Damn it, had I known I wouldn't have saved you

The Guanxiong Tribe member sneered, "Then your granddaughter is really quite bizarre-looking!"

As soon as he spoke, he suddenly spun around, wielding his long blade, and lunged at the old man.

Swish!

His long blade pierced through the old man's body and plunged into the large tree behind him.

Suddenly, his eyes widened. The figure before him instantly dissipated; it was merely an afterimage.

A chilling sensation at the back of his neck made his body freeze as if struck by lightning.

The old man was now standing right behind him, raising one of his walking sticks and pointing it at the back of the Guanxiong Tribe member's neck.

Boom!

With a loud bang, the skin on the back of his neck remained completely unharmed.

However, a fist-sized hole suddenly exploded from the front of his neck, and the large tree behind it shattered from the shockwave.

The old man quickly rested his walking stick on the ground and walked away into the distance. "Little girl, you better not die."

...

"Master, what just happened?"

Seeing the scene unfold before his eyes, Wu Tian's face was filled with disbelief.

"I don't know, but one thing is certain: that was definitely a technique."

Li Poshan explained, "Techniques that divert attacks are extremely rare, but they do exist."

Hearing this, Wu Tian slowly clenched his fists. He never expected Xu Mu to possess so many powerful techniques.

No wonder Shi Fumeng was willing to suffer severe injuries just to get closer to Xu Mu.

Even he was tempted. If he could obtain Xu Mu's techniques, his strength would reach a whole new level.

"Boy, what did you just do?"

Lei Ao stared at Xu Mu and asked coldly.

Xu Mu didn't reply. Instead, he was pondering his next move. He had decided to leave the divine medicine hidden deep within to Chen Xuan.

Logically speaking, as long as he could stall Wu Tian here, Chen Xuan, the main protagonist, should be able to secure the divine medicine.

However, the divine medicine had been sitting there unconsumed, which most likely meant it hadn't fully matured yet.

But the current situation was disadvantageous to him. He didn't have the ability to hold off everyone present until the medicine fully matured.

He also had a female lead on his back.

She was his source of Justice Points, and he didn't want to leave her behind.

"I'm talking to you. Can't you understand?"

Lei Ao growled.

"How should I know? Maybe your aim was just off. Why don't you try again?"

Xu Mu smiled and walked toward Wu Tian, bringing him into the range of his damage transfer technique.

"You think I wouldn't dare?"

A short sword appeared in Lei Ao's hand.

Whoosh!

The ground beneath his feet suddenly caved in as his figure blurred into a dark shadow, darting to Xu Mu's side.

The short sword glinted with golden light as it slashed toward Xu Mu's waist.

Because of its sheer speed, the air produced a dull, heavy hum.

Xu Mu immediately executed the Heaven Burning Sword Art. His black longsword became engulfed in blood-red flames, laced with dark, smoky auras.

Clang!

The longsword and short sword clashed. The terrifying force pulverized the ground beneath the two men.

Xu Mu felt a mountain-like pressure coming from his opponent. In a pure contest of Qi, he was still far too inferior.

Swoosh!

Xu Mu instantly withdrew his force and flew backward.

In truth, he could have held on longer, but Tian Xi on his back wouldn't be able to withstand it.

Seeing this, Lei Ao revealed a disdainful smile. "I thought you were something special. Turns out you've only just reached the Grandmaster realm."

Swish!

He accelerated again, catching up to the retreating Xu Mu. He raised his short sword, the golden light upon it flaring brilliantly.

"Die!"

Lei Ao slashed out with all his might.

Clack!

Xu Mu blocked with his longsword, and his body was sent flying once more.

He quickly executed the Cloud Step in mid-air to slow his momentum before finally landing on the ground.

"Big brother, put me down! I'll only drag you down!"

On his back, Tian Xi was already in tears.

She never expected that this man, whom she had only met once, would go to such lengths for her.

[Affection +30]

"You entered this dangerous place because of me this time. It's my duty to protect you," Xu Mu said with righteous indignation.

Hearing this, Tian Xi's tears streamed down her cheeks and fell onto Xu Mu's neck.

"Big brother... why are you so silly? You're the one who saved me."

[Affection +30]

Swish!

Lei Ao appeared again, continuously slashing at Xu Mu.

Xu Mu easily deflected every single strike.

However, the concussive force from each clash still left his wrists somewhat numb.

He felt that, in terms of pure physical constitution, Lei Ao was far stronger than Gu Yongming, whom he had encountered earlier.

Suddenly, a figure appeared behind Lei Ao.

It was Shi Fumeng.

Her longsword was bathed in blue light. "Let's see how you pierce through this time!"

Swish, swish, swish!

She swung her sword so rapidly that it left afterimages.

Swoosh!

Lei Ao suddenly burst with power and flashed a dozen meters away. "You speak as if I'm just a mindless brute who only knows how to fight. Do you think I don't know how to dodge?"

Xu Mu looked at Shi Fumeng again and smiled, "Thank you."

"Don't celebrate just yet."

As Shi Fumeng spoke, she glanced at Tian Xi on Xu Mu's back. "Do you know her?"

"No."

Xu Mu shook his head.

"Then why are you going to such lengths for her? Your own strength is lacking to begin with, and adding a deadweight means you can't even exert your full power. If this continues, you will definitely die."

Shi Fumeng's expression was cold. "Is there something wrong with your brain?"

Hearing this, Xu Mu couldn't help but want to give her a thumbs up. Well said.

Sure enough, upon hearing this, Tian Xi's face filled with guilt.

[Affection +20]

Seeing this, Xu Mu put on a solemn expression and said, "How could I just watch her die? My conscience wouldn't allow it!"

Hearing this, Tian Xi's tears began pouring down again.

[Affection +50]

Seeing this, Xu Mu rejoiced inwardly. Was that a critical hit?

Raking in Justice Points like this was too satisfying.

Even if it carried a slight risk.

Tian Xi gritted her teeth and jumped straight off Xu Mu's back.

Seeing this, Xu Mu immediately frowned. "What are you doing?"

"Big brother! This sister is right. I can't drag you down. If this continues, not only me, but you'll die too."

Tian Xi wore an expression of someone ready to embrace death.

"No..."

"No what? This bleeding-heart personality of yours will be the death of you sooner or later!"

Shi Fumeng glared at Xu Mu, cutting him off.

Buzz!

Suddenly, Lei Ao flashed from the distance and appeared right in front of them again.

"You dare get distracted while fighting me? Are you eager to die faster?"

The short sword in his hand swiftly slashed toward Shi Fumeng.

Lei Ao's position as the boss here wasn't solely based on his strength.

He wouldn't kill the little girl; her existence served as a restraint on Xu Mu.

Xu Mu possessed so many formidable techniques, and his strength was much weaker than his own.

He wanted to take him alive. Therefore, his target to kill this time was only Shi Fumeng.

"Watch out!"

Seeing this, Xu Mu immediately pushed Shi Fumeng away.

Swish!

Lei Ao's short sword carved a path right in front of Xu Mu.

Xu Mu seized the opportunity and slashed at Lei Ao's head.

But Lei Ao effortlessly blocked it.

Boom!

Xu Mu's body was abruptly sent flying. He crashed into a large tree behind him and slumped onto his rear.

"You brat... is there a hole in your brain?"

Seeing this scene, Shi Fumeng's eyes went wide.

[Affection +4]

Seeing this, Xu Mu cursed inwardly, "Damn it, I knew I shouldn't have saved you."