"Master, you're here!"
Lin Jichen's shout sent chills down the spines of Luo Muxian and all the members of the Shadow Soul Hall, making them feel icy cold in an instant.
Lin Jichen's master? Isn't that Leng Feiyan?
The members of the Shadow Soul Hall reacted as if facing a great enemy, instinctively looking behind them.
If Leng Feiyan really came, they would be doomed.
In the face of life and death, one can't afford to think too much.
It's like the fear a mouse feels from a cat's meow, far more terrifying than any human threat.
Luo Muxian didn't stop to think if it was true; she turned around instinctively, fearing it might be real.
At the moment they turned their heads, Lin Jichen had already picked up the teleportation talisman, ready to tear it apart, but it remained ineffective.
Of course, Luo Muxian had anticipated this move and had already sealed the talisman.
But it didn't matter; Lin Jichen had other means to save his life.
He spat out a mouthful of essence blood, and his entire being instantly became weak and listless.
Without time to think, Lin Jichen activated his mana, and he suddenly vanished from the spot.
"Blood Burn Shadow Escape!"
Luo Muxian turned back and didn't see any trace of Leng Feiyan. Sensing the disturbance behind her, she realized she had been tricked.
Furious, Luo Muxian turned and struck out a palm, attempting to stop Lin Jichen.
However, her palm only brushed past Lin Jichen's shadow.
Before leaving, Lin Jichen didn't forget to raise an eyebrow and smile at her, even giving her the middle finger.
Although she didn't understand the gesture, Lin Jichen's expression made it clear he was mocking her.
Luo Muxian's face turned icy, her chest heaving with anger.
She had always been the one to set traps for others; when had she ever suffered such a loss?
To be outwitted by a mere Crystal Realm ant right under her nose, Luo Muxian's face turned livid with rage.
But soon, she calmed down and forced a smile.
"Lin Jichen, you've deceived my feelings, but it doesn't matter. We'll meet again sooner or later, and you'll regret it then."
"That was close, damn it! A hundred times more dangerous than encountering a Chibi Bird. I almost became a guest at the Shadow Soul Hall."
In a valley a hundred miles away, Lin Jichen was randomly teleported here.
Unexpectedly, he appeared in the inner valley of Storm Valley.
Terrified, Lin Jichen tore apart the teleportation talisman as soon as he left combat mode, safely returning to the Sword Sect.
The Sword Sect was bustling with activity. Elder Tianyuan and Elder Tianqing were in the outer temple, questioning Su Wanling and the others.
"Is what you said true? Lin Jichen was really taken to the Shadow Soul Hall?"
"Yes, we were surrounded by over a hundred demonic cultivators from the Shadow Soul Hall, led by a woman in purple, who seemed extremely powerful."
"Then how did you manage to return?"
"Lin Jichen made a deal with the woman, saying he would go to the Shadow Soul Hall if she let us go. Otherwise, he would rather die."
"Are they still in Storm Valley?"
"Yes, they were still there when we left, but we don't know after that..."
After some questioning, the two elders looked grim.
"If that's the case, then Lin Jichen is in danger," Elder Tianqing said.
Elder Tianyuan nodded, his face dark. "Indeed, if he's taken to the Shadow Soul Hall, he might find it hard to even die. Their methods of manipulating minds are extraordinary."
"No matter what, we should head to Storm Valley. If the Sect Master comes out of seclusion and finds out, we won't be able to escape responsibility. Leng Feiyan specifically asked us to take care of her disciple before she went into seclusion," Elder Tianqing said with a bitter smile.
Elder Tianyuan also looked troubled, about to say something when several figures flew out from the inner temple.
Elder Tianjian and Elder Tianque had arrived.
And Nangong Yue appeared as well.
"Grandfather, I heard Junior Brother was captured by the Shadow Soul Hall. Is that true?" Nangong Yue asked anxiously.
"What are you doing here? Go back," Elder Tianyuan frowned.
"No, I want to save Junior Brother!"
"Don't be ridiculous, go back immediately."
Nangong Yue was unusually stubborn, her heart anxious and worried for Lin Jichen's safety, unable to listen to any words, insisting on finding Lin Jichen.
Su Wanling and the others were secretly shocked to see so many elders gathered.
Usually, they, as players, had no chance to see high-level figures like the elders of the Sword Sect.
This time, not only did they see them, but they saw four at once.
And the reason they were here was just one: they were all preparing to rescue Lin Jichen.
Wow, Lin Jichen, a player, was getting such special treatment...
Four elders rushing to save him at the first sign of trouble, and a beautiful senior sister worried sick about him.
Whoo, that's the difference? TAT TAT
The male players couldn't help but feel they were playing a different game from Lin Jichen.
"Fine, let Little Yue come along. We need to hurry; if we're late, it might be too late," Elder Tianqing urged.
Just as they were about to head to Storm Valley, a voice suddenly called out.
"Elders, no need to trouble yourselves. I'm back."
Everyone turned to see a dejected Lin Jichen appearing in the Sword Sect.
Nangong Yue was the first to run over, fussing over him and checking him for injuries.
The elders also immediately examined Lin Jichen, worried he might be hurt.
Lin Jichen seemed to have become the Sword Sect's favorite, with four elders circling around him.
"Elders, Senior Sister, don't worry. I'm fine. I just need a few days to recover from the aftereffects of using a secret technique to escape."
"What exactly happened? Tell us," Elder Tianqing said.
Lin Jichen didn't hold back, recounting the ambush by the Shadow Soul Hall.
After hearing his story, everyone felt a lingering fear.
"Fortunately, you were quick-witted and had a Heavenly Grade secret technique. The Shadow Soul Hall probably never expected that," Elder Tianyuan said, wiping his brow.
It was also thanks to Luo Muxian underestimating Lin Jichen, thinking he couldn't escape her grasp, which made her let her guard down.
Of course, credit also went to Lin Jichen's calmness in the face of danger, not only buying time for the Sword Sect disciples to escape but also managing to trick his way out from under the Shadow Soul Hall's nose.
The danger and fleeting opportunities involved were evident just from Lin Jichen's description.
"This time, you've made a great contribution again, saving so many Sword Sect disciples. It's no small feat," Elder Tianqing said, patting Lin Jichen's shoulder appreciatively.
Lin Jichen quickly responded modestly, "Elder, you're too kind."
His humble attitude made the elders even more satisfied.
From the Sword Pavilion to the Land of Sealing Demons, and now to Storm Valley.
Whether it was his loyalty to the Sword Sect, his hatred of evil, or his selfless character.
Lin Jichen's actions repeatedly refreshed the elders' impressions of him, earning their admiration.
[Ding! Elder Tianqing's affection level for you +10! Current affection level: 30 points (Riding Together)]
[Ding! Elder Tianyuan's affection level towards you...]