Chapter 177: Long Qianyan

Deep within the Water Prison, the damp, bloody scent lingered, still spreading, bearing the traces of a fierce battle.

A tall figure appeared at the end of the passage—it was Dragon Group Southern Region Guardian Long Qianyan.

He wore a plain long robe, his gaze deep.

Long Qianyan walked to the kicked‑open iron gate, his eyes falling on the three Two-Pin Grandmaster corpses in the hall's center.

He bent down to assess; the three bodies bore clean, precise wounds, each a single fatal strike.

"Such swift skill, such precise force."

A flash of astonishment flickered in Long Qianyan's eyes.

"One move slayed two Two-Pin Grandmasters, and a second strike killed three; Jiangnan Territory truly has such a figure."

He did not linger, stepping into the inner prison.

On the Ground, the faint aura of a mask‑wearer burning Heavenly Essence True Qi flickered, his chest rising slightly, already the last gasp of a strong bow.

Long Qianyan crouched, placing two fingers on his pulse, and withdrew his hand after a moment.

"Life force overdrawn, tendons and vessels all severed, even an Immortal cannot save."

As soon as the words fell, the masked man's chest jolted sharply, then he went completely still, his wide‑open eyes filled with resentment, already lifeless.

Long Qianyan stared at the Black Mask on his face, reaching out to lift it, wanting to see the man's true visage.

"Long Qianyan! Cease to insult my brother!"

Three angry roars echoed from the hall, followed by three black shadows charging in.

They saw the corpses on the Ground and Long Qianyan's actions, their eyes blood‑red.

The Grandmaster's oppressive aura swept in like a tide, and the air inside instantly grew viscous.

"You dare touch my brother's corpse, I will kill you!"

The leading masked man's voice was hoarse, full of murderous intent.

Long Qianyan slowly rose, turning to face the three.

"When I arrived he already looked like this; I was merely curious about his identity, with no intent to insult."

"Nonsense! Apart from you, a Nine-Pin Grandmaster, who could kill my brother? Stop arguing, today I will avenge this grievance!"

The three concluded Long Qianyan was the murderer.

After all, in Jiangnan Territory, only a top‑tier powerhouse like him could slay a Sixth Grade Grandmaster.

They exchanged glances and charged forward together.

Three High-Pin Grandmasters teamed up, their assault fierce, coordination seamless, instantly sealing every escape route.

Long Qianyan's face showed no Panic; as a Nine-Pin Grandmaster, he faced three with ease.

"You know nothing of right and wrong."

He spoke calmly, his form flickering, evading Fist Wind and blade as if a phantom, while a reverse palm struck the third behind him.

"Bang!"

The palm landed solidly on the third's chest.

The third let out a muffled grunt, spitting blood as he was flung backward, crashing heavily against the wall.

One move grievously wounded a person!

The first and second's faces changed dramatically, yet with no retreat they could only grit their teeth and continue the fierce assault.

Long Qianyan's footwork shifted, striking the two into repeated retreats, their Qi and blood churning.

"Bang bang bang!"

The muffled clang of colliding energy persisted, shards of stone splashing, accumulated water spraying everywhere.

The first and second gave their all, yet could not even brush Long Qianyan's robe hem; their bodies acquired numerous wounds, the Black Mask gear stained red with blood.

At that moment, hurried footsteps sounded outside the Water Prison, and two auras approached swiftly.

"Old Wei? That Lu family girl?"

Long Qianyan sensed the auras, his eyes flickering slightly.

Quickly, Wei Wuji and Lu Xiao rushed into the inner prison, freezing at the sight before them.

"Dragon Guardian!"

Wei Wuji promptly clasped his hands and bowed.

Lu Xiao also bowed, his gaze sweeping the scene quickly, instantly grasping the gist.

Long Qianyan continued to counter the attack.

"Having received headquarters' notice to handle the Tiger Talisman matter, I arrived only to meet these people; they assume I killed their brother and persist stubbornly."

Wei Wuji looked at the two masked men and shouted sternly.

"Who are you? How dare you openly assault the Dragon Group Guardian, and not surrender!"

The two masked men, seeing this, realized continued fighting would guarantee defeat, and exchanged glances.

"Retreat!"

They lifted the third from the Ground, turned, and fled swiftly toward the outside of the Water Prison, disappearing after a few steps at the passage's end.

"Trying to leave?" Long Qianyan's gaze hardened, about to give chase.

"Dragon Guardian, enough."

Wei Wuji quickly intercepted, "Their footwork is swift and their identities unknown; a rash pursuit may encounter ambushes."

Long Qianyan pondered briefly, then nodded.

"Very well."

He looked at the corpses and masks on the Ground, his expression solemn.

"These three's identities are suspicious; their attacks are ruthless, all at Grandmaster level, surely backed by a Faction. Wei Wuji, Lu Xiao, issue an immediate thorough investigation, and be sure to uncover their origins and purpose."

"Yes!" Wei Wuji and Lu Xiao replied in unison.

……

On the other side, Jiang Feng, carrying Ling Zhaixing, hurried away from Fengling Ferry.

Ling Zhaixing's injuries were extremely severe; her whole body was wounded.

Jiang Feng's steps were swift, dodging passersby along the way, and raced toward Ji Shi Tang.

After a little over half an hour, Jiang Feng returned to Ji Shi Tang with Ling Zhaixing on his back.

At this moment, Ling Zhaixing's eyes were tightly shut, her complexion as pale as paper, and her breath so weak it was almost imperceptible.

Jiang Feng felt her pulse and furrowed his brows.

Ling Zhaixing's injuries were heavier than he had imagined.

Not only were external wounds widespread, but her internal organs also suffered shock; without timely treatment, she might not last long.

He did not hesitate, turned around, and grabbed a medicine box.

Then he immediately stripped Ling Zhaixing of her outer clothing.

After the clothes were removed, the scars on Ling Zhaixing's body became even more shocking to behold.

Bruises covered her entire body, old and new scars interlaced, showing how much she had previously endured.

Jiang Feng's gaze deepened; he took out disinfectant and gauze, and carefully washed her wounds.

After cleaning, he retrieved the special Healing Paste, spread it evenly over the wounds, and then gently bandaged them with clean gauze.

Having treated the external injuries, Jiang Feng took out a silver needle.

When the silver needle descended, a warm current spread along the acupoints, slowly repairing her damaged tendons and internal organs.

Just as Jiang Feng focused on the needling, Ling Zhaixing's eyelashes twitched lightly, and she slowly opened her eyes.

She clearly sensed that her clothing had been removed, but said nothing, only giving Jiang Feng a complex look before slowly closing her eyes again.

A moment later, after the silver needle work was finished, Jiang Feng took a brown Elixir from the medicine box, gently pried open Ling Zhaixing's mouth, placed the Elixir inside, and helped her swallow it with warm water.

"This Healing Pill can restore your internal organs and tendons; rest well."

He gently helped Ling Zhaixing to sit up, let her lean on the sofa, and covered her with a thin blanket.

Ling Zhaixing's breath gradually steadied, and her complexion regained a hint of color.

……

Songling Ferry, Underground Water Prison.

Long Qianyan, Wei Wuji, and Lu Xiao had finished clearing the scene, and rigorously investigated the identities of the three masked men, yet found no useful clues.

"Dragon Guard Commander, these people act with leak‑proof precision; clearly they are professional death soldiers."

Wei Wuji's expression was solemn.

"Being able to cultivate three Fifth Grade Grandmaster and one Sixth Grade Grandmaster death soldiers, the faction behind them is not to be underestimated. This group's existence poses a huge hidden danger; relay my orders…"

Long Qianyan squinted his eyes.

"Contact the Jiangnan Military, expand the scope and continue the investigation; even if we have to dig three feet into the ground, we must find them!"

"Yes!"