Chapter 65: The Siege

The moment Jiang Qingyue and Tang Ruoxian sank into the rock strata, the massive body of the Scarlet Flame Blood Python slid past the ground.

The ground shook violently; even deep underground, the intense tremors could be distinctly felt.

Lingering fear gripped Jiang Qingyue and Tang Ruoxian. As they regained their composure, they were immediately gripped by terror at the surrounding boundless darkness.

The two maidens channeled their source energy, attempting to break out from the ground, causing the rock strata to violently sway.

At this moment, a male voice sounded: "Can you two rest for a moment? Stop always giving me things to worry about. From now on, obey my command in all actions!"

Rarely showing such synchronization, Jiang Qingyue and Tang Ruoxian simultaneously swung their delicate fists backward, striking the space behind them in anger as they snapped: "What time is it, and you're still talking nonsense!"

Full of grievances, Li Xuan massaged his chest to ease the pain, retorting: "I haven't even been swallowed by the Scarlet Flame Blood Python yet, and I'm about to be tormented to death by the two of you!"

Hearing this, both maidens let out angry snorts, saying: "Who knew you could actually survive safely instead of pulling such terrifying stunts!"

After a long time, the spatial pocket created by Li Xuan's source energy quickly began to run out of oxygen.

Jiang Qingyue and Tang Ruoxian abruptly felt difficulty breathing, letting out bursts of delicate gasps. Their fragrant sweat, mingling with the natural scent of the two maidens, drifted into Li Xuan's nose, inevitably making his throat go dry.

Full of youthful vigor and brimming with hot-blooded energy, the three of them pressed tightly against one another in a picturesque yet breathless scene, their breathing growing rapid.

"Li Xuan, what are you doing? You're pressing against me!"

Jiang Qingyue's face flushed with shyness, while Tang Ruoxian grabbed out instinctively with her fair hand, letting out a startled shriek.

Struggling hard to suppress his surging blood and Qi, Li Xuan said: "Stop moving, you two. My cultivation is limited, and I can only create a space this large. Let's wait until those fellows leave before we go out!"

The two maidens, full of pride and restraint, ached to give Li Xuan a severe beating. Yet at that moment, the ground shook violently with the continuous sounds of battle; even deep underground, the massive clash taking place above could be clearly felt.

The three of them steadied their minds and concentrated, their sweat mingling together, their body scents fusing to trigger the most primitive of impulses. Fortunately, all three were cultivators with clear spiritual platforms, and they did not cross the line into matters between men and women.

Sensing the surrounding environment, Li Xuan channeled the art of "Mountain and Marsh Breath Circulation," bringing the two maidens up from underground and out into the open, where they took deep breaths of fresh air.

Exhausted, Li Xuan lay against a boulder, feeling the lingering sense of having survived a catastrophe and been reborn.

Catching their breath, Jiang Qingyue and Tang Ruoxian walked up to Li Xuan and asked: "Those people don't seem to be students of the Holy Path Academy. Why have they started a fierce battle with the Scarlet Flame Blood Python?"

Clutching his chest leisurely, Li Xuan replied: "Naturally, because I lured the Scarlet Flame Blood Python into their camp."

Flipping himself up, Li Xuan's pupils flashed with a strange light as he asked: "Do you think I'm cunning or not?"

Li Xuan grinned broadly, revealing a crafty expression. Expecting the two maidens to shower him with praise, he instead provoked their reprimands.

"Li Xuan, do you have any idea how much trouble you've caused?"

Jiang Qingyue poked Li Xuan on the forehead and said: "The Confucian Path Academy, the Holy Will Divine Sect, and the Great Dao Purple Mansion—their foundations are countless times stronger than our Holy Path Academy. To entrap their students like this, when the Four Academies Martial Tournament arrives, you're going to be in deep trouble!"

As cold as frost, Tang Ruoxian did not hold the students of the other three academies in any regard, stating: "What's done is done. Li Xuan only resorted to this desperate measure to save his life!"

Li Xuan immediately chimed in: "Exactly. Besides, their purpose in coming to the Great Rift Valley Ruins is probably not simple. At the very least, they are far better prepared than us, and the students they dispatched are all elites!"

Shocked, Jiang Qingyue and Tang Ruoxian asked: "How do you know?"

Li Xuan grinned and said: "Let's follow the trail left by the Scarlet Flame Blood Python and go take a look, and we'll find out!"

Driven nearly to madness with anger, Jiang Qingyue stamped her dainty foot and was just about to flare up when Tang Ruoxian coldly remarked: "That's not a bad idea. We can also gauge what their strength is like."

Two agreed while one opposed, which naturally meant the minority yielded to the majority.

Masking their presence, the three of them followed the trail and rapidly pursued the commotion.

"Hurry, drive the Scarlet Flame Blood Python to the designated ambush spot!"

The leader of the Confucian Path Academy was a young maiden wearing a red long dress with slightly chubby cheeks, fair skin, and exquisite beauty—Shui Yunzhi.

Commanding with absolute calm and poise, Shui Yunzhi showed no fear whatsoever in the face of the Scarlet Flame Blood Python, which was on the verge of breaking through its realm to become a flood dragon; instead, she was brimming with absolute confidence.

Shui Yunzhi possessed profound cultivation, having already reached the peak of the God-Slashing Realm, just a step away from entering the Profound Realm.

The students of the Confucian Path Academy were well-trained. One after another, they summoned their source weapons, launching long-range attacks while taking turns pressing the offensive. The massive, thick fluctuations of source energy slashed across the body of the Scarlet Flame Blood Python like blades.

Even though the scales of the Scarlet Flame Blood Python were as hard as steel, a large number of them were stripped away, exposing fresh flesh and tender meat, prompting the beast to let out earth-shaking roars.

At the same time, powerful experts at the Profound Realm used shield arts to draw the attention of the Scarlet Flame Blood Python, continually luring it toward the pre-arranged ambush location.

Li Xuan whispered quietly: "Look at that, these fellows harbor no good intentions whatsoever. They dare to make a move against something as formidable as the Scarlet Flame Blood Python, and they even have Profound Realm experts holding the line. In my opinion, the ultimate end for the Scarlet Flame Blood Python can only be a dead end!"

Who knew what kind of lethal, formidable killer moves the people of the Confucian Path Academy had set up, waiting for the Scarlet Flame Blood Python.

Stammering slightly, Jiang Qingyue said: "Li Xuan, don't tell me you've taken a fancy to that red-dressed maiden and are harboring evil intentions!"

Tang Ruoxian similarly cast a venomous gaze, staring fixedly at Li Xuan.

Chuckling, Li Xuan pulled them both into his arms and said: "With two peerless beauties by my side, how could I possibly have such thoughts..."

Their phoenix eyes blazing with majesty, the two spoke in unison: "Take your filthy hands off!"

The smile froze on Li Xuan's face. Awkwardly withdrawing his arms, he continued: "My thoughts are the same as theirs, but there is an even more important factor involved!"

Li Xuan's success successfully aroused Jiang Qingyue's curiosity, and she asked: "What factor?"

Yet Li Xuan merely pursed his lips into a smile, his eyes fixed intently ahead.

Roar!

With an angry roar, the Scarlet Flame Blood Python opened its massive, cavernous maw and spewed a tongue of fire, instantly engulfing the decoy standing in front.

Taking advantage of this moment, the members of the Confucian Path Academy unleashed massive, sweeping fluctuations of source energy, infusing them into their source weapons and releasing a terrifying murderous aura.

Dense attacks of flashing blades and swords descended like a giant net.

As the massive body of the Scarlet Flame Blood Python writhing and whipped the crowd away, it was simultaneously battered by the attacks of Shui Yunzhi and the others, causing large swathes of scales to be forcibly stripped off.

The excruciating pain drove the Scarlet Flame Blood Python completely mad, transforming it into a red streak shooting through the skies.

Utilizing the power of her source weapon, Shui Yunzhi stepped through the void, drew her bow with a delicate hand, and channeled source energy to loose an arrow straight into the tender flesh of the Scarlet Flame Blood Python.

Simultaneously, the Profound Realm experts made their move, unleashing several gushing torrents of source energy that slashed against the python's scales like razor-sharp blades.

The sound of clashing metal rang out endlessly as sparks flew in all directions. Large patches of scales peeled away, and its flesh and blood began to burn under the assault of the source energy.

The Scarlet Flame Blood Python thrashed its body violently, stirring up a tempest and dancing like a soaring serpent.

Roar!

With a reluctant cry, the Scarlet Flame Blood Python plummeted from the sky, crashing directly into the ambush zone prepared by the Confucian Path Academy.

In an instant, blazing flames flared fiercely, and violent explosions echoed one after another. Splattering blood stained unfortunate students, who fell into pools of blood and wailed continuously before dissolving into pools of pus within moments.

Once everything was over, Shui Yunzhi descended in high spirits. Forming hand seals with both palms, she gave a sharp shout: "Sealing and Trapping Technique, Source Energy Locks!"

Instantly, the sound of clanking iron chains rang out. With a flash of silver light, surrounding chains surged toward the Scarlet Flame Blood Python like ripples of water, binding it securely.

The source energy locks dug deep into the flesh of the Scarlet Flame Blood Python, using its own source energy as a catalyst to inflict pain down to its very marrow.

The tightening source energy locks pulled relentlessly at the python's flesh, tearing it apart raw.

Unable to bear the agony, the Scarlet Flame Blood Python rolled continuously on the ground, letting out earth-shattering roars.

The Profound Realm experts struck again to deliver the finishing blow, summoning their source weapons to completely suppress the beast.

At that moment, Shui Yunzhi's pupils constricted as she said in a ringing voice: "Friends hiding behind, you've watched enough, it's time to show yourselves!"

Drawing her bow with her delicate hand, Shui Yunzhi aimed straight at the hiding spot of Li Xuan and the two maidens. Massive source energy fluctuations surged like a tidal wave; as long as she relaxed her delicate fingers, a powerful beam of light would be unleashed.

Jiang Qingyue and Tang Ruoxian slowly stood up, whispering: "Stop hiding, they've spotted us!"

However, the space behind the two maidens was completely empty. At some unknown point, Li Xuan had already slipped away.

Cursing inwardly, the two maidens thought: "This scumbag!"

"If you don't come out, this young lady won't be polite!"

Surging with imposing aura and swirling source energy, Shui Yunzhi erupted with terrifying might.

Realizing they could no longer hide, Jiang Qingyue and Tang Ruoxian had no choice but to step out. With a few bounds, they appeared before Shui Yunzhi, saying: "We were merely passing by, and we'll leave right now!"

With a flicker of her black-and-white pupils, Shui Yunzhi said: "Passing by!? What about the other man? This young lady still wants to properly thank him for delivering the Scarlet Flame Blood Python right to my doorstep. Why did he just leave?"

Jiang Qingyue gave an awkward smile and said: "Who is he? What does he have to do with us?"

Glancing all around, Jiang Qingyue failed to find any trace of Li Xuan.

Nodding slightly, Shui Yunzhi said: "Since you were just passing by, then please leave! We are about to harvest the Scarlet Flame Blood Python's source crystal, and it will be extremely bloody, so..."

Jiang Qingyue tugged at the corner of Tang Ruoxian's sleeve, and the two prepared to leave.

Suddenly, the ground sank. The area where the Scarlet Flame Blood Python was bound transformed into a marshy quagmire. As everyone scrambled away in panic, the Scarlet Flame Blood Python sank into the ground, and the source energy locks sprang open.

The incident happened so abruptly that everyone simply watched helplessly as the Scarlet Flame Blood Python vanished.

"Stop right there!"

Trembling with rage, Shui Yunzhi's delicate body shook. Having finally defeated the Scarlet Flame Blood Python, someone else had snatched the fruit of their victory. If they weren't accomplices, who were they?

Jiang Qingyue and Tang Ruoxian immediately halted their steps and demanded: "What is the meaning of this!?"

Flying into a rage, Shui Yunzhi waved her delicate hand, signaling the Confucian Path Academy students and several Profound Realm experts to rush forward and surround the two maidens.

"I know you are students of the Holy Path Academy, yet you resort to such petty, thievish ways. Aren't you afraid of being laughed at if word gets out!"

Speaking with harsh severity and relying on their numerical superiority, Shui Yunzhi completely disregarded Jiang Qingyue and Tang Ruoxian.

Tang Ruoxian's pupils narrowed as she coldly stated: "What did you say? Although our Holy Path Academy may not compare to the Confucian Path Academy, we are not so base. May I ask what we have taken from you? To turn hostile like this upon a mere chance meeting, I see that the breeding of the Confucian Path Academy amounts to nothing much either!"

Akimbo with her delicate hands, Jiang Qingyue furiously retorted: "We were just passing by! Don't think that just because you have more people, we're afraid of you!"

"Hmph!"

Shui Yunzhi let out an angry snort and said: "Then hand that man over to confront us!"

Jiang Qingyue and Tang Ruoxian roared simultaneously: "If you have the ability, go find him yourselves! He is not traveling with us!"