**[MSBISS] Chapter 77**
Xia Yu suspected that she had seen it wrong, but upon closer inspection, she found that Lu Chen was nowhere to be found.
Lu Chen had disappeared.
Only Fang Xiao, Bian Rourou, and Xiao Ye were left struggling to resist the attacks from the Dianxing Sect disciples.
Xin Zhi, a master at the golden elixir stage, was watching eagerly from the side and could take action at any moment.
Xia Yu was puzzled; where was Lu Chen? Where had he gone?
She had agreed to let him help, but now he was missing.
Shouldn't he have escaped before the battle?
Xia Yu couldn't shake off her fluster.
Xuan Yunxin smiled more broadly when she saw Xia Yu's gaze falling on her companions.
"Sister Xia Yu, it seems like your companions are having a hard time."
"Do you want to help?"
Although Xia Yu worried about her friends, Fang Xiao and Bian Rourou were only at the foundation-building stage, even in the late stage of foundation building. Xiao Ye was even weaker, being only in the Qi refining period.
The three of them working together could not withstand the siege of more than ten people from the Dianxing Sect.
However, the Dianxing Sect members only planned to hold them back and had not yet attempted to kill them.
This was enough to make their situation seem very strenuous.
After observing for a while, Xia Yu realized they could hold on for some time.
She looked coldly at Xuan Yunxin. Defeating Xuan Yunxin was her only chance.
"Take this!"
Xia Yu said lightly, swung her long sword, and suddenly, it seemed to disappear.
In Xuan Yunxin's mind, ripples appeared in the air.
It gave her the illusion that she was in a lake.
Surrounded by suffocating water, it felt as if the lake water was like a collapsing high wall, pressing down on her and making it difficult to breathe.
Horrible!
Fear filled Xuan Yunxin's eyes as she looked at Xia Yu.
Although it was said that Xia Yu had not yet comprehended sword intent, looking at her now, she was almost there.
It only required breaking through a thin layer, and understanding sword intent would naturally follow.
What a terrifying woman; no wonder she was called the third strongest in Qizhou.
Xuan Yunxin did not hesitate and threw out a golden talisman.
"Qiang!"
The sound of breaking through the air echoed, and the clamor of gold and iron filled the air.
An invisible wave spread forth.
Xia Yu felt a chill on her skin and goosebumps pricking her.
A flash of surprise crossed Xia Yu's eyes.
She did not expect Xuan Yunxin's talisman to be so sharp.
The magic talisman felt like facing a weapon that was as sharp as iron.
The spiritual power in Xia Yu's body began to circulate, and the surface of her long sword shimmered.
The ripples in the air became more frequent, resembling a strong gust of wind blowing on the surface of the lake.
"Go!"
Xuan Yunxin's face flushed, and she shouted loudly. The magic talisman vanished, tearing through the air straight toward Xia Yu.
"Break!"
"Break!"
Both shouted loudly at the same time.
Their attacks collided fiercely.
Bang! Bang!
Dense explosions echoed through the air.
With each explosion, the surrounding spiritual energy grew violent.
It was as if a hurricane blew through, kicking up sand and rocks, making both sides uncomfortable.
They each retreated slightly, neutralizing the other's attack.
Their expressions became grave.
They had only fought for two rounds, but both realized how formidable the other was.
Without wasting any time, they continued to attack.
Xia Yu's swordsmanship shifted, while Xuan Yunxin's talisman flickered.
Draped in white, she captivated all living beings.
Dressed in red, she exuded charm.
The two fought back and forth, chasing one another, battling around the core of the secret realm.
Xuan Yunxin's talismans were extremely powerful. Each explosion shook the ground, creating countless deep pits.
Xia Yu approached cautiously.
Holding her long sword, Xia Yu's mysterious sword skills, supplemented by spells, forced Xuan Yunxin to endure significant pressure.
The two switched attacks repeatedly, and soon they had fought dozens of rounds.
However, the strengths of both sides were roughly equal, and neither could gain the upper hand.
Xuan Yunxin looked at Xia Yu, whose expression remained indifferent.
She smiled, "Sister Xia Yu, are you not worried about your companions?"
Then, Xuan Yunxin's lips moved to convey a message to Xin Zhi below; her flaming red lips were very captivating.
But Xia Yu had no intention of appreciating this temptation.
The Dianxing Sect disciples below, under Xin Zhi's orders, escalated their attacks on Xiao Ye, Bian Rourou, and Fang Xiao.
Xiao Ye and the others were already struggling, only able to defend themselves passively.
Now, the Dianxing Sect disciples pressed their advantage.
Spiritual talismans, fireballs, ice spikes, and wind blades continuously rained down upon them.
The three struggled to support themselves but were forced to retreat.
If this continued, they would soon face serious problems.
Seeing this, Xia Yu's calm facade gave way to anger.
"How mean."
Xuan Yunxin was not angry but smiled proudly. "This is simply a means to victory."
"If you want to blame someone, blame the fact that you brought too few people."
Then Xuan Yunxin launched another attack. This time, Xia Yu was distracted by the plight of her companions and began to falter.
Below, Bian Rourou and the others were under immense pressure.
The attacks from the Dianxing Sect disciples left all three injured.
Their blood boiled, and their spiritual power ran sluggishly.
Each had wounds that dripped with blood.
Bian Rourou gritted her teeth, her voice bitter. "Damn it."
This "damn it" referred not only to the enemy before her but also to Lu Chen, who had vanished long ago.
She felt resentment toward Lu Chen.
"My senior sister was blind to have placed her hopes on him."
"He's such a coward that he fled in the middle of the battle."
Fang Xiao wore a confused expression. Lu Chen was strong; if he had intervened, the person before them would not stand a chance.
Even Xin Zhi could not rival Lu Chen.
So why had he disappeared?
Had she misjudged him?
Xiao Ye chose to believe in her second senior brother.
"Sister Rourou, don't worry. Second senior brother won't abandon us."
Bian Rourou shot back, "Sister Xiaoye, at this point, do you still believe in him?"
"He must have run away."
As she spoke, a wind blade shot straight toward Xiao Ye.
Xiao Ye couldn't evade and was about to be struck by the wind blade.
Fang Xiao shouted, "Sister Xiaoye, be careful!"
Then, Xiao Ye was pushed aside, but she couldn't escape, and the wind blade left a deep wound on her shoulder.
"Sister Xiao!"
The two hurriedly shielded Fang Xiao and retreated again.
The Dianxing Sect disciples pressed forward, pushing the three into a more precarious situation.
Suddenly, a voice entered Xiao Ye's ears.
Joy bloomed on her face; she pointed to the left and said, "Let's go that way!"
"Want to leave?"
Xin Zhi scanned the area nearby. When he saw the three trying to retreat, he immediately took action to intercept them.
Xin Zhi was a master at the golden elixir stage, and his speed was far greater than that of his fellow disciples.
He threw out a spiritual talisman, and with a thunderous crack, a bolt of lightning fell from the clear sky, heading straight for the three.
"Careful!"
Bian Rourou shouted. A disc magic weapon appeared in her hand and was thrown into the air.
A protective barrier enveloped the three.
The thunder and lightning descended with terrifying force, striking the barrier.
"Bang!"
The protective layer flickered twice before shattering.
Bian Rourou's disc magic weapon exploded into pieces.
The thunder and lightning pressed on, undeterred.
Bian Rourou spat out a mouthful of blood and shouted, "Go!"
Another defensive magic weapon materialized, colliding with the oncoming thunder and lightning once more.
"Bang!"
Bian Rourou's second magic weapon shattered again.
Attacks from a Golden Elixir Stage cultivator are not easily blocked by a Foundation Building Stage cultivator.
Yet, after two blockages, the thunder and lightning that fell were significantly weakened, nearing the end of their might.
However, the danger still loomed.
Fang Xiao, despite her injuries, gathered the last remaining spiritual power within her.
She executed a final strike into the rising air.
"Crossbow Wind Strike!"
Under Fang Xiao's control, her spell clashed with the descending lightning.
"Bang!"
Finally, Xin Zhi's attack was resolved.
However, Fang Xiao's condition worsened, and she lost her combat effectiveness completely.
This was the strength of a golden elixir stage cultivator!
With early-stage strength, a single attack had easily overwhelmed two foundation building cultivators.
Seeing this, Xin Zhi smiled coldly, akin to a cat playing with a mouse.
He ordered his fellow juniors to cease their attacks, preferring to deal with the trio himself. If his juniors got involved, it would be too easy.
He regarded Xiao Ye, Bian Rourou, and Fang Xiao with an air of superiority. "Actually, you would be just fine if you surrendered."
"Yell and admit defeat, and I'll let you go."
Bian Rourou scoffed, "Dream on, you stinky man. In the same realm, I would take on ten of you."
Bian Rourou was incredibly stubborn, and no man could convince her.
Xin Zhi laughed loudly, relishing in his pride. "Haha, even at a lower level, you wouldn't be my opponent."
"You want to try?"
Bian Rourou's body was softening, but her mouth remained defiant.
Xin Zhi shook his head and was about to reply when Xiao Ye stood up.
Holding a long sword in her hand, she turned to Xin Zhi, her expression resolute. "Do you dare lower your level and fight me?"
"You?"
Xin Zhi was taken aback for a moment but then burst into laughter. "How dare you say such things even as a lowly Qi refining cultivator? Are you tired of living?"
Xin Zhi was at the golden elixir stage. Even if he lowered his realm, his understanding of the laws far surpassed that of Xiao Ye.
In a real fight, Xin Zhi felt he could dispatch Xiao Ye with a mere wave of his hand.
Bian Rourou and Fang Xiao were astonished by Xiao Ye's boldness, rushing to stop her when they realized what she was doing.
"Sister Xiao Ye, no!"
"You can't face him; don't be impulsive!"
Xiao Ye turned to look at them. Bian Rourou and Fang Xiao noticed tears welling in her eyes.
"Sisters, it's okay."
Xiao Ye's eyes glimmered with tears.
Bian Rourou and Fang Xiao exchanged confused glances.
What was happening?
Were they afraid?
But if they were scared, why stand up and challenge Xin Zhi?
Xiao Ye turned her head, gritted her teeth, and declared, "Are you afraid? Don't you dare?"
"Afraid?"
"If that's the case, stop talking nonsense and fight me."
"If you're a man, don't be verbose; come at me."
"Don't make me look down on you."
Bian Rourou and Fang Xiao exchanged glances, and Fang Xiao spoke hesitantly, "This tone sounds familiar."
Bian Rourou nodded, gritting her teeth. "She was led astray by that bastard."
Xin Zhi stared coldly at Xiao Ye. Although she appeared innocent and cute, he felt no pity.
"Since you want to die, as you wish."
Xiao Ye retorted, "I'm in the late stage of Qi refining. If you dare to lower your realm, I can blow you up at any time."
"Haha," Xin Zhi laughed again, then sneered.
"Okay, okay, this is the first time I've seen someone more arrogant than myself. Bring it on."
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(End of this chapter)