Chapter 1825 - 1824: Zhang Laosan
The Divine Master's expression changed. He initially hadn't taken Qi Zhishan seriously. After all, in his eyes, Qi Zhishan's strength was only on par with individuals like the Beigong War God's Jade-faced Judge.
Although Qi Zhishan had killed the Jade-faced Judge before, the information he received was that Qi Zhishan had joined hands with Mahakaya to accomplish this. So, he always assumed it was the combined effort of Qi Zhishan and Mahakaya that killed the Jade-faced Judge, never expecting that Qi Zhishan's strength had actually reached this level.
Now, after a brief clash, he immediately recognized Qi Zhishan's immense power. Their strengths were evenly matched, and it was extremely difficult for him to defeat Qi Zhishan.
However, the Divine Master wasn't overly flustered; instead, he sneered.
"Nan Kuzen, you're not simple, indeed!" The Divine Master sneered at Qi Zhishan, "To think you can match me, it seems I've truly underestimated you. But so what? Today, I still hold the absolute upper hand. Qi Zhishan, you can stop me, but can you save these people on the spot?"
Qi Zhishan's face was cold as he said in a deep voice, "I can't save them, but the enmity between you and me is sealed. With you and me, it's fight to the death!"
"Hahaha..." The Divine Master laughed wildly again, "Fight to the death? Are you trying to scare me? Your current strength only matches mine, but soon, my power will advance far beyond yours. At that time, we'll see how it's done!"
"Why waste words, prepare to die!" Qi Zhishan shouted angrily and attacked once more.
The Divine Master laughed continuously, engaging Qi Zhishan head-on while loudly ordering, "Kill them all for me, leave no one behind!"
The Divine Master's subordinates had long since begun their deadly assault. Compared to them, Su Yang's side, in both strength and numbers, was far inferior. Consequently, Su Yang's group was at a disadvantage, with someone being slaughtered at intervals, the situation extremely critical.
"Qi Zhishan, how does it feel?" the Divine Master taunted while battling Qi Zhishan, "How do you feel watching these people die before your eyes?"
Qi Zhishan frowned deeply without speaking; he knew the Divine Master was trying to unsettle him. However, seeing the precarious positions of those around him, he indeed felt some urgency in his heart.
But the Divine Master clung to him tenaciously, and their strengths were evenly matched. He couldn't free up any hand to rescue those people.
On site, Su Yang's group was struggling, while the Divine Master's men were all exceptionally powerful. After all, these men were once chosen to ascend to the Heavenly Realm as Land Immortals and were the absolute elites of their era.
The Divine Master's laughter was relentless, everything under control; he continued to contemplate finally killing Qi Zhishan here. Once done, the events at Kunlun Mountain would remain unknown and he could further deceive others.
In this chaotic scene, suddenly a figure swiftly descended from the sky.
A tall man, about thirty years old, with scruffy facial hair and dressed in somewhat shabby clothes, gave off an unkempt appearance. He wielded an oddly shaped longsword, with a serrated blade and a handle ending in an iron bat, its blade emanating a bloody glow, exuding an eerie aura.
After landing, the man's gaze swept over the crowd on the scene, finally stopping at Qi Zhishan. He slightly furrowed his brows and said in a deep voice, "Qi Zhishan!?"
Everyone was stunned; no one knew why such a man would appear now. Moreover, almost no one on the scene recognized him. Yet, from his aura, it was clear that this man's strength was definitely not weak!
Qi Zhishan glanced at the newcomer and was also taken aback: "Zhang Lao San, why have you returned?"
The crowd was once more puzzled. Who was Zhang Lao San?
Zhang Lao San remained calm, seemingly accustomed to Qi Zhishan's address. He looked around and coldly said, "I just left seclusion not long ago and received news of tremendous changes occurring in Huaxia. And that a bunch of Winged Cultivators overseas has gathered people intending to come to Kunlun Mountain for a big event. So I hurried back day and night to Kunlun Mountain to see what these Winged Cultivators planned to do. What are you all doing here?"
After speaking, Zhang Lao San casually glanced at the Divine Master. It was apparent he was curious about the Divine Master's identity.
"It's a long story, but you've arrived just in time, help me take down this bastard first!" Qi Zhishan shouted.
Zhang Lao San glanced at the Divine Master, furrowing his brow slightly, and without further ado, charged with his raised longsword.
The Divine Master's complexion changed. Seeing Zhang Lao San attacking, he suddenly remembered Zhang Lao San's identity.
Facing the aggressive Zhang Lao San, the Divine Master turned and fled without a word, shouting, "Retreat!"
The Divine Master's subordinates, though surprised, also did not object. Turning around, they followed the Divine Master, unwilling to linger here even for a moment.
"Where do you think you're going?" Deng An roared as he leaped up, wielding two large axes in pursuit.
"Don't chase them!" Qi Zhishan promptly stopped him, saying sternly, "First arrange for our wounded. Their numbers and strength are still superior to ours. Even with Zhang Lao San here, we only made them feel pressured. They ran to avoid paying a huge price to fight us, not because their strength is weaker than ours!"
Deng An was still somewhat unwilling, but he obediently returned. As Qi Zhishan had said, their strength indeed could not match the enemy's. Although Zhang Lao San's presence didn't change the tide of the battle, the Divine Master's side would also pay a significant price if the fight continued, and he wasn't willing to make such a costly sacrifice, thus fleeing with his men.
If they were pursued and cornered, the Divine Master's group might resort to desperate measures. By that time, they'd be digging their own graves!
"But they... they threw Su Yang into the valley..." Lv Donglin said anxiously as he reached the edge of the valley, "What should we do?"
Qi Zhishan looked at Lv Donglin and then at Zhang Lao San, suddenly stating, "Zhang Lao San, do me a favor and track those people. See if they've truly left Kunlun Mountain or just laid some traps or ambushes, so we don't fall into their snares again!"
Zhang Lao San wasn't sure what Qi Zhishan meant, but he nodded and took off into the sky, rapidly pursuing the Divine Master's group.
Meanwhile, Qi Xuan, watching Zhang Lao San's departing figure, suddenly frowned deeply, as if something had dawned on him.