"It wasn't me!"
Seeing Xue Xiong charging at her without hesitation, Liu Yiru swiftly dodged to the side, her voice tinged with urgency.
"Stop!" Several guards from the Liu family sprang into action to intercept Xue Xiong.
A glimmer of disdain flickered in Xue Xiong's eyes as he effortlessly dispatched the guards with a flurry of blades before continuing his advance toward Liu Yiru, a cruel smile curling upon his lips. "You wretched woman, regardless of whether you orchestrated this or not, if I suspect you, you must die. Even if I were to wrongfully slay a thousand, I would spare not a single one!"
"Despicable!" Liu Yiru's expression paled in horror; she could scarcely fathom Xue Xiong's utter disregard for reason. It was no wonder she had often heard tales of the second son of the Xue family being unhinged; now, she fully grasped the truth of those accounts.
"I cannot perish here!" Liu Yiru dashed into the thicket, panic etched across her face.
Xue Xiong closely pursued, his expression twisted into a sadistic grin, seemingly relishing the prospect of tormenting her before delivering the final blow.
No matter how fast Liu Yiru ran, she could not outpace Xue Xiong. In her frantic escape, she stumbled over tree roots and fell to the ground. From behind, her delicate figure rose and fell with urgency, her shapely form exuding an undeniable allure, especially as she fled.
"Little Liu, I never expected you to have such a fine figure. No wonder you caught my nephew's eye. I've changed my mind; before I kill you, I must enjoy you first, heh heh!" A heated glimmer sparked in Xue Xiong's eyes, and a lecherous grin spread across his face as he lunged toward Liu Yiru.
"No… you scoundrel, you pervert…" Liu Yiru was immediately seized by panic; any woman would lose her composure in such a dire situation.
"Heh heh, it won't matter if you scream until your throat is raw…" Xue Xiong leered, reaching for Liu Yiru's vulnerable form.
"Is that so?"
Just then, a cold voice interjected, followed by a flash of crimson light as a blade descended toward Xue Xiong from behind.
"Who goes there?" Xue Xiong, an experienced half-step Martial Spirit, sensed the danger and swiftly turned, clashing blades in a cacophonous roar.
A young man in blood-red attire shot forth, materializing before Xue Xiong.
"It's you!" Liu Yiru's panic dissipated into surprise upon recognizing him.
Ye Tian regarded her with a cool glance and coldly remarked, "The transaction is not yet complete; you cannot die yet!"
"So, you are the one who killed my nephew!" Xue Xiong shattered Ye Tian's blade aura with a furious shout, his eyes widening as he charged forward.
"Indeed!" Ye Tian admitted without hesitation, raising his bloodied blade in response.
The blade energy surged through the air, emanating a fierce radiance as Xue Xiong reacted swiftly, attempting to block the strike. Yet, a sliver of the attack grazed him, severing some hair from his forehead.
"Ninth-Level Martial Master? Such formidable power! Are you here for the Divine Star Sect's assessment? Why did you kill my nephew?" Glancing at the fallen strands of hair, Xue Xiong's pupils contracted, shock flickering in his gaze before he demanded answers.
The Divine Star Sect was renowned throughout Nanlin County, and with Liu City situated near the Meteor Mountain Range, he was well aware that they were recruiting disciples. Given Ye Tian's youth and extraordinary prowess, it was evident he had come to participate in the trials.
If it could be avoided, Xue Xiong did not wish to provoke such a talented individual.
"It's simple; she promised me fifteen top-tier Enlightenment Pills, so I killed your nephew!" Ye Tian replied with a calm smile, advancing with his blade. He did not employ any specific technique, yet each strike was executed with remarkable finesse, forcing Xue Xiong to retreat.
"Once again, that vile woman!" Xue Xiong glared venomously at Liu Yiru before turning his malevolent gaze toward Ye Tian. "You insolent brat, since you seek death, do not expect to participate in the Divine Star Sect's assessment!"
"I will show you the difference between a Ninth-Level Martial Master and a half-step Martial Spirit!"
With a deafening roar, Xue Xiong's true essence surged, unleashing a potent aura. He raised his long blade high, bringing it down in a devastating arc, unleashing a beam of blade energy several yards long toward Ye Tian.
"Impressive, indeed, half-step Martial Spirit!"
Witnessing Xue Xiong finally unleash his full strength, excitement flickered in Ye Tian's eyes, a fierce battle spirit igniting within him. He revealed his true abilities and launched his full assault.
"Brat, do not think your talent makes you invincible; a genius that has not yet matured remains a weakling!" Xue Xiong's face contorted into a wicked grin, his eyes brimming with exhilarated bloodlust, reveling in the prospect of slaying an unparalleled prodigy.
With a cold gaze, Ye Tian watched Xue Xiong charge at him, a serious expression crossing his face as his bloodied blade radiated brilliant light. "Blood Shadow Thirteen Slashes!"
Boom!
Before the echo of his words faded, thirteen dazzling crimson blade energies intertwined in midair, forming a luminous web that descended upon Xue Xiong.
"Top-tier Yellow Class martial technique? You think I lack one? Hmph!" Xue Xiong snorted dismissively, yet a shadow of apprehension crossed his features as he gripped his blade tightly, eyes narrowing as he approached the light web.
"Blade Aura Protecting the Body!"
With a resounding shout, a brilliant light erupted from Xue Xiong, enveloping him like a resplendent divine blade, its radiance fierce and striking as it broke through the constraints of the light web.
"Good!" Ye Tian's eyes sparkled with admiration.
This was the first time someone had managed to break through his Blood Shadow Thirteen Slashes with sheer strength, and Xue Xiong's move was both stunning and captivating, evoking a sense of longing within Ye Tian.
"I wonder if this fellow possesses any martial techniques for such a blade?" Ye Tian pondered, his gaze shifting as he unleashed the Starry Hand, a massive palm descending like a mountain toward Xue Xiong.
"Mystic-tier martial technique!" Xue Xiong's pupils dilated in shock, overwhelmed by the imposing aura of the Starry Hand, feeling a sense of suffocation.
The enormous palm descended with a thunderous crash.
Xue Xiong felt as if the sky had darkened; an oppressive weight caused his legs to tremble. In that crucial moment, he gritted his teeth and let out a mighty roar, unleashing all his true essence.
Shining like a sun, Xue Xiong radiated an immense glow, his powerful true essence creating a vast defensive barrier.
But at that moment, the colossal hand from above came crashing down, accompanied by a surge of energy that sent Xue Xiong crashing to the ground.
Boom!
With a deafening sound, the earth trembled violently, towering trees collapsing all around.
"Ah!"
Liu Yiru, watching from the sidelines, gasped in astonishment, only to be swiftly enveloped in a strong embrace, whisked away to safety.
Startled, Liu Yiru looked up to find a stern visage, her cheeks flushing crimson as the intense masculine scent enveloped her, causing her body to tremble and soften in an instant.
After a moment, Ye Tian halted beneath a tree, holding Liu Yiru as they gazed at the ravaged ground where the Starry Hand had struck.
"Is he dead?" a timid voice inquired.
Ye Tian cast a glance at the blushing beauty in his arms, quickly releasing her and replied coolly, "A half-step Martial Spirit could not perish so easily."
Boom!
As Ye Tian's words fell, a shadow suddenly shot out from the nearby smoke, dashing toward the distant forest.
"Ah… he's getting away!" Liu Yiru exclaimed in shock, recognizing the figure as Xue Xiong.
Ye Tian saw it as well but made no move to pursue, knowing that even if he tried, he wouldn't catch up.
Xue Xiong was gravely injured, yet he was attempting to escape. At this moment, Ye Tian lacked the strength to prevent him from fleeing; after all, he had also expended considerable energy during the battle.
Only by advancing to the tenth level of a Martial Master could he slay someone at the Half-step Martial Spirit level, or if he had previously unleashed his blade intent, he might have had a chance to kill Xue Xiong.
However, with the examination for the God Star Gate approaching, Ye Tian wished to keep some of his cards close to his chest. After all, only a handful within the Blood Cloak Guards knew of his blade intent; those outside had no inkling of this hidden advantage.
Moreover, Ye Tian's primary goal was to rescue Liu Yiru and obtain those fifteen top-grade Qi-enhancing pills. As for Xue Xiong's fate, he had no concern for it. Besides, once he entered the God Star Gate, even if Xue Xiong presented himself willingly, the Xue family would likely not dare to cross him.
"Alright, our transaction is complete. Where are the fifteen top-grade Qi-enhancing pills?" Ye Tian's gaze returned to Liu Yiru, a fervent look in his eyes; once he acquired those pills, he would swiftly ascend to the tenth level of a Martial Master.
"Just a moment!" Liu Yiru, hearing this, felt a blush creep across her fair cheeks. She shyly cast a glance at Ye Tian before darting behind a cluster of bushes.
Ye Tian frowned slightly, unperturbed by the prospect of Liu Yiru escaping. He chose instead to remain where he was, patiently waiting.
After a short while, he saw Liu Yiru emerge from the bushes, her face flushed with embarrassment, tossing him a small vial.
Ye Tian caught it and, with a subtle sniff, detected a faint fragrance reminiscent of a young lady.
"What are you sniffing at?" Liu Yiru glared at Ye Tian, her complexion deepening in color; after all, this vial had been concealed in her most private of places.
Having lived two lives, Ye Tian sensed something in Liu Yiru's expression, his own face flushing as he awkwardly chuckled, "Since our transaction has concluded, it's time for us to part ways!" He was eager to consume the Qi-enhancing pills and elevate his rank to the tenth level of a Martial Master.
"Hey, are you just going to leave me here?" Liu Yiru protested, urgency lacing her voice; they were in the Fierce Beast Mountain Range, and as a first-level Martial Master, she couldn't guarantee her safety.
As for the Liu family guards, they had either been slain by Xue Xiong or had fled long ago.
Ye Tian furrowed his brow, contemplating for a moment, before he finally sighed and said, "Fine, let's go. Once I achieve the tenth level of a Martial Master, I will escort you out." With that, he began to walk forward.
A smile appeared in Liu Yiru's eyes as she hurriedly followed him.
"You're amazing, reaching the ninth level of a Martial Master at such a young age!"
"Hey, how old are you?"
"What's your name?"
All the way, Liu Yiru chattered incessantly.
Finally, unable to endure any longer, Ye Tian roared, "You, be quiet!"
"Hmph, if you don't want to talk, I won't!" Liu Yiru pouted in response.
At last, peace descended upon Ye Tian.
After approximately an hour, they found a cave and settled inside.