Shadowy Figure Appears

Shen Hao's heart gave a violent jolt.

He hurriedly held his breath and concealed his aura to the utmost. The Shadowy Figure's gaze swept over the grass, lingered for a moment, then shifted away.

Shen Hao let out a breath, fine beads of sweat seeping across his forehead. He could sense that the Shadowy Figure's cultivation was far above his own, at least at the Mid Stage Qi Refining Third Layer. If the Shadowy Figure discovered him, he would certainly be no match.

The Shadowy Figure failed to notice Shen Hao's presence. He tucked the cloth bundle into his robes and turned to leave. Just then, a booming voice suddenly rang out. "Thief, where do you think you're running?!"

Two figures shot out from the depths of the Dense Forest like lightning, cutting off the Shadowy Figure's path. They were two Deacon Elders clad in Green Daoist Robes, both with Qi Refining Fourth Layer cultivation.

The Shadowy Figure's expression changed, and he turned to flee. But the two Deacon Elders were incredibly fast and surrounded him in an instant.

"You dared to sneak into my Ziyang Sect's Medicine Garden in the dead of night and steal the sect's spiritual medicine. You have quite the gall!" one elder shouted furiously.

The Shadowy Figure snorted coldly. "Since you've found me, I won't keep up the act anymore."

As he spoke, he tore away the black cloth covering his face, revealing a young visage. He looked about seventeen or eighteen, with an unruly defiance between his brows.

Shen Hao was secretly alarmed. This Shadowy Figure was actually a genius among the Outer Sect Disciples—Zhao Lei. Zhao Lei possessed a high-grade Single Spirit Root and cultivated at an extraordinary pace. He had already reached the Late Qi Refining Third Layer and was considered one of the very best among the Outer Sect Disciples.

"Zhao Lei, so it was you!" One elder recognized him, and his expression darkened further. "You are a genius among the Outer Sect Disciples. The sect has treated you well, so why would you commit such an act as stealing the sect's spiritual medicine?"

Zhao Lei sneered. "The sect has treated me well? Hmph. The resources the sect gives me are nowhere near enough for my cultivation. If I didn't steal this spiritual medicine, when would I ever break through to the Qi Refining Fourth Layer?"

He paused, then added, "Besides, this spiritual medicine is merely a drop in the ocean to the sect, yet it is of vital importance to me. Why must you press me so relentlessly?"

"Impudence!" the other elder roared. "The sect's resources are distributed according to aptitude and contribution. Your aptitude may be good, but your heart is crooked. You dream of taking shortcuts—what a fool's dream!"

"Words are useless!" Zhao Lei snorted and abruptly summoned his flying sword. The sword was entirely black and emitted a faint, icy gleam. Gripping it, he slashed fiercely at the two elders.

The two elders exchanged a glance and summoned their own flying swords at the same time. Three flying swords flashed with cold light beneath the moon and collided in an instant.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The ringing clash of metal echoed through the entire Dense Forest. Although Zhao Lei's cultivation was inferior to that of the two elders, his sword art was exceptionally fierce. For a time, he fought the two elders to a standstill.

Hidden in the grass, Shen Hao watched with his heart in his throat. He could feel how ferocious the battle between the three was. Sword Qi crisscrossed, grass and trees flew through the air, and the entire Dense Forest was reduced to a complete mess.

This can't go on. Shen Hao's mind stirred. Zhao Lei's cultivation is inferior to the two elders'. Given enough time, he will certainly lose. But if a dog is driven to leap over a wall, who knows what madness he might commit?

After thinking it over, he quietly crawled out of the grass and ran toward the Training Ground. He had to notify the other Deacon Elders and bring reinforcements.

Shen Hao moved with incredible speed, vanishing into the night like a gust of wind.

The battle in the Dense Forest continued. Zhao Lei's aura grew increasingly chaotic. He knew he was no match for the two elders. Gritting his teeth, he suddenly pulled a black pill from his robes and shoved it into his mouth.

The pill entered his stomach, and Zhao Lei's aura instantly surged. His cultivation actually rose from the Late Qi Refining Third Layer to the Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer.

"Not good! He took Forbidden Medicine!" one elder cried, his face changing dramatically.

Zhao Lei burst into wild laughter and gripped his flying sword as he slashed viciously at the two elders. This strike possessed boundless power, carrying an aura that threatened to destroy heaven and earth.

The two elders' expressions turned grave. They simultaneously circulated all the spiritual energy in their bodies to block the strike.

Bang!

With a thunderous explosion, all three were blasted backward, vomiting blood.

Zhao Lei's face was pale, and his aura was weak. Though the Forbidden Medicine's effects were powerful, its backlash was equally severe. Enduring the agonizing pain wracking his body, he turned and tried to flee.

Just then, a rapid patter of footsteps came from outside the Dense Forest. Dozens of Deacon Elders appeared, flying swords in hand, and surrounded the Dense Forest from all sides. At their head stood the Outer Sect's Chief Deacon Elder, whose cultivation had reached the Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

"Zhao Lei, even if you grew wings, you would not escape!" the Chief Deacon Elder roared.

Zhao Lei's face instantly turned deathly pale. He knew that today, death was unavoidable.