Just as victory seemed within reach, Gu Qingli widened her eyes, unblinking, as she watched the chilling scene unfold.
In that moment, an armor of blue battle aura suddenly surged around the black-robed man's body, encasing him like a suit of ethereal steel.
The azure armor exuded not only formidable defense but a fearsome force of rebound, instantly hurling He Zhongyi and Sikong Ran backward with violent force.
Gu Qingli's eyes widened further—the disparity in power was simply insurmountable. The gap between a Great Martial Warrior and a King-tier cultivator was as vast as the heavens and the earth. Before such might, they were no different from ants.
He Zhongyi and Sikong Ran were flung more than ten meters away, blood spraying from their mouths and staining the wild grass beneath them.
The two lay motionless, pale as paper, their bodies crumpled and still.
"Heh heh heh…"
A strange, chilling laughter issued from the black-robed man, echoing like the cry of a night hawk in the dead of night.
He strolled leisurely toward He Zhongyi, speaking in a slow, measured tone. "A twenty-year-old, seven-star Great Martial Warrior. Impressive talent, indeed. But it is your misfortune to be that man's son. Since you've met me today, the only path left for you is death."
So it was true—this man bore a grudge against He Zhongyi's father.
He Zhongyi seethed with regret—he had been too impulsive, and now even the young master was dragged into the danger.
"Wait! Since I'm your target, I'm willing to surrender the Black Obsidian Stone. Just please—spare the young master!"
His voice was hoarse with despair; the difference in strength was simply too great.
At this moment, Sikong Ran's injuries were even graver than He Zhongyi's. The Scarlet Flame-Armored Lion had already been withdrawn into his consciousness, unconscious and unresponsive. He no longer had the strength to fight.
"A dying man has no right to bargain," the black-robed man said coldly, casting a fleeting glance at Sikong Ran, with no intention of sparing him.
Compassion was a sentiment utterly foreign to him.
"If you dare kill me, my father will never let you go!" Sikong Ran growled through clenched teeth.
The black-robed man burst into wild laughter. "If not for your father, why would I go to such lengths to lure you to this desolate place? Here, I can kill you both—and no one will ever know."
He was cunning, ruthless, and had planned everything well in advance.
As he finished speaking, the black-robed man reached out once more. Faces pale with dread, He Zhongyi and Sikong Ran were suddenly galvanized by some unknown force—He Zhongyi leapt up like a man possessed and charged straight at him.
"Young master, run!"
He Zhongyi's voice cracked as he roared, flinging himself forward like a madman. The black-robed man was momentarily startled—this last act of defiance was unexpectedly fierce.
Sikong Ran tried to rise, but the pain overwhelmed him and he collapsed again, despair swallowing him whole. All he could do was watch as He Zhongyi was struck down with a single blow, his eyes shutting tight in helplessness as he braced for death.
The black-robed man snorted coldly and looked down at his bloodstained robes, his aged face twisted in displeasure. He had let his guard down and been wounded by that boy's desperate attack—unforgivable.
He raised his head to where He Zhongyi should have fallen—but there was nothing there.
His face changed dramatically.
Like an arrow loosed from a bow, he shot forward to investigate.
He Zhongyi had been certain he would die—but in that final descent, a force caught him, gently shifting his body and laying him behind the trunk of a towering tree.
When he opened his eyes and beheld the calm, beautiful face before him, he was momentarily stunned.
Why was she here?
Gu Qingli placed a finger to her lips, signaling silence, then vanished like mist into the shadows.
"Huh? Still breathing, boy?"
"You've got some luck left in you."
The black-robed man flashed into view, astonished to find He Zhongyi leaning weakly against the tree.
But just then, a sharp prickle of danger crept up his spine.
Thud!
A dull impact struck his back before he could react—his body jolted, a mouthful of blood burst from his lips, and he spun around in disbelief.