C17 Shameless Encirclement

Whistling – the significance of that act was unmistakable to Meng Fann and Gu Xin'er. Lei Tao's crew's brazenness stemmed from the fact that it wasn't just them; a host of Wu Town's younger generation stood behind them, each more exceptional than the last.

Gu Xin'er's eyes flickered with intent, and as she reached out to intervene, a Wu Town youth had already whipped out a whistle and blew it. The piercing sound cut through the forest, and the young man looked at Meng Fann with smug satisfaction.

Clearly, Meng Fann's surge in strength was a blow to them, but seeing him at a disadvantage was a welcome sight.

With a frustrated stomp, Gu Xin'er's gaze locked onto Meng Fann with concern. "We should get out of here, Brother Meng Fann!" she whispered urgently.

Meng Fann shook his head, his voice grave. "There's no time. The snake tide is today; the Wu Town youth will all be here. They'll arrive any moment."

True to Meng Fann's prediction, within moments, figures sprang from every direction in the woods. Scores of young men, drawn by the whistle, converged on the scene – nearly a hundred strong, all taken aback by what they found.

Lei Tao was known for his prowess, but the sight of him facing off against Meng Fann and Gu Xin'er was a shock to them all.

Amidst the hushed crowd, two towering youths stepped forward. Their stature was that of grown men, their skin bronzed – a resemblance to Lei Tao was evident. Meng Fann recognized them as Lei Tao's blood brothers, Lei Hu and Lei Bao.

Their father, Lei Li, was the captain of Wu Town's guard, granting them access to ample resources and accelerating their growth far beyond their peers. Lei Hu and Lei Bao had reached the formidable Level 7 in Body Refining, their physical resilience rivaling stone itself. Dominating the Wu Town youth, they were notorious as the town's young despots.

Lei Hu's voice boomed first, "Lei Tao, who did this to you?"

Upon spotting Lei Hu, Lei Tao's demeanor shifted, a hint of fear creeping into his voice as he uttered, "Meng Fann..."

The mere mention of that name sent a ripple of shock through the surrounding woods, with everyone turning to stare at Meng Fann in astonishment. Wasn't he the same guy Lei Tao had recently thrashed?

Lei Hu was taken aback. Advancing a step, he fixed Meng Fann with an icy glare and spat out venomously, "It's you!"

Meng Fann let out a silent sigh, realizing there was no escaping them today. Steeling himself, he stood his ground and responded with an equally frosty tone, "It's me."

Lei Hu's sneer deepened at Meng Fann's defiance. He bellowed, "Alright, you've got guts. Let's see if you keep them. Brothers, attack!"

Lei Bao and the others, poised around Lei Hu, readied themselves to pounce on Meng Fann.

Meng Fann could only offer a wry smile as he saw the encroaching mob. His strength had been utterly drained by the Big Collapsing Hand technique, leaving him unable to flee.

Gu Xin'er stepped forward, her teeth clenched, and declared coldly, "Lei Hu, this is too much. You're ganging up on just a few of us. Meng Fann was assisting me in capturing the Green Snake under my father's orders. You better not lay a finger on him!"

Lei Hu let out a contemptuous snort and replied with a sardonic grin, "So it's Miss Gu Xin'er. What are you doing with this loser, Meng Fann? I don't care who's given the orders; he attacked my brother, and I won't let him off easy."

As the conversation unfolded, Lei Bao and his crew closed in on Meng Fann, now less than three meters away, their intent to kill palpable. Meng Fann's fist tightened as he surveyed the scene, understanding all too well that, in the end, power was paramount.

Not even Gu Yuan's influence could outweigh raw strength. Lei Hu and Lei Bao were among the elite of Wu Town's younger generation. They could beat him with little more than a slap on the wrist, while he would likely not escape with minor injuries. Strength was everything!

In the blink of an eye, just as Lei Bao and his gang were about to converge on Meng Fann, a piercing sky breaking sound tore through the air. The first to be struck was a young man at the forefront, who was sent hurtling backward with a cry of pain, his retreat causing a domino effect that toppled many behind him. In an instant, the scene descended into chaos.

"Who's there!?"

Lei Bao's low growl turned into a fierce glare over Meng Fann's shoulder. But in the next instant, the savagery in his eyes gradually dissipated, replaced by a hint of fear.

A strikingly long and elegant leg sent the young man stumbling backward. The leg belonged to a woman shrouded in a black robe, her long hair cascading down her back, billowing in the breeze. She towered over Meng Fann, her youthfulness contrasting with her tall stature. Her complexion was porcelain, and her beauty radiated an allure that was beyond words.

As Meng Fann caught sight of the woman before him, recognition dawned on him. It could only be Gu Xin'er's twin sister, Gu Qing!