Chapter 88: At the Far End of the Forest, Where Blood Splattered Three Feet

Outside the Rain River Tomb.

The four from Grand Rain Palace clashed with the Seventh Princess and her companions.

Two members had already left Luyang Institute, leaving only the Seventh Princess, Chen Mingguang, Wu Gang, and the three from East Lake Institute—Shao Dong, Shao Yang, and Xin Chi.

The three from Luyang were all at the Guardian Spirit Realm, while the East Lake trio were at the Heart Establishment Realm. However, Shao Yang was injured from the previous battles, and Xin Chi’s spiritual energy had been greatly depleted.

Grand Rain Palace had four people—two men and two women. Among them was Mao Tai, who had previously lost to Gu Yi, a youth wielding an iron hammer named Jin Ling, and two sisters who used iron whips. They lived and fought side by side.

All four were at the Guardian Spirit Realm.

Though Luyang Institute had the advantage in numbers, Shao Yang was wounded, Xin Chi’s strength was lacking, and as for the Seventh Princess…

For Chen Mingguang and Wu Gang, protecting the Seventh Princess was paramount; they dared not let her take any risks.

After careful thought, Chen Mingguang devised a plan. The two sisters fought in perfect harmony, defending each other seamlessly—he and Wu Gang could not easily break their defense…

“Shao Dong!”

“East Lake Institute is ready!”

“You three, keep the Grand Rain Palace sisters occupied!”

Though Shao Yang’s injury left his right hand’s tiger’s mouth bleeding, he stood up resolutely. Shao Dong quietly assessed their positions, subtly shielding the young girl, as if he understood the unspoken intent.

Gu Yi had dared let the Seventh Princess fight and even get wounded.

But Chen Mingguang would never risk it; any mishap would mean a death without a grave for both him and Wu Gang.

The Seventh Princess seemed to realize she was a burdensome presence; her only contribution was to stay out of their way. If she distracted them, it could spell fatal disaster.

Chen Mingguang spat, then twisted his troublesome long hair into several loops, securing it with a broken twig. With a steel sword in hand, his gaze locked onto Mao Tai of Grand Rain Palace.

“Wu Gang, deal with that hammer-wielding brat.”

“I’ll break him,” Wu Gang replied, half-crouching. His massive frame radiated fierce intent, matching the arrogance of the hammer-bearing youth, who tilted his head and grinned with a murderous air.

Their abilities were evenly matched. Mao Tai focused intently, but couldn’t help eyeing the silent girl.

She seemed powerful.

Perhaps she was a hidden force? Once their spiritual energies ran dry, this beautiful, harmless young maiden might be their death.

“Jin Ling.”

“Yeah,” growled the hammer youth, voice like a beast.

“There’s another over there. Stay alert.”

Chen Mingguang’s eyes sharpened. His sword moved! He disliked Mao Tai’s gaze toward the Seventh Princess—it was dangerous.

Block!

Sparks flew as their swords collided, emitting a harsh, high-pitched screech.

“You Luyang Institute folks brought plenty of treasures this time,” Mao Tai fixed his gaze on Chen Mingguang. “Be careful dealing with me, or I might seize the chance to attack her.”

Chen Mingguang said nothing, but his eyes grew colder.

The immense force pushed both men back, their movements so fast they left afterimages. Chen Mingguang vanished from sight, only to appear behind Mao Tai the next instant.

Mao Tai ducked, spun, and thrust a palm, but Chen Mingguang blocked with his steel sword between his legs.

An equally fierce battle raged on Wu Gang’s side.

The hammer youth fought with sheer brute force, his body surging with wild spiritual energy. He swung his iron hammer relentlessly, chasing Wu Gang, leaving crater after crater in the earth.

Wu Gang, too, had a fiery temper. No one had ever outmatched him in strength.

Dodging repeatedly, he finally faced another hammer blow from Jin Ling. Determined, he planted his left foot forward, right foot back, and half-crouched, steadying himself. Both hands gripped his blade, earth-colored spiritual energy erupted with a roar!

“Ah!”

His face twisted with ferocity, eyes blazing with fury—this strike embodied the Guardian Spirit Realm’s raw power!

Boom!

The collision sent shockwaves tearing the fractured ground even wider.

Clattering stones vibrated at Wu Gang’s feet, his hands trembled uncontrollably. The impact numbed half his body, as if his soul had been knocked loose.

“Your blade’s tough,” Jin Ling’s eyes widened with crazed excitement. “You’re more fun than that East Lake brat—he just runs! Hahaha!”

The roaring energy drowned out all other sensations. Wu Gang saw and heard nothing else.

He only wanted to slash this bastard!

His steel blade retreated slowly, his feet slid back—Jin Ling’s strength was immense.

Time to take a risk.

Wu Gang loosened his grip, quickly squatting.

Whoosh!

The hammer grazed the back of his head, sending chills down his spine!

Jin Ling’s blow crashed into the ground, exposing his back to Wu Gang.

Wu Gang seized the moment, leaped, spun midair, and brought his blade down hard!

Jin Ling lay flat, wielding his giant hammer.

Bang!

The force of the blow caused the ground to collapse further.

One slash wasn’t enough—Wu Gang struck again!

Bang, bang, bang!

“Don’t get cocky!!”

Jin Ling had never been driven to such desperation. He swung his hammer violently, forcing Wu Gang to block with his sword.

Whoosh!

Wu Gang’s body was sent flying.

The Seventh Princess could no longer stand by. She crossed her arms, drawing left to right, right to left. Purple spiritual energy burst from her hands, swirling as she formed a blade of qi.

Go!

Guided by her will, the sharp blade of qi shot straight at Jin Ling. The youth’s fighting style was brutally direct—engrossed with Wu Gang, he never noticed the attack from the side.

Only when the sound of air slicing reached his ear did he realize—but it was too late. He tried to block with his hammer, but couldn’t. The blade flew under his left armpit, slashing from chest to back with spiritual energy.

Pain exploded through his airborne body, his spiritual power disrupted. He crashed to the ground.

Wu Gang saw an opening. He no longer held back his spiritual energy, channeling it all into his steel blade.

Jin Ling had no time to curse, only managed to block with his hammer.

Boom!

Wu Gang’s strike landed, the immense force knocked Jin Ling’s hammer into his own chest.

“Ugh!”

The full-force blow finally wounded him—blood spurted from the youth’s mouth!

Wu Gang leapt aside, his sword trembling, breath heavy as an ox.

“Cough, cough…”

Amidst the smoke, Jin Ling was covered in blood. He tried desperately to rise, but the grievous wound in his chest would not allow it.

Unsteadily, he sank to his knees.

“We won!” The Seventh Princess cheered for Wu Gang.

Smack!

Wu Gang turned and bowed, “Thank you, Tianyu, for your help!”

...

However, the moment of joy did not last. Suddenly, an intense surge of energy exploded behind the Seventh Princess.

Wu Gang’s eyes widened in alarm. Thankfully, his reflexes were swift—almost instinctively, he shoved Yin Tianyu aside, but his left hand could not withdraw in time. A blade of sword intent crashed down on his arm.

“Ah!”

Scalding blood splattered onto the Seventh Princess’s pale cheek. For the first time, she witnessed such a scene…