Qu Zhaoqian and Wang Xiqiang did not expect that they were already being targeted. From a distance, ability users were rapidly approaching their location. These ability users seemed to possess some means of acceleration, their speed far exceeding that of ordinary ability users. Now, escaping had become difficult.
"Wang Xiqiang, I'll cover the rear. You hurry and get out, then send word to Yanjing, telling the instructors to bring people to rescue me!" Qu Zhaoqian said to Wang Xiqiang.
If they continued to flee, both of them would be caught by those behind them. Therefore, one person had to stay and cover the rear, allowing the other to escape. This way, their chances would be greater. If both of them fled simultaneously, they might both be unable to escape. Qu Zhaoqian had made up his mind; he would cover the rear for his brother at this moment.
"What nonsense are you talking about? If anyone is to cover the rear, it's me! You're younger than me! How can I let you do something so dangerous? I'll do it!" Wang Xiqiang said seriously.
"Stop the nonsense. You're not suited for combat here, and your crystal ability can't inflict effective damage on the enemy. My combat power is stronger!" Qu Zhaoqian said impatiently. He then stopped running and instead remained in place, turning to face the approaching ability users.
"Then you better not die, kid. I'll definitely bring reinforcements to save you. Don't worry, I won't abandon you!" Wang Xiqiang knew that he had to escape quickly and didn't have time for sentimental talk. So, without hesitation, he turned and fled.
"Whether I can survive in this situation is still unknown. I can only do my best!" Qu Zhaoqian thought to himself.
Qu Zhaoqian had initially thought he was here for revenge, but today he realized how rapidly things could change. Previously, his side had held a significant advantage, but after one night, his side had fallen into chaos, and he didn't even know if their surviving forces could escape smoothly.
Upon receiving the order to flee, the soldiers immediately began to evacuate without hesitation. They were no match for the ability users. The soldiers' arms were mostly injured, and only the stimulus of pain could truly awaken them.
Four ability users directly targeted Qu Zhaoqian. This young man looked very immature, perhaps just starting out. After their investigation, they had learned that this young man possessed a very powerful ability, though he hadn't reached a very high level due to time constraints. Therefore, in the eyes of these battle-hardened ability users, this young man was like a piece of ripe meat, and capturing him would surely bring significant rewards. Naturally, they all moved towards him.
"Everyone be careful, don't get too close to this young man. He can make us instantly wither and age." Someone had already learned of Qu Zhaoqian's attack method and was reminding everyone to maintain distance, otherwise, defeating this young man would not be easy.
Qu Zhaoqian had originally intended to launch a surprise attack, using his powerful ability to turn them into old men, then kill them or escape. But now it seemed his secrets had all been exposed, and he felt the situation was troublesome.
"These scoundrels actually know what my ability is. It seems they investigated me. Now it will be difficult to launch a surprise attack. I can only find a direction, kill one ability user, and create a gap to escape," Qu Zhaoqian thought to himself.
Qu Zhaoqian was in the center of the battlefield, surrounded by four different ability users. These ability users were not easy to deal with, and killing one of them in a short time was clearly not something that could be easily achieved.
When Qu Zhaoqian moved towards an enemy in one direction, that enemy would immediately retreat, while the enemies in the other three directions would close in, constantly surrounding him.
Battles between ability users were essentially about the degree of information acquisition; one needed to know the opponent's ability type to respond accordingly. Now, Qu Zhaoqian's ability had also been discovered: the ability to cause oxidation. This ability was very powerful, and without a good physique, one might not even be able to resist its effects.
However, this ability also had a significant drawback: its attack range was too short. Qu Zhaoqian could only cause oxidation within tens of meters. As long as this distance was maintained, it was fine. The other ability users all possessed ranged attack methods, keeping him at bay from a distance.
"You despicable fellows, if you have the guts, come and fight me! Don't gang up on one person!" Qu Zhaoqian became anxious as he was constantly being suppressed from a distance. If the battle continued, his side would surely be defeated.
So, Qu Zhaoqian began to use provocation. As long as someone dared to fight him, he was sure he could achieve victory.
"Are you an idiot from reading too much? What era is this, and you still want a one-on-one fight! Since we have superior numbers, we'll use our numbers to capture you. There's no need for honor in battle." The four enemies laughed upon hearing Qu Zhaoqian's words. At this moment, they clearly felt that the young man opposite them was rather naive to say such a thing.
"These guys aren't taking the bait. It'll be even harder to escape!" Qu Zhaoqian thought to himself.
Qu Zhaoqian felt the danger. Since his capabilities had been fully understood by the enemy, they were not fighting him directly but maintaining a distance. In this way, it was impossible for him to win.
Suddenly, at this moment, a clear female voice echoed from a distance: "Are you four bullying a child and not feel ashamed? Take this!"
The four ability users had thought they had victory in hand and hadn't bothered to observe their surroundings. Suddenly, they heard a clear voice from a distance, and then their faces turned ashen with shock. They turned their heads to see a woman with a single saber on her back suddenly appear in the distance. It was Xu Xing.
Immediately after, a battle erupted on the ground. An earth wave appeared on the ground, surging towards the battlefield.
The giant wave of earth was no small matter. Once struck by this wave of earth and stone, bones would surely be broken.
"Sister Xu Xing, save me!" Qu Zhaoqian saw a familiar face appear and immediately shouted loudly, wanting to get help at this moment.
After the earth wave formed, it continuously approached the battlefield. The four ability users from Taiyuan dared not underestimate it and had to dodge at this moment.
"This one is tricky. Quickly call for reinforcements!" The four ability users immediately felt the strain. Xu Xing, known as the "Earth Immortal," had once broken through a city alone. This woman was not to be trifled with, and defeating her would likely not be easy. It was better to call for people quickly.
Taking advantage of the gap created when the enemies dodged the earth wave, Qu Zhaoqian quickly escaped the encirclement and ran to Xu Xing's side, asking, "Sister, why are you here? Did Master send you?"
"Stop talking nonsense. Your master has no time to bother with me. I snuck out to kill bandits and didn't expect to encounter you here. There will be a fierce battle ahead, so you hurry and escape. I'll handle this!" Xu Xing drew the single saber from her back and said to Qu Zhaoqian.
Qu Zhaoqian was very familiar with Xu Xing because Xu Xing often taught Shen Feng's disciples martial arts. In fact, Xu Xing should have been Qu Zhaoqian's teacher, but Xu Xing was less than 10 years older than them, so they weren't from different generations. Thus, Xu Xing asked Shen Feng's disciples to call her "sister."
"It's very dangerous at this moment. How can I leave you to fight alone? Sister, I'll help you!" Qu Zhaoqian said seriously.
"Stop talking nonsense. Your attack range is too short. You can't help me here, so you should leave quickly," Xu Xing said afterward.
Qu Zhaoqian did not dare to disobey his sister's command. He immediately turned and fled, running towards the Taihang Mountains in the east.
Xu Xing stretched her limbs and said to the people in the distance, "You have quite the nerve to dare bully people from Yuzhou. Do you really think no one from Yuzhou ventures out?"
Xu Xing's ability was also very powerful. Although her destructive power was not comparable to Gong Changfa, her attack range was not comparable to Shen Feng's, and her close combat was not as good as Li Keyi's, her abilities were more comprehensive. In close combat, she had the "Shock Saber," which could split the opponent in two with a single strike. At range, she could create earth waves to suppress the enemy. Her overall ability was quite strong, and fighting was relatively simple.
Xu Xing's appearance clearly put immense pressure on the enemy. They hadn't expected to find Xu Xing here, which was really unlucky.
So, these people immediately found a signal flare on their bodies and fired it into the sky. The signal flare shot into the sky, emitting a strong light that could guide nearby ability users to approach.
"Xu Xing, your ability is indeed very strong, but as long as we have enough numbers and are united, you will have no chance," an enemy said seriously.
Xu Xing first cut her arm with her long saber. The sharp long saber immediately cut through her clothes and also sliced her arm within the sleeve, causing blood to flow down and stimulate her with pain.
"I'd like to see if your swarm tactics are effective," Xu Xing said with a cold smile.
After Qu Zhaoqian fled, he soon heard loud noises from behind him. These sounds were like thunder. The rumbling sounds continued to emanate, and even the ground was constantly shaking.
Qu Zhaoqian knew that this was Sister Xu Xing fighting. She usually did not reveal her combat abilities in front of others because her combat abilities were too powerful, and ordinary people would be affected. Xu Xing liked to trigger small earthquakes when fighting. When the ground began to shake, the enemy would lose their footing, and at this time, Xu Xing could charge forward. Her long saber could cut through anything.
"I hope Sister is alright. I will definitely bring reinforcements back for revenge," Qu Zhaoqian thought to himself.
But at this moment, a roadblock suddenly appeared ahead. This was also an ability user from Taiyuan who discovered the fleeing Qu Zhaoqian. He immediately said, "Your luck is really bad, kid. I was just worrying about not having any merit, and you've delivered yourself to my doorstep. Isn't this fulfilling my wish?"
Qu Zhaoqian gritted his teeth and charged forward. The battle began. This ability user controlled the bones within his body. When attacking Qu Zhaoqian, many sharp bones pierced into the young man's body, while Qu Zhaoqian took this opportunity to get close to the opponent.
"You dare to get close to me now, kid! Aren't you afraid of death?" the ability user said with a cold laugh. More bone spurs suddenly grew from his body, piercing into Qu Zhaoqian's body.
"You're the one who's not afraid of death! No one else dares to fight me in close combat, only you dare to approach me! Now I'll let you know how powerful I am," Qu Zhaoqian also said with a cold laugh. Disregarding his severe injuries, he then unleashed his ability.
Immediately after, the ability user opposite him rapidly aged. His once black hair instantly turned white, his face gained many wrinkles, and he hunched over. His bone spurs were also affected, becoming much more brittle in an instant. Qu Zhaoqian twisted off the bone spurs on his body and then kicked him.
"Crack..." The kick landed as if on an octogenarian, breaking his chest bone. The ability user immediately gasped his last breath.
"No, I must bring back reinforcements for revenge. I can't fall here. I have to leave." Qu Zhaoqian was already injured, having been pierced by bone spurs, and many parts of his body were bleeding. However, he dared not stop, because if he stopped, he might be surrounded again.
Thus, Qu Zhaoqian had no choice but to find a way into the mountains. He kept fleeing along the mountain paths. After running an unknown distance, his vision went black, and he fainted. Fortunately, he was an ability user with a very strong physique, and his wounds were automatically stopping the bleeding.
Otherwise, if he had fainted at this moment, he would have bled out.