In the ravine.

Jiang Chen retracted his hand and chuckled lightly, "Alright, now only Jin Hu remains. We’ll deal with his when we reconvene."

Yan Li glanced at Jiang Chen, a touch of admiration in his eyes.

This is the Blood Soul Mark! Even a Semi-Saint cannot erase this soul-chasing imprint, yet Mr. Jiang erased it so effortlessly. This...

Surging waves of astonishment arose in Yan Li’s heart; regarding Jiang Chen, he truly didn’t know how to describe his feelings.

Phew!

At this moment, Yun Hai beside them exhaled deeply and slowly opened his eyes.

"Yun Hai, how is it?"

Yan Li turned to look at Yun Hai. In these Ruins Plains, moving on with injuries might not be feasible.

"Thanks to Brother Jiang’s Life Essence Elixir, my injuries are almost healed!"

Yun Hai smiled warmly as he spoke.

He no longer questioned why Jiang Chen let Chen Rui and others go. During his healing, he had come to an understanding.

"Then let’s go meet up with Lu Xian and them as soon as possible!"

Yan Li softly called out.

"Alright!"

Everyone nodded, their figures flickering as they leaped out of the ravine, flying towards the direction of the Central Region.

Hmm?

After flying for less than an hour, Jiang Chen raised an eyebrow and extended his hand, a compass appearing in it.

"Mr. Jiang, what is it?"

Yan Li glanced curiously at the compass in Jiang Chen’s hand. He recognized it as a Messaging Compass, but not one from their own settlement.

"Friends from the Gold-devouring Rat Clan are in trouble, just seventy miles ahead of us."

Jiang Chen’s expression changed slightly, speaking in a deep tone.

"Gold-devouring Rat Clan?"

Yan Li was startled, frowning, "The only ones daring to attack the Gold-devouring Rat Clan are powerful outsider forces like those from the twelve outer sects!"

He didn’t question Jiang Chen’s relationship with the Gold-devouring Rat Clan; the compass in Jiang’s hand said it all.

"Mr. Jiang, will there be any issues with Jin Hu over there?"

Jiang Chen looked at Yan Li with a serious face.

"Rest assured, Mr. Jiang, with Lu Xian and them around, even if a Semi-Saint acts, they can’t harm Jin Hu. Even if those Spirit Sword Sect people come knocking, Lu Xian and the others can handle them!"

Yan Li understood what Jiang Chen was worried about, confidently patting his chest.

"Alright, let’s go support our friends from the Gold-devouring Rat Clan first then!"

Jiang Chen nodded, looking to Yan Li for confirmation.

"Alright!"

Yan Li nodded in agreement.

Buzz!

Jiang Chen extended a strand of Divine Sense into the compass.

The compass lit up, revealing two points—a large red dot representing Jiang Chen’s current location, and a small green dot flickering near the compass’s edge.

"Let’s go!"

After confirming the direction, Jiang Chen signaled and took the lead, dashing forward with blazing speed, followed quickly by Yan Hu and the others.

...

In the boundless plains, a small team of five was fleeing desperately, pursued by a squad of over a dozen people.

"Friends of the Gold-devouring Rat Clan, we mean no harm, just wishing to become friends with you. No need to reject us so harshly, right?"

A cry rang out, as an elder from the pursuing squad flashed past the fleeing group and blocked their way.

"Hmph! Become friends? Your first move was to injure Brother Kai and Brother Wen Hao—this is your way of making friends?"

Five golden figures halted, with three of them protecting the other two in the middle, eyes vigilant as they glared at the elder and the people behind him.

The two youths protected in the center were extremely pale, their breathing weak, evidently suffering severe injuries.

"Hehe, there are too many violent bandits in these Ruins Plains; I accidentally injured these two young friends, my mistake indeed."

The blocking elder smiled, "I am Qi Shan, Third Elder of the Spirit Sword Sect. I apologize for the misunderstanding. Walking around these plains with injuries is quite dangerous, let us protect you while I atone for my mistake."

"Elder Qi, that’s quite polite, no need to escort us. Since it’s a misunderstanding, let bygones be bygones. We won’t linger in these Ruins Plains, we’ll head straight back to the Abandoned Town. Farewell!"

The pale-faced youth in the center clasped his fists toward Qi Shan, ready to leave with his comrades.

"What do you mean by that, young friend? Are you looking down on me by refusing my protection?"

Qi Shan’s expression turned cold, his voice somber.

"Of course not, we just don’t want to trouble you, elder. Besides, we’re injured, not fit to keep roaming these Ruins Plains. We must return to our clan to avoid unnecessary trouble!"

The young man spoke again.

"Hehe, unnecessary trouble? Young friend, are you threatening me?"

Qi Shan sneered, "Rest assured, with me here, there will be no unnecessary trouble."

The young man frowned, about to continue his refusals, when the other injured youth spoke coldly, "Wen Hao, there’s no need to waste words with him, he won’t let us go. He doesn’t dare. If we leave alive, they’ll die here in these Ruins Plains!"

"Jin Kai, don’t speak recklessly!"

Jin Wenhao’s face changed, hurriedly chiding Jin Kai, then turned to clasp his fists at Qi Shan again, "Elder Qi, please forgive my cousin; he doesn’t know how to talk."

"Hehe, it’s fine."

Qi Shan laughed coldly, "Although your Gold-devouring Rat Clan is formidable, my Spirit Sword Sect isn’t soft. If a war breaks out, you won’t fare well either. So, save your pointless threats, young one. You’re the first to dare threaten me, but I’ll let it slide for the Gold-devouring Rat Clan’s sake. Now, reveal the location of that Semi-Saint ruin."

"Hmph! Old man, why aren’t you pretending anymore? Dream on if you want the ruin’s location! We’d rather die than tell you!"

Jin Kai shouted coldly.

"Yes! If you have the guts, kill us!"

"Just wait, we’ve already called for help. If you kill us, you’ll be slaughtered by our Gold-devouring Rat Clan on these Ruins Plains!"

"Old man, if you dare, make a move. Otherwise, you’re my son!"

Other three youths shouted furiously.

"Hehe..."

Qi Shan laughed sinisterly, his face fierce, "As expected of the domineering and bloodthirsty Gold-devouring Rat Clan. Such nerve, to talk to me like this. Very well! I hope you can still be this arrogant once I flay you alive after reverting you to your original forms!"

After a brief pause, Qi Shan shouted to the people behind the five youths, "Capture them alive! Today, I’ll savor the taste of Treasure-seeking Mouse’s flesh!"

Swish, swish, swish!

Upon hearing this, the dozen Spirit Sword Sect disciples rushed forward, surrounding Jin Wenhao and the others.

Jin Wenhao and his group had their expressions turning solemn, their eyes gradually reddening, flashing their fangs with chilling glints!