Reinforcements

The Wei family was also familiar with the Devouring Star Technique.

Although this technique was overwhelmingly powerful, it had its flaws.

One couldn’t endlessly absorb life force to enhance their cultivation.

If the absorbed life force exceeded the body’s limits, it wouldn’t boost one’s strength.

Instead, it would lead to backlash.

At best, it would damage meridians and flesh, leaving behind disabilities and ailments.

At worst, it would cause qi deviation, resulting in instant death.

Yet, Wei Guangming could see Chen Feng’s current condition.

There was no sign of overusing the Devouring Star Technique.

“Why hasn’t he continued absorbing life force to grow stronger?”

“How does he possess strength surpassing top-tier warriors with only five hundred units of life force?”

“What a pity. Despite mastering several Heaven-tier techniques and reaching such heights, he’ll die here today.”

Wei Guangming lamented inwardly.

He regretted not being able to fight Chen Feng.

And not being able to seize Chen Feng’s techniques for his family’s use.

Just then, Wei Guangming suddenly turned around.

He spotted a large group of people approaching from a distance.

Upon recognizing them, he was slightly taken aback.

At a glance, they all appeared to be elderly, likely over sixty years old.

Wei Guangming smirked and turned back.

“It seems the second wave from Great Xia has arrived.”

“I wonder if you can hold on any longer.”

Meanwhile, Chen Feng, surrounded on all sides, was at a critical juncture between life and death.

Attacks in the form of martial arts energy came from every direction.

Impossible to defend against.

In just a short while,

he had already been struck multiple times.

Chen Feng coughed up several mouthfuls of blood, his body on the verge of collapse.

Hundreds of fist and palm strikes surged toward him, sending him flying dozens of meters back.

He had to admit—human strength had its limits.

Even with the Unity of Heaven and Man realm, which allowed him to unleash 100% of his martial techniques’ power,

he couldn’t overcome so many enemies when his life force was half of theirs.

“Be careful! Don’t kill him—he’s worthless dead.”

Chen Feng didn’t know whether to feel relieved.

His staggering bounty of one billion had temporarily spared his life.

Then, another sudden change occurred.

Shouts of battle erupted from the east.

Even those besieging Chen Feng turned to look.

Martial projections formed from life force filled the sky,

accompanied by screams of agony.

Someone began yelling:

“It’s the Great Xia martial army!”

“Are they the old ones or the young ones?”

“All old-timers!”

“This is trouble!”

These invaders feared nothing more than Great Xia’s elders.

Though advanced in age, their comprehension of martial techniques far surpassed that of the young.

A single elder could easily overpower a younger warrior of the same level.

While a young practitioner might only grasp the third or fourth realm of a technique,

each realm representing the depth of mastery,

these old masters had spent lifetimes refining their skills, reaching realms the young couldn’t fathom.

Most started at the fifth or sixth realm—some even higher.

As more and more Great Xia elders arrived, the battle escalated.

Realizing the tide was turning, the invaders restraining Chen Feng quickly moved to seize him.

“Hurry, take him away from here!”

“Who are you? Why should you be the one to take him?”

“I caught him first!”

“You wouldn’t have him without me!”

“I deserve a share of the bounty too!”

“Not so many of you were here for the final strike!”

“Damn it! Are you all just trying to freeload?”

Hundreds of invaders began fighting among themselves.

One billion was an enormous sum,

but if too many claimed a share, each portion would shrink.

Now, they were scrambling over him.

Chen Feng was pinned down, limbs immobilized.

His arms and legs, strained from relentless combat, were swollen and weak.

He had no strength left to resist.

The North Darkness Divine Art could replenish life force but couldn’t alleviate physical exhaustion.

Now, severely wounded, he was powerless.

Days of nonstop battle had pushed his mind and body to the brink.

His vision darkened.

All he wanted was to close his eyes and sleep.

But he feared that if he did, they might never open again.

Soon, the battle cries grew louder.

In his dazed state, Chen Feng heard someone nearby shout:

“Screw this! If I don’t get a cut, none of you will!”

“Kill him—let’s see who profits then!”

“Just finish him! The enemy’s closing in—we don’t have time to drag him along!”

“I’ll take a leg as proof for the bounty!”

Hearing their plans, Chen Feng weakly opened his eyes and thought:

“Is this how I die?”

Dozens of invaders, unable to agree, lunged at him, intent on dismembering him.

They would take body parts as proof of their involvement,

hoping to claim a portion of the bounty.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar split the air:

“How dare you!”

A white-haired elder, moving like a phantom, appeared before Chen Feng.

He struck out with multiple punches, desperately blocking the attackers.

Though swift,

he was no match for a hundred hands.

In an instant, he was grievously wounded.

As he collapsed, he threw himself over Chen Feng.

Dozens of attacks slammed into his back.

Blood gushed from his mouth and nose.

Chen Feng stared blankly at the elder’s bleeding face.

His mind slowly cleared.

He finally realized—

this old man had given his life to save him.

“Old master!”

Chen Feng mustered the strength to call out.

But the elder was already fading, his gaze unfocused, head slumped to the ground.

With his last breath, he whispered:

“Young man… you must live… Great Xia still needs…”

Before he could finish, his voice stilled.

Tears welled in Chen Feng’s eyes.

“Old master, you…”

He had been saved, yet he didn’t even know his savior’s name.

One of the invaders kicked the elder’s corpse aside.

“Damn this old fool!”

“The Great Xia elders are here—hurry up and finish the job!”

“Don’t you dare cut in front of me!”

“Stop arguing and cover me!”

The whistling of blades cut through the chaos.

Dozens of flying daggers shot toward them.

The invaders, caught off guard, scrambled to defend themselves.

An elderly woman’s voice rang out:

“Quick! There’s a young man here!”

“You old fools, go save him!”

A few old men retorted:

“There are too many—how are we supposed to reach him?”

“Should we just throw our lives away?”

The old woman snapped:

“How many years do you have left anyway?”

“You withered old sticks, clinging to life now?”

One elder roared, driving back an enemy with a punch.

The others, disregarding their own safety, charged toward Chen Feng.

One grabbed Chen Feng’s collar and hauled him up.

“He’s still breathing!”

“Cover me—I’ll get him out!”

The remaining elders, already overwhelmed, fought desperately against the swarm of invaders.

“Damn it! My bounty!”

“Kill these old bastards!”

“Get him back!”

"Damn it! Are these old fools trying to get themselves killed?!"

...

The elders fought with their lives on the line, swiftly grievously wounding several invaders.

Yet they too suffered heavy injuries.

They merely wiped the blood from their lips and pressed on.

They would fight to the death!

Chen Feng was hauled by one of the elders into the ranks of Great Xia.

He stared blankly as the old men who had just saved him fell one by one.

Eventually, their figures were swallowed by the tide of invaders—though not before taking down several of them.

Chen Feng tried to speak.

Instead, he coughed up a mouthful of blood.

All he could do was whisper in his heart:

"Thank you..."

The elder carried Chen Feng to the base of a towering tree.

Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small vial and shook out a pill.

Without hesitation, he shoved it into Chen Feng’s mouth.

"Don’t you dare die, kid."

"Your life was bought with the blood of several old bastards."

"If you regain your strength, get the hell out of Kunlun Mountain."

"The future of Great Xia now rests with you young ones."

With that, the elder gave Chen Feng’s shoulder a firm pat and turned back toward the fray.

Covered in grime and blood, Chen Feng watched the elder’s retreating figure until his consciousness finally gave way, plunging him into darkness.