The people of Bibo Island spoke one after another, showing no regard for Ling Xiao at all.
It was as if they could take his life whenever they wished.
That said, among them, Seng Li was a Tenth Dongtian Realm expert, while the other two Dongtian Realm martial artists were at the Second and Third Dongtian Realms respectively.
Any one of them would have the upper hand against Ling Xiao.
The remaining martial artists also possessed considerable cultivation.
With such a lineup, unless Ling Xiao sprouted wings, escape was impossible.
For this reason, they were certain he would die. There was no surprise in that.
Suddenly, a scorching aura filled the entire ruined temple.
Dazzling sword lights flickered around Ling Xiao’s body, and above his head, nine cauldrons hovered.
Sword qi pierced the clouds and tore through the sky.
Killing intent swirled around him, surging powerfully.
“If you surrender without resistance, we might at least leave you an intact corpse. Yet you still delusionally try to fight back. Truly foolish to the extreme.”
One of the Dongtian Realm martial artists from Bibo Island revealed a cold, disdainful smile.
He believed that Ling Xiao had managed to rescue those captives earlier only because they had underestimated him.
But now, no one was underestimating him.
What could Ling Xiao possibly rely on to break this heavy encirclement?
It was utterly unrealistic.
“Since he courts death, let us grant it. Vice Island Masters and Elders, please rest aside for now. Leave this boy to us.”
Three figures stepped out from the crowd.
Three martial artists at the mature stage of Half-Step Dongtian Realm.
“It’s the Three Origins Swords!”
“Indeed. Individually, they might not be a match for the Life-Seizing Sword, Rose Sword, or Bibo Sword, but united, even the strongest Bibo Sword would be wary of them. With them taking action, Ling Xiao has no chance of survival.”
The disciples of Bibo Island were aware of the grand battle on the main street, where Ling Xiao had killed a Dongtian Realm martial artist.
However, that event had been exaggerated in rumours, so they simply did not believe it.
In their view, even if Ling Xiao had killed a Dongtian Realm martial artist, it must have been because the opponent was gravely injured.
Like Corpse Granny today. Ling Xiao could certainly kill her and then boast about his great achievements everywhere.
That was not true skill, but mere opportunism.
Of course, facing Ling Xiao, they still dared not be careless.
After all, even if only ten percent of the rumours were true, they had to be cautious. Otherwise, capsizing in the gutter would make them a laughingstock.
“Ah~~”
At that moment, a sudden cry of surprise rang out from the crowd.
Then, Situ Hongyan’s figure appeared in front of Ling Xiao.
Once again, she had stepped forward to protect someone.
Though Ling Xiao might not need it, she felt she could not stand by idly.
She deeply despised what her sect had done: inverting black and white, calling a deer a horse, not only failing to seek justice for her but even causing her suffering.
Her heart had turned as cold as frost.
“Situ Hongyan, have you gone mad?”
Seng Li demanded coldly.
“No, I am not mad. It is you who are mad!”
Situ Hongyan shook her head gently. “Vice Island Master, I was born on Bibo Island, so I will not become an enemy of Bibo Island. I only hope you will let Ling Xiao go and allow them to leave. Then, Situ will take her own life as atonement!”
“Your mind is damaged!”
Seng Li cursed. “Is it worth it for an outsider?”
“I only know that when I was in peril, an outsider saved me. That is enough.”
Situ Hongyan nodded. “Therefore, even if I die, I am merely repaying his debt.”
“Utterly foolish. Do you truly think we dare not kill you? Although you, Rose Sword Situ Hongyan, are a genius of Bibo Island, in this flourishing era, geniuses abound. We can find a second or third Rose Sword, while you will be forgotten like trash!”
Seng Li said coldly.
“Vice Island Master, why are you so angry? Is it simply because I accused Corpse Granny? Both I and my deceased senior brother are disciples of Bibo Island. Not only do you not stand up for us, you protect Corpse Granny instead. Is this the justice and reason you speak of?”
Situ Hongyan’s expression grew cold.
She had always believed she lived in a wonderful family, yet today’s events were almost too much for her to bear.
“Let me tell you the truth, Situ Hongyan. Even if Corpse Granny truly did those things, you must endure it!
Not to mention she did not kill you. Even if she had, it would not matter, because although you are a genius, you cannot compare to her.”
Seng Li simply tore off his mask of hypocrisy and said coldly, “Just like your cute little sister back then. She was more talented than you, yet even more naive.”
“Was my sister not defiled by pirates?”
Situ Hongyan’s body trembled. She had considered many possibilities, but never this terrifying one.
“Now that things have come to this, there is no harm in telling you. Your sister caught the eye of our young island master, Mo Shaoyou, but she was uncooperative. Our young island master was a domineering man, so naturally he forced himself upon her.”
Seng Li sneered. “Framing pirates was the plan. Your sister knew, of course, and she even went to the island master seeking justice. How naive and innocent she was. Did she not understand? The island master is Mo Shaoyou’s own father. How could he punish his son for her sake?”
Thus, the pirates became scapegoats and were killed.
In revenge, your sister took her own life in the young island master’s room.
Unfortunately, I was the first to discover her, so it remained a secret.
“Mo Shaoyou!”
Chilling aura erupted from Situ Hongyan’s body. She nearly fell into madness.
Suddenly, she leaped forward, thrusting her sword towards Seng Li.
Ling Xiao tried to stop her but failed.
“Die!”
Seng Li showed no mercy.
A blooming flower was crushed by those filthy hands.
Situ Hongyan flew backwards, her abdomen torn open with a horrific wound. It was clear she would not survive.
Ling Xiao did not shy away from the blood on her. He leaped forward, caught Situ Hongyan, and the killing intent on his face grew even denser.
At this moment, he truly wanted to kill.
Situ Hongyan collapsed into Ling Xiao’s arms, her blood staining his white clothes red.
“I, I’m sorry. I was too useless, too impulsive.”
She had stepped forward to help Ling Xiao, yet in the end, her impulsiveness played into Seng Li’s hands, leaving her gravely wounded and on the verge of death.
“Alas, you have never wronged me. On the contrary, your actions today have truly moved me. What you did is something even I could not do.”
Ling Xiao sighed.
He continuously poured his Heavenly Yuan Force into Situ Hongyan’s body, trying to save this woman.
But it was useless.
Seng Li had struck far too ruthlessly. He had never intended to let Situ Hongyan live.
