C28 Wang Zhan

"We were the first to spot the Starfruit. A Red-Tailed Serpent was guarding it, and we joined forces to defeat it. You lot just stumbled upon us!" an outer court disciple exclaimed.

He fixed a steely gaze on the mercenaries, his right hand clutching his sword, unwavering in his resolve.

Yet, the resolve of his companions was beginning to falter, particularly a young man at the rear. His eyes darted about, clearly contemplating escape.

The Starfruit, a second level panacea, was indeed a treasure of great value. The contest for such treasures required evenly matched opponents. Given the current situation, it was evident that the outer court disciples were no match for the mercenaries.

Perhaps inspired by the steadfastness of the man at the forefront, the other outer court disciples, despite their urge to flee, summoned the courage to stay put.

"You'd best not test my patience. There's still time to run!" the mercenary leader barked, his eyes brimming with murderous intent. It was a clear final warning.

Feeling the mercenaries' deadly intent, several of the more timid outer court disciples shook with the desire to flee.

"No one runs!" the young man at the front bellowed. He then declared with conviction, "We are in the right. Why should we flee? As martial cultivators, we must uphold justice in our hearts, even if it means dying on the battlefield!"

"You're insane! Wang Zhan, if you're so eager to die, go ahead, but don't drag me into it!" the young man at the back retorted, his anger palpable. He turned and bolted, urging the others, "Everyone, run for it! Don't mind him."

"That's right. Wang Zhan is nothing but Wang Qiang's lapdog. How dare he try to sway our choices," another voice chimed in.

"He may be willing to die for the Starfruit, but we certainly aren't!" another added.

Several figures vanished into the forest, their voices fading with them.

Chu Lin and Yang Hu witnessed the scene unfold. "They're nothing but cowards scared of death," Yang Hu remarked with disdain.

On the grassland, Wang Zhan stood alone, his grip on his sword unyielding, not retreating an inch.

"I really admire your fearlessness in the face of death. I might even leave your body unscathed," declared the mercenary leader. Without delay, his men charged at Wang Zhan.

Wang Zhan remained silent, lifting his sword and advancing with unwavering resolve in his eyes, as if to say that standing his ground was a matter of principle. He was prepared to fight to his last breath without retreating an inch.

Wang Zhan's presence suggested he was at the fifth level of Body Tempering, yet in that moment, he astonishingly exhibited the strength of the sixth level. He was able to fend off the mercenaries' attacks, despite them also being at the fifth level.

Despite his valiant efforts, being outnumbered made Wang Zhan's defeat inevitable. As expected, he sustained multiple injuries, and blood flowed continuously from his wounds.

"Brother Chu, this guy's quite the character. Looks like we need to lend him a hand," Yang Hu remarked with a grin, sword in hand, from their concealed spot to Chu Lin.

"Absolutely," agreed Chu Lin, before dashing into the fray with Yang Hu close behind.

The battle took its toll on Wang Zhan; his aura grew erratic as his strength waned.

"Die!" sneered a mercenary, seizing the moment as Wang Zhan retreated. His knife plunged mercilessly toward Wang Zhan's chest.

Facing death for the first time, Wang Zhan's gaze remained steadfast. He was resolute, ready to face his end without flinching.

But just as the knife was about to strike home, a figure materialized beside Wang Zhan, stopping the blade with just a finger. The knife shattered with a crisp sound, leaving the assailant trembling and numb as he stumbled backward.

"Body Tempering at the eighth level?" The mercenary's face twisted with fear and shock as he stared at Chu Lin.

Meanwhile, Yang Hu managed a stealthy takedown of another mercenary, overpowering someone at the fifth level of Body Tempering with his own third-level strength.

The abrupt shift in the situation prompted the mercenaries to cease their assault. The sheer force of Chu Lin's recent attack had instilled a deep fear in them.

The mercenary captain regarded Chu Lin with a grave look. He inquired courteously, "What are you getting at?"

"We're all disciples from the Martial Academy. If I hadn't stepped in to save you, I'd catch an earful from the instructor later," Chu Lin said, his tone nonchalant, his demeanor composed. He appeared utterly at ease.

The mercenary captain facing Chu Lin was likely at the eighth level of Body Tempering. Should a real fight ensue, Chu Lin would be forced to engage with his full might.

Chu Lin had effortlessly incapacitated a member of Heaven's Edge at the seventh level of Body Tempering, but he was far from underestimating a mercenary at the eighth level.

The difference between two individuals at the eighth level of Body Tempering could be vast. A mercenary who had endured the harshest conditions would undoubtedly outmatch a Martial Academy disciple. Moreover, while Chu Lin possessed the fighting prowess of someone at the eighth level, his actual cultivation was merely at the third level.

Should a battle break out, it was uncertain whether Chu Lin could defeat the mercenary captain, and the predicament for Yang Hu and Wang Zhan would be perilous.

The mercenary captain listened intently to Chu Lin, a mix of surprise and confusion in his heart. He scrutinized Chu Lin, who remained unfazed, showing no sign of tension, as though he had a reliable ace up his sleeve.

"We're leaving!" the mercenary captain barked, signaling his men to retreat quickly.

A mentor of the Spiritual Martial Stage was not to be trifled with. If such a mentor were to arrive, their fate would be sealed.

Faced with choosing between the Starfruit and their lives, the mercenary captain knew the wiser option.

"Thank you," Wang Zhan said, rising to his feet despite his injuries, expressing his gratitude to Chu Lin and Yang Hu.

"Don't mention it," Chu Lin replied with a slight smile, while Yang Hu chuckled robustly. They had intervened on behalf of Wang Zhan, drawn to his character.

Wang Zhan plucked the Starfruit and offered it to Chu Lin and Yang Hu, saying, "This Starfruit is for you."

"For us?" Chu Lin and Yang Hu both exclaimed, taken aback.

Chu Lin gave Wang Zhan a serious look and inquired, "If you hand it over to us, you'll miss out on the Starfruit. So why were you willing to risk death instead of surrendering it to them?"