"Fang Qi, He Min."

Shao Hong revealed the newcomers' identities, a stern look surfacing in his eyes. Fang Qi and He Min were also a Daoist couple at the half-step Profound Extreme Realm.

Compared to Jiang Zheng and Zou Ling'er, their strength was far greater.

During the previous disciple rankings, Fang Qi and He Min had placed in the top five of the first grade, ranking significantly higher than even Nan Li's pair.

Ning Fan's eyes also filled with solemnity as he looked toward Fang Qi and He Min. He could sense a palpable threat emanating from the two.

They were not simple!!

"Let's end this quickly. We still need to head to the spirit vein. Our cultivation time is only two days to begin with, and if we delay any further, we might just ruin this Fated Chance."

Fang Qi spoke in a faint, indifferent voice.

"Senior Brother Fang, act quickly and finish the matter arranged by Senior Brother Ji."

Jiang Zheng urged.

If Ning Fan were not eliminated, he would have to keep guarding this mountain path and would be unable to cultivate at the spirit vein. Jiang Zheng and Zou Ling'er naturally hoped Ning Fan would be dealt with early; that way, whether they entered the spirit vein or searched for cultivation resources, it would be far better than standing guard here.

"Junior Brother Ning, be careful."

Shao Hong's voice was grave as his body involuntarily retreated half a step, widening the distance between himself and Fang Qi and He Min. The strength of these two was not something Shao Hong could afford to provoke.

He could only offer a warning to Ning Fan.

"Scram!"

Ning Fan's figure flashed as he lunged straight for Fang Qi. The spiritual energy around his body surged madly, his physical power elevating to a terrifying level under the enhancement of the Tianxuan Heart Sutra.

"Heh, you didn't run away, but actually chose to face me head-on?"

"Oh, wait."

"Behind me is exactly where your path of retreat lies."

The corners of Fang Qi's mouth curled up. Facing Ning Fan's punch, he neither dodged nor evaded. His own profound essence surged as he threw a punch right back at the latter.

Crimson flames ignited upon the tip of Fang Qi's fist.

"Careful, Junior Brother Ning!"

"Fang Qi has mastered a Middle Grade Yellow Rank cultivation method. His bodily spiritual energy has completely evolved into flame spiritual energy, making it incredibly terrifying!!"

Shao Hong warned.

Ning Fan did not need Shao Hong's warning to realize Fang Qi's fearsome strength. This combat cultivation method had some genuine skill behind it; the flames on Fang Qi's fist caused the surrounding temperature to rise drastically.

"Boom-"

The fists collided heavily, unleashing a muffled explosion. The flames on Fang Qi's knuckles were scattered into a wild blaze, sending a stinging pain through Ning Fan's fists.

Yet, Ning Fan's feet took root, and he stood perfectly still in his original spot.

Instead, it was Fang Qi.

"Thump, thump-"

Fang Qi staggered back several steps in a row. He lowered his head to look at his own fist, a flash of astonishment surfacing on his face.

"Wh-what!?"

"To possess such strength... to actually force me back in a direct, head-on clash!?"

Fang Qi muttered in shock.

Jiang Zheng, Zou Ling'er, and Fang Qi's Daoist partner, He Min, all darkened their gazes. A heavy solemnity appeared in their eyes as they looked at Ning Fan.

"No wonder Nan Li fell by your hand. With this kind of physical power, if you were to master a combat skill, Nan Li would indeed be no match for you."

Fang Qi looked at Ning Fan, enunciating his words one by one.

"You."

"Are qualified to be my opponent!!!"

As the final word fell, the spiritual energy around Fang Qi's body surged frantically. The terrifying intensity of that spiritual energy infinitely approached the Profound Extreme Realm.

Ning Fan's expression was equally solemn. He raised his hand, and a faint snake shadow materialized over it.

Dragon Snake Evolution Hand!!

Just as Ning Fan prepared to engage Fang Qi in a deadly struggle, a figure flashed to the latter's side. It was Fang Qi's Daoist partner-He Min!

Spiritual energy surged around He Min's body as well. The spiritual energy of the two continuously intertwined in the air, bearing clear signs of fusing together.

As two streams of spiritual energy that infinitely approached the Profound Extreme Realm merged into one, they seemingly crossed that threshold, elevating to the true level of the Profound Extreme Realm!

"It's a combined combat skill!"

"Careful!"

The worry in Shao Hong's eyes intensified, and he anxiously called out a warning.

"A combined combat skill?"

Ning Fan slightly arched his brow; this was his first time hearing of such a thing.

"The Yin Yang Divine Sect emphasizes dual cultivation and harmony. It is very easy for Daoist couples to achieve perfect synchronization. Under such circumstances, if they master a special combat skill, it can be executed by both people together, thereby elevating the martial art to a terrifying level!"

"Fang Qi and He Min are executing a combined combat skill right now!"

Bai Ran added.

Ning Fan's pupils constricted slightly, the solemnity in his heart deepening. If it were just Fang Qi, Ning Fan believed he had the strength for a fight, but this combined combat skill...

It was going to be troublesome.

But matters had already reached this point, and Fang Qi was blocking Ning Fan and the others' path of retreat. There was no way Ning Fan could evade this clash!!

"Come!!"

Ning Fan let out a great shout. His foot ruthlessly stomped the ground, pushing his bodily spiritual energy to its absolute limit as he violently reached out to strike Fang Qi.

"Dragon Snake Evolution Hand!"

As his voice fell, the spiritual energy from Ning Fan's body manifested on his fist into a massive, greenish-grey serpent. The serpent was incredibly lifelike, far more corporeal and solid than before.

"Not bad."

"But still far from enough. Flame Wave Destroying Heaven Blast!!"

Fang Qi and He Min simultaneously threw out a palm strike from the left and right. Terrifying flames spewed forth from the palm wind, shooting violently toward Ning Fan's position.

The tidal wave of flames ruthlessly bombarded Ning Fan. In an instant, the greenish-grey snake shadow was annihilated by the fiery tide.

"Boom-"

The wave of flames crashed into Ning Fan and abruptly surged skyward, transforming into a crimson mushroom cloud, exactly identical to the one that had destroyed their camp earlier.

It was evidently the exact same combat skill that had destroyed Ning Fan and the others' tents.

Seeing the dire situation, Ning Fan crossed his arms and curled his body up as much as possible to withstand the terrifying shockwave of heat.

His entire body was sent flying backward like a ragdoll, subsequently crashing heavily into the earth.

At this moment, Ning Fan looked utterly wretched-his newly changed robes were mostly burnt away, several tufts of his hair were singed off, and his face was smeared with black soot.

"Husband!!"

Yun Qingyao's figure flashed as she ran directly to Ning Fan's side. But just as she arrived near him, Ning Fan leapt straight into the air.

He grabbed Yun Qingyao's wrist and ran!

"Let's go!"

His speed was as fast as an arrow leaving the bowstring, causing everyone present to stare in a slight daze. Logically speaking, after forcefully taking the brunt of Fang Qi and He Min's combined combat skill, Flame Wave Destroying Heaven Blast, Ning Fan's body should have suffered severe injuries. Yet judging from his swift escape speed...

He was practically unaffected!?

"Stay behind!"

A savage glint flashed across Fang Qi's eyes. His figure blurred as he prepared to chase after Ning Fan and Yun Qingyao's retreating backs, but in the next instant, a figure blocked his path.

-It was Shao Hong.

"Shao Hong!"

"You dare block me? Making an enemy of me, Senior Brother Ji, and Senior Sister Lin-do you know what kind of fate such actions will bring?"

Fang Qi glared fixedly at Shao Hong.

"Heh heh."

Facing Fang Qi's threat, Shao Hong chuckled softly. He repeatedly begged for mercy with his words, but his feet made absolutely no movement to step aside.

"Senior Brother Fang, we are all fellow disciples of the same sect. Why must you drive them to extinction? With you guarding this place, Junior Brother Ning Fan simply cannot ascend the mountain."

"So why bother chasing him?"

Faced with Shao Hong's deliberate stalling, Fang Qi's patience was completely exhausted.

"Shao Hong, I will only ask you one thing."

"Move."

"Or don't move!"