Xun Lingyin also passed out into unconsciousness. In the instant that Chao Zhilin made his move, he was knocked out first, fainting with a heart full of desolation, truly doubtful that his fellow sect brothers would care whether he lived or died.

Laner supported Xun Lingyin with one hand by his neck and pressed down on Chao Zhilin's nape with the other, her brows furrowed and eyes cold as she cast a glance at the fighting duo on the other side. She really wanted to see what kind of confidence those two fellows had to dare make a move against one of the mightiest sects in Xuan State, thinking the sect's renowned reputation was just for show?

The bodies of the two she had subdued were bleeding continuously.

As Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang were just turning around to face her, intending to go to Laner's aid, they witnessed Chao Zhilin being subdued in the blink of an eye, genuinely startling them both.

Could this be something done by someone with Initial Martial cultivation?

However, Mao Zhong and Zhu Ze happened to have their backs turned and missed the sight; even upon hearing the sounds of combat, they did not look back. In their minds, they had no worries about Chao Zhilin's strength; they just needed to quickly deal with the two living targets before them.

With that situation ending, they had to proceed to the next battle, resolving the issue with the group from the Bilan Sect.

Thus, there were no pleasantries exchanged. As soon as they began, both Mao and Zhu launched deadly moves.

Shi Chun and his companion, who were witnessing Yuanjian Palace's lethal techniques for the first time, saw Mao and Zhu suddenly shine with dozens, if not hundreds, of faintly visible light points around them as if numerous stars had accompanied them.

Before they arrived, those starlights, following Mao and Zhu's distant finger-pointing at the enemy, first shot over with a whoosh.

Unsure of what those objects were, Shi Chun and his companion merged together in defense.

Wu Jinliang turned the large blade in his hands and, with one arm, held it behind him for protection, sidestepping to hide behind the sword. Shi Chun followed suit, also ducking behind him.

The advantage of having a large blade was fully demonstrated at this moment, and by their coordinated movements, it was evident this wasn't their first time dealing with such a situation.

Bang, bang, bang, a series of rapid, cannon-like booming sounds erupted.

One after another, the starlights bombarded the blade shield, causing loud blasts, but without any visible trembling. Wu Jinliang, standing firm like a mountain with the blade on his arm, withstood the continuous pounding without budging.

Wu Jinliang, hidden behind the blade, cracked a smile. If it weren't for the layer of the Treasure Robe on his arm to dissipate the force, he suspected he wouldn't have been able to withstand the relentless aerial bombardment from two High Martial Upper Realm experts.

To the onlookers, the scene unfolded differently.

The fight had already begun, and from the very first exchange, they could gauge their opponents' skills.

Mao and Zhu, who had initiated the attack, started to take things seriously, not expecting the disciples sent out by the obscure Youxia Mountain to be so proficient.

Laner, who was coldly observing from the side, was also surprised, not by Wu Jinliang withstanding the barrage, but rather that the blade shield used for defense exhibited not the slightest tremble under such relentless attacks.

To withstand and to show no trembling were two entirely different concepts.

Considering the attacking power displayed by Mao and Zhu, she could tell their cultivation power, facing such assault from two High Martial Upper Realm attackers with such unflinching stability—she admitted it was something she couldn't achieve.

Was the big guy really only at High Martial Small Success Realm in terms of cultivation?

Could he also conceal his Cultivation Realm?

Besides the booming of the blade shield, there were dust clouds rising from the ground and stones flying chaotically in all directions.

Only after seeing the light shadows passing outside the blade shield did Shi Chun and Wu Jinliang finally manage to discern what those so-called faint stars were.

They turned out to be sword-like objects, transparent like crystal but lacking hilts. If not illuminated by the moon's and stars' light, they might not have been visible at all, rapidly dissipating into nothingness after the explosion.

Before the sounds of the blasts had faded, Mao Zhong had already rushed forward, slamming a full-strength palm onto the defending blade's back—a truly solid hit.

The power of the transparent swords' remote attacks and the real impact of a High Martial Upper Realm expert's palm strike were not the same concept.

When Shi Chun previously tested the Treasure Robe, the attack from someone at High Martial Small Success Realm and the current attacks from someone at High Martial Upper Realm were also not the same concept.

Boom—the blade shield trembled and dipped under the force of the palm, pushing Wu Jinliang to bend his knees and almost causing him to kneel on one knee.

Laner, who had been coolly observing, was again taken aback. The big guy's cultivation seemed not as high as she had thought; judging by the situation, he was at most of High Martial Upper Realm, which should be around her level.

Knowing what those mysterious attacking starlights were and that they were not invincible, Shi Chun felt more reassured. Seeing Wu Jinliang being suppressed by a single strike, he kicked off and slid out from under the blade shield, immediately spotting Zhu Ze, who was surrounded by faint glowing points again.

As he exposed himself, Zhu Ze, like a hawk pouncing on a rabbit, flapped his arms and almost instantly, a torrential Sword Rain bore down on Shi Chun.

Fortunately, Shi Chun slid out quickly enough to narrowly dodge it.

Seeing his attack method, Shi Chun knew Wu Jinliang might be in a tough situation and immediately shouted, "Junior sister, if I make a move, someone will die, lend a hand and capture one alive."

It would be wasteful not to make use of a powerful fighter.

Laner coldly retorted, "Then let me see you kill one."

No sooner had she spoken than she was shocked by the scene unfolding on Wu Jinliang's side.

Wu Jinliang, having risen with his blade, watched Mao Zhong's figure flipping through the air after being struck by the palm, and unexpectedly, he leapt up in pursuit, hacking furiously with his huge blade.

Mao Zhong reacted by throwing out several sword lights to force Wu Jinliang into self-defense; yet Wu Jinliang, amazingly, ignored the sword lights shooting at his chest, recklessly determined to slay Mao Zhong.

This move nearly terrified Mao Zhong out of his wits. In his frantic attempt to fend off the descending blade, he managed to sweep it aside.

Before he could even heave a sigh of relief, he was startled again by what happened next. The sword lights that struck Wu Jinliang's chest and abdomen dispersed on impact as if they had done no damage, and Wu Jinliang, with his deflected blade, spun in the air, swinging the blade full circle and then bringing it down following the momentum.

Alas, the disparity in cultivation and strength between the two sides was indeed significant, Shi Chun's reflexes proved to be more superior.

Clang! The cleaver slashing down was once again deflected by his hand, which struck later but arrived first, and with a kick to the side of Wu Jinliang's waist, he sent Wu Jinliang flying out.

On the other side, hearing Shi Chun's shouts, Zhu Ze subconsciously looked back, somewhat puzzled. Hadn't Chao Zhilin made a move? Why did the woman still have the composure to respond?

But nothing prepared him for what he saw—Chao Zhilin was kneeling at someone's feet like a dead dog. Who was this woman who'd been supposedly overpowered? Instantly the thought crossed his mind: who exactly overpowered whom?

What's more, these two senior brothers seemed considerably weaker than their junior sister.

Chao Zhilin's plight had truly frightened him. Regardless of what had happened, he immediately turned his head towards Shi Chun, planning to capture a hostage first, then leaped up from the ground and rushed at Shi Chun at full speed.

Hearing Xiang Laner's response and then seeing Wu Jinliang in danger, Shi Chun was greatly alarmed. No longer caring about the life or death of her opponent, she kicked off the ground, her sliding figure abruptly stopped, and she counterattacked against the onrushing Zhu Ze.

Zhu Ze, with dozens of light points flashing around his body again, swung both arms, releasing numerous sword shadows in swift succession.

Shi Chun, charging straight headlong with knives swinging wildly, threw herself at the sword lights as if she had a death wish.

Xiang Laner, who had already let go of the two before her, moved like a specter, and her fallen cloak began to float up like a bat, sticking to her body as it went.

She had gone to rescue Wu Jinliang in danger and had glanced at Shi Chun, only to see her charging into dozens of sword lights just as recklessly as Wu Jinliang, which gave her quite a scare. Did these two both fight in such a terrifying manner?

No amount of worry was helpful; she couldn't be in two places at once and it was too late to intervene and rescue.

She could only hope for the best, maybe Shi Chun had the same imperviousness to blades and spears as Wu Jinliang.

Boom! A loud explosion sounded.

One sword light was shattered on the spot.

But dozens more continued towards Shi Chun.

Zhu Ze couldn't claim any joy in success; on the contrary, he was surprised that his opponent was so recklessly suicidal—he had wanted to take her hostage.

Of course, he also sensed something unusual in the clashing sounds.

Following that, he saw the abnormality: the numerous sword lights rushing towards Shi Chun suddenly became disordered and burst apart, a force of explosion fiercely scattering them.

The two colliding individuals had plunged together into the chaotic maelstrom of swords.

Their speed towards each other was so fast due to the head-on charges, that neither could avoid the other.

By the time Shi Chun swung her blade once, it was too late to gather momentum for a second strike.

However, her other hand unleashed the Demon Dispel Hand and blasted it forth.

Zhu Ze, contemptuous, though the acceleration due to the head-on collision was substantial, still deemed his opponent's speed slow. He quickly countered, his hand striking first, grabbing at Shi Chun's wrist.

In the instant their hands brushed at high speed, Zhu Ze's eyes suddenly widened, feeling an explosive force erupting from the opponent's wrist, blasting open his grip and leaving him wide open.

Then it was too late to react. While hurriedly deploying a protective spell on his body, he helplessly watched the palm strike his chest.

The impact wasn't loud.

Just a thump.

Both individuals fell to the ground, both brought to a halt by the collision.

Zhu Ze felt as if both mana and bodily functions were in instant disarray, his ears ringing, sensing something wanting to break out from his back, the excruciating torment overwhelming him, as if his consciousness sought to flee from the body.

His hands trembled, trying to move, but found his body out of control, feeling a trickle of liquid flowing out from his mouth and nose.

The figure standing before him quickly blurred.

Shi Chun, confirming the opponent was hit and had no power to counterattack, halted her lifting blade and turned her gaze towards the other combatants.

Mao Zhong, having just sent Wu Jinliang flying, sensed something amiss; sword lights flared around him again, and without looking, he unleashed his Sword Rain attack.

The Sword Rain blasted towards Xiang Laner, who was charging at him.

The cloak clinging to Xiang Laner like a bat was flung by her, the drifting fabric twisting as it initially cut through dozens of sword lights, then was grabbed by Xiang Laner who flicked the corners.

The cloak, like a carp bouncing off the ground, suddenly split the wave of Sword Rain in two, the sword light scattering in all directions.

Mao Zhong was shocked to see his sword moves broken with such deft ease. He then noticed the fallen Chao Zhilin, his panic intensifying. Without a moment's thought, the cloak, taut as a blade, stabbed forth towards his chest.

With a sidestep, he tried to slap it away, but the cloak, like a snake following a stick, wrapped softly around him, looking to cloak and entrap him, emitting a black fog that tangled him within.

Terrified, he struggled to shake off the cloak several times unsuccessfully, as if ten thousand threads were pulling and entangling him.

A lovely figure flashed by; Xiang Laner touched his brow, and Mao Zhong immediately lost resistance, his eyes rolling back as he collapsed backward.

Under the stars and moon, Xiang Laner with her hair fluttering in front of her face quickly turned to the situation at Shi Chun's side.

There, Zhu Ze was teetering on the brink of collapse, then with a thud, he kneeled to the ground, at the feet of Shi Chun.

Shi Chun raised her hand to sheathe her knife, while Xiang Laner's gaze met hers under the hazy moonlight.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.