Wang Jian's group had set up their temporary base in the prosperous city of Jinhua, situated on the banks of the tranquil Xi River.
The city was renowned for its stunning gardens and serene temples, attracting visitors from all over the continent.
The group had secured a luxurious hotel to accommodate their stay, while Wang Jian took the opportunity to give Chen Yiyan a tour of the city's most prominent tourist spots, including the elegant Plum Blossom Garden, a serene oasis of tranquillity amidst the bustling city.
Next, they went to the breathtaking Waterfall Gorge, where the thundering sound of waterfalls echoed in the air, and the crystal-clear water shimmered under the moonlight.
Lastly, they saw the Night Market, a bustling bazaar that came to life after dark with an array of exotic food stalls and merchants selling a variety of trinkets and wares.
As the duo finished exploring the city's famous landmarks, they headed back to their hotel. While strolling along the bustling streets, a deafening blast echoed from the northern part of the city.
The source of the explosion seemed to originate from the opulent estates of the major clans. The city's ordinary folks exchanged rumors and speculations about the incident.
"Did you hear that?"
"I did. It's probably an attack on one of the influential clans."
"Judging by the direction of that sound, it could be the Jin Clan."
"What?! The Jin Clan is one of the three Great Noble Families of Jinhua City! Who would dare to assault them?"
"Hush! It's possible that the other two Great Noble Families are involved!"
As Wang Jian's gaze locked onto Chen Yiyan, he could sense her concern and curiosity for the loud explosion in the northern region of Jinhua City.
He softly placed his hand on her shoulder and inquired, "Do you wish to check it out, Yiyan?"
Chen Yiyan stood firm and replied, "Yes, I want to see what is happening."
Wang Jian smiled reassuringly and gently wrapped his arm around her waist, lifting her off the ground. "Then let's go," he said with a warm tone, "I'll keep you safe."
With Chen Yiyan tightly held in his embrace, Wang Jian soared towards the site of the explosion in the northern region of the city.
Within moments, they arrived at the scene of the chaos, where they were met with the deafening sound of clashing swords and battle cries.
Two elderly men were locked in a fierce fight, their skills evenly matched.
The first was a tall and proud figure with a full head of black hair, piercing eyes, and a strong build that belied his age. This was none other than the revered Patriarch of the Jin Clan, Lord Sheng.
His adversary, in contrast, stood at a shorter stature but exuded a wiry and formidable presence.
With dark green hair and a cunning gleam in his eyes, he was feared across the entire Everlasting Mystic Empire as Blade Serpent, a powerful warrior from the notorious Jade Serpent Sect.
Renowned for his unmatched combat skills and unwavering courage, he was a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.
He was a warrior who thrived in frontal battles, striking fear into the hearts of his foes with his lethal swordsmanship and unbreakable resolve.
Blade Serpent relentlessly pressed his advantage against Lord Sheng, landing blow after blow with precision and speed.
Lod Sheng struggled to defend himself and was quickly overwhelmed by Blade Serpent's ferocity.
He crashed to the ground, battered, and wounded. Men dressed in green outfits immediately closed in, intent on delivering the final blow to end his life.
Despite being at a disadvantage, it was no easy feat to take down someone of Lord Sheng's calibre. He was a genuine King Realm expert!
With his life on the line, Lord Sheng summoned his reserves of strength and flared his qi, channelling it through his body.
"Haaah!"
He focused his mind on the lightning laws he had mastered, and with a sudden burst of power, he generated a tremendous shockwave that sent all the warriors coming to attack him flying backwards.
The force of the blast was so intense that it shattered the ground beneath them, leaving a deep crater in its wake.
The sheer power required to create such a shockwave came at a cost, however.
Lord Sheng had expended a significant portion of his qi, leaving him feeling drained and vulnerable.
In a swift move, he reached into his Spatial Ring and retrieved a Profound Qi Recovery Pellet, which he quickly consumed to replenish his energy.
Despite the temporary reprieve, a grim expression lingered on Lord Sheng's face.
He could sense the dwindling numbers of his clan members, falling one by one in the midst of the fierce battle.
The stakes were higher than ever, and he knew that he had to push himself to the limits to protect those he held dear.
Lord Sheng's face twisted in disbelief and anger as he confronted Blade Serpent. "Why would the Jade Serpent Sect target my clan like this? We have no conflicts with your sect!"
Blade Serpent's expression remained smug as he replied, "Someone finds your clan problematic and came to us with a contract."
Lord Sheng's eyes widened in realization. "It must be the Crown Prince, Wang Hao! What a vicious man! He would stoop so low just because we rejected his offer to join his faction and remained loyal to the Second Princess Wang Ying's faction?"
Blade Serpent nodded slowly. "You're quite astute. But I can't let you live with this knowledge," he said, drawing two gleaming swords.
Lord Sheng gritted his teeth and braced himself for the impending attack. "I will not go down without a fight!" he declared, pulling out a round metal plate from his spatial ring.
It was the Thunderous Blast Talisman, one of the rarest treasures of the Jin Clan.
When activated, this talisman could produce a devastating explosion of lightning energy capable of eradicating even a King Realm expert.
Blade Serpent scoffed. "Do you believe that the Jade Serpent Sect would send me on this mission without knowledge of your talisman?" he taunted.
He summoned his own talisman, the Wind Piercing Spear Talisman, into action.
A formidable Wind Spear composed of pure qi materialized in mid-air and immediately charged towards the Thunderous Blast.
The resulting impact was deafening.
But despite the chaos, Blade Serpent's speed remained unimpeded as he continued his advance towards Lord Sheng.
Lord Sheng's eyes widened as Blade Serpent closed in on him, and he instinctively raised his spear to deflect the impending strike.
Just as Blade Serpent's twin blades were about to strike Lord Sheng, a sudden burst of lightning energy hit him with full force, sending him flying backwards.
Fortunately, Blade Serpent's protective talisman, Spirit Shield Talisman, activated automatically and greatly diminished the power of this Lightning Blast.
Lord Sheng turned to see the source of the attack: his daughter Jin Meixiang, her dark hair whipping in the wind.
"Daughter, you must leave immediately," Lord Sheng said urgently. "I will hold this man off."
"But father," Jin Meixiang protested, "I can't just leave you here."
"You must," Lord Sheng insisted. "You will be safe within your sect's boundaries. Promise me you will avenge us in the future."
Jin Meixiang hesitated, but Blade Serpent was already on his feet and approaching her. Lord Sheng stepped in front of him, his eyes blazing.
"Go!" he shouted, holding his ground against the enemy.
With a heart heavy with anguish, Jin Meixiang turned on her heels and sprinted as fast as she could.
Blade Serpent bellowed, "Don't let her escape! Strike her down!"
Jin Meixiang soon found herself surrounded by several experts, blocking her escape in all directions.
Lord Sheng noticed this and balled his fists in frustration.
He channeled his Qi and prepared to utilize a forbidden technique that would greatly enhance his Spirit's strength and hopefully alter his daughter's fate.
In the realm of martial arts, the usage of one's Spirit was a delicate matter, especially in a group battle.
Most experts refrained from using it due to its heavy consumption, and the risk of having their Spirit destroyed during the fight.
The latter would leave the user rattled and be unable to use their qi for a few seconds, which could prove fatal in a fight.
So far, neither Lord Sheng nor Blade Serpent had utilized their Spirits in the current battle.
However, the situation had taken a drastic turn for Lord Sheng, as he now had to hold back the swarm of experts closing in on him to allow his daughter to escape.
The pressure was immense, and Lord Sheng knew he had to use every ounce of his strength and Spirit to create an opportunity for Jin Meixiang to flee.
Out of nowhere, piercing screams of agony echoed throughout the area, accompanied by the sound of multiple explosions.
Lord Sheng and Blade Serpent instinctively whipped their heads around to check.
They beheld a scene of scarlet flames consuming every expert that had encircled Jin Meixiang, leaving her unscathed amidst the inferno.
"Ganging up on a single woman, now that's not very courteous. Haven't your mothers taught you any basic etiquette?" A voice echoed through the area.
Two figures descended gracefully to the ground next to Jin Meixiang.
They were none other than Wang Jian and Chen Yiyan.
