Shadowy Figure Appears

Shen Hao's heart gave a violent lurch.

He quickly held his breath, suppressing his aura to the utmost. The shadowy figure's gaze swept over the grass, lingered for a moment, then moved on.

Shen Hao let out a silent sigh of relief, fine beads of sweat trickling from his temples. He could sense that the shadowy figure's cultivation was far above his own—at least Mid Stage Qi Refining Third Layer. If discovered, he stood no chance.

The shadowy figure, unaware of Shen Hao's presence, tucked the cloth bundle into his robe and turned to leave. Just then, a booming voice rang out: "Thief! Where do you think you're going?"

Two figures shot out from the depths of the dense forest like lightning, blocking the shadowy figure's escape. They were Deacon Elders clad in Green Daoist Robes, both at Qi Refining Fourth Layer.

The shadowy figure's expression shifted, and he spun around to flee. But the two elders were swift—in an instant, they had him surrounded.

"How dare you sneak into our Ziyang Sect's Medicine Garden in the dead of night and steal the sect's Spiritual Medicine!" one elder roared in fury.

The shadowy figure snorted coldly. "Since you've caught me, I won't bother hiding it anymore."

With that, he yanked the black cloth from his face, revealing a young, arrogant countenance—about seventeen or eighteen years old, with a defiant glint in his eyes.

Shen Hao's heart pounded. This shadowy figure was none other than Zhao Lei, a prodigy among the Outer Sect Disciples. Zhao Lei possessed a top-grade Single Spirit Root and cultivated at breakneck speed. He had already reached Late Qi Refining Third Layer, placing him among the elite of the outer sect.

"Zhao Lei, it's you!" one elder recognized him, his face darkening. "You're a genius among the Outer Sect Disciples. The sect has treated you well. Why would you stoop to stealing its Spiritual Medicine?"

Zhao Lei let out a scornful laugh. "Treated me well? Hah! The resources the sect gives me aren't nearly enough for my cultivation. If I don't steal these Spiritual Medicines, when will I ever break through to Qi Refining Fourth Layer?"

He paused, then added, "Besides, these medicines are a drop in the bucket for the sect, but they're everything to me. Why are you so relentless?"

"Insolent!" the other elder bellowed. "The sect distributes resources based on talent and contribution. Your talent is fine, but your heart is crooked. Trying to take shortcuts—pure delusion!"

"Enough talk!" Zhao Lei snorted, suddenly summoning his flying sword. The blade was pitch-black, radiating a faint, icy gleam. Gripping it, he slashed fiercely at the two elders.

The elders exchanged a glance and summoned their own flying swords. Three blades clashed under the moonlight, colliding in a flash.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The ring of metal echoed through the forest. Though Zhao Lei's cultivation was inferior to the elders', his sword techniques were razor-sharp. For a time, he fought them to a standstill.

Hidden in the grass, Shen Hao watched with bated breath. He could feel the ferocity of the battle—Sword Qi tore through the air, grass and trees flew, and the entire forest was reduced to chaos.

"This can't go on," Shen Hao thought. "Zhao Lei's cultivation is no match for the two elders in the long run. He'll lose eventually. But if he's cornered, he might do something desperate."

After a moment's thought, he quietly slipped out of the grass and dashed toward the Training Ground. He had to alert the other Deacon Elders for backup.

Shen Hao moved like the wind, vanishing into the night.

The battle in the forest raged on. Zhao Lei's aura grew increasingly erratic. He knew he couldn't beat the two elders. Gritting his teeth, he pulled a black Pill from his robe and shoved it into his mouth.

As the Pill entered his stomach, Zhao Lei's aura exploded. His cultivation surged from Late Qi Refining Third Layer straight to Early Qi Refining Fourth Layer.

"Damn! He took a Forbidden Medicine!" one elder cried out in alarm.

Zhao Lei let out a wild laugh, gripping his flying sword as he slashed at the two elders. This strike was devastating, carrying an earth-shattering force.

The elders' faces turned grim as they channeled all their Spiritual Energy to block the blow.

Boom!

A thunderous crash sent all three flying backward, blood spilling from their mouths.

Zhao Lei's face was pale, his aura feeble. The Forbidden Medicine's power was immense, but its side effects were brutal. Gritting through the searing pain, he turned to flee.

Just then, rapid footsteps sounded from outside the forest. Dozens of Deacon Elders, flying swords in hand, surrounded the woods. At their head was the Chief Deacon Elder, a cultivator at Qi Refining Fifth Layer.

"Zhao Lei, you have no escape!" the Chief Deacon Elder thundered.

Zhao Lei's face went deathly white. He knew that today, there was no way out.