, even as an ominous premonition swelled in his heart. He couldn’t figure out why his opponent, who had clearly been fleeing the whole time, would suddenly turn around to face him head-on.

Hearing this, the corners of Jiang Hao’s mouth curled up. "Afraid? Of course I’m afraid. Therefore... I can no longer let you live."

BOOM!

The moment those words were spoken, Dugu Hongyun’s expression initially shook, but then he burst into abrupt, uproarious laughter, as if he had just heard the greatest joke in the world. Staring at the white-robed youth, grinning so widely his face almost split, he asked with eyes full of disdain, "You want to kill me?"

To Dugu Hongyun, this was pure fantasy. For one, the cultivation base the youth was currently displaying was only that of someone who had just entered the Spirit Transformation Realm. And even if he truly had reached Spirit Transformation, it didn’t mean he could kill him. As the seventy-first-ranked figure on the Celestial Sword Sect’s leaderboard of seventy-two peerless prodigies, Dugu Hongyun had absolute confidence in same-level battles. One must remember that he had defeated an unknown number of Celestial Sword Sect geniuses just to earn a spot on that sect leaderboard. Hearing that this youth wanted to kill him now—how could Dugu Hongyun not find it laughable?

"What arrogance! Boy, it seems you’ve been hiding your cultivation base. You must have already stepped into Spirit Transformation, haven’t you?

"Is this the confidence you rely on to think you can kill me?

"If that’s all it is, then you’re vastly underestimating my standing on the peerless prodigy leaderboard."

Hearing his words, Jiang Hao simply offered a nonchalant smile before speaking calmly, the killing intent in his eyes now glaringly obvious.

"My confidence might be a little lacking.

"But to kill you, it should be enough!"