Only Lu Qian remained calm. He activated a Silence Talisman, taking a deep breath before saying, "Senior brothers and sisters, let's meditate for a while to restore our Spiritual Power."
Unknowingly, he had become the backbone of the team. Everyone followed his words, sitting down cross-legged and began meditating.
About half an hour later, the sound of commotion erupted outside the inn. It turned out those cultivators, unable to capture anyone, had returned to the marketplace. Everyone opened their eyes.
Lu Qian motioned for everyone to relax, "They didn't catch us, so they had to disperse. Even if someone suspects we entered the marketplace, they can't search for us, so we're safe for now."
Qingfeng asked worriedly, "Junior Brother, how did a bounty suddenly appear out of nowhere?"
Lu Qian replied solemnly, "Naturally, it's Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain's doing."
Zhang Lemei couldn't help but ask, "Why hadn't we heard of any bounties when we were at Black Stone Marketplace then?"
"It must be because the bounty hadn't been issued when we were at Black Stone. Unable to catch me in Quyang County, Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain sent messages to various places and issued the bounty. Alternatively, other marketplaces might have learned of the bounty earlier than Black Stone."
The situation was grim, and Lu Qian continued, "Based on our recent experience, the bounty targets me specifically. You brothers and sisters should not be listed. After all, the Wang Family and Ziluo Mountain only want the Sect Leader's Ring in my possession and have no time to bother about other disciples. Fortunately, this Songling Square is just a small marketplace without a Foundation Establishment Feather Scholar overseeing it. If a Foundation Establishment Scholar were to intervene, we wouldn't stand a chance."
Several people looked troubled, while Lu Qian's mind raced, considering something he didn't voice aloud.
The fact that only the leader is rewarded, while disciples are ignored, might cause the leader to become paranoid and instill disloyalty among the following disciples.
For instance, he could trust Jiang Qingfeng and Jiang Baitao absolutely. But as for Tan Hong and his wife, although emotionally he trusted these two brothers and sisters, now he had to be extremely cautious.
Enough, originally, they didn't want to continue fleeing. Moreover, the grudges in their hearts hadn't been settled. Adding to that, the Late-Stage Qi Cultivation Practitioner from earlier was still alive; soon their distinctive feature of being two women, a child, and a man would spread. They couldn't continue acting together. It was better to part ways sooner.
Thinking of this, Lu Qian glanced out the window; it was already evening and the aroma of food from the streets began to fill the air as the noise gradually subsided.
"Senior brothers and sisters, let's change our clothes and put on new masks. Those people don't know where we are and won't foolishly wait at the marketplace entrance. Tonight, when it's quiet, we'll leave in groups. Heading south over six hundred miles, there's Yangji Square, let's head there first."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
It was now 11:00 PM. Once prepared, Lu Qian divided them into two groups. Jiang Qingfeng, Jiang Baitao, and Zhang Lemei led the way, while Lu Qian and Tan Hong brought up the rear.
The two women took Baitao and exited the archway first. It was silent all around, with no voices heard, and they breathed a sigh of relief as Jiang Qingfeng activated a Communication Talisman. Moments later, Lu Qian and Tan Hong also emerged.
Lu Qian passed by the bulletin board, taking a glance, and found his bounty prominently displayed among other notices.
Anyone who captured him and handed him over to the marketplace would receive eight thousand Spirit Stones. The notice included name, portrait, cultivation, and spiritual root but did not mention Lu Qian's identity as Yunshan Sect Leader.
Lu Qian shook his head; they wanted the ring in his possession, why would they reveal his identity? Eight thousand Spirit Stones? They underestimated him.
The group hurriedly boarded the Flying Ship and sped away.
This time, everyone was burdened with thoughts and remained silent, focusing solely on traveling. Every half hour, they switched off controlling the Flying Ship, allowing the previous person to meditate and recover. Moving at full speed, after three hours, the archway of Yangji Square began to appear in the distance.
By now, the dawn was over and daylight was bright. Controlling the Flying Ship, Lu Qian hid in the mountain forest near the marketplace. After a night of travel and high tension, everyone was quite exhausted.
Knowing it was time to part, Lu Qian straightforwardly cupped his hands to Tan Hong and his wife, "Senior brothers and sisters, with the enemy offering a high bounty on me, staying with me will inevitably draw trouble. This Yangji Square is a medium-sized marketplace with a lot of people. If the virtuous couple enter and hide your identities, you can have a peaceful period for rest."
Tan Hong and his wife remained silent for a while. Eventually, Tan Hong asked, "Junior Brother, what do you plan to do?"
Lu Qian smiled, "No need to worry, Senior Brother. We simply won't enter the marketplace. The spread of such bounties has limits. If we go beyond a few counties or after a while, no one will pay attention. Anyway, materials have already been procured plentifully, there's no rush to enter a marketplace."
Seeing Tan Hong and his wife were still silent, Lu Qian knew they felt guilty now. But such guilt couldn't be transformed into action. Even if he kept them, after some time when the guilt faded, they'd start resenting him again.
It was better to decisively part, allowing time to heal old wounds, and they'd remember his goodness.
So he found an excuse, "Plus, this bounty needs further investigation. Perhaps only the recent Songling is offering a bounty on me? Or the bounty details have changed? Please, Senior brothers and sisters, help me confirm this in the marketplace."
They were surprised but nodded in agreement.
Lu Qian looked at them deeply, bowed, and said, "So, I'll rely on Senior brothers and sisters."
Zhang Lemei still talked to Jiang Qingfeng for quite some time. Afterward, the two took out a shabby Flying Spiritual Artifact and flew towards Yangji Square.
Time ticked away, and as the sun reached its zenith, Lu Qian and Jiang Qingfeng had also completed their meditation.
Just as Lu Qian assumed the two would no longer return and was about to leave, Tan Hong appeared hovering in the air on his artifact, but Zhang Lemei was no longer with him.
Tan Hong approached Lu Qian, looking ashamed, "Junior Brother, indeed, the marketplace featured a bounty for you alone. Your Senior Sister... has settled in the marketplace, waiting for me to join her. The road ahead is treacherous, and we cannot offer help."
Prepared for this, Lu Qian shook his head, "It doesn't matter, I've failed everyone too much."
Then he took out two Spirit Crystals and put them into Tan Hong's hands, "Senior Brother Tan, I don't have much, but please take this. Be careful when exchanging them, it should be enough for some time. Rest well, don't worry."
Tan Hong's body trembled as he stared blankly at the two Spirit Crystals, shame deepening his expression. After a moment of silence, he suddenly pulled out a box from his Storage Pouch and handed it to Lu Qian.
"Junior Brother, this item, indeed, should be used by you."
"What is it?"
Lu Qian looked at the stone box, hearing Tan Hong solemnly say, "The hope for the sect's revival may lie within."