Ying Caiwei caught a glimpse of Ren Yuanhao’s face turn ashen in the lightning’s glow. Just as she was about to furrow her brow and inquire, the simple wooden gate was kicked open!
The mountain rain seemed to have barged in with the newcomers.
“Hahahaha, my junior sister, I knew you’d seize this opportunity to steal the ‘Pure Heart Marvelous Immortal Pill’ to save this lecher,” the Eldest Senior Sister said, taking a medicinal bottle from her waist and shaking it. Ying Caiwei’s expression shifted drastically, prompting another burst of laughter. “My foolish junior sister, guess what? Is this bottle the Pure Heart Marvelous Immortal Pill, or the Black Gu Heart-Devouring Pill?”
“Eldest Senior Sister, how could you~”
Ying Caiwei’s face went from green to white. The Black Gu Heart-Devouring Pill was one of the few secret medicines of the Qingfeng Sect. It had previously been used against spies from other cultivation sects for interrogation. However, due to its cruel methods, it had been abandoned by the current sect leader. This did not mean, however, that no one could refine it.
“Lecher, have you felt a chilling energy lingering within your body, like a blade cutting through skin?”
The Eldest Senior Sister’s voice was stern and powerful, reminding Ren Yuanhao of Abbess Miejue from “The Heaven Sword and Dragon Saber”!
“So what if I have, and so what if I haven’t? I doubt you’ll all fare well either,” Ren Yuanhao said, suppressing any hint of pain.
The Eldest Senior Sister frowned. As soon as she channeled her energy and listened intently, she indeed detected the sound of faint footsteps coming from behind the yurt. She mused, *Could it be the villains the junior sister mentioned? Have they already discovered the location of that item at the water pool?*
Punishing Ren Yuanhao was a small matter; the loss of the item was a grave concern. The Eldest Senior Sister led her two junior sisters and, braving the downpour, swiftly moved towards the water pool behind them. Ying Caiwei remained frozen in place, her face filled with guilt.
“Little girl, my life is tough. I’m fine. Just tell me honestly, is there something hidden in that water pool?”
Ren Yuanhao vaguely felt that the series of events was being manipulated by something within the cold, clear water pool, especially since he had seen Zhi Ran searching for something there.
“That’s a blade my father forged under the Master’s orders. Legend has it that the material’s origin is somewhat peculiar. My father spent forty-nine days just melting it down. My father said that piece of material was rather sinister, vastly different from ordinary forging materials. But I don’t know how this matter leaked out either~”
Ying Caiwei herself wasn’t entirely clear about the details. As for how the news had reached the ears of those greedy individuals, she was even less certain.
“So that’s why your father suffered such a great misfortune yesterday?”
“That’s right. My father refused to hand it over and vowed that if they pressed him too hard, he had ways to make that blade disappear forever. Those people didn’t dare not believe him. They said they would give us one day to consider. I didn’t expect them to see through my father’s delaying tactic tonight and come in the dead of night amidst the heavy rain. It seems they even know where the sword is hidden!”
Ying Caiwei felt a profound sorrow. Although her father had taken the Pure Heart Marvelous Immortal Pill, even the most miraculous medicine had a duration of effect. At this moment, her father had still not woken from his serious injuries, and the secret of the sword remained unknown to anyone.
After this incident, she could no longer trust the Eldest Senior Sister. She could only pray that the Eldest Senior Sister could stop those formidable and peerless individuals on her own and protect the sharp sword that the Master had ordered her father to forge!
“Let’s go. Just standing here waiting is useless. How about~”
Before Ren Yuanhao could finish speaking, as he tried to get up from the ground, a tearing pain shot through his abdomen. His intestines felt like writhing snakes, twisting like a corkscrew inside him!
“Little brother, don’t scare me. I’ll go find the antidote for you right away~”
“No need.” Ren Yuanhao pulled her back. “The important matter comes first. Besides, the antidote is with your Eldest Senior Sister. Let’s go.”
Ying Caiwei supported him, took a paper umbrella, and braved the pouring rain as they moved towards the cold pool behind the yurt.
At this moment, the rain connecting sky and earth reflected the pale lightning. Pine and bamboo branches were bent low, and the world seemed filled only with the sound of the falling rain. Splashes of muddy water rose. About ten black-clad figures stood by the overflowing cold pool, each holding an exaggeratedly curved sabre, which flashed with a chilling, cold light in the crackling lightning.
Their faces were painted with extremely vibrant totems, their eyes as cold as sharp swords, and their heights were remarkably similar. Their figures were also very close. No discernible expression could be seen on their faces. Among these people, the leader, a man with a black feather tucked into his waist, could be distinguished from the others. His teeth were partially exposed, and the collagen on the left side of his face seemed severely depleted, hanging down like a diseased dog’s cheek.
The ten or so individuals stood uniformly without speaking, their knuckles gripping the hilts of their sabres turning slightly white, ready for a fierce battle against the three women standing opposite them.
The atmosphere was heavy and肅殺. The inexperienced Zhi Ran sisters dared not even take a breath. Though they presented a fearless facade, their hearts were already in turmoil.
“Are you disciples of the Qingfeng Sect?” the leader asked without any emotion, his voice resonant like the falling torrential rain.
The Eldest Senior Sister cupped her fist in salute. The heavy rain pounded on her straw cape, sending splashes of water flying. As lightning flashed, it illuminated her cold face, making it appear as pale as paper. “Indeed. You visit my junior sister’s home in the dead of night. May I ask your purpose?”
The leader let out a cold snort. “We heard that Ying Tiande obtained a treasure and wish to have a look.”
“Ridiculous! There are countless treasures in the world. Must you examine them all one by one?” The Eldest Senior Sister, being an old hand, smoothly deflected the man’s words. Her confidence stemmed from the Qingfeng Sect, as this was their territory. She couldn’t believe the other party would dare to be so bold.
The leader fell silent for a moment, as if calculating something. His sharp, knife-like eyes once again scanned the overflowing cold pool, and a smile flickered across his lips. “Indeed, we cannot examine all the treasures in the world. However, if anyone dares to obstruct our treasure appraisal, they’ll have to answer to our sabres!”
With these words, the man nodded to the others on his left and right. The ten or so figures immediately pounced towards the three women like black crows, raising their sabres!
The Zhi Ran sisters had never fought so many people in a real combat situation. Their palms were already sweating profusely.
“You two, what are you panicking about? You’ve already reached such a level of proficiency in the Twin Swords technique. What is there to fear?”
The Eldest Senior Sister drew her sword and charged forward, engaging directly with the leader. Sword light and sabre flashes streaked through the downpour, accompanied by the spitting of deadly lightning. In less than ten bouts, the Twin Swords technique was broken by the ten or so black-clad figures, and the Zhi Ran sisters were disarmed and captured!