The strongest academy emphasized unity and exclusion.
At this moment, the disciples fought with renewed vigor as if injected with adrenaline.
"Charge!"
"How can we retreat when fellow academy disciples are in danger!"
Without a word, the disciples rushed forward.
Du Chang stood still, his tall figure gazing at the scene before him. "We should go help too."
Before he could move, a figure quickly blocked his path. "Brother Du, you mustn't!"
Sheng Linglong's exquisitely made-up face showed a hint of urgency. "This is the strongest academy's business, it has nothing to do with us. We'd best not get involved."
Du Chang smiled. "To be honest, these puppet-men are neither too many nor too few. If we offer assistance, we might even earn some favor."
"Brother Du!"
Sheng Linglong's expression grew worried, her features furrowing. "The puppet-men are not what they seem! There are more of them!"
Her words immediately caught Du Chang's attention.
He knitted his brows, a hint of doubt in his eyes. "Linglong, what do you mean by that? There are more puppet-men?"
Sheng Linglong then realized something and quickly shut her mouth, her expression a mix of apprehension and panic.
Her expression had already betrayed her thoughts.
Du Chang's gaze deepened, his eyes filled with warning. "Linglong, what exactly happened? Tell me truthfully, and don't make me angry."
Sheng Linglong bit her lip, her face showing hesitation. After a long moment, she finally spoke. "Feng Ninghe is simply too arrogant and overbearing. I couldn't stand her behavior, so I planned to teach her a small lesson while I had the chance."
"A small lesson?"
Du Chang's hand shot out, grabbing her wrist. A flicker of anger blazed in his eyes. "What did you do!"
His gaze successfully frightened Sheng Linglong.
She quickly pulled her hand away, pouting. "Brother Du, how can you treat me so roughly because of a stranger? Her life or death has nothing to do with us, and even if something happens, it won't affect you or me!"
At this moment, she was filled with resentment, directing all her anger towards Feng Ninghe.
If it weren't for Feng Ninghe, Brother Du wouldn't be angry with her.
Du Chang's features contorted. He repeated his earlier question, "Answer me, what did you do in secret!"
Sheng Linglong's gaze deepened, a hint of thought appearing in her eyes as she seemed to ponder whether to confess honestly...
The disciples of the strongest academy were locked in a fierce struggle with the puppet-men.
Feng Ninghe helped Luo Chenyi to her feet, carefully examining her injuries. "Can you walk?"
Luo Chenyi staggered and managed to take two steps forward with some difficulty, nodding firmly. "I can still walk, it's fine."
"Then leave here quickly, I'll cover your retreat."
With that, Feng Ninghe drew her Crescent Moon Bow and shot fiercely at the puppet-men!
Luo Chenyi hurried to leave, but she was injured and couldn't walk fast.
Just then, a woman approached her and openly offered her an arm. "I'm also heading away from the border. I'll help you, and you'll be able to move faster."
Luo Chenyi instinctively looked at the woman beside her.
The woman was beautiful, with a hint of seductiveness in her slightly upturned eyes.
Her face was entirely unfamiliar.
Before Luo Chenyi could react, the woman suddenly struck out at her!
The powerful spiritual energy caught her completely off guard.
Luo Chenyi's body was sent flying into the distance, her cries of "Help me!" echoing.
Watching the flying figure, Lin Yuran sneered. "Why would anyone offer you help for no reason? How foolish. Such a person is not worth pity even if they die."
"Look!"
Xiao Zhao urgently pointed at the figure soaring into the sky.
Luo Chenyi screamed, unable to control her descent.
Feng Ninghe's eyes narrowed, her gaze shifting to Xiao Zhao. A hint of solemnity appeared on her fair and radiant face. "Xiao Zhao, let's go save her!"
Xiao Zhao didn't dare to delay. Its small form suddenly grew, transforming into a Qilin.
It flapped its massive wings, swiftly carrying Feng Ninghe into the distance!
*Bang!*
Luo Chenyi's body landed heavily on Xiao Zhao's back.
She was already crying, tears streaming from her eyes.
"Jie jie jie..."
"Jie jie jie..."
From the shadows, swarms of puppet-men emerged.
A figure was sprinting ahead, a man in a black robe whose face was obscured. The robe was stained with blood.
Blood was the greatest stimulant for the puppet-men.
They closely pursued the man!
Suddenly, the man stopped and tore off his black robe.
Beneath the robe was a sinister face, filled with an unsettling darkness.
Feng Ninghe recognized the man immediately. Her eyes narrowed, and she softly uttered, "Ji Binyu."
She didn't believe Ji Binyu's appearance here was a coincidence.
Ji Binyu smirked, his smile carrying a hint of wickedness and calculation. "Feng Ninghe, it seems you will meet your end here today."
As the black robe fell, the puppet-men who had been following him now swarmed towards the discarded garment.
"Him again!"
Xiao Zhao roared in anger, flapping its wings and charging towards Ji Binyu.
Its roar successfully drew the attention of the puppet-men.
As if sensing something, the puppet-men rushed towards their location.
Ji Binyu smiled, his sinister face radiating coldness. Without a word, he turned and fled!
The puppet-men were strong and agile, able to leap great heights.
Feng Ninghe's brows furrowed, and biting her lip, she leaped from Xiao Zhao's back. "Xiao Zhao, take her and leave first. I'll cover your escape."
"Master!"
Xiao Zhao refused to leave so easily, its azure eyes filled with urgency. "If I leave, how will you cope with this situation alone!"
The number of puppet-men gathered here was immense, far beyond what Feng Ninghe could handle alone.
Feng Ninghe's gaze hardened as she quickly drew her sword and engaged the puppet-men. "If you don't leave, there will be no one to call for reinforcements."
Xiao Zhao understood the gravity of the situation, tears welling in its eyes.
However, after a moment, it quickly turned and left.
The puppet-men surged forward, and Feng Ninghe desperately defended herself.
Her strength alone was limited, unable to withstand so many puppet-men.
"Damn it!"
Even she felt a prickling sensation on her scalp, letting out a low curse.
In a short time, she was surrounded by puppet-men.
The ginseng seedling frantically plucked a few leaves and stuffed them into her mouth, its vines wrapping around her body to help replenish her spiritual energy.
Despite this, facing so many puppet-men, it was still like a drop in the ocean...