Chapter Fourteen: Battle

“How dare you! You wretches dare speak so brazenly of inner disciples, and even act in Senior Wang Sheng’s name? Seize them at once!”
“Silence!”
“All unrelated persons, clear this area at once to avoid injury!”
As the guards barked out their commands, the noisy crowd instantly erupted in chaos.
...
“Zhide, hurry and leave with the others—don’t get dragged into this because of us,” Leng Yuansheng said in a low voice, patting Leng Zhide on the back as he looked ahead.
“But...”
Seeing the severity in Leng Yuansheng’s eyes, Leng Zhide hung his head, unable to retort.
“No buts! Listen to your brother and go. Staying here won’t help anyone,” Tianming urged as he saw Leng Zhide still hesitate.
After meeting Leng Yuansheng’s resolute gaze, Leng Zhide nodded.
“Brother… Tianming, take care of yourselves!”
As soon as he spoke, Leng Zhide melted into the scattering crowd, while Tianming and Leng Yuansheng exchanged glances and breathed a sigh of relief.
...
“Seize them!”
At the guard’s command, the orderly lines instantly broke apart. Whether spectators or hopeful applicants, everyone retreated more than ten miles, not daring to be drawn into the fray—this was none of their business.
The air rang with the clatter of armor and weapons as a phalanx of Foundation Establishment cultivators swiftly formed a tightening encirclement, with two ninth-grade Foundation Establishment guards holding the line. They pressed in on Tianming and Leng Yuansheng, trapping them.
“Prepare for battle, Tianming,” Leng Yuansheng said grimly, drawing his black iron longsword as the situation escalated.
“Sorry to get you involved, big brother,” Tianming replied, nodding with an apologetic expression. He’d wanted to repay their kindness, but hadn’t expected so much trouble—had he known, he would have left with Pei Xu, avoiding this disaster.
“Well, I shouldn’t have mentioned the wrong thing at the wrong time. If I’d known, I’d have just covered the money for you,” Leng Yuansheng sighed. But as the guards drew nearer, his demeanor steeled. “Enough talk. This isn’t the time for regrets—let’s fight!”
“Yes!”

“Fight!”
Who’s afraid of whom? At worst, a man dies. Tianming’s fighting spirit surged.
Back to back with Leng Yuansheng, Tianming brandished his own weapon—a Vital Energy Cannon. At his current level, even a first-grade Foundation Establishment opponent couldn’t withstand it; with one blast, he could kill instantly. He’d already used it once today, leaving him nine more shots.
Boom!
As a guard closed in, Tianming’s face remained calm. He aimed, muttered quietly, and a massive black energy shot out from his arm with a shrieking howl. The pressure was so immense that a three-meter wide chasm split open in the ground, stretching three miles away.
“Experience +100. Still need 840 points for second-grade Qi Drawing. One lucky draw remaining!”
Perhaps because the guard was too close, he had no chance to dodge. Before he could even lift his shield, the black energy blast exploded on contact—spear shattered, armor blown apart, body utterly obliterated, nothing left behind.
“Well done, Tianming!” Leng Yuansheng gave a thumbs up, seeing Tianming fell a Foundation Establishment guard so swiftly.
“I can’t let you show me up. Watch this!”
Before Tianming could reply, Leng Yuansheng charged forward with his sword. Faint spiritual energy bathed his black iron blade in purple, and with a swoosh, a blade of sword energy slashed toward another guard.
“Impulsive as always,” Tianming muttered, shaking his head at his companion’s reckless charge.
Meanwhile, the distant spectators grew restless.
“Where did that kid get such rare treasures?”
“No wonder Senior Wang Sheng favors him.”
“Hmph, I always disliked those City Lord’s men—using the names of great sects to extort money. Now they’ve met their match.”
“Smart of us to keep quiet and not get involved. Let’s see how the City Lord’s men handle this.”
Laughter rippled.
...
The guards, seeing the carnage, retreated behind heavy shields. After all, their comrade had just been vaporized. They weren’t suicidal—they had families waiting at home.
“Any who retreat will be killed! Form a defensive line and advance!”

Seeing Tianming’s bizarre weapon, the ninth-grade Foundation Establishment guard kicked the fastest fleeing guard, sending him tumbling, then bellowed at the rest to press forward.
The unlucky guard, covered in dirt, dared not protest, but rejoined the formation, shield raised, inching closer to Tianming and Leng Yuansheng, lances probing forward at random.
“That’s right, I still have one lucky draw left! Dora, roll it now!” Tianming’s face broke into a broad grin as the guards changed tactics, his worries instantly forgotten. Without Dora’s reminder, he might have missed this opportunity.
Clang!
Unlike Tianming’s easy victory, Leng Yuansheng struggled. Sword energy burst forth again and again, but the guards’ dense formation absorbed every strike. Their lances bristled like a porcupine’s quills, leaving him bloodied and unable to take down a single guard.
No wonder—Leng Yuansheng was only a first-grade Foundation Establishment cultivator with no support.
“Brother Yuansheng, jump! As high as you can!” Tianming shouted, seeing his comrade’s dire straits.
Leng Yuansheng…
The guards…
The crowd of cultivators…
What nonsense is this? Wouldn’t jumping into the air make him a target? Many people shot Tianming disdainful looks.
“Uh… Tianming, don’t trick me. My life’s in your hands now,” Leng Yuansheng replied with a twitch of his mouth.
But despite his words, he began to gather energy. The moment he finished speaking, he leaped high off the ground.
“Thank you, brother!”
Though mere acquaintances, seeing Leng Yuansheng trust him so much made Tianming smile, certain he’d found a true friend.
And what a jump it was! The crowd gaped in awe, staring up at Leng Yuansheng’s airborne form, speechless.
“Assassin formation!”
Unlike the onlookers, the guards reacted instantly, shifting into a deadly array.
Within moments, the guards all raised their lances, each brimming with multicolored Primordial Energy aimed at the airborne Leng Yuansheng, their shields locked tightly together, leaving only narrow gaps for the deadly points.