Shen Heilian's overwhelming power and tactical wit were on full display as she easily subdued Hall Master Tian Xinghan, despite his surprise attack. Meanwhile, Chen Ya displayed incredible combat prowess, driving her swordsmanship to new heights under the pressure of life-and-death battle. She fought alongside Shen Heilian to suppress Tian Xinghan, but just as victory seemed imminent, a new challenger arrived.
"Master Xiong!!"
Amidst the swirling dust, Tian Xinghan's exclamatory voice echoed.
Brother Tian could not clearly discern the ongoing skirmish within, only catching fleeting glimpses of several figures clashing rapidly, accompanied by the dull sounds of impacts. When they finally disengaged, Shen Heilian let out a booming laugh.
"I was curious what sort of creature had arrived, only for it to be this level. Yet you, sir, your physique is quite appealing to me. Later, I shall break your limbs, keep you for a few days, and then send you on your way."
The woman spewed vulgarities that would normally cause any modest lady to blush, yet neither Tian Xinghan nor Xiong Rudong offered any form of retort.
Because, their current condition was dire!
Xiong Rudong had sustained severe injuries from his prior encounters, and having rushed here immediately after, his fighting capability was reduced to a mere thirty to forty percent of its peak.
Tian Xinghan found himself in an even more disadvantageous position, utterly dominated by Shen Heilian from the outset, completely unable to mount any meaningful resistance.
If they had joined forces, the two might have stood a chance to fight back to some degree. However, Shen Heilian had brought along a subordinate.
This subordinate, though appearing unremarkable, surprisingly possessed the ability to single-handedly engage the weakened Xiong Rudong!
"You handle this brute bear! I'll take care of Tian Xinghan; just keep him occupied, and I'll finish him off swiftly."
Shen Heilian issued the command, and Chen Ya silently assented.
In the very next moment, both of them surged forward almost simultaneously.
"How dare you!"
"Mere nameless novices!!"
Tian Xinghan and Xiong Rudong bellowed in unison, acutely aware that if they didn't commit their all at this very instant, another opportunity might never arise!
Nevertheless, Shen Heilian's overwhelming pressure rendered Tian Xinghan utterly incapable of fighting back, leaving him with no worthy opponent and forcing him into a continuous retreat.
Xiong Rudong's situation was slightly better, but every time he managed to direct a strike towards Chen Ya, her swordsmanship would abruptly escalate, expertly deflecting the danger with her refined techniques.
Furthermore, this improvement seemed to be ceaseless, as if she had experienced a sudden moment of clarity, growing progressively stronger and more formidable with each passing exchange!
Even without breaking through to a new cultivation realm, her combat prowess continued to climb, becoming increasingly formidable!
*Buzz!!*
Finally, in a lapse of concentration, blood erupted from Xiong Rudong's left shoulder!
He had been struck by her sword.
This marked the first time the woman had inflicted a wound upon him, but it also signaled that his physical state had deteriorated to an extremely precarious level.
Unlike the forced retreats of the two Hall Masters, their subordinates, bolstered by reinforcements from the elite gang members led by Xiong Rudong, began to push back against Brother Tian's forces.
The battlefield's momentum shifted from offense to defense, with Brother Tian's group being pushed back towards Xiong Rudong's position.
"Master Tian, we are here to assist you!"
"Mr. Xiong, we've arrived!"
The surging crowd advanced, causing Shen Heilian's brow to furrow slightly. At this critical juncture...
"Lord Hei Lian, allow me to handle this!"
Chen Ya disengaged and charged headlong into the crowd!
At this precise moment, Chen Ya's true capabilities were fully unleashed!
In stark contrast to the arduous battles against the two Hall Masters, Chen Ya plunged into the throng like a ferocious predator among sheep, unleashing a brutal slaughter as tragic screams filled the air and blood sprayed with her every movement!
"Holy hell!"
Brother Tian was utterly stunned. Chen Ya wasn't merely impressive; she was profoundly, astonishingly impressive!
'Sister, you're this formidable? Had I known this earlier, I wouldn't have fretted over the minor expenses! Such a master is well worth this price!'
As Brother Tian marveled at her prowess, Chen Ya suddenly let out a suppressed groan, a lengthy gash appearing on her fair leg.
Facing a multitude of opponents at her own level or even higher, her enhanced strength could only sustain her for so long; her initial display of dominance was merely temporary. Once besieged, injuries were an inevitable consequence.
Compounded by her wounds, her movements became sluggish, her sword techniques lost their sharpness, and more injuries began to accumulate on her person.
Before long, Chen Ya's brow furrowed deeply, her body now adorned with numerous wounds of varying severity.
Witnessing the enemy forces pressing in like a dark, relentless tide, Chen Ya bellowed with all her might.
"Qi Sword, Yan Liu!"
The Qi Sword unleashed its extraordinary power!
Qi flowed into Chen Ya's sword as if drawn by a siphon, subsequently erupting in a devastating, sweeping arc!
*Buzz!!!*
Gang members in the immediate vicinity were bisected instantly, while those further away were violently propelled backward onto the ground.
Seizing this momentary advantage, Chen Ya executed a powerful leap, breaking free from the encirclement and retreating somewhat awkwardly back towards Brother Tian's assembled group.
"..."
Seemingly sensing Brother Tian's bewildered gaze, Chen Ya's eyes turned frigid.
"Where do you think you're heading!"
"Don't even dream of escaping! You shall all forfeit your lives here!"
"Quickly go support the two Hall Masters!!"
The masses surged forward to aid the two Hall Masters, only to discover both were already incapacitated on the ground. The female demon was actually pressing down on Master Xiong's back, her other hand gripping Master Tian's hair, yanking his head upwards. As if sensing the approaching crowd, she shifted her gaze towards them, a sinister smirk gracing her lips. "It appears some individuals are impatient for your demise." At this juncture, Tian Xinghan's entire visage was a gruesome mask of blood, his brow darkened by the encroaching poison; his survival instinct, however, compelled him to hastily exclaim, "Everyone, stay back!!" The crowd halted, exchanging bewildered glances. "Wise," Shen Heilian complimented with a smile, and then... she unleashed a palm strike, aimed directly at Tian Xinghan’s face! 'No!!!' Tian Xinghan cried out internally, utterly helpless, his pupils dilating, then further expanding, until... Whoosh!!! A blur streaked past his vision! Before Tian Xinghan could even process what happened, Shen Heilian's piercing shriek erupted. "Ahhhhh!!!" Tian Xinghan looked down, only to see Shen Heilian’s hand impaled to the ground by a dagger!! Blood seeped from the wound on the back of her hand. Only then did Shen Heilian rip the dagger free with a violent motion, glaring upwards. "Who dares!!" she roared fiercely, her hair wildly disheveled, her previous composure completely shattered. "Show mercy to others when you can, Shen Baimei, there is still time for you to reconsider." Shen Heilian’s pupils constricted sharply, and her voice rasped, "You know I... Who in the blazes are you!!" From above, a woman descended, walking on air as if a celestial fairy gracefully stepping down ethereal stairs, the moonlight illuminating her descent like an apparition from the heavens! Accompanying the woman were a devout old man and the night's intended target, the impostor leader of the Forest Snake Gang, Fa Hongwen! Though the other two lacked her extraordinary aerial abilities, they managed to trail silently behind the airborne fairy. At this precise moment, a closer look would reveal the fairy carried a human head in her hand. It was the head of Gan Chulan, the inheritor of the Gan Family’s renowned twelve-way swordsmanship! "My identity is secondary; what matters is your willingness to serve me." The woman spoke with a smile, casually dispatching the head, which rolled precisely to Shen Heilian’s feet! "No... Impossible!" Shen Heilian lifted her head, her gaze shifting from the severed head on the ground to the woman hovering above. How short a time had passed since the engagement began, and Gan Chulan, whose power was not significantly inferior to her own, had already fallen by this woman’s hand. Lord Fa’s intel had never mentioned such a formidable woman within the Forest Snake Gang! And that old geezer... "Huan! Mi! Yun! What in damnation are you doing!! Have you forgotten your allegiance!!" Shen Heilian bellowed in fury, but her outburst merely caused the devout old man to slightly raise his head for a fleeting moment. He glanced down at the woman below his gaze devoid of any emotion, sorrow, or joy, and uttered coldly, "Lord Qiu has enlightened me; my remaining life is devoted to realizing Lord Qiu’s grand vision! As for the past, it holds no further concern for me!" 'That old fool has truly lost it!' 'If you can't win, you can't win; if you surrender, you surrender. Why put on such a charade!!' Shen Heilian’s face contorted unnaturally, her rage reaching its zenith. Everything had been progressing smoothly, the situation seemed clear, yet who could have foreseen such a sudden, drastic turn of events, plunging her into this dire predicament! "Retreat!!!" Casting all else aside, Shen Heilian commanded, executing a swift withdrawal, snatching the injured Chen Ya, and leaping away, preparing to flee! "Where do you think you're going!" Brother Tian, witnessing the traitorous Lao Deng, shouted furiously, only to be calmly intercepted by the fairy. 'Wait! Now is not the time to dwell on this.' "Lord Shen Heilian! Wait for me! I haven’t even boarded the vehicle yet!!" Brother Tian yelled anxiously, Chen Ya was taken, but what about his own fate? Shen Heilian had barely taken two steps in her retreat... Slice!!! A blood-red sword suddenly pierced through Shen Heilian’s chest, exiting from back to front, causing Shen Heilian’s body to stiffen abruptly, her eyes wide with disbelief. "Wretch...!!!" With a final surge of strength, she struck out with a palm, sending Chen Ya tumbling downwards like a kite whose string had snapped. Bang!! Chen Ya slammed onto the ground, his life flickering like a candle in the wind, yet he somehow mustered his remaining breath to shout loudly, "The traitor Shen Heilian has been grievously wounded by my hand! Regarding the events of today, I pledge allegiance to the Forest Snake Gang to atone for my transgressions and humbly request your lordship’s mercy!"
