The fat immortal named Da Rou and the midget named Xiao Huo charged toward the teleportation array. One was like a fiery meteor. The other was like a giant slab of tofu that had fallen from the heavens. They were fast and within a few seconds, they had closed the distance by half. A few breaths more and they would be in range to destroy the array.
With it gone, the province definitely wouldn't be able to get reinforcements for a while. It was enough for these rogue immortals to do whatever they wanted.
The fatass bellowed thunderous laughter as he got closer and closer. Orange flames engulfed the imp, turning him into a larger flaming wheel. The people and the city below were sitting ducks and caged chickens, waiting for them to play with as they pleased.
All of a sudden, the dim blue shield around the teleportation array flickered and then disappeared altogether. Then, in the same breath, the teleportation array flashed with light. Three figures appeared, looking like three tiny mites from high up.
Before Da Rou and Xiao Huo could react, the three new arrivals shot into the air towards them.
"Immortals!" Da Rou shouted.
Xiao Huo grimaced, showing two rows of black, rotting teeth, "It's just three Spirit Lords. I'll hold them off, you destroyed the array!"
"I got you!"
Xiao Huo's flames burned bright and he immediately started attacking, throwing spinning balls of orange flame like a monkey flinging rotten oranges. In a flash, there were over a hundred fireballs in the air. It came down like fiery rain towards the incoming immortals.
"I'll block!" The first one to shout was Immortal Dust Scorpion Tie Buqun.
His body transformed and covered him in a brown carapace like a set of armor. He then pushed upward with palms out and created a dust storm out of thin air. This cloud of yellow dust quickly grew in size, enough to directly clash with the storm of incoming fire.
At the same time, the other immortals also moved. Da Rou's figure blurred as he rapidly gained speed. Immortal Embracing Python Mei Qiaofeng and Immortal Tempest Badger Qiu Chuyi moved to intercept. Mei Qiaofeng transformed into a half-serpent while Qiu Chuyi struck out with sword lights.
"Hahaha, you can't catch me!" Da Rou taunted.
His movements became strange. He changed directions abruptly, zig-zagging across the sky. He easily avoided Mei Qiaofeng's clumsy attempt to grab him and raced past Qiu Chuyi's sword strikes.
Da Rou was another one of those infamous physique cultivators. But instead of tremendous strength or terrifying endurance, he specialized in speed. His speed was so astonishing that it could contend with the Insightful Swallow in a race.
In a flash, the giant meatball arrived above the teleportation array. With Mei Qiaofeng and Qiu Chuyi still trying to figure out what had happened, Da Rou punched down at the protective shield. The light blue dome shuddered. He threw another punch, then another, until it looked like he was beating on a drum. The shield finally couldn't take it anymore and shattered, turning to nothingness, and expelling a wave of heat. One final punch destroyed the teleportation array, turning the stone pillars into dust and crushing the stone platform where it stood entirely.
"Haha! That's done. At least we'll get paid." Da Rou muttered.
He didn't have time to do anything else as he felt danger from above. He turned into a blur, dodging like a frightened cat and returning to his companion's side.
Xiao Huo, on the other hand, wasn't having such a good time. He had been assaulted by three immortals for a little while. He was able to defend himself but he had expended a lot of spiritual energy and the flaming arura around him was less intense than before.
"Let's go to big bro!" Da Rou said.
He grabbed the diminutive Xiao Huo. Like a bolt of lightning, he arrived beside the giant eagle.
"Big bro, what do we do?" Da Rou shouted.
As he did so, Mei Qiaofeng, Tie Buqun, and Qiu Chuyi chased over. The trio joined Chen Wentian and formed a line, blocking their path to Thousand Flower City. If these bandits wanted to do anything else, they would have to have a good fight first.
"Tch," The leader atop the eagle looked at the four opposing immortals in annoyance, "Really didn't expect these people to show up. Heh, what a good Ten Thousand Flower Valley, you've hidden such a powerful counter."
"Big bro, when we get back, I will kill those scammers. They gave us the wrong information!" Da Rou complained, "If they wanted us to fight Beast God Sanctum people, the price would have been at least triple!"
"Quiet," The other one admonished and Da Rou covered his big mouth with his hand.
"Fellow immortals," Mei Qiaofeng spoke up, "You know a lot about us. But we don't know anything about you. But that doesn't mean you can cause trouble in the Eastern Sanmu Subcontinent without consequence. Ten Thousand Flower Valley and Beast God Sanctum are allies. We will defend our ally as if we are defending our home."
The one on the eagle laughed but his expression was grim, "We have no quarrel with Beast God Sanctum. We're leaving!"
"Haha, since you have come, don't think about leaving!" With a shout, her figure transformed back into the half-snake, half-woman.
She charged at the eagle, intent on plucking its feathers until it was a giant chicken. Chen Wentian and Qiu Chuyi supported her with a barrage of sword strikes while Tie Buqun launched a dust storm.
"Tch, noisy woman. Don't think so highly of yourself." The man taunted.
Even as he spoke, the giant eagle had retreated a vast distance with just a flap of its wings. What was maddening was that the fattie had grabbed the midget and made a similar escape. They were all so fast that nobody could catch up to them.
Soon, they turned into specks in the blue sky and disappeared from view.
"They ran?" Qiu Chuyi said, shaking his head, not knowing whether to laugh or curse.
"Damn it! Pig-faced donkey bastards!" Mei Qiaofeng huffed and punched empty air, "If they just stood and fought, we could have at least fought them for a hundred exchanges. Cowards!"
"Heh," Tie Buqun laughed, "They are simply mercenaries looking for easy prey. They rarely do anything that would truly risk their lives."
Qiu Chuyi sighed, "Still, it is a worrying development. I didn't think Ten Thousand Flower Valley could find such enemies. Elder Mo, who did Sect Master Chen offend so badly?"
The three turned to the most silent person among them. Even till now, they had yet to see this person's face. He wasn't registered with the Immortal Association. He could anyone, perhaps even Chen Wentian playing a trick on them. The truth was exactly that but they probably wouldn't believe if it he told them.
Chen Wentian cleared his throat and replied hoarsely, "Actually, the sect master has offended a lot of people, probably more than he can count… But don't worry. I think I will be able to track down this group of rogue immortals. I can say with certainty that they are from the Martial Brilliance Continent, at least, one of them is from there. Don't worry. Sect master will take care of things when he comes back."
The trio looked at each other. They couldn't argue with that statement. They had all experienced the battle that shook the east. Their alliance now had five Spirit Kings. Unlike before, they were now united under one banner. Such a force could flatten a whole subcontinent if they went all out.
Qiu Chuyi bowed slightly, "Then I wish for Sect Master Chen's early return and success in hunting these bandits. We should head back. It will be a long flight to the nearest teleportation portal."
"Haha," Chen Wentian laughed and waved his hand, "Don't be so courteous. Come, stay a few days in Thousand Flower City, and experience our hospitality. Sect master should be back by then to thank you in person."
"Alright, why not." Mei Qiaofeng said.
"Elder Mo, lead the way." Tie Buqun said.
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