"If Daoist has considered carefully, the Prince and the Great Brightness Religious Alliance have some connections and can put in a good word for you. After all, you are quite innocent in this matter."

Zhang Zongxin paused, seemingly sighing for Zhang Rongfang.

"The trouble and hatred of your esteemed master, in the end, are placed upon you to bear. This is inherently unfair."

"..." Zhang Rongfang squinted his eyes, said nothing, but seemed moved.

"Actually, the Prince and the Religious Alliance understand your position and are willing to separate you from your esteemed master, not implicating others," Zhang Zongxin continued.

Her true intention finally revealed itself.

"What are the terms?" Zhang Rongfang asked.

"It seems Daoist understands," Zhang Zongxin laughed, "Speaking of terms is somewhat harsh; it's more of a request."

"The Religious Alliance hopes that when you meet with your esteemed master, you could inform them. Just simply inform them, it shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"...What if I am unwilling?" Zhang Rongfang responded.

The threat had clearly reached him, evidently, the Prince Mu Li and the Great Brightness Religious Alliance stood behind this.

Yue Shi's grand display against the Religious Alliance, the purpose is self-evident.

This implies that the prince supported by Yue Shi would never be Mu Li.

"Daoist may not yet understand what may happen in the future. It doesn't matter. We will have the opportunity to chat again later," Zhang Zongxin smiled and stood up.

"Thus, I shall take my leave first." She cupped her hands in farewell and turned to leave without concern.

Leaving Zhang Rongfang alone in his seat.

'The Great Brightness Religious Alliance... daring to confront Yue Shi, it seems... they definitely have powerful cards.'

Yue Shi is undoubtedly a Spirit General, this is indisputable.

As for the Religious Alliance... to have such boldness, it must be supported by at least a worshiped Grandmaster.

Perhaps there are other trump cards.

Now they have targeted this side...

Just as he was sorting his thoughts, Zhang Zhenhai suddenly entered from outside.

"Sir, our people have encountered trouble!" Her expression was urgent, clearly not a typical problem.

"What happened? Don't panic, speak calmly!" Zhang Rongfang's gaze swept over, instantly calming Zhang Zhenhai's emotions considerably.

"Several of our people have been abducted, and some restaurants and teahouses have been smashed; our stationed experts surprisingly couldn't match their opponent.

The adversary left a message for you to personally go to Phoenix Garden's Thirteen Pavilion, otherwise, they will kill all those abducted!" Zhang Zhenhai quickly replied.

"What about the experts from Jade Void Palace?" Zhang Rongfang's expression turned cold, he quickly asked.

"The people from Jade Void Palace were also led away. The opponent is very strong!" Zhang Zhenhai replied.

"What about Ran Xinyue, the Grandmaster Ran?"

"I'm here!" Ran Xinyue suddenly appeared in the room, her face sullen.

"I went to track down the envoy just now, but their side had a Grandmaster no less skilled than I. It's very troublesome!"

"Since when have Grandmasters become so common?" Zhang Rongfang squinted.

"To deal with you, so many experts have died; sending weaker ones would merely be feeding them," Ran Xinyue responded, speechless.

"It seems this Great Brightness Religious Alliance is desperate. Let's go see what they're made of," Zhang Rongfang stood up.

He walked out of the reception hall without pausing, shedding his shirt, his toes lightly touched the ground.

With a whoosh, he leapt over the Agarwood Mansion's wall.

"Lead the way."

"Yes." Zhang Zhenhai nodded, leading ahead.

Ran Xinyue also wanted to follow but was stopped by Zhang Rongfang's raised hand.

"You help me guard the mansion. Station yourself at the core, you can provide timely support if any issues arise."

"Alright!" Ran Xinyue quickly nodded.

Although her task was to protect Zhang Rongfang, knowing the truth, she was aware that following him might not help much.

Adding or missing one of her kind at the scene wouldn't make much difference.

It would be better to remain and guard the position, preventing anyone from attacking recklessly.

Zhang Rongfang quickly moved through the street blocks.

As soon as Zhang Zongxin left, he immediately received news of his people being captured.

Obviously, this was the answer given by the so-called Prince Mu Li and the Religious Alliance.

If he refused to cooperate, not only would all his assets be destroyed, but he himself would face danger and trouble.

The Grandmasters of Jade Void Palace were led away, just to let him know that Jade Void Palace currently had scattered forces, unable to protect him.

In Qingchuan City.

Zhang Rongfang swiftly flashed across the rooftops, ordinary people could not discern his shadow.

Gradually, the blue tiles underfoot turned into yellow tiles with a thin waterproof adhesive coating.

The crowd on the streets around him grew sparse.

Zhang Rongfang followed Zhang Zhenhai, suddenly leapt to the right.

The two landed one after another in a wide park full of vegetation on the outskirts of the city.

In the park, there were stone benches and tables set, as well as elderly people playing chess in the pointed-roof pavilion.

In the middle of the small lake, two wooden boats were being paddled by children, wobbling and bumping into each other.

Everything was peaceful and harmonious.

"Are you sure it's here?" Zhang Rongfang asked.

A martial artist, suddenly appearing in this vicinity, had already attracted the attention of all around.

"Yes, someone is coming!" Suddenly Zhang Zhenhai raised her head, looking toward the deep forest of the park.

There, a green shadow resembling a giant roc was quickly approaching.

Whoosh.

The figure lightly landed opposite Zhang Rongfang, standing still after borrowing the force from various trees.

This was a tall Huxi person with blonde hair and blue eyes.

The other person's height was about the same as Zhang Rongfang's.

Adding his short, golden hair that shone brilliantly under the sunlight, reflecting a considerable glow.

Immediately, it attracted the attention of people around.

The two elderly men playing chess in the pavilion quietly packed up their chess pieces and hurriedly ran away with their chess baskets.

A few fishermen by the shore abandoned their fishing rods, quickly calling the children on the boats to come home.

A group of young men and women who were about to approach the lake were stopped by guards, retreating far away, not daring to come closer.

But this group was the boldest; they didn't leave, just stood in place, pointing excitedly as if planning to enjoy the show.

"People only fear what they understand." The man in green and gold hair said with a smile as he landed.

"Nice to meet you for the first time, Daoist Zhang Ying. You have a good physique."

"You have a good physique too," Zhang Rongfang replied.

The two stood ten meters apart, facing each other, with similar builds and strengths, except for hair color, hair length, and attire.

Everything else, viewed from afar, seemed rather harmonious.

"I'm a member of the Religious Alliance, Vice Sect Leader of Donglin. You can call me Tang Hu," the golden-haired man introduced.

"Tang Hu? Donglin Sect?" Zhang Rongfang frowned, having never heard of it.

"It seems you haven't heard, but that's okay. We share a similar pursuit of beauty. Once you come back with me, we can communicate more deeply and understand each other better," Tang Hu said with a smile.

"...." Zhang Rongfang suddenly felt something was amiss. This guy... could he be...

"Alright, let's go back together. You seem confident, but unfortunately... my confidence surpasses yours," Tang Hu slowly stepped forward, approaching Zhang Rongfang.

"Where are my subordinates?" Zhang Rongfang asked.

"Don't worry, they're all fine. I'm only interested in you," Tang Hu smiled.

Zhang Rongfang didn't reply but vaguely sensed that there were more people behind Tang Hu in the woods! More experts!

Farther away, over hundreds of meters, it seemed another gaze was directed at him.

That gaze, from hundreds of meters away, was faint yet as piercing as needles, extremely fierce.

This feeling... how many experts did this Religious Alliance bring!?

Stay calm.

Zhang Rongfang suppressed his thoughts.

The aura of this Tang Hu was extremely strong. After frequent encounters with Grandmasters, he could roughly tell the opponent's strength with his obscure vision.

The flow speed of Qi and blood, the pulse's beat, the clarity of flesh and skin.

There was a huge gap between a Grandmaster and ordinary Super Grade martial artists.

And there was a huge gap between Super Graders and Ninth Grade martial artists, making it relatively easy to distinguish.

Currently, this Tang Hu was definitely a Grandmaster, and... not just an ordinary one.

"Speaking of which, intelligence previously mentioned that all the Grandmasters who troubled you mysteriously disappeared," Tang Hu laughed. "So this time, I brought many experts to see whether you really have what it takes to make us all disappear too."

"Senior, you're joking. I'm just an ordinary martial artist who recently became a Super Grade. How could I possibly trouble a Grandmaster?" Zhang Rongfang said sternly.

If the opponent was alone, he might have made a move, but with so many people around and that unknown expert afar,

if a fight broke out...

Are these people enemies or allies? If they all attacked together....

Also, the location of the captured individuals was uncertain.

"Since you know your limits, don't resist and avoid injury," Tang Hu said with a smile.

He stopped talking to Zhang Rongfang and turned to look into the woods on one side.

"Els, take him away."

"Yes, Master!"

A man with brown curly hair quickly walked out from that direction of the woods.

His chest was bare, and his full muscular curves glistened with a bronze sheen in the sun. He was slightly shorter than Tang Hu, holding a metal rod as thick as an arm.

Swish!

With a single step, he rushed in front of Zhang Rongfang.

Before the metal rod could fall, a strong gust carrying fine sand swept over, blowing Zhang Rongfang's eyes into a squint.

Clang!

A long blade suddenly extended from the side, precisely blocking the rod.

It was Zhang Zhenhai.

"I'll take you on!" she shouted, unleashing her full martial skills, and immediately withdrew to one side with the person, fighting fiercely.

The two were evenly matched, their skills comparable, locked in a difficult struggle.

"So troublesome, I still have to do it myself..." Tang Hu sighed.

He looked at Zhang Rongfang.

"You should just surrender. I really don't want to harm your lovely muscles..."

"...."

This guy, is he crazy!?

Zhang Rongfang felt a chill in his heart.

"Your expression is quite resistant. I understand; many times, people think they can resist. But fate is always cruel..." Tang Hu spread his hands.

"And now, the one deciding your fate is me. I am fate. Yet you dare to defy fate...."

He stepped closer and closer.

"How foolish," he brought his face close to Zhang Rongfang. "Of course... if you'd willingly give me a peck on the cheek, I might consider being gentler."

"After all... I'm growing fond of you...." He wore a warm, gentle smile. "You are my... little, sweetheart~~"

Boom!!!

In an instant, a circle of explosive force slowly detonated between the two.

Zhang Rongfang's right hand shot out explosively, landing heavily on Tang Hu's chest with terrifying force.

His body arched for a moment, then was sent flying backward like a cannonball, breaking roots and trees, rolling on the ground, dragging a deep groove over ten meters long before stopping.