88: Chapter 88 Nephew, guard the place, I'm going to kill someone.

"What?!"

Hearing Zhao Ruoan's words, Qian Kun was completely stunned.

"You're going out? No! Absolutely not!" He rejected the idea without a second thought. "There are dozens of Spirit Pill Realm cultivators outside! And three Peak powerhouses! Going out is just suicidal!"

The surrounding Disciples also looked at Zhao Ruoan as if looking at a lunatic.

Was this Junior Martial Uncle scared out of his mind?

One person challenging a whole army of the Demonic Path? What an insane thought!

"Junior Fellow Apprentice Ruoan, listen to me, now is not the time to act on impulse!" Qian Kun grew anxious and quickly stepped up to Zhao Ruoan, trying to stop him. "You are a prodigy seen once in ten thousand years in our Qingxuan Sect, the future of our Sect! As long as you live, even if all of us die in battle here today, it will be worth it! You must find a way to survive!"

"Survive?" Zhao Ruoan glanced back at him. "Elder, do you think I can survive just by hiding in this tortoise shell?"

He pointed to the enemies outside fiercely attacking the Formation.

"Their target is me. Even if you all fall in battle, they will turn the entire mining area upside down to drag me out. When that time comes, I will still die."

"Rather than waiting to be pulled out like a rat, I'd rather die standing."

"Besides..."

Zhao Ruoan shifted his tone, a confident arc curling up the corner of his lips.

"Who says I will definitely die?"

The moment his words fell, a violent surge of power erupted violently from within his body!

Boom!

Burning God Scorching Heaven Art, First Layer: Burning God!

Zhao Ruoan's Aura climbed rapidly, surging by more than three times in an instant!

The spiritual energy fluctuations of the Middle Stage Pulse Condensation Realm were forcibly elevated at this moment to a terrifying level that could match the Early and Middle Stages of the Spirit Pill Realm!

A powerful shockwave spread out centered on him, causing the surrounding Disciples to sway and stumble, unable to stand firm.

Everyone looked at him in horror, as if they had seen a ghost.

Qian Kun's eyes almost bulged out of his sockets. He pointed at Zhao Ruoan, stammering so hard he couldn't form a complete sentence.

"You... what kind of secret technique is this? Your cultivation..."

He could feel that Zhao Ruoan's Realm had not changed, but the quality and quantity of that power had undergone an earth-shaking transformation!

This was completely beyond the scope of his understanding!

"Just a small trick," Zhao Ruoan said calmly. "Elder, do you think I am qualified to go out and play with them now?"

Qian Kun opened his mouth, unable to say a single word.

He was completely stunned.

Just how many secrets were hidden within this junior fellow apprentice?

"Elder, although the enemy's attacks are fierce, they are not without pattern." Zhao Ruoan did not give him any more time to be shocked and began assigning tasks at a rapid pace. "Their main avenues of attack are in the east and south, where a Peak Spirit Pill Realm powerhouse presides over each. Right now, immediately divide all Disciples who can still fight into two teams, concentrate them in these two directions, and reinforce the Formation with all your strength!"

"In addition, have Qiuyin and Xiamo control the Formation I previously set up in the courtyard. Once the mountain-protecting Formation is broken, that will be our final line of defense."

He spoke with clarity and composure, looking as if he were the main commander here.

Qian Kun was awed by his Aura and subconsciously nodded. "Alright... fine! We'll do as you say!"

Zhao Ruoan turned his eyes to Qiuyin and Xiamo following behind him.

The two young girls were already pale with fright, but seeing their Young Lord so strong and assertive, their eyes filled with admiration and trust again.

"Young Lord..." Xiamo's lips moved, wanting to say something, but not knowing how to begin.

"Don't be afraid." Zhao Ruoan reached out and patted their heads, just like he usually did. "Remember the Formation formulas I taught you and protect yourselves well. Wait for me to return."

"Mhm!" Qiuyin nodded heavily, tears welling up in her eyes. "Young Lord, you must come back safely!"

"Rest assured."

Zhao Ruoan took one last look at everyone and hesitated no longer.

He turned and walked step by step toward the light barrier of the mountain-protecting Formation, which was already covered in cracks.

"Junior Fellow Apprentice Qian."

He suddenly spoke up, calling out to Qian Kun.

Qian Kun froze for a moment before realizing that Zhao Ruoan's seniority in generation was indeed higher than his.

"Junior... Junior Martial Uncle, what are your orders?"

"Guard well. I'm going to kill some people."

As his words fell, Zhao Ruoan's figure didn't hesitate at all as he stepped right through that crumbling barrier of light, appearing beneath the blood-red sky outside.

He, alone and single-handed, faced that deadly army composed of dozens of Demonic Path powerhouses.

At this moment, every Qingxuan Sect Disciple in the mining area who witnessed this scene had it deeply etched into their minds.

That back figure would become a memory they could never erase for the rest of their lives.

...

Outside the Formation.

Elder Blood Slaughter and the Nether Cult's Black-robed Protector hovered in midair, chatting leisurely while directing their subordinates' attacks.

"Hehe, Fellow Daoist Blood Slaughter, it seems this Qingxuan Sect's tortoise shell won't last much longer," the Black-robed Protector let out a raspy laugh.

"A bunch of rabble, completely vulnerable," Elder Blood Slaughter stroked his beard with a face full of disdain. "After the Formation breaks, that kid named Zhao Ruoan belongs to your Nether Cult, while the Spirit Stones and people in this mine will all belong to my Blood Sea Sect."

"It's a deal."

The two looked at each other and smiled, as if they could already see the dawn of victory.

Right at that moment, they suddenly saw a ripple disturb the surface of the mountain-protecting Formation light barrier that was on the verge of shattering.

Immediately after, a young figure dressed in a cyan long robe stepped out from within.

"Hmm? Someone actually dares to come out to die?" Elder Blood Slaughter froze for a second before revealing a cruel smile.

The Black-robed Protector also looked over with interest.

"Huh? Isn't this kid... the Zhao Ruoan we're looking for? He's got some nerve, actually daring to come out alone."

"Hahaha! You refused the path to heaven and barged into Hell when no door was open! Perfect, it saves us the trouble!" Elder Blood Slaughter laughed heartily. "Lads, get him! Break this kid's limbs and capture him alive!"

"Yes!"

The demonic cultivators closest to Zhao Ruoan grinned maliciously, turning into several streaks of light as they pounced toward Zhao Ruoan.

Among these individuals, the lowest cultivation was at the Middle Stage Spirit Pill Realm, and the leader had even reached the Late Stage Spirit Pill Realm!

In their eyes, dealing with a kid at the Pulse Condensation Realm was like using a butcher knife to kill a chicken.

They could almost see the pathetic sight of Zhao Ruoan kneeling and begging for mercy.

However, facing the siege of several powerhouses, there was not a trace of fear on Zhao Ruoan's face.

He merely raised his right hand slowly.

Then, he clenched his fist.

And threw out a single punch forward.