Chapter 175: Captured Alive
Chapter 175: Captured Alive
Gong… gong… gong…
Deep within the valley, a frantic tolling of bells suddenly rang out. Very soon, numerous figures clad in white robes rushed out from the valley depths. Their killing intent was piercingly sharp.
As the mist dispersed, the entrance to the Poison Sect finally unfolded before the two of them.
At the end of a bluestone path stood an imposing stone monument, pitch black as if freshly washed. Two large characters, ‘Poison Sect,’ were carved upon it. Below the monument lay an ancient altar, upon which sat cross-legged an old woman with stark white hair. Her face was wrinkled, she looked ancient and on the brink of death, yet her eyes were unusually fierce and ruthless, glaring fiercely at Mu Feng who had forced his way through the sect gates.
The four maidservants in front of her lay sprawled on the ground without exception. Each had a vicious-looking Blood Spear piercing through their thighs, pinning them fast. Though not life-threatening, they were utterly immobile for the moment.
“Poison Arrow Hall disciples, responding to the summons!”
“Poison Sword Hall disciples, paying respects to Patrol Elder!”
…
The white-robed women shouted their reports, their faces cold as they hastened forward, stepping lightly on branches. They leaped down, swiftly encircling Mu Feng and Jing Wushuang, surrounding them tightly. More and more arrived, quickly amassing over a hundred figures. Not a single male disciple was among them. All were women in white robes, each radiating icy killing intent.
At a glance, though all were merely ordinary disciples at the Mortal Realm level, the force of a hundred gathered was imposing. The blades and bows in their hands gleamed an eerie blue, clearly smeared with lethal poison.
“I am Jianning Scholar Mu Feng, following instructions from my elders, I have traveled a long way from Jianning City to seek an audience with Sect Leader Murong regarding a matter.”
Mu Feng bowed respectfully towards the old woman seated atop the altar, known as the Patrol Elder, earnestly restating his purpose.
His tone was sincere, hoping she would report his visit truthfully. It wasn’t that he truly feared the surrounding women in white; he merely wished to avoid unnecessary trouble and meet the Poison Sect Leader swiftly.
“Hahaha, ridiculous! How esteemed do you think our Poison Sect Leader is? Do you think some nobody just gets to see him whenever he pleases?”
The old woman, seated cross-legged on the altar, glared back coldly. Whether spurred by a vengeful personality or sheer fury, her expression was ferocious. “Forcing your way through the gates is seeking death. For thousands of years, no one has ever dared to act so recklessly at our Poison Sect. Pal, you, a mere mortal, actually dared to barge in? Isn’t that just asking to die? All Hall disciples present? Kill them! Kill these two murderous scoundrels for me!”
“Yes!”
The many white-robed women bowed in unison to accept the command. The next moment, a barrage of densely packed arrows whistled towards Mu Feng and Jing Wushuang. Before the sharp points could find their mark, a wave of foul, pungent air washed over them.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh…
Mu Feng snorted coldly. Countless Blood Vines burst forth from his body. Instantly, the writhing vines intercepted every single arrow whistling towards them. Then, with an outward flick, he sent the mass of sharp arrows hurtling back the way they came. They flew even faster and with more astonishing force than when launched. In that instant, the surrounding ranks of white-robed women collapsed like dominoes.
Of the hundred-plus white-robed women, only around a dozen remained standing. Staring thunderstruck at the terrifyingly powerful Mu Feng, they instinctively stumbled backwards!
How could the gap be so vast when they were all at the peak of the Mortal Realm?
Among the survivors were disciples who had also reached the peak of the Mortal Realm. Witnessing Mu Feng cutting through the crowd like a scythe sent a chilling wave of fear through them.
Gong! Gong! Gong!
Seeing the situation turn dire, a hidden sentinel concealed in the jungle hurriedly sounded the alarm. Soon, resonant bell tolls echoed once more from deep within the valley, louder and more urgent than before. Quickly, booming, forceful cries answered from the depths of the mist-shrouded valley. Clearly, they came from the Poison Sect’s elite fighters.
“Pal, you’re truly weary of living now!”
Observing the many disciple girls strewn about wounded on the ground, the Patrol Elder on the altar finally lost her composure. A flash of cold light lit her eyes as she launched herself forward, personally lunging towards Mu Feng. Cackling, her body suddenly flickered, conjuring over a hundred indistinct afterimages – a dizzying blur of false and true forms. Simultaneously, a faint, peculiar fragrance permeated the air. Merely inhaling a wisp of it made heads feel heavy, feet unsteady, and consciousness waver. Opening his eyes, the entire world seemed to spin, filled entirely with the flickering shapes of the old woman.
“Stinking lad, try the power of my Confusing Soul Fist! Hahaha!”
Seeing Mu Feng close his eyes, his steps unsteady and seemingly utterly lost and disoriented, the vengeful old woman cackled loudly. She threw a fierce, heavy punch aimed directly at Mu Feng’s chest.
Thud!
A dull, resounding impact vibrated through the air, making everyone feel their hearts lurch violently, as if about to burst.
The blow landed solidly, the punch delivered with confident impact. Only then did the Patrol Elder realize a layer of crimson Blood Armor had suddenly manifested over Mu Feng at the last moment. Instantly, her fist struck what felt like incredibly heavy meteoric iron. Though her powerful blow cracked the Blood Armor, a violent backlash savage as the strike itself surged back up her own arm.
Bones grinded loudly. The bones throughout her entire right arm seemed shattered in that instant.
“Brazen youth! Have another fist!”
Enraged and furious, the Patrol Elder’s eyes bulged as she clenched her fist again. Unfortunately, before she could strike, Mu Feng suddenly opened his eyes before her, offering a cold, predatory grin.
Red light flashed. The sharp Blood Radiance whistled past, piercing through her palm effortlessly. Immediately following, a writhing mass of hundreds of Blood Vines appeared, coiling tightly around her body, binding her completely.
At the critical moment, Mu Feng had feigned weakness intentionally. He had lured the unreasonable old woman in close. Then, he unleashed a fierce and decisive attack, capturing her alive!
Since conflict had inevitably erupted, he decided to see it through to the end. He would amplify the situation fully.
Though this old woman in front of him was unreasonable and her strength unexceptional, her revered position as “Patrol Elder” among the white-robed disciples suggested she held significant status within the Poison Sect. By capturing her alive, Mu Feng was certain the Poison Sect’s true powerhouses would have to show themselves now!
Sometimes, it was easier to talk to the highest positions than their minions. Once Mu Feng met the Poison Sect’s leadership, he might finally get the chance to explain his purpose and secure the necessary meeting with the lofty Poison Sect Leader.
“Audacious! Release her at once!”
“Where do you bandits come from, daring such insolence here? Do you assume the Poison Sect truly has no defenders?”
…
Sharp commands echoed from deep within the valley. Very soon, several figures clad in white robes materialized in view, charging like storm clouds or surging fog.
Unlike the ordinary disciples lying scattered on the ground, each wore a veil obscuring their faces completely. Their features were rendered indistinct.
One leading white-robed woman, leaning upon a black Dragon Crutch, strode decisively towards Mu Feng. Each step she took brought a heart-pounding, soul-quivering pressure. The force radiating from within her surpassed even that of the Devil Leader, the Nine-Fingered Black Demon!