CHAPTER 1910: CHAPTER 1911: SEARCHING FOR YU SHUANG

Whoosh!

The Tiger-Driving Sword flew out, heading straight towards Yang Chengyin.

But Yang Chengyin only needed to slightly shift his body to easily dodge Long Xuan’s furious strike.

Watching the lingering sword light in front of him, Yang Chengyin smirked.

"What? Did I hit a sore spot? Is that why you’re angry and embarrassed?"

Long Xuan raised his hand, and the Tiger-Driving Sword circled in the air before returning to his hand.

"Seeking the Immortal, asking the Dao, it’s just a process. I seek my Immortal, I pursue my Dao. What has the matter of others to do with me?"

His expression remained calm, as if completely unaffected by Yang Chengyin’s words, Long Xuan spoke with indifference.

Yet Yang Chengyin merely sneered, continuing to question the young prodigy before him.

"If that’s so, why did you challenge Ye Qingci to a sword duel beneath Mount Qianjue?"

"To further progress."

"Then, after becoming an Earth Immortal, have you challenged any other Earth Immortals?"

"Not yet had the opportunity."

"Very well, then I shall give you this opportunity now."

Yang Chengyin spoke, then carefully sized up Long Xuan.

"You’re in the Initiate Realm, so I will confront you at the Entering Dao Realm. We will decide victory and defeat, not life and death."

"Are you afraid?"

Long Xuan was puzzled, for they were clearly in opposing camps, yet Yang Chengyin showed no intent of fighting him to the death.

"Yes, I’m afraid you’ll die."

Bang!

Instantly, countless winds and sands swept up between heaven and earth, completely enveloping the two of them. Long Xuan was shocked and immediately tried to drive the Killing Star to breach the sands.

However, the Killing Star Sword formed from the Red Lotus Divine Fire was immediately repelled upon contact with the sands, unable to break through its encirclement.

"Long Xuan, do you really think I can’t hold you back? That I can’t prevent them from passing? You truly have exceptional talent, but in the end, you’re still too young."

Long Xuan glanced around at the winds and sands, frowning slightly as he quickly gauged their strength.

Though it wasn’t impossible to force a breach, doing so would completely expose his rear to Yang Chengyin.

Despite the opponent’s claim to only seek victory, not life or death, Long Xuan knew that he could never trust the words of someone who could betray their master and homeland.

Taking a deep breath, Long Xuan focused entirely on the enemy before him.

"Oh? You’ve given up so soon?"

Yang Chengyin asked with slight surprise, observing Long Xuan’s behavior.

"Take care of the present to ensure the future."

Long Xuan raised his sword, pointing it at Yang Chengyin.

"Long Xuan of Mount Longhu dares to ask for a sword duel!"

"Good! Just don’t die..."

Hum!

A loud bell rang, accompanied by the chanting tones of a Taoist reverberating through the sands, permeating the entire marsh. At this moment, the distance between heaven and earth seemed to close, cocooned in the thick breath of the Heavenly Dao, causing Bei Tang Qian Xiao to feel extremely uncomfortable.

Although not fully aware of what was happening, Bei Tang Qian Xiao instinctively asked while looking around.

"What’s going on over there? Long Xuan..."

"He’s fighting Yang Chengyin. That wind and sand have temporarily enclosed him, so he might not be able to pay attention to anyone else."

"Then Yang Qianxing and Mo Ningchen..."

"Amidst the chaos, they have already disappeared; their target was never us, but rather Yu Shuang and whom Yu Shuang is seeking — Yu Yanshu."

Despite the series of events, Xu Nanzhi quickly pieced together the current situation.

"So, our efforts were all in vain."

"No, Yu Shuang’s aura has completely vanished into the marsh. While we can’t be sure she’s contacted Yan’er, at least those two won’t find her so easily."

Bei Tang Qian Xiao, puzzled, asked, "Wouldn’t that mean we also..."

Halfway through her sentence, Bei Tang Qian Xiao saw the faint smile on Xu Nanzhi’s face and understood instantly.

"The Earth Core Lotus!"

"Yes, that’s one of the reasons I sent Yu Shuang. As long as you’re here, we can contact her no matter where she’s gone."

"Understood."

Not one to dawdle, Bei Tang Qian Xiao, once she knew what needed doing, immediately used the Earth Core Lotus to attempt contacting Yu Shuang, unaware of just how much more Xu Nanzhi understood the Earth Core Lotus than outsiders.

However, Bei Tang Qian Xiao soon faced an even worse realization, as her expression turned extremely grim.

"I can’t reach Yu Shuang."

"How can that be?"

Xu Nanzhi paused, pondering for a moment before urgently asking, "Is there some kind of interference zone in Earth Core Lotus communication, or some other issue?"

Also somewhat panicked, Bei Tang Qian Xiao shook her head. "That shouldn’t be the case. Even with active blocking, there should be some signal. Given the current situation, Yu Shuang’s line should be wide open for two-way communication with me. Apart from not being in the same world, the only thing I can think of is..."

Bei Tang Qian Xiao stopped mid-sentence, saying no more.

Given this much, Xu Nanzhi already understood.

"Something’s happened?"

The fate of the Earth Core Lotus upon the death of its holder was uncertain, but the lack of response from the other end was undeniable.

"Impossible, Yu Shuang has the strength of the Hollow Vacuum realm. Even if she encountered danger, it’s unlikely she’d face such a fate so quickly, unless..."

"Enough!"

Bei Tang Qian Xiao interrupted, looking at Xu Nanzhi, urgently asked, "No matter what you say, I just want to know how you plan on dealing with this now!"

It was Xu Nanzhi’s decision to have Yu Shuang delve into the marsh. While Bei Tang Qian Xiao hadn’t objected too much at the time, she now harbored some resentment towards Xu Nanzhi.

But Xu Nanzhi fell into silence; ever since Yang Chengyin’s appearance, developments had exceeded her expectations.

Partially confident in Yu Shuang’s abilities, Xu Nanzhi realized that with Yang Chengyin’s presence, the locations where another Earth Immortal could appear couldn’t be discounted, and if so...

"Over here!"

A loud shout from above drew both their gazes skyward, seeing the vast form of Long Ao Tian’s true body carrying the group toward the marsh.

Among them, Bei Tang Qian Xiao immediately spotted Chen Mengmeng, eyes lighting up. "Mengmeng!"

Chen Mengmeng nodded and raised her hand, causing a misty cushion to swiftly transfer the two atop Long Ao Tian’s back.

"Sister NanZhi, Sister Qian Xiao, are you both alright?"

Seeing them, Chen Mengmeng quickly inquired about their status.

Bei Tang Qian Xiao shook her head, while Xu Nanzhi got straight to the point.

"Yu Shuang went missing deeper in the marsh. Qian Xiao has tried contacting her with the Earth Core Lotus, but there’s been no response."

Chen Mengmeng was taken aback, then turned her gaze toward the marsh, eyes narrowing.

"This Great Formation’s aura feels so familiar."

"You feel it too?"

Bei Tang Qian Xiao asked in surprise, looking up.

Chen Mengmeng nodded, and then her eyes reflected a cause-and-effect light, and her aura shifted dramatically.

"Give me some time; even if I can’t break the formation, I can find evidence of Sister Yu Shuang’s presence inside."

Bei Tang nodded, placing all hope on Chen Mengmeng, while Xu Nanzhi remained silent, simply turning slightly to watch the sandstorm.

She knew that whether they had any time at all depended entirely on the outcome of Long Xuan’s battle.