The Martial Emperor

Chapter 12 - Risking Life

The smoke from Gu Yanfeng’s Purple Lightning Tiger explosion slowly thinned, but the hope that had briefly risen in the hearts of the Cloud Sword Sect disciples instantly plummeted to the bottom of the abyss.

Up ahead, the long-haired man who should have been gravely injured was standing tall. Two other men in similar robes now stood at his left and right, their hands still outstretched after repelling the remnants of the blast.

"Damn it... he has reinforcements," Yan Huo cursed, his face pale.

Gu Yanfeng narrowed his eyes, attempting to scrutinize the aura radiating from the three opponents before him. Instantly, his heart felt as if it had stopped beating. "Level nine... peak Marrow Refinement!"

"What?! Level nine?!" Han Jian almost dropped his sword. "Senior Brother, you yourself are only level six. How can we possibly win?"

"Everyone, take a step back!" Gu Yanfeng ordered with a trembling voice. "Do not scatter!"

The crow controller who had just survived the explosion wiped the dust from his purple robes. He stared at Gu Yanfeng with a thin smirk. "I must admit, boy. You have guts and talent. That level four rune just now almost made me look bad in front of my colleagues."

One of the spear-wielding men beside him glanced toward Lin Feng’s group with a look of disdain. "It seems he is not here. All these people are too weak, useless trash."

The long-haired man nodded in agreement. "You are right. If that person were here, his aura would have been felt long ago."

"Then, what should we do with these rats?" asked the third man while playing with a black bamboo flute in his hand.

"Since the person we are looking for is not here, their existence no longer holds any value," the crow controller replied in a cold tone. "Just finish them all off. Leave no witnesses."

"Very well, let us make a grand funeral party!"

The two men beside the crow controller immediately pressed the flutes to their lips. A high-pitched, ear-piercing melody echoed throughout the forest.

Auuuung! Roaaar!

From the bushes on the right, three Demon Tigers with fangs the size of a human arm emerged with threatening steps. Meanwhile, from the left side, a pack of Demon Wild Dogs with glowing green eyes began to surround them, toxic saliva dripping from their maws.

"They are calling more monsters!" Xie Lan shouted in a panic.

Gu Yanfeng drew a deep breath, his eyes flashing with a desperate resolve. "Everyone! Listen to my instructions! Protect me for a moment! I will make one last attack to open a path!"

"But Senior Brother, what are you going to do?" Lin Feng asked while remaining alert.

"Do not ask so many questions! Give me ten seconds! Keep your distance from those tigers!" Gu Yanfeng roared.

Lin Feng, Han Jian, Yan Huo, and the others immediately formed a tighter defensive line, their backs to Gu Yanfeng. They slashed at every monster that tried to approach.

Gu Yanfeng closed his eyes. He concentrated all of his Qi into the tip of his brush. As the owner of a level three Earth Soul, he possessed hidden abilities that were rarely shown. He began to draw rune characters in the air with incredible speed. A purple light began to glow intensely around him.

The rune was named the Purple Lightning Arrow Rain, a level six rune, and Gu Yanfeng’s strongest.

Wush! Blarrr!

From the rune characters floating in the air, hundreds of arrows formed from deep purple lightning suddenly launched. The arrows shot in all directions with a deafening whistling sound.

Kawk! Kawk!

The demon crows in the sky that were preparing to dive were instantly scorched to a crisp before they could even touch the ground. Two Demon Tigers fell with bodies full of charred holes, while the pack of wild dogs on the left side scattered in a frenzy with severe wounds.

"Insane... Senior Brother can create a level six rune?" Yan Huo muttered in awe.

However, that success only triggered a massive rage from the three men of the Ghost Crow Sect.

"Arrogant brat! How dare you slaughter our pets!" the crow controller shouted. He unsheathed a long sword that emitted dark red Qi.

His two comrades did not stay idle either. They slammed their spears into the ground until it cracked. "Enough games. Die, all of you!"

Seeing the three peak-level opponents charging forward, Gu Yanfeng, whose breath was already ragged, immediately shouted, "All of you, get away! Run toward the river, quickly! I will hold them here!"

"No! We will not leave you!" Han Jian exclaimed.

"Listen to me! You will only die a ridiculous death if you stay here!" Gu Yanfeng replied in frustration.

However, the plan to run was immediately cut off. The two spear users from before blew their flutes again with shorter, sharper tones. The remaining demon tigers and dogs immediately leaped to block the only exit.

"Now you are truly surrounded," the crow controller hissed. He darted forward with a speed that was difficult to follow with the naked eye.

Lin Feng, whose position was closest to Gu Yanfeng, immediately drew his sword. He knew that running was no longer an option. "Senior Brother, there is no use telling us to go. We can only fight now!"

"Feng! You are truly stubborn!" Gu Yanfeng gritted his teeth, but he felt a spark of pride. "Fine! Han Jian, help us! The rest of you, guard the rear from the beast attacks!"

Tring! Trang!

A brutal close-quarters battle broke out instantly. Gu Yanfeng traded sword blows with the crow controller, creating sparks and Qi waves that made the ground beneath them crack.

Lin Feng and Han Jian had to work together to face one of the spear users. The spear attacks were incredibly fast and powerful. Every time the tip of the spear hit the ground, an explosion of red Qi would appear.

"Use your strengthening technique, Feng!" Han Jian shouted while parrying a spear thrust.

Lin Feng did not reply; he was fully focused. He condensed the pure Qi he had trained with. The blue light on his sword was no longer thin, but shone solid.

Srak!

Lin Feng managed to graze the spear user’s arm. The man was slightly surprised, staring at the small wound on his arm. "With just that cheap technique?"

"I am the one who will send you to hell!" Lin Feng replied coldly.

On the other side, Yan Huo, Xie Lan, and Hu Tao fought desperately to hold back the onslaught of demon tigers and wild dogs that continued to press in.

"Huo! Watch your right!" Xie Lan shouted while releasing a fire rune.

"I know! Damn it, there's no end to them!" Yan Huo replied while smashing a wild dog’s head to pieces.

The battle was highly unbalanced. Gu Yanfeng had begun to be overwhelmed facing the pressure of a level nine opponent. Wounds began to appear on his body.

"You have talent, but unfortunately this level difference cannot be covered by runes alone," the crow controller mocked while continuing to press Gu Yanfeng’s sword.

Lin Feng saw his Senior Brother in danger. He immediately leaped, trying to provide assistance. However, the spear user in front of him would not let that happen. "Your opponent is me, Defective-Eyed Brat!"

"Do not call me that!" Lin Feng shouted. His left eye suddenly throbbed with heat.

"Wait... right there!" Lin Feng saw a weak point in the spear user’s ribs. A small, unprotected section.

Without hesitation, Lin Feng thrust his sword toward the gap. The spear user laughed, "Such a slow attack will not—"

His sentence cut off. The tip of Lin Feng’s sword suddenly veered slightly, passing his spear defense and piercing right under his armpit.

"Akhhh!" The man backed away with a shocked face. "How is it possible?! Your eyes are quite sharp!"

Lin Feng did not answer. Instead, he continued to press forward.

"Good job, Feng!" Han Jian shouted, immediately following up with a sword slash.