Chapter 7

"Be careful!"

Meng Yan shouted. On the other side of the green mist, the senior disciple Tang Jun Gu, holding a large sword, rushed over. The blade was wide, with a blue glow flickering intensely, as if it were about to ignite. It seemed he was going to launch a direct attack. Jie Lin was fully focused and called out urgently.

"Cover your ears!"

Jie Lin's warning was urgent, and Meng Yan quickly complied, covering his ears with both hands. In an instant, the blue-glowing sword pierced through the green mist, advancing straight ahead, striking the crab-claw shield. What should have followed was the shield shattering, and the young man and woman behind it being reduced to dust. However, at the moment of impact, the shield emitted a green light, and a powerful force rebounded. The force of the blue-glowing sword's thrust was matched by the force of the rebound. The wide, blue-glowing sword broke on the spot, the wrist part of the arm armor shattered, and sparks flew. The sword wielder was not spared, stumbling backward.

Tang Jun Gu's strength was something these fellow disciples had always admired. He was the top young expert in the Swallow Moon Gang, with a well-established reputation. However, he unexpectedly suffered a setback, retreating seven steps. When he finally managed to stand steady, blood was flowing from the corner of his mouth, clearly at a disadvantage. This was an extremely rare occurrence.

Fortunately, the other side was not faring well either. That strike not only penetrated the green mist but also produced a loud explosion. On the other side, only a long trail of impact and dragging remained, and the green-clad girl and the young man had vanished. They were either knocked away or had taken the opportunity to escape.

Without pursuing the enemy, the disciples of both factions first gathered around Tang Jun Gu to check his condition. He shook his hand, letting the shattered battle arm armor fall off, and wiped the blood from his mouth, saying with a hateful expression, "It's an ancient relic!"

"An ancient relic? No way! In our Swallow Moon Gang, only the chief has one. How did that little girl get it...?"

The shouts revealed their shock, but no one doubted this conclusion. Besides believing in the senior disciple's judgment, the counter-shock wave had not only destroyed Tang Jun Gu's battle arm but also sent out a shockwave from the collision of the two forces. It swept through, leaving no one unscathed. They, with some cultivation, managed to hold on, though they were dizzy and disoriented. Other creatures within a hundred meters, at best, had ruptured eardrums and bleeding eyes, and at worst, internal organs ruptured, dying on the spot. Such power could only be produced by an ancient relic...

"This is serious! The girl must be from the Green Wood Ye family! Otherwise, how could she possess an ancient relic? Those who can use ancient relics as battle arms are all leaders or elders of their respective clans and sects. A mere young girl..."

"Of course, the Green Wood Ye family is not an ordinary family. They are the top power in the East, controlling half of the Eastern territory, a prestigious family that rivals our own Yi family. Otherwise, how could a mere girl have an ancient relic as a battle arm?"

"...Not an ordinary girl, nor an ordinary ancient relic." Tang Jun Gu, regaining his composure, said with a dark expression, "The ancient relic my master has is a half-broken ring, incomplete. But that girl... I didn't see it clearly, but the ancient relic she has is not only large but also a complete set..."

"Really? That good?"

Hearing this, the disciples of both factions changed their expressions. Someone immediately said, "We came here a few days ago because we received news that there was a treasure light in March Mountain, fearing that ancient relics might have emerged. The senior uncles and aunts of both sects sent us to check. But after coming here, we found nothing. Instead, the girl has... it's a real treasure. What if we..."

The words were not clear, but everyone understood. The complete ancient relic was of immeasurable value. The story of an ordinary person achieving great success and founding a sect because of a complete ancient relic was something they had all heard...

"But... the Green Wood Ye family is not to be trifled with. If they find out..."

"Hmph, no matter how powerful the Ye family is, they can only rule in the East. This is the Southern Border. Where do they get to show off their power here?"

"Right! Besides, this is not the Ye family's territory. If something happens, it won't be easy for them to investigate. We might not..."

"Everyone, no more talk. Today's matter, all who see it have a share!" Tang Jun Gu said, setting the tone. Hearing the most important four words, everyone was excited. Tang Jun Gu waved to stop their clamor and added, "Call the nearby disciples of both sects, bring more battle arms, and work together. I am willing to share the wealth with all of you."

This statement stirred the adventurous spirit of the young people. They howled, and Tang Jun Gu, outwardly excited, inwardly sneered. The girl, carrying a complete ancient relic, must have a special identity and is not an ordinary member of the Ye family. If she were to die and the ancient relic lost, the Ye family would not let it go. They would investigate thoroughly, and the Southern Border Yi family would not stand idly by. There would be no peaceful resolution. Only these fools around him truly believed that robbing and killing would end it, and dividing the spoils would bring them great wealth and a bright future... These fools would only end up being silenced, and the only one who could truly benefit and remain unscathed would be himself...

The disciples of both factions began to excitedly gather people, while on the other side, Meng Yan was also terrified. If Jie Lin hadn't shouted in time, he might have gone deaf. But when Jie Lin raised the shield to deflect the attack, the swordsman was indeed repelled, and she herself was hit as if by a heavy object, flying backward with the shield. Meng Yan, who was behind her, was immediately hit by the flying Jie Lin, being knocked away. They both flew over ten meters and rolled down the steep slope.

"Pain... pain... it hurts so much... I'm bleeding from the nose..."

Meng Yan, who had become a human cushion, covered his bleeding mouth and nose, pushing Jie Lin off him. The large shield floated a meter in front of her, moving with her, but when Meng Yan helped her up, he didn't feel any additional weight.

"Damn, my current body can't fully utilize the power of the parrot-claw battle shield. My battle capabilities are greatly weakened. Although I can deflect attacks, ...cough... cough..."

Jie Lin coughed several times, unable to finish her sentence, but Meng Yan roughly understood. Her face was pale, like paper, clearly showing that the effort to control the ancient relic had taken a significant toll on her physical strength.

"Hey! What's wrong with you? Your face is so pale... don't... don't die on me!"

"I'm not going to die!" The girl stood up quickly, her hands moving like the wind, grabbing Meng Yan's collar, wanting to punch him. But she stumbled backward, seemingly unable to stand, and finally let go, saying angrily, "I ask you, when will my senior sister come out?"

"Ah, didn't I already tell you? If she's slow, it could be ten or eight years. If she's not greedy and doesn't take things, it might be about half an hour... I already told you, why are you asking me again? Women are so strange!"

"My senior sister is steady and mature, not greedy. Especially in a dangerous situation, she wouldn't take things recklessly..."

"That's not certain. She might think the situation is dangerous and that taking the crystals would help her escape, so she might take them."

Meng Yan spoke seriously, and Jie Lin was taken aback, thinking it might be true, which would make the situation even worse. But she refused to admit it, saying, "My senior sister wouldn't do that. Forget it, you go. I won't hold you accountable... correction, I won't hold you accountable for now!"

"Then give me the gold you owe me, and I'll leave now."

"You, are you crazy? Can't you see that those people might be after my ancient relic, and they'll kill to take it? Staying with me is very dangerous. If you don't leave, are you looking for death?"

"Stop it, you're the one talking. A floating broken shield, saying it's an ancient relic, as if everyone will definitely target it. Who believes that? I have a bunch of similar things in my personal storage. What's there to steal? Hey, are those people part of your group, helping you to avoid paying? You don't look like you're short of money. It's just a bit of gold, and you're making such a big fuss. Don't bully the country folk!"

The young man's rapid-fire words almost made Jie Lin spit blood. She didn't know how to explain to this country bumpkin how valuable ancient relics were, how major powers often clashed over them, even going to war, and how they were not the same as the junk in a beggar's den. But if she didn't say something, this guy wouldn't let it go. She had to be honest, "I don't carry money. The gold and silver are with my senior sister. I can only settle the account with you when she comes out."

"What? The money is with her, not with you? What's the difference between this and fraud? If you don't have money, say so early!"

This time, it was Meng Yan's turn to want to spit blood. If he had known, he wouldn't have done so much. After bringing people to the cave entrance, he would have left early. Though it was still possible to leave now, seeing the pale-faced beauty looking so ill, he felt a bit reluctant to go...

"Hey! You said those people... are chasing you to take your things. With your face so pale, can you escape?"

"None of your business! Just... just go away, don't drag me down. The Green Wood Ye family... never owes anyone."

Jie Lin said this, coughing heavily, her hidden injuries worsening more than expected. Previously, her senior sister had helped her guide the qi to suppress the injuries. Now, encountering enemies at this critical moment, it was like a tiger being bullied by a dog.

The little beggar hadn't moved, and Jie Lin was about to drive him away, but he suddenly came close and, without a word, helped her up.

"You... what are you doing? You're dirty, don't touch me!"

"If I don't help you run, how can you escape those people? Or do you want me to carry you?"

"Men and women should not touch each other. I don't even know you, so..."

"Don't know me? From the moment you sat on my face, I thought we were already very familiar."