C22 Chu Lin Saved a Group of Girls

In the verdant forest, a pristine and tranquil lake lay nestled, with gentle, cool breezes skimming its surface. Sunlight pierced through the canopy of ancient wood, casting a warm glow upon the water. On the bank, a solitary figure was deep in meditation, clutching a radiant plant from which a soft blue light twinkled at its roots. This was the Bluestem, a first-level panacea.

Abruptly, the figure's eyes snapped open. His hands clenched, summoning a powerful suction force. In moments, the lustrous Bluestem shriveled visibly before one's eyes.

"Wow, Chu actually drained the Bluestem of its spiritual energy! He's incredible," Yang Hu exclaimed from a short distance away, his face a picture of amazement.

Even the most inferior first-level panacea contained an immense spiritual energy. How could the fragile meridians of a Body Tempering martial cultivator withstand such a torrential surge of power? Typically, even a Spiritual Martial Realm warrior would take considerable time to absorb a first-level panacea's spiritual energy gradually to avoid a harmful backlash.

Yet, this astonishing feat was being accomplished by the man at the lake's edge—Chu Lin.

After a while, Chu Lin exhaled deeply, his eyes sparkling with vitality. Having absorbed the Bluestem, he felt every cell in his body rejuvenated, his bones and muscles brimming with strength. He even believed he could shatter a boulder with a single punch. The only disappointment was the lack of response from his Crystal of Valor; it seemed his body had absorbed all the spiritual energy.

"Brother Chu, your power must have increased again, hasn't it?" Yang Hu approached, his voice laced with envy.

Chu Lin offered a knowing smile. He was about to reply when his brows furrowed slightly. His keen senses detected more than ten individuals rapidly approaching.

"We've got company," Chu Lin murmured to Yang Hu. With that, he darted into the forest, swiftly disappearing from view.

Catching on, Yang Hu followed suit, vanishing into the underbrush. Soon after, the sound of urgent footsteps approached, and several graceful figures emerged at the lakeside from the depths of the forest.

A group of young women stood together, each with a poised stature, dressed in flowing green garments. Their faces were strikingly beautiful, with one girl standing out among them—her beauty was particularly remarkable.

This girl appeared to be no more than seventeen or eighteen years old. Her luxurious hair cascaded down her slender waist. Her eyes, misty as if shrouded in a soft haze, betrayed a hint of panic. Her long lashes fluttered gently, and her brows furrowed slightly. In that moment, her vulnerability evoked an overwhelming urge to embrace and protect her.

"Junior sisters of the Rainbow Pact, your attempts to flee are in vain. You might as well stay and amuse us," a voice taunted.

Laughter echoed from the woods as several young men burst forth, quickly encircling the girls.

"Heaven's Edge?" Chu Lin, concealed in the shadows, noted the finely crafted short swords on the chests of the young men. He scoffed internally, "They are exactly as Tiger described."

Chu Lin had just finished refining the Bluestem and was planning to seek them out. Now, they had conveniently presented themselves to him.

"People of Heaven's Edge, we have already surrendered all the beast cores and panaceas we've collected recently. What more do you want?" one of the girls demanded, her voice laced with anger.

The ringleader of the Heaven's Edge group let out a sleazy chuckle, his eyes gleaming, "Life as a cultivator can be so dull. We're simply looking for a bit of conversation. Surely that's not too much to ask?"

"Exactly. We just want a little chat," his companions agreed, slowly tightening the circle around the girls.

Before long, one of the men could restrain himself no longer. He lunged forward, ripping the clothing from one of the girls.

"Such fair skin! I've heard the junior sisters of the Rainbow Pact have exceptionally soft skin," he remarked, his throat audibly swallowing his saliva. He clutched the girl's wrist, his expression one of rapt fascination.

The girl was terrified. She tried to resist, but the disparity in strength made it impossible for her to escape. A look of despair crossed her face.

A similar fate befell the other girls as the young men from Heaven's Edge, out in the remote wilderness, found themselves unable to contain their lust.

"I've chosen her!"

"I want her!"

"And I want her too!"

"Let's violate her together!"

At that moment, several young men set their sights on the most beautiful among the girls. They quickly came to an agreement and approached her.

Tears glistened in her beautiful eyes. Her delicate features took on a tragic beauty in that instant. She closed her eyes in despair.

Her lips silently turned downward. Unnoticed, her slender fingers clutched a dagger, stealthily brushing the vein of her other hand.

There was no doubt that if those vile men touched her, the dagger would slice through her snow-white wrist, ending her life.

"Even in death, I, Lan Ling'er, refuse to be defiled by these repugnant men!"

Yet, at that moment, a serene voice cut through the tension.

"Beauty, you only live once. To end your life without even fighting back would be to give these scoundrels exactly what they want, wouldn't it?"

"Who's there?"

The expressions of the young men from Heaven's Edge shifted. They involuntarily halted their actions.

A figure materialized before Lan Ling'er like a specter. Simultaneously, before anyone could grasp what was happening, this figure had already struck the young men.

Taken aback, the young men instinctively tried to defend themselves. They hadn't anticipated the overwhelming strength of their assailant, forcing them to stagger backward.

Lan Ling'er's eyes flew open, and she gazed in bewilderment at the figure before her. She was taken aback to find that her protector was a somewhat youthful boy who appeared even younger than herself.

This boy was none other than Chu Lin.

"Do you realize we're from Heaven's Edge? Back off. Not just anyone can play the hero," they bellowed in anger.

The men from Heaven's Edge were irate that their scheme had been thwarted.

Chu Lin let out a light laugh. Far from backing down, he drew his longsword and aimed it at the young men, declaring with an air of authority, "I've come to deliver justice to the wicked!"