The Ethereal Domains

Chapter 775: Real Killing Strike!

Real Killing Strike! . . .

Those at the forefront of the group had no time to react. Before they could make a move, they were pierced by numerous Coldstars, transforming them into human hedgehogs. As they met their demise, their faces bore an expression of joy, for they had glimpsed the sunlight in the forest one final time.

"Defend!" cried Xiao Mufei, his eyes wide with alarm. He immediately shoved Cha Eun Xiao to the ground, springing up to unleash a formidable sword strike. His swordlight formed a net, seeking to intercept the deadly Coldstars.

Regrettably, his actions were too late. The group\'s cries of pain filled the air. In the vicinity of the Coldstar attack, several members of Cold Moon Palace writhed in agony, collapsing to the ground.

The assailants, clad entirely in black and revealing only their eyes, looked sinister and ruthless.

Without hesitation, they launched a second volley of Coldstars before swiftly retreating into the forest. Their tactics were clear: strike and withdraw.

"Where do you think you\'re going?" yelled a furious Xiao Mufei. With an explosive sound, his swordlight streaked forth like a shooting star.

Xiao Mufei couldn\'t allow these assailants to escape. If they did, he would never discover who had attacked them, and the lives of his comrades would have been lost in vain. Fuelled by anger and determination, he pursued the assailants into the forest.

In his mind, the coordinated assault suggested the assailants had a strategy, and they had taken the first step. Xiao Mufei was responding and hoped to catch them, particularly the ones nearest to him.

But the assailants reacted swiftly. One of them swiftly unsheathed his sword, and it was as though a moonlit glow rushed forward to collide with Xiao Mufei\'s swordlight.

A resounding clang filled the air, and the assailant was sent hurtling away, coughing up blood as he flew. He managed to gasp, "Impressive, Xiao Mufei, the Mountain Hack."

Xiao Mufei was taken aback. He had emerged from the encounter unscathed but was delayed by the attack, missing the opportunity to capture the assailants. They had fled into the forest, leaving behind only the injured man.

An incensed Xiao Mufei shouted, "Who are you calling a dog? Show your face! Let me see if you are indeed unaffiliated with any sect!"

The man sneered, "Why should I listen to you? Come and try to remove my mask if you dare. Perhaps you can use your mouth, doggy, if your sword and hands aren\'t enough!"

With a sudden wave of his hand, a dark smoke erupted. Xiao Mufei, prepared to pursue, was suddenly confronted by a deluge of thousands of tiny needles released from the smoky veil.

The path forward was obstructed, but Xiao Mufei remained undaunted. With a deft swing of his sword, he deflected all the needles harmlessly. However, the man had vanished, leaving only the lifeless bodies of the Cold Moon Palace disciples on the hill. Roughly eighty of them lay dead.

Xiao Mufei gazed upon the casualties and roared with indignation, "If you seek confrontation, why resort to such treacherous tactics? Why not face me directly? Once I am dead, you can do as you please! We are all disciples of noble sects. Why employ such foul play?"

His enraged words echoed through the mountains, but there was no reply.

The wind tugged at Cha Eun Xiao\'s clothes, making them billow as he stood atop the hill, his sword firmly lodged into the ground. His expression was one of profound desolation.

Xiao Mufei, surveying the group of men who were examining the lifeless bodies, inquired, "Is there any hope for their recovery?"

"I\'m afraid not," came the mournful response from the men.

"Those were projectiles launched by level nine Dream Origin Stage cultivators... The coldstars carried a poisonous payload," Fang Dalong angrily noted, his voice laced with frustration. "These individuals are despicable. They hail from noble sects; how can they resort to such nefarious methods? Shameless!"

Xiao Mufei silently inspected the dead, his expression darkened.

The coldstars had penetrated deeply, a testament to the strength of their assailants. The addition of poison in the attack made their intentions clear—they wanted their victims dead.

Their brutality was chilling.

"Seven sects bound by a shared alliance... Three factions considered brethren," Xiao Mufei laughed bitterly. "Hahahahaha... Think about it. The irony is striking."

Once Cha Eun Xiao had risen to his feet, it was clear that the grim scene had concluded.

All that lay before him was the harrowing aftermath, an expanse of blood and flesh.

Three of the men who had accompanied him had lost their lives.

Blood and flesh were scattered, and Cha Eun Xiao\'s face grew cold and unforgiving.

"Saint Sunlight Sect! Saint Starlight Sect!" Cha Eun Xiao seethed inwardly. "You\'ve committed grave sins! These individuals belonged to Cold Moon Palace, my enemies as well. But they met their end today on my account. Their deaths are on your hands!"

While he had not taken their lives, their deaths were indirectly linked to him.

"Let\'s press on!" Xiao Mufei\'s voice rang out. "Cultivators do not shed tears like this. Those who tread the martial path meet martial ends. We will bury them as befits our martial world, and we shall seize the chance to avenge them."

He raised his voice to the heavens, his words echoing with determination. "You\'ve taken one of our own. In return, we shall take all your kin! Listen well, you wretched fiends! I know who you are! You would do well to ensure none of us return to our sects, for that shall mark the commencement of your darkest nightmare!"

"Move quickly! Let\'s go!" Xiao Mufei urged.

Cha Eun Xiao, however, felt an inexplicable itch on his scalp, an ominous sense of foreboding. His skin prickled as his instincts kicked in, propelling him swiftly to the ground.

- Swish! -

A sudden streak of light hurtled over from behind, aimed directly at Cha Eun Xiao.