Chapter 76: Gao Chong? Why is he here?!

"Young lady, just as we discussed before, I can take you inside, but you must do exactly as we agreed. You have to follow my instructions. If that one loses control, I won’t be able to protect any of you," Si Lintian said solemnly.

At this moment, the group was running at full speed, nearing the depths of the forest.

Du Wanting replied earnestly, "Senior, please rest assured, I will not act on impulse."

Meanwhile, Lin Han sat beside the corpse of the Forest Guardian, observing everything through the Eye of God.

So, they’re finally arriving? Since they’re coming, I’d better make some preparations. If they notice anything suspicious, that could spell trouble.

With that thought, Lin Han used the Mask of Divine Freedom to conjure wounds all over his body, even simulating frostbite. Then, with deliberate effort, he collapsed and feigned unconsciousness.

Before long, several figures appeared in the sky—Si Lintian’s investigation team.

"Senior, there’s someone here!" A member of the team immediately spotted Lin Han and shouted.

The group quickly gathered around.

"That’s Gao Chong!" Du Wanting gasped, covering her mouth in shock at the sight of Gao Chong’s battered and bloodied body. The injuries were so severe it was almost unbearable to look at.

What kind of trials must one endure to end up in such a state? She had never seen anything like this before.

Si Lintian said gravely, "He must have witnessed the outbreak of that battle firsthand. With injuries like these, I fear he may already be dead."

"With his abilities, there’s no way he could survive such a catastrophe," Du Wanting said in disbelief. She hadn’t expected Gao Chong’s death to be a result of witnessing two mighty experts clash, rather than at the hands of the Forest Guardian.

...So you’re just giving up? Old man, couldn’t you at least check my pulse? Maybe there’s still a chance to save me! Abandoning me outright isn’t what someone of a righteous sect should do.

Thinking this, Lin Han subconsciously coughed, slowly opened his eyes, and said weakly, "Du Wanting, I didn’t expect to see you here."

"Is he... coming back to life?" The investigation team all took a step back, unwilling to believe anyone could survive such a war. Not a second-stage youth like him—no, even those of the fourth or fifth stage among them wouldn’t stand a chance in such a clash.

When forbidden spells collide, it’s no trivial matter—that’s truly a power that brings death! When a forbidden spell is unleashed, it’s the end for thousands of lives. For this reason, all empires strictly prohibit the use of forbidden spells within cities—except, of course, during beast tides.

"What are you all standing around for? Quickly, help him up! Healers, to the front!" Si Lintian growled impatiently, then sighed. "Kid, you really are blessed by fortune. To survive a battle like that is nothing short of miraculous."

Lin Han spoke in gasps, "It... it was all thanks to a warrior who protected me. If I’d had to rely on myself, I wouldn’t have survived at all."

"You saw those two?" Si Lintian was instantly energized, pressing for answers. "Quick, tell me everything! What happened? Speak in detail!"

"I didn’t see much," Lin Han began, as the healers arrived to tend to his wounds. "I was fighting the Forest Guardian when, all of a sudden, a tremendous power exploded nearby. I was thrown aside, and before I lost consciousness, I vaguely saw an old man step in front of me."

"Anything else?" Si Lintian urged, knowing how critical this information was. Four forbidden spell battles had erupted between the two great cities of the empire in such a short time—this mission simply had to be resolved. Such events challenged the empire’s authority!

Lin Han lowered his voice, "I think I heard a sentence before I blacked out. It sounded like... ‘I never thought a warrior of Yaoguang would chase me from Huoyue City all the way to Yanyun City. Aren’t you afraid I’ll destroy your home in Yaoguang?’ ‘You’re welcome to try!’"

Si Lintian was deeply shaken. "Anything else? This is explosive news!"

"Nothing more," Lin Han replied. "After that, I lost consciousness. That’s how I know it was a warrior who saved me."

"Senior Si, do you think that warrior could have been the one who was with me before?" Du Wanting’s eyes shone. She had already begun to suspect something during the Three-Eyed Demon Ape incident, though she hadn’t been able to prove it. At the time, she’d even suspected Gao Chong himself. But now, with his account, it was almost certain that the event was linked to that person.

Si Lintian considered carefully. "It’s possible. Based on what this boy says, that one must have realized the Supreme Magus’s intentions and kept intercepting him. As for the reason for their conflict—whether they’re fighting over something or have a personal vendetta—that we don’t know."

He turned to Lin Han. "Couldn’t you have held on a bit longer? Maybe you’d have overheard some crucial information!"

Upon hearing this, Lin Han was speechless. Never mind that it was all a fabrication—even if it were true, how could a mere second-stage warrior eavesdrop on a conversation between two supreme beings? That’s expecting far too much of me!

"Enough, enough," Si Lintian relented, realizing his request had been unreasonable. "You truly are fortunate, boy. Come, I’ll see you safely to the hospital."

"Thank you, Senior," Lin Han replied politely, then added, "Senior, since their battle has ended, was there a victor?"

"I doubt it," Si Lintian mused. "Though they’ve fought four times in different locations, I suspect neither intended to kill the other. If either of them had truly unleashed their killing blows, one of them would have fallen for sure. Unless a critical moment arises, they’re only testing each other."

Du Wanting, hearing this, could hardly sit still. "You call that holding back? Even forbidden spells were unleashed!"

"So what?" Si Lintian replied. "When you reach their level, you’ll understand what it means to fight to the death..."