The Underground Palace Tomb buried beneath Ohno Temple descends directly from the peak of Qingyun Mountain, with a height of several hundred meters at the minimum.

Only relying on the ladder going back and forth can one safely reach it.

The ladder is now gone, evidently destroyed by Igarashi.

Even though he was a mere step away from victory, this guy still thinks meticulously.

"This guy is truly a terrifying enemy..."

Xu Fan looked at the only remaining iron chain at the mouth of the well, and couldn't help but sigh.

If it were just him, leaping down into the well shouldn't be too difficult, but with Asao Mai here, he needed to find a way to ensure she wouldn't be hurt.

Even though she now already...

Cautiously placing Asao Mai's body by the edge of the well, Xu Fan jumped onto the mouth of the well and grabbed the iron rope hanging at its center.

Veins visible on his arm, Xu Fan exerted force, directly tearing down the remaining iron rope.

There was no time to delay; Xu Fan was only left with one option, and that was to gamble!

Carrying Asao Mai, he might get hurt leaping down, but he couldn't worry about that now!

Xu Fan strapped Asao Mai securely on his back with the iron rope, then jumped off the well mouth.

Taking a deep breath, Xu Fan leaped directly into the well!

Despite the few hundred meters looking extremely short-lived, it was perilous beyond measure! Xu Fan didn't dare to relax even slightly!

His toes continually tapped along the edge of the well wall, carrying Asao Mai, leaping downwards!

It took quite a while before reaching the bottom!

With a thud! Landing on the ground with Asao Mai, Xu Fan couldn't help but start panting heavily.

Fortunately, he wasn't injured during the descent, just a bit of exhaustion.

After catching his breath, Xu Fan removed the iron rope from himself, carrying Asao Mai, and went into the depths.

God knows where Igarashi already is; he mustn't waste any time catching up to him.

Concerned in his heart, Xu Fan hurried along, and soon arrived back at the underground plaza he had visited before.

"What is this?"

From the plaza, the sound of mechanisms clicking constantly filled the air, and the grand Underground Palace door was slowly rising under the force of the mechanism.

Just as Xu Fan anticipated, the mechanism for the Underground Palace door was laid at the plaza's edge, constituted by several Bronze Tripods!

Bronze cauldrons floated in the air above the plaza, shining brilliantly.

Under each Bronze Cauldron, there was someone in the midst of practicing martial arts.

"So that's how it is..."

Accompanied by their performances, threads of Spiritual Power could be seen pouring into the Bronze Cauldrons from the tops of their heads.

Xu Fan observed, murmuring to himself.

Their martial arts included those from Dongying Martial Arts families!

Each person performed their disciplines, and combined, activated the Bronze Cauldron Formation!

In the center of the formation, someone carried a coffin, their eyes locked on the slowly opening door.

Dressed identically to the guy they encountered in the earlier hall, this must be the real Igarashi.

Luckily, this guy hadn't entered the Underground Palace Tomb yet.

Xu Fan carried Asao Mai as he glanced at Igarashi.

"Looks like I arrived just in time."

...

Upon hearing the noise behind him, Igarashi turned around with the stone coffin on his back.

Seeing Xu Fan, he couldn't help but freeze.

"Hm, it seems you have some skills."

A smirk soon formed on his lips.

In his original plan, Xu Fan should have died in the internal struggle of Ohno Temple, and wouldn't have possibly reached the door of the Underground Palace Tomb.

Given Xu Fan's surprising appearance, Igarashi didn't mind praising him.

After all, he's never reluctant to compliment the dead.

"Enough is enough, I'll go in first; you guys take care of him for me."

"Yes, master!"

Though curious about how Xu Fan managed to overcome obstacles to reach here, Igarashi wasn't about to fuss over it.

He instructed his subordinates briefly, carrying the stone coffin on his back, and dashed toward the half-open Underground Palace door!

"Damn it..."

If Igarashi entered the Underground Palace Tomb before him, it would mean Asao Mai would truly die!

Xu Fan cursed under his breath and prepared to pursue!

"Stop!"

"Your opponents are us!"

But without allowing Xu Fan to catch up to Igarashi, several bronze cauldron handlers blocked his path like poisonous snakes.

Igarashi had issued orders not to let him disrupt his plans.

Serving the lord's interests meant putting the lord's worries ahead of everything.

They were willing to pay any price to block Xu Fan.

They unleashed deadly strikes at him, attacking fiercely!

Their concern wasn't about justice or morality; stopping Xu Fan and completing the master's orders was the true path!

This group, unknown from where Igarashi found such experts, now attacked in unison with intimidating momentum!

Thankfully, Xu Fan was alert and avoided falling into their hands.

"Friends, I advise you to step aside."

As everyone stepped forward, blocking Xu Fan's way, it was clear the cauldrons in the plaza idolized by spiritual power began losing strength, sinking down.

As this happened, the partially open Underground Palace door also sank slowly.

If delayed a few minutes more, the door would close again!

By then, he'd be outside the door while Igarashi would have entered the Underground Palace Tomb; the life-saving medicine would be out of reach!

With a warning, Xu Fan marched straight toward the door.

However, the ancient cultivators acted as if they'd ignored his words.

Their intent gaze showed no thought of giving Xu Fan any leeway.

"Alright, since you choose to block me, then block me with your lives!"

This group, following all the way here, clearly aligned with Igarashi's trusted subordinates.

Xu Fan had no inclination for delay, carrying Asao Mai, continued moving forward without looking back.

Despite having Asao Mai on his back, hindering his performance, Xu Fan had no other option now.

This was the only choice.

However, there was no need to worry too much.

His state wasn't at its peak, but the group wasn't necessarily in a better state.

Xu Fan truly didn't believe he couldn't beat them!

As they encircled him, Xu Fan tightly embraced Asao Mai, casting his gaze upon the challengers.

Since they refused to let him pass, Xu Fan wouldn't mind treading over their corpses!

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