“Granny, why do the villagers all seem a bit strange?” Chen Ping could not help asking.
The old woman’s hand trembled slightly, then she said, “Don’t overthink it, they are all good people. You two rest here for now, I’ll go fetch you something to eat.”
With that, she hurried out of the room.
Chen Ping and Liu Xue exchanged a glance, both catching a trace of unease in the other’s eyes.
They vaguely felt that this village was hiding some secret.
After staying in the village for two days, Chen Ping and Liu Xue noticed the villagers growing stranger by the day.
They kept staring at the two of them with greedy eyes, as if harbouring malicious intentions.
Moreover, the pair discovered that the villagers often gathered secretly in the middle of the night, whispering about who-knew-what.
On the third night, while Chen Ping and Liu Xue were resting inside the house, a sudden clamour arose outside.
They instantly grew alert, crept silently to the door, and peered through a crack.
They saw the villagers holding torches, completely surrounding their house.
Leading them was a burly middle-aged man wielding a large machete, his eyes gleaming with ruthless ferocity.
“You two outsiders must be carrying plenty of treasures. Hand them over now, or don’t blame us for being merciless!” the man bellowed.
Hearing his words, Chen Ping and Liu Xue instantly understood everything.
So the villagers had long coveted their possessions and planned to kill them for their resources.
“You greedy lot! We came to your village in good faith seeking help, yet you plot to murder us!” Chen Ping roared in anger.
The middle-aged man sneered. “Cut the nonsense. In this world where the weak serve as prey for the strong, only power matters.
You two outsiders have had your strength suppressed; you are no match for us. If you know what’s good for you, surrender your treasures obediently. Otherwise, there is only death awaiting you!”
Chen Ping and Liu Xue looked at each other, both seeing unyielding resolve in the other’s gaze.
They knew a fight today was unavoidable. Since the villagers had chosen cruelty, they could not be blamed for responding in kind.
“Alliance Leader Liu, let’s go!” Chen Ping shouted, charging out first.
Liu Xue showed no fear either. She brandished her long sword, sending a sharp sword qi slashing towards the middle-aged man.
The man dodged with a quick sidestep, easily evading the sword qi, then swung his machete down towards Liu Xue.
Chen Ping circulated his spiritual energy and unleashed his ultimate technique. Golden runes flew from his body, shooting towards the surrounding villagers.
The villagers scattered to avoid them, yet many were still struck, letting out agonised screams.
The battle erupted in an instant. Although their strength had been suppressed, Chen Ping and Liu Xue relied on rich combat experience and indomitable will to fight the villagers to the death.
However, the villagers vastly outnumbered them and attacked with savage ferocity, surging forward from all sides and trapping the pair in a tight circle.
Amid the fierce clash, Chen Ping and Liu Xue gradually began to falter.
Fresh wounds opened on their bodies, blood flowing freely.
Yet they refused to give up, gritting their teeth and holding on.
Just when despair crept in, Chen Ping suddenly remembered the Golden Dragon bloodline within him.
His heart stirred. He circulated his spiritual energy and activated the power of the bloodline.
In that instant, a mighty dragon aura burst from his body and spread in all directions.
The moment the villagers sensed this dragon might, they recoiled in terror, fear written across their faces.
Even the previously arrogant middle-aged man revealed shock and dread. He had never expected Chen Ping to possess such overwhelming power.
