"You have two choices: either hand over all the identity tokens on your person, or we'll beat you until you do!"
A powerful young expert spoke, demanding the thirteen people surrender their identity tokens, his tone leaving no room for doubt.
Without a doubt, this was a formidable young powerhouse, a leader and standout among the younger generation, with extraordinary cultivation and an oppressive aura.
Moreover, he had brought thirty to forty people with him, each with deep, steady auras—at least at the Xiantian realm. Their numbers more than doubled the thirteen's, instantly plunging the group into a perilous situation.
Led by Miss Qingxue, the thirteen's expressions changed slightly. They hadn't expected to encounter such a dangerous situation, especially when they saw the leader. Someone couldn't help but exclaim in shock, "Han Fei! It's actually him! He's here too!"
Ye Chen's gaze fell upon this young man. His senses told him that among the dozens who had arrived, this Han Fei was clearly the strongest. His strength even gave Ye Chen a feeling comparable to the Thirteenth Prince. "Who exactly is this Han Fei?"
A companion beside him couldn't help but glance at Ye Chen, as if struck by his question—not even knowing who Han Fei was. But he still explained, his voice filled with bitterness, "Han Fei... he is one of the Hundred Strong Trialists on the Trial Path!"
On the Trial Path, thousands of young powerhouses from the Tian Du Continent gathered. The strongest among them were the group of super-powerhouses led by Crown Prince Xia Yang and others, who possessed the qualification to 'delay claiming kingship.' They stood at the very pinnacle of the entire Trial Path, looking down upon the myriad trialists from on high.
If those with the 'delay claiming kingship' qualification belonged to the first echelon, then the second echelon consisted of the Hundred Strong Trialists—those ranked within the top one hundred in strength.
These were publicly acknowledged as the strongest beneath those with the 'delay claiming kingship' qualification. Each was at least at the fifth level of Xiantian or above, far surpassing ordinary trialists.
The young man before them, Han Fei, was one of these Hundred Strong Trialists. Such a powerhouse was far superior to others by many times, possessing strength that inspired awe.
Ye Chen suddenly understood. So this Han Fei really did have some skill; he didn't feel much weaker than the Thirteenth Prince.
It was just that the other party was a bit overbearing, threatening them like this.
*Clang!*
At that moment, Han Fei suddenly made his move. He drew a gleaming treasured blade and abruptly slashed out ten silver blade beams, each three zhang long, aimed at Ye Chen and the others. They carried a sharp, murderous aura as they descended, clearly showing his intent to kill.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!*
Miss Qingxue acted. Though a woman, her cultivation was not the slightest bit weak. Her three-foot azure blade danced, unleashing sword beams that blossomed like flowers in the void, not inferior to Han Fei's in the slightest. Blade and sword divine radiance collided in the air with metallic clangs, sparks flying.
The first exchange ended in a draw, and Han Fei did not press the attack further.
Miss Qingxue's lovely face turned slightly stern as she now stared directly at this young standout. "Han Fei, you and I have always kept to our own affairs, never interfering with each other. Do you truly intend to act today? Don't force me to retaliate!"
Though a woman, an astonishing aura erupted from her body with overwhelming force. An invisible gust of wind rose, causing many among the surrounding attackers to change expressions. This woman was clearly another Hundred Strong Trialist on the Trial Path, not inferior to Han Fei!
Han Fei looked down at her coldly. "Hai Qingxue, don't act so high and mighty. Although our strengths are on par, and I would normally be wary of you, today is different. Can't you see the situation clearly? The forces under my command now outnumber yours by at least more than double. Do you still plan to struggle futilely under these circumstances?"
"Out of respect for you also being one of the Hundred Strong Trialists, I'll give you a chance. Either leave on your own, and I'll let you go. Or stay, but prepare to be eliminated."
Upon hearing this, Hai Qingxue and everyone else's expressions changed drastically. This was clearly a divisive tactic. Without Hai Qingxue, the remaining people's combat strength would basically be cut by more than half.
But as Han Fei said, even if Hai Qingxue stayed under these circumstances, it seemed it wouldn't make much difference. The other side had superior numbers, and Han Fei, being a fellow Hundred Strong Trialist, could sufficiently restrain her. The remaining people would merely be struggling in vain, utterly unable to resist.
Hai Qingxue's pretty face didn't look good. Her delicate fists clenched tightly. "Han Fei, you are, after all, one of the Hundred Strong Trialists. Using superior numbers to bully the few is too despicable, not something a true powerhouse should do. Don't you dare have a fair fight?"
Han Fei sneered coldly. "Hai Qingxue, this isn't about a fair fight now. On the Trial Path, whoever can pass the trial is the true victor. Don't you understand that by now?"
"Despicable!" Hai Qingxue gritted her silver teeth.
Suddenly, apart from Hai Qingxue and Ye Chen, the other twelve members of the team simultaneously drew their weapons, their auras erupting as they confronted the people surrounding them. The situation was tense, on the verge of breaking out into battle at any moment.
Hai Qingxue was taken aback and hurriedly said, "Young Master Yang, Sister Wei, what are you doing?"
The twelve, however, said, "Miss Qingxue, please quickly take these identity tokens, take Brother Ye Chen, and leave immediately. We'll hold them off here. Don't worry, but you must get away safely."
"That's right, Sister Qingxue. Thank you for always taking care of us. If it weren't for your intervention, I would have been eliminated long ago. It's our turn to repay you now."
The twelve clearly intended to block these people, giving Hai Qingxue and Ye Chen a chance to escape.
Hai Qingxue immediately shook her head, unwilling. "No, I won't abandon you and leave."
"Miss Qingxue (Sister Qingxue), go quickly!"
The twelve shouted in unison, their meaning resolute, causing Hai Qingxue's eyes to mist over. Yet she did not leave. Instead, she thrust out both palms simultaneously. One palm was aimed at a corner of the encirclement, its mighty True Yuan power directly blasting away two people there. The other palm, however, landed on Ye Chen's body—gentle and soft. She transmitted her voice, "Brother Ye Chen, you must leave quickly. This matter has nothing to do with you."
Ye Chen was startled, but the gentle force on his body transformed into a powerful push, sending him flying out and rapidly escaping the encirclement.
"What a touching act of self-sacrifice. Not bad. But don't worry, none of you will leave today. Everyone will be eliminated. Attack!" Han Fei waved his hand in command. The thirty to forty people instantly erupted with astonishing auras.
Han Fei himself attacked, sending a palm strike towards Ye Chen without even looking back. True Yuan power surged forth, condensing into a three-zhang-long giant python that shot out like lightning, opening its maw wide to devour Ye Chen.
"Brother Ye Chen!"
Before they could even finish their exclamation, Han Fei's other hand swung his large blade. Blade beams swept up like a gale, silver light flashing brilliantly, enveloping the entire sky as they crashed down, launching a large-scale attack directly at Hai Qingxue and the other thirteen.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!*
At the same time, the dozens brought by Han Fei simultaneously unleashed various powerful Xiantian martial techniques. Light shot towards the heavens, their aura and might peerless. Terrifying fluctuations directly blasted apart this stretch of mountain forest as all the attacks converged upon Hai Qingxue and the others.
Such an offensive was probably not inferior to a Martial God powerhouse making a move. Just the shockwaves alone swept over overwhelmingly, the momentum intimidating.
Hai Qingxue and the others turned pale. Facing such dense and ferocious attacks, even if she didn't die, she would be severely injured, let alone the others.
Gritting her silver teeth, Hai Qingxue clenched her delicate fists tightly, as if making an extremely important decision. Her graceful, beautiful figure suddenly straightened in mid-air, and powerful, surging True Yuan power erupted from her. She actually charged forward alone to meet the numerous Xiantian martial techniques head-on. A spirit talisman appeared in her hand, ready to be crushed. She shouted clearly, "Brothers and sisters, all of you, leave quickly! I'll withstand this here. Go, now!"
"Miss Qingxue (Sister Qingxue)!"
Everyone understood Hai Qingxue's intention and cried out in alarm at this moment.
Han Fei grinned a ferocious, cold smile. This woman was clearly seeking death. He had no qualms about eliminating her.
"Enough. Everyone, stop."
Suddenly, a sigh sounded. Amidst the dazzling light of the myriad Xiantian martial techniques, a figure abruptly interposed itself in front of Hai Qingxue.
Hai Qingxue was stunned. When she saw who it was clearly, she couldn't help but be taken aback—it was Ye Chen. He had returned at some point. But in this situation, she didn't have time to think. She hurriedly pulled him, trying to shield him behind her, and even more swiftly took out a spirit talisman, preparing to crush it.
But a slender, fair hand grasped that warm, jade-like palm. Ye Chen shook his head at her. His still somewhat youthful, handsome face now held an unusually serious expression, possessing a unique charm that actually made Hai Qingxue's heart waver slightly. He said, "Step back. Leave everything to me."
These words seemed to carry an irresistible authority. A gentle force pushed Hai Qingxue's delicate form down to the ground. Han Fei sneered incessantly. He saw it clearly—this kid obviously wanted to play the hero saving the beauty to win Hai Qingxue's favor.
It was just that such an action now seemed rather foolish. So-called heroics in saving the beauty depended on the occasion and, more importantly, on one's strength.
Yet the youth resolutely turned around, facing the barrage of attacks already rushing towards him. He showed no fear. On the contrary, the corner of his mouth lifted into a faint arc.
The youth merely flicked his sleeve lightly. Then, under the horrified gazes of everyone present, all the attacks in the sky, including Han Fei's blade beams, vanished into nothingness in an instant, as if turned to dust.
This scene fiercely shook the hearts and minds of everyone present. It was unbelievable!