"Misguided? I truly want to see how you define 'misguided,'" sneered Yang Guixiang, dressed in his blood-red robe, as he stepped forward after the Sixth Prince of the Qin Dynasty finished speaking. His voice was laced with malice as he stared at the prince.
In an instant, Yang Guixiang unleashed an aura filled with bloodthirst and slaughter, as if he had emerged from the depths of a sea of blood. His pupils glowed with a crimson light, and his ferocious aura surged like a tidal wave, crashing towards the Sixth Prince of the Qin Dynasty.
The once arrogant Sixth Prince of the Qin Dynasty, now feeling the overwhelming presence of Yang Guixiang, displayed an expression of terror.
Fear!
It was the feeling that instinctively surfaced in the prince's heart as he met Yang Guixiang's murderous gaze. He even sensed a looming threat of death.
It felt as though, if Yang Guixiang chose to strike, his life would be forfeit.
With that thought, the Sixth Prince of the Qin Dynasty instinctively took several steps back, his expression vigilant as he eyed Yang Guixiang.
At the same time, many of the surrounding experts from other factions began to look at Yang Guixiang with a newfound wariness.
Yang Guixiang's reputation as the Bloodslaughter God was something they had only heard in passing. Among the entire Southern Region, the only ones who frequently engaged with him were Zhou Yi'an of the Xiaoyao Sect and Fang Shuiwen of the Twin Extremes Hall. However, the details of their encounters were not known to outsiders.
Yet, from the aura that Yang Guixiang had just unleashed, it was clear that his strength was immeasurable!
So, did this mean that Zhou Yi'an and Fang Shuiwen, who stood by his side, also possessed similar strength?
"Perhaps we should focus less on the rapid development of these three new forces and more on the individuals who founded them," some astute observers thought as they studied the trio closely.
When the Xiaoyao Sect, Blood Spirit Valley, and Twin Extremes Hall first emerged, some had investigated the backgrounds of the three founders, only to find that while they originated from the Southern Region, their histories in the early stages of cultivation were vague.
The three had grown up in different, distant parts of the Southern Region. Then, during the Form Condensation Realm, they mysteriously vanished, only to reappear later, each founding their respective factions near one another in the Southern Region.
Given the great distances between their places of origin and the differing times of their disappearances, no one initially connected the three as being linked. Furthermore, the occasional disputes between their factions reinforced the idea that they were rivals.
But now, seeing the three standing together, united in their stance and using a combined technique, it was clear that they had known each other for a long time. They were certainly not adversaries.
If they were truly opponents, why would they be using a coordinated combat technique?
By now, the Sixth Prince of the Qin Dynasty was drenched in cold sweat, feeling utterly trapped by the three's combined aura.
And just at that moment, another figure stepped forward, blocking his retreat—Zhang Tianxin.
"Young Lin Qian is here because of me. If the Qin Dynasty truly intends to make a move against him, then in addition to facing these three, you will also have to contend with the Eight-Armed Sea Tribe," Zhang Tianxin declared.
The Sixth Prince of the Qin Dynasty's expression darkened. How could an insignificant ruler of a small country warrant such protection from these four powerful figures?
"Then prepare to face the wrath of the Qin Dynasty for the sake of a mere small country!" the Sixth Prince fumed. He took a deep breath, then angrily waved his hand and turned to leave.
He had no choice but to retreat. Among the four standing before him, Zhang Tianxin alone matched his strength, and the other three—Fang Shuiwen, Zhou Yi'an, and Yang Guixiang—were each stronger than him. Staying any longer would only invite humiliation.
As the Sixth Prince of the Qin Dynasty departed, Fang Shuiwen's face grew even more somber. "The Qin Dynasty controls far too much territory," he muttered darkly.
Hearing this, Zhang Tianxin understood that Fang Shuiwen might indeed be planning to go to war with the Qin Dynasty. What piqued his curiosity, though, was the question of Lin Qian's importance to these three that made him worth defending at such a cost.
"But what of young Lin Qian, who is now trapped in the Four Directions World? What can be done?" Zhang Tianxin then asked, stepping forward to inquire of the trio. "The spatial rift has completely sealed off, making it impossible to enter or exit."
Zhou Yi'an's expression grew anxious, a fire of frustration burning within him as he turned to scold Li Yunfeng. "Didn't I tell you to keep a close watch on Lin Qian? Why didn't you make sure he returned with you?"
"Brother Lin insisted on staying behind in that small world and specifically told us not to worry about him—he said he had his own way to return," Li Yunfeng explained, his voice laced with grievance at his elder's rebuke.
Just as Li Yunfeng finished speaking, he sensed something and pulled out a token.
This wasn't just any token; it was the one Lin Qian had given him, used to track their locations and gather the group together.
Li Yunfeng could clearly feel a message emanating from the token, and its source was none other than Lin Qian, who was supposedly trapped in the Four Directions World.
The message from Lin Qian was simple—telling everyone not to worry, he had his own way to leave the Four Directions World, and they need not concern themselves further.
Since Lin Qian had said as much, what else could they do but go on their separate ways?
They knew Lin Qian had a way out, but others did not. Those who remained behind could only sigh, believing that such a talented genius had become trapped in that small world.
Little did they know that Lin Qian possessed the means to create a teleportation array.