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Chapter 697: Chapter 703: Hustle and Bustle
The Loose Cultivator of Golden Core origin had only attained his current level of cultivation through a fortunate coincidence. How could he be a match for those three individuals with extraordinary backgrounds?
It was only because they intended to capture him alive and were considerably cautious in their actions that he had survived until now; otherwise, they would have dealt with him long ago.
Slowly, the Loose Cultivator began to see their concerns and knew this was the key to whether he could escape this calamity. He was filled with even more regret. The Li family had clearly warned that three Golden Core thieves were capturing Golden Core cultivators, yet he still dared to venture out alone.
But now was not the time for regrets; he was desperately flying towards the Immortal City built by the Li family. As long as he reached the Li family’s territory, those three people behind him would no longer be able to do anything to him!
"Don’t hold back! If he manages to escape and spread the news, we may fail to complete the task assigned by the ancestor."
The three of them were not fools. Seeing through his intentions, they had originally been somewhat cautious, but now they could no longer afford to worry about consequences. Although a corpse was less effective than a living person, it was still better than nothing.
Moreover, once the news spread, cultivators would probably not dare to leave the Marketplace Immortal City, and where then would they have the opportunity to complete their mission?
Perhaps it was fate not to forsake him. At this critical moment of life and death, he actually encountered a patrol team of Li family members!
"Someone is asking for help in the distance!"
The leading family member did not rush to help immediately but activated a third-rank Communication Talisman to relay the message to the nearest stationed family members before leading his clan to the rescue.
As the leader of the team was a Golden Core, and with his Contracted Spirit Beast by his side, even if they did encounter three Golden Cores, they could protect their clansmen for a short time. They just needed to hold out until the nearby Golden Core family member arrived.
"Damn it!"
Upon seeing the Li family cultivators, the three cursed through clenched teeth, filled with annoyance. Just as they were about to catch their target, an unwelcomed interruption appeared, and the prey that was in their mouth had flown away.
"Big brother, we might as well be thorough if we’re going to do this. Let’s just take this person down. Although he doesn’t practice the Fire-Attribute Skill, he’s at least a Golden Core cultivator, which should be of some use!" said one of them viciously.
"We can’t take him down in a short time, and if it takes too long, we’ll be in danger."
If the patrol team appeared here, it meant that there was an Immortal City not far away, and maybe there was another Golden Core inside. Once he arrived, it could very well be that some or all of the three of them would lose their lives.
"Big brother! If we just let them go like this, what will we take back to report? If the ancestor becomes enraged, might he take it out on us? Either way, it’s a dead end; we might as well fight now!"
Hearing this, the eldest brother’s mind grew sharp. "You’re right, I was thinking too simplistically!"
"If that’s the case, then let’s test the mettle of the Li family cultivators!"
Before his words faded, a great battle erupted instantly!
Two cultivators focused on the Li family cultivator and his Spirit Beast, leaving one to deal with the Loose Cultivator. Having made up their minds to eliminate them, they naturally showed no mercy, aiming to take their lives with every move.
The Li family cultivator focused on defense, as he was followed by Foundation Establishment clansmen, who were weaker. If he failed to protect them, people would die!
Despite the Li family growing significantly over the years and the death of one or two members not being a big deal, no one wanted their clansmen to die before their eyes.
Just as he was struggling to defend and protect his clansmen, the Loose Cultivator suddenly burst forth, sending his opponent flying. Without a second look at the Li family members who had fallen into danger because of aiding him, he turned and fled.
This scene left everyone speechless.
"Hahaha! Who would have thought the Loose Cultivator would abandon his saviors! Interesting, indeed, quite interesting!"
"Meddling in others’ affairs, let’s see how long you can hold out!"
"Big brother, I’ll chase after that man." After all, that Loose Cultivator was their target and the key to avoiding punishment.
As time passed, the state of the Li family Golden Core and his Spirit Beast grew worse and worse. At this rate, he might end up sacrificing himself!
"Uncle, if it really comes to danger, then just run and don’t worry about us," a Foundation Establishment clan member stepped forward to say.
The situation was clearly dire, everyone could see that the longer they held out, the more inevitable their defeat would become. It was already a remarkable feat that they had managed to hold on this long with their slightly inferior strength.
"We haven’t reached that point yet!" he thought with surprise, Why hadn’t the family members stationed in the nearby Immortal City come to their aid yet? Could it be that an accident had occurred?
In fact, it wasn’t as he had guessed that an accident had happened, but Xiaoqing was making full speed on her way, intent on capturing the three of them to thoroughly investigate the forces behind them!
"Big brother, I’m back!"
And in his hand, he was holding the Loose Cultivator who had fled.
Li Daming, who was already under immense pressure, did not receive support from the family. Instead, he now faced an additional Golden Core enemy and was even less able to hold out.
"Uncle, you go! Don’t worry about us anymore!"
In order to protect the clan members behind him, Li Daming was at his limit, with hardly any mana left in his body.
"No! Since I brought you all out, I must safely bring everyone back to the family."
"What a touching scene, but alas, none of you will be leaving here alive today!"
They had already wasted a lot of time on this matter, and they were worried that the support from the Li family was about to arrive, so they planned to finish them off as soon as possible and leave quickly.
Just at the critical moment, Xiaoqing, who had traveled a thousand miles in a rush, finally arrived!
"A Fourth-rank Spirit Beast!"
"It’s over!"
The three of them looked at the fierce wind barrier surrounding them, their hearts sinking uncontrollably.
And the next move was even more despair-inducing.
To prevent them from self-destructing or escaping, Xiaoqing, the moment she appeared, trapped the three men with the fierce wind and simultaneously sealed their Dantian and Sea of Consciousness.
"It’s Ancestor Qingpeng!"
The Li family members, on the other hand, were tearfully excited.
"I’m so exhausted!"
Xiaoqing couldn’t help but complain, having traveled several thousand miles back and forth. Even as a Fourth-rank Spirit Beast, it was somewhat overwhelming.
This resentment, naturally, could not be vented on the Li family members. Apart from them, there were only those three men, and the Loose Cultivator they had captured.
Xiaoqing knew they were still useful for Zhirui, so she only tormented them a little before stopping.
Li Daming, who had been holding on by a thread, passed out the moment he saw Xiaoqing’s arrival.
"Uncle!" the crowd exclaimed, some of them sobbing, thinking he had died.
"Alright, he’s just overly exhausted, nothing serious," Xiaoqing nodded to herself. This junior was indeed commendable, she believed that Zhirui would come to value him considerably.
"Ancestor, if not for the Loose Cultivator breaking through and escaping, uncle wouldn’t have had to face three cultivators, nor would he have ended up in such a state."
With the knowledge that Li Daming was alright, the crowd immediately turned their ire towards the main culprit.
