Chapter 399 - Assassins (1/2)
”The Thunder Hawk Sect? I have heard of them,” Ruan Ling said. ”They are a rather powerful influence that is a tributary of the Timeless Flame Sect.”
”Looks like this senior here knows about the Thunder Hawk Sect,” Longshao Wenqin nodded. ”That's right, the Thunder Hawk Sect is a tributary of the Timeless Flame Sect, and have direct dealings with members of the ancient sect. If you join us, few people would dare to act carelessly towards you.”
In this world where strength decided one's status, Ruan Ling who was at the Fifth Cycle Origin Core realm was naturally considered a senior in Longshao Wenqin's eyes.
”Thank you for the offer, but I think we'll pass,” Nanlan Qianxue declined. ”There are still some matters that we have to tend to, so it is not too convenient for us to join another group.”
”If that's the case, then I won't force you either,” Longshao Wenqin did not mind. ”But let's exchange communication marks. This way, we can still contact each other when necessary.”
Nanlan Qianxue nodded.
She might still have some reservations towards Longshao Wenqin, but exchanging communication marks was not an issue.
Just as they were done, Ruan Ling suddenly frowned and said. ”Who are you guys?”
”Hmm?” Longshao Wenqin and Nanlan Qianxue looked at her in surprise, only to see that she was looking all around them, as though trying to find someone.
It was late at night now, and the streets were dark and empty.
Even as Origin Core realm martial artists, they were unable to spot anyone around them.
”What a surprise, you are more alert than I thought. Maybe this will actually be fun instead,” a deep voice sounded out. It seemed to be coming from all directions at once, so it was impossible for the trio to pin point the location of the other party.
”Who sent you? And what do you want?” Ruan Ling continued to question.
At the same time, she took a treasure mace out from her spatial ring.
Nanlan Qianxue also whipped out her Frost Jade Sword, while Longshao Wenqin got into a barehanded battle stance.
As for Bo'er, she could only stand nervously behind Ruan Ling.
”Hehehe,” the other party merely snickered, not bothering to answer her questions.
”How many enemies do you have that you don't even know who is targeting you?” Longshao Wenqin felt the corner of his lips twitch.
”If you are unhappy about it, feel free to leave,” Ruan Ling snapped.
”Do you really think they will just let me leave?” Longshao Wenqin said with a bitter smile. ”And in any case, I just said that those from the west should take care of each other. What would that make me if I leave just like that?”
”Heh, is that pride?” Ruan Ling smirked. ”You know this pride of yours can get you killed here, right?”
”It's not pride, it's loyalty,” Longshao Wenqin shrugged. ”If I die here, that just means this is my limit. But don't look down on me. I am not going to die this easily.”
At that moment, Ruan Ling suddenly sensed the presence of someone standing right behind them, causing a chill to run down her spine.
She had absolutely no idea when or how this person got there without her noticing!
”Dodge!” Ruan Ling suddenly cried out before grabbing Bo'er and leaping away.
Longshao Wenqin did not hesitate either. When he heard Ruan Ling's warning, he immediately leapt away with lightning-fast reflexes.
But now that the other party had already gotten this close, how would he allow them to get away so easily?
Holding a dagger in his right hand, the dark figure behind them struck like a viper, aiming straight for Ruan Ling.
Of the four of them, Bo'er was irrelevant, while Ruan Ling had the highest cultivation level among the rest.
As long as Ruan Ling was taken out of the picture, the rest should be a piece of cake!
But just as he was about to hit the retreating Ruan Ling, the dark figure suddenly felt a sense of danger coming from the side.
When he took a quick glance to his side, he could not help but widen his eyes in shock.
A pale blue sword with faint wisps of frost energy was heading straight for his throat!
This was the Primary Origin Core rank Frost Jade Sword, wielded by none other than Nanlan Qianxue.
While Ruan Ling and Longshao Wenqin were busy dodging out of the way, Nanlan Qianxue had decisively thrust her Frost Jade Sword towards the dark figure that had appeared behind them!
Nanlan Qianxue might not be as strong as Lu Tianzi, but she had also been through a fair share of group battles.
Be it the war against the Dragon Cauldron Kingdom, or the battle at Bog Town against the members of Blazing Wings, she had been fighting against numerous opponents at once, which meant that she needed to be absolutely aware of their surroundings at all times.
By going through these messy battles where every misstep or moment of distraction could possibly result in death, Nanlan Qianxue had managed to hone her awareness to an extremely high level. This was something that geniuses who had been sheltered by their prestigious influences from young sorely lacked.
Not just that, but Nanlan Qianxue had also been through multiple spars against Lu Tianzi, who had an unorthodox movement technique in the Flowing River Silent Strides.
Repeatedly going against Lu Tianzi's unpredictable movements had trained her perception to a level far beyond her peers. If not for that, she would not even qualify to be a sparring partner.
As a result, her perception range might not be as far as the Fifth Cycle Origin Core realm Ruan Ling, but within her own perception range, Nanlan Qianxue was definitely far more aware than Ruan Ling.
In fact, she had begun making her move before Ruan Ling even sensed the arrival of the dark figure!
Faced with Nanlan Qianxue's sudden attack, the dark figure had no choice but to abandon his original plan of taking down Ruan Ling. He hurriedly brought his dagger down to block Nanlan Qianxue's sword, but even that was not fast enough.
The sound of metal clashing sounded out, followed by a spurt of blood.
Slice-!
Even though the trajectory of the Frost Jade Sword had been slightly altered by its collision against the dagger, its long blade still managed to cut the dark figure on the cheek, deep enough to draw blood.
But Nanlan Qianxue was still not done.
She immediately followed up by striking out with her left palm, aiming straight for the dark figure's chest.