Chapter 387: Run!

Yao Lao's expression was extremely solemn.

He stared intently at Luo Tiantu, rapidly analyzing the strength gap between them in his mind.

He could clearly feel that, although Luo Tiantu's cultivation appeared to remain at the Wu Zun Realm on the surface and seemed not to be at its peak, that did not mean he was easy to deal with.

One must know that Wu Zun is the pinnacle of humanity; once one breaks through Wu Zun, it reaches the Void Breach, a transcendent, saintly level.

But even if both are at the Wu Zun Realm, the gap between them is as vast as a canyon.

Yao Lao knew clearly in his heart that this ancient-era Head of Qie Sect had, in essence, reached the level capable of a Void Breach.

The reason he has remained at the Wu Zun Realm without a full breakthrough is likely to wait for the inheritance of the Medicine God Cauldron and the Yaoshen Dian.

He hopes to use those two items to elevate his cultivation a notch higher, perhaps even reach the legendary realm.

In comparison, although Yao Lao is also at the Peak of Martial Respect, he is merely the vessel spirit of the Medicine God Cauldron, lacking a physical body, so his power is greatly limited.

If the Medicine God Cauldron were still at its peak, its divinity complete, he could naturally restrain Luo Tiantu with ease. But now the Cauldron's divinity is only about thirty percent, so his usable strength is severely reduced.

And Village Chief Zuo Ziheng, though also at the Wu Zun Realm, is advanced in age, his qi and blood have begun to wane, long past his peak condition.

One is a profoundly rooted, ancient Wu Zun nearing a Void Breach; another is an aging, blood‑depleted veteran Wu Zun; and a third is a vessel‑spirit Wu Zun limited by the Cauldron's state—the disparity in strength is obvious.

"Yao Lao, we..."

The Village Chief sensed the increasingly thick murderous intent emanating from Luo Tiantu, and his complexion grew ever more grim.

Yao Lao gently shook his head.

"Luo Tiantu's strength far exceeds our expectations; forcing a direct clash would make us no match. Later I'll try to hold him off; you seize the chance to lead Jiang Feng and the others away, and be sure to preserve the inheritance of the Medicine God Cauldron and the Medicine Nerve!"

The Village Chief's gaze hardened, just as he was about to refuse.

Luo Tiantu's voice rang out again, full of impatience.

"Enough chatter! I give you one final chance: hand over the Medicine God Cauldron and the Medicine Nerve, and I may spare your lives! Otherwise, today will be Taoyuan Village's day of annihilation!"

As his words fell, the aura around Luo Tiantu surged again, a terrifying pressure spreading outward.

At that moment, Village Chief Zuo Ziheng suddenly stepped forward, blocking Yao Lao and Jiang Feng's group.

He stared coldly at Luo Tiantu.

"Luo Tiantu, Taoyuan Village will die unyielding! If you want the Medicine Nerve and the Medicine Cauldron, you must step over my decayed corpse!"

"Oh? Some backbone, huh."

Luo Tiantu slightly lifted his head toward the Village Chief, a mocking smile curling at his mouth.

"Wang Sect bloodline? What relation do you have with that old fellow Zuo Qiu?"

Zuo Qiu Ancestor is precisely the ancient-era Head of the Yaoshen Dian's Wang Sect.

Upon hearing this, the Village Chief straightened his stooped frame.

"I am a descendant of Ancestor Zuo Qiu, Village Chief Zuo Ziheng of Taoyuan Village!"

"Zuo Qiu..."

Luo Tiantu squinted, a feral grin appearing on his face.

"Fine! Back then that old Zuo Qiu repeatedly thwarted my plans, and I eventually beheaded him! Today, you, a mere junior, dare to provoke me before me—truly ignorant of death!"

"Since you seek death, I shall grant it!"

As soon as the words fell, a black aura suddenly spread from Luo Tiantu, sweeping toward Village Chief Zuo Ziheng like a tide.

The black aura was exceedingly evil; wherever it passed, the grass on the ground withered instantly.

Yao Lao's complexion changed dramatically, and he shouted hoarsely,

"Is this… the power of the Nether Abyss True Scripture? Ziheng, be extremely careful! This scoundrel has actually cultivated the Nether Abyss True Scripture!"

The Nether Abyss True Scripture is an ancient-era supreme evil Dao technique.

During the Yaoshen Dian's civil war, Luo Tiantu's ability to single‑handedly oppose the three major sects was largely due to his cultivation of the Nether Abyss True Scripture, which caused his strength to surge.

Village Chief Zuo Ziheng's face darkened; he could feel the terror of the black aura, yet he did not retreat at all.

He unleashed all his internal true qi, forming a solid golden barrier in front of him.

"Boom!"

The black aura collided with the golden barrier with a thunderous crash, emitting a deafening sound.

The golden barrier trembled violently, dense cracks spidering across it as if it could shatter at any moment.

Village Chief Zuo Ziheng let out a low hum, his body involuntarily stepping back three paces, a streak of crimson blood spilling from his mouth corner.

"With such feeble strength, you still dare to show off before me?"

Luo Tiantu let out a cold laugh, his figure flashing as he instantly appeared before the Village Chief, his right hand forming a claw, saturated with black aura, reaching for the Chief's head.

The Village Chief's gaze hardened, refusing to be careless; his left hand swiftly thrust forward, the golden true qi coalescing into a palm that collided with Luo Tiantu's claw.

"Bang!"

Another deafening blast rang out, the Village Chief retreated again, his arm numb, qi and blood surging.

Luo Tiantu remained perfectly still, his face still bearing a mocking smile.

"Unbearable to strike!"

Luo Tiantu let out a cold snort, his assault growing ever more ferocious.

His figure moved like a phantom around the Village Chief, the black aura constantly condensing into various attack forms, assaulting the Chief madly.

For a moment, the two clashed in a tangled melee, golden true qi and black evil aura colliding, emitting wave after wave of thunderous blasts, the surrounding air violently shaking.

Yao Lao watched the Village Chief gradually being forced into a disadvantage on the battlefield, his gaze filled with helplessness.

He turned his head toward Jiang Feng and Xi Er, as if having made a certain decision.

"Jiang Feng, Xi Er, you both hurry and leave!"

"Leave? Where to?" Xi Er asked, her face full of bewilderment.

"Head toward Da Qing Shan!"

Yao Lao spoke quickly.

"Da Qing Shan has Tie Zhan guardians, and the Da Qing Shan Formation Technique guards it; Tie Zhan can resist. You, holding the Medicine Nerve, must preserve the Medicine Temple's heritage!"

"What about you, Yao Lao?"

Jiang Feng frowned and asked.

"I will stay here to hold back Luo Tiantu, trying to buy you as much time as possible!"

"You don't need to worry about us; as long as you can keep the Medicine Nerve and preserve the Medicine Tripod's heritage, our sacrifice will be worthwhile!"

"No! I can't abandon you!"

Xi Er cried and shook their head, and Jiang Feng also was unwilling to leave.

"Jiang Feng, you're muddle‑headed!"

Yao Lao's face darkened.

"You are the future hope of the Medicine Temple! You cannot die here! Only if you live does the Medicine Temple have a chance of revival! Listen to me, leave at once!"

Yao Lao, while speaking, circulated his true Qi, temporarily holding back Luo Tiantu's offensive.

"Artifact spirit, you also dare to join the fun?"

Luo Tiantu sensed Yao Lao's attack, let out a cold snort, and waved his hand casually.

He turned his head toward Yao Lao, his eyes filled with murderous intent.

"It seems, His Seat should first deal with you troublesome artifact spirit!"

Saying that, Luo Tiantu's figure flashed, lunging toward Yao Lao.