CHAPTER 681: CHAPTER 82 FIERCE AND UNPARALLELED BLOCKADE OF FLAG GATE (PART 2)

The white-haired Daoist spoke in a loud voice, ensuring everyone could hear him. Huang Fuzhou was startled, then quickly reconsidered, realizing he couldn’t back down now. Taking a deep breath, he stepped forward, bowed, and said, "Senior Brother, I am willing to go and face Su Yihong in battle."

Qi Yuntian spoke calmly, "Junior Brother Huang, do you require assistance? Feel free to ask."

The white-haired Daoist shook his head and said, "Senior Brother, Junior Brother Huang aspires to claim a position among the Top Ten Disciples and has a strong sense of ambition. If others assist him, wouldn’t that belittle him?"

Qi Yuntian burst into laughter and said, "Ah, that’s my mistake."

Huang Fuzhou felt a sudden chill in his heart. He had intended to enlist the help of a few close sect brothers, but how could he make such a request now?

Instinctively, he glanced at Qi Yuntian, whose eyes remained calm as he gazed back at him. Huang quickly lowered his head and muttered bitterly, "Senior Brother, I can handle this alone."

Qi Yuntian’s face showed a kind smile as he replied in a warm tone, "Junior Brother Huang, your courage is commendable. That Su Yihong is a Power Dao Practitioner with immense Divine Power, and his Cloud Rubbing Stick can break many Dharma Treasure prohibitions. Be extremely cautious when you confront him. If the situation becomes unfavorable, return quickly to avoid unnecessary injuries, which would not be worth it."

The more Qi Yuntian spoke, the colder Huang Fuzhou felt inside. Initially, he planned to exchange blows with Su Yihong a few times, and if given the chance, he would defeat him. But if Su Yihong proved too strong, Huang intended to take a minor injury and retreat with an excuse.

However, Qi Yuntian’s words clearly boxed him into a corner. If he followed through with his initial plan, how would True Master Qin perceive him? Would she think he was still beholden to his previous allegiance with the line of masters, secretly unwilling to contribute wholeheartedly?

It seemed there was no other option today but a fierce and desperate battle. Gritting his teeth, he declared, "That Su Family has betrayed their masters and ancestors. How could I dare hold back? Senior Brother and fellow brothers, please await good news."

The white-haired Daoist glanced at Huang Fuzhou and then at Qi Yuntian, shaking his head and sighing quietly.

He knew Qi Yuntian’s character well—magnanimous by nature, completely indifferent to Huang Fuzhou switching allegiance to True Master Qin. However, Qi Yuntian seemed to perceive Huang as a potential obstacle to the master’s line, and thus, was compelled to deliver a harsh blow.

Huang Fuzhou cupped his hands again before flying away as a solitary streak of smoke, heading toward the Flag Gate alone.

At that moment, Zhuang Bufan rode the clouds and passed him by, landing indifferently atop the formation platform. With a flick of his sleeve, a burst of yellow energy surged forth. Once it dispersed, over a hundred disciples who had been knocked into unconsciousness by Su Yihong earlier descended below the platform, all still unconscious.

Qi Yuntian nodded and said, "Thank you for your effort, Junior Brother Zhuang."

Zhuang Bufan bowed to Qi Yuntian before stepping aside.

With a wave of Qi Yuntian’s hand, others came forward to tend to the hundred-plus disciples elsewhere.

These individuals, though noble family disciples, were still under the Mingcang Sect. The nine Hua Dan Cultivators—failing in their combined attack against Su Yihong and meeting with fatal defeat—could only blame their lack of cultivation. No one could fault Qi Yuntian over that.

Still, if the hundred-odd Xuan Guang Disciples had been recklessly slaughtered, especially when many of them were True Disciples, people might accuse him of deliberate negligence, making it imperative to protect them.

Not long after Huang Fuzhou had departed, Fang Hong gestured to summon two Daoists over. Lowering his voice, he said, "Junior Brothers, listen carefully. I am certain Huang Fuzhou won’t be able to defeat Su Yihong. Once he is soundly defeated and returns, the three of us will ambush Su Yihong and strike him unexpectedly."

One was named Chen Guo, and the other Wei Chi Yang, both disciples under True Master Yan. Upon hearing Fang Hong’s words, both were startled. Earlier, they were instructed to follow Qi Yuntian’s orders and dared not act rashly. Chen Guo hesitated and asked, "What of Senior Brother’s instructions?"

Fang Hong smiled meaningfully and said, "If Huang Fuzhou loses and we intervene to assist him under the pretense of aiding a sect brother, how could Senior Brother blame us? On the contrary, he will praise us for our righteousness and care for fellow disciples."

Wei Chi Yang suddenly understood and sincerely complimented, "Senior Brother, your foresight is unparalleled!"

Chen Guo was less optimistic and remarked, "Senior Brother, Su Yihong is extremely formidable, and ordinary Dharma Treasures likely won’t harm him. How should we confront that?"

Fang Hong laughed heartily, brimming with confidence, and said, "Rest assured, Junior Brothers. Before we set off, Master bestowed upon me the Jiluo Golden Cone. With this, we will surely achieve victory!"

Chen Guo was inwardly stirred. If Fang Hong had received this treasure from True Master Zhu, even if it wasn’t explicitly instructed, it was at least tacitly approved. Exhaling deeply, he said, "In that case, let us try."