As the lingering energy from his breakthrough settled into his ridians, ng Hao suddenly heard the unmistakable sound of footsteps—soft at first, but gradually growing louder, accompanied by the faint whooshing of robes brushing against wind and branches rustling overhead.
He turned his gaze behind him, calm and composed, and saw a group of figures rapidly approaching. Seven cultivators leaped gracefully through the canopy, bounding from one tree branch to the next with the ease of seasoned martial artists. Among them, two glided effortlessly through the air, standing atop flying swords, their long robes billowing like banners in the wind.
All of them were won.
ng Hao narrowed his eyes slightly, observing them with caution. Their robes, movents, and formation indicated that this was no re scouting party—these cultivators had co with a purpose, and that purpose seed to be him.
But he quickly reined in his thoughts, his inner world returning to calm.
So many were attracted here... It seems my breakthrough caused more of a stir than I intended. He exhaled slowly. Good thing I chose to leave the sect grounds before initiating the breakthrough. If I had done this inside the sect, who knows how many eyes would’ve turned toward —and not all with good intentions.
A small sigh of relief passed his lips. He remained rooted beneath the tree, unmoved, though fully alert.
The two sword-riding won reached him first, descending with elegance and precision. They landed softly on the grassy earth a few ters away, their swords dissipating into motes of spiritual light behind them. Both wore pristine blue robes embroidered with the symbol of a delicate snowflake surrounded by ice lotus petals—the unmistakable insignia of the Ice Embodint Pavilion.
Monts later, the other seven cultivators landed behind them. These won were clad in green, their uniforms simpler yet still marked with the sa frosty emblem.
Even as nine pairs of eyes landed on him, ng Hao stood tall and unflinching, his deanor indifferent, his robe rustling softly in the mountain breeze.
One of the won who had flown on a sword stepped forward, her tone mocking, her lips curled in a faint smile.
"Well, well... looks like this little chick showed up before we did," she said with a soft laugh, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.
Then she turned slightly toward her companion and added with a mischievous glint in her eyes, "Sister Wang i, seems like we’re getting a two-for-one deal today—a treasure, and a toy."
At her words, the other won began to giggle. A few let their eyes roam over ng Hao’s form, openly appraising him. One of them even licked her lips slowly, her gaze full of undisguised lust.
The one nad Wang i—clearly the leader—smiled faintly, her expression one of cold amusent.
"You’re right, Sister Su i," she said, her voice silk wrapped around steel. "A high-quality treasure and a high-quality chick—what more could senior sisters like us ask for?"
Then she took a step forward, her eyes locking onto ng Hao with confidence, as though he were already in her grasp.
"Co now, little chick," she said mockingly. "Be a good boy and hand over the treasure that caused such a commotion. Co with us willingly, and I promise—your senior sisters will take very good care of you."
Her eyes shimred with dangerous intent, and behind her, the green-robed disciples chuckled again, already imagining how they would handle their "prize."
ng Hao, however, said nothing.
He simply listened, a faint smirk slowly curling at the corner of his lips. His thoughts churned with icy amusent.
So, they really think they can take advantage of ?
Such arrogance.
He let his gaze sweep over them again, this ti with clear calculation.
The seven in green—Qi Gathering cultivators, nothing more than decoration. The two in blue... Wang i is at the second level of Foundation Building, and Su i, the one who first spoke, is slightly stronger at the third level.
And yet... they believe that’s enough.
He nearly laughed aloud, but held it in. Instead, a cold chuckle echoed silently in his mind.
With just that level of cultivation... they think I, ng Hao, am soone they can bully?
A cold glint passed through his eyes, but he kept his aura entirely concealed, letting them remain in their delusions for just a while longer.
Let them believe I’m just another lucky cultivator who stumbled into a treasure. Let them walk confidently into the pit they’re digging for themselves. I’ll make sure they rember this lesson for a long, long ti.
A faint smile crept onto his face—not one of friendliness, but one that carried a hidden sharpness, like the edge of an unsheathed blade.
The breeze carried on.
The won waited, expecting fear, perhaps hesitation.
But what they got instead... was silence—and a man who stared back at them with the calmness of soone who already knew the outco.
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