However, he quickly discarded any sense of shame.
To Elder Redmond, nothing was more important than his own life.
“Boy, if you dare touch me, I’ll kill her immediately,” Elder Redmond snarled, retreating while gripping the little girl tightly.
Leo could easily end Elder Redmond’s life, but he couldn’t bring himself to risk the life of an innocent girl.
After a moment’s thought, Leo made a reluctant expression and nodded. “Fine, you win. I’ll let you go today.”
“But you must deliver a message for me. Within three days, have the Rossetti family Sect Master come to Seven Stars Sword Sect to apologize, or I’ll destroy your Rossetti family!”
With that, Leo shot a cold glance at Elder Redmond before turning and flying back towards Seven Stars Sword Sect.
Seeing Leo fly away, Elder Redmond exhaled deeply, finally feeling a sense of relief.
Elder Redmond released his grip, and the little girl fell to the ground.
“Cough, cough… Waaah…” The girl coughed violently before bursting into tears.
Elder Redmond’s back was drenched in cold sweat. He couldn’t remember the last time he had faced such a life-and-death situation.
Not daring to linger, Elder Redmond used his remaining inner strength to fly along the edge of the fields, constantly looking back in fear that Leo might change his mind and pursue him.
Ten minutes later, Leo returned to Seven Stars Sword Sect.
By the way, Jennifer had been away from Seven Stars Sword Sect for the past few days, taking five elite disciples to the Northern Desolation Mountains to search for herbs.
In the Punishment Hall of Seven Stars Sword Sect, Mark and the driver were tied up and thrown on the ground.
“Let me go! I’m the eldest son of the Lynch Family in the capital. Do you all have a death wish?!” Mark shouted.
An elite disciple slapped him in response.
Despite his fierce tone, Mark was actually terrified inside. Ever since he was captured, he had a bad feeling about his fate.
Leo stepped into the Punishment Hall.
“Honor Guard Chief!” The elite disciples greeted respectfully.
“Leo! What happened to the three Elders?” Mark asked, still holding onto a sliver of hope despite knowing the likely outcome from Leo’s appearance.
“Two are dead, and one escaped back to the Rossetti family,” Leo said indifferently, glancing at Mark.
“Impossible! The Rossetti family Elders are incredibly powerful. How could they be defeated by you…?” Mark’s words were cut off by another slap from an elite disciple.
“Show respect in front of the Honor Guard Chief!” the elite disciple scolded angrily.
“Honor Guard Chief, how should we deal with these two?” another elite disciple asked respectfully.
Leo thought for a moment and said, “Lock Mark in the dungeon. Let the driver go back and tell the Rossetti family to bring valuable items to ransom Mark.”
“Understood.” The lead elite disciple nodded.
One of the elite disciples untied the driver and kicked him. “You heard our Honor Guard Chief. Go back and deliver the message to the Rossetti family!”
The driver, feeling as if he had been granted amnesty, scrambled away as fast as he could.
“Leo, how dare you imprison me! Do you believe that our Lynch Family and the Rossetti family…” Mark’s threats were cut short by another kick from an elite disciple who then dragged him away.
With matters settled, Leo headed to Spirit Crocodile Cliff at the rear mountain again.
Having just broken through his realm and experienced a fierce battle, he needed to consolidate his power promptly.
In a wooden hut at the base of Spirit Crocodile Cliff, Leo sat cross-legged. He swallowed a large Vitality Pill and began adjusting his state to further consolidate and enhance his cultivation.
The Vitality Pill dissolved instantly in his mouth, transforming into potent medicinal energy that spread throughout his body.
Leo’s disrupted blood flow and depleted spiritual energy gradually recovered.
An hour later, Leo exhaled softly and opened his eyes. His spiritual energy was fully restored, and his physical condition had returned to its peak.
With a gesture of his right hand, dozens of spirit stones floated out and circled around him.
Closing his eyes again, he activated the Nine Heavens Star Chart and began absorbing the spiritual energy from both the spirit stones and the surrounding environment…
Night fell over the capital’s western suburbs.
In a large natural park, a brightly lit villa exuded a heavy atmosphere of oppression.
In the hall stood three people: Walter, the current Sect Master of the Rossetti family; Elder Redmond, who had just returned in a sorry state; and Hudson, dressed in gray cloth garments standing aside.
“Elder Redmond, how did you get so badly injured? Where are Elder Blake and Elder Helena?” Walter asked in shock as he looked at Elder Redmond, whose right hand was missing and whose robes were in disarray.
“Walter, that boy’s strength far exceeded our expectations. His methods were ruthless. Elder Blake and Elder Helena were both killed by him. I barely made it back alive,” Elder Redmond said hoarsely, his face pale as he looked at Walter with despair in his eyes.
“What!? Elder Blake and Elder Helena were killed? How is that possible!?” Walter’s face turned pale with shock as he trembled in fear.
Hudson’s face also turned ashen. Elder Blake was incredibly powerful; how could he have been killed!?
“How could this happen? How could that boy be so strong!?” Walter struggled to accept this reality. But Elder Redmond’s miserable state confirmed it all.
“Our initial investigation was too superficial. That boy isn’t just a Martial Cultivator; he practices ancient Daoist techniques that are incredibly formidable,” Elder Redmond said with a mix of hatred and fear as he mentioned Leo.
“Elder Blake…” Walter couldn’t hold back his tears any longer. While Helena’s death was less significant due to her merely having a beneficial relationship with the Rossetti family, Elder Blake was different. He and Elder Redmond were the family’s two main protectors. Losing one was a devastating blow to Walter.
“Walter, now is not the time for sorrow. That brat demands that you personally apologize within three days.”
“Moreover, Lynch Family’s eldest son Mark has been captured by him. He wants you to bring treasures to exchange for Mark.”
Elder Redmond’s expression turned extremely grim as he mentioned Leo’s demands.
“Personally apologize? Bring treasures to exchange for Mark?” Walter’s face twisted with rage as he clenched his fists. “That brat killed my grandson Frank and now Elder Blake. The Rossetti family will never coexist with him!”
Veins bulged on Walter’s forehead as he cursed angrily. The hatred in his eyes was palpable.
“Walter, that brat is vicious and ruthless. Our Rossetti family is now in a life-or-death struggle with him. He said if you don’t go to Seven Stars Sword Sect within three days, he’ll come to us himself…”