C34 Bit Me!

The unexpected arrival of Yang Changqing caught Liu Xingchang and his companions off guard.

They had suspected that the tavern was not a haven of peace, yet they hadn't anticipated trouble to arise so swiftly.

Yan Tianni narrowed her eyes at the young woman before her, her voice icy. "I've heard rumors that on the journey to the central region's competition, some teams prey on others they encounter. Not only does this ease the burden of the preliminary rounds, but it also allows for a ruthless looting of the fallen, bolstering one's resources and strength... I just didn't expect to run into a Hunter Squad so soon."

Yang Changqing responded, "Quite the clever deduction. It's just a shame that such a clever mind will soon be separated from its body."

Yan Tianni let out a cold laugh. "Hunter Squads may be the bane of many, but... trust me, you've tangled with the wrong adversary this time."

"Oh, is that so?" Yang Changqing scoffed. "Then why don't you prove it to me?"

"Watch closely then!" Yan Tianni's voice cut through the air as she unsheathed her sword and thrust it lightning-fast towards Yang Changqing's throat.

A team bold enough to be a Hunter Squad would naturally consist of no ordinary members. Yang Changqing's reflexes were sharp; he narrowly avoided the blade, simultaneously snatching a sword from the table and, with a flick of his wrist, slammed the flat side hard against Yan Tianni's throat.

Yan Tianni proved herself to be a formidable opponent, not flinching from the blow. Instead, the sword she had evaded spun back in a vicious arc aimed straight for Yang Changqing's chest.

It was a gambit of the doomed, a strategy of mutual destruction!

If Yang Changqing was determined to end Yan Tianni, her sword would just as surely pierce his heart.

Yan Tianni, who had single-handedly traversed six nations and seven cities, was no stranger to such ferocity. Even Liu Xingchang watched, impressed, as he arched an eyebrow.

Clearly not keen on a joint demise, Yang Changqing, in a moment of alarm, withdrew his attack, but in doing so, he stumbled and fell backward.

When they were in a state of equilibrium, anyone who wanted to back out would have to pay a price.

Just then, a gaunt figure dashed over like a bolt of lightning, wrapping an arm around Yang Changqing's delicate waist. With the other hand wielding a knife, he deftly parried Yan Tianni's sword.

Yan Tianni's sword, already weakened, was no match for the youth's ferocious attack. How could she resist?

With one swift block, Yan Tianni's complexion turned ashen as a tumultuous force roiled within her, sending her reeling backward.

The slender, striking youth flashed a wicked smile, gently setting Yang Changqing aside. His knife twirled in his hand, menacingly coiling towards Yan Tianni's Spirit Sea.

The onlookers' eyebrows shot up at the sight.

For Cultivators, shattering a Spirit Sea was far more brutal than taking a life.

Yan Tianni's pupils narrowed. The youth's previous block had left her in a state of recoil, without leverage to wield her sword. How could she possibly fend off his next strike?

In that critical moment, Liu Xingchang's eyes narrowed as he lunged forward, seizing Yan Tianni's left arm. With a swift pivot, she was suddenly behind him.

But now, with Yan Tianni out of harm's way, it was Liu Xingchang who faced Zhu Zi Yu's incoming slash.

The blade, already perilously close to Yan Tianni, now bore down on Liu Xingchang as he stepped into its path.

The onlookers' pupils constricted, realizing that no one in the room could confidently evade such a strike at this range.

Liu Xingchang was no exception.

But he had no intention of dodging.

In that split second, Liu Xingchang converted all 90 Spirit Mark Runes into a defensive array, channeling all the Spiritual Energy within his Spirit Seas to the tip of Zhu Zi Yu's blade. The formidable power of the Holy Water Rune also infused the runes at that critical juncture.

"Puff."

Blood sprayed as Zhu Zi Yu's blade plunged into Liu Xingchang's flesh, all eyes fixed on the harrowing scene.

Yan Tianni let out a startled cry, while Hu Gewan's heart ached so fiercely it nearly ceased to beat.

In the blink of an eye, everyone's eyes bulged with shock because... although the blade had struck Liu Xingchang, it failed to penetrate deeply and did not pierce his Spirit Sea!

What was happening?

Everyone was in disbelief at the sight before them!

Who could possibly have such formidable defensive abilities?

Master Zhu Yu's head snapped up as he exclaimed incredulously, "How is this possible? How could your flesh possibly withstand that blade?"

Liu Xingchang offered a slight smile and replied, "As for why, maybe you should ask the King of Hell."

Liu Xingchang's smile was sunny, yet in Master Zhu Yu's eyes, it was as chilling as the grim reaper's grin.

Master Zhu Yu felt a bone-chilling cold engulf him. In the next instant, Liu Xingchang had twisted his wrist, seized Zhu Yu's blade, and viciously aimed it at Zhu Yu's throat.

Zhu Yu had no chance to dodge at such close quarters!

Just then, a booming voice erupted:

"Friend, please hold!"

Liu Xingchang's blade halted immediately before Zhu Yu's throat, causing Zhu Yu's back to be drenched in cold sweat and his throat to involuntarily tighten, swallowing hard.

At that moment, the purple-clothed youth exuding a regal presence approached with Yang Changqing, the burly youth, and the alluring girl in tow.

The purple-clothed youth extended his hand, pleading, "Friend, my companion only meant to jest with everyone. Why resort to such lethal force?"

"A jest?" Liu Xingchang's eyes narrowed as he positioned Yan Tianni in front of him and said icily, "It was merely a scuffle between two girls; we were content to watch. But this young man from your team rudely interfered, and despite his youth, his actions were incredibly vicious! Had I not intervened, my friend's abilities would have been destroyed. And now you're telling me it was all in jest?"

The purple-clothed youth's brows furrowed, a touch of menace in his expression as he retorted, "Friend, might you speak with more civility? My friend may have acted improperly, but it's always better to make friends when traveling. Our team from the White Country has been competing for five years, and we are now a team of hunters en route to the competition. If you let us pass, we can discuss this amicably. However, should you choose to cross us, it won't be to your advantage."

"No benefits?"

Liu Xingchang burst into laughter.

His laugh was radiant and hearty, but it quickly faded away.

Even as the laughter ceased, Liu Xingchang's mouth remained wide in a smile, which slowly closed.

His gaze turned icy in an instant. "The whole world knows the importance of the Spirit Sea to a Cultivator. And you're telling me your friend is merely biased? Are you actually threatening me?"

The youth in purple robes replied with a frosty demeanor, "I'm not threatening you; I'm merely stating a fact."

"Stating a fact?"

The corners of Liu Xingchang's mouth curled upward. In a flash, his expression turned icy, and he twisted his arm sharply.

"Damn!"

Zhu Zi Yu's throat was suddenly slashed, blood spraying out, staining the youth's purple robe and Liu Xingchang's face.

With his face smeared with blood, Liu Xingchang's gaze was piercing as he squinted at the youth in purple, enunciating each word, "If I kill him now, what will you do? Bite me?"