Having just left the city as he secretly followed behind his future second disciple's group, while remaining hidden by his pseudo domain, Fang Shi could not help but let out a sigh of relief as he looked towards Xuan Hao's figure still standing at the gate to the capital city. Waiting for the other elders from his side to get their hands on a few demon beasts for them to use on their way back.
As for how Fang Shi even knew about Li Yao's current situation, he was still an Artisan Alchemist with quite a large number of connections spread throughout the Sky Empire. Investigating Li Yao was an incredibly simple thing. Not to mention he already knew where she was from…
At this point, Fang Shi hoped that nothing would happen, and Li Yao and her group could safely make their way back onto the flying ship before flying back home.
This way, Xuan Hao would not be able to try and get him to fulfil his promise from yesterday's bet!
However, things did not go according to Fang Shi's wishes, as he suddenly felt several hostile presences rushing over towards his future second disciple and her group. Even worse, he very clearly felt that the group of people rushing over, were stronger than his future second disciple's group of elders… From the looks of it, it looked like he would need to step in and reveal himself.
Even if he got to show off in front of his future second disciple, Fang Shi did not feel the slightest bit happy about this. After all, when he revealed himself, Xuan Hao would instantly spot him!
But… Looking at the people approaching Li Yao's group from all sides just as they were about to reach the flying ship that had begun descending down towards them, Fang Shi knew that he would have to come out and protect Li Yao.
Unless he wanted to end up losing a disciple just after finding one…
"However,… How do they plan to get away? There is no way they don't know that such a commotion just outside the capital would alert Yi min. Unless, they don't plan to kidnap Li Yao!"
Muttering this to himself as he realized that the people approaching might very well be a group coming to sacrifice their own lives to take down his future second disciple Li Yao, Fang Shi narrowed both his eyes as he secretly moved closer to Li Yao. Making sure he could protect her properly during the upcoming battle!
Fwoosh!
Just as he managed to position himself close enough so that he could protect Li Yao in case her elders couldn't hold back the slowly approaching attackers, a powerful aura similar to his own suddenly flared up from the direction of the gate to the capital of the Iron Sky Kingdom just a few hundred meters away from him and Li Yao's group before directly charging towards Li Yao currently located in the middle of the group of Nascent Soul Realm elders.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
Followed by the powerful aura of someone at the Peak of the Nascent Soul Realm along with a pseudo domain, several dozen auras at the Nascent Soul Realm erupted around Li Yao's group from all directions before charging over filled with killing intent.
From the looks of it, the fear of the old man and the rest of the elders came true, as they were indeed attack on their way back from the alchemy competition!
The only thing causing them to feel slightly surprised, was the fact that their enemies did not wait until they had left the territory of the Iron Sky Kingdom, but instead decided to attack them before they had even managed to reach the flying ship.
Thinking about it, it was understandable to some degree, as fighting in the air was way riskier. Especially given the fact that none of the people rushing over had reached the Domain Lord Realm. Meaning if their flying demon beasts died while trying to approach the flying ship, they would fall straight to the ground and likely end up losing their physical body…
In the end, it seemed like they thought that it was a better option to attack Li Yao and her group when they were still on the ground. The only problem that remained, was the fact that they were currently just outside the capital of the Iron Sky Kingdom.
Escaping was pretty much impossible, as they were far too weak to run away from a Peak Domain Lord like Yi Min!
Attacking them in front of the capital was pretty much a death sentence…
"Who dares to behave so brazenly in front of the capital!?"
Followed by the appearances of a group of Nascent Soul Realm cultivators full of killing intent charging over towards Li Yao's group, the few Nascent Soul Realm guards secretly guarding the gate were instantly alerted.
Already knowing that the group targeted was the winner of the alchemy competition and a future disciple of the Artisan Alchemist Fang Shi, the few Nascent Soul Realm Experts at the gate quickly alert their superiors before rushing over to reinforce the group even before the attacks had managed to launch a single attack yet.
Whoosh!
Everything happened extremely quickly, as the Peak Nascent Soul Realm Expert with a pseudo domain who had charged over first ignored everyone and went directly for Li Yao.
Given the fact that he had a pseudo domain, it was easy for him to pass through the Nascent Soul Realm Experts without them having a chance to block him.
"No, you don't-"
Bang!
Just as Fang Shi revealed himself and was about to protect Li Yao from the Peak Nascent Soul Realm Expert who had passed through the tight formation of elders, an all too familiar figure appeared in front of Li Yao.
"Oh? You were here as well Fang Shi? I wonder if you remember our bet from yesterday?"
Casually blocking the Peak Nascent Soul Realm Expert who was just about to grab onto Li Yao, while at the same time rendering his pseudo domain useless, Xuan Hao chuckled light-heartedly as he smiled over towards the speechless Fang Shi just a few meters away.