Upon beholding such a situation, Ding Hao was suddenly assailed by a sense of being a lamb led into the jaws of a tiger. Looking at Feng Xingran with a puzzled expression, Ding Hao chuckled and said, "Miss, what is the meaning of this? Could it be that you intend to force a marriage and play the trick of 'cooking the raw rice until it's done'?"
As soon as Ding Hao uttered these words, Feng Xingran, who was already rather ill at ease, became even more embarrassed. She glared at Ding Hao fiercely and then giggled, "Who wants to 'cook rice' with you? This young lady merely wishes to bestow upon you the promised item."
With that, she retrieved three azure-blue fist-sized orbs from her storage ring and handed them to Ding Hao. Initially, Ding Hao paid little heed, but after carefully examining the orbs in his hand, his countenance shifted. Tentatively, he inquired, "Could these be the Mysterious Fiend Yin Thunderbolts?"
"Oh? I didn't expect you to possess such discerning knowledge!" Feng Xingran exclaimed in astonishment. After a brief pause, she explained, "Indeed, these are the Mysterious Fiend Yin Thunderbolts. After I related the incident involving the Blood Demon to my father, he fetched eight of these thunderbolts from the treasure vault of the Purgatory Demon Sect for my self-defense."
Ding Hao knew that the Mysterious Fiend Yin Thunderbolt was one of the most malevolent magic weapons in the Demon Sect. The method of its refinement had always been a closely guarded secret, yet its power was truly astounding. Once activated in harmony with one's spiritual will, it could unleash a cataclysmic explosion, covering a radius of dozens of yards. Those caught in its blast would be instantly obliterated, their souls scattered like smoke.
The name of the Mysterious Fiend Yin Thunderbolt was renowned throughout the cultivation world. However, due to its extreme malevolence and the arduous process of refinement, those who were acquainted with it were typically elder cultivators. Moreover, each use of this thunderbolt depleted one, and it had not been seen in the cultivation world for several decades. Ding Hao had assumed that no one possessed them any longer. Little did he expect that the Purgatory Demon Sect still had a few.
It seemed that Feng Aotian truly doted on this daughter, bestowing such a precious item upon her for self-defense.
"Heh heh, since it is Miss's kind gesture, Ding Hao would be remiss to decline." At the sight of such a precious treasure, how could Ding Hao be polite to her? Without even uttering a word of thanks, he promptly stowed away the three Mysterious Fiend Yin Thunderbolts.
Feng Xingran didn't mind. She watched with amusement as Ding Hao pocketed the thunderbolts and then smiled, "The Mysterious Fiend Yin Thunderbolts are fine things, aren't they? My father gave me a total of eight. This young lady has immediately bestowed three upon you. Isn't that generous? How will you repay me?"
"Heh heh, talk of repayment is rather moot. You were willing to give them, and I didn't beg for them. Besides, this could be considered part of my prize. Wouldn't you have given them to anyone who won the first place?" Ding Hao smirked.
"Nonsense! Do you think just anyone could obtain such a treasure? You are not the same as others. Moreover, I knew long ago that you would surely claim the first place. You, little rascal, are so crafty and possess no mean strength. Even the Blood Demon Lie Shan couldn't subdue you, let alone such a minor assembly." Feng Xingran retorted.
"Junior sister, who is in your chamber?" Just as Ding Hao was about to respond, a deep male voice emanated from outside the door.
"Oh, it's Senior Brother Cheng. I'm merely fulfilling my promise of presenting a prize to the winner of the Soul-refining Sect Assembly." Upon hearing this voice, Feng Xingran's complexion altered slightly.
"Is it Brother Ding Hao of the Limitless Demon Sect? Brother Ding, would you care to step out and have a chat? Cheng Xiong has something to inquire of you." The man outside, who identified himself as Cheng Xiong, said. Although his words seemed ordinary, Ding Hao could detect a suppressed fury within them. He was puzzled, for he had no quarrel with this man. Why was he so enraged?
"Cheng Xiong is the elder brother of Cheng Jiao, the winner of the previous session of the Soul-refining Sect Assembly. He has now attained the late-stage Nascent Soul Realm. His grandfather, Cheng Huang, is the first guardian elder of our Purgatory Demon Sect. His cultivation is only marginally inferior to that of my father." Seeing Ding Hao's perplexed look, Feng Xingran explained in a low voice.
As soon as these words were spoken, Ding Hao knew that trouble was likely brewing. Before stepping out of Feng Xingran's chamber, he had readied his magic weapon.
A tall and robust young man stood outside the door with his hands clasped behind his back, attired in a dark-colored daoist robe. He had a wasp-like waist and ape-like arms. Upon seeing Ding Hao and Feng Xingran emerge from the room, Cheng Xiong furrowed his thick brows and said, "Although we in the Demon Sect do not adhere to strict laws and regulations, it is still somewhat improper for Junior Sister to bring a strange man into her boudoir. Hmm! So you are Ding Hao. It was you who injured my younger brother?" Cheng Xiong's tone had taken on an angry edge by the end.
"That's right. There are no specific rules in the Soul-refining Sect Assembly. Moreover, your brother initiated a sneak attack on me first. I don't believe I was in the wrong in retaliating. Heh heh. Was I supposed to let him slay me?" Seeing that this man was passing judgment without bothering to ascertain the facts, Ding Hao replied coldly.
"Before the Soul-refining Sect Assembly, I instructed them not to trifle with Ding Hao. Cheng Jiao was so foolish. Whom can he blame? He thought himself so powerful, and now that he's been injured by someone else, he's the first to lodge a complaint. Hmph hmph! Truly, he got what he deserved!" Feng Xingran said, seeing that Cheng Xiong was blaming Ding Hao.
When Ding Hao had refuted just now, although Cheng Xiong's expression had been somewhat unfriendly, it hadn't been overly severe. However, upon hearing Feng Xingran's blatant words of protection, the man's eyes flashed with murderous intent as he stared at Ding Hao.
Although it was but a fleeting moment, Ding Hao, who had been observing him intently, had caught it completely. After a moment's reflection, he suddenly realized. It seemed that this man's pretext of seeking justice for his brother was merely an excuse. He glanced at Feng Xingran once more and became even more certain that this man was likely smitten with Feng Xingran and had come to cause trouble under the guise of avenging his brother.
In this way, Feng Xingran's words of protection had backfired. What had initially been a test had now firmly established a connection between the two in this man's mind. Ding Hao sighed inwardly, thinking that Feng Xingran was truly a harbinger of misfortune. Whenever he was with her, trouble seemed to follow.
"Heh heh, regardless of who is right or wrong, Cheng Jiao is my brother, and you are not. So don't blame me for teaching you a lesson." Cheng Xiong, seeing Feng Xingran's unusual gaze towards Ding Hao, refused to believe that there was nothing between them.
With that, a red glow streaked through the air, shining with a dazzling red light like a rising sun. By the time Ding Hao's eyes had adjusted to the blinding radiance, the sword glow was already upon him.
Truly, a Nascent Soul Realm expert was formidable. Fortunately, Ding Hao had been prepared. Moreover, Cheng Xiong had underestimated Ding Hao and hadn't exerted his full strength. When the sword glow was about to strike, Ding Hao suddenly retreated explosively. During his backward flight, the Heaven-defying Demon Sword was already in his hand. A black glow was unleashed, and with a dull thud, Ding Hao's retreating figure was propelled even further. A moment later, the dust settled, and Ding Hao emerged unscathed, only panting slightly.
"Impressive! I didn't expect Brother Ding to possess such strength. It seems my brother was not unjustly injured by you. I underestimated Brother Ding's might. However, that won't happen again." Cheng Xiong, seeing that Ding Hao was unharmed, praised him, displaying a certain degree of magnanimity.
This man's sudden attack had caught Feng Xingran completely off guard. Now, seeing that Ding Hao was unharmed, she heaved a sigh of relief and hastened to Ding Hao's side, carefully inquiring if he was truly alright. After confirming that Ding Hao was indeed uninjured, the girl rushed up to Cheng Xiong and raged, "What do you mean by this? How dare you harm him in front of this young lady? With your Nascent Soul Realm cultivation, don't you think it's rather unsporting to win in such a manner?"
As soon as the girl uttered these words, Ding Hao inwardly groaned. Sure enough, Cheng Xiong's previously placated countenance immediately darkened. He said coldly, "We are both third-generation disciples. What's wrong with me sparring with him? If his cultivation is insufficient, whom can he blame? Out of respect for you, I shall refrain from taking his life."
With that, he bypassed Feng Xingran and launched another sword strike. This sword was imbued with an overwhelming momentum. The moment the sword glow emerged, it completely blocked Ding Hao's path of retreat. Ding Hao's hitherto calm eyes finally changed. Without hesitation, he channeled all his true essence into the Heaven-defying Demon Sword. The sword erupted with a fierce glow, and the black qi coiling around it resembled the tentacles of an octopus. Billowing black smoke, exuding a terrifying demonic aura, surged towards the sword glow.
At this point, Ding Hao was compelled to exert his full strength. Feng Xingran, who was observing intently, was so stunned by the spectacle that she forgot to offer assistance. Cheng Xiong's complexion also changed. He hadn't anticipated that Ding Hao's strength could be so formidable. He, too, mustered all his might, and the already overbearing sword glow became even more tempestuous, like a raging tidal wave.
With a deafening explosion, the light dissipated. Cheng Xiong staggered back three steps, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Ding Hao was sent hurtling through the air. A spray of blood like a fine rain scattered in the air. After the blood mist cleared, Ding Hao had vanished from sight.
"Brother Cheng, I shall surely repay you for today's kindness in the future!" Ding Hao's anguished laughter echoed from afar.
Upon hearing these words, Cheng Xiong's expression grew solemn. He said to Feng Xingran in a serious tone, "Miss, this man is so powerful. If allowed to develop unchecked, he will surely one day threaten the position of our Purgatory Demon Sect on the Broken Soul Mountain. I hope Miss will set aside personal feelings and slay him before he becomes too powerful, to prevent future trouble."
Feng Xingran, seeing Ding Hao so grievously injured, was in no mood to listen to such words. She snarled, "Cheng Xiong, remember this. If anything happens to Ding Hao, not even your grandfather will be able to protect you!"
With that, Feng Xingran chased after Ding Hao.
Left behind was Cheng Xiong, his expression forlorn. After a moment, Cheng Xiong seemed to reach a decision. He nodded, and his formerly handsome and dignified countenance was suddenly marred by a cold and cruel visage.