CHAPTER 272: CHAPTER 267 DANGER

"Why must you be so resolute, young brother?" Tong Liang’s eyes dimmed as he looked at Li Fan with a plea: "As you can see, I’ve diligently practiced cultivation for many years, it wasn’t easy for me to enter Dao and solidify my core at my age. I’ve faced countless near-death experiences to reach today. If you don’t mind, I am willing to follow you, young brother. How about it?"

"Don’t trust him," Luo Qingyan said.

"Luo Qingyan, we’re neighbors; why be like this?" Tong Liang turned back and looked at Luo Qingyan.

Li Fan naturally wouldn’t trust Tong Liang. Even though he appears pitiful now, he released demon worms the day they met, showing his truly wicked nature.

A surge of sword intent swept over his body as Li Fan prepared to make a move.

"Spare me, young friend. I offer all my treasures to you." Tong Liang waved his hand, releasing swarms of demon worms, then with his left hand, revealed a golden bell, saying, "These demon worms are precious; each can single-handedly kill a Foundation Establishment Cultivator. Look, there’s this bell too, young friend..."

As the words left his mouth, that pleading gaze suddenly turned fierce and ruthless. An expanse of demon worms surged forth, forming a massive golden sword aimed at Li Fan.

"Die." Tong Liang charged forward.

"Careful." Luo Qingyan and Sun Zhao cried out simultaneously as Sun Zhao stamped his foot, launching sword intent. But Tong Liang shook the bell in his left hand, causing the demon worms to act wildly. Sun Zhao felt his divine soul tremble and experienced hallucinations, his vision blurring.

Not only him, but Li Fan and Luo Qingyan felt the same.

"Soul-Attracting Bell."

Luo Qingyan thought inwardly, realizing that Old Demon Tong was indeed crafty, having hidden such treasures all along.

Sun Zhao slashed his blade, sending out a storm of sword light, yet he saw countless blurry figures darting past him as demon worms continued their attack on Li Fan.

Li Fan’s power roared within, golden mana enveloping his body, a dragon’s roar echoing as a golden Jiao Dragon silhouette protected his form.

"Squeak squeak..." The screeching sounds came as the demon worms gnawed at the mana, slowly penetrating the Jiao Dragon. A massive insect king’s Dharma Form with sharp claws appeared above Tong Liang, attacking Li Fan.

The sound of thunder erupted as a whip imbued with terrifying lightning intent swept in, coiling around Tong Liang and the insect king.

"Luo Qingyan, you’re courting death." Tong Liang’s body was ensnared, numb from paralysis; the opponent used a magical treasure too.

He released his left hand, and the Soul-Attracting Bell enlarged in the sky. The insect king shrieked, while the bell vibrated endlessly, causing Luo Qingyan, charging forward, to feel dizzy as if the world were spinning.

"This Soul-Attracting Bell is truly troublesome." Luo Qingyan felt frustrated that Tong Liang had such a treasure. No wonder he was reckless before; if not for Li Fan’s extraordinary abilities, Tong Liang might have emerged as the final victor after killing Li Fan.

"Boom..."

A massive sound erupted, making Tong Liang pause and turn to Li Fan’s direction, seeing the demon worms blasted away. In the next moment, many sword-like shadows appeared.

When countless shadows converged into one, a sword pierced through Tong Liang’s throat.

Tong Liang’s body trembled, his aged, storm-weathered eyes fixated on Li Fan, perceiving not eyes, but swords.

Through those eyes, he seemed to see a Sword of the Great Tao, eternally existing, hidden within Li Fan’s divine soul.

Li Fan placed his hand on Tong Liang’s head and pushed forward, drawing out the sword, causing Tong Liang’s body to fall.

"Huh?"

Luo Qingyan gazed incredulously at the scene, looking at Li Fan with increasing curiosity. How did he do it?

Under the Soul-Attracting Bell’s influence, she was affected considerably, yet Li Fan seemed unfazed?

Li Fan reached out his hand, and the diminished Soul-Attracting Bell fell into his palm. This magical treasure was intriguing; possessing such a treasure at crucial times would provide a massive advantage.

Turning his gaze, Li Fan looked towards another battlefield, where another Condensed Core Cultivator, lacking a magical treasure like the Soul-Attracting Bell, was outmatched under the joint assault of Yue Qingqiu and Meng Hong. At this moment, Meng Hong’s pen stabbed through the opponent’s throat.

As the opponent was pierced, their body was in a frozen state. Yue Qingqiu’s innate abilities were excellent for supporting combat, with powerful ice and snow abilities, and illusion magic.

Meng Hong’s combat prowess was quite impressive as well, having a strong attacking power, allowing them to slay the opponent together.

Thus, of the four Condensed Core Realm Qi Cultivators who came, three perished, one retreated.

Though some Condensed Core Cultivators remained concealed, upon seeing the battle, they’re likely to refrain from impulsive actions.

"Many thanks to the two seniors for your assistance." Li Fan said to Luo Qingyan and Meng Hong with a cupped fist gesture.

Meng Hong glanced at Yue Qingqiu, then at Li Fan, feeling a bit shocked. Li Fan’s talent was undeniable. It was due to recognizing Li Fan’s abilities that he decided to intervene. However, upon intervening, he discovered Yue Qingqiu was a Fifth Realms demon, skilled in multiple abilities.

The team formed here was quite peculiar.

"Brother Yang is too kind. Honestly speaking, we only intervened because we saw Brother Yang had the ability to resolve this. Even if we didn’t, Brother Yang could surely handle it," Meng Hong responded with a smile, refusing to take credit. If Li Fan were incompetent yet dared to expose treasures at a trade meeting, it would merely show ignorance of death.

"Little brother keeps calling me a senior, makes me feel quite old." Luo Qingyan looked at Li Fan with a charming smile, "How do you plan to repay me?"

"That Old Demon Tong has plenty of Demon Cores and other good stuff, how about I let you have them, sis?" Li Fan said, of course, he wanted to keep the Soul-Attracting Bell for himself; he wasn’t that generous.

"Alright, thank you, little brother." Luo Qingyan replied without any reservations.

"The items on that person, Senior Meng should take them." Li Fan looked at the middle-aged Qi Cultivator killed by Meng Hong.

"Okay, Brother Yang is indeed a straightforward person." Meng Hong nodded.

"The items on that old demon, I’ll give to Uncle Sun." Li Fan continued. They had just killed three Condensed Core Realm cultivators, and coincidentally, three people helped.

He then took the most important treasure this time, the Soul-Attracting Bell. No one had any objections. Li Fan letting go of the items on the three Condensed Core Realm cultivators was already exceedingly generous.

"These people who came to seize the treasure ended up bringing gifts. How interesting." After collecting the loot, the group moved toward Li Fan. Luo Qingyan kept curiously staring at Li Fan with her beautiful eyes.

"How about sis follows little brother around in the future?" Luo Qingyan joked, clearly seeing that Li Fan’s identity was not simple.

"Sister Luo is joking."

"Luo Qingyan, you’re not young anymore; look at the people around Brother Yang and then look in the mirror." Meng Hong came forward.

"Do you want to fight?" Luo Qingyan angrily swung her long whip.

"I don’t hit women." Meng Hong shook his head and then looked at Li Fan, "As they say, without fighting, there is no acquaintance. Though the fight was others, we’ve gotten to know each other. Brother Yang, as neighbors and battle comrades on the West Emperor Island, how about forming an alliance to watch each other’s backs?"

Given the combat prowess Li Fan displayed, Meng Hong certainly wouldn’t view Li Fan as a junior but as an equal, even considering Li Fan and those around him as equivalent to three Condensed Core Realm cultivators.

"Since Senior has this thought, I, as the junior, am naturally willing." Li Fan replied, having just arrived at the West Emperor Island not long ago; he could already feel the chaos here.

Moreover, although this battle had ended, the hidden risks were still there. Song Boling had not made a move yet; Meng Hong mentioning an alliance was not merely taking advantage of him; there were also risks involved.

However, if they formed an alliance, it would be equivalent to having five Condensed Core Realm cultivators.

Meng Hong nodded, then turned around to look into the distance, loudly saying, "Haven’t all of you seen enough?"

"Each generation has its new talents; it seems we’re getting old." A voice came from the shadows, followed by the sound of something slicing through the air as people gradually left.

But at this moment, a figure not only didn’t leave but floated towards them, stopping a short distance in front of Li Fan and the others.

"Old Monster Li!" Meng Hong’s gaze fixed on the newcomer, as did Luo Qingyan beside him, showing a serious expression and speaking softly, "Li Feitian, Mid Stage of Condensed Core Qi Cultivator, ruthless killer."

"Give me that Soul-Attracting Bell and the Sword Scripture Sword on you." Old Monster Li stood there with his hands behind his back, looking at Li Fan. Although there was no aura emanating from him, his eyes seemed to contain a sea of corpses and blood, giving off a fierce and dangerous vibe.

Li Fan stared into the opponent’s eyes and said, "What if I refuse?"

"Death."

As the word "death" fell, an invisible killing intent dispersed, instantly enveloping the boundless space. Everyone felt their hearts skip a beat. Meng Hong, Luo Qingyan, and the others stood beside Li Fan, releasing their aura.

"Old Monster Li, even if you’re in the Mid Stage of Condensed Core, you might not gain the upper hand against five." Meng Hong spoke, Li Fan glanced at him.

This Meng Hong had added the icing on the cake earlier, calling for an alliance after killing several Condensed Core cultivators. Even facing Old Monster Li at the Mid Stage of Condensed Core, he kept his word, a trustworthy person indeed.

After all, if he chose to leave now, he wouldn’t be involved, and Li Fan couldn’t do anything about it.

"Want to try?" Old Monster Li glanced at him contemptuously.

"Old Monster Li, though you have a fierce reputation, we are not ones to be easily intimidated. Not to mention it’s five against one, each of us has a Magical Treasure. Are you sure you can handle all of us if we attack you together?" Luo Qingyan threatened in reply.

Old Monster Li’s eyes shifted to her, giving a sinister smile, "You’re quite bold."

"Just speaking honestly." Luo Qingyan said.

"Very well, let’s wait and see." Old Monster Li turned and left without making a move, clearly not as arrogant as he appeared.

Facing five at once, he had no confidence.

"This Old Monster Li was up to no good the moment he appeared at the trading meeting, now he’s set his sights on you." Meng Hong said.

"Could it be that Song Boling has teamed up with him?" Luo Qingyan mused, making Meng Hong flash a surprised look, "It’s not impossible."

Song Boling could put out the word and then have Old Monster Li head to the scene to hunt afterward.

"Old Monster Li is unlikely to let this go easily, be careful in the future." Luo Qingyan said to Li Fan.