The Wickedness of the World

Facing Huang Xiaoyao's attack, the three masked figures exchanged a glance and simultaneously launched their assault on her.

Those capable of entering this Void Emperor's secret realm were all outstanding individuals, the elite among the Nascent Soul stage cultivators from various factions. Even the rogue cultivators were the most formidable of their kind at this level.

Even if their opponent was a prodigy from the Heavenly Demon Phoenix clan of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, they felt no fear.

"Boom!"

Huang Xiaoyao swung her fist towards the trio. Her fighting style was completely at odds with her petite frame, resembling that of a violent little girl.

However, for a member of the demon beast race, such a combat style was understandable, as powerful physiques were their innate gift.

"Truly worthy of being the little princess of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix clan. Her combat prowess is on a completely different level from other demon beasts."

The three masked figures, wielding their respective weapons, engaged Huang Xiaoyao in a fierce struggle, inwardly marveling at her strength.

Some things were indeed innate.

Among the three of them, one was a rogue cultivator who had reached this day through his own efforts. The other two were cultivators from second-rate factions who had fought their way through countless competitors to seize this opportunity.

Under normal circumstances, they might never have come into contact with a cultivator with such a terrifying background.

Fortunately, this was within the Great Emperor's secret realm. Once inside, regardless of status, everyone was equal. Even if the other party had a powerful background, they could still seize their resources.

"You may be strong, but how long can you last against the three of us?"

One of the masked figures held a trace of mockery in his eyes.

So what if she was a genius from a major faction? So what if she was the little princess of the Hundred Thousand Mountains? At a time like this, she was nothing but a lamb waiting to be slaughtered.

If killing her wouldn't invite unnecessary trouble, they would absolutely not hesitate to murder her and take her treasures.

The Hundred Thousand Mountains was no minor force. Merely robbing a cultivator's resources, even if discovered later, wouldn't prompt them to take action against mere Nascent Soul stage cultivators.

After all, once here, everyone seized opportunities based on their own strength. Failing to keep what you found only proved your own inadequacy.

But killing her would change the nature of the act. Given the vast disparity in their backgrounds, the faction behind her might disregard all decorum and directly annihilate them.

And no one would be able to protect them.

"Despicable! You bullies, ganging up on one!"

Surrounded and attacked by the three, Huang Xiaoyao was so angry her hair transformed into towering flames.

If not for the restriction in this Great Emperor's secret realm that prevented the use of artifacts above the Nascent Soul stage, she would have finished off these three villains long ago.

"Screech—!!"

Crimson flames enveloped Huang Xiaoyao's petite body. A phoenix's cry pierced the clouds, and instantly, an ancient and noble aura erupted from her small frame.

In the next moment, a magnificent divine bird stood proudly in mid-air. Its crimson feathers were ignited with gold-red flames, and the fluid patterns upon them seemed to contain ancient power.

From head to tail, it measured roughly a hundred meters. As its wings spread, infinite flames dyed the sky red.

"All of you, go die!"

A childish voice carried boundless fury.

"This little thing really wants to finish us off," one masked cultivator couldn't help but mutter, then took out a black rope from his storage ring. "You two, restrain her. I refuse to believe three of us can't subdue one demon beast!"

The other two exchanged a look. Surging spiritual energy erupted from their bodies as they charged towards Huang Xiaoyao. Swinging their longswords, they unleashed several sharp sword qi attacks aimed at her, all while hurling taunts:

"Such a little princess indeed, thinking turning back to your true form can defeat us?"

Her flames were indeed formidable; a careless touch could even scorch their souls. But as long as they kept their distance, she could do nothing to them.

Reverting to her true form had even made her a perfect target for them.

The sharp sword qi strikes landed on Huang Xiaoyao's body, leaving numerous wounds. Blood continuously seeped out, the pain filling her eyes with tears, making her feel utterly wronged.

She had found the Vermilion Fruit first. Why were these people trying to steal her things, and why were all three of them beating her up together?

She suddenly regretted coming to this stupid secret realm. It wasn't fun at all. These humans were all bad people, no wonder the demon beasts of the Hundred Thousand Mountains disliked dealing with humans.

Just as Huang Xiaoyao, tears in her eyes, launched an attack at the two, the third cultivator seized the opening and used the black rope to lasso her legs.

A tremendous force pulled, causing Huang Xiaoyao's massive body to lose balance. Seizing this opportunity, the three masked cultivators attacked again, assisting their companion in completely binding her.

The moment the black rope touched Huang Xiaoyao's body, fierce flames erupted, yet they could not burn through it.

"This rope is incredibly sturdy. Even the flames of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix clan can't burn it. Truly worthy of an artifact left by the Void Emperor."

The masked cultivator marveled. He had found this rope in a ruin upon first entering the secret realm. Discovering its incredible durability and ability to freely shrink and expand, he had kept it, never expecting it to be so useful.

Securely bound, Huang Xiaoyao reverted to her human form. What was once an adorable little girl now bore many wounds. Though not fatal, she looked quite pitiful.

To think she was the little princess of the Heavenly Demon Phoenix clan, who had lived for centuries in the Hundred Thousand Mountains without ever suffering such humiliation.

Her large, watery eyes were filled with tears and hatred. She swore that once out, she would have her brother find these three cowards who dared not show their faces.

"Finally got this little thing under control. Good thing there were three of us, or we really wouldn't have been a match for her."

"The little princess of the demon beast clan, only at the seventh level of Nascent Soul, yet her strength is so formidable. Pity she has no combat experience whatsoever."

The masked cultivators' eyes were full of disdain. Individually, any one of them might be inferior in raw power to this little princess born with a silver spoon, but their experience far surpassed hers.

Strength forged through countless life-and-death struggles was naturally incomparable to a flower raised in a greenhouse.

Watching Huang Xiaoyao glare at them with tear-filled eyes, the three felt a wave of satisfaction.

"You should be grateful for your background. Otherwise, you'd already be a corpse."

One of the masked cultivators took Huang Xiaoyao's spatial ring, sneering as he did so.

"Let's go. Time to find the next target. Hopefully, the next prey will be more challenging. Hunting a greenhouse flower like this offers no challenge at all."

After their final taunts, the three prepared to knock Huang Xiaoyao unconscious and leave.

However, at that very moment, Mo Tianxiao arrived on his flying sword, right on time.

"Finally, living people! Fellow Daoists, shall we travel together?"

Without a second thought, Mo Tianxiao sheathed his sword and walked over with a smile.

Traveling alone was far too boring; he needed some company he could talk to.

"Huh?"

After taking a few steps closer, Mo Tianxiao halted, suddenly sensing something amiss.

He had been too excited earlier and hadn't noticed the trio's attire, nor had he seen the little girl sitting on the ground, bound by a black rope, her eyes brimming with tears and rage.

"Damn you all! In broad daylight! What do you think you're doing to a young girl!"

Mo Tianxiao instantly pieced together what was happening and cursed in fury.

Seeing such a scene, even in this dog-eat-dog world, Mo Tianxiao couldn't stomach it for a second.

They were nothing but beasts!