They were both mid-level Human realm cultivators.

However, unlike the previous three mid-level Human realm experts, they had only recently entered the mid-level Human realm. They hadn't fully mastered their cultivation methods or martial techniques yet.

Compared to initial-level Human realm cultivators, they were naturally overwhelming.

But compared to a normal mid-level Human realm cultivator, they were somewhat lacking, barely qualifying as half-step mid-level Human realm cultivators.

As a result, they felt somewhat powerless against Fang Yue.

At first, they both thought they hadn't gone all out, allowing Fang Yue to take advantage of them.

But now, they no longer thought that way.

Because the three people currently besieging Fang Yue were all genuine mid-level Human realm experts, the top three experts on the Thief Rankings!

And in front of someone who could withstand the siege of three mid-level Human realm experts and not show any signs of defeat, their so-called half-step mid-level Human realm status was nothing but a joke.

The one who was really holding back was not the twin brothers, but that Ye Niuniu!

"Three big brothers, we'll come and help out!"

Realizing the difference in strength, the two immediately understood their role as support and smoothly joined the battlefield.

Fang Yue, who had been barely able to parry, experienced a subtle shift in the balance of power due to the addition of these two people.

In fact, everything else was fine, but the recovery of internal energy simply couldn't keep up with the consumption.

Fang Yue had always preferred to aim for a fatal blow, precisely because he was worried that excessive consumption of internal energy would turn the situation into a drawn-out battle, making things extremely troublesome.

The current situation was exactly what Fang Yue didn't want to face.

Each strike was not so much for offense as it was for defense.

Each strike consumed a massive amount of internal energy, a truly full-strength output, coupled with some strange energy, to barely contend with these mid-level Human realm monsters.

In a one-on-one situation, Fang Yue was confident of victory.

Even in a three-on-one situation, Fang Yue could still kill them after maneuvering for a while!

But 1v5… this was a bit too much.

Fang Yue's face was gloomy. In the end, he was just a peak-level innate cultivator, not even having broken through the Human realm bottleneck yet. Facing these five towering mountains of the Human realm, he still felt strained.

The Shadow Steps, unparalleled among those of the same level.

The Darkmoon Blade Technique, which could kill with one strike among those of the same level.

The Nightflow Heart Sutra, a top choice among those of the same level.

In front of mid-level Human realm experts, it was indeed not enough.

Especially in terms of internal energy reserves, it was simply not on the same level. The opponents seemed to have also noticed Fang Yue's lack of total internal energy and were cleverly attacking to exhaust Fang Yue's internal energy, making him struggle to cope.

If not for his super-high base attributes, plus the [Strange Spiritual Root]'s [Strange Value] black energy supporting his strength, Fang Yue would probably have already been defeated.

His expression sinking, Fang Yue understood that he couldn't sit still and wait for death.

Risking injury, trading injury for injury, Fang Yue's blade disappeared into the darkness.

A long sword pierced Fang Yue's shoulder, but it couldn't stop Fang Yue's powerful strike.

However…

Clang!

Another figure jumped out, using a long sword to block the blow for his companion.

So, the world where only I get hurt is complete?

Fang Yue retreated in pain, Night's Breath frantically restoring health and healing injuries.

Fang Yue saw the look of astonishment and shock flashing in their eyes, clearly not understanding the power of Night's Breath at all.

But it was useless. His attacks would be blocked, and even the ultimate move of trading injury for injury couldn't hurt the enemy.

This was too difficult…

A fierce glint flashed in Fang Yue's eyes. He prepared to stop holding back, increase the input of [Strange Value], tear open a gap within a few moves, and create an opportunity.

But if he did that, he might not have enough [Strange Value] to capture and chase after the Rat Zodiac later.

Just then…

"Big brothers, I'm here to help you!"

The guy who had just been knocked to the ground by Fang Yue and not killed in time had now gotten up and launched a sneak attack on Fang Yue's back.

Without even turning his head, Fang Yue struck back with a blade.

Buzz!

The Thief Rankings' seventh-ranked member's body was cut in two, separated into top and bottom.

But strangely, after Fang Yue unleashed this strike, the five thief leaders, who should have seized the opportunity to attack, instead retreated in a frenzy as if they had seen something terrifying.

Fang Yue himself keenly noticed this and immediately realized that something was wrong, frantically moving away from the corpse behind him.

After retreating a distance and looking back, he saw that the corpse that had just been cut in two was growing densely packed, glutinous, cottony little hands from the cut. There were hundreds, thousands of them, of all colors, a riot of colors, looking extremely poisonous.

The upper half of the old seventh's corpse was fine, with densely packed little hands growing directly from the cut, wriggling and moving at high speed towards Fang Yue's side.

But the lower half was even more terrifying. Densely packed little hands extended their arms, intertwining like venomous snakes in a chaotic dance, wriggling and twisting, carrying the lower half towards the five men. It was frightening just to look at.

Ignoring the situation with the five thief leaders, Fang Yue focused on the strange entity wriggling towards him with the corpse.

At this moment, the thief leader old seventh, who should have been dead, opened his dark eyes, black blood overflowing as he uttered unintelligible words.

His eyes quickly regained clarity, revealing a ferocious look, and two bloody纹印 (w纹印) appeared on his face.

Calamity marks!

As expected, it was a Calamity-level strange creature!

Moreover, with two calamity marks, it was a mid-level Calamity-level strange creature!

Calamity marks were a characteristic of calamity creatures, but whether or not there were calamity marks was not the only standard for judging whether a strange creature was Calamity-level.

Many Calamity-level strange creatures did not have this kind of characteristic, and their strength and rating were truly Calamity-level. Moreover, calamity marks were not fixed to appear on the face; they could appear anywhere on the body.

The [Crystal Glazed Strange] that Fang Yue had killed before was a Calamity-level strange creature, which was judged from the rewards. However, as a special type of strange creature, its strength was somewhat unworthy of the Calamity-level title.

But this one in front of him…

Fang Yue's expression sank, and he slashed out with his blade!

Buzz!

As the black blade went out, it disappeared into the darkness, and when it reappeared…

Sizzle!!

Black blood splattered wildly, and the [Glutinous Cotton Strange]'s chest was once again ripped open, and it fell to the ground.

But just as Fang Yue was about to look away…

Swish swish swish swish&

But before he could strike…

Swish swish swish swish—

Suddenly, his black robe sleeves bulged wildly.

Bang bang bang.

The black robe was torn open one hole after another, and suddenly, glutinous, cottony little hands sprouted like bamboo shoots after a rain, covering his right arm like mushrooms!

His face changed, and Fang Yue slashed the little hands on his arm with his black blade.

Like cutting chives, all the arms were cut off, and after half a second, they grew out again, even seeming to become more colorful.

Looking at his right arm again, except for the handkerchief wrapped around his hand and the strange curse occupying the back of his hand, the rest was a riot of colors, as if he had opened a dye house.

His face darkened, and Fang Yue looked at the system notification, which immediately stunned him.