As Cao Ting’s words fell, three elders suddenly rushed out from three directions.
One radiated the aura of a fourth-level Martial Monarch, another a second-level Martial Monarch, and the third a first-level Martial Monarch.
All three were Cao family powerhouses. Originally, Cao Ting had planned for them to wait until he and Xu Yi had worn down Lu Yu, then assist in their contest for the prize.
But the situation had changed. With just him and Xu Yi, breaking through the array disc would take an unknown amount of time, so he had no choice but to call them out.
Seeing the three Martial Monarchs appear, Xu Yi’s brows furrowed. Though their combined strength posed no threat to him, with Cao Ting added, the outcome would be different.
Of course, Xu Yi knew that at this juncture, the Cao family wouldn’t turn on him. The priority now was to break through Lu Yu’s defense.
At the sight of the three Martial Monarchs, Lu Yu’s brows also furrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes as he shouted, “Hmph, so what if you add three more Martial Monarchs? You still can’t break this defense!”
With that, Lu Yu activated the array disc again, rushing forward.
Cao Ting stepped forward to block him, unleashing an attack that forced Lu Yu back.
Immediately after, Xu Yi, the three Cao family Martial Monarchs, and Cao Ting attacked again, all five launching powerful strikes at the defensive barrier around Lu Yu.
“Boom!”
A sound like a thunderclap roared, echoing for dozens or hundreds of miles. Dazzling light erupted, illuminating the surroundings, with terrifying fluctuations sweeping through the heavens.
When the energy from the five’s combined strike dissipated, Lu Yu and his intact defensive barrier remained in their sight.
“Unscathed?” Cao Ting frowned. Their combined attack hadn’t even scratched the defensive array disc, showing no signs of weakness.
But seeing Lu Yu’s slightly pale face, clearly struggling, Cao Ting shouted, “Keep attacking!”
“Boom!” “Boom!” “Boom!” …
As Lu Yu’s words fell, a series of booming sounds followed. Terrifying attacks flooded towards Lu Yu.
The fearsome force caused the void to tremble, with unmatched fluctuations surging endlessly.
“Xu Yi, old man, you’d better hold back some strength, or even if you break this array, you won’t get the Dragon Saliva Heaven Pill!” Lu Yu’s loud shout rang out amidst the overwhelming waves.
“Hmph, such a divisive tactic is useless against us. And you, auctioning our families’ core martial techniques, that debt will be settled no matter what!” Xu Yi shouted coldly, unleashing an Xu family core martial technique towards Lu Yu.
He naturally understood this logic and would conserve some strength, but he wouldn’t weaken his attacks too much.
Cao Ting’s brows furrowed as well, before he unleashed a powerful strike.
“Swish!” Not long after, another elder’s figure appeared, flying through the air.
“Another Cao family Martial Monarch!” Xu Yi’s brows furrowed again. As expected of the Cao family’s territory, they had so many Martial Monarchs, five in total.
Though this newcomer was only a first-level Martial Monarch, he was still a Martial Monarch, capable of contributing significant strength alongside a seventh-level Martial Monarch.
“Elder Cao Xiang, did you secure the Supreme Cold Yin Fruit?” Seeing Cao Xiang, Cao Ting was momentarily stunned and asked.
Cao Xiang was sent to assist Cao Xueqing in seizing the Supreme Cold Yin Fruit. With all the other Martial Monarchs from the Cao family’s fourth city gathered here, Cao Xiang’s presence suggested the fruit was already obtained. Looking at Cao Ting, still attacking Lu Yu, Cao Xiang immediately reported, “Fifth Elder, we ran into trouble. The two who won the Supreme Cold Yin Fruit include a third-level Martial Monarch. We were no match and didn’t act rashly. Xueqing is tracking them, and I’ve come to request Elder Cao Dong’s assistance.”
Cao Ting’s brows furrowed, and he decisively said, “Elder Cao Dong, go quickly and return. Elder Cao Xiang, assist us in breaking this defensive array disc!”
“Understood!” Cao Dong and Cao Xiang both nodded. Cao Xiang joined the four in attacking Lu Yu, while Cao Dong shot off towards the east.
…
Slightly northeast, Lin Xiao and Mei Tianmo had long been tracking the plain-robed elder, leaving the Cao family’s fourth city.
After exiting the city, the plain-robed elder sprouted wings of vital energy, flying low towards the northeast. Lin Xiao had followed for dozens or hundreds of miles, until the elder suddenly stopped in an ancient forest.
“You’ve followed me this far. Time to show yourselves, no?” The plain-robed elder stood beside an ancient tree, speaking coldly.
“You deliberately lured us here?” Lin Xiao was slightly stunned, emerging with Mei Tianmo and standing not far from the elder.
During the pursuit, the elder had flown with vital energy wings instead of directly through the air, concealing his Martial Monarch cultivation. Besides hiding his strength, he might have intentionally used a lower cultivation to lure them.
Lin Xiao had suspected this, and the elder’s words confirmed it.
“You have the Supreme Cold Yin Fruit. Since you dare to target me, I might as well take it from you,” the plain-robed elder said darkly, turning to face Lin Xiao and Mei Tianmo with a chilling gaze.
His vital energy wings dissipated, and a fifth-level Martial Monarch aura surged from him, its terrifying pressure enveloping the two.
“Now, don’t you see some things aren’t so easy to steal?” the elder said coldly. “Hand over the Supreme Cold Yin Fruit, and I’ll give you a quick end.”
“Heh, just a fifth-level Martial Monarch. We already knew, or why would we follow you?” Lin Xiao sneered at the elder.
“You knew?” The elder’s brows furrowed slightly. “So what? With your third-level Martial Monarch cultivation, you think you can take me on?”
“You’re right, with just us!” Mei Tianmo’s cold voice rang out. Immediately, surging black energy poured from her, overwhelming and powerful.
A pair of massive black wings extended from her graceful figure, like bat-like iron wings, dark and rigid, spanning three to four zhang, their surface gleaming with a terrifying dark light, as if they could suck the surrounding space into them. At the same time, a dark, iron-like stinger emerged behind her, looming above her exquisite frame. The cloak on her head disintegrated into ash, revealing a breathtakingly beautiful face. She stood like a demonic queen, stunningly radiant, soul-captivating, and exuding a terrifying aura.
“This is the Spirit Scorpion Clan, Mei Tianmo!” Seeing the enchanting woman, the elder’s brows furrowed, his expression turning grave.
He had heard of the Heavenly Demon Scorpion Clan, known for their fearsome combat prowess. Though Mei Tianmo was only a third-level Martial Monarch, her strength was undoubtedly terrifying, no less than his own. Now, he was in serious trouble.
