Lighting Lanterns in the Mountains and Seas

The mirror image of Yan Zhili did nothing and stood quietly by the surging sea, watching the ocean.

In this situation, no matter how angry Wei Mo was, he had to suppress his emotions. Yan Zhili said he was severely injured and needed healing, asking how he could do anything to him.

You made him go on a raid, causing him to get hurt, witnessed by many. Can you deny him the chance to heal?

For most people, finding excuses in front of Wei Mo would be a death wish. But with Yan Zhili's background, as long as he can give a reasonable excuse, Wei Mo really can't misuse his power on him.

It's not just Yan Zhili; even the bold ones like Luo Que from Little Xuan Sect dared to defy orders, those with confidence.

Sitting not far away, Lu Zhanying looked at his senior brother's back, feeling sad, fully understanding his brother's current mood.

When the mirror image of the Heavenly Court Team cut to this scene, Mulan Jin from Su Yuan Sect gazed for a while. She understood Yan Zhili's mood but frowned, knowing that such a mindset in this situation was problematic.

After Wei Mo signaled his men to switch the mirror image, he regretted immensely, regretting being angered by Shi Chun, regretting saying those words to kill Shi Chun at all costs. Now it had backfired; Shi Chun wasn't dead, yet his ace warrior was the first to lose interest in fighting.

Moreover, news came from Royal Court scolding him harshly, emphasizing how well he knew Li Hongjiu's combat prowess at sea, yet sent a bunch to their deaths. "Are you a pig?"

Feeling shame and anger, he heard a slight cough and saw Pang Tiansheng honestly shrinking in the corner, unable to stop thinking ill of Shi Chun to quell his hatred.

He immediately turned and whispered a few sentences to Tao Zhi.

Tao Zhi understood, selected some personnel from those waiting after dispersal, and after instructions, took Pang Tiansheng away...

"Brother Jiu, Brother Jiu."

Sitting cross-legged in the cave, upon hearing the call, Li Hongjiu slowly finished his meditation, opened his eyes, and saw Wu Jinliang running in with a large bundle.

He was somewhat curious about the bundle, asking, "What's in it?"

Wu Jinliang replied, "Oh, it's nothing, just collected Qiankun Bags. Brother Jiu, we can't stay here any longer; someone fearless is coming. The top fighter of Beiju Team, Su Jikuan, is heading our way. We need to dodge quickly; everyone's ready, just waiting for you."

Li Hongjiu mocked, "I thought you were staying and employing me indefinitely as a fighter."

He spoke while slowly getting up.

Wu Jinliang laughed, followed him with a chuckle, "I wouldn't dare, can't use you as a fighter forever, but if Su Jikuan is really targeting us, we might need to trouble you once more."

Being tall, speaking courteously, his slight bow appeared humble.

Just a few steps out, Li Hongjiu stopped, asking, "Should I leave or not?"

Wu Jinliang replied, "Of course, let's retreat first. If Su Jikuan isn't coming for us, fine; if he insists on intercepting, you may act later. If the fight ensues, you're permitted to lose, not win..."

Li Hongjiu raised an eyebrow, questioning, "What do you mean?"

Wu Jinliang chuckled, "It's our Master's idea; he says it's inappropriate for you to act continuously, fearing the explanation to Nanshan Team might be awkward should you seize a Token there. Hence, he devised a perfect plan. If unavoidable, when you act to cover us, then pretend to lose, flee injured, thus allowing you to hide and recover. Arrangements will be made for you to hide alongside Bai Qiru's man, protected for your healing."

Li Hongjiu showed suspicion in his eyes, "Really Shi Chun's idea?"

Wu Jinliang immediately took out a Mother-child Talisman, offering it with both hands, "Keep this, and you can contact our Master directly."

Li Hongjiu used the talisman to connect with Shi Chun; after a few private words confirming it was indeed Shi Chun, he officially asked about what Wu Jinliang mentioned earlier.

Upon verification, he didn't hesitate, ready to put away the Mother-child Talisman, but upon checking his belt, discovered his pocket for storing items was missing.

Wu Jinliang immediately retrieved a Qiankun bag from his back pouch, handing it over.

Li Hongjiu grabbed it, tying it to his belt, and strode away while Wu Jinliang cheerfully followed.

After exiting the cave, Wu Jinliang signaled, and several Wind Scales carried them airborne, leaving the darkness behind, basked again in the high-altitude sunset...

"Feng Yin's Centurion Token moved!"

Someone shouted from the command center of the West Ox Team.

Niu Qian gestured, and the mirror image quickly adjusted, locking onto the live-position picture, spotting Wu Jinliang's crew relocating.

Niu Qian's gaze fixated on one with poorer complexion, coldly sneering, "Li Hongjiu!"

The mirror images of the five teams' command centers simultaneously locked onto this scene; Li Hongjiu's public appearance clearly indicated that his Demon Dew poison was resolved and confirmed he was the attacker earlier.

Ming Chaofeng brightened yet frowned slightly, dissatisfied over the little junior's delay in regrouping, signaling Pu Gong, "They're relocating; ensure the route is adjusted timely."

East Victory Team Command Center, Wei Mo stared at the mirror image and murmured to himself, "Where did Shi Chun go?"

Beiju Team Command Center, Lan She moved his gaze away from the mirror image, and transmitted, "It should be Heavenly Court sending the message, contact Su Jikuan."

After his subordinates followed the orders to contact, they reported back, "Commander, Su Jikuan asks us to keep an eye on the mirror images of various centers to see if any are watching him."

Lan She immediately had someone carry out the task.

Above the sea and sky, with certainty that no mirror image was watching him, Su Jikuan quickly had his deputy Chang Shifei disguise himself, covering with a cloak, then threw the Centurion Token to Chang Shifei, instructing him to relay messages.

He himself waved his hand, clearing the rapidly spinning scales, and once again soared upward, changing direction, and flying with greater speed.

The team with unchanged direction began to lower the flight altitude, letting the team sink into the twilight, where vision was not clear.

Duan Jie, who witnessed this scene, secretly pulled out the Mother-child Talisman from his sleeve, and conveyed the relevant situation to Situ Zhen.

No longer traveling, Shi Chun stood atop a mountain peak, keeping watch in the twilight, peering at the direction from which Wu Jinliang and others were coming.

Heading to the Land of Extreme Abyss after meeting, he saw no need to run back and forth; hence, did not greet them. If there were any problems, Li Hongjiu would cover for him, and the remaining journey would give others less reaction time, should be enough for Wu Jinliang and them to meet up with him.

Situ Zhen, waiting at the mountainside, turned aside, avoiding Feng Chi's gaze, and pulled out the Mother-child Talisman from his sleeve to check it, frowning after looking.

Feng Chi glanced over, noticing that Zhener, apart from interacting with the Master, seemed not to enjoy conversing with others, sometimes casting looks that carried an unfathomable depth, so profound that it seemed capable of devouring all, making the opposing gaze wish to evade.

Heavenly Court Team Command Center, Manxi turned his head towards Mulan Jin, and transmitted, "Carrying Feng Yin's Token for transfer, what's the difference from not transferring? And where on earth did Shi Chun run off to?"

Mulan Jin: "He has become the target of many, not exposing his whereabouts may not be a bad thing; he should have his plans. Li Hongjiu, with high skill and boldness, dares to openly transfer Feng Yin's Token, and that's normal."

Manxi pursed his lips without saying anything else, the commander's words were hard to argue with, his speaking up for Shi Chun was akin to defending him.

On the other hand, if not for the commander presiding here, how else could someone indulge Shi Chun in such a reckless manner?

Before long, this side noticed Su Jikuan's direction hadn't changed, and Manxi uttered a sound of surprise, "Isn't he charging at Shi Chun's group? Really aiming at Feng Yin?"

While speaking, gestures were made, cutting out the mirror image for viewing. The screen went dim, Su Jikuan's group had become indistinct, with Su Jikuan's form now unclear.

Things seemed off; worrying about his daughter's safety, Mulan Jin cautiously pulled out the Mother-child Talisman again, sending a message to Shi Chun: Su Jikuan's group seems not to be intercepting Li Hongjiu's group, the mirror's view is obscured by night, it might be a trick, be cautious.

Shi Chun thanked him and continued to relay the situation to Wu Jinliang, who then informed Li Hongjiu.

Not only on the Heavenly Court side, other Command Centers also noticed Su Jikuan's unchanged direction.

Western Bull Commander Niu Qian felt his heart hanging, had they really found Feng Yin's whereabouts after he was severely injured?

Having lost contact with Feng Yin from his side, he commanded the mirror image to focus closely on Su Jikuan's group.

Beiju Commander Lan She naturally perceived Su Jikuan's eye-blocking skill, a hint of a smile played on his lips, and at times his gaze towards the Sand River Map carried a hint of unease; the audacity of Li Hongjiu carrying Feng Yin's Token for transfer was too blatant.

Anyone could see Li Hongjiu's immense confidence, and it wasn't groundless; everyone had witnessed it firsthand, he couldn't help but worry whether Su Jikuan could win against Li Hongjiu in their showdown.

If not for Su Jikuan's insistence, he would be against early confrontation with the Royal team; Feng Yin's fate was a cautionary tale.

Yet what was meant to come ultimately did.

Just as the stars gradually dominated the night sky, Li Hongjiu, who was resting with closed eyes amidst the Wind Scale, suddenly opened his eyes.

"Someone's here." Lao Changtai urgently exclaimed right after him.

One squad, reminded by Wu Jinliang, on alert throughout, each watching a direction, saw Lao Changtai glimpse a figure fleeting under the starlight.

Then, the sound of muffled thunder seemed to approach.

Li Hongjiu sliced with his fingers, the wind scale surrounding him, and the accompanying wind scale, suddenly chaos erupted in their spinning; from the chaotic wind scale he charged out, meeting an oncoming surge of momentum with a palm.

Years ago, he needed weapons to fend off a master's strike; now he could confront barehanded.

His sleeves billowed rapidly; he sidestepped and withdrew his hand, then swung his shoulder, launching another palm strike; the seemingly dissipated storm reemerged, and followed the original path, returning with a blast.

Boom, an explosion erupted in front, Gang Qi swept, a figure poised in the air stopped after taking a hit and spoke resonantly, "Indeed extraordinary, long have I heard of Li Hongjiu, Su Jikuan comes to pay respects."

The tone exuded a distant coldness, aloof.

The group behind had stabilized their stance, Li Hongjiu slightly tilted his head, "You all go first."