"Damn it, three grown men bullying a celestial maiden. I'm definitely getting involved! Besides, my friend is waiting for me to bring back the herbs. Celestial sister, this isn't just about you!"
The Star Absorption Technique inherently possessed a devouring effect. The anesthetic in his body had completely dissipated, but even so, Ren Yuanhao still wasn't entirely confident he could rescue Liu Furong from the man who called himself Ji Changqing.
At this moment, Liu Furong's heart had undergone a subtle change. The man who once vowed to protect and love her was likely... gone. And now, her heart, which she thought would remain unmoved, was slowly melting away like ice under the sun.
She clutched her shoulder, frowned, and said coldly, "You two, go to my thatched hut and retrieve the herbs from the small chest under the bed. From this day forward, we are strangers."
As soon as she finished speaking, Liu Yu immediately got up, about to signal Ren Yuanhao to fetch the herbs. However, he heard Ren Yuanhao laugh heartily, "Thank you, celestial sister, for the medicine. Since you've bestowed medicine to save someone, you are my savior. Brother, my savior is in trouble, should I or should I not intervene?"
"You must, of course!" The moment Liu Yu said this, he wished he could slap himself.
"Good, my dear brother, I entrust Ye Lan's matter to you!"
Ren Yuanhao, not noticing the faint blush on Liu Furong's face, walked directly towards Cun Xue, which was stuck in the ground. He easily pulled it out. Although his strength had not recovered much, the suffocating and swelling sensation in his heart had somewhat eased.
"Hahahaha, a mere ant that can be crushed with a flip of my hand dares to boast before me. Very well, today I shall fulfill your wish and rid the world of a great menace!"
Ji Changqing's Qingfeng sword vibrated, emitting a continuous dragon's roar. His internal energy surged, as if condensed into a tangible force. This exaggerated display of internal energy was something Ren Yuanhao had never witnessed before; his cultivation level was utterly unfathomable.
Just then, a cold yet playful system voice slowly echoed.
"Beep beep, danger index detected, warning, one star!"
"Oh? Has the system upgraded again to detect danger indices?"
"No, this has always been here, it just has never been activated."
"So, the man in front of me is also a formidable enemy I've never encountered?"
"You could say that. The realms of cultivators are divided into Foundation Establishment, Light Aperture, Fusion, Heart Movement, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Departure from Body, Spirit Division, Body Merging, Void Comprehension, Great Ascension, and Tribulation Crossing – twelve realms. Depending on the cultivation methods, countless variations can arise, but the hierarchical system has remained unchanged since ancient times. And this man before you has likely succeeded in Foundation Establishment, his internal energy is refined, and his dantian already contains the initial embryo of a lotus seed. Combined with the long sword in his hand, even at your peak, you might not gain any advantage if you exert your full strength."
"Then, according to Miss Sister's calculations, what are my chances of winning?"
"One percent."
"That direct?"
"In fact, that's a generous estimate. Of course, if you could freely mobilize your dual-core internal energy and even achieve complete mastery, such a Foundation Establishment level cultivator couldn't do much to you. However, without suitable cultivation manuals, attempting to fuse dual cores and mobilize internal energy is definitely seeking death."
Ren Yuanhao stretched lazily in the illusory mental landscape and said flippantly, "A one percent chance? I accept this challenge."
"Since that's the case, the system might as well add a bonus. Branch mission issued: protect Liu Furong from being taken away, or repel Ji Changqing. There is no penalty for failing the mission, but if you fail, you'll likely lose your life. We'll have to fend for ourselves then."
"Tsk, listening to you, it sounds like you're ready to split the loot and run at any moment."
"There's nothing I can do about it. After using the soul separation and body possession technique once, I still haven't recovered."
Upon mentioning the soul separation and body possession technique, Ren Yuanhao's heart was greatly shaken. That time, System Sister had risked the system's collapse to save his life.
"Alright, it's time to fight."
Ren Yuanhao had not yet experienced the power of a Foundation Establishment expert. He did not attack proactively but slowly moved to stand in front of Liu Furong. The moment his gaze met Liu Yu's, Liu Yu understood and rushed directly into the thatched hut.
"Hmph, today, not a single one of you will escape!"
Ji Changqing roared, and the long sword in his hand immediately became like a flying sword, creating a gust of wind with a destructive momentum, piercing directly towards Liu Yu's back. Ren Yuanhao swiftly lunged, chasing after it. Fortunately, he had learned the Flying Dragon's Cloud-Stealing Hand, so his movement speed was not to be underestimated. He managed to keep pace with the sword's speed, and at the critical moment, Cun Xue struck the flying sword, scattering sparks and emitting a deafening collision sound!
However, this strike, which Ren Yuanhao blocked with almost all his might, only slightly altered the trajectory of the flying sword. He was unceremoniously repelled two or three steps by the force of the flying sword, gasping for breath, his tiger's mouth numb and aching.
The flying sword, meanwhile, narrowly grazed Liu Yu's ear, shearing off a lock of his hair!
"Holy cow! Brother, that sword strike came at the perfect moment. Don't worry, I'll handle your sister's affairs." Liu Yu had his own means of escape, and he had already decided that as soon as the life-saving herbs were delivered, he would immediately gather several capable awakened individuals to come to the rescue.
Ren Yuanhao, unaware of Liu Yu's thoughts, felt his internal energy surging wildly. He thought, this is just the power of one sword strike, and it's already this formidable. Moreover, he was unfamiliar with the terrain, making it impossible to employ the 'Thirty-Six Stratagems, Escape is the Best' approach. Could it be that Ren Yuanhao, the rescuer of countless maidens from dire straits, the beloved of all, and the one who makes flowers bloom upon sight, was about to meet his end, becoming companions with these withered leaves?
—Bullshit! Celestial sister is watching me. I can't show fear in front of her, no matter how cowardly I might be.
Ren Yuanhao shielded the low doorway, hearing Liu Yu rummaging through chests and cabinets. The man lying on the sickbed had been rendered unconscious by the anesthetic, his snores booming. His body was bloody, but there was no sign of the two and a half pounds of flesh Liu Furong had cut off earlier.
At this moment, Liu Yu suddenly realized he didn't recognize what 'Thousand Snow Downy Flower Grass' looked like. He then shouted, "Sister, what does that grass look like?"
"Its stems and leaves are pale purple, and its flowers are as white as dandelions. After you get the medicine, hurry and leave. Don't come back!" Although Liu Furong's shoulder had been sealed, the wound showed no signs of healing. She instantly realized that Ji Changqing's sword was no ordinary weapon; it was engraved with magic seals by a master swordsmith, and anyone wounded by it would bleed incessantly.