Chapter 18

A domineering aura spread throughout the entire Xiao Mansion.

Above Xiao Ming's room, a figure appeared instantly. Elder Su's gaze landed on Xiao Ming, whose pale face and blood-stained white robes painted a tragic picture. His anger surged. Under his protection, someone had dared to attack Xiao Ming. It was a slap to his face! Xiao Ming was an important figure in the sect, and if something happened to him under Elder Su's watch, the Holy Lord would undoubtedly hold him accountable.

Without hesitation, Elder Su's piercing gaze turned to Ye Chan, who was standing there, momentarily confused. Elder Su didn't bother with words. He swung his sword with a fluid motion.

A terrifying wave of sword energy erupted, tearing through the air with destructive power. The mansion trembled as the sheer pressure spread outward, suffocating everything in its path.

Ye Chan's eyes widened in shock. Though he had attacked in a fit of anger, he knew Xiao Ming's strength from their confrontation earlier that day. Xiao Ming had never been this weak. Ye Chan's true plan was to leave the heavy lifting to his master, seize Xiao Ming's family heirloom ring containing the immortal sutra, and claim the spoils. Yet, as he looked at Xiao Ming coughing blood, pale and fragile, unease crept into his heart.

Before Ye Chan could make sense of the situation, an overwhelming sword energy closed in on him. His body froze. The sheer pressure made every hair on his body stand on end. Death loomed over him, suffocating and oppressive.

"Master, save me!" Ye Chan shouted in desperation.

Just as the sword energy was about to strike him, a mysterious force wrapped around Ye Chan's body. The sword energy hit, and though the protective barrier shielded him from being cut apart, the impact sent him hurtling hundreds of meters away.

When Ye Chan finally stopped, his appearance was pitiful. His once-pristine robes were now tattered rags held together by a frayed belt that barely clung to his waist. His hair was a tangled mess, resembling a bird's nest, and blood covered his body, his wounds vivid reminders of the near-death experience. Although the protective energy had saved his life, even the residual force of the sword energy left him battered and broken.

The sheer destructive power of Elder Su's casual swing left an indelible mark on Ye Chan's mind. 

How powerful was that sword energy? Ye Chan trembled at the thought Grasping his last chance, he pulled out a scroll from his storage ring and tore it apart. The space around him distorted briefly, and before anyone could react, he disappeared.

In the sky, Elder Su narrowed his eyes. "A mere Nascent Soul cultivator actually withstood my sword energy?" His voice carried a hint of surprise.

But when he prepared to strike again, Ye Chan had already vanished. Elder Su's lips curled into a cold sneer. "Teleportation scroll… Typical tricks to save his life."

As he debated whether to give chase, desperate cries from below caught his attention.

"Brother Ming! Brother Ming! Please open your eyes!" Xiao Rui and Xiao Mei sobbed, holding Xiao Ming, whose breaths were faint.

Elder Su's gaze softened. Chasing Ye Chan could wait; Xiao Ming was the priority. Descending swiftly, he landed beside the unconscious Xiao Ming. Without a word, he began examining Xiao Ming's condition with his spiritual energy. His brows furrowed deeply, and a heavy sigh escaped his lips.

From his storage ring, Elder Su retrieved a pill. The moment the pill appeared, the atmosphere changed. The pill glowed with a soft golden light, surrounded by a faint mist of spiritual energy. A soothing fragrance filled the air, clearing the mind of all distractions. The pill's surface was flawless, etched with ancient runes that pulsed faintly, as though alive. Its mere presence exuded vitality, awe-inspiring to all who witnessed it.

Carefully, Elder Su fed the pill to Xiao Ming, using his energy to help it dissolve. Almost immediately, miraculous changes occurred. Xiao Ming's pale complexion regained its rosy hue, and his unstable breathing became steady.

"Don't worry, girls," Elder Su reassured Xiao Rui and Xiao Mei. "His breath is stable now. He's out of danger."

The girls visibly relaxed, though their eyes widened in shock when Elder Su continued, "That was a fifth heaven-grade medicinal pill I gave him."

In this world, the grade of pills ranged from Common, Yellow, Xuan, Spirit, Earth, to Heaven, with each grade further divided into nine levels. A fifth heaven-grade pill was unimaginably rare, akin to an immortal treasure. Both Xiao Rui and Xiao Mei were awestruck but grateful.

The commotion had awakened everyone in the mansion. Soon, a crowd gathered around, including Xiao Haoren, whose expression darkened at the sight of Xiao Ming's injuries. Before Xiao Rui and Xiao Mei could explain, Xiao Wuye stepped forward, his voice loud and indignant.

"I know what happened! I saw Ye Chan sneaking around the mansion. I grew suspicious and followed him. He hid on the rooftop of the Young Master's room. Before I could question him, he attacked! He targeted Young Master and the ladies, aiming to kill them!"

Xiao Wuye fell to his knees, bowing deeply. "It's my fault. If only I'd acted faster, this wouldn't have happened. Please punish me for my failure!"

Though Xiao Ming kept his eyes closed, nestled in the arms of Xiao Rui and Xiao Mei, the corners of his lips twitched slightly. "This Xiao Wuye… Forget cultivation; he's clearly destined for an acting career."

As Xiao Wuye's words spread, the crowd erupted in outrage.

"That ungrateful bastard Ye Chan dared to attack the Young Master?"

"After all the hospitality we showed him, this is how he repays us? He deserves death!"

"Let's hunt him down and kill him!"

Before the mob could act, Elder Su raised his hand, silencing them. "Don't bother. Even if you chase him, you won't find him. He used a teleportation scroll, and even I can't track him now."

Regret clouded Elder Su's face. As Xiao Ming's protector, he blamed himself for failing to prevent such a serious attack.

Meanwhile, Xiao Rui and Xiao Mei were raging with anger. Xiao Mei clenched her fists tightly, her voice trembling. "It's my fault. I shouldn't have saved him that day. If I had let him die, Brother Ming wouldn't be hurt now."

Xiao Rui placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Don't blame yourself, Mei. That Ye Chan is cunning and black-hearted. No one could've foreseen this."

Her tone turned cold, a murderous gleam in her eyes. "If we ever see him again, we must kill him."

"I'll help you," Xiao Mei said, her voice filled with determination.

Just as the sisters swore vengeance, 

 ding 

Systems notification echoed in Xiao Ming's mind. Looking at content a faint smile crept across his lips.