Chapter 211: Chamber Surprise, Faction Fog

"Follow me, I know where Xiao Chengzhou is being held." Xu Jianhua extended his hand, his expression urgent.

Lin Yu glanced at the unnatural callus on Xu Jianhua's palm—how could a university professor who teaches and educates have calluses that only a marksman would have? Thinking back to those incredibly precise shots just now, alarm bells rang in Lin Yu's heart.

"Of course, saving Teacher Xiao is the priority." Lin Yu agreed on the surface, secretly hiding the jade pendant in his inner pocket, his right fingertips already hooked onto three silver needles.

Xuanyuan Qing sensed Lin Yu's subtle change and quietly held the silver bell in her hand. She watched Lin Yu's eyes, understood the hint, and pretended to carelessly approach the Destiny armed personnel at the door to whisper a few words.

"Let's go, take advantage of the chaos to leave the city." Xu Jianhua organized his equipment, leading Lin Yu and Xuanyuan Qing through the wreckage of the battlefield and along a hidden path.

Huacheng's night was like ink, the fires of war reddening half the sky. Explosions could be heard from the city center from time to time, as the Tongtian Pavilion and the remnants of the Qin family were still locked in a fierce battle.

"Teacher Xu, where exactly is Teacher Xiao being held?" Lin Yu asked, pretending to be casual.

"An abandoned factory in the suburbs, a secret stronghold of the Tongtian Pavilion." Xu Jianhua replied. "It's not far, but the journey is dangerous, and we must bypass three Tongtian Pavilion checkpoints."

The three passed through dark alleys, and Lin Yu noticed that Xu Jianhua's walking posture was completely different from usual—that feline lightness was definitely not something an ordinary scholar would have.

Xuanyuan Qing took the opportunity to shake the silver bell, making a very faint sound. According to her, this was a special contact method of the Qin family, which could attract the attention of nearby Qin family members.

"Be careful passing through this area, there are many Tongtian Pavilion sentries." Xu Jianhua stopped abruptly, raising his palm to signal silence.

In the darkness, three figures flashed past the street corner. Xu Jianhua's eyes flickered, signaling to take a detour.

An hour later, the three finally arrived at the abandoned factory on the outskirts of the city. The rusty iron gate was ajar, and the surroundings were silent, with only a few wild cats rummaging for food in the trash heaps.

"Follow me closely." Xu Jianhua took out a flashlight to illuminate the path ahead.

The interior of the factory was empty and dark, the machinery and equipment had long been moved away, leaving only the steel and concrete skeleton.

Xu Jianhua led the two through the cluttered workshop to an inconspicuous corner. He pushed aside a square brick on the ground, revealing stairs leading downward.

"Watch your step." Xu Jianhua went down first.

Lin Yu and Xuanyuan Qing looked at each other and followed. The stairs led to a long, deep tunnel, with modern electronic equipment embedded in the walls on both sides, forming a sharp contrast with the dilapidated factory.

"The Tongtian Pavilion is indeed wealthy." Lin Yu pretended to be surprised.

Xu Jianhua chuckled: "This is just the tip of the iceberg."

At the end of the tunnel was a heavy metal door, and Xu Jianhua entered the password, and the door slowly opened.

What came into view was a control room filled with monitoring equipment, with the monitors on the wall playing real-time footage from all over Huacheng.

"Go this way." Xu Jianhua pointed to another corridor.

Passing through several security doors, the three finally arrived at the detention area. On both sides of the corridor were prison cells, most of which were empty, with only the one at the very end lit up.

"Teacher Xiao is right there." Xu Jianhua pointed to that cell.

Lin Yu stepped forward quickly, peeking through the iron bars at the situation inside. Xiao Chengzhou was tied to a chair, his clothes tattered, his face haggard, but he didn't appear to be in life-threatening danger.

Xu Jianhua took out a key: "Stand back, I'll open the door."

Just as the key was inserted into the lock, Xiao Chengzhou suddenly raised his head, his gaze passing over Lin Yu's shoulder and landing on Xu Jianhua. Unprecedented fear and anger erupted in his eyes!

"Lin Yu! Run! He is a member of the Tongtian Pavilion!" Xiao Chengzhou shouted with all his might.

Time seemed to freeze. Lin Yu reacted extremely quickly, his body leaning back sharply, dodging the dagger Xu Jianhua suddenly thrust. At the same time, his right hand unleashed silver needles, aiming straight for Xu Jianhua's throat.

Xu Jianhua dodged to the side, changing the move of the dagger to slash at Lin Yu's abdomen. Lin Yu stepped back and kicked over the long bench in the corridor, blocking Xu Jianhua's attack route.

"As expected." Lin Yu said coldly. "Zhang Ming's words before he died were not a trick."

The gentle expression on Xu Jianhua's face disappeared completely, replaced by cold murderous intent: "Since you've seen through it, then none of you will leave alive."

He pressed the red button on the wall, and the alarm sounded suddenly. The metal doors at both ends of the corridor slammed shut, sealing the three inside.

"The Tongtian Pavilion elites will be here soon, you have nowhere to run." Xu Jianhua took off his glasses unhurriedly and crumpled them into a ball, throwing them on the ground. "Actually, from the first day you entered Zhongcaotang, I have been monitoring you."

Xuanyuan Qing broke free from her restraints, quickly pried open the prison door, and helped Xiao Chengzhou up.

"How long have you been pretending?" Lin Yu asked.

"Longer than you think." Xu Jianhua revealed a cruel smile. "The real Xu Jianhua was replaced by me ten years ago. All these years, I have been collecting intelligence on the Heaven-Chosen for the Tongtian Pavilion."

Lin Yu was burning with anger: "So Zhongcaotang being destroyed and Huacheng falling were all your doing?"

"Smart." Xu Jianhua nodded in approval. "I personally opened the gates of Huacheng for the Tongtian Pavilion army."

Rapid footsteps came from the end of the corridor, reinforcements were about to arrive.

Lin Yu realized he had to make a quick decision. He took a deep breath, and the golden True Qi within his body surged instantly. Seeing this, Xu Jianhua took the eighth token from his bosom and crushed the power sealed within it.

"Come on, Heaven-Chosen, let me see what you are truly capable of!"

Two forces erupted in the narrow corridor, the air waves overturning the surrounding equipment. Lin Yu unleashed Ao Fist, the wind of his fists whistling. Xu Jianhua used the secret arts of the Tongtian Pavilion, his movement strange, flickering like a ghost.

"Uncle Lin, watch out!" Xuanyuan Qing shouted, while shaking the silver bell.

The crisp bell sound echoed in the enclosed space, disrupting Xu Jianhua's rhythm.

Lin Yu seized the opportunity and swept a whip kick at the opponent's lower body. Xu Jianhua barely dodged, but his chest was still hit by Lin Yu's elbow, staggering back.

"Xuanyuan Qing, protect Teacher Xiao, I'll deal with him!" Lin Yu shouted.

Xu Jianhua wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and smiled coldly: "Even if you defeat me, the Tongtian Pavilion army will soon annihilate you all."

"Before that, I'll deal with you first!" Lin Yu formed seals with both hands, and the mark on his chest burst with golden light.

The bloodline within his body awakened completely, and the Nine Cauldrons True Qi surged through his entire body. Lin Yu's right hand turned into a claw, aiming straight for the token on Xu Jianhua's chest. Xu Jianhua retreated in a panic, but his retreat was sealed by Lin Yu's left-hand silver needles.

At the critical moment, the top of the corridor suddenly burst, and gravel flew. A familiar figure descended from the sky, holding a long sword, blocking the space between Lin Yu and Xu Jianhua.

"Yan Nanshan?" Lin Yu exclaimed.

The person was dressed in a gray robe, his face old but his spirit vigorous; it was none other than the long-missing Yan Nanshan.

"Long time no see, disciple." Yan Nanshan said without looking back. "It seems you have mastered quite a few skills."

Xu Jianhua's expression changed drastically: "Yan Nanshan, you're not dead?!"

"Thanks to your Tongtian Pavilion." Yan Nanshan sneered. "Now, it's time to settle the score."

Yan Nanshan's sword tip thrust out like lightning. Xu Jianhua barely dodged the vital point, but his shoulder was still cut with a wound deep to the bone. He groaned in pain, pushed open the secret door behind him, and fled.

"Don't chase." Yan Nanshan stopped Lin Yu, who wanted to pursue. "The Tongtian Pavilion reinforcements have arrived, we must evacuate immediately."

"Master, what exactly..."

"Leave the questions for a safe place." Yan Nanshan interrupted Lin Yu and quickly cut the restraints on Xiao Chengzhou. "Follow me, I know a secret exit."

The four followed Yan Nanshan's guidance through the intricate tunnels, the sound of pursuers behind them gradually fading. Passing through a narrow ventilation duct, the group finally reached the surface and escaped to safety.

"Master, you have been alive all along..." Lin Yu's voice choked.

"Sorry to make you worry." Yan Nanshan sighed lightly. "Now is not the time for reminiscing, the Nine Stars Alignment is approaching, we must head to the Kunlun Heavenly Ladder immediately."

In the night, four figures quickly disappeared into the dense forest on the outskirts of Huacheng. ===== CHAPTER 212 =====