Martial artists from all directions, some climbing trees and rocks, others traversing mountains and ridges, rushed toward the southern side of Black Dragon Stronghold.
Some even disregarded the ten-mile forbidden zone around the stronghold, cutting straight through it.
This added another source of income for Black Dragon Stronghold.
Inside the stronghold, Li Daoqiang received the news immediately. His gaze flickered as he looked southward, pondered briefly, then ordered, "Pass down the command: recall most of our men to the stronghold, tighten patrols and defenses. If anything happens, send the signal at once."
"Yes."
Li Si acknowledged. Li Daoqiang's figure flickered and vanished.
At a certain spot on Floating Cloud Mountain.
"Master, I've gathered the information. The Four Southern Heroes are chasing the Blood Saber Demon toward the south of Black Dragon Stronghold. A large crowd of martial artists has followed." A middle-aged man said solemnly.
"Good, let's go too. This is a perfect opportunity." A young man said with a slight smile.
"Indeed. If the chance arises, you can personally take down the Blood Saber Demon, then lead the many martial artists to Black Dragon Stronghold and defeat Li Daoqiang in front of everyone." Another middle-aged man nodded emphatically, anticipation in his voice.
The young man's smile widened, clearly sharing that intention.
In an instant, the three of them vanished into the forest.
In different places, similar scenes unfolded one after another.
It seemed this piece of news had fully ignited the atmosphere on Floating Cloud Mountain.
Countless people, regardless of their intentions, acted as if they sensed an opportunity and didn't let it slip.
Over a hundred miles south of Black Dragon Stronghold.
A figure in a red monk's robe with a bald head darted swiftly through the rugged mountains, moving so fast that only faint afterimages could be seen.
He appeared to be around fifty, wielding a strangely sinister and razor-sharp curved blade. His expression was fierce yet cunning, clearly not that of a good man.
As he wove between several giant trees, his expression suddenly shifted. He flipped mid-air and landed to the side.
The next moment, an invisible blade qi tore through the air, slashing fiercely at the spot where he had been heading.
"Boom!"
A loud crash echoed from the ground. A gash several zhang long appeared, with traces of blade qi spilling out.
The figure barely glanced at it before continuing forward as if nothing had happened.
A mocking smile spread across his face as he laughed heartily, "Old Man Lu, that strike of yours wasn't much. I saw it coming, so you wasted your strength."
His arrogant demeanor was unmistakable, as if he weren't the one fleeing.
"Hmph."
A cold snort rang out from behind, followed by a sharp shout: "Blood Saber Demon, where else can you run? Today is your death day."
The voice boomed like thunder, echoing through the mountains, and rapidly closed in on the figure.
"Hahaha, you think you can kill your Blood Saber Grandpa? Not so fast.
Everything before was just me playing with you. From now on, I'll pick you off one by one." The figure retorted, his tone even seeming to gain the upper hand.
But his movements never slowed, expertly and agilely fleeing forward.
About a hundred zhang behind, four figures suddenly appeared on trees or rocks.
Each exuded an extraordinary aura, and there was a connected momentum between them.
The surrounding spiritual energy seemed to be under their control, as if the void itself had solidified, pressing forward with overwhelming force.
They looked unstoppable, immensely powerful.
Without pausing, they continued their pursuit.
"Blood Saber Demon, you're all talk. If you've got the guts, stop and fight us."
Among the four, a figure wielding twin short spears shouted disdainfully.
"Heh heh, truly worthy of being called a hero. Making your Blood Saber Grandpa fight four of you alone, and saying it with such righteous pride. No wonder I can't be a hero—now I see why." The figure laughed loudly, his voice carrying far.
"Hmph, a vile demon and lecher like you dares to dream of being a hero? Ridiculous." Another figure with an upright expression shouted.
"Hahaha, Water Number Four, I just took a few extra looks at your daughter because she's pretty. I didn't do anything, so why the rush?
Or do you actually want me to be your son-in-law?
Let's sit down and talk it over. Your Blood Saber Grandpa might just agree." The figure said with a lecherous grin.
"You—" The figure behind was furious and couldn't help but slash out with his sword.
A cold, clear sword light, like a frosty moon, icy and sharp, carried spiritual energy as it whistled through the air.
The bald figure seemed to have anticipated it, veering left and slipping between several trees, dodging the sword light without slowing down.
Meanwhile, the figure behind, having delivered that swift strike, naturally paused, slowing the group's overall pace.
The monk-robed bald man added with a mischievous laugh, "Father-in-law, is that how you welcome your son-in-law? That was way too light."
The sword-wielding figure grew angrier and was about to strike again.
"Fourth Brother, don't lose your temper. He's trying to provoke us. If nothing unexpected happens, the heroes are about to surround us. This time, he won't escape." The white-haired elder among the four said solemnly.
The sword-wielding figure suppressed his anger and nodded silently.
In the span of a few breaths, they had covered dozens of miles of mountain paths.
Ahead, figures began to appear among the great mountains, more and more of them.
The four behind saw this and their faces lit up with joy.
The monk-robed figure ahead didn't slow down, but his eyes narrowed, a hint of fierce aura seeping out.
"Fellow martial artists ahead, that's the Blood Saber Demon. He's ferocious. Please block him from a distance, and we'll join forces to take him down."
The elder among the four behind shouted.
His steady, heroic voice amplified hundreds of times, spreading in all directions.
The many martial artists ahead heard this, and delight showed on their faces.
Surrounding the Blood Saber Demon—this was a great chance to make a name for themselves. They couldn't miss it.
"Rest assured, Heroes of Falling Flowers and Flowing Water. I, Long-Arm Fist Xu Zhi, will surely stop this demon."
A loud shout rang out, echoing through the mountains.
"Exactly. Blood Saber Demon, you can't escape today. Have you heard of me, Fire Source Spear Wang Ming?"
Another shout rose.
Then, one voice after another began to rise and echo.
In an instant, the rugged mountains were filled with these successive cries.
More and more figures appeared.
Blood Saber Old Ancestor sneered coldly, a mocking look of seeing through everything in his eyes.
His eyes narrowed like a wolf's, scanning ahead as if searching for a weakness.
The next moment, without hesitation, he plunged into the mountain range ahead where people were gathered.
Behind him, among the Four Southern Heroes—Falling Flowers and Flowing Water—the figure with twin spears glanced at the spots where the shouts had come from and let out a faint snort of displeasure.
The leading elder with the blade, however, laughed heartily with heroic spirit: "Good! Today, let us righteous heroes of the martial world join forces to surround and destroy this Blood Saber Demon."
With that, he led the other three in hot pursuit.
Soon, the forest filled with martial artists became a lively scene.
Heroes from all over the mountains began hunting the Blood Saber Old Ancestor.
Even those with poor martial arts skills, who would normally tremble at the sight of him, were now brimming with boldness, eagerly chasing after that figure.
But the Blood Saber Old Ancestor wasn't so easy to catch. Traces of blood quickly appeared in the forest.
"Swish~!"
A long blade swept through the air, a sharp sound erupting. Three of the four martial artists ahead didn't even react before their heads were separated from their bodies, dying in不甘.
The Blood Saber Old Ancestor let out a sinister laugh, grabbed the remaining one by the shoulder, and hurled him backward with force.
Behind, the Falling Flowers and Flowing Water quartet erupted in fury.
"Blood Saber Demon!"
They roared in anger. The two closest to the trajectory of the thrown figure had no choice but to stop, catch him, and then resume the chase.
(Thank you for your support.) ………………