At this juncture, the Feng n''s cultivators had fanned out, covering a significant number of pockets within the range of the formation.


    Gu Ran would be instantly noticed the moment he showed himself.


    On Golden Leaf Street, Feng Liu, the eldest offspring of the Feng n, led a party of his trustedrades on a search mission, his heart pounding with anticipation.


    From his perspective, this ''Niu Qing'' character daring to stand against his Feng n was clearly asking for trouble.


    Soon enough, he, Feng Liu, would seize the invisibility skill of ''Niu Qing'' and rise as an unrivaled expert within the same realm!


    Moreover, possessing such an invisibility skill would open a world of opportunities for him.


    Just contemting this prospect stirred such excitement in Feng Liu that his pulse quickened.


    Meanwhile, nearby on the roadside, Gu Ran, concealing his presence, stood openly yet unnoticed, casting an indifferent nce at Feng Liu and his approaching party from afar.


    ''Feng Liu, you dare harm me,'' he thought to himself, a deadly glint shing in his eyes. ''I''ll send you to mingle with the female ghosts in the underworld!''


    While making a move would certainly reveal his presence and attract more opponents, Gu Ran was convinced that if he had escaped the encirclement once, he could do it a second timeespecially given that after dispatching Feng Liu and his gang, his power would only amplify!


    With each battle serving as a catalyst for the next, he would soon be able to ascend to the Inquiring Journey realm!


    However, just as Gu Ran was preparing to strike.


    "Roar!" A formidable roar of a demonic beast reverberated from outside the ind.


    By the sheer resonance of it, it was undeniably not a demonic beast of the Heavenly Origin realm or any lower realm!


    ''A demonic beast has trespassed onto ck Wood Ind!'' Gu Ran''s heart skipped a beat, his eyes flickering with a trace of surprise. ''And it appears to be a demonic beast from the Inquiring Journey realm!''


    Simultaneously, the rest of ck Wood Ind''s inhabitants also detected the resonating, savage roar of the demonic beast, their expressions shifting dramatically.


    "A demonic beast incursion!" Feng Hongbo''s face contorted in shock, his eyes mirroring his disbelief.


    He thought incredulously, ''Why now of all times? Damn it! That formidable powerhouse hadpletely wiped out thest wave of demonic beasts.''


    ''Even if they were to return, it wouldn''t be for a significant amount of time.''


    ''How could an Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast suddenly attack ck Wood Ind?!'' As these questions swirled in his mind, hisplexion visibly paled.


    Meanwhile, the other inhabitants of ck Wood Ind were even more astounded and anxious!


    "A demonic beast is attacking!" cried one of them in rm.


    "An Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast has appeared again!"


    "Let''s hope it doesn''t cause as much chaos as thest one. ck Wood Ind simply can''t withstand another disaster of that scale!"


    One by one, the faces of the cultivators turned ashen, mirrors of their stark terror.


    Naturally, this included the Feng n''s cultivators as well.


    "Damn it, a demonic beast invasion!!" Feng Liu cursed, his face contorting with frustration.


    "A demonic beast is assailing ck Wood Ind, how can I pursue Niu Qing under these circumstances?!" His gaze fixed on the area beyond the formation, his eyes clouded with anxiety.


    ...


    "This won''t do!" Feng Hongbo''s eyes sharpened, the steadfast determination in his pupils unmissable. "We can''t let Gu Ran get away!"


    "If he manages to evade us, even if we make it through this wave of demonic beasts, we might eventually be his victims!"


    "He must be eliminated!" Without a moment''s hesitation, he ordered all the members of the Feng n to continue their chase for Gu Ran!


    As for Feng Hongbo himself, he dashed out of the ck Wood Ind''s Great Formation, emerging outside the ind.


    In the distance, a massive figure hovered in the air, darting towards them at a swift pace.


    It was a Middle-stage Inquiring Journey realm bird-like demonic beast, its body simrly tainted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi.


    To Feng Hongbo''s relief, only this single demonic beast had shown upthere were no signs of an impending demonic beast tide.


    It seemed likely that this beast was a straggler that had escaped the cast by that great powerhouse.


    Perhaps it had been too distant to be in initially, or it may have been tainted by the Nether Demon Spiritual Qi at ater stage.


    Regardless, as long as there was just one demonic beast, and itsbat capabilities weren''t too formidable, it should be within their control.


    ''Once I''ve dealt with this demonic beast, Niu Qing will be next!'' Feng Hongbo pondered.


    ''Perhaps by the time I get there, Niu Qing will already have been captured.''


    ''Even though Zhang San is only at the Early-stage Inquiring Journey realm, defeating an exposed Niu Qing should be rtively straightforward,'' he thought, slowly regaining hisposure.


    "Roar!" The bird-like demonic beast unleashed a roar akin to a lion''sfar removed from a bird''s call, exceedingly chilling.


    In an instant, the immense beast, reminiscent of a dark cloud, swept close to ck Wood Ind.


    Upon spotting Feng Hongbo, the avian demonic beast lunged into an immediate assault!


    "Damned beast, perish!" Feng Hongbo''s face contorted in rage as he retaliated.


    Boom!


    The deafening sounds of conflict echoed immediately.


    Inside the Great Formation of ck Wood Ind, Gu Ran, concealed and closely observing the unfolding situation, thought to himself, ''So, an Inquiring Journey realm demonic beast is indeed attacking the ind!''


    ''Haha, the timing of this demonic beast couldn''t be more perfect.''


    ''Feng Hongbo ispelled to deal with the beast, leaving me free tounch a full-fledged attack!'' A cold smirk appeared on his face.


    As for Feng Liu and his faction, they found sce in Feng Hongbo''s directive.


    "If Father is confident enough to make such a deration, he must be certain he can handle that bird-like demonic beast," Feng Liu mused.


    "Then, it''s up to me to deal with this cornered beast, Niu Qing!" A cold smile also crept onto his face.


    Without hesitation, he led his team forward, each step bringing them nearer to Gu Ran.


    Meanwhile, Jiang Chen was concealed in the sky, his expression serene.


    He had spotted the bird-like demonic beast earlier but had refrained from attacking it.


    Because he had surmised that this avian demonic beast was here due to the influence of Heavenly Fate.


    Its purpose was to distract Feng Hongbo, affording Gu Ran enough time to execute his killing spree without the threat of Feng Hongbo''s pursuit.


    By the time Feng Hongbo realized the situation, Gu Ran would have already grown significantly stronger, capable enough to confront an Inquiring Journey realm expert.


    In the end, Gu Ran would undoubtedly y and behead Feng Hongbo, and the bird-like demonic beast would also fall prey, perishing under his power.


    In short, all the spoils were destined to fall into Gu Ran''s hands!


    ''Now that I''ve entered the scene,'' Jiang Chen thought to himself.


    ''Gu Ran, how much of what should be yours can you hold onto?'' A faint smile touched the corners of his mouth.


    He continued to monitor the events unfolding on ck Wood Ind.


    On Golden Leaf Street, Feng Liu guided a group of cohorts forward, his divine sense meticulously scouring the area for any trace of Gu Ran.


    Just then, a frigid light abruptly materialized out of nowherethe distinct sound of a de slicing through the air reverberated instantly.


    Swish!


    In a mere blink of an eye, the icy luminescence was already dangerously close to Feng Liu''s chest!


    "Young Master, beware!" An elderly man standing beside Feng Liu detected the imminent danger and yelled.


    But it was already toote for him to initiate any defensive maneuvers.


    His only choice was the most direct methodusing his body to thrust Feng Liu out of harm''s way!


    Bang!


    The sound of bodies colliding echoed, and Feng Liu''s body was catapulted away like a rag doll.


    sh!


    In the next instant, the chilling sound of a de prating flesh resonated.


    The long sword in Gu Ran''s hand impaled the elderly man''s shoulder, the blood-streaked de protruding menacingly from his back.


    Moreover, surges of power erupted from the long sword, reducing the elderly man''s shoulder to a gory wreck.


    ''A Half-step Inquiring Journey realm expert!'' Gu Ran, whose figure was now revealed, changed his expression and immediately prepared to withdraw his long sword and melt into the shadows once again.


    However, the remainder of Feng Liu''s entourage had already responded, unleashing a barrage of wide-ranging attacks.


    These cultivators were all at the Heavenly Origin realm.


    While individually, each one would be dispatched instantly by Gu Ran, their collective onught was not a force Gu Ran could simply dismiss.


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