"Junior Sister!" At this critical moment, Mu Yanfeng arrived like a bolt of lightning. He pulled me tightly into his arms, his sharp gaze cutting toward the villains like cold stars. "How dare you attempt an assassination at the foot of our Lanjian Sect! Your audacity knows no bounds!"
"Senior Brother, go save Second Senior Brother!" I cried out anxiously, my voice weak and trembling.
"Take this medicinal pill first," he said, full of concern. He gently helped me to sit in the shade of a tree, took a delicate little bottle from his storage bag, and carefully poured out a pill that emitted a faint fragrance. He handed it to me, then said with a firm expression, "I am going to check on Second Senior Brother."
I took the pill, only to feel an overwhelming wave of exhaustion wash over me. The scene before my eyes blurred, and, unable to hold on any longer, I fainted.
"Hanxi!" Mu Yanfeng flew back to my side, lifting me up with a face full of worry. He let my head rest gently against his broad shoulder and extended his slender fingers to check my pulse. After a moment of contemplation, he said with a sigh of relief, "It is nothing. You were just exhausted and fainted from overexertion."
Mu Yanfeng settled me down gently before turning back to charge at the villains, rage burning in his eyes.
"None of you will leave here alive today!" Mu Yanfeng roared. He swung his long sword, the intersecting blade energy forming sharp rays of light that swept toward the villains.
Seeing this, the villains unleashed their various evil arts, attempting to fend off his attack. For a time, different lights collided with deafening roars.
Mu Yanfeng moved like lightning, weaving through the enemy ranks with ease. His swordsmanship was exquisite, every strike containing immense power that the villains could barely parry.
One villain attempted a sneak attack from behind, but Mu Yanfeng sensed him instantly. He dodged sideways and delivered a backhand strike, piercing the man's chest.
"Ah!" the villain shrieked, collapsing to his death.
The remaining villains grew even more terrified, but, fearing to retreat, they hardened their resolve and continued to surround Mu Yanfeng.
Mu Yanfeng grew more valiant with every strike, his sword momentum turning increasingly fierce. He unleashed a powerful sword technique, his blade casting countless shadows that enveloped the villains.
"Die!" Mu Yanfeng shouted. His blade energy erupted, instantly cutting down several more villains.
Seeing that the tide had turned, the remaining villains scattered and fled.
Mu Yanfeng would not let them off so easily. His figure blurred as he pursued them, subduing them one by one.
The fierce battle finally concluded. Mu Yanfeng returned to my side and Second Senior Brother’s, exhausted, to check our injuries.
Mu Yanfeng carefully brought us back to the sect. The atmosphere along the way was heavy, and everyone was filled with anxiety.
As soon as we reached the sect, Second Senior Brother swayed suddenly, spitting out black blood, his body tottering as if about to collapse.
"Second Senior Brother!" Mu Yanfeng’s expression changed drastically; he hurried to support him.
The surrounding disciples were thrown into a panic, falling into total disarray.
"Quick! Fetch the physician!" Mu Yanfeng shouted, his voice filled with urgency and worry.
He laid Second Senior Brother gently on the ground, brow furrowed as he tried to assess the injuries.
Meanwhile, I remained unconscious, showing no response.
Mu Yanfeng was frantic. He called my name and shook my body, but I did not wake.
Gritting his teeth, Mu Yanfeng decided to take Second Senior Brother to a room first and then find a physician for me.
He picked up Second Senior Brother and hurried into the room, placing him on the bed.
After a careful inspection of the wounds, Mu Yanfeng’s expression changed violently, and he gasped. The skin around Second Senior Brother's wounds had already developed eerie black markings, as if being consumed by something.
His pulse was chaotic and erratic, lacking any rhythm. Even more terrifying was an evil aura surging through his body like a venomous snake, eroding his meridians and internal organs.
Mu Yanfeng’s heart sank as he realized this was caused by the villains' weapons. It seemed they were coated in a rare, potent poison—a vicious toxin that was rapidly spreading throughout Second Senior Brother’s entire body. If it were not neutralized in time, Second Senior Brother would surely lose his life.
Mu Yanfeng’s face turned deathly pale. He gripped Second Senior Brother's hand tightly, his voice trembling: "Second Senior Brother, hold on. There must be a way to save you!" His eyes were filled with anxiety and grief, yet he felt utterly helpless.
The surrounding disciples gathered around. Looking at Second Senior Brother’s tragic state, everyone remained silent; the atmosphere was stifling to the extreme.
Second Senior Brother struggled to open his eyes. His lips trembled, and he whispered, his voice as thin as a thread: "Senior Brother, don't waste your energy. I... I know my own body. Being able to fight alongside you... I have no regrets." A faint, comforted smile appeared on his face, but it was filled more with helplessness and bitterness.
With that, his eyes began to lose focus, and his life force ebbed away.
"No! Second Senior Brother, it cannot be!" Tears streamed from Mu Yanfeng’s eyes. He could not accept this cruel reality.
I do not know how much time passed, but my consciousness began to return. My surroundings seemed blurry, but I could feel that I was lying on a soft surface.
I slowly opened my eyes, feeling my body heavy and my head groggy. I struggled to clear my mind and began to look around. I discovered Mu Yanfeng sitting quietly, watching over me. His eyes were full of concern and worry, as if he had been waiting for me to wake up the entire time.
"You're awake." Seeing me stir, the tension on Mu Yanfeng’s face finally melted away, and he asked eagerly, "How do you feel?"
"Where is Second Senior Brother?" I ignored my own condition, my mind filled only with his safety.
"Second Senior Brother, he..." Mu Yanfeng fell silent for a moment, his tone so heavy it felt as though it could drip with sorrow. "He was struck by the assassin’s poisoned arrow, and he has..."
"What?" I widened my eyes, looking at him in disbelief.
"Hanxi, don't be too sad. He..." He sighed heavily, a flash of unconcealable grief crossing his eyes. "He sacrificed himself for the sect. We must avenge him."
"No, that’s impossible! I don’t believe it!" I screamed hysterically, tears bursting forth.
"Junior Sister, it is the truth. You must accept it." Mu Yanfeng reached out as if to stroke my hair, but he pulled back mid-air. His voice was hoarse as he tried to hide the trembling in his words, as if every syllable cost him all his strength.
"No!" Overcome by extreme grief, I fainted once more.
"Hanxi!" Mu Yanfeng was quick to react, stepping forward to catch my falling body. He carefully placed me back on the bed and gently tucked me in. "Wake up. Don't scare me like this."
However, no matter how he called out, I remained in a deep sleep, as if trapped in a boundless darkness.
"Why hasn't Junior Sister woken up yet?" Mu Yanfeng sat by my bed, full of anxiety, staring blankly at my sleeping face. His brows were furrowed so tightly they could have crushed a fly, his face a mask of worry. He gripped my hand tightly, muttering to himself, "It’s all my fault. If only I had gone down the mountain with you, this never would have happened."
I do not know how much time passed before I slowly opened my eyes. My gaze was lost and hollow. "Who are you?"
"Junior Sister, you finally woke up!" Hearing my voice, Mu Yanfeng turned to look at me with surprise, a light of hope igniting in his eyes. "Don't you remember me? I am your Senior Brother, Mu Yanfeng."