"Do you wish to continue fighting?"
The leader, having parried the Grand Disciple's sudden thrust with his saber, stood his ground with a chilling expression.
The Grand Disciple's chest heaved under the downpour, her breath misting in the air as if the temperature had dropped with the overflowing pond.
Though her demeanor remained calm, her heart was in turmoil. She knew of the Twin Swords technique; the Twin Sisters, with their telepathic connection, should not have been defeated within ten moves. This indicated that the men in black were no ordinary opponents.
"Don't forget whose territory this is. My two junior sisters are the sect leader's beloved," she stated.
"Oh? Beloved? Are they perhaps illegitimate daughters?" one of the men in black provocatively touched Zhi Ran's pale face. "Tsk tsk, so fair and tender, quite the beloved indeed!"
Zhi Ran, overcome with shame, was about to react when a blade was pressed against her throat. In the flash of lightning, a bloody trace appeared, tinged with a hint of sorrow and resolve.
"We are aware of your master's reputation. However, none of my brothers fear death. Sometimes, when they go mad, I can't be certain of what will happen, nor can I stop it. Moreover," he continued, glancing at the two junior sisters, "your sisters are as beautiful as flowers. My brothers' hearts itch. If you don't put down that sword, don't blame my brothers for being reckless!"
The man's voice carried a tone of provocation and mockery. While he seemed to exalt his master, he showed no apprehension. The men with painted totems on their faces seemed impatient, their dirt-caked hands already reaching for Zhi Ran and her sister's bellies and forearms!
"How dare you!"
The Grand Disciple's fury boiled over, and she thrust her sword forward. Though her swordsmanship remained sharp, her mindset was entirely different from before. Less ferocity, more apprehension. Her sword light danced gracefully amidst the lightning and thunder, while the scoundrels grew increasingly brazen!
Ying Cai Wei, peeking from beneath the canopy's steps, could no longer bear to watch. She intended to intervene but was firmly held back by Ren Yuan Hao.
"These beasts have insulted my senior sister! I cannot stand idly by!"
"Hush, it's not your turn to act."
Ren Yuan Hao had used the brief respite to temporarily suppress the effects of the Black Gu Heart Devouring Pill. However, he knew that suppression was only temporary.
As they whispered, the Grand Disciple's attacking sword was struck by the leader's saber and fell into the pond. As she spun to retreat, a cold glint appeared behind her back!
"Hmph, give up."
Despite being captured, the Grand Disciple retorted, "You have offended the Qing Feng Sect today. You will face severe consequences!"
"Who says we offended the Qing Feng Sect?" the man laughed heartily. "Did your master witness it herself?"
"We will report it upon our return!" the Grand Disciple said sternly.
The man's laughter grew more unrestrained. "Amusing. As their Grand Disciple, you are so naive. Given how things have escalated, do you think you can return safely?"
"What do you mean?" The Grand Disciple's body trembled slightly.
"What do I mean?" The man pressed his curved, narrow blade against the Grand Disciple's neck, drawing a blood streak. "You will not live to return."
The faces of the three women turned ashen. The man raised his arm and shouted, "Brothers, do as you please! It's time for you to have some fun!"
As soon as he spoke, over a dozen pairs of eyes, illuminated by lightning, turned towards the three women. Especially Zhi Xuan's wistful gaze, which ignited their burning desire to an extreme!
But at that moment, Ren Yuan Hao leaped into the air, his feet kicking up mud as he landed. His straw hat concealed his face, and he boomed with laughter, "A bunch of overconfident trash! What skill is there in bullying three women?"
Leveraging the power of the Flying Dragon Snatching Cloud Hand, Ren Yuan Hao moved with utmost agility and grace, momentarily stunning the group.
"And who are you? Why are you interfering?" the man asked, sealing the Grand Disciple's pressure points and holding his saber, his sharp eyes glinting coldly under the lightning.
The torrential rain showed no sign of stopping. The surrounding pines and bamboos bent like people bowed by fate. In the dimness, the waterfall and the sky-meeting rain curtain seemed like flowing silk, as if isolating the entire world.
Zhi Ran and her sister immediately recognized Ren Yuan Hao. Compared to the men harassing them, Ren Yuan Hao seemed like a true gentleman. Though they had not placed their hopes on this lecher, they now eagerly anticipated him turning the tide.
However, the Black Gu Heart Devouring Pill was no trifling matter. They knew that the more Ren Yuan Hao circulated his internal energy, the faster the poison would spread. That he was even standing was a miracle in their eyes.
Ren Yuan Hao adjusted his hat, deliberately hiding his face in the shadows. He understood the pressure that an aura of mystery could exert on opponents.
"Who I am is not important. What is important is that if you dare to offend them again, I guarantee you will not leave this deep pool alive."
His voice was cold and resolute, as if this were as simple as washing his hands before a meal.
The man pushed aside the Grand Disciple, whose pressure points had been sealed, his saber flashing with a predatory glint. Just as he was about to speak, he heard a woman's enraged roar from beside him, "You don't need to put on a show! Our Qing Feng Sect members die when they die. We don't need you, this little pervert, to save us!"
"Oh? It seems my brother is also a man of character," the man said, pinching the Grand Disciple's sharp chin with a meaningful look. "Since that's the case, why don't we share? You can enjoy this beauty first?"
"You... shameless!"
*Slap!*
As the Grand Disciple finished speaking, she received a resounding slap from the man.
Ren Yuan Hao knew it was not the time for verbal sparring. He simply said, "I'm not interested in old women. Take this!"
Ren Yuan Hao was unarmed, yet with his extraordinary agility, he darted through the rain like a swift bolt of lightning, appearing before the leader in an instant. The man's eyes widened in surprise, seemingly caught off guard by the sudden attack. As he swung his saber with fierce intent, Ren Yuan Hao's palm was already pushing towards his chest!
His subordinates watched in stunned disbelief. What they found even more incredible was that their leader's saber was suspended in mid-air, while his body, like withered grass swaying in the wind and rain, gradually withered away. His words became indistinct, and the sharp light in his eyes rapidly faded into the dullness of death.
"Boss!"
Forgetting the beautiful women, they moved to rush forward. However, as soon as they entered within two meters of Ren Yuan Hao, they felt a strange, irresistible suction force surge into their bodies like leeches from the soles of their feet!
"Get back, get back! It's the Star Sucking Demonic Art!"