Feeling the fiery pain on his left forearm, the old man’s heart was filled with extreme fear. He hadn’t even had a clear look at what that purple light was.
“Kid, what kind of concealed weapon did you use?” he asked.
“A concealed weapon that can kill you,” Leo quipped with a smirk. “I’ll say it again, I want those white jade turtle in this pool. If you don’t get lost now, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
The old man’s anger turned to laughter. “You’re quite audacious, young man. Do you even know where you are?”
“I don’t care where I am. Quit blabbering and get lost!”
The old man’s frustration made his beard tremble as he roared, “Attack of a formidable enemy! Where are the mountain-protecting disciples?”
His voice echoed like distant thunder.
In just a matter of seconds, seven young men dressed in white robes and wielding long swords appeared behind Leo.
Seeing these young men in their antique attire, anyone uninformed might mistake this for a scene from a martial arts movie about ancient times.
“Mountain-protecting disciples present!” the seven young men declared in unison.
Their imposing presence could easily intimidate most people.
Leo turned around, crossed his arms, and observed the seven young men who had just arrived as if watching a show.
The silent mockery in Leo’s gaze had thoroughly ignited the old man’s anger. He shouted loudly, “Mountain-protecting disciples, form the Big Dipper Seven-Star Formation!”
The seven mountain-protecting disciples dispersed according to a specific formation, their long swords in hand, all aimed at Leo.
“Kid, I’ll give you one last chance. Who are you, really? If you confess honestly, I might consider sparing your life.”
The old man’s instincts told him that someone capable of such skills certainly had a significant background, so caution was needed.
“Trash!” Leo uttered, his words dripping with indifference.
“What did you say!?” the old man raised an eyebrow.
“I’m not specifically talking about you. What I mean is you and these people you’ve called here-all trash.”
This time, the old man couldn’t contain his anger any longer and ordered, “Mountain-protecting disciples, attack!”
Following the command, the disciples infused their swords with internal energy.
Seven gleaming swords emitted chilling light, leaving the hands of the young men and flying toward Leo from seven different angles.
Leo summoned Purple Radiance once again. Violet light surrounded him like a ring of lightning, accompanied by a series of explosions. The incoming swords fell to the ground.
With a thought and a gesture, Leo utilized Purple Radiance in quick succession. The young men screamed in succession, hastily covering their right wrists with their left hands.
Blood seeped through their fingers.
This scene astonished the old man. In his desperation, he couldn’t consider much else and slashed his own sword with his right hand, infusing it with energy.
“Seven-Star Sword Technique, Blood Feather Radiance, go!”
The old man’s sword turned into a blood-colored beam, aiming for Leo’s throat.
Though the sword’s speed was swift, Leo’s skill allowed him to dodge easily. However, the sword suddenly changed.
It split into two, the assault relentless.
In a critical moment, Leo used Purple Radiance dagger to attack one and evaded the other.
The Purple Radiance dagger missed, shattering the false sword.
Leo twisted his body, but it was still a little too late. The sword grazed his shoulder, tearing through his clothes and skin, leaving a bloody gash.
Sensing more approaching, Leo’s expression changed. He snapped his left hand and channeled his inner spiritual power. He leaped into the dense thicket, disappearing from view.
The old man avoided the aura blade, sheathing his sword. He was about to pursue when a voice called out, “Greg!”
Before the words had even faded, a figure dressed in green appeared behind the old man.
This newcomer’s aura and presence were stronger than the old man’s.
The old man turned, his face cold as he shouted, “Giles.”
The sharp gaze of the green figure swept across the scene as he asked in a deep voice, “What’s going on here?”
“Giles, an intruder trespassed our forbidden area, attempting to steal the white jade turtle. I wounded him, and he fled,” Greg explained.
Giles’s expression grew serious. “He managed to escape from you and the mountain-protecting disciples?”
“Yes, his skills were exceptional, and I couldn’t discern his cultivation level.”
“How did he end up here? Did you figure out his fighting style?” Giles inquired further.
Greg shook his head. “I couldn’t determine his martial sect from his attack.”
Giles fell into thought.
This pond with the white jade turtle had been a closely guarded secret of the Seven Stars Sword Sect for years.
A disciple stumbled upon these white jade turtle three years ago. The fish contained spiritual energy, and consuming them greatly enhanced one’s cultivation.
This place had been guarded by Greg, ranking the third among his generation. The fish were reserved for the Sect Master, elders, and outstanding disciples.
The sect had even tried to cultivate these fish manually, but all attempts failed.
The white jade turtle didn’t reproduce naturally. Eating one meant there was one less. Thanks to these fish, the sect had risen from obscurity to become a third-tier martial arts sect.
Hence, the white jade turtle were precious to the Seven Stars Sword Sect.
“The news about the white jade turtle must not leak. Greg, you must catch that thief!” Giles’s eyes flashed with a ruthless resolve.
“Giles, the man took a slash on his shoulder from me. He can’t have gone far.”
Giles nodded, then turned to the three white-clad youths behind him and ordered, “Spread the word. Seal Hat Mountain completely. Spare no effort to find and eliminate the thief.”
“Yes!” the three youths saluted and obeyed.
“Greg, which direction did the thief flee? Let’s pursue him.”
Greg pointed with his sword. “Giles, come with me.”
Greg led Giles towards the direction Leo had escaped.
Deep within the dense forest, Leo leaned against a tall tree’s branch, holding his injured shoulder. He took a few heavy breaths.
Feeling the searing and piercing pain in his wound, Leo involuntarily curled his lips in a bitter smile.
Turning his head to examine his shoulder, the wound wasn’t deep, but the blood that oozed out had turned black.
“The old man is truly sinister. He actually poisoned his blade,” Leo muttered.
His expression turned solemn. Shifting into a different position, Leo sat cross-legged on the tree trunk. He endured the pain, forming a specific hand seal with both hands. He started to circulate his spiritual power to force out the poison.
Seconds turned to minutes. Leo’s eyes closed slightly, sweat forming on his forehead, and his body trembled slightly.
As his internal spiritual power flowed through his meridians, the blood seeping from his wound gradually regained its natural color.