"You scoundrel!" Xiao Man spat out another mouthful of blood in fury. "Your mother went through ten months of painful pregnancy to give birth to you, and then painstakingly raised you. Was it all for you to throw your life away?"
Yue Ran looked at Madam Yue. Her face was streaked with tears, her eyes filled with worry and anxiety. She seemed on the verge of fainting, as if she might collapse at any moment. Guilt washed over Yue Ran. He had always caused his mother so much worry since childhood, and now, as an adult, he was still making her fret and weep. It was truly inexcusable.
"Xiao Man, be careful!"
Sensing a sharp killing intent from behind, Xiao Man instinctively parried with a sword thrust. Yue Ran leaped forward, shielding Xiao Man, and engaged the elder of the Law Enforcement Hall in combat.
"Young Sect Master, are you planning to betray the sect?"
"You bullies, smearing the reputation of the Heavenly Sword Sect, are the ones truly betraying it!" Yue Ran roared. It didn't matter to him if Xiao Man had genuine feelings for him or if she had approached him with ulterior motives. What he knew was that he genuinely cared for Xiao Man. Even if she hurt his heart, he was willing to forgive her!
Xiao Man gasped for air, her cultivation interrupted. She was now more gravely injured. With the Heavenly Spirit Sect, the Mu family, and the Huo family all intervening, even with the Jin family and the Beast Taming Sect assisting, they were still at a disadvantage. And this was without the Heavenly Profound Sect making a move. If they joined in, they would be in grave danger!
Linghu Yaqi drew her sword, preparing to join the fray. Sang Hua stopped her, "Don't. You'll regret it."
"Senior Brother Sang Hua, this person intends to rescue the Demonic Lord. Their crime is heinous."
"That is merely the partial account of Sect Master Yue. Only heaven knows the truth." Sang Hua tightened his grip. "Junior Sister Linghu, if you don't want Zefang to resent you, sit here obediently and do nothing."
"What does Zefang have to do with this?"
"You'll understand later." Sang Hua frowned deeply. In the current situation, it wasn't just Yue Ran who was in a difficult predicament; he was too. Their master had said that if this woman didn't pose a threat to Junior Brother Zefang, then they should help her. But if she did threaten Junior Brother Zefang, they should kill her. However, in front of so many people, how could he dare to act? Not only did he not dare, but he couldn't allow Linghu Yaqi to act either.
"Senior Brother, you're hesitating. Are you hiding something from me?" Linghu Yaqi, with her sharp intellect, noticed Sang Hua's uncharacteristic behavior. Sang Hua had always been calm and rational, adept at weighing pros and cons, which was why their master entrusted him with managing external affairs. However, Sang Hua's attitude towards Xiao Man puzzled her greatly.
"Didn't I say? She has some connection with the Sect Master?"
"Lies. She probably has a significant connection with Senior Brother Zefang."
Sang Hua chuckled wryly. "Junior Sister, sometimes, being a little ignorant isn't a bad thing."
Linghu Yaqi sheathed her sword. "What is her connection to Zefang?"
"Zefang's cultivation regressed and he was severely injured all because of her."
Linghu Yaqi, who had just put away her sword, immediately drew it again upon hearing this. "Then I truly cannot let her go!"
"If you move against her, Zefang won't survive either!" Sang Hua exclaimed in panic. "Zefang's heavenly tribulation is approaching, and she is a related party. His only sliver of hope rests on her. If anything happens to her, Zefang might..."
"Senior Brother Sang Hua!" Linghu Yaqi slapped Sang Hua away. "You are truly... foolish!"
Linghu Yaqi drew her sword and charged forward. Sang Hua was horrified and tried to grab her, but failed. He expected Linghu Yaqi to spill Xiao Man's blood, but instead, Linghu Yaqi charged and plunged her sword through a disciple of the Heavenly Sword Sect!
Sang Hua felt a chill crawl up his spine. He looked at the others awkwardly. "Accident, accident. I'll pull her back immediately."
Sang Hua rushed forward, intending to separate Linghu Yaqi from another Heavenly Sword Sect disciple. However, with a palm strike, Linghu Yaqi dodged, sending him flying out and fatally striking the Heavenly Sword Sect disciple!
"Senior Brother, it seems you still care for Senior Brother Zefang," Linghu Yaqi said in a flat tone, provoking Sang Hua. Sang Hua looked at his hand and sighed helplessly. The deed was done. Denying it now was useless, so he could only stand in front of Xiao Man.
"Misfortune! How could I have run into you!" Sang Hua glanced back at Xiao Man, seeing her looking at him and Linghu Yaqi with confusion. He sighed, "I hope the Sect Master won't strike me down."
"The Heavenly Sword Sect bullies others with their power, destroyed a family to seize treasures, killed parents, and framed a frail young girl for colluding with demons. If our Master is still human, he will definitely not blame us, but rather commend us."
Sang Hua felt like crying, but had no tears. Forget commendations; he was afraid the Sect Master would devour him alive. But, things had already come to this; there was no turning back!
Yue Tiantian repelled Nangong Yu and turned his gaze towards Sang Hua and the others who had joined the fray. His eagle-like eyes were filled with killing intent.
"Is the Heavenly Profound Sect going to help the demons?"
"Sect Master Yue, you know in your heart whether she is a demon or not. If high cultivation allows one to arbitrarily snatch others' treasures and destroy families, then this Cangxuan Continent will descend into chaos." Sang Hua stepped forward and said calmly, "This young lady has some connection with our Heavenly Profound Sect, and naturally, we cannot stand by and watch you kill her."
"Very well, very well!" Yue Tiantian's murderous gaze fixed on Xiao Man. "You have quite the abilities. You've only been on the Cangxuan Continent for a few years, yet you've befriended various factions. Unfortunately, today, you are in my Heavenly Sword Sect. You will not leave here alive!"
Yue Tiantian, like a drawn sword, charged directly at Xiao Man. With his peak Soul Transformation stage cultivation, who dared to block him? Who could block him? Sang Hua and the others, along with Yan Yuqing and his group, were all blown away by Yue Tiantian's power.
Seeing this, Yue Ran unhesitatingly stepped in front of Xiao Man. Xiao Man shoved Yue Ran away, "Get out."
"Xiao Man!"
"Madam!"
"Mother!"
At the critical moment, Madam Yue stepped in front of Xiao Man, taking the full force of Yue Tiantian's attack. Yue Tiantian froze, seemingly not expecting Madam Yue to step forward, let alone to save Xiao Man.
Madam Yue looked at Xiao Man's shocked expression, stumbled forward, and collapsed towards Xiao Man. Xiao Man quickly caught the falling Madam Yue. Blood gushed from Madam Yue's mouth, and Xiao Man felt a surge of panic.
"Why did you run out? Who told you to run out?"
Madam Yue reached out and caressed Xiao Man's face, tears continuously streaming down her cheeks. "Man'er, you are my Man'er. Mother has failed you, for not recognizing you."
"Medicine, take medicine." Xiao Man produced various pills, trying to save Madam Yue. However, after enduring Yue Tiantian's full-power strike, her Golden Core was shattered, her internal organs were severely injured. Even divine pills could not save Madam Yue.
Madam Yue smiled and shook her head. "It's useless."
"I will save you, I will save you..." Xiao Man wept uncontrollably. As an alchemist, she knew Madam Yue's condition all too well. She couldn't save her. Even if she could concoct a miracle elixir now, she couldn't save her mother.