"Young Master, why don't this old servant send a message and have the Master send someone over?" Steward Fu asked with some concern, listening to the conversation outside the window.
Xue Ren, however, merely smiled faintly. "No need, it's a small matter. If he can't handle these few people, wouldn't my Three Calamity Dragon-Tiger Mixed Yuan Skill be wasted?"
"But that cultivation method is not easy to start, and Ning Yue has only been cultivating for a short time. Judging by his aura, he is still in the Lian Rou Realm," Steward Fu said, worried.
Ning Yue's life, death, victory, and defeat directly impacted the success of their plan, so he dared not be careless.
But then Xue Ren, who had been staring out the window, turned and lay back on the bed, saying leisurely, "How long has he been in Lianrou (Body Refinement)? He looks almost complete now. If he were to break through to Yijin (Tendon Changing) in just a few days, that would be abnormal."
"Don't worry, Steward Fu, all these Xiaoqi under me combined probably aren't enough for that kid to deal with."
......
Feng Hai's blade was at the very front.
But just as he was about to step forward, Xu Mu held him back, chuckling, "Let this old brother go first. The kid is arrogant, so it's only right that I, your old brother, teach him a lesson. Don't worry, I'm always good at educating young rascals."
Chen Ye, however, was unwilling. There was no time to lose. He had always kept a low profile, and Ning Yue probably didn't know his true strength. This was a good opportunity to finish quickly.
So he said, "Why don't you let me go first? This kid is stubborn. It's a good time to let him taste the fists of my Eight Extremes Mist Hidden Sect?!"
Although it was a declining sect, the old sect master still had a few inherited cultivation methods. Chen Ye had inherited the profound-grade boxing technique 'Eight Extremes Mountain Crushing Fist.' He had cultivated it for many years and had already reached the pinnacle of mastery. Its momentum was like a mountain, and his fists moved with the force of the Eight Extremes!
In terms of offensive power alone, he was probably even above Xu Mu.
Ning Yue's expression was calm; he didn't pay attention to the three men's argument. Instead, he instructed Wei Xian to have everyone retreat outside the courtyard gate and to guard the main entrance well.
Only then did he gently caress the Cold Light Blade in his hand. The moonlight, like washing water, made the blade gleam with chilling light, and Ning Yue's eyes were also tinged with three parts of coldness.
"Big brothers, there's no need to argue. It's getting late. It would be best for the three of you to rest early..."
Before his voice faded, Ning Yue stepped on the moon, moving like a Dragon emerging from the abyss, sweeping low to the ground. Blurry afterimages trailed behind him, shattering the moonlight.
The distance of more than ten steps between the three was instantly erased.
"Swish! Swish! Swish!" Three flashes of blade light drew the three men into the battle circle simultaneously. One man, one blade, fighting three Xiaoqi officers alone!
Seeing this, Xu Mu brandished his blade and laughed, "I didn't expect you to be so overconfident!"
But as soon as the words left his mouth, he realized that the blade strike aimed at him was exceptionally heavy. The blade light, like a bolt of silk, blurred his vision, making him retreat like a startled cicada!
And Ning Yue, whose Star Mark Step had reached mastery, moved with his blade. While the other two were resisting, a Star Mark flashed under his feet, and he had already caught up to Xu Mu, raising his blade to strike.
In just two exchanges, Ning Yue repelled an enemy with one blade, and with another, he was about to send Xu Mu on his way to the Yellow Springs!
The development of the battle made the three men, who had initially underestimated Ning Yue, tremble in their hearts.
His ability to create battle opportunities and the exquisite combination of his movement technique and blade art were truly astonishing, causing even Xiao Wenjie, on the eaves, to feel a chill in his heart.
At this moment, a blade and a fist arrived in an instant. The blade carried cold stars, and the fist was like a mountain collapsing, helping Xu Mu block the fatal blow.
After the dramatic turn of events, Xu Mu, flustered, retreated behind the two. He then saw Ning Yue's blade cut through the Mountain Crushing momentum, leaving a bloody mark on Chen Ye's fist.
Only then did he shift his body, changing position and dodging the long blade that seemed to be draped with a galaxy.
The speed of the perfected Star Mark Step was too astonishing, leaving all three of them somewhat overwhelmed. Only Chen Ye, with his Mist Hidden Step, could barely keep up.
It seemed like three people were attacking, but Ning Yue, the one being attacked, appeared to be the most relaxed. At this moment, he didn't cherish this rare moment of respite.
With a flash of his blade, he diagonally slashed downwards at Feng Hai, the strongest of the three. The Cold Light Blade, like a bolt of silk, reflected the moonlight with its unique brilliance, cutting the scattered willow catkins in the courtyard into a flurry.
Feng Hai's expression was solemn. He lowered his waist and pushed his blade forward, the cold star flashing again, meeting the attack without evasion.
Mist swirled around Chen Ye's feet, and his figure instantly blurred. In a breath, white mist filled the small courtyard, and Chen Ye chased after Ning Yue.
A fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he delivered a punch in mid-air!
Facing the pincer attack from two people, at the critical moment, Ning Yue suddenly twisted his body again. Star Marks appeared and vanished on the ground, causing Xu Mu, who had just intended to assist, to lunge at empty space, and Chen Hai's blade cut through the air.
And in a corner of the courtyard, the Cold Light Blade, now facing Chen Ye alone, trembled slightly in Ning Yue's palm, moving through the void and drawing a long white rainbow!
Night Battle Eight Desolations, Fifth Form — Blade Slashes Eight Desolations!
It was only now, having fought to this point, that Chen Ye fully realized that he was Ning Yue's first target. Shame and anger surged in his heart, and he asked with a resentful voice, "Does Ning Xiaoqi think my Mountain Crushing Fist is made of mud?"
Boom!
Chen Ye, enraged, unleashed his full power. He formed the Mountain Crushing Fist seal with his right hand and struck out fiercely, meeting the blade's edge without backing down. Although he was panicked, he remained calm. As long as he could withstand this move and entangle Ning Yue, with the other two closing in, the overall situation would be decided.
"Tsk—" Ning Yue chuckled, dismissively saying, "The martial arts of a dilapidated sect are useless and should have been swept into the dust of history. Yet you treat them as treasures to cultivate. Open your eyes and watch how I cut you down!"
As he spoke, the long blade pierced into the Mountain Crushing Fist's force. The tip of the blade deftly turned and flicked, and with a "pop," the blade's edge smoothly cut open the skin of Chen Ye's wrist, severing his hand tendons with a single flick!
A few drops of blood splattered high, thinned by the spring breeze, blooming like plum blossoms in the moonlight.
"Ah—smack!" Chen Ye's cry of agony had barely escaped his lips when the Cold Light Blade, embedded with a long, narrow blood groove, slapped it back. The entire person was sent flying horizontally by this blade strike, falling unconscious in mid-air.
Ning Yue's voice was as cold as a blade cutting a throat: "Flashy but useless!"
If Ning Yue had said these words at the start of the battle, the three of them would certainly have scoffed, but now, the air was so quiet it was suffocating.
In the blink of an eye, the three-person encirclement was reduced to just the two of them.
Clearly, no one had held back, yet Ning Yue had still used speed to counter speed, taking down one person first.
Feng Hai's pupils dilated in the darkness, his dark complexion making it hard to see clearly. Xu Mu, however, had a flushed face and a slightly agape mouth, so stunned by this incredible scene that he couldn't close it for a long time.
The Cold Light Blade was incomparably sharp, unstained by mortal blood. Drops of blood fell from the blade, hitting the bluestone slab with a slapping sound.
This sound was like a drumbeat in everyone's hearts. Feng Hai's resolve remained unshaken, his Dao heart firm, but Xu Mu, though holding his long blade and having experts as aid, already felt a sense of fear.
Chen Ye was crippled; the tendons of his dominant hand had been severed. Without high-grade spiritual medicine to reconnect them, his martial arts path for half his life was already ruined.
But before he could think further, Star Marks flashed continuously, and blade light appeared!
The Cold Light Blade flashed seven times in the air: five slashes aimed at Feng Hai, and two given to Xu Mu.
After seven slashes, Feng Hai retreated three steps, then pushed his blade forward, while Xu Mu had already retreated to the courtyard wall.
Ning Yue swung his blade forward, yet smiled as he spoke, "Old brother, you are old and frail, unable to fight. Why not simply retreat to Huainan and retire at home? Wouldn't that be wonderful?"
Hearing this, Xu Mu's face burned. Having lived a life of military service, to be humiliated by a youngster, and unable to retort, he could only raise his blade and step forward.
Feng Hai's expression remained unchanged, but his blade momentum slowed by three points.
Ning Yue's eyes narrowed slightly, keenly seizing the opportunity.