Lu Fan searched everywhere in Jiangbei for traces of the Tai Xu Sword, but without any clues, he couldn't help but feel disappointed.
"It seems the Tai Xu Sword is not in Jiangbei!" Long Yi shrugged helplessly. "We'll have to find other ways!"
"Since it's not in Jiangbei, let's return to Longdu first!"
Lu Fan waved his hand. "I believe that one day the Tai Xu Sword will reveal itself. After all, I am the chosen one."
"I really didn't expect you to be so confident!" Long Yi rolled his eyes. "That's an ancient artifact, not something just anyone can wield. Even with your Lu family bloodline, you might not be able to control the Tai Xu Sword!"
"Although that may be true, if the Tai Xu Sword appears, I will definitely be able to control it!"
Lu Fan's face was full of confidence, his expression even carrying a hint of indifference, as if everything was proceeding as he had predicted.
"It truly is a case of looking for a needle in a haystack, only to find it effortlessly. I didn't expect you to be here!"
Just as they were talking, a booming laugh echoed. Lu Fan and the others trembled and simultaneously looked forward. Standing in front of them was a woman holding a guqin, exuding an overwhelming aura.
"Instructor Hua!"
Long Yi trembled slightly. "It really is a narrow road for enemies. I didn't expect you to be in Jiangbei too!"
"An anomaly appeared in Jiangbei, and I came to investigate. I never imagined I would find you. This time, you probably can't escape!"
Instructor Hua was full of confidence. Last time, Lin Ke had been poisoned by her Seven-Colored Centipede. It seemed he was no longer alive. Now, only Long Yi and Lu Fan remained, so she didn't take them seriously.
"Indeed, it is a narrow road for enemies!"
Lu Fan's expression was cold. "Last time, Lin Ke was poisoned by your Seven-Colored Centipede's toxic mist. You caused it! I will not let you off this time!"
"What a bold statement. Even if you two join forces, you are still no match for me!"
Instructor Hua sneered. "I suggest you surrender obediently and stop struggling. It's a dead end in the end!"
"You attack left, I attack right!"
Lu Fan spoke, his expression growing colder. Since last time, his strength had also improved considerably. Even with both him and Long Yi, they had the strength to fight.
"Truly courting death!"
Seeing Lu Fan and the other make their move, Instructor Hua's expression instantly turned cold. In her eyes, Lu Fan's attack was a provocation, a path to his own demise. Last time in Longdu, Lu Fan and the other two hadn't been able to defeat her, let alone now with only two of them.
At that very moment, three figures soared into the air, fighting fiercely. It seemed like a back-and-forth battle, and Instructor Hua couldn't gain any advantage, which surprised her. "I really didn't expect your strength to have improved so much in this period!"
"That's only natural!"
Lu Fan smiled faintly. "Last time you poisoned Xiao Ke, I vowed to kill you. Now that you've come looking for death, I'll send you on your way!"
"Quite the boast!"
Instructor Hua sneered. "With just the two of you, I doubt you can achieve that!"
"How will you know if you don't try!"
Lu Fan narrowed his eyes, exuding a powerful aura, his words carrying a killing intent.
Instructor Hua said nothing more. Her figure turned into an afterimage, lunging towards Lu Fan, intending to take his life.
Lu Fan dodged with all his might, his heart also shaken. Although his strength had improved, he was still struggling to cope in front of Instructor Hua. A quasi-emperor was a quasi-emperor; this seemed to be an insurmountable gap.
"We are no match for him!"
Long Yi said. "We need to leave here quickly. If we get caught by him, it might cause unnecessary trouble!"
Lu Fan also frowned. He had wanted to avenge Lin Ke, but now, with their current strength, it seemed there was still a gap in defeating Instructor Hua.
"Old hag, if you dare, then chase us!"
Lu Fan said coldly. "I'll make you taste my power then!"
"Ignorant brat, do you think you can scare me like this?"
Instructor Hua spoke without restraint, exuding an invincible aura as she pursued Lu Fan. She didn't believe Lu Fan had any hidden tricks, especially since she, as a quasi-emperor, wouldn't take Lu Fan seriously at all.
Seeing Instructor Hua take the bait, Lu Fan rejoiced. As long as she dared to follow, Lin Ke would personally deal with her, and Lu Fan had no doubt about it.
In the blink of an eye, Lu Fan and the others arrived near the hotel. However, before they could call Lin Ke, Instructor Hua blocked their path. "Where do you think you're running? Today is your day to die, and no one can save you!"
With these words, Lu Fan and Long Yi exchanged a glance and instantly launched another attack. Instructor Hua, however, took out her magical guqin, playing notes that unleashed waves of power, forcing them to retreat.
In the blink of an eye, Lu Fan's arm was injured by a string, and blood began to flow out, his face gradually paling.
"I didn't expect this inner force to be so sharp!"
Long Yi narrowed his eyes. "It's truly astonishing. But speaking of which, do you think you can defeat us today?"
"You are trapped like rats in a jar, yet you still dare to boast!"
Instructor Hua laughed heartily. "Even the Great Dao Golden Immortal cannot save you today!"
"Is that so?"
Just then, a nonchalant laugh echoed. Lin Ke descended from the sky, his gaze fixed on Instructor Hua, a playful expression on his face. "It's been a long time!"
"How is this possible? How is this possible?"
Instructor Hua staggered back a few steps. "How are you still alive? Weren't you poisoned by the Seven-Colored Centipede? Why are you here?"
"I was indeed poisoned by the Seven-Colored Centipede!"
Lin Ke chuckled softly. "But the poison didn't take my life. Aren't you very disappointed?"
"The poison of the Seven-Colored Centipede is incurable. How did you manage it?" Instructor Hua asked, filled with disbelief and shock.
"No matter what, one shouldn't be too absolute!"
Lin Ke chuckled softly. "If the poison of the Seven-Colored Centipede were truly incurable, why would I be standing here alive? Am I not Lin Ke?"
"Even if you were cured of the Seven-Colored Centipede's poison, what of it!"
Instructor Hua said stubbornly. "Last time, the three of you joined forces and still fell prey to my potent poison. Do you intend to join forces again this time?"
"You are mistaken. This time, we will not join forces!" Lin Ke said softly. "I will face you one-on-one!"
"Are you sure?" Instructor Hua sneered. "Have you considered that you will die miserably in my hands!"
"Too much nonsense!"
Lin Ke's expression was indifferent. He instantly drew the Frost Sword. He hadn't fully understood the true power of the Frost Sword, but now that Instructor Hua had appeared, he could give it a try.