Nanlan Qianxue was dumbfounded as she watched Lu Tianzi's physical features revert to normal.

Due to the incident with Chiren, she had wholeheartedly believed that Lu Tianzi was capable of beating opponents at the Third Cycle Origin Core realm. This belief was further strengthened when she learnt just how strong Longshao Wenqin actually was. In that sense, Lu Tianzi beating a Fourth Cycle Origin Core realm martial artist did not sound too incredible.

But witnessing Lu Tianzi going all out was still an extremely shocking experience.

Even now, she could feel her limbs trembling in fear, her back wet with cold sweat.

Lu Tianzi might not have directed any killing intent towards her, but his beastial bloodline activation had released an aura of danger that affected all living being indiscriminately.

As an Essence Condensation realm martial artist, and at such close proximity to boot, Nanlan Qianxue was actually the one who had been shaken the most.

Thankfully, she had not been a target of the assailants.

Otherwise, she wouldn't even have had the ability to try and defend herself!

It was only after Lu Tianzi released his beastial bloodline activation that her tensed muscles had finally relaxed, allowing her to move her body freely again.

But it was not just Nanlan Qianxue. Lu Tianzi was currently not in the best of conditions either.

Just like the previous time he activated his beastial bloodline, his body now felt extremely strained from the overexertion. The sound of his heartbeat throbbed loudly in his ears, and every smallest movement caused his whole body to hurt.

Lu Tianzi even had to spend a few moments taking in deep breaths with his eyes closed, just to recover from being short on breath.

He certainly did not regret activating his beastial bloodline. Without relying on it, he might not have been able to get out of the situation earlier.

But from the looks of it, he certainly had to minimise the usage of his beastial bloodline activation in the future, or at least until his body grew strong enough to handle the physical strain.

When he eventually opened his eyes again, Nanlan Qianxue was already standing before him.

"Are you all right?" Nanlan Qianxue asked in concern.

Not a single hit landed on Lu Tianzi during the fight. From that alone, anyone would have believed that Lu Tianzi should have been fine at the moment. However, Lu Tianzi's pale face said otherwise.

"It's nothing too serious," Lu Tianzi let out a faint smile before turning his gaze to the six corpses lying around. "Help me collect their bodies. We need to get out of here before their allies arrive."

"Mm," Nanlan Qianxue did as she was told. There were many questions in her head, but she knew just as well that now was not the time to ask.

After picking up the bodies, Lu Tianzi dispelled the giant bell and led the way out. But instead of heading back to Bluenight City, he headed further north, going even deeper into the woods.

There was no doubt in his mind that aside from this group that Beiqian Zuo was in, there was another group involved, one that had worked on getting rid of all possible witnesses on their way here.

Now that they had already left the walls of Bluenight City, there was no longer a need to care about witnesses, which meant that there was no longer anything stopping the other group from coming after them.

No, that was not quite right.

Even if they were still within Bluenight City, it was likely that the other group would still come straight for them. After all, that was essentially what Beiqian Zuo's group had done when they blatantly chased them through the streets, all the way to the Northern Gate.

Lu Tianzi might have gotten rid of Beiqian Zuo's group in a seemingly easy fashion, but it had still taken a toll on him. If Lu Tianzi and Nanlan Qianxue returned to Bluenight City right now and were caught by another group of similar strength on the way, the following battle would be far tougher than the one before.

Rather than risking that, it would probably be safer to hide out for a while longer.

That was one reason why Lu Tianzi had decided not to return to Bluenight City immediately, but there was another reason as well.

Even if they managed to get back safely this time, this safety would just be a temporary matter.

After all, one of the people involved this time was Deputy City Lord Nandian, which meant that it was extremely likely that City Lord Nanlan was in the know.

Since even the City Lord had given his consent, as long as they remained in Bluenight City, they would never know when another such incident would happen again. For all they knew, their enemies would be sending people after them every single time they left the safety of the Nine Suns Sect grounds.

In fact, even the eventual intervention of the Beimu Clan might not be sufficient to protect him from the Flying Dragon Hall which was no weaker in comparison. As for reporting this matter upwards to the Scarlet Moon Palace, the most it would do was to slap some light punishment on his enemies given how influential they were.

Despite the potential that he had shown, Lu Tianzi understood his limits.

There was simply no way that the Scarlet Moon Palace would choose to annihiliate the entire Flying Dragon Hall just to appease him. Since that was the case, any light punishments would only rile up their hatred even further.

If that happened, he would really have to hole up in the Beimu Clan, never leaving unless he wanted to risk being targeted. That would not only be stifling for his mind, but even his cultivation progress would be affected!

However, if they chose not to return, thereby not giving away the fact that they were safe and sound, things could play out in totally a different manner.

Whoever else was involved with this plan would then be unsure of the outcome of this assault.

Originally, it would not have been too difficult for them to guess the outcome from losing contact with Beiqian Zuo and Deputy City Lord Nandian. But if Lu Tianzi and Nanlan Qianxue went off the grid as well, the outcome would be far more ambiguous.

As for where they should go instead, Lu Tianzi already had an idea in mind.

He swiftly cut through the forests, heading further and further north.

Behind him, Nanlan Qianxue followed along with a frown on her face. From the direction that they were heading in, it seemed like Lu Tianzi wanted to go to Shadowfront Fortress?

Nanlan Qianxue understood that General Nanbai Zhaoyu was on good terms with both Lu Tianzi and Inscription Master Nanbai, so the two of them would probably be safe while they were with him. But wouldn't that defeat the purpose of leaving?

As long as they remained in Shadowfront Fortress, the countless soldiers there would certainly learn of their presence. Such news would never remain a secret from someone like City Lord Nanlan, not for long at least.

She had to stop herself from questioning Lu Tianzi initially, but when they turned towards the west just before reaching Shadowfront Fortress, Nanlan Qianxue's frown only deepened.

Lu Tianzi was not intending to go to Shadowfront Fortress?

"Where are we going?" Nanlan Qianxue finally could not hold herself back from asking.

"Don't worry, we are almost there," Lu Tianzi assured her. "In the mean time, don't answer any messages from the elders. If our enemies see that they have relaxed, they might realise that we are actually safe."

"Got it," Nanlan Qianxue could only nod in response. She understood the rationale behind Lu Tianzi's words as well. While she felt bad for making the elders worry, but this was the best way to ensure that they do not let the cat out of the bag.

She would just have to sincerely apologise when they eventually returned to the sect.

"Here, take this and apply it on your face," Lu Tianzi retrieved a strange powder from his spatial ring and passed it to her. "You will need this going forward."

"Hmm?" Nanlan Qianxue felt even more confused, but did as she was told, smearing the strange powder across her beautiful face.

Following Lu Tianzi's lead, the duo started making their way up a mountain, and quickly arrived before a great waterfall.

It was at least a hundred metres high, the water impact sending up a huge cloud of mist that perpetually shrouded the bottom in white. By the side of the pool, a few animals had been sipping away comfortably until the duo arrived.

Upon seeing them, Lu Tianzi could not help but let out a nostalgic smile.

It was a pack of Frost Fang Wolves.. again.

This was already his third time seeing them, if it had always been the same pack of wolves, that was. But if they really were the same ones, this place had to be within the territory of this pack of Frost Fang Wolves.

The first time he saw them, he was in a terribly weak state. He was even chased down by the Frost Fang Wolves, almost dying in the process.

The second time was when he had just broken through to the Essence Condensation realm. At that time, a simple release of his aura had scared off the Frost Fang Wolves.

This time round, he need not even release his aura. The Frost Fang Wolves immediately scurried away upon noticing their approach.

"Is this our destination?" Nanlan Qianxue asked after seeing that Lu Tianzi had stopped by the edge of the pool.

"Our destination is behind the waterfall," Lu Tianzi let out a deep breath nervously. This was certainly not the first time he had come to this place, but this was the first time that he had brought someone along with him.

Hopefully it was the right choice.

"Behind the waterfall?" Nanlan Qianxue could not help but stretch out her perception to investigate. "A hidden cave, eh?"

"That's right, that's where my master stays," Lu Tianzi answered.

"Your master!" Nanlan Qianxue exclaimed in shock.

That's right!

She had almost forgotten that Lu Tianzi had a hidden master who had always been protecting him from the shadows!

But why did this mysterious master not appear this time when they were being targeted?

Was it because he was confident that Lu Tianzi would be able to handle the situation by himself?

"Before we go in, I need to tell you something that I have not been entirely honest about," Lu Tianzi scratched his cheek in embarrassment.

"Oh? What is it?" Nanlan Qianxue tilted her head with a playful smile. It might be due to the mention of Lu Tianzi's powerful master, but the nerves that she had been feeling from before had almost vanished without a trace.

"The thing is.. my master has never been protecting me from the shadows," Lu Tianzi admitted.

"What?" Nanlan Qianxue revealed a look of surprise. "What do you mean? Then who is the one who has been protecting you all along?"

"Nobody has been protecting me," Lu Tianzi sighed.

How he wished that his master would be able to protect him as well. If that was the case, he would truly have nothing to fear anymore!

"How can that be?" Nanlan Qianxue furrowed her brows in response.

She could understand Lu Tianzi hiding secrets due to his identity, but the rumour about his master protecting him had spread only because everyone at the Lightning Crow Sect witnessed an expert helping Lu Tianzi from the shadows.

Among those witnesses were powerful Origin Core realm martial artists at the Eighth Origin Cycle. Surely they could not have been all wrong?

"Haha.. but it really is the truth," Lu Tianzi could only continue scratching his cheek.

It was all his own doing. But how was he supposed to tell Nanlan Qianxue that?

She would probably just think that he was bragging, wouldn't she?

"What about your master? Is there really such a person then?" Nanlan Qianxue could not help but question at this point.

"That part is true. Well, you will understand after we enter," Lu Tianzi turned his eyes towards the waterfall. "Out of everyone I have ever seen, he is no doubt the strongest. Of that I am sure."

Nanlan Qianxue could not help but swallow her saliva nervously when she heard those words.

Out of everyone Lu Tianzi had ever seen.. that would include the Scarlet Moon Overlord as well. Yet his master was even stronger?

Was Lu Tianzi exaggerating?

If he really was speaking the truth, then just what kind of unparalleled expert would this mysterious master be?

For a high and mighty character like that, was it really all right for her to go meet him without making any preparations beforehand?

If anything, she really had to take heed of her own manners, making sure that she does not end up doing something that could possibly offend Lu Tianzi's master!