C49 You Can Only Leave with an Arm!

Liu Xingchang's gaze fixed on Huan Kejian, his eyes storming with thunder and lightning.

Had it not been for Huan Kejian, he would have rescued Hu Gewan before Chun Erliu had the chance. That way, he wouldn't be in debt to Chun Erliu, and Hu Gewan wouldn't have been hurt.

Despite Hu Gewan's resilience and lack of complaints, her arm was drenched in blood, a testament to the severity of her wound, which no minor cut could have soaked through her clothing so quickly.

All this, a gift from Huan Kejian.

And so, Liu Xingchang was determined to settle the score with Huan Kejian.

Huan Kejian narrowed his eyes and taunted, "Oh? Really? With you being nothing more than a Cultivator at the Second Layer of Spirit Mastery Realm? You must realize that I am a formidable Cultivator of the Spirit Mastery Fifth Layer!"

"Enough with the bluster!"

With a sudden cold shout, Liu Xingchang launched a punch.

This unexpected move made the onlookers raise their eyebrows in surprise.

While the majority were focused on the Moon-Chasing Wind Wolf, a few, due to their proximity to Liu Xingchang and his group, were drawn to the commotion he had caused.

To them, Liu Xingchang's defense of a woman was typical of a fiery youth.

Yet, despite his bold words, Liu Xingchang was outclassed by three whole levels of cultivation, and it was expected that there would be more posturing, allowing each party to gracefully back down, minimizing the conflict. No one anticipated that Liu Xingchang would find Huan Kejian's rambling excessive and resort to throwing a punch without further ado.

"This guy... he's biting off more than he can chew..."

"All bravado and no substance, just a hothead..."

"..."

Chun Erliu hadn't expected Liu Xingchang to strike so decisively, without a moment's hesitation. She quickly summoned her Spiritual Energy, ready to observe the fight, prepared to intervene if Liu Xingchang found himself at a disadvantage.

But it wasn't long before Chun Erliu realized she might have overthought the situation.

Although Liu Xingchang was merely a Cultivator at the Second Layer of Spirit Mastery Realm, Huan Kejian was at the Fifth Layer. Nonetheless, Liu Xingchang didn't appear to be at a disadvantage.

His Spiritual Energy was significantly denser than that of an average Cultivator at his level, and his strength was considerably greater. He managed to parry every one of Huan Kejian's attacks.

In this moment, Liu Xingchang, focusing solely on Huan Kejian, found that his understanding of the Sword Dao sufficiently supported the sword speed required to face a Cultivator of the Spirit Mastery Fifth Layer. Consequently, he converted all ninety of his Spirit Mark Runes into the offensive type.

Bolstered by the Holy Water Rune, the dense Spiritual Energy from the three Spirit Seas combined with the ninety offensive Spirit Mark Runes made each of Liu Xingchang's strikes swift, fierce, and dominant.

Yet, even as Liu Xingchang held his ground, Huan Kejian seemed to maintain his footing as well.

After another exchange of swordplay, both Liu Xingchang and Huan Kejian were sent stumbling back. Huan Kejian retreated three steps, while Liu Xingchang took four. It appeared that Liu Xingchang was slightly outmatched by Huan Kejian, but this was enough to astonish the onlookers, considering Liu Xingchang's realm was three levels below Huan Kejian's.

Liu Xingchang abruptly inquired, "It looks like you possess a complete set of second-grade Spirit Mark Runes."

Narrowing his eyes, Huan Kejian responded, "Unexpectedly, someone from an insignificant outer force like yours has the resources to embed a full set of second-grade Spirit Mark Runes. That's quite lavish of you."

With a scoff, Liu Xingchang retorted, "Sorry to disappoint, but I've only used first-grade Spirit Mark Runes."

Huan Kejian's eyes widened in shock, mirrored by the gasps of the crowd.

"He's only using first-grade Spirit Mark Runes?"

"How can that be?"

"How could he possibly hold his own against a Spirit Mastery Fifth Layer Cultivator with just first-grade runes?"

Huan Kejian coldly snapped, "The fact that you can fight me to a standstill is impressive enough. Why resort to such theatrics just to draw attention?"

Liu Xingchang was well aware that not only would Huan Kejian find his claims unbelievable, but so would everyone else around them.

Even Chun Erliu, Yan Tianni, and their peers would doubt his words.

How could a Cultivator at the Second Layer of the Spirit Mastery Realm, who utilized a first-grade Spirit Mark Rune, possibly hold his own against a Cultivator at the Fifth Layer of the Spirit Mastery Realm with a second-grade Spirit Mark Rune?

Regardless of whether others believed him, Liu Xingchang knew that once he embedded a set of second-grade Spirit Mark Runes, his power would surge significantly. Then, those skeptics would be utterly astonished.

At the moment, Liu Xingchang wasn't concerned with proving the level of Spirit Mark Runes he had used. His focus was on settling a blood debt.

Everyone must take responsibility for their actions.

Just then, the Moon-Chasing Wind Wolf let out another piercing howl; someone had shot an arrow into its eye!

Despite the Moon-Chasing Wind Wolf's formidable strength, the number of attackers was overwhelming. No matter how many it killed, it couldn't possibly break free from the siege of numerous Spirit Mastery Realm Cultivators.

Huan Kejian squinted his eyes and proposed, "You surely want the Demon Core of a Third-Tier Demon Beast, don't you?"

Liu Xingchang replied, "Of course, I do."

Huan Kejian suggested, "Let's call a truce for now and compete for the Third-Tier Demon Core. We can resume our battle later. What do you say?"

Liu Xingchang responded icily, "Absolutely not!"

Suddenly, two women charged towards them from a distance.

"Huan Kejian! What are you doing here?"

Both Liu Xingchang and Huan Kejian turned to see that it was the two young ladies from the Bai family who had unexpectedly arrived.

Huan Kejian's eyes brightened as he greeted them, "Miss Xi Xi, Miss Qing Qing, how did you find us?"

Bai Xixi, dressed in white, explained, "We followed the howling of the Moon-Chasing Wind Wolf. Encountering a Third-Tier Demon Beast within the Great Ancient Array is a rare event; we simply had to see what the commotion was about."

Bai Qingqing blinked, glanced at Liu Xingchang and the others, and suddenly turned to Huan Kejian, "Are you stepping in to give them a lesson on my behalf?"

Huan Kejian smiled and replied, "Indeed. This fellow has crossed Miss Qingqing, and I certainly can't let that slide."

A gleam sparked in Bai Qingqing's eyes as she joyfully exclaimed, "Exactly! Teach these country bumpkins a lesson. Show them what's what!"

Huan Kejian added, "That's the plan. However, since the Moon-Chasing Wind Wolf is wounded, I believe our priority should be to compete for the valuable resources!"

Bai Xixi chimed in, "Qingqing, Young Master Huang is correct. We should prioritize securing the Demon Core of the Moon-Chasing Wind Wolf. Regarding this incident, perhaps we should let it go, especially since you were the one to insult him first."

"It's not over!"

Before Bai Qingqing could respond, Huan Kejian pointed at Liu Xingchang and declared, "I claim this young man's head for myself! If you're brave enough, don't run. Once we've secured the Moon-Chasing Wind Wolf's Demon Core, we'll settle this with a grand battle right here!"

With that, Huan Kejian was ready to depart with the Bai sisters.

"Hold it right there!"

At that moment, Liu Xingchang swiftly pivoted, blocking Huan Kejian's way.

Liu Xingchang slowly lifted his head, his eyes flashing with the threat of a storm, his voice emanating a chilling tone, "Who said you could leave? If you want to go, you'll need to leave an arm behind!"

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