Chapter 8: Counterattack strategy

Diata's Illusionary Beast was a Flame Bird, ranked Fifth Rank.
He was the pride of the Leach Family, second only to Iwao.
This transaction with the Wind Sword Sect was crucial!
Only with Iwao dead could he enter the Wind Sword Sect to cultivate and step into a larger world.
The Flame Bird beneath him emitted a sharp cry, and suddenly flames soared into the sky, forming an indescribable rain of terror. It cascaded down from the sky, piercing through the surrounding tree trunks, leaving craters on the ground.
Iwao's eyes were cold. Ever since he severed ties with the Leach Family, everything from the past had turned into dust.
Diata?
Nothing more than a lifelong enemy!
"Swoosh!"
Iwao's physique strengthened, visible vines covering his body at an astonishing speed.
Like a wild beast, he leaped high into the air, forcefully breaking through the rain of fire and grabbing the Flame Bird's slender neck.
"You're seeking death!"
Diata's pupils flashed with killing intent.
Activating his Maneuver, he transformed into a flaming longsword out of thin air, slashing towards Iwao.
"Kid, don't linger in battle!" Travis shouted, rushing towards the flaming longsword.
A burst of flame shot out, nearly singeing the leaves above Travis's head.
He reached out to pull Iwao. "Let's go!"
Iwao's eyes were filled with anger. It was as if thunder exploded inside him. With rapid fluctuations in his chest, unimaginable force erupted as he swung the Flame Bird's body around and slammed it onto the ground.
"Boom!"
A loud crash resounded as the Flame Bird crashed to the ground.
Even Diata was left in a sorry state.
"Survival isn't shameful; only death is!" Travis didn't waste a second, pulling Iwao away.
The two vanished into the jungle, leaving no trace behind in moments.
Diata climbed to his feet from the ground, his expression grim.
He clenched his fists. "Iwao, you can't escape!"
"Young master, are you alright?" The Chief of the Guard approached.
"Chase after them!"
Diata's face was chillingly cold.
Today, no matter what, Iwao couldn't be allowed to leave Purple Chain Mountain alive!
Once the Wind Sword Sect learned of Iwao's death, they sent their emblem.
If Mateo found out Iwao was still alive, it would be a huge problem.
The family would have to bear all the consequences!
"Hey hey hey, turn left up ahead... No, there's a Beast, let's go right!"
Travis sat on Iwao's head, frantically directing him.
Iwao was completely baffled. Was Travis sure he wasn't just causing chaos?
In the sky behind them, Diata rode the Flame Bird, his gaze cold and aloof.
"In my eyes, you're nothing more than a dog without a home. Even if I let you escape, how far can you run?" Diata sneered at Iwao's back.
This time, he had him trapped!
Iwao glanced back, unsurprised by the situation. In the family, there was a Chief of the Guard whose Illusionary Beast was a Brocade-furred White Rat, exceptionally skilled in tracking. Simply fleeing would hardly get him out of their grasp!
"Boom!"
A fireball soared towards him from behind. With his agile movements, Iwao dodged the exploding fireball. Yet, the terrifying heatwave it unleashed still seared his back, making his blood boil.
Diata wore a smirk, continuously releasing fireballs, akin to a cat toying with a mouse. The surrounding Chiefs of the Guard laughed heartily, convinced that Iwao wouldn't escape this time!
They had forgotten how Iwao, single-handedly and bloodied, had helped establish a solid foundation for the Leach Family!
"Young master, let me handle this!"
A Chief of the Guard rubbed his hands eagerly. "I've despised this kid for a while now. Remember when he fooled around with that woman and broke my legs? He even deprived me of a year's worth of training resources, preventing me from advancing!"
Diata gave the man a nod, and his Illusionary Beast, a boar, concentrated its energy, manifesting a sharp spear in the man's hand.
Then, he hurled it at Iwao's back!
"Whoosh!"
The spear pierced the air with a piercing hum. Iwao lifted his hand and, with a swift motion, launched himself off the ground. Then, with a punch, he shattered the incoming spear.
"Crack!"
The spear broke into several pieces, and the force attached to it sent Iwao flying.
"Indeed, my skills are still lacking!"
Iwao wiped the blood from his mouth, abandoning the fight. With a swift movement, he continued fleeing into the depths of the jungle.
"Hahaha..."
"See? He's wounded."
"Is this the once prestigious prodigy, now reduced to... a mere dog!"
Laughter echoed from behind.
"Continuing to flee isn't the solution..."
Iwao's eyes gradually filled with determination.
Travis was startled. "What are you planning? Please, don't go all out; we're no match for them!"
"Not a match? Then we'll find a way!"
Iwao shouted, his anger controlled but his mind clear. Engaging head-on would be futile, but in these deep woods, with his all-seeing vision, he had the upper hand!
With proper utilization, perhaps he could turn the tables.
"Kid, I advise you to swallow your pride. As the saying goes..."
Travis muttered, unsure.
"Iwao snapped, 'Damn! What's with the holding back? If you're scared, just say it! Can't stand spineless folks!'"
"Kid, why are you talking to Travis like that? Scared? When has Travis ever been scared!"
Travis grinned, grabbing Iwao's hair. "You dare look down on me? Argh, you're getting on my nerves!"
Though the situation seemed dire, there was still a chance for a counterattack.
Iwao's mind raced, contemplating his next move.
Ahead, the terrain opened up, revealing a cliff edge.
"Let's see where you can run now," Diata sneered.
Beyond the cliff lay the depths of Purple Chain Mountain.
Powerful Beasts often roamed there, posing a threat to anyone below the Fifth Level of the Earth Spirit Realm. Venturing in meant risking death!
"Let's go!" Without hesitation, Iwao leaped off the cliff, the mist enveloping him, chilling him to the bone.
"Is this kid insane?" A Chief of the Guard exclaimed. "Is he going into the depths of Purple Chain Mountain?"
"Chase after him!" Diata's face twisted in a grimace. "We need to confirm his death!"
As Iwao descended rapidly, he memorized every detail of the surroundings using his senses.
"Three, two, one!" As he silently counted to one, Iwao flicked his fingers, releasing a vine from his palm, and wrapping it around a massive rock on the mountainside. With a swing, he propelled himself into a nearby cave.
The cave was well-hidden, concealed by mist and miasma from the outside, making it difficult to spot.
"Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!" Diata led the Chiefs of the Guard past the cave entrance.
But none of this escaped Iwao's perception!
With a terrifying gleam in his eyes, Iwao flicked his wrist again, silently sending a vine to wrap around the head of the last Chief of the Guard, dragging him into the cave without a sound.