Let's rewind to when we first entered the secret realm.

Qin An was not the only one to enter the secret realm this time; Ye Feiyu was also among the disciples.

He was incredibly lucky to have acquired so many rare and precious materials along the way when he entered the secret realm.

On the edge of a cliff, Ye Feiyu discovered the nest of the Crimson Flame Bird. Beside the nest grew a Vermilion Fruit.

Coincidentally, the vermilion fruit ripened just as Ye Feiyu arrived. The Crimson Flame Bird was not in its nest at that moment, giving Ye Feiyu an opportunity.

Ye Feiyu made a quick decision, picked the vermilion fruit, and put it into his storage bag.

Just after Ye Feiyu picked the vermilion fruit, a sharp cry rang out.

It turned out that the red flame bird had returned from its foraging trip.

Realizing he was in a bad situation, Ye Feiyu quickly left the area.

When the Crimson Flame Bird arrived, it only saw a small black dot flash by and disappear into the dense forest.

The Crimson Flame Bird was furious as it looked at the plucked Vermilion Fruit. It cried out wildly and stirred restlessly.

It spread its wings and flew into the depths of the dense forest.

Hiding under a bush, Ye Feiyu watched helplessly as the Crimson Flame Bird flew overhead. He couldn't help but pat his chest and breathe a sigh of relief.

"They're finally gone."

Meanwhile, on his way to the dense forest, Qin An encountered several disciples being attacked by a herd of giant rhinoceroses. Upon seeing Qin An, the disciples exclaimed and urged him to leave immediately.

But it was too late; the Megalodon had already noticed Qin An and sent several of its own to attack him.

Qin An swung his Bloodthirsty Sword, and streaks of white light flashed. Under Qin An's sharp sword light, all the Megalodons fell.

After Qin An rescued the disciples, they were very grateful and wanted to follow him. Qin An couldn't refuse, so he let them follow him at a distance.

Just as they were heading deeper into the dense forest, a sharp cry rang out.

It turns out that the Crimson Flame Bird, unable to find a target for its revenge, flew here.

The Crimson Flame Bird was in a state of rage and attacked without thinking upon seeing humans.

The disciples were terrified. Qin An drew his Bloodthirsty Sword and began to fight the Crimson Flame Bird.

Qin An recalled Shu Lan's words of instruction: his master had said, "We must not implicate the weak." Qin An silently thought to himself, "Then I must make them leave this place."

"You all need to get out of here right now!" Qin An shouted to his disciples after making up his mind.

"Then what will you do, Uncle-Master?"

"I'll hold it off, you guys run!"

“But…” Just as the disciple was about to say something, another disciple tugged at his sleeve. “We’re only a burden to our master if we stand here. We’re only at the Qi Refining stage; we can’t help him. Leaving now is the right thing to do!”

So the disciples nodded and turned to leave. "Master Uncle, take care!" several disciples called out as they ran.

Let's turn our attention back to Shu Lan.

After inquiring with one of her disciples, Shu Lan learned that her apprentice was blocking the Crimson Flame Bird ahead. Her mind was in turmoil, and without thinking, she flew on her sword towards the place where the battle had begun.

"Hey! Qin Shu, where are you going?! It's dangerous, come back quickly!" Zhang Keke shouted hurriedly when she saw Shu Lan flying towards the Crimson Flame Bird.

"I'll go help! You all better leave now!" Shu Lan flew away without looking back, his voice carried on the wind.

"You brat! That Crimson Flame Bird was clearly at the late Golden Core stage, and you're only at the early Foundation Establishment stage! Do you have to be so reckless?!" Shu Lan cursed Qin An a hundred and eighty times in her mind as she hurried along.

"Hold on, disciple!" Shu Lan increased the speed of her sword flight even further, leaving only a blur in the air.

Let's take a look at Qin An's side.

As it risked falling from the sky once more, Qin An struck the Crimson Flame Bird with his sword again. The Crimson Flame Bird shrieked, and another bloody gash appeared on its body.

The Crimson Flame Bird was already covered in blood, but Qin An was clearly in a much worse state. The Crimson Flame Bird only had some superficial wounds, while Qin An suffered not only external injuries but also numerous internal ones. He was completely covered in blood, the blood stains making his clothes appear even darker.

The Crimson Flame Bird swooped down, its claw aimed at Qin An. Qin An dodged to the side, then somersaulted and landed at the same height as the Crimson Flame Bird's head.

Qin An thrust his sword forward, piercing directly into one of the Crimson Flame Bird's eyes.

The Crimson Flame Bird let out a miserable cry and shook its head wildly, throwing Qin An off.

Some disciples in the late Foundation Establishment stage believed they could hide at any time, so they stood in secluded places, watching from a distance.

Just then, a disciple pointed at the Crimson Flame Bird and said, "Look! Something's not right!"

After letting out a miserable cry, the flames on the Crimson Flame Bird intensified, making the bird even larger, and its only remaining eye turned dark red.

"Oh no! It's gone berserk!" one of the disciples exclaimed.

"It seems he's in grave danger!" A disciple standing under the tree shook his head, saying with a hint of regret. "It's been a long time since I've seen someone so powerful."

"Yes, he delayed the Crimson Flame Bird for a long time with his early Foundation Establishment cultivation."

"I didn't expect the Crimson Flame Bird to be so berserk now, what a pity." Many disciples sighed in regret.

After going berserk, the Crimson Flame Bird's attacks became even more ferocious.

Qin An was increasingly overwhelmed. Just as he was slammed to the ground by a claw, a sense of despair washed over him. He watched helplessly as the Crimson Flame Bird charged towards him, and closed his eyes with reluctance. "Master, I'm sorry. Little An may never be able to stay with you again."

Just then, a flash of sword light appeared. The entire Crimson Flame Bird was cleaved in two, quickly solidifying into an ice sculpture, and then turning into dust.

The instant Shu Lan arrived, he saw Qin An close his eyes, surrendering without resistance. His mind went blank, and without thinking, he released his cultivation suppression and instantly killed the Crimson Flame Bird with a single sword strike.

Qin An watched as a disciple in white robes landed in front of him, feeling a surge of excitement.

"Is it...is it Master?" Qin An asked in disbelief.

Shu Lan took a deep breath, knowing he couldn't hide it any longer, and removed his disguise. He turned around, his face full of anger, and glared at Qin An: "You think you're so capable? Do you know that if I had arrived a moment later, you would never have seen me again!"

Qin An suddenly threw himself into Shu Lan's arms: "Master, Master actually came to save me. Little An is so happy." Qin An snuggled affectionately against Shu Lan's chest.

Shu Lan was rendered speechless by Qin An's sudden patting, and could only helplessly pat his back gently. "If I don't save you, who will I save? I only have one little An."

"Mmm!" Qin An nestled affectionately in Shu Lan's arms.

Meanwhile, the disciples watching from a distance were in an uproar. "My God! That's our Grandmaster Uncle!"

"Why did Grandmaster Uncle come to the secret realm?"

"Is that the power of a Nascent Soul stage expert? That's incredible!"

...

"Qin Shu?" A somewhat uncertain voice came from behind Shu Lan.