However, among these three, Nu Lang is a first-layer Qi Transformation Realm warrior, which could present some difficulty in handling.
Therefore, Yang Kai must first eliminate the other two Stormy Rain Pavilion disciples in the Kaiyuan Realm before he can properly engage with him.
This will be the perfect opportunity to see if his fourth-layer Kaiyuan Realm cultivation can stand against an opponent in the Qi Transformation Realm. Yang Kai's battle spirit surged, and his blood boiled with excitement.
Yang Kai's prediction was spot on. The two figures approaching from the left were indeed disciples of the Stormy Rain Pavilion, and their strength was comparable to the previous two. Even if they were stronger, it wouldn't be by much.
Hearing their junior's cry, the two had yet to arrive at the scene when they saw someone charging straight towards them.
"Who goes there!" The two Stormy Rain Pavilion disciples halted, warily eyeing the approaching figure.
Yang Kai did not respond; instead, he quickened his pace, lunging towards them. Sensing his murderous intent, the two finally realized who he was and exclaimed in shock, "It's Yang Kai!"
No sooner had the words left their mouths than their weapons were in hand, one attacking from the left, the other from the right.
Yang Kai, full of battle intent, did not retreat an inch. His body moved like lightning as a blood-red blade shot from his fingertips, hurtling towards one of them.
The disciple tried to block with his weapon, but how could an ordinary mortal-grade weapon withstand a blade forged from Yang Liquid? The weapon was sliced in half upon contact. Fortunately, the disciple's reflexes were quick, and he dodged in panic, narrowly avoiding a fatal strike as the blade grazed his waist.
With a searing sound…
The disciple screamed in agony, feeling as though a branding iron had been pressed against his side. The scent of scorched flesh filled the air.
"Senior Brother!" The other disciple's expression changed, and the attack he had just launched retracted slightly.
In a life-and-death battle, to retreat was to expose oneself to the enemy's strike.
Yang Kai showed no mercy. With a casual flick, he deflected the opponent's weapon and struck his palm against the disciple's chest. The fierce and scorching True Yang Yuan Qi poured into his heart, causing his eyes to bulge before he was flung backward. He convulsed on the ground for a moment before falling still.
He had been killed in a single move, even faster than the previous Senior Brother Xiong.
Yang Kai, having struck down one opponent, had no time to retract his hand before the surviving Stormy Rain Pavilion disciple slashed at him.
Unable to dodge, Yang Kai instinctively tensed his muscles.
"Shing…" The blade slashed across his abdomen, opening a bloody wound. Pain spread from the injury, and blood began to seep out. Yet Yang Kai remained unfazed, a crazed, bloodthirsty grin spreading across his face as he turned to look at his attacker.
The disciple, driven by the desire to avenge his fallen comrade, thrust his sword towards Yang Kai's throat after his first strike landed.
Yang Kai raised his arm to block. The sword pierced about an inch into his arm, hitting bone and going no further.
"Heh heh!" Blood dripped from the wound, but Yang Kai sneered at him.
In the darkness, his bared fangs gleamed white, like those of a predator ready to devour its prey.
At that moment, Yang Kai's entire being exuded a sinister aura!
Madness, excitement, and bloodlust filled the air around him! That grin would send shivers down anyone's spine.
"You…" The disciple had never encountered such a person before. To be stabbed twice and still laugh—was this man insane?
Overcome with fear, the disciple attempted to retreat. But in a life-or-death struggle, being intimidated by the enemy meant losing all hope of survival.
Yang Kai's foot lashed out, landing squarely on the disciple's groin.
A sickening crack sounded, and the disciple immediately doubled over, falling to his knees, his face drained of color.
Yang Kai pulled the sword from his arm and, with a downward thrust, nailed the disciple to the ground.
Another two down!
"Shing!" At that moment, the figure approaching from the right finally arrived—it was Nu Lang! The five members of the Stormy Rain Pavilion had split into three groups to search for Yang Kai and Xia Ning Chang, but Yang Kai had managed to take them down one by one.
With just a glance, Nu Lang saw the lifeless bodies of his two junior brothers. His eyes widened in rage as he angrily shouted at Yang Kai, "Did you kill them?"
Yang Kai turned to look at him, his crazed expression betraying a strange calmness.
"It seems everyone underestimated you. Who would have thought you had such skills?" Nu Lang's face darkened as he suppressed his fury. Taking a deep breath, he said, "I have one question for you."
"No need to ask. It was me who killed Nu Lang and Cheng Shaofeng. You guessed right!"
"So it was you!" Nu Lang's body trembled violently. He had held onto a sliver of hope that his brother had merely gone out for some fun, though he knew it was unlikely. But now, Yang Kai's confession shattered that hope. His brother had been killed by this man!
"They tried to kill me, so naturally, I killed them first!" Yang Kai impatiently replied. "Enough talk—let's fight!"
"Very well." Nu Lang's murderous intent surged as he glared at Yang Kai with venomous hatred. "Since you have the courage to admit it, I won't waste words. Today, your life will be offered as a sacrifice to appease his spirit!"
With those words, Nu Lang launched himself at Yang Kai, his figure blurring as he appeared before him in the blink of an eye. One hand, shaped like an eagle's claw, swiped horizontally at Yang Kai's throat.
Yang Kai's expression grew serious. A Qi Transformation Realm warrior was indeed in a different league from those in the Kaiyuan Realm. The power behind this single strike was incomparably greater.
In the nick of time, Yang Kai leaned back, raising his hand to protect his throat.
Nu Lang sneered, and his five fingers suddenly changed direction, clawing downward.
With a ripping sound…
Yang Kai staggered back a few steps, looking down to see that his chest had been torn open, five blood-red claw marks visible on his skin. Moreover, a strange energy had infiltrated his body.
Activating his True Yang Secret Art, Yang Kai quickly dispelled the invading force.
"A mere fourth-layer Kaiyuan Realm disciple dares to act so arrogantly in front of me! I won't kill you quickly; I'll make sure you suffer!" Nu Lang's face twisted into a cruel grin.
"Such flowery moves—you fight like a woman scratching her opponent. Aren't you ashamed?" Yang Kai ripped off his tattered shirt, revealing a lean, muscular torso, and coldly mocked.
Nu Lang's face flushed red with embarrassment, unable to refute the insult. After all, his techniques did rely heavily on claw-based martial arts, which were not particularly dignified.
"You may have a sharp tongue, but let's see if you'll be so bold when you're begging for mercy!" Unwilling to engage in a war of words, Nu Lang attacked again, his hands clawing at Yang Kai like an eagle swooping down on its prey.
"Let's see how my fists measure up!" Yang Kai laughed heartily and threw himself at the incoming claws.
"Overestimating yourself!" Nu Lang sneered. With his Qi Transformation Realm cultivation, he could tear through stone—what harm could a mere Kaiyuan Realm warrior's fist possibly do?