"There really is someone here!" Song Qianqian exclaimed, her voice trembling at the end.
But before her words fully faded, Acheron gently shook her head, a sigh escaping her slightly parted red lips.
"So this is your choice."
Whoosh!!!
In the next instant, before anyone present could react, Acheron swung her blade with lightning speed. A crescent-shaped slash of purple light, crackling with violet lightning and tearing through the air with a sharp shriek, roared forth.
Time in the clearing seemed to freeze. The reflection of that purple lightning filled everyone's pupils, and the man's look of bewilderment became the final frame frozen before annihilation.
The next second... Boom!!!
As the slash exploded, the night sky was dyed an eerie purple, as if even the stars dimmed in comparison. The strike, carrying an aura of destruction, howled past, completely shattering the night's silence. The man had no time to react before being swallowed by the blade light; the figures hiding in the shadows didn't even have a chance to scream before they were obliterated.
Song Qianqian: (; °Д°)
Jiang Qingning: (; °Д°)
little Yao: (⊙﹏⊙)
This sudden, shocking turn of events was like a thunderclap from a clear sky. Not only did it catch the other side completely off guard, but even Song Qianqian and the others instantly froze in place, their eyes reflecting the afterimage of the interweaving blade light and lightning.
Only after the residual power of the lightning-like slash dissipated did a wave of belated fear surge into their hearts, sending chills down their spines. They never imagined that the person who had just emerged was still a decoy, and the true "oriole" hiding in the dark still hadn't revealed itself.
The adorable expression on little Yao's pretty face was also quite a sight. From beginning to end, she hadn't noticed at all that this sister, beautiful enough to seem otherworldly, was actually that powerful! Even the tail swaying behind her instantly stiffened upon sensing this deadly threat.
Thud!!!
"Young Master, are you alright?" "I'm fine."
At this moment, troubles emerged one after another. Two figures materialized before the group like ghosts. Seeing this, Acheron showed no surprise. With one hand on her hip, her gaze remained as indifferent as ice.
"Finally willing to come out?"
Although her words carried no extra emotion, to the ears of the two men, they sounded sharp as daggers, full of mockery. Unsurprisingly, these two were the ones who had hidden until the very end.
One was an old man with white hair and beard, his murky pupils shining with the keen glint of a hawk. The other, addressed as 'Young Master,' had sleeves that fluttered gracefully. His smile was like a spring breeze, his every movement exuding nobility.
After appearing, they both subtly glanced behind them in unison. The forest trees in the semi-circular arc directly in front of the woman were almost completely obliterated, leaving only a flat, smooth expanse of tree stumps. This sight secretly shocked the two men.
Judge by her aura, though she seemed like a mortal, she possessed strength not inferior to the Nascent Soul Stage. Even more perplexing was that no one present had seen the purple-haired woman's blade-swinging motion. The blade at her waist didn't even seem to have moved an inch.
Upon hearing the woman's mockery, the old man immediately rebuked angrily. "How insolent! Don't think that just because you have some ability, a junior like you can act recklessly! Today, this old master will teach you the meaning of respect!"
"Ah! Elder, don't be rash," the Young Master beside him stepped forward to stop him. His every gesture was filled with humble courtesy, his expression amiable.
But that was all it was. Such pretentious little tricks might fool young girls, but in Acheron's eyes, they were utterly childish. With a single glance, Acheron saw the imperceptible cold glint hidden deep in his eyes, like a sharp blade wrapped in silk.
These two had been hiding here since the beginning, watching their own companions act as bait.
"Hmph, out of respect for my Young Master, I shall not lower myself to argue with a mere mortal like you." Seeing his Young Master stop him, the old man immediately retracted his terrifying aura.
This time, despite Acheron guarding them at the front, the three behind her still couldn't stop trembling—little Yao included. This was a formidable force that struck directly at the soul. little Yao's face turned deathly pale, her fur stood on end, and she let out faint whimpers.
"Oh no! This oppressive feeling... that old man is likely above the Nascent Soul Stage!"
If he hadn't retracted it in time, the three might have suffered significant spiritual damage. Fortunately, the old man retracted it promptly. Otherwise, in the next moment, Acheron might have made him face the aura of nothingness. After all, if you can't solve the problem, you just solve the person causing it.
The only thing that slightly surprised Acheron was little Yao. Under such pressure, she still managed to suppress her fear and stand protectively in front of the two women.
'Their initial target seems to be this girl.'
Although she didn't know what was special about little Yao, falling into these two men's hands certainly wouldn't be a good thing. Since little Yao had gone this far for little Qian, Acheron had no reason to stand idly by.
Noticing the fear in the girls' eyes, a trace of disdain flashed imperceptibly in the man's eyes. Next, the old man spoke in an arrogant tone. "Although the Young Master is willing to let bygones be bygones, the death penalty may be avoided, but living punishment is hard to escape."
At that moment, the young master stepped forward again to mediate.
"Elder, you're being so rigid. My apologies for startling you ladies. Let me introduce myself first. I am Lei Ling, Young Sect Master of the Wind Thunder Pavilion. You may address me as Young Master Lei."
He maintained a pleasant expression as he continued. "I don't wish to trouble you. The target of our journey this time is the demon beast beside you. It has brought calamity upon countless villages. As righteous cultivators, it is our duty to intervene. So, for your safety, I advise you to stay as far away from her as possible. Don't be deceived by her harmless appearance."