Chapter 130: Daoist Three-Passage

The Great Mage fled, and Xiang Nan walked with Daoist Santong toward the encampment.

After just a few steps, a white figure flashed through the darkness toward them.

"Qingwan, why are you here?" Xiang Nan called out to the figure.

Meng Qingwan spotted Xiang Nan and slowed her pace, walking over quickly.

"I heard sounds of fighting just now. Are you alright?" Meng Qingwan asked with concern, then immediately noticed the man with the buzz cut beside Xiang Nan, whose eyes were leering at her. Her expression darkened. "Who is he?"

Before Xiang Nan could speak, Daoist Santong stepped forward himself. "Little beauty, let me introduce myself. I am a friend of Xiang Nan's. You can just call me Santong. As for my cultivation, I reached the fifth rank several years ago. This year's Spirit Void expedition is exceptionally dangerous, and I was worried about your safety, so I decided to join forces with you."

Meng Qingwan, initially guarded, felt a flicker of surprise in her eyes upon hearing he was a fifth-rank cultivator.

"You want to join us?" Meng Qingwan asked, curious. "What about your original team?"

Entering the Spirit Void required a squad; individuals were not permitted to enter alone.

"My teammates are all quite capable; they have no trouble protecting themselves. Xiang Nan here has made too many enemies; with my protection, you will be safe." When Santong said this, he wore an air of righteous indignation.

Although Meng Qingwan felt that having an extra fifth-rank expert would certainly be safer, she felt an instinctive aversion to this old man. Especially those eyes—he was clearly a lecher.

"Xiang Nan, is that true?" Meng Qingwan asked, seeking confirmation.

"Yes, he is actually the renowned Daoist Santong. Since he is so kind-hearted and willing to join us, I have no reason to refuse, right?" Xiang Nan said calmly.

"Daoist Santong?" Meng Qingwan was taken aback.

Hearing he was of the fifth rank was surprising enough, but to think he was the legendary Daoist Santong, who had supposedly gone off to seek immortality.

However, watching Xiang Nan’s indifferent demeanor, it seemed as though Daoist Santong was the one currying favor with them, for reasons unknown.

"Just empty fame, stay low-key, low-key." Daoist Santong laughed smugly, his eyes still fixated on Meng Qingwan. "What is the little beauty's name?"

"I... I am Meng Qingwan." After a cold reply, Meng Qingwan moved to the other side of Xiang Nan, doing her best to avoid the Daoist's gaze.

"Xiang Nan, since you're safe, let's hurry back to the camp. The Lu brothers have come looking for trouble," Meng Qingwan said, pulling Xiang Nan along.

"Those two brothers are like adhesive plaster—impossible to shake off. Let's go!" As he spoke, Xiang Nan pulled Meng Qingwan along, gathered his energy, and dashed forward.

Behind them, Daoist Santong rolled his eyes and hurried after them.

Back at the camp, with Meng Qingwan gone, the pressure on Li Xiang and the others had intensified. It was a four-on-three situation, and they were outnumbered.

Lu Ming spread his wings again, hovering in mid-air, raining down arrows with his bow. It was impossible to defend against. Su Yao tried several times to fly up and deal with Lu Ming, but she was pinned down by the others.

Li Xiang used his Golden Light Shield to protect Su Yao and Xu Jiya from the incoming arrows, but his spiritual energy was depleting rapidly. Even so, the three third-rank experts on the other side were relentless.

Su Yao was agile and fast, which helped, but Xu Jiya and Li Xiang were already injured and could only hold on.

When Xiang Nan and the others arrived, Xu Jiya was exhausted and being pursued by Lu Yu.

"That little bastard Lu Yu, bullying the weak!" Xiang Nan raised his hand, and a surge of scorching flames shot out, striking Lu Yu directly.

Caught off guard, Lu Yu was hit squarely by the heat wave. He was sent flying over twenty meters by the force, crashing heavily to the ground as his clothes immediately caught fire.

"I'm burning! I'm burning! Brother, save me!" Lu Yu shrieked and rolled about in a frenzy, the pain searing.

Lu Ming immediately stopped firing, dashed toward Lu Yu, and used his large wings to smother the flames. But seeing Lu Yu vomiting blood, it was clear he was severely injured.

On the other side, the moment Xu Jiya and Li Xiang saw Xiang Nan, their confidence surged. Meng Qingwan had already launched her attack, sending seven magic-breaking arrows flying into the fray, forcing the enemies back.

After saving Lu Yu, Lu Ming turned and glared at Xiang Nan in fury. "You freak, how are you still alive?!"

Xiang Nan snorted, not even bothering to acknowledge him, and turned to the approaching Daoist Santong. "Buddy, our protection is up to you now."

Seeing Meng Qingwan watching him, Santong felt a surge of excitement and charged forward instantly.

Lu Yu had been preparing a vicious move, but when he saw a robed Daoist charging at him with a Diamond Umbrella—which, once opened, released a barrage of arrows aimed at his team—he panicked.

A Daoist with a Diamond Umbrella.

Lu Ming realized quickly: wasn't this the legendary fifth-rank expert, Daoist Santong? He was a man who had reached the level of seeking immortality. With no one even at the fourth rank in their own team, why would they dare to fight?

Unless the Great Mage of the same fifth rank were here, there was no chance.

He quickly understood why Xiang Nan had returned safely; it seemed even that Great Mage was no match for Daoist Santong!

But why would Daoist Santong help Xiang Nan? He couldn't fathom it, and there was no time to think. Several arrows were already flying toward him. Lu Ming had no choice but to grab Lu Yu, take to the air, and flee.

The other two teammates, seeing the Lu brothers run, realized they had better do the same unless they wanted to end up like pincushions. They scattered and fled as well.

Xiang Nan had wanted to teach the Lu brothers a lesson, but the Spirit Void was under surveillance and being broadcast. The Lu family had deep roots in the capital, so caution was necessary. With various dark forces clashing with the Eagle Alliance, the alliance was already stretched thin. Seeing the brothers flee, he let it go for now. There would be plenty of opportunities to deal with them later.

"Xiao Nan, I knew you'd be fine." Su Yao and Xu Jiya rushed over, each grabbing one of Xiang Nan's arms.

Li Xiang was covered in blood, his face and arms scratched, but his spirit remained high; these were clearly only superficial wounds.

Xiang Nan tossed a small packet of medicinal powder to Li Xiang. "Go apply this. You look a bit too tragic."

Li Xiang caught the packet and gave a wry smile. "Just minor wounds, nothing serious. It's just that they tore my clothes—it ruins my image."

With that, he ran to a nearby tent to fix his appearance. For a teenager in his phase, image was everything.

Xu Jiya had also suffered minor injuries, which Su Yao treated with medicine, and she recovered quickly.