Zhou Tong suddenly emerged, wielding the Ancient Abyss Sword across the sky, stirring up a storm of Gang Wind with the force to crush mountains and rivers.
Seeing the injuries on Lu Chengfeng, he was extremely enraged. Unconsciously, a murderous intent arose in him, and he attacked the enemy with the heavy sword in a wildly aggressive manner.
"Zhou Tong, this is a personal vendetta between me and Lu Chengfeng, it has nothing to do with you. Step aside for me." Elder Xiao's expression was also extremely unpleasant. He never anticipated that despite his cultivation, Lu Chengfeng would escape from his grasp multiple times, and now Zhou Tong was here causing trouble.
In his heart, he thought: "Today, it seems it's unlikely to go as planned. A pity, a pity, just now was the best opportunity, yet that cunning little thief escaped with his life."
"In the future, once he becomes more vigilant, it will be even harder to find a suitable chance to kill him."
Thinking like this, the thought of retreating had already formed in his mind.
"You damn bastard! Letting that dog fart!" Zhou Tong cursed loudly, like an enraged lion. His heavy sword, the Heavy Sword of the Abyss, fiercely slashed, forcing Elder Xiao to retreat step by step, not daring to confront him head-on.
Compared to the previous sparring with Lu Chengfeng, the power and speed he now unleashed were several levels higher, exuding an aura as if capable of flattening an army and splitting mountains with one stroke.
After only a dozen breaths, Elder Xiao was already drenched in sweat, his Inner Strength operating at full capacity, his face flushed red.
"Junior Brother Lu has joined Jade Immortal Peak as my direct Junior Brother. Do you think you, an old thief, can harm him? If I don't teach you a lesson today, everyone will think that the disciples of Jade Immortal Peak are easy to bully."
Zhou Tong sternly reprimanded, and once again executed the Earth-Splitting Slash. This move came extremely suddenly, and at lightning speed, achieving the Unity of Man and Sword, as if descending from the heavens.
Elder Xiao's face changed drastically, his long sword exuding a Three-foot Sword Qi, blocking the descending heavy sword like a swimming dragon.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
The weapons of both sides clashed violently, sparking in all directions.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Zhou Tong's sword was extremely fierce, wielding the momentum of a celestial descent, delivering three successive slashes, forcing Elder Xiao to retreat seven steps, and then his right hand went numb. Under the immense force, his long sword flew out of his hand, and was flung dozens of yards away, tumbling to the ground.
"Die!" Zhou Tong was relentless, gripping his sword with both hands, he slashed directly towards the opponent's head.
"Stop, do you really intend to kill me?" Elder Xiao's face finally showed a look of fear, and his tone was somewhat flustered as he shouted.
Bang!
The Ancient Abyss Sword suddenly transitioned from a chop to a sweep, its wide blade hit him like a door panel.
Puff!
Scarlet blood spurted from Elder Xiao's mouth, and his body flew back several yards, crashing hard onto the ground, unable to get up for a long while.
"Old thief, if it weren't for being in the sect, I would have cleaved you in half just now." Zhou Tong dragged his sword with one hand, striding to Elder Xiao and said coldly: "I warn you, if I ever find out you have sinister intentions towards my Junior Brother again, watch your head."
"If anything happens to my Junior Brother, whether or not you are involved, regardless of evidence, I'll kill you first."
"You..." Hearing these unreasonable and domineering words, Elder Xiao was so enraged that he spat another mouthful of old blood, and his vision darkened, almost fainting.
"Good, good, good." Blood dripped from his mouth, and his once white teeth turned blood-red, as he gritted his teeth, saying: "I've long heard that within the Inner Sect, few peerless talents emerged, the so-called Three Heroes and Seven Heroes, celebrated in the Martial World."
"You, Zhou Tong, known as the Mad Tiger among the Seven Heroes, and today I see it's not an empty reputation."
"I, the old man, admit I'm not your match, I concede defeat. Whether you want to fight or kill, do as you please."
With that, he closed his eyes, making a posture as if inviting execution.
"Ha, indeed an old thief, knowing well I won't kill you now, yet making such a show, isn't it laughable?" Zhou Tong said disdainfully: "If you truly wish to die, leave the mountain with me, and I'll send you to the afterlife."
At these words, even with closed eyes, Elder Xiao's face turned purple with anger, shaking all over.
"The words I just told you, you're better to memorize them well, don't forget a single word, or if something happens to my Junior Brother, don't blame my sword for not recognizing friends!"
"Now scram."
With that, Zhou Tong suddenly kicked out, sending Elder Xiao flying far away, wailing miserably.
Without even a glance, Zhou Tong turned and marched towards Lu Chengfeng.
"Junior Brother, are you alright? Are your injuries severe?"
Lu Chengfeng slowly sheathed his sword, shook his head and said: "Just some flesh wounds, once I apply some healing salve, I'll recover in a while."
"Thankfully, you arrived in time, otherwise I'd be in grave danger today."
"Hmph!" Zhou Tong said angrily: "If it weren't in the sect, I would have cleaved him with a stroke. That old thief, at such an age, bullying the young, he truly lives like a dog."
"Skill inferior, no matter the age," Lu Chengfeng asked: "Weren't you practicing swordsmanship on the mountain? How did you suddenly arrive here? And do you know what exactly happened in the Inner Peak? Why did such chaos suddenly break out?"
Zhou Tong replied: "I don't know what exactly happened in the Inner Peak, Master already rushed over. Before leaving, she informed me that you were in danger, so she sent me down the mountain to save you."
Lu Chengfeng was taken aback, originally thinking Zhou Tong just happened upon the situation, or there was another reason. He never expected Zhu Yuxian to actually send him to rescue himself.
In that instant, countless thoughts flashed through his mind, wondering what exactly was the woman up to.
"According to reason, she and Elder Xiao shouldn't be on opposite sides, so why save me? Is there a disagreement among them? Or are they deliberately putting on a show for me? One acting the good cop, the other the bad?"
Lu Chengfeng simply did not believe the woman would be so kind-hearted. If he hadn't seen that scene from Zhao Changzhen's memory fragments, perhaps he would have been moved.
In life and death moments, his Master sending someone to rescue him from peril, this kind of grace would be enough to make one wholeheartedly devoted.
But, alas...
Lu Chengfeng trusted not a bit in that woman, instead, he became even more cautiously wary of her intentions.
"Her expending such effort must mean she has an agenda, I must be careful, careful, and more careful!"
The sense of crisis in Lu Chengfeng's heart grew stronger, being caught in the scheming of such significant figures as the Inner Peak Elder; he was like an ant, easily manipulated by them, unable to resist at all.
"I can't continue sitting idly by, I must at all costs enhance my strength."
"The current pace of improvement is too slow."
Many of Lu Chengfeng's dark thoughts, which had been suppressed, now erupted due to today's events.
"I need to see if there are any masters in the sect who left behind widows or concubines upon their demise. Even if I'm labeled as a lecher, I need to quickly marry several concubines to enhance my strength."
"I absolutely won't let myself be slaughtered!"