CHAPTER 98: CHAPTER 89: ESCAPE AND PURSUIT

Among the Silver Prefecture Guards nearby, there were those unscathed, but newcomers like Qin An were almost nonexistent.

Qin An pondered, "It’s just good luck. Why haven’t we attacked yet?"

They had been gathering here for the time it takes for an incense stick to burn.

The entrance to the palace was right ahead, yet there was no movement at all, which was uncharacteristic of the Evil Extermination Bureau.

Cheng Sufeng quietly pointed to one of the Jinzhou Guards, "Do you see that gentleman?"

Qin An followed Cheng Sufeng’s finger to look.

He saw that the Jinzhou Guard was approaching middle age, exuding a very strong aura.

Although just standing there, he was as sharp as a sword.

Upon closer inspection, Qin An noticed what seemed like True Qi flowing from the Jinzhou Guard’s feet along the ground.

Cheng Sufeng twirled a silver needle, explaining, "Mr. Ou is different from the others; he excels in barrier techniques."

"Since only the Tree Lord is left, we should eliminate any risk."

"The Tree Lord is adept at rooting into the ground to draw endless power; using a barrier to cut off the source is more prudent."

Qin An nodded in understanding.

The Evil Extermination Bureau always aimed to thoroughly banish evil.

Cutting off the Tree Lord’s retreat was worth spending some time on.

As the two communicated, Ou Yunlong let out a deep breath, his gaze as sharp as a knife.

"It’s done."

Wan Ziqing and the other three Jinzhou Guards nodded slightly.

They had come this time with configurations specifically targeting the Tree Lord.

Since Ou Yunlong said it was done, it was indeed done.

Wan Ziqing waved, and ice spread over her palm, with one palm strike sent forth.

The palace doors were bombarded, trembling violently.

A rumbling sound followed, and the doors slowly opened.

Qin An looked up, his brows slightly furrowing.

The inside of the palace was clear at a glance.

The Tree Lord extended branches all over, inserting them into the statues of four fierce tigers.

And in front of the Tree Lord, a woman in purple clothing lay unconscious.

A voice rose from the crowd.

"Sister!"

Following the voice, Qin An saw Ye Lengshuang agitatedly and instinctively recognized the woman’s identity.

Ye Lengshuang’s voice was like lightning cutting through the night sky, startling the silent darkness.

The Tree Lord slowly opened his eyes and threw Ye Lengyu away: "Still useful, after I kill you all, I’ll use you again."

Ye Lengyu fell into a corner, and countless branches extended, forming a cage of branches, trapping her inside.

Today, the Tree Lord finally achieved his long-awaited Realm of Perfection.

The Tree Lord looked up, fixing his gaze on the four Jinzhou Guards, and sneered: "Four of the Great Success realm, alright, today I’ll completely annihilate you here, turning you into the Tree Lord’s nourishment."

Battle was imminent; both sides spoke no useless words.

Innumerable branches formed, attacking the four Jinzhou Guards.

Yang Quanfeng shouted, his iron hammer swirling an impenetrable wall, terrifying winds roaring like a tsunami.

All the branches in front were broken, but more branches continued to spread.

Wan Ziqing exuded icy True Qi all over, her eyes cold as ice, striking out with several palm strikes.

The ice shattered branches, yet suddenly several branches emerged from the ground, entangling her.

Wan Ziqing frowned slightly, using all her True Qi to resist.

Another Jinzhou Guard wielded dual hooks, cutting through countless branches with a swing.

As for Ou Yunlong, he pressed his palms to the ground, his barrier power like a tremendous wave, entangling numerous roots.

The Tree Lord faced the attacks from four Jinzhou Guards, continuously wielding branches, terrifying evil Qi shaking the heavens.

Fighting in the Realm of Perfection against four of the Great Success, he still had energy to spare.

Cheng Sufeng twirled a silver needle, shooting swiftly at the Tree Lord.

Numerous Silver Prefecture Guards quickly joined the attack.

Despite facing the terrifying Tree Lord, nobody retreated.

Fighting to the death was the principle of the Evil Extermination Bureau, nobody feared death.

Why fear death, if you joined the Evil Extermination Bureau?

Qin An wielded a black blade, the Ice Flame Triple Slash bursting with ice-fire energy, and with consecutive slashes, he severed all the approaching roots.

Yet he didn’t relax, instead frowning tightly, remaining vigilant.

The Tree Lord was not disadvantaged under the encirclement of the four Jinzhou Guards, even handling it with ease.

The situation was not looking good.

With these thoughts, more branches surged towards Qin An.

Qin An noticed that there seemed to be more branches on his side.

Looking closely, Qin An sensed the Tree Lord’s gaze, his mouth twitching slightly.

Truly vengeful.

Even now he wants to take my head first.

How troublesome.

Qin An raised his fist, used the Blood-Burning Heaven-Cutting Hand, unleashed ice-fire force, shattered roots, then raised his black blade pointing at the Tree Lord.

The provocation was clear.

The Tree Lord sneered: "You little bastard, once I destroy these four watchdogs, I’ll take your head."

He had already set his sights on Qin An.

In his Realm of Perfection, eliminating four Great Success Jinzhou Guards was easy.

He just needed time, and time was what he didn’t lack now.

As the Tree Lord thought this, an icy voice suddenly rang out.

"Who do you think you’ll destroy?"

The Tree Lord’s heart shook. He looked towards the voice, seeing Wan Ziqing’s face with a hint of mockery.

Yang Quanfeng looked at the Jinzhou Guard with dual hooks and shouted, "Mo Chuan, confirm no other escapees, then we can close the net."

The Jinzhou Guard named Mo Chuan smiled slightly, returned the hooks to his waist, and pulled a Compass from his bosom: "Then... Let’s form the array."

As the words fell, the Compass emitted multicolored light, illuminating every corner of the palace.

At the same time, the four Jinzhou Guards’ auras rose sharply.

Great Success... Realm of Perfection!

The Tree Lord’s eyes widened: "Array! Such a treasure, you dare to use it!"

The Compass turned to dust, obviously a one-time item.

Yang Quanfeng said coldly: "Old creature, you don’t understand the Evil Extermination Bureau, as long as it can slay devils, what’s a treasure?"

As his words finished, the four Jinzhou Guards used their respective methods.

Suddenly assaulted by four Jinzhou Guards temporarily elevated to the Realm of Perfection, the Tree Lord’s entire trunk shattered, akin to a candle in turbulent wind and rain.

"No!"

"If this continues, I’ll die for sure, I must escape!"

"Activate the furnace!"

The Tree Lord commanded branches to wrap around Ye Lengyu, then inserted four branches into four mighty tiger statues.

"Boom!"

The palace suddenly shook violently, and Evil Qi of the tigers spread everywhere like waves.

Wan Ziqing’s expression changed slightly: "Everyone, resist the invasion of the Evil Qi!"

The Evil Qi was like a furnace, leaving destruction in its wake.

With the four Jinzhou Guards leading, all the Silver Prefecture Guards on site used their techniques to resist the Evil Qi.

The Tree Lord, entirely shattered and heavily injured, took advantage of the chaos to carry Ye Lengyu, fleeing towards the exit.

As he left, he looked in Qin An’s direction, eyes filled with boundless hatred.

Qin An thought carefully, splitting through the incoming Evil Qi with a slash, his foot shifting slightly.

He had seen those eyes earlier.

Now, with the four Jinzhou Guards sharing the brunt of the Evil Qi, they couldn’t act in time.

The Tree Lord couldn’t escape; if he did, Qin An would be in danger.

Since he was severely injured, he must leave traces. Let’s seize the opportunity first.

Cheng Sufeng was resisting the Evil Qi, her fingers gripping the silver needle already covered in blood.

He was about to turn around to check Qin An’s situation, but the side was already empty.