It was night. The four figures stood like spectres in the huge tree. Their bodies were hidden from head to toe in black robes â even their faces couldnât be seen. The only parts of their bodies that were exposed were their eyes, which were filled with baleful aura.
Frightening Spiritual Energy ripples fluctuated around the four of them. Based on those levels, all of these people had reached the Heavenly Fusion Stage Late Phase!
Mu Chen narrowed his eyes at their formation. If you put them in with any of those previous adventurer parties, theyâd definitely take the lead position. So why had four of them suddenly appeared?
They hadnât provoked any powerful forces along their journey, so why was trouble knocking on their door?
âWho are you?!â Mu Chenâs voice was solemn as he coldly growled. If heâd been facing just a single Heavenly Fusion Stage Late Phase opponent, he couldâve defeated them without much effort. But there were four of them. Furthermore, from the looks of it, those four were highly experienced. The baleful aura in their eyes had obviously been earned through long years of knowing massacre. They were completely different from the Heavenly Fusion Stage Late Phase upperclassmen of the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy!
However, those four black shadows acted as though they hadnât heard Mu Chen. On the other hand, the baleful aura within their eyes grew even denser.
Mu Chenâs and Su Lingâerâs hearts sank at seeing their formation. Those guys were excellently trained, not an ordinary adventurer party.
âKill them!â
An ice-cold sound suddenly came from the mouth of a black shadow. Then, the four of them exploded in motion. With a flex of their fingers, black spears materialised in their hands. Their Spiritual Energies surged, melting into multitudes of illusionary spears that covered the skies and the earth, enveloping the two of them.
Mu Chenâs expression changed at the straightforward actions of the four shadows. He formed a claw, condensing with dark light. The Nine-layered Pagoda surfaced in his palm, exploding with a downward force.
Dang! Dannng!
Numerous spears hit the Nine-layered Pagoda, but only caused it to shake a little. The surface of the pagoda wasnât damaged in the slightest.
Rustle!
But, the four of them werenât the gentle and kind types; the moment they saw Mu Chenâs impenetrable defense, two of them changed direction. The spears made a detour around Mu Chen and shot towards Su Lingâer, who was being protected behind him.
Su Lingâer responded to the situation by hastily putting her jade-like hands on the long fire-red whip at her waist. With a shake of her jade-like hand, the whip whistled out like a fiery python. It carried surges of Spiritual Energy and collided with the two spears.
Bang! Bannng!
A berzerk Spiritual Energy emanated from the collision, toppling the large trees in the vicinity. The two spectre-shadows skimmed forward, pressing closer to Su Lingâer. The tips of those spears shined with a chilling light and were aimed at Su Lingâers vitals.
Faced with two Heavenly Fusion Stage Late Phases, Su Lingâer had instantly landed herself in a very disadvantageous position. It was even more dangerous when you compared the ruthlessness of their attacks against her own. Her delicate face turned a little pale.
Shhhhuuuu!
Two chilling spears shot forward and penetrated the defense that Su Lingâer had set up with her fire-red whip. The spears shot towards her shoulder at lightning speed, bringing a strong and sharp gale.
Su Lingâerâs enthusiasm had declined as she faced those fearful attacks. She quickly stepped back, then jumped as she realized that sheâd already backed up into the trunk of a tree. Her charming face turn exceptionally pale.
Daaang!
However, just as the spear was about to hit Su Lingâer, the Nine-layered Pagoda descended from the sky and enveloped her.
Daang!
The black spears that had flown with their frightening Spiritual Energy ripples heavily collided with the pagoda; however, they were dispersed by the rippling layers of dark light.
The pagoda made of dark light rapidly shrank. A figure flew up to Su Lingâer and pulled her into his embrace by her slender waist. Then, the figure fled into the dark forest, like a cunning rabbit.
âChase them down!â
When the four figures realised whatâd happened, they growled and quickly gave chase.
Mu Chen held onto Su Lingâer as he flashed through the forest. He lowered his head, glanced at the slightly pale and shaking young girl as he asked, âAre you alright?â
Su Lingâer shook her head and replied, âThank you. What should we do now?â
Their opponents were four Heavenly Fusion Stage Late Phase experts. Between the two of them, Su Lingâer was also a Heavenly Fusion Stage Late Phase, but she wasnât very experienced in combat. She probably couldnât even defeat one of the four. Meanwhile, Mu Chen had quite a few cards up his sleeve, but he knew he wouldnât have time to prepare them; their opponents werenât looking for a fair and honorable fight.
Their situation was extremely unfavourable.
âCan we last until Big Sister and the others find us?â Su Lingâer asked in a low voice. If Su Xuan and the rest were with them, they wouldnât have to fear those four.
âOur opponents are very experienced. Their target is clear. First, they lured your sister and the others so that they could easily deal with us. They probably planned to capture us first, then restrain your sister and the others.â Mu Chenâs deep reply came as he continued to flash through the forest, like a hunting leopard.
âIf I take you with me, theyâll probably catch up soon.â
Su Lingâer showed an anxious expression at Mu Chenâs words. âWhat should we do?â
âIâm going to put you down, first.â Mu Chen cautiously looked behind them. Four figures were rapidly catching up.
âAh?â Su Lingâer looked confused. Her delicate face instantly turned as white as snow and her beautiful eyes surged with moisture. She grabbed Mu Chenâs clothes, âMu Chen, you bastard! Fine! Put me down now, I donât need you to save me!â
Mu Chen didnât know whether to laugh or cry at her expression. He helplessly replied, âWhat are you thinking? If I take you with me, theyâre going to overtake us sooner or later. The only thing I can do is hide you somewhere, while I lure them away. After that, you need to find your sister and the others as soon as possible.â
Su Lingâerâs delicate face turned red; however, she still couldnât care about anything else as she anxiously said, âNo, itâs too dangerous for you to lure them all by yourself.â
Sheâd just witnessed the strength and intimidation of those four. Their bloodlust was surging and their methods were ruthless. You couldnât get that way just by sparring with the upperclassmen of the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy.
âI know what Iâm doing.â
Mu Chen shook his head with an unquestionable tone in his voice. His figure continued to flit across the forest. With a pulling motion of his palm, he drew out some sort of green leaf from among the underbrush. Then, he quickly ground the leaves and sprinkled the peculiar-smelling juices over Su Lingâer.
âThese juices will conceal your scent. Later, when I leave you somewhere, youâll need to hide yourself and suppress your Spiritual Energy. That way, they wonât be able to find you.â Mu Chen explained as he finished what he was doing.
Su Lingâer dazedly watched Mu Chen complete the task with an extremely proficient technique. She slightly raised her head and saw Mu Chenâs handsome face under the shine of moonlight. However, the current Mu Chen was filled with a cold intent, replacing his usual gentleness. The sharpness was like a polished longsword, quietly hiding its edge within its scabbard.
âMu Chen, this is a Middle Rank Spiritual Artifact that I exchanged at the Spiritual Value Hall. You should use it.â Su Lingâer brought out a cyan longsword. A vague, but piercingly sharp sword aura emanated from it.
Mu Chen nodded. Heâd never used a Spiritual Artifact before, but one had suddenly appeared before his eyes. At least he could use it to increase his fighting strength by a bit.
âBe careful.â
Mu Chenâs speed abruptly increased. With a turn of his body, he leaned slightly. The instant he had entered the darkness, he threw Su Lingâer from his arms.
Su Lingâer twisted her body in mid-air and quietly landed in a large tree. Then, she concealed herself within the treeâs dense foliage. She also quickly suppressed the Spiritual Energy circulating in her body.
She nervously directed her line of sight downwards. Soon, four spectre-like shadows bypassed her in their pursuit. When they arrived in the area, their bodies slightly paused and their eyes swept the area. Then, they resumed their pursuit in the direction that Mu Chen had gone.
As they distanced themselves, Su Lingâer faintly heard a deep and low voice that sounded on the wind. âQuick, weâre running out of time. We have to get rid of those two as soon as possible!â
Su Lingâer didnât immediately leap down from the huge tree; instead, she remained among the leaves for a period of time. She knew that Mu Chen had placed himself in great danger just to get her to safety. She couldnât be reckless and cause Mu Chenâs plan to fail.
âMu Chen, you have to be careful!â
Su Lingâerâs small fists were tightly clenched as her charming eyes looked in the direction that Mu Chen and those four specter-like shadows had disappeared in. Her eyes were filled with nervousness and worry.
Rustle!
She waited for quite a while more. Once she was sure that everything had calmed down, she leapt vigorously from the tree. Then, she rapidly skimmed in the direction of their camp.
âMu Chen, you have to hold on there. Iâll get my sister and the others to rescue you right away!â
Mu Chenâs figure moved like a black leopard among the shadows of the gloomy forest as he quietly skimmed through. His palm slowly clutched the cyan longsword at his waist as he looked behind him. Back there, the sonic booms sounded even more urgent than before. Four bodies were faintly discernible as they gave chase.
âSo, theyâre here?â
Mu Chen said to himself in a soft voice. Then, he stuck out his tongue and licked his lips. A trace of scarlet light surged forward in his black pupils. He was like a fierce and malicious wolf about to set upon its prey.
âItâs been a long time since Iâve been like this. Since you guys are chasing so hard and unwilling to let go, letâs find out whoâs the real hunter!â
An excited curve rose on Mu Chenâs lips. Heâd already been suppressing the urge to hunt for quite a long time now. When he was in the Northern Heavens Spiritual Academy, heâd had the identity of a student. But, out here, there was nothing he had to worry about anymore!
Moonlight shined down through the tiny cracks in the forest, forming a chilly arc of light on his handsome face. That side appeared very cold at this moment.
Now, the Blood Calamity of the Spirit Road was going to reveal his fangs.