Forest Ambush

The night was dark, and danger filled the air. In front of the straw hut, spiritual energy surged in the atmosphere as sword light and spiritual forces clashed, creating gusts of wind. Wang Quan moved like a phantom, his iron sword flashing with precision and deadly accuracy, forcing Huang Hu, Yan Qing, and the others to retreat step by step.

"The power of the Five Elements Art is indeed formidable, but I can't hold out for long against so many."

Wang Quan quickly assessed the situation, his eyes calm and calculating. He knew that although his Defiant Bloodline and the Five Elements Art allowed him to suppress Yan Qing and Huang Hu temporarily, his opponents were numerous and formidable. Especially Huang Hu, whose fifth-stage Qi Refining cultivation made him the most difficult foe.

"I have to take them down one by one. A head-on fight will only end in disaster." Wang Quan tightened his grip on his sword, his gaze sharpening.

Just as Huang Hu and Yan Qing were preparing to attack in unison, Wang Quan took a sudden step back, withdrawing from the fight. He didn't continue engaging but instead retreated quickly, drawing the battle toward the forest behind the hut.

"Don't let him escape!" Huang Hu roared, immediately giving chase.

Wang Quan's figure shot into the forest like an arrow. Tall trees surrounded him, their dense leaves casting long shadows under the dim moonlight, giving the forest an eerie and mysterious air.

"Now's my chance!"

Taking a deep breath, Wang Quan activated the Five Elements Art. As the energy flowed through his body, the power of the Wood Element connected him to the surrounding environment, allowing his presence to blend seamlessly with the forest.

With a swift movement, Wang Quan concealed himself behind the trunk of an ancient tree. Using the Wood Element's concealment ability, his aura merged with the trees, making him nearly invisible within the forest.

Not far away, Huang Hu, Yan Qing, and several disciples entered the forest, their expressions tense as their spiritual senses scanned the area in an attempt to find Wang Quan. However, his presence had completely vanished, as though he had disappeared into thin air.

"What's going on? Where is he?" Yan Qing frowned in confusion.

"He must be hiding nearby! Search everywhere!" Huang Hu barked, his spiritual energy flaring as his senses spread like a wave, trying to force Wang Quan out of hiding.

Wang Quan remained motionless, biding his time behind the tree, waiting for the right opportunity.

Moments later, a disciple at the third stage of Qi Refining cautiously approached Wang Quan's hiding spot, his face tense as he gripped a long knife and moved closer.

"Now's my chance."

A cold gleam flashed in Wang Quan's eyes as he struck. He leapt from behind the tree like a snake, his iron sword whistling through the air as it aimed straight for the disciple's back.

Slash!

The blade pierced through the disciple's chest, blood spraying out. The disciple didn't even have time to react before Wang Quan's sword struck him down, leaving him collapsed on the ground, his eyes filled with disbelief.

"One down."

Without pausing, Wang Quan withdrew his sword and disappeared into the nearby bushes. He knew he couldn't face them head-on and could only use the Wood Element's concealment to lure his enemies in and eliminate them one by one.

Back in the forest, Huang Hu and Yan Qing realized something was wrong. They had noticed one of their companions' auras suddenly vanish, and their expressions turned dark.

"Wang Quan is picking us off one by one!" Yan Qing shouted angrily, his face twisted with rage.

Huang Hu's expression hardened as he spoke coldly, "He doesn't have the courage to face us directly, so he's hiding in the forest. Keep searching! We have to force him out!"

Wang Quan quietly observed their movements. Although Yan Qing and Huang Hu continued searching for him, their group was gradually spreading out, especially the lower-level disciples who were growing impatient and beginning to act independently.

"Now's the time!"

Wang Quan focused on a lone disciple at the third stage of Qi Refining and struck swiftly.

Slash!

Another sword strike flashed in the darkness, slicing through the disciple's throat. Blood gushed out as the disciple fell to the ground, dead before he could even scream.

The continuous ambushes made Huang Hu and Yan Qing increasingly desperate. They had lost three companions, yet still couldn't locate Wang Quan. Yan Qing's face turned ashen with fury, his eyes filled with hatred.

"Damn it! Wang Quan is too cunning. We can't let this drag on any longer!" Huang Hu roared, unleashing a wave of spiritual energy that caused the surrounding trees to tremble violently.

Wang Quan watched cautiously, knowing that Huang Hu's strength far surpassed that of the weaker disciples. If Huang Hu managed to find him directly, the situation would turn dangerous.

Just as Wang Quan was about to prepare another ambush, Huang Hu and Yan Qing suddenly stopped moving. They exchanged glances, as if realizing something.

"Not good!" Wang Quan's heart tightened, knowing that his strategy had been exposed.

"Wang Quan's picking us off one by one! We need to regroup and hunt him down together!" Yan Qing shouted, his voice filled with anger.

Huang Hu nodded coldly, and the group quickly gathered together. Once they had regrouped, their combined force surged, clearly preparing to face Wang Quan head-on.

Wang Quan's expression darkened as he realized he could no longer pick them off as before. He would have to change tactics. His eyes steeled as he turned and sped deeper into the forest.

"Chase him!"

Huang Hu and Yan Qing yelled, leading the remaining disciples in pursuit. Spiritual energy surged as they sent flashes of power through the night, closing in on Wang Quan.

Wang Quan gritted his teeth, using his spiritual energy to move swiftly between the trees. However, his opponents were numerous and powerful, and he could feel his spiritual energy depleting quickly. Although the Five Elements Art allowed his energy to replenish over time, the relentless pursuit was starting to wear him down.

Just as Wang Quan was reaching his limit, he spotted a hidden cave ahead. The entrance was covered in vines, and it was so well concealed that he might have missed it if he hadn't been paying attention.

"Here!"

Without hesitation, Wang Quan slipped into the cave and pulled the vines over the entrance, doing his best to leave no trace.

Inside the cave, the air was damp and musty, with a heavy silence hanging in the darkness. Wang Quan leaned against the wall and began to regulate his breathing, allowing his spiritual energy to gradually recover as the Five Elements Art circulated within him. But he knew it was only a matter of time before his enemies found him.

Outside, Huang Hu and his group arrived at the edge of the forest, but they had lost track of Wang Quan's aura in the dense trees. They scanned the area, frustration etched on their faces.

"Damn it! He disappeared right under our noses!" Huang Hu growled, clenching his fists in anger.

"Keep searching!" Yan Qing hissed through gritted teeth, clearly unwilling to let Wang Quan escape so easily.