The fake clan chief was overjoyed to hear the two people's cries for help.
He laughed wildly: "Zhang Fan, you're not as smart as they say. I only used a little trick and you were captured alive."
"The position of vice sect leader is rightfully mine, hahaha!"
He was immersed in his own fantasy, imagining those who had looked down on him before being trampled under his feet, calling him the deputy sect leader, enjoying the greatest glory.
Zhang Fan praised and begged for mercy, his eyes constantly scanning his surroundings, memorizing the route.
The bed board in the chieftain's room was lifted, revealing a secret passage. A staircase led down the passage, and oil lamps lit up on both sides. Under the dim light, there was a narrow tunnel built with earthen walls.
After turning countless corners, we finally arrived at an open area.
They had already moved far away from the Tulou (earthen buildings), passed a pile of rubble, and walked seventeen steps forward. A thin mist rose up, and when the mist dissipated, the scene before them changed.
The man threw Zhang Fan and Chi Fei to the ground, then rubbed his aching shoulders: "Zhang Fan, you're really heavy!"
Zhang Fan ignored him and looked around. This was an altar. He had explored the entire Miao Valley before but had not found this place.
It's possible they were teleported to another location by a magic array, or perhaps it was a technique of divination that hid this place, making it invisible to the naked eye.
"Clan leader! Clan leader!" Chi Fei shouted loudly.
Zhang Fan turned his head and saw that the clan leader's hands were tied behind his back, and his head was hanging down, making it impossible to tell whether he was alive or dead.
"Clan leader!" Chi Fei's hands were also tied behind her back, so she could only move her body to get closer to the clan leader.
"Don't worry, she's not dead yet. I still have a use for her."
The clan chief slowly awoke at Chi Fei's call. Upon seeing Chi Fei, she was startled and asked in a hoarse voice, "How did you get captured too?"
"I'm fine, how are you?" Chi Fei looked at the clan leader's dry lips and pale face with great concern.
The clan leader, though angry, didn't shake her head. She noticed Zhang Fan behind Chi Fei and saw that his hands were also tied behind his back. She asked in confusion, "Who is this?"
Chi Fei was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized that when she and Zhang Fan returned to Miao territory, they had already met the fake clan chief.
"He is Zhang Fan, the legendary figure who can destroy the Heavenly Dragon Sect and save other sects," the man proudly introduced.
Upon hearing Zhang Fan's name, the clan leader's pupils constricted, and a glimmer of hope flickered in her eyes. However, upon seeing that Zhang Fan was being controlled, that hope was quickly extinguished.
"Song Renli, release Chi Fei! She's innocent!" The clan chief turned around and glared fiercely at the man.
"That won't do. With him, all my previous efforts will have paid off."
The fake chieftain touched behind his ear, and then something appeared in his hand: a piece of silk cloth the same color as his skin, with human features drawn on it, exactly like the chieftain's. "This thing is really boring. Your face used to be so beautiful, and now it's covered in wrinkles."
As he spoke, he touched the silk cloth as if he were touching his lover's face, and Zhang Fan felt a little physically uncomfortable.
Actually, just looking at the clan leader's face, her features are deep, and you can tell that she was a great beauty when she was young. It's just that the man opposite her has a childish voice, like a little child and an old woman, which is really too incongruous.
However, Zhang Fan had no time to think about these things. His eyes were fixed on the silk cloth. So this was the art of disguise, so realistic that even his closest friends and family couldn't tell the difference.
While the Transformation Talisman also has this effect, it consumes spiritual energy, and ordinary people may not be able to maintain the transformation for more than a few minutes.
The art of disguise doesn't consume spiritual energy and allows one to transform anytime, anywhere; it's truly impressive.
Song Renli said in a childish voice, "Don't worry, since you like her so much, I won't hurt her. After Zhang Fan's matter is resolved, I will spare your life."
"Pah! Disgusting!" the clan chief exclaimed indignantly.
Song Renli chuckled and said, "Back then, you didn't say I was disgusting; you were actually quite fascinated by my face."
"Pooh!"
Song Renli's voice was childish, sounding like that of a child, yet his words suggested an ambiguous relationship between him and the clan leader, which seemed extremely incongruous.
Zhang Fan couldn't help but look up and saw a youthful, tender face of a boy who looked to be about ten years old. His skin was delicate, his cheeks were plump, and he was full of collagen.
However, Zhang Fan could tell at a glance that Song Renli was not young.
Although Song Renli does look young, his eyes have a weathered look, the kind of experience only older people have.
Zhang Fan: "Old Song, aren't you afraid someone else will snatch me away if you leave me here?"
Song Renli snorted coldly: "No one will find you."
"Since no one has discovered this place, who will inform the Tianlong Sect? What if someone beats you to it, or someone tries to steal your credit?"
Song Renli said confidently, "I have already informed the sect leader; there's no need for anyone else."
"The two places are so far apart, it will take several days. What if something changes along the way?"
Song Renli: "The sect leader has a teleportation array and will arrive soon. You can't escape."
"Is he here, or outside? Are you going to pick him up?"
Song Renli felt that Zhang Fan was talking too much, so he closed his eyes, sat cross-legged, and practiced breathing exercises, ignoring whatever Zhang Fan said.
Chi Fei whispered to the clan leader, "Clan leader, don't worry, we will definitely rescue you."
Song Renli said quietly, "We can't save them."
Chi Fei was startled, knowing that Song Renli could hear her, so she dared not speak again. She subconsciously looked up at Zhang Fan, who shook his head slightly at her, and Chi Fei dared not say anything more.
When Song Renli was meditating, he opened his eyes and glanced at Zhang Fan. He saw Zhang Fan lying on his back on the ground, looking lazy and languid.
He scoffed coldly, thinking that Zhang Fan was nothing to fear and that he had no idea what the sect leader was afraid of.
Before they knew it, dawn was breaking. Chi Fei fell asleep leaning against the clan leader, and Zhang Fan curled up on the ground, snoring soundly.
Song Renli curled his lips in disdain. Zhang Fan must have an extraordinary heart to be able to sleep in this environment.
A bell at his waist rang, waking Chi Fei and the clan chief.
Zhang Fan was still lying on the ground, without making a sound.
Song Renli shook the bell lightly, and then the bell sparkled.
A flash of golden light, and a dark figure appeared before them.
Chi Fei stared blankly at the person in the black robe, her legs twitched slightly, and her hand, which was behind her back, quietly reached for the long whip at her waist.
"Zhang Fan, I never expected us to meet like this." The man in black robes spoke with disdain.
Song Renli: "The sect leader is truly wise and powerful. He infiltrated the enemy's ranks and administered a slow-acting poison to Zhang Fan, causing him to lose all his power. He's practically a cripple now."
The man in black robes nodded in satisfaction: "The position of vice sect leader is rightfully yours!"
Song Renli couldn't help but smile and bowed to the sect leader: "Thank you for your kindness, sect leader. I just don't know if Zhang Fan has any spiritual energy left. Would absorbing his spiritual energy still be effective?"
The man in black robes said in a low, eerie voice, "You'll know once you try."
He made a sucking motion with his palm, drawing it towards Zhang Fan's head.
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