He Lan Tianxia

With a snap, Murong Junlan's concentration wavered, and the abbot's staff slipped from the two thin ropes, swung backhand in a sutra-reading motion, and slashed diagonally at the woman. Murong Junlan was startled; the woman's rope had entangled his own, temporarily immobilizing him. In a moment of quick thinking, he coiled and flicked the other end of the rope, securing it to the staff. Murong Junlan pulled, nearly causing the abbot to drop the staff. He tried to use the opportunity to flash to the woman's side, but the other four monks of the Little Vajra Formation turned and attacked simultaneously. Murong Junlan couldn't release the rope, nor could he retract it. Seeing the abbot's staff about to strike, Murong Junlan shouted to Yan'er:

"My beloved concubine, let go."

Little did he know that the woman would disobey Murong Junlan's words and tighten her grip on the thin rope even more. This was not good for anyone. Murong Junlan could not pull the weapon out of his hand, and in order to protect Yan'er's safety, he decided to abandon the rope. As soon as he let go, the abbot's staff came crashing down on him.

Murong Junlan caught the powerful attack with his bare hands. Seeing Murong Junlan discard his weapon, the abbot flicked the end of his staff and snatched the thin rope from the woman's hand.

"Let go!" Murong Junlan shouted, and in his haste, a hidden arrow shot from his sleeve straight at the abbot. The abbot abandoned the rope to dodge, but suddenly, the Little Vajra group turned to the right in unison, creating a whirlwind that made the thin rope spin like a spiral. Ling Yi rushed forward at the risk of his life to help retrieve the rope but missed. Luo Xie swung his carrying pole wildly, and his unorthodox attacks caused the Little Vajra formation to shake, revealing an opening.

Murong Junlan unleashed a surge of immense power at the opening of the Lesser Vajra Formation, then used his desert lightness skill to leap and spin. Just as he reached out to catch the thin rope, the abbot's staff struck. Lingyi, seeing this, opened his mouth wide and spat fiercely at the abbot. The abbot withdrew his staff to dodge, and the four monks simultaneously attacked the thin rope. Luo Xie used his carrying pole to clear it, and the monks once again exposed an opening. This time, Murong Junlan ignored the thin rope; he followed Luo Xie's momentum and charged towards the Lesser Vajra Formation.

*Pfft.* There was a sound of something breaking. Murong Junlan and Luo Xie exerted their strength again, *pfft...* The Little Vajra Formation was about to break. The abbot abandoned Ling Yi and rushed back, but it was too late. The four monks had already had their formation disrupted by Murong Junlan and Luo Xie, and there was no way to reverse the situation.

*Snap.* The Lesser Vajra Formation shattered. Ignoring Lingyi's gaping maw, the abbot flicked a thin rope, sending it flying straight at Murong Junlan. Although Murong Junlan was momentarily stunned, suspecting the abbot's ulterior motives, he still reached out and caught the rope. Just as Murong Junlan caught it, the abbot suddenly whirled around and squeezed next to the woman, his speed so fast the pale-faced scholar didn't even have time to react. The abbot grabbed the woman's neck and threatened:

"Stand back."

The pale-faced scholar tried to move, but one of the monks from the Lesser Vajra Formation rushed over and pinned him down. The scholar, severely injured, was helpless and could only submit to his opponent. Several monks seized the opportunity to rush over and re-establish the Lesser Vajra Formation.

This miniature Vajra Formation was different from the previous one; the princess was also inside, so Murong Junlan and the others dared not make a move. The abbot took a few steps, then, finding the pale-faced scholar in the way, struck him with his staff, forcing the kidnapped woman to retreat up the mountain. Just then, a disheveled old man tumbled down the mountain path, shouting loudly:

"Your Highness, something terrible has happened! Guard Jiang has been captured by them."

Just as a monk was about to grab the old man, Murong Junlan swung a thin rope and gently pulled the old man over. The old man rolled over, his heart still pounding in his chest.