Yan Jiaojiao’s expression was calm as she said, “Something feels off around us. It seems we’re being locked down by a powerful pressure.”
After a brief explanation, Yan Jiaojiao’s voice boomed, “May I ask which senior is here? Have we, ignorant juniors, inadvertently intruded upon a senior’s territory? We sincerely apologize for any unintentional offense. If you mind our presence, we will leave immediately.”
With her cultivation improving, Yan Jiaojiao’s perception of her surroundings had become more acute.
Furthermore, as an ancient ancestor, she had experienced countless matters. The moment she stepped into this area, Yan Jiaojiao had sensed something was amiss.
However, since the people behind them hadn’t made a move, Yan Jiaojiao had paid it no mind, thinking only of leaving quickly.
But she hadn’t expected them to silently apply pressure from behind. This pressure seemed subtle but was escalating. The further they walked, the more they would bear compounding pressure.
It was estimated that in the end, they wouldn’t even be able to walk out before the pressure forced blood to flow from all seven orifices.
Hearing Yan Jiaojiao’s question, Jiang Yiling and the others immediately understood and became vigilant, warily observing their surroundings.
“Hahaha, interesting. You, little girl, are quite sharp.”
An old man’s voice echoed from the sky. The old man seemed to be transmitting his voice using spiritual energy. They couldn’t see him anywhere, yet his voice came from all directions, as if there were people everywhere.
The situation was somewhat terrifying. Jiang Yiling and the others couldn’t help but huddle together, their ominous premonition causing them to grit their teeth, feeling that something was indeed not right.
If they had inadvertently trespassed onto someone’s territory, they wouldn’t have been targeted like this. Powerful beings who could possess their own territories were generally unwilling to stir up trouble.
Moreover, they were indifferent to external affairs and disliked meddling.
As long as they didn’t go too far, such beings wouldn’t proactively punish them.
Or perhaps they would mete out a light punishment and then let them go.
But the old man’s current attitude was rather intriguing.
He seemed to dislike them and intended to crush these few ants.
The elite disciples of Gunan Academy were all here. If they were annihilated today, Gunan Academy would truly be finished.
They had worked so hard to preserve the academy. If it were to collapse now due to the slaughter of these disciples, it would truly be heaven’s will to destroy Gunan Academy.
“Senior, we meant no offense. We can apologize to you.”
Yan Jiaojiao’s eyes were serious. She didn’t believe that the old man’s sudden targeting of them was a coincidence.
However, she had scoured the memories of the original host and found no enemies.
Furthermore, Gunan Academy had always avoided making enemies outside. Even if they had, such a powerful being could have directly attacked the academy and slaughtered disciples, there would be no need to hide here.
“Apologize?”
The powerful being chuckled arrogantly. “I don’t need your apologies. If you trespass on my territory, be prepared to die. I am a petty person by nature.”
“How about this, there are so many of you. Little girl, I quite like you. Come forward and spar with me. If you win, I’ll let two people go. What do you say?”
The disciples of Gunan Academy were instantly indignant.
“Senior, we merely trespassed unintentionally. Why must you trouble us? Kill us or skin us, we accept our fate. Why must you toy with us like playthings?”
The people of Gunan Academy were not fools. This senior was clearly prepared. The talk of letting them go was nonsense.
As the other party spoke, the pressure from all sides continued to increase, the heavy burden almost suffocating them.
How could they not understand?
This person was after them!
Therefore, there was no need to show too much respect.
Such disrespectful seniors, who bullied others based on their strength, were not worthy of respect.
The people of Gunan Academy did not believe in such coincidences.
They had just descended from Mount Wangliang, taking the same route they had come. They hadn’t encountered any powerful beings before, but now they had coincidentally met one.
Yan Jiaojiao was clearly more aware of this than they were.
She recalled the demonic threads Yan Ruxue had obtained earlier, and the bizarre demonic beast tide that had appeared in the secret realm. She narrowed her eyes and said, “Why are you hiding your face, sir? Are you the one who gave Yan Ruxue the demonic threads?”
“Why are you so determined to eliminate Gunan Academy? Or are you simply doting on me and came for me?”
“Hahaha, I didn’t expect my acting skills to be so poor now that I’ve been seen through by a little girl.”
As everyone was astonished, a figure approached at extreme speed from the distance. Then, they saw a lean, aged man wearing a black robe, walking as if strolling through a courtyard, and in moments, he was before them.
“You are…”
The disciples of Gunan Academy were stunned in unison.
They had never seen this old man before. They had considered a few suspects in their minds, but after much thought, they felt that those people wouldn’t have followed them this far, so they had quickly dismissed those candidates.
Seeing this old man now, everyone’s hearts were finally at ease, confirming that this person before them was none of the people they knew.
“I am unworthy. Those nearby call me True Person Yuan Meng.”
The term “True Person” was usually complimentary. However, Yan Jiaojiao knew from the original host’s memories that there were no strict sect divisions here, so the term “True Person” wasn’t restricted to Taoists or the like. People called each other whatever they pleased.
But since this person could be called a True Person and could set up such a formidable barrier, it was enough to prove that his cultivation was indeed not inferior.
“Yuan Meng?”
Jiang Yiling was suddenly startled upon hearing the name.
Yan Jiaojiao looked over curiously. “Senior Disciple Brother, have you heard of this name?”
“I have indeed heard of it.”
Jiang Yiling’s eyebrows were stern, his eyes holding an unfathomable emotion. “I heard my Master mention him before.”
“There is a True Person Yuan Meng in the vicinity of Mount Wangliang. It is said that he takes money to do things, and many disciples from various academies have perished at his hands before.”
Yan Jiaojiao raised her eyebrows upon hearing this. Her gaze fell upon True Person Yuan Meng, her eyes filled with curiosity. “True Person Yuan Meng, since you take money to do things, why are you looking for us? Could it be that someone paid you silver to trouble us? That shouldn’t be the case, should it? We haven’t offended anyone.”
True Person Yuan Meng laughed heartily. “You, little one, are truly joking. Do you really not know who you have offended?”
Yan Jiaojiao frowned.
“If we knew, do you think we would still be beating around the bush with you here? It’s just us now, and our Sect Leader is not here. Delaying won’t bring anyone to save us. If we knew what you truly wanted, either we would fight to the death, destroying everything so no one gets anything, or we would negotiate.”
“We have shown sincerity, but it seems, True Person, you are not interested in these things.”