Top Soldier Pursued by a Beauty

"Damn it, they're here!" Zhao Dong's expression turned grim and tense.

"Don't worry," Su Li said with a wave of his hand, an immense force instantly pulling Zhao Dong behind him. "As long as I'm here, no one can take you away. Get behind me."

Just then, Lin Feng and several elders arrived before them.

Lin Feng immediately rebuked him. "Su Li! You're becoming increasingly lawless!"

"Out of respect for your past as the sect's greatest talent, we have shown you considerable leeway. We tolerated your reckless behavior and refrained from punishing you excessively!

"But now you dare to harbor a fugitive? Do you intend to become a traitor to the sect!?"

Su Li took a large gulp of wine and shot Lin Feng a disdainful look. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"All I know is that Zhao Dong is my brother now. If you want to take him, you'll have to ask my sword for permission first!"

The moment he finished speaking, a wooden stick from nearby shot through the air and began to float steadily beside him.

"Insolent!" Lin Feng raged. "I'm trying to be lenient, but you insist on forcing our hand!?"

"You?" Su Li scoffed. "Even ten of you wouldn't be a match for me. If you want a fight, then come on!"

Infuriated by Su Li's attitude, the elders bristled.

"Su Li, you're courting death!" Lin Feng attacked first. He pointed his longsword to the sky, and a bolt of lightning instantly struck down!

As the thunderbolt fell, Su Li didn't even bother to dodge. With a slight flick of his right hand, the wooden stick soared into the sky, heading straight for the lightning.

There was no deafening explosion, not even a ripple of energy. The wooden stick continued upward, tearing the bolt of lightning to shreds before piercing into the thundercloud above.

PFFT!

With his technique shattered, the immense backlash caused Lin Feng to spit out a mouthful of blood as he collapsed to one knee, clutching his chest.

A mere first-level Martial Saint, not even a match for Zhao Dong. How could he possibly be a match for Su Li? What a joke!

However, Su Li's actions had thoroughly enraged the other elders.

Dongfang Shi hurried to help Lin Feng up and shouted furiously, "Su Li, how dare you attack an elder! Such insolence!"

Su Li waved his hand dismissively. "Cut the crap. If you're going to fight, then get on with it. Don't waste my time while I'm trying to enjoy my wine."

"You ingrate!" Lin Feng roared with fury. "He's a damn ingrate! Fellow disciples, what are you waiting for? Strike now and kill him!"

Hearing this, Dongfang Shi's eyes filled with anguish, but he still gritted his teeth, stood, and drew his sword.

"Fellow disciples, Su Li has attacked his superior and harbored a criminal. These are acts of rebellion! Let us strike together and eliminate this scoundrel!"

As he finished speaking, the other four elders attacked. All five were powerful masters at the third level of the Martial Saint realm or higher. The combined power of their attack made the very mountaintop begin to tremble. The mere aftershock sent a wave of unstoppable terror through Zhao Dong's heart.

Resentment flashed in his eyes. I used to think I was strong enough. But compared to Dongfang Shi and the others, I'm still far too weak! As for people like Ouyang Hong, they're the trash of the trash! I'm now completely confident I can rescue Xu Yafei, but I have no confidence I can make it out of the Qingyun Sect alive! The Land of Opportunity has become my graveyard. How pathetic... How tragic...

However, faced with this earth-shattering, deadly assault, Su Li's eyes were filled with nothing but disdain.

Too lazy to even move, he simply waved his right hand. The vast Crescent Moon Sword Energy that Zhao Dong had seen before appeared once again!

The might of the Sword Qi was even more terrifying than before. It surged toward the five elders with an unstoppable force, like the very wrath of heaven descending upon the mortal world.

The elders' expressions changed dramatically.

"He's internally injured! How can he still be this strong?"

"He truly is the Sword Immortal Su Li, once the greatest prodigy of the Qingyun Sect. What a shame, what a terrible shame!"

"We can't block this head-on! Defend!"

As they lamented, the elders raised their defenses.

BOOM!

The attacks collided.

From a distance, the terrifying shockwave looked like a small nuclear bomb detonating on the mountaintop. In a mere instant, every tree on the mountain was uprooted and incinerated into ash, leaving only the dilapidated courtyard behind Su Li untouched.

The elders all spat out blood, staggering back and clutching their chests. They stared at Su Li, their eyes filled with terror and dread.

Zhao Dong was completely stunned. I knew Su Li was strong, but I never imagined he was *this* strong! He repelled five masters at the third level of Martial Saint or higher with a single wave of his hand?

However, before Zhao Dong could get too excited—

SPURT!

A mouthful of black blood erupted from Su Li's mouth. His aura began to diminish at a visible rate.

Lin Feng was overjoyed. "Brothers, attack now! He's internally injured! Forcing that last move damaged his very foundation. He has no strength left to resist!"

However, Dongfang Shi and the others didn't move. Their eyes were filled with reluctance. This is the genius of our Qingyun Sect, our pride and joy! How could we be willing to kill the pride of the Qingyun Sect with our own hands unless it was the absolute last resort?

Dongfang Shi staggered to his feet and said bitterly, "Su Li, I know you harbor resentment and want to use this as a way to get back at us.

"But Zhao Dong stole our sect's most sacred treasure. We must take him with us.

"You've made many great contributions to the sect in the past, and frankly, we no longer blame you for that old incident. That is why I truly do not wish to harm you. As long as you hand over Zhao Dong, I can let everything that has happened today be water under the bridge. What do you say?"

Su Li didn't respond, as Zhao Dong had already rushed forward to support him.

He quickly took Su Li's pulse, only to find that his internal injuries had not only worsened but were now spreading. Zhao Dong was certain that if Su Li unleashed another attack like that last one, he would undoubtedly die!

His heart filled with guilt and anguish, Zhao Dong gripped Su Li's arm tightly and shook his head. "Brother, your body is at its limit. If you attack again, it will kill you.

"I am eternally grateful for what you've done for me. I can never repay you. Meeting you before my death has been the greatest fortune of my life.

"But I'm begging you, brother, please don't fight for my sake anymore!"

Zhao Dong's eyes grew red. A gratified look appeared in Su Li's eyes. He wiped the blood from his lips and patted Zhao Dong's shoulder.

"Silly boy," he said. "You're my brother. If I can't even protect you, what right do I have to call myself your brother?

"If they want to take you away, they'll have to do it over my dead body!"

With that, Su Li cut Zhao Dong off before he could say more. He pushed Zhao Dong aside and turned to Dongfang Shi with a cold smile.

"Elder Dongfang, you're mistaken. I'm not doing this to get revenge on you or the sect. It's simply because Zhao Dong and I are birds of a feather. That's all there is to it.

"And as for you 'sparing' me? I couldn't care less whether you do or not."

As he spoke, he flicked his right wrist. The Black Feather Sword in Zhao Dong's grasp turned into a streak of light and flew back into Su Li's hand.