Chapter 23: The Chase Begins

Elder Han's presence filled the hidden chamber like a tidal wave, his spiritual energy pressing down on Xiang Chen and Yuan Mei. His eyes burned with fury as he stood in the doorway, blocking their escape.

"You two have meddled in affairs beyond your understanding," Elder Han snarled, his aura crackling with power. "Did you think I wouldn't notice your pathetic attempts to spy on me?"

Xiang Chen and Yuan Mei exchanged a quick glance. They had no choice but to make a break for it. Clutching the incriminating ledgers, Xiang Chen channeled his spiritual energy and activated a movement technique. "Go!"

Yuan Mei leaped into action, her body becoming a blur as she darted past Elder Han. Xiang Chen followed, the two of them racing down the corridors of Elder Han's quarters.

Elder Han's voice echoed behind them, filled with rage. "You won't escape so easily!"

He launched a barrage of energy blasts, aimed directly at them. The walls shook, and the ground trembled as the attacks struck, leaving scorch marks and cracks in their wake. Xiang Chen dodged nimbly, but one of the blasts clipped his shoulder, sending a jolt of pain through his body.

"Keep going!" he urged Yuan Mei, who was a few steps ahead.

They burst out of the chambers and into the open sect grounds, but Elder Han was relentless. His figure appeared behind them, his speed and power overwhelming. Xiang Chen knew they couldn't outrun him for long.

The Escape Plan

"We can't fight him head-on!" Yuan Mei shouted as they sprinted through the darkened sect grounds. "We need to lose him in the forest."

Xiang Chen nodded. The forest surrounding the sect was dense and filled with natural energy disturbances that could mask their presence. If they could make it there, they might have a chance to escape.

They veered off the main path and dove into the forest, the dense foliage and towering trees providing some cover. Elder Han's aura still loomed behind them, but the thick canopy and chaotic energy fluctuations of the forest disrupted his senses.

Yuan Mei pulled out a handful of concealment talismans and handed one to Xiang Chen. "These should help us hide, but we need to find a place to lay low first."

Xiang Chen took the talisman and activated it, his spiritual energy merging with the surroundings. "This way," he whispered, leading them deeper into the forest, where the spiritual energy was most concentrated.

They moved stealthily, their auras concealed as they weaved through the underbrush. Elder Han's presence was still close, but with the concealment talismans and the natural energy disturbances, they had managed to momentarily evade his direct line of sight.

A Narrow Escape

After what felt like an eternity, they found a small cave hidden behind a waterfall. The spiritual energy from the cascading water created a natural barrier that masked their presence even further.

Xiang Chen and Yuan Mei ducked inside, pressing themselves against the cool stone walls. They controlled their breathing and suppressed their spiritual energy to remain undetectable. Outside, they could still feel Elder Han's aura searching for them, sweeping through the forest like a predator on the hunt.

Minutes passed, each one filled with tension. Finally, Elder Han's aura began to fade, moving further away. Xiang Chen let out a quiet breath, his muscles finally relaxing. "We've lost him for now."

Yuan Mei nodded but kept her voice low. "We need to stay hidden for a while. He'll be searching for us all night."

Xiang Chen unfolded the ledgers he had taken, studying them under the faint light filtering into the cave. "These records… they're worse than I imagined. Elder Han has been making secret deals with rogue cultivators and demonic sects. He's been supplying them with resources stolen from the sect."

Yuan Mei's eyes darkened. "If we can bring this evidence to Elder Yuan, it will be enough to expose him."

Xiang Chen nodded. "But we have to be careful. Elder Han knows we have these ledgers, and he won't stop until he finds us."

An Unexpected Visitor

Just as they were planning their next move, a faint rustle came from the cave's entrance. Xiang Chen's hand went to his sword, and Yuan Mei prepared a defensive talisman. They braced themselves, expecting one of Elder Han's men.

To their surprise, it was Lei Hong. He entered quietly, holding up his hands in a gesture of peace. "It's me."

Xiang Chen lowered his sword slightly but remained wary. "How did you find us?"

Lei Hong smiled faintly. "I know this forest well. I figured you'd come here after escaping Elder Han."

Yuan Mei frowned. "How do we know you're not leading him to us?"

Lei Hong's expression turned serious. "If I wanted to betray you, I would have done it already. I'm here to help."

Xiang Chen studied Lei Hong's face, trying to gauge his sincerity. He had no reason to trust Lei Hong, but so far, the disciple had shown no signs of duplicity. "All right. What do you propose?"

Lei Hong crouched beside them. "Elder Han's influence reaches far, but not everyone in the sect is loyal to him. If you want to expose him, you need to get these ledgers to Elder Yuan directly, but it won't be easy. Elder Han's men will be watching every move you make."

Yuan Mei's eyes sharpened. "So what's your plan?"

Lei Hong glanced around to ensure they were still alone before speaking. "I'll create a distraction. While Elder Han's men are occupied, you two can slip back into the sect and reach Elder Yuan's quarters. But you must move quickly. If Elder Han catches on, there won't be another chance."

Xiang Chen considered the plan. It was risky, but they had no choice. "We'll do it."

The Distraction

A few hours later, as dawn approached, Lei Hong set his plan into motion. He created a series of explosive talismans and placed them around the forest, setting off bursts of spiritual energy that drew the attention of Elder Han's men. The explosions echoed through the forest, creating a chaotic scene as the guards rushed to investigate.

Xiang Chen and Yuan Mei used the distraction to slip through the sect's outer perimeter, moving swiftly and silently. They made their way toward Elder Yuan's quarters, keeping to the shadows and avoiding detection.

They finally reached Elder Yuan's courtyard, but the path was blocked by two of Elder Han's loyal disciples. Xiang Chen's eyes narrowed as he recognized them—strong fighters known for their loyalty and ruthlessness.

Yuan Mei whispered, "We can't take them head-on. We need to find another way."

Xiang Chen scanned the area and spotted a narrow path that led to a side entrance, usually used by servants. "There. It's risky, but it's our best shot."

The two of them crept along the path, making their way around the disciples guarding the entrance. They slipped through the side entrance and moved toward Elder Yuan's study.

The Moment of Truth

Inside the study, Elder Yuan was sitting quietly, reading an ancient scroll. He looked up as Xiang Chen and Yuan Mei entered, his eyes narrowing in suspicion.

"What are you doing here?" Elder Yuan asked, his tone cold.

Xiang Chen bowed deeply, holding out the ledgers. "Sect Master, we've brought evidence. Elder Han is conspiring with rogue cultivators. These ledgers contain proof of his treachery."

Elder Yuan's expression remained neutral as he took the ledgers. He began to read, and the silence in the room felt like an eternity. After several moments, his eyes flicked up, and there was a cold fury in them.

"This is serious indeed," he said quietly. "If these documents are authentic, Elder Han has betrayed the sect."

Yuan Mei nodded. "Sect Master, we need your support. Elder Han will do everything to silence us if he finds out we've reached you."

Elder Yuan stood, his expression resolute. "Leave this matter to me. I will call a meeting of the elders. The truth will be revealed."

Just as they were about to leave, a powerful aura erupted from outside the study, and Elder Han's voice boomed. "Xiang Chen! Yuan Mei! You think you can escape justice?"

Xiang Chen and Yuan Mei exchanged a glance of determination. The storm was far from over.