A blade hummed like a crashing wave, emitting a shuddering power that seemed to reach all the way into a person’s heart.
Star-Gather’s power was different compared to the first time Lin Xun used it and had become stronger and more oppressive.
It had already gone beyond the realms of an ordinary martial art and contained a pressure that could intimidate the spirit. Its unique method of utilizing cultivation created power that was completely different from the norm.
The Brute Soldier’s hairs stood on end as his mind was momentarily stolen from his body and plunged into eternal darkness. All he could see were brightly burning stars falling, destruction, and the laws of the universe descending into chaos.
Despair and terror washed over his heart like a tide, seemingly intent on dragging him into the bottomless abyss.
A blade soon emerged from the darkness. All the Brute Soldier felt was an intense pain as he instinctively struggled with all of his might to avoid it.
Squelch!
A deep cut reached from the top of his chest to his waist, revealing bone as thick sticky red blood poured out like a waterfall.
Only a little more and his organs would have spilled out!
The Brute Soldier screamed in pain. Despite avoiding the fatal attack, his body crashed into the ground a hundred feet away and his face was deathly pale as if he had just brushed shoulders with the god of death.Panic and fear spread to his entire body, causing him to be frozen in place for a time as if he had been scared silly. The all-too-terrifying attack had caught him by surprise and seriously injured his spirit as well.
He could not imagine how a True Martial stage human youth could execute such a frightening blade technique that surpassed common sense.
“Third Brother!” The other Brute Soldier shouted in alarm, immediately abandoning his pursuit of Lin Xun as he dashed to his injured comrade.
This left Lin Xun no choice but to give up on trying to finish off the opponent, knowing that the opportunity was gone.
He panted heavily and his face was slightly pale. An intense, tearing pain ripped through his entire body. It was the repercussions of using Star-Gather.
However, having experienced it once, Lin Xun immediately stuffed several medicines into his mouth and urgently said, “Run!”
Hu Long subconsciously acknowledged it as if he had just awoken from a dream. His entire body was drenched in cold sweat. He had truly thought he was dead when the Brute Soldier pounced toward him earlier.
Hu Long had not expected Lin Xun would help him avert disaster again. The feeling of swaying between the line of life and death made Hu Long shiver uncontrollably.
“What are you still standing around for, go!”
Lin Xun pulled Hu Long by the wrist, not caring whether he agreed as they headed out of the thicket.
Although he had gravely injured the Brute Soldier, it was only succeeded because the opponent had been caught by surprise. Now that the other party was on guard, it would be difficult to achieve the same result.
More importantly, the majority of Lin Xun’s energy had been consumed to execute Star-Gather and it was impossible for him to put up a fight if the battle continued.
“Trying to escape? Dream on!”
Another tall and muscular Brute Soldier suddenly appeared in Lin Xun’s path!
Lin Xun’s heart instantly hit rock-bottom. He had assumed there were only two Brute Soldiers, who could have expected that there was still one more nearby!
Hu Long’s expression also changed drastically due to the sudden turn of events. What the hell is going on today? Why did three Brute Soldiers suddenly appear?
Could the situation in Demon Cloud Ridge have changed?
“It seems that we’ll have to fight…”
Lin Xun took a deep breath. The severity of the situation had already surpassed his expectations. This was the first time he was in mortal danger since he entered Demon Cloud Ridge.
At this juncture, even the tiniest mistake would cost him his life!
“I…” Hu Long’s expression changed indeterminately as he violently struggled inside.
“Second Brother, leave Third Brother for now and help me capture these two rats first!” The muscular Brute Soldier spoke, his eyes filled with cold cruelness.
His foot slammed into the ground, leaving behind an afterimage as he charged forth like a bolt of black lightning.
“Die!” A bronze spear appeared in his hand as a terrifying force enveloped Lin Xun and Hu Long.
The attack was like a heavenly net that was impossible to escape or avoid.
Lin Xun’s eyes narrowed slightly. He pushed Hu Long to the side and channeled all of his power into the blade.
Omm!
The wave-like cry of a blade rang out again and rippled across the area like the roar of a dragon.
All of Lin Xun’s remaining energy was extracted in an instant, causing him to nearly lose focus. However, he ultimately succeeded in executing the second Star-Gather.
The frightening consumption of energy made Lin Xun’s face turn pale as he violently coughed blood.
The move was remarkably effective as usual. The enemy left just as quickly as he had arrived. He was sent flying by the strike and crashed into the ground a hundred feet away.
What disappointed Lin Xun, however, was that the attack only managed to cause a few minor injuries.
It was not because Star-Gather wasn’t powerful enough but the target was just too strong. Moreover, he was on guard and had taken defensive measures which greatly reduced the power of Lin Xun’s attack.
Boom!
Lin Xun suddenly sensed a terrifying force rapidly approaching from behind, causing his expression to change drastically. He knew that the Brute Soldier called Second Brother had taken the opportunity to attack.
Lin Xun did not have time to defend and could only instinctively throw himself to the side.
However, the opponent had clearly anticipated this response and shifted the attack accordingly. He relentlessly pursued Lin Xun as if intent on subduing him with this attack.
Danger!
Intense danger flooded Lin Xun’s body, leaving him no choice but to avoid it with all of his might. It felt like he was in a neck-to-neck race with the god of death.
“Humph! It’s useless to continue struggling, die!”
The muscular Brute Soldier who had been sent flying by Lin Xun had recovered and was now attacking from another direction.
Enemies at the front and behind!
Lin Xun suddenly found himself in a despairing situation.
More importantly, the two consecutive uses of Star-Gather had left his body in a dangerously exhausted state. Let alone counterattacking, even his dodging was somewhat sluggish.
What should I do?
Lin Xun gritted his teeth as he recalled the whistle hanging from his neck. If I….
Before Lin Xun could continue this train of thought, he heard a furious roar――
“Get lost!”
From the corner of his eye, Lin Xun saw Hu Long’s aura rapidly rise, seemingly becoming another person as he charged toward them.
Rumble!
With a single punch, the ‘Second Brother’ who had been chasing Lin Xun, was knocked away and sent flying.
“Eh?” The muscular Brute Soldier was stunned as he involuntarily uttered, “His cultivation advanced?”
Lin Xun also noticed the powerful dipper qi surging around Hu Long. A flash of realization struck Lin Xun, causing him to sigh inwardly.
“You brute trash, quickly come and die!”
Hu Long’s roar was filled with rage and hatred. He had become crazy and used the battle to release all of his anger.
Moments later, the Brute Soldier called Second Brother had his chest crushed by a punch. His corpse arced through the air and fell onto the ground, no longer able to crawl back up.
Even Lin Xun had not expected Hu Long to become so ferocious.
“Second Brother!” The muscular Brute Soldier released an anguished cry, his eyes nearly popping from their sockets. However, he did not continue fighting but chose to flee instead!
He had already sensed the tides turning and knew that he would also be killed if the battle continued.
The Brute Soldier roared, “Lin Xun, the next time we meet will be your death!”
Hu Long wanted to give chase but was stopped by a shout from Lin Xun, “If you pursue him, it’ll be over for me as well.”
Hu Long was taken aback and quickly returned to his senses. He turned around and killed the gravely injured ‘Third Brother’, who had yet to escape, before returning, “You saved me twice. I’ve repaid you once.”
His expression was somewhat gloomy and disappointed. There was no trace of his earlier ferocity.
Lin Xun could empathize with the disappointment and sadness Hu Long must be feeling but did not say anything. Lin Xun knew that any words of consolation he said at this juncture would only appear hollow and useless.
Despite this, Hu Long seemed to bounce back surprisingly quickly and sighed, “If I didn’t ascend, I would have been killed. But reaching the Spirit Dipper stage also means elimination. I can no longer return to Blood Kill Camp but I do not regret my decision. There’s no need for you to dwell upon this.”
He silently turned around, collected the brute totem runes and belongings of the two Brute Soldiers, and stuffed them all into his storage ring.
He then took off his storage ring and offered it to Lin Xun, “These army contributions mean nothing to me now. You should take them.”
Lin Xun did not reject it and said, “These are yours. If I last till the end, I will hand your army contributions to the instructor. No matter what, they are your battle accomplishments and glory.”
Hu Long chuckled in disagreement. He surveyed the area and said, “It’s too dangerous here. I will bring you somewhere safe.”
He squatted down for Lin Xun to get on his back and they left.
All that remained were two Brute Soldier corpses, proof of the soul-shaking battle which had just occurred.
……
That night, Hu Long helped Lin Xun find a safe place to hide before leaving without saying a single word.
Lin Xun sighed inside again as he sent Hu Long off with eyes.
Most Blood Kill Camp students already possessed the qualifications to advance to the Spirit Dipper stage from the first day they joined.
Bai Lingxi, Zhao Yin, Li Duxing, Zhangsun Hen, Shi Yu, Ning Meng, Gong Ming and the others were excellent examples of this and made up the majority.
Hu Long was also included in this group.
They entered Blood Kill Camp to receive training and, more importantly, earn a chance to enter the Dipper Transformation Lake. With the lake’s help, they would be able to construct their ideal aeth power reservoir when advancing to the Spirit Dipper stage.
Under such circumstances, no student would willingly advance to the Spirit Dipper stage unless they had no choice. If they did, it would mean leaving Blood Kill Camp and losing the opportunity to enter the Dipper Transformation Lake!
Although Hu Long’s choice had allowed him to turn the tides and survive, he could no longer continue the exam in Demon Cloud Ridge or return to Blood Kill Camp.
This was the price of ascending!
Lin Xun felt regret for Hu Long. Although they had some differences between them, such petty grievances had long disappeared after fighting together.
Such were men. They were no longer enemies after fighting together as comrades, especially since there was no deep hatred between them.
Lin Xun cast his feelings aside and began to focus on cultivating. He needed to recover as soon as possible.
However, there was one thing he continued to think about. Those three Brute Soldiers had clearly been after him. Was it because of the Heavenly Water Sacred Bead?
What secrets were hidden in the water tribe’s sacred treasure to make them so crazy and relentless? To think that they would even risk breaking the agreement between them and the empire and dispatch Brute Warriors to Demon Cloud Ridge.