Desperate Straits!

The atmosphere in the stone chamber had grown somewhat stifling after the earlier division of spoils.

Xiao Yan was considering how to escape this predicament, while Xiao Yi Xian stood silently in the corner, sorting through the overlooked Seven-Colored Poison Scripture in her arms.

Suddenly—

"Boom!!!"

A deafening crash came from beyond the stone door. The entire chamber shook violently, and dust rained down from the ceiling.

Xiao Yan and Xiao Yi Xian's expressions changed at the same time.

"They're forcing the door open!"

Xiao Yan sprang to his feet, gripping the Black Heavy Ruler tightly, his gaze incomparably grave.

He could sense that there were more presences gathered outside than before—and stronger ones!

One of those auras had even reached the level of an Eight-star Dou Shi, far surpassing He Meng!

"It's Mu She! The leader of the Wolf Head Mercenary Group!"

Xiao Yi Xian's voice trembled slightly. Clearly, she was deeply afraid of this notorious mercenary leader.

"Teacher!" Xiao Yan cried out inwardly.

"This is troublesome!" Han Feng's voice was also more solemn than ever.

"An Eight-star Dou Shi—at your current condition, you have no chance of victory! Prepare yourself. If the door breaks, this old man will help you break out at any cost! Whether you live or die will depend on fate!"

Xiao Yan's heart sank to the bottom. Even his teacher said so; the situation had clearly reached the utmost danger.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The relentless impacts were like heavy hammers smashing fiercely against their hearts.

Dust continuously fell from the stone door, and fine cracks had even begun to appear.

Mu She's violent Dou Qi fluctuations outside the door could be felt clearly.

Xiao Yi Xian's face turned pale, and she unconsciously moved a little closer to Xiao Yan.

At this moment, this young man was her only support.

Xiao Yan took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the panic in his heart and the agonizing pain in his body. He madly poured what little Dou Qi he had left into the Black Heavy Ruler.

Dark red fire-attributed Dou Qi once again coiled around it. Though its glow was dim and its aura unsteady, the ruthlessness in his eyes had reached its peak.

He could not die here! He still had the Three-Year Agreement to fulfill!

"Crack—boom!"

At last, amid an especially resounding blast, the heavy stone door could no longer endure the continuous battering and exploded apart!

Rubble flew everywhere, and dust filled the air!

"Charge in! Capture them!" Mu She's murderous roar rang out first.

Before the dust had even settled, several figures charged in like wolves and tigers. At their head was Mu She, a vicious scar stretching across his face!

His gaze was sharp as lightning, instantly locking onto Xiao Yan, who stood ready with his heavy ruler in hand, and Xiao Yi Xian, who trembled behind him.

"Kid, you're the one who injured members of my Wolf Head Mercenary Group? And you dared covet my treasure?!"

Mu She gave a savage grin. The formidable aura of an Eight-star Dou Shi erupted without restraint, forming a crushing pressure that made Xiao Yan's breathing hitch. Even his injuries were stirred up, and sweetness rose in his throat.

"Captain, why waste words with him? Just cripple him!"

He Meng shouted from behind, his gaze toward Xiao Yan filled with venomous hatred.

Mu She said no more. He stomped the ground fiercely, shooting forward like an arrow released from its bow.

His five fingers curled into claws, tearing through the air as they shot straight for Xiao Yan's throat! His speed was astonishing!

"Flame Splitting Wave Ruler!"

Xiao Yan's pupils contracted as he gritted his teeth and unleashed his strongest Dou Technique.

The Black Heavy Ruler carried a somewhat scattered gust of ruler wind as it viciously cleaved toward Mu She's claw!

"You overestimate yourself!"

Mu She snorted disdainfully, changing his claw into a fist. Earth-yellow Dou Qi wrapped around his knuckles as he met the attack head-on without retreating!

"Bang!"

Fist and ruler collided with a dull crash.

Xiao Yan felt an irresistible force surge through the ruler. The web between his thumb and forefinger instantly split open, blood streaming down as the Black Heavy Ruler nearly flew from his grasp!

His entire body felt as though it had been struck by a massive blow. Pain exploded in his chest, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.

He flew backward like a kite with its string cut, slamming heavily into the stone wall behind him before sliding down.

With just one move, the severely injured Xiao Yan was completely defeated!

The absolute gap in strength was not something willpower or low-level Dou Techniques could make up for.

"Xiao Yan!"

Xiao Yi Xian cried out and tried to rush over, but He Meng and his men blocked her.

Mu She shook his wrist and looked at Xiao Yan, who lay limp on the ground, coughing up blood. A cat-toying-with-a-mouse amusement flashed in his eyes.

"That's all you've got? And you dared stir up trouble on my turf?

He Meng, go cripple that kid for me! As for Xiao Yi Xian, capture her!"

"Yes, Captain!"

He Meng grinned viciously and led several mercenaries toward the weakened Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan struggled to get up, but every bone in his body felt as though it had fallen apart. His meridians felt as if they were being scorched by blazing fire, the pain unbearable. He did not even have the strength to lift a finger.

Watching He Meng approach step by step, despair appeared in his eyes for the first time.

Was he going to die here? Unwilling! He was utterly unwilling!

"Useless fool! I can only use it once more!" Han Feng's cold, urgent voice exploded in his mind. "Relax your body and leave it to this old man!"

The next moment, a surge of Soul Power far stronger than Xiao Yan's own, yet carrying an icy and violent aura, poured out from the ring and instantly took control of Xiao Yan's body!

"Xiao Yan," who had been lying limp on the ground, suddenly raised his head. Those eyes that had once belonged to a youth were now filled with cold killing intent!

He Meng, who had been about to strike, was startled by the sudden change and halted.

Then "Xiao Yan" leaped up from the ground with agility completely inconsistent with someone severely wounded.

His right hand shot out like lightning, strange Dou Qi winding around his fingers as he grabbed directly at He Meng's chest!

"What?!" He Meng's expression changed drastically as he hurriedly circulated his Dou Qi to defend himself.

But the one controlling Xiao Yan's body now was the Medicine Emperor, once a Peak Dou Emperor.

Even an attack launched through this battered body and with only weak Soul Power was not something a mere Five-star Dou Disciple like He Meng could withstand!

"Rip!"

The Dou Qi easily tore through He Meng's defense. His five fingers, like red-hot branding irons, plunged straight into He Meng's chest!

He Meng's eyes bulged wide, his face filled with terrified disbelief.

He opened his mouth, but no sound came out. His body convulsed violently a few times before collapsing limply. His chest was charred black, and he was already dead!

This sudden counterkill left everyone stunned!

Mu She's pupils shrank sharply, the amused expression on his face instantly turning to fury and shock. "Kid, you're courting death!"

He hesitated no longer. Dou Qi surged wildly through his entire body as he charged at "Xiao Yan" again. This time, he was truly enraged, and his opening strike was a killing move!

"Xiao Yan"—Han Feng—looked coldly ahead. Borrowing the momentum from killing He Meng, he stepped through an intricate footwork technique and narrowly evaded Mu She's frontal assault.

At the same time, he waved his left hand. An invisible wave of Soul Power spread outward, causing several mercenaries who were about to rush forward to freeze, clutch their heads, and scream.

But Mu She was an Eight-star Dou Shi after all, and his strength was formidable. He quickly steadied himself and smashed a backhanded punch toward "Xiao Yan's" back!

"Pfft!"

Though "Xiao Yan" dodged with all his strength, he was still grazed by the force of the punch. He spat out another mouthful of blood, and his aura instantly weakened.

Han Feng did not have much Soul Power to begin with. Forcibly controlling the body in battle consumed an enormous amount, and Xiao Yan's body was already on the verge of collapse.

"Looks like this is as far as it goes..."

Han Feng cursed inwardly and controlled "Xiao Yan" as he suddenly charged toward the pile of Gold Coins and treasure in the corner.

At the same time, he rasped toward Xiao Yi Xian, "Run!"

He was not acting out of kindness. He simply needed someone to draw away attention.

Before his words had faded, "Xiao Yan" used the last of his strength to blast a large mass of Gold Coins and treasure into the air with Dou Qi. They shot toward Mu She and the mercenaries like a torrential downpour, temporarily obstructing their vision and movements.

Meanwhile, taking advantage of the brief chaos, he staggered toward a narrow passage on the other side of the stone chamber that had previously been half-buried beneath rubble!

"Trying to run?!"

Mu She roared and swept aside the flying Gold Coins with his sleeve. Just as he was about to give chase, he saw Xiao Yi Xian also taking the opportunity to run toward the entrance.

"Capture that woman!"

Mu She immediately split his forces, while he himself led two men after "Xiao Yan" into the narrow passage.