Deep in the forest, two streaks of black light shot toward them from both sides, radiating an aura that was deeply unsettling.
Their movement clearly indicated an intent to completely encircle Chen Baiqing and her companions.
The black light moved swiftly, shattering the layers of cyan barriers Chen Baiqing had conjured one after another.
As the barriers collapsed, the dispersed energy scattered like glowing embers in the wind.
Li Qiyun quickly assessed the situation—given the speed of the black light, escaping with Tang Wanjun in tow would be nearly impossible.
Without hesitation, he shielded Tang Wanjun behind him and turned his gaze to Chen Baiqing.
Though both were at the Golden Core stage, the fact that Chen Baiqing had detected the black light in advance suggested her cultivation far surpassed his.
Moreover, Li Qiyun had only recently broken through to the Golden Core stage, making it unlikely he’d find another Golden Core cultivator weaker than himself.
Chen Baiqing’s attire and demeanor marked her as a seasoned rogue cultivator, her experience in perilous situations far exceeding that of a sheltered sect disciple like him.
Suppressing any arrogance, Li Qiyun asked earnestly,
"What do we do now?"
Chen Baiqing’s eyes flickered over the two shadowy figures. Even with the protection of her Skyblue Treasure Ring, these creatures had torn through her defenses effortlessly.
Their cultivation… at least late-stage Golden Core, and certainly not the mediocre kind.
More likely, they had reached the Nascent Soul realm.
If she were alone, escaping wouldn’t be difficult. But dragging along a mediocre Golden Core and a flimsy Foundation Establishment cultivator? That complicated things.
As for fighting… they might not lose, but the risks were too high. Not the preferred option.
Chen Baiqing withdrew her Skyblue Treasure Ring, allowing her spiritual energy to settle as she spoke calmly,
"If we can’t win, we call for backup."
Li Qiyun was taken aback. Chen Baiqing was a rogue cultivator—even if she had connections, they’d be scattered far and wide.
This "calling for backup"… surely she didn’t mean for him to do it?
After all, only he and his junior sister belonged to a sect.
He could send a signal, but the question was whether they could hold out long enough. These two shadows didn’t seem like pushovers.
Drawing his sword and activating a talisman, Li Qiyun said solemnly,
"I’ll send word to the sect. Reinforcements will take about the time it takes an incense stick to burn. Given the demons’ cultivation, we’ll need your help protecting my junior sister."
Tang Wanjun’s face paled—clearly unaccustomed to life-and-death situations. Yet, despite the tremor in her voice, there was a thread of resolve as she spoke to Li Qiyun,
"Senior Brother, you’ve always protected me. But this trouble is my fault. Focus on yourself—don’t worry about me."
Li Qiyun ignored her plea, his eyes locked on Chen Baiqing, silently demanding her promise.
Chen Baiqing glanced at the shadows now closing in from both sides and said flatly,
"Against them, neither of us can guarantee your junior sister’s safety. You might not even survive."
Feeling the oppressive aura of the black light, Li Qiyun forced a smile.
"We have to try. If you can get her out, take her. Don’t worry about me."
Chen Baiqing studied him for a moment. So he really was the sentimental type.
"Your backup’s too slow. Let me handle it."
Before Li Qiyun could react, Chen Baiqing suddenly raised her voice, shouting,
"Emergency! Someone help!"
Li Qiyun stared in disbelief. No talisman, no infusion of spiritual energy—just a plain, loud shout.
What kind of backup strategy was this?
They were in the middle of nowhere, a land scarce in spiritual energy. Even if help came, what kind of expert would appear here?
No protagonist’s luck was this absurd.
This wasn’t calling for backup—it was gambling with their lives!
They were as good as dead.
As the black light loomed closer, one of the shadows condensed into a blade-like form, slashing toward them.
Li Qiyun’s expression hardened. Chen Baiqing might have given up, but he wouldn’t.
Even in death, he’d fight to the last breath.
Yet, in the next instant, streaks of radiant light streaked in from all directions.
So fast Li Qiyun barely registered their arrival—blink, and they were already there.
Then came the explosion of overwhelming spiritual energy, the shockwaves alone enough to whip up a violent gale.
Li Qiyun barely managed to shield Tang Wanjun before sensing figures materializing behind them.
Turning his head, he saw several masked cultivators forming a protective formation around Chen Baiqing.
What… was this?
Had they actually summoned backup in the wilderness?
His gaze darted to the two shadows—already subdued, bound, and packaged with practiced efficiency.
And these were no ordinary rescuers.
"Tianyan Sect’s Central Bureau, First Division. By the Sect Master’s decree, we are here to ensure your safety."
The voice came from beside him. Li Qiyun turned to see a tall, imposing cultivator whose restrained aura still radiated immense pressure.
The man bowed slightly as he addressed Chen Baiqing.
This level of cultivation… unfathomable. Late-stage Nascent Soul? Or even… Divine Transformation?
Tianyan Sect?
One of the Eighteen Immortal Sects of Zhongzhou—the Tianyan Sect? And this is on the orders of the sect leader?
Chen Baiqing’s gaze fell upon the two shadowy figures, and she quickly spoke up:
"Capture them alive if possible. Hand them over to Sister Bai—these two must hold significant secrets."
The lead cultivator first gestured to the arrest team behind him before asking,
"Might the ‘Sister Bai’ you mentioned be Elder Bai Xuanling?"
Chen Baiqing gave a slight nod. "If you have time, conduct a thorough search of this area. Subdue any anomalous creatures alive and bring them back to the Tianyan Sect. For anything else unusual, prioritize live capture. If that’s impossible, take samples back regardless."
The lead cultivator nodded again in agreement, then turned to his subordinates:
"Follow Senior Chen’s instructions."
As soon as the words were spoken, the Tianyan Sect members who had gathered from all directions dispersed just as swiftly.
Li Qiyun sensed several formidable spiritual senses sweeping unhesitatingly deep into the forest.
He hadn’t misheard earlier—
Senior Chen?!
These top-tier cultivators, any of whom could serve as a grand elder in his own sect, actually referred to her as "Senior Chen"?
He’d assumed she was just a kind-hearted rogue cultivator. Turns out, she was a powerhouse slumming it among the weak.
Chen Baiqing shook her head repeatedly. "No need to call me ‘Senior Chen.’ My seniority isn’t that high. Just use my name."
"Your title has already been downgraded based on your master’s status," the Tianyan Sect leader replied, his tone easing slightly. "If we hadn’t adjusted, I’d be calling you ‘Venerable Chen’ instead."
"I’m not part of the Tianyan Sect… You don’t need to follow its hierarchy."
The lead cultivator ignored this remark:
"Senior Chen, do you plan to continue your training? If we escort those specimens back, your protective detail may not be as comprehensive."
At this, Chen Baiqing’s eyes turned toward the general direction of Ten Thousand Blossoms Ridge.
After a moment of silence, she finally said:
"I’ll return with you first. I shouldn’t let my master worry about me any longer."