In the Dragon God Kingdom.
The rise of every force had a backer behind it.
Although the Tiger Roar Hall and Hundred Flower Sect were not weak, they had greater sects supporting them.
Understanding Chu Fan’s question, Liu Yunqing continued to explain, "Both of them are heavily injured now, their strength greatly reduced. They won’t be my match for the next ten years."
"Leaving them alive is also a gesture of goodwill."
"Killing them directly would surely alert the major sects behind them!"
"That would create too many enemies!"
"It would be very troublesome!"
Chu Fan did not care about creating enemies. He simply disliked trouble and thought that by directly eliminating Tuoba Lie and Sun Wuji, he would not be delayed any further.
However, the outcome was decided by Liu Yunqing. Since he had chosen to spare the two, Chu Fan did not say anything more and moved towards the cave entrance that had appeared within the deep trench.
Following behind, Liu Yunqing gazed at Chu Fan's receding back, feeling shocked and excited.
Witnessing Chu Fan engage with Sun Wuji, who was of the same cultivation level, firsthand allowed him to truly gauge the extent of the gap between himself and Chu Fan.
He was very fortunate that he hadn't confronted Chu Fan directly at the beginning, and even more so that he had impulsively invited Chu Fan to join them.
Otherwise, facing the allied Tiger Roar Hall and Hundred Flower Sect, the Cloud Mountain Sect would have been relegated to the sidelines.
Entering the mountain cave.
Further inside, faint outlines of buildings could be seen, but Chu Fan did not venture further.
The Qimen Dunjia formation that had just been broken was merely for concealing the secret realm.
Between the true secret realm and the outside world, there were still arrangements in place to prevent ordinary people from entering.
Both Chu Fan and Liu Yunqing could feel the invisible danger emanating from it.
"Wuming, this looks dangerous, doesn't it?" Liu Yunqing asked curiously.
With time pressing, he was eager to enter the secret realm immediately and see what treasures lay within. He was well aware of the immense attraction secret realms held for martial arts families and ancient clans.
Only a few families had arrived so far because he had already managed to suppress the news of the secret realm's appearance.
However, secrets could not be kept forever.
Intervention could only slow down the dissemination of information, not completely prevent it from spreading.
Liu Yunqing knew very well that if too much time elapsed, more families and sects would join.
Even with Chu Fan, a powerful expert, present, as news spread, the incoming sects and forces would not be limited to the third-rate factions like the Tiger Roar Hall and Hundred Flower Sect.
Among the hidden ancient families, there were also existences stronger than Chu Fan.
"Isn't that obvious?"
"There's another Qimen Dunjia formation ahead, but this formation's power isn't just for concealment; it contains killing intent."
A Qimen Dunjia formation imbued with killing intent was not to be underestimated.
Liu Yunqing asked nervously, "Then what should we do?"
The secret realm was just ahead. Once they crossed this hurdle, they could obtain its contents.
At this moment, Liu Yunqing pinned all his hopes on Chu Fan, knowing that the few inept members of the Cloud Mountain Sect couldn't even quickly break through the Qimen Dunjia formation on the outskirts that only possessed concealment abilities. To decipher this attacking Qimen Dunjia formation would be wishful thinking.
On the contrary, Chu Fan, by merely walking and observing, had already understood how to break the outer Qimen Dunjia formation. It was only he who could break through the current obstacle in the shortest amount of time.
Chu Fan did not respond to Liu Yunqing but walked straight ahead, intending to brave the danger and test the offensive power of this Qimen Dunjia formation.
He had only taken five steps when he vanished on the spot.
Liu Yunqing moved his lips, knowing that Chu Fan had entered the formation, and began to wait patiently.
Meanwhile.
The Tiger Roar Hall and Hundred Flower Sect had completely withdrawn, and a person suddenly appeared before Tuoba Lie and Sun Wuji.
This person was none other than Qi Junhao.
When Tuoba Lie and Sun Wuji appeared, Qi Junhao was the one among the Cloud Mountain Sect members who most wished for Chu Fan to be defeated.
He had initially thought that the combined might of the two Grandmasters could harm Chu Fan, whom he hated deeply.
He never expected that the two Grandmasters would also be no match.
The enemy of my enemy is my friend.
Qi Junhao, seeking revenge on Chu Fan, felt that Tuoba Lie and Sun Wuji would be excellent partners.
Upon learning that Qi Junhao wanted to see them, Tuoba Lie frowned and asked Sun Wuji, who had a pale complexion and looked drowsy, "What does he want?"
As the intermediary responsible for external relations within the Cloud Mountain Sect, Qi Junhao held a not insignificant position. Tuoba Lie and Sun Wuji both knew this.
"I don't know!"
"But we can meet him!"
Tuoba Lie grunted, then nodded to his subordinate. Qi Junhao was quickly brought before the two.
Seeing that Qi Junhao had lost an arm, Tuoba Lie looked slightly surprised.
"Qi Junhao pays his respects to Hall Master Tuoba and Sect Master Sun!"
Qi Junhao performed the salutation with one hand, maintaining a humble and polite demeanor.
"Qi Junhao, as a member of the Cloud Mountain Sect, why have you suddenly sought us out?" Tuoba Lie asked.
Qi Junhao shook his head and explained, "Hall Master Tuoba, I am no longer considered a member of the Cloud Mountain Sect, as I am preparing to leave it!"
Betraying the Cloud Mountain Sect?
Despite being the leaders, Tuoba Lie and Sun Wuji were astonished.
It was understandable for ordinary members to defect.
However, for Qi Junhao, someone holding a rather high position within the Cloud Mountain Sect, to voluntarily betray it seemed somewhat abnormal.
Considering the possibility of a trap, Tuoba Lie and Sun Wuji became wary.
They suspected this might be Liu Yunqing's arrangement.
He might have feared their lingering interest in the secret realm and specifically sent Qi Junhao, under the guise of defection, to monitor them and learn the movements of the Tiger Roar Hall and Hundred Flower Sect.
Qi Junhao was not foolish.
From their hesitant expressions, he knew they didn't believe him. He immediately said, "Elder brothers, I know you don't believe I would betray the Cloud Mountain Sect, but I truly intend to do so."
"As you can see, this arm of mine..."
Qi Junhao began to elicit sympathy, describing Liu Yunqing's attitude towards him since Chu Fan's appearance, and how he lost an arm due to Chu Fan's schemes.
His purpose in coming here now was to seek outside help to retaliate against Chu Fan.
Upon hearing this, Tuoba Lie and Sun Wuji's wariness lessened somewhat.
As Grandmasters, their ability to discern people's intentions was unparalleled.
From Qi Junhao's words and actions, they could ascertain that he truly hated Chu Fan, who was using an alias.
"Wuji, what do you think?"
Tuoba Lie asked for Sun Wuji's opinion.
He was extremely reluctant to give up on the rare appearance of the secret realm.
However, Chu Fan's strength was too formidable, making the two feel as if they were facing an insurmountable mountain, forcing them to retreat.
Qi Junhao's defection gave Tuoba Lie renewed hope, believing that once Chu Fan was dealt with, Liu Yunqing and his Cloud Mountain Sect would pose no threat.
Remembering Chu Fan, who had gravely injured him with a single move, fear flickered in Sun Wuji's eyes, but it was quickly overtaken by resentment.
After a moment of silence, he asked Qi Junhao, "Can you get close to him?"