On a nearby peak not far from Ye Xuan, Mu Yan, Liu Qing, and others stood conspicuously, their eyes brimming with murderous intent.
"If we miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, it will be much harder to take this kid’s life again."
Mu Yan spoke indifferently, yet his tone could not conceal the sliver of murderous intent within.
"This time, we must ensure a critical strike and get rid of this annoying fellow."
Song Ling’s eyes shone with cold light; she had long harbored the intent to kill Ye Xuan. An unsophisticated bumpkin from a remote area had offended her time and again, paying her no heed and even publicly humiliating her. For such a disgrace, Ye Xuan could not be redeemed even by a hundred deaths.
With a wave of his hand, Mu Yan led the group as they soared out, rushing violently in the direction Ye Xuan had left.
"It seems they are on to us."
Ye Xuan’s soul had a wide detection range, and these people were so full of killing intent that he didn’t need to extend his senses far to feel a chill of murderous aura.
A glint flashed in his eyes as Ye Xuan landed in a stone forest below.
He had no intention of continuing the escape. They would find him sooner or later; it was better to resolve it here once and for all.
Having thought this, Ye Xuan took out some Spirit Crystals, Array Flags, and talismans from his Qiankun Ring—materials for setting up an Array.
After all, Ye Xuan was alone, and the opponents were many, including the Saint Mu Yan. If it came to a head-on battle, Ye Xuan would surely be no match, and he was not foolish enough to confront them directly.
He placed the Array Flags, Spirit Crystals, and talismans in eight corners within a ten-mile radius of the stone forest. Then Ye Xuan began to set up the Array, and as he activated it, a faint layer of mist rose, shrouding the Array for miles around.
Undoubtedly, this was a Trapping Array.
The Array hadn’t been in place for long when three figures flew swiftly and landed halfway up the mountain. The afterimages came to a halt, revealing the forms of two men and one woman.
It was Mu Yan and his companions.
"The kid knew we were coming, but he dared to set up a Trapping Array here in advance."
Mu Yan surveyed the surrounding fog, squinting his eyes until there was barely a slit remaining.
"Has the kid run away?"
Song Ling’s expression changed slightly.
"He hasn’t. He’s inside this Array. He doesn’t dare to run; the moment he does, I’ll be able to break the Array instantaneously. The kid wants to play a game of hide and seek with us."
A cruel smile appeared on Mu Yan’s face, showing he didn’t take Ye Xuan’s Trapping Array seriously.
"Big brother, you must find him so I can personally chop off his head with a sword," Song Ling stated, her eyes glittering coldly.
"Don’t worry, your big brother will definitely satisfy you. Once I break the Array and find that kid’s hiding place."
A sharp light flashed in Mu Yan’s eyes, his gaze penetrating as if he could see through the layers of mist to a spot hundreds of meters away.
At that moment, apart from Mu Yan’s trio, another four or five disciples of Heavenly Martial Holy Land landed behind them, likely all members of the Qinghua Association.
These members of the Qinghua Association had similar Cultivation to Song Ling, the weakest being at the Sixth Grade Martial Venerate Realm, clearly outstanding members within the Qinghua Association.
"We’ve found the kid."
Before long, Mu Yan detected Ye Xuan’s presence, his face bursting with delight as he soared into the air and rushed violently towards the front left.
Song Ling and Liu Qing, among others, were overjoyed and quickly followed suit.
Before long, Ye Xuan indeed appeared ahead and was standing atop a huge rock, showing no signs of fleeing.
"You don’t run when you see us coming? Or do you realize that even if you want to escape, you can’t?" Song Ling revealed her white teeth and smiled at Ye Xuan, who was standing in the distance.
"Why should I flee when you can do nothing to me?" Ye Xuan replied indifferently.
Song Ling and Liu Qing exchanged glances, then burst into laughter.
Liu Qing’s smile vanished, his face twisting into a cruel and venomous expression. "Ye Xuan, do you think this is a holy land where someone will protect you? A bumpkin with no backing dares to talk big. Today you’ll die here, and no one will know. Your bones will rot in this place without a burial."
"Your nonsense is really endless. You’re nothing more than two dogs. Do you truly believe that by clinging to someone powerful, you can do whatever you please?"
Ye Xuan shook his head with a smile, a hint of disdain still apparent in his eyes.
"You’re seeking death!"
Upon hearing Ye Xuan’s mocking words, both Song Ling and Liu Qing were furiously enraged. Just as they were about to make their move, Mu Yan stopped them. With a faint smile tugging at the corner of his mouth, he said, "You two shouldn’t fall for this lad’s provocation. His strength is not something you two can match."
Then he turned his gaze toward Ye Xuan, a streak of cold light flashing in his eyes. "Lad, no matter what tricks you use today, you can’t escape a certain death!"
As soon as his voice fell, his body soared out, and he aimed a palm at Ye Xuan from the air.
This palm was fierce, with flickering flames in the center, blackened and incredibly hot.
Ye Xuan remained composed, staying still, and unleashed a Dragon Demon Dominating Fist to collide heavily with the handprint.
After one punch, Mu Yan didn’t budge, but Ye Xuan was sent flying back dozens of meters, retreating again and again.
"Not worth one blow."
Mu Yan’s eyes brightened, a scornful look flashing in them. Ye Xuan’s strength was much weaker than he had imagined, not a match for him at all. He had overestimated Ye Xuan.
Casting aside all his previous caution, Mu Yan promptly pursued, determined to press his advantage and swiftly finish off Ye Xuan.
Ye Xuan did not engage in battle. His dragon wings unfurled behind him, and he repeatedly swung the Rain Saint Sword in his hand, slashing blades of sword energy across the sky, enveloping Mu Yan from all directions.
Mu Yan propelled himself forward with a tap of his foot, activating his Sacred Body as a majestic surge of True Yuan erupted, shattering all the sword energy blades around him.
"Lad, where do you think you’re running?"
A ruthless look emerged in his eyes, and Mu Yan grinned, kicking off with his legs and using the recoil to soar up, chasing after Ye Xuan.
However, at that moment, Ye Xuan’s lips curved into a sly smile, a cunning gleam appearing on his face.
As Mu Yan landed, array patterns emerged on the ground, enveloping him within the array.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
From within the array, beams of light suddenly burst forth, forming a prison-like trapping array, securely locking Mu Yan inside.
"What, there’s an array?"
Mu Yan’s expression changed as he realized, to his dismay, that he hadn’t noticed the concealed trapping array. As he caught sight of the mocking look on Ye Xuan’s face, he instantly understood. The maze array laid out by Ye Xuan was a mere diversion; his real intent was this trapping array, meant to ensnare him right here.