Chapter 224 : Silencing Witnesses
Each sect in the demonic path had its unique characteristics, and Harmony Sect's most distinctive feature was probably its abundance of beautiful people.
The Harmony Sect Elder before them was exceptionally handsome, dressed in a resplendent golden robe that, rather than appearing vulgar, gave him an air of nobility. Though they were in the midst of battle, he held a folding fan, his bright eyes scanning Peak Master Qingyu up and down, clicking his tongue in admiration: "Such a beautiful woman, it's just a pity you're too cold."
The battle was raging all around them, with various chaotic fighting sounds echoing in all directions. Fortunately, no one else heard his words, otherwise they might have thought to themselves: Such a high-level elder, yet so improper, opening his mouth only to flirt.
Peak Master Qingyu naturally heard his words but remained unmoved, her expression impassive as she continued her sword attack.
Just before Peak Master Qingyu's attack landed, the Harmony Sect Elder who had just flirted with the righteous sect Peak Master suddenly felt a chill down his spine, as if some terrifying presence had fixed its gaze upon him, causing him to shudder involuntarily. Unfortunately, before he could look back, his opponent had already launched her attack, forcing him to respond hastily, though half his attention remained on what was behind him.
Originally, Peak Master Qingyu and the Harmony Sect Elder were roughly equal in cultivation, though demonic cultivators, with their unrestrained methods, typically had an advantage in combat. However, due to the Harmony Sect Elder's preoccupation, his divided attention made it difficult for him to respond effectively.
After several exchanges, Peak Master Qingyu immediately noticed that something was off with her opponent. But the conflict between righteous and demonic paths was not a tournament match; there was no need for fairness or justice. Seeing her enemy in a compromised state, she naturally pressed her advantage—her hand seals became faster, her spiritual sword responding like an extension of her will, quickly putting the Harmony Sect Elder on the defensive.
As he was about to be overwhelmed, the Harmony Sect Elder violently swept his folding fan, forcefully deflecting a sword shadow, then suddenly shouted: "Old Skeleton, what are you waiting for? Why are you hiding?!"
As his words fell, a withered figure suddenly appeared behind Peak Master Qingyu, a skeletal hand reaching for her back.
At that moment, Peak Master Qingyu was fully engaged with her opponent, and this unexpected attack caught her completely off guard. By the time she sensed the attack behind her, it was too late to dodge completely. She could only shift her body to avoid vital points, preparing to absorb the blow with her back.
The one attacking Peak Master Qingyu from the front was at the Fusion realm, and the one sneaking up behind her was also at the Fusion realm. In this pincer attack, her opponents were clearly intent on taking her life. Even if she could withstand this strike, she would likely struggle against subsequent attacks... and no one would come to her rescue, as Xuanqing Sect's three Peak Masters had been targeted by equivalent demonic sect elders as soon as they appeared, leaving both Qingxu and Qingyuan unable to break free.
Seeing the critical situation, Yun Qingyue and the Little White Tiger watching from the spirit ship grew tense. At this crucial moment, an attack suddenly emerged from an oblique angle, striking directly at the skeletal hand.
White spiritual energy carrying tremendous power surged forward, instantly transforming "Old Skeleton's" sinister smile into an expression of terror. He had no doubt that if this attack landed on his hand, it would sever it completely. He quickly withdrew his hand and even retreated two steps, then looked around in confusion and alarm.
But there was no one... or rather, there were too many people around, making it impossible for him to identify who had launched the attack.
The perfect opportunity had been squandered, causing the Harmony Sect Elder's face to show a hint of regret. However, on the battlefield, anything could happen, and he simply assumed that attack had been a random occurrence.
Since the sneak attack had been exposed, a direct two-against-one confrontation still gave them the advantage.
The Harmony Sect Elder and "Old Skeleton" quickly refocused their attention on Peak Master Qingyu—Fusion realm cultivators were undoubtedly among a sect's top combat forces, the kind of existence where each loss was keenly felt. Given the current situation, there seemed to be no peaceful resolution, making it imperative to eliminate the high-level righteous cultivator as quickly as possible.
Both had resolved to finish off Peak Master Qingyu, so their attacks became merciless. Their cultivation levels were originally not inferior to Peak Master Qingyu's, and now attacking in tandem, they soon inflicted wounds on her.
The Harmony Sect Elder's mouth remained impertinent, seemingly forgetting what had happened earlier. While attacking, he continued to flirt: "Tsk, tsk, seeing a beauty injured truly pains my heart. The righteous path has nothing good to offer. Why not surrender now? I'll guarantee your life. You can return with me to Harmony Sect and become an elder there. Now that would be a life as blissful as an immortal's..."
As he spoke these words, the Harmony Sect Elder once again felt a chill down his spine, that sensation of being watched returning.
He wasn't truly slow-witted; in fact, which demonic cultivator who had reached the Fusion realm didn't possess abundant cunning? Recalling the last time he'd experienced this sensation, a certain suspicion immediately formed in his mind—tsk, it seemed this beauty already had someone, making her off-limits for flirtation. The question was, who was hiding in the shadows, and when would they strike?
Yes, when "Old Skeleton's" sneak attack had failed, it must have been due to that person in the shadows. Given someone was protecting her, the woman before him wasn't a soft persimmon to be squeezed, but rather a hot potato.
The Harmony Sect Elder quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind, immediately developing an inclination to withdraw.
However, while he had keenly perceived these matters, his counterpart "Old Skeleton" remained oblivious and showed no intention of retreating. On the contrary, as Peak Master Qingyu's injuries worsened, his attacks became increasingly merciless.
Finally, he found an opening and struck fiercely at Peak Master Qingyu.
By now, Peak Master Qingyu had sustained multiple injuries, leaving no time for recovery. As the skeletal hand was about to grip her heart, she could only hastily place her spiritual sword before her body. Unfortunately, this hurried defense was clearly no match for her opponent's full-force attack. Her spiritual sword emitted a resonant hum, its surrounding spiritual light immediately dimming by a third, while the skeletal hand continued its unstoppable assault.
Peak Master Qingyu's heart sank as she prepared herself for a grievous injury. Unexpectedly, a force suddenly encircled her waist, pulling her sideways and allowing her to swiftly evade the attack.
The force around her waist quickly released, as if it had never existed, making the earlier embrace seem like an illusion.
Yet the presence of someone beside her was undeniably real.
The figure was dressed in white, with beautiful features that, despite their solemn expression, possessed an inherent allure. The Harmony Sect Elder and "Old Skeleton" immediately recognized her identity and exclaimed in shock: "Sect Leader Zhu?!"
The Crimson Blood Sect Leader's expression remained impassive as she moved a couple of steps to the side, as if distancing herself: "Hmm?"
The Harmony Sect Elder looked at the Crimson Blood Sect Leader before him, then at the seemingly even colder beauty beside her, his face shifting through expressions like a color palette. Eventually, he couldn't help but ask tactfully: "Why is Sect Leader Zhu here?"
The Crimson Blood Sect Leader's crimson lips parted slightly, uttering just two words: "Passing by."
The Harmony Sect Elder's expression twitched, feeling this answer insulted his intelligence. He pointed at Peak Master Qingyu and asked: "Then why did the Sect Leader save her?" He added: "I saw it."
The Crimson Blood Sect Leader still offered just two words: "Hand slipped."
The Harmony Sect Elder: "..."
Was this answer meant to fool an idiot? Even an idiot wouldn't believe it!
And who said the Crimson Blood Sect Leader was ruthless and cold-blooded, interested only in killing? Clearly, she also knew how to joke!
"Old Skeleton" accepted the reality before them more quickly than the Harmony Sect Elder. With an eerie laugh, he said: "The great Crimson Blood Sect Leader, actually colluding with the righteous path, and offering such a ridiculous explanation—isn't that laughable?"
This was nothing more than an ordinary taunt, but the moment these words fell, the atmosphere suddenly froze. The Harmony Sect Elder abruptly felt his scalp tingle as an inexplicable pressure descended upon him, so intense that even as a Fusion realm cultivator, he felt he could barely breathe, and a sense of foreboding arose in his heart.
Sure enough, the Crimson Blood Sect Leader drew her blade, her cold gaze sweeping over: "Is that so? I don't find it laughable."
Before her words had even faded, her attack was already upon them. Despite both the Harmony Sect Elder and "Old Skeleton" being Fusion realm cultivators, they instantly felt the proximity of death.
The Harmony Sect Elder barely managed to dodge. His resplendent golden robe couldn't withstand even a single strike from a Grand Achievement cultivator, and soon a bloody wound appeared across his chest, with fresh blood streaming from his mouth. This was the result of his swift evasion; had he been even half a breath slower, his entire body would likely have been cleaved in two.
"Old Skeleton" fared no better, losing an arm at the very first exchange. His green-white face was now contorted, though it was unclear whether he regretted provoking her earlier.
The gap between Fusion realm and Grand Achievement realm could indeed be described as heaven and earth. The Harmony Sect Elder immediately realized he had no chance of escaping from her, and hurriedly said: "Our sect has always maintained good relations with Crimson Blood Sect. Why must Sect Leader seek my life?" He glanced at Peak Master Qingyu beside them: "I can swear a heavenly oath not to reveal a single word."
However, the Crimson Blood Sect Leader had already decided to silence all witnesses. From the moment she appeared, she had sealed off the surrounding space, preventing anyone from seeing what was happening here.
Only these two people had learned what they shouldn't have known.