Ye Haochuan infiltrated a formation designed to strip cultivators of their power. Despite the disbelief of the trapped cultivators, including Xu Wenrui, Ye Haochuan located and shattered the formation's core using a special needle. This restored everyone's cultivation, but Ye Haochuan warned them against a hasty escape, suggesting a strategic breakthrough instead. A powerful cultivator, Young Master Xiahou, then stepped forward to lead the group.
"It was Ye Haochuan who saved us. Let’s hear what he has to say!" Xu Wenrui suddenly interjected.
All eyes shifted back to Ye Haochuan, but a dismissive voice quickly arose, "Just a junior cultivator at the early stage of Immortal Transformation. Who knows what kind of dumb luck he had to break the Great Formation? Do you really expect him to lead us out?"
In the Immortal Realm, status is determined by cultivation level. Among the cultivators present, the weakest were at the early stage of Immortal Transformation, with a dozen or more at the mid-stage or higher. Ye Haochuan indeed held no authority here.
"Since everyone thinks so highly of me, I shall accept the responsibility!"
Young Master Xiahou, completely disregarding Xu Wenrui and Ye Haochuan, announced loudly, "I am somewhat familiar with this Mushan City. I know that the southeastern gate is the closest. From what I’ve observed, there aren’t many demon beasts in that direction. If we launch a surprise attack, our success rate is very high!"
Upon hearing this, everyone pondered briefly and found the plan feasible.
The demon beasts outside the mansion, due to the formation, were only prepared to prevent their escape and weren’t constantly monitoring them. Therefore, the fact that they had recovered their cultivation went unnoticed by the beasts.
With meticulous planning and a peak Immortal Transformation cultivator leading the charge, the chances of a successful breakthrough were at least seventy percent.
"You guys..." Xu Wenrui, seeing his words ignored, wanted to curse but was stopped by the silent Ye Haochuan beside him.
"I have an unreasonable request!" Ye Haochuan suddenly spoke, "I have two friends in an inn about five miles to the west. When we break through, could we detour..."
"Are you kidding?" Before Ye Haochuan could finish, someone vehemently opposed, "The east and the west are diametrically opposed. If we break through in the opposite direction, not only does the distance increase, but it also gives the demon beasts more time to react. How are we supposed to break through then?"
Another person, slightly less agitated, frowned and said, "Sir, we are very grateful that you restored our cultivation. But I cannot agree to such a suicidal action, as it concerns the lives of dozens of people here!"
"What gratitude? Where’s a bit of gratitude from you all?"
Xu Wenrui sneered, "If not for Ye Haochuan, we would all have died here waiting. Now your cultivation is restored, giving you strength to resist, yet you can’t even fulfill such a small request for him. Are you still human?"
This remark made quite a few people around blush with shame.
"So, his purpose in saving us was to send us to our deaths?" A man with a sneaky appearance righteously retorted.
Upon hearing this, others seemed to find a suitable excuse, not only without guilt but rather angrily looking at Ye Haochuan.
"You all..."
Xu Wenrui was extremely angry and wanted to curse more, but Ye Haochuan held him back, saying, "Everyone has the right to make their own choices, there’s nothing to force!"
"But..."
"There’s nothing to discuss. If you want to join them, I won’t blame you. After all, it’s your right!" Ye Haochuan said with a calm smile.
"Are you kidding me? I’m not someone who forgets favors!" Xu Wenrui replied angrily.
"I’ll go with you too!" The previously silent black-robed cultivator suddenly stepped forward.
Under his lead, three more people, acknowledging Ye Haochuan’s kindness, stepped to Ye Haochuan’s side.
"Hmph, a bunch of suicidal idiots!" The others scoffed, showing disdain.
"Alright, anyone else who doesn’t wish to follow the main group, step forward now. Those willing to follow me, prepare to set off!" Young Master Xiahou glanced at Ye Haochuan, somewhat displeased.
This guy, does he dislike me splitting his authority?
Ye Haochuan couldn’t help but chuckle inwardly.
This Young Master Xiahou, although appearing magnanimous, is actually petty. He didn’t regard Ye Haochuan at all.
Ye Haochuan couldn’t be bothered to argue with him and just stood quietly on the side, waiting for them to act first.
In the end, apart from the previously mentioned black-robed cultivator and three others, no one else was willing to follow Ye Haochuan.
After taking a brief rest, these people, led by Young Master Xiahou, rushed towards the southeast wildly.
Perhaps because they had been imprisoned too long, feeling too repressed, once out they charged like caged tigers unleashed, swiftly breaking through several hundred meters.
"With so many helpful people, how should I thank them?" Ye Haochuan didn’t rush into action but silently watched their fading backs, a strange smile playing on his lips.
"I say, you saved them, yet they ignore you, and you actually thank them?" Xu Wenrui said discontentedly.
"They sacrificed their lives to cover for me. How could I not offer them thanks?" Ye Haochuan said with a chuckle.
Xu Wenrui suddenly appeared thoughtful; after a moment, he inhaled sharply and exclaimed, "Don't tell me, that direction you mentioned isn't the optimal route for a breakthrough?"
"How should I put it? That area has a large population of ordinary people, hence the heavy guarding. Moreover, the city gate in that direction is defended by a massive horde of demon beasts..." Ye Haochuan replied with a slight smile.
"Why didn't you tell them this?"
"Do you believe they would have listened if I had told them?" Ye Haochuan smiled. "I offered them a chance to follow me westward, which would have been far safer, but they refused to heed my advice!"
Xu Wenrui was left momentarily speechless.
The cultivator in black robes and the others by this point were already drenched in cold sweat, feeling immense gratitude for ultimately choosing the correct side.
"Alright, it's time for us to depart as well!" Ye Haochuan declared and led Xu Wenrui and the rest towards the inn.
Ye Haochuan indeed owed Young Master Xiahou and his group a debt of gratitude. Their combat strength was considerable, and as they carved a path, they drew the attention of most of the demon beasts within the city, all of whom surged towards their direction.
Conversely, the path Ye Haochuan took, being in opposition to theirs, encountered far fewer demon beasts.
Soon, Ye Haochuan returned to the inn, gathered a worried Long Keyue and a sleeping Ling Zhixing, and then set off westward.
Ling Zhixing had genuinely believed that the Demon King would permit their departure by tomorrow. Being abruptly awakened, he was initially quite bewildered.
Upon hearing that they were to break through forcefully, he nearly lost control of his bladder from sheer terror.
After all, he was merely an ordinary person, not possessing the knowledge of cultivators; even a common demon beast could tear him limb from limb.
Fortunately, their journey proceeded smoothly. The demon beasts they encountered were not particularly formidable, and Ye Haochuan and Xu Wenrui dealt with them swiftly.
It seemed the city gate was already within sight.
As a pleasant surprise, due to this location being the furthest from the area of chaos, many demon beasts here had also been redeployed. The strongest guardian present was merely a mid-stage Immortal Transformation beast.
This level of demon beast posed no challenge to Ye Haochuan and Xu Wenrui, who quickly subdued them and successfully exited the city.
"We're finally out!" The moment they stepped beyond the city gates, Ye Haochuan and the others couldn't help but exhale a collective sigh of relief.
Although demon beasts were also rampant outside, their density was lower compared to within the city, making their escape somewhat more feasible.
"Roar~"
Just as everyone was reveling in their newfound freedom, an enraged roar suddenly echoed from behind them.
As everyone turned towards the source of the sound, their hearts instantly plummeted. They saw the Blood Pupil Demon Ape, which had previously overwhelmed Ye Haochuan, rapidly growing larger in their vision...
