A Chaotic World

Chapter 196: The Extraction Team

Lu Tianzi sneaked a look over his back, and saw that the old man from the Dragon Cauldron Army seemed to have given up on him.

At this point, he could not help but let out a sigh of relief.

He could finally relax a little.

Even though Lu Tianzi had been able to escape the old man's methods time and again, it did not mean that Lu Tianzi was doing so effortlessly.

Being on the defensive meant that he had to constantly remain aware of his surroundings, and this meant releasing his perception at all times, so that he would be ready for any moves from the old man.

No one, not even Lu Tianzi, would be able to maintain such a heightened state of alert forever.

By now, he had already expended quite a significant amount of Slaughter Essence energy, and needed to rest soon if he wanted to return to his peak condition.

Apart from that, he had also been worried about the potential consequences of leading the old man back to the rendezvous point.

Even though the extraction team was supposed to bail them out there, they had after all not been expecting an Origin Core realm expert to be part of the defence team.

If the old man truly followed him all the way back to the rendezvous point, Lu Tianzi did not know for sure if the extraction team would be able to fend off the old man, or if the old man would end up massacring the entire group.

Well, there were no ifs.

Now that the old man had given up on the chase, there was no longer a need for Lu Tianzi to worry about such hypothetical outcomes. His steps were light and free from worries as he headed straight towards the small hill that they had identified earlier.

On the said hill, Beiqian You was seated comfortably on a rock as he patiently waited.

"Sir Beiqian, there is a lone figure heading towards us," a young soldier rushed over to report. "From the looks of it, it should be Nanlu Tianzi!"

Hearing that, Beiqian You's eyes lit up in surprise. "Are you sure he is alone? Is there nobody chasing after him?"

"I am sure!" the young soldier answered.

"Is that so?" Beiqian You rubbed his chin in contemplation.

What was this situation?

Nanlu Tianzi actually managed to escape from the Origin Core realm martial artist of the Dragon Cauldron Army, then broke through the returning defence team, and successfully shook them all off to return alone?

Beiqian You had heard that Nanlu Tianzi had an extremely high tier movement technique. Could that be how Nanlu Tianzi did it?

It seemed like he had underestimated Nanlu Tianzi after all.

Despite that, it was probably better that things turned out this way. All's good as long as Nanlu Tianzi had finally returned to them.

Now, they could finally complete their task and return!

"Gather everyone and follow me to welcome back Nanlu Tianzi!" Beiqian You smiled. "And be fast! Let's get this over and done with!"

***

Lu Tianzi creased his eyebrows as he climbed the small hill.

This was the rendezvous point that they had agreed upon earlier, and it was not a big area.

With his perception, Lu Tianzi easily identified the fact that on the small hill, there was only the extraction team waiting for him at the top. As for the assault party, not a single member was present.

Greeted with such an unexpected scene, Lu Tianzi did not panic. Instead, he maintained the same pace as before and continued on his path up the small hill.

But at the same time, he warily sent a message to Nanlan Qianxue using his communication ring. "Where are you? Why don't I see you at the rendezvous point?"

"Tianzi! You are all right!" Nanlan Qianxue's voice came through from the other end, sounding exceptionally relieved.

"Yes, I managed to shake off the enemy and have already arrived at the rendezvous point, but why I don't see any of you?" Lu Tianzi asked again.

"Oh, if you have already arrived, that means the extraction team must have successfully held down the returning defence team. But that being the case, shouldn't you have met them on your way to the rendezvous point?" Nanlan Qianxue asked curiously. "I guess the extraction team neglected to tell you then. They asked the rest of us to return to the camp first, so that they can focus on helping you escape your current predicament. I did try to stay, but the extraction team said that I will slow them down! How arrogant! But seeing that they really succeeded, I guess I can't say that they are wrong."

"Is that so? Okay, see you back at the camp then." Lu Tianzi let out a light smirk before putting down his hand.

The extraction team told the rest to return to the camp first so that they could help get him out of the encirclement?

Since that is the case, why didn't he see any help arrive for him earlier?

Instead, all he is seeing right now is the extraction team waiting patiently at the rendezvous point for his return.

What exactly are they trying to accomplish?

Could it be that they were hoping for his death?

Or were they just cowards who dared not act?

The second reason seemed more plausible. After all, he did not recall ever offending the members of the extraction team.

But even so, Lu Tianzi had learnt the hard way that not everyone could be trusted.

Not even his allies.

Readjusting his facial expression, Lu Tianzi emerged from the cover of trees to come face to face with Beiqian You and the rest of the extraction team.

"I have returned!" Lu Tianzi let out a radiant smile, one that was absolutely befitting for someone of his young age.

"Welcome back!" Beiqian You stepped forward with an enthusiastic smile of his own. "I had no doubt that you would be able to return in no time. That is the reason why I have been waiting here patiently even though the upper echelons kept hurrying me to return."

"Is that so?" Lu Tianzi laughed out heartily. "I guess I would have to thank you for your trust in me then! Right, what about the rest of the assault party? Where are they?"

"The rest of the assault party seemed to be tired, so I had them return to the camp first," Beiqian You explained. "Right, you must be tired as well. Why don't we make haste and leave?"

Upon saying that, the extraction team that had gathered in front of him split into two neat halves, creating a path in between for Lu Tianzi to walk through.

"Please," Beiqian You smiled while gesturing to the path.

"Sure," Lu Tianzi nodded.

Just like that, he casually stepped out towards the path that cut right through the extraction team.

Step by step, he made his way through the centre of the group, with members of the extraction team watching him from both sides.

But contrary to his nonchalant appearance, Lu Tianzi had spread out his perception, and was ready to react to any sudden movements from the members of the extraction team.

He was now at his absolute highest state of alertness, not one bit less than when he had been facing the Origin Core realm old man from the Dragon Cauldron Army.

Even if any of them were to launch a sudden attack, Lu Tianzi would certainly not be caught off guard.

On the other hand, if they did not act against him, then Lu Tianzi would just accept that he had been overly suspicious of them. But even then, it was still a fact that the extraction team had lied about their intention to help him break away from the enemy.

That was a debt that he would make them pay for after they returned to the camp!

At this moment, Lu Tianzi suddenly frowned.

He had only just walked into the absolute centre of the extraction team when Beiqian You pulled out a treasure bell from his spatial ring.

As expected, they had something planned!

Lu Tianzi instantly spun around to face Beiqian You, only to see the latter grin malevolently while holding the treasure bell in his hand.

"I thought that I have been quite subtle in my actions, but you still noticed it immediately. It seems that you truly deserve your name as the top ranker of the Scarlet Moon Heroes Meet!" Beiqian You did not panic despite having been discovered, displaying a rare calmness as he spoke. "Given time, I am sure you will become a truly powerful existence, and perhaps I would not even be qualified to speak to you then. However, it is just too bad that today will mark the end of your martial path!"

In fact, Beiqian You could have given any random excuse for bringing out the treasure bell, but he did not even bother. This was testament to the level of confidence he had in his plans.

Ding-a-ling-!

The tinkle of the treasure bell sounded out as Beiqian You shook it gently, all the while still staring down Lu Tianzi.

As though summoned by the light tinkle of the treasure bell, World Origin Energy in the surroundings rumbled as they gathered upon them.

Lu Tianzi immediately sped away, heading straight down the path that the extraction team had so politely opened up for him.

He had no idea what the treasure bell was capable of, but he was not intending to stay put like a sitting duck!

It might not be a graceful move, but grace was not as important as his life!

Still, despite his quick response, it was already too late.

World Origin Energy that had gathered in the surroundings materialised, forming into the shape of a giant bell.

Bang-!

This giant bell fell to the ground with a thunderous impact, caging Lu Tianzi within, along with the entire extraction team. The inner walls of the giant bell glowed, illuminating the space within.

Shit! The area of effect of this bell is too huge for him to escape in time!

Lu Tianzi cursed inwardly as he immediately brought out his Torrential Sabre.

Inscription skill of the Astral Way Inscription!

Lu Tianzi swung down with all his might, but the result was far from what he had expected.

There was no thunderous impact.

There was no oppressive counterflow of energy from the walls of the giant bell.

All that happened was the Torrential Sabre coming into contact with the inner walls of the giant bell, and then stopping silently.

Lu Tianzi widened his eyes in shock.

No matter how much strength he exerted, he could not push the Torrential Blade any further forward, yet it felt as though there was nothing there. It was as though the walls of the giant bell did not exist, and he had struck an invisible screen that was simply immovable.

"Hahaha! What an impressive show of might!" Beiqian You laughed from behind. "Why don't you try again? Perhaps it will work this time!"

"Yeah, why don't you try again? Aren't you proud of your sword and sabre techniques?" another member of the extraction team chimed in.

"Don't tease him like that. For all you know, he might really take you seriously!" yet another one of them added.

Lu Tianzi let out a deep breath before turning around to face them, looking past everyone to stare straight at Beiqian You. "What is the meaning of this?"

"What a domineering tone, do you still not realise what kind of situation you are in right now?" Beiqian You snorted in contempt. "Then again, I guess in your mind, you will think that you are the main character of the world, and everyone is just there to help you shine brighter. Well, let me tell you this. You are wrong! There are consequences to every action, and this is exactly what happens to people who are too arrogant for their own good!"

Lu Tianzi frowned.

From Beiqian You's words, it sounded like there was a deep grudge between them. But Lu Tianzi was absolutely sure that he had even never met them before!

How was he supposed to offend Beiqian You then?

Wait a minute, Beiqian You?

Beiqian of the Flying Dragon Hall?

"It seems like you have finally remembered. Took you long enough!" Beiqian You's tone was filled with absolute malice. "Before you die, I want to hear it from your mouth! Say it, say that you are the one who killed my elder brother Peng back then before the Scarlet Moon Heroes Meet!"