The underground cavern trembled, and the cultivators all sprang into action, scrambling for the emerald pills.
Liu Xiaowen had undergone the cleansing refinement. One pill flew toward him and recognized him as its master of its own accord, drawing quite a few eyes. He immediately handed it to his master and stood guard nearby.
Fan Qingzhu went to contest a pill with another rogue cultivator, with Fan Huayan and Xianghe accompanying him.
Xu Xuan now had two opponents to contend with: Zanluo and the scar-faced man who cultivated the path of ultimate fire. Both possessed profound cultivation, and neither was easy to deal with.
Had those two not blocked his escape, Xu Xuan would already have fled with the others.
Zanluo spoke first, his expression compassionate. Three overlapping voices rang out as he declared:
"Benefactor, kindly surrender that precious pill. I shall then overlook our previous grievances and turn enmity into friendship. You may send the women of your household to cultivate with me. I shall certainly throw the doors wide open to them."
As he spoke, the monk looked toward Wen Si'an and gave a lecherous smile.
Seeing the depraved monk's wandering gaze, Wen Si'an's pretty face turned frosty. Her dark hair streamed around her, and light rippled across Rainthought in her hand.
She still refrained from acting rashly. Together with Liu Xiaowen, she watched their surroundings, preventing other rogue cultivators from fishing in troubled waters.
Xu Xuan stepped forward to shield his junior sister, leaned close, and whispered:
"Cover me. I'll go kill him."
Wen Si'an let out a soft breath, her voice gentling as she murmured:
"Be very careful. If you can't overcome them, abandon the pill. Your life matters most."
Xu Xuan nodded, advanced with his sword, and pointed it at the two men.
*Once I