After the Fairy Maidens Fell to Darkness, They Captured Me to Ruthlessly 'Repay' Their Gratitude-Chapter 143 - "Ill Count to Three, Kneel"

At the Cherry Wood Dragon Pool,

Several sect disciples were flying over the lake on their swords.

Behind them, the fearsome, winged sword dragon glided just above the ground, resembling a massive eagle, occasionally unleashing roars and claw strikes.

With each dragon breath, the group scrambled to dodge.

“Duan Zixuan, get away from me! It’s your fault the sword dragon is after us!”

Jue Wuqing cursed, sending a ki blast to knock Duan Zixuan away as he tried to get close.

Though their plan had hit a snag, as long as the sword dragon’s aggro wasn’t on him, Jue Wuqing was fine with it.

Currently, the sword dragon was fixated on Duan Zixuan, relentlessly pursuing him.

What did Duan Zixuan’s predicament have to do with Jue Wuqing?

Jue Wuqing couldn’t care less about Duan Zixuan’s fate.

The problem was,

Duan Zixuan, the fool, was trying to stick to Jue Wuqing, dragging him into the mess.

Now, neither could reach the other side of the lake, both being chased by the enraged sword dragon.

“What can I do? It’s all because of that bastard He Ange! He’s the one who blew up the sword dragon’s lair!”

Duan Zixuan, rejected by the others, angrily complained.

In times of crisis, everyone fends for themselves.

Jue Wuqing ignored him:

“He Ange is a bastard, and you’re no better! Look at the wounds I got from the sword dragon, all thanks to you!”

“So it’s all my fault? Is that it?”

“Who else? Me?”

…

The two bickered as they ran, their arguments vicious and relentless.

At some point,

They remembered an important question.

Where was the real culprit—He Ange?

Thinking this, they looked around, and when Duan Zixuan’s gaze landed on the distant cliff cave entrance, his expression finally cracked.

That bastard He Ange!

He’s really a dog!

While Duan Zixuan was being chased by the sword dragon, He Ange had somehow slipped to safety, hiding in the cliff cave leading to the next stage!

Moreover…

The sect disciples with him were just as shameless!

They stood there, not even using any spells to help!

“You useless bunch!”

“Instead of standing there, can’t you lend a hand? Help us fight the dragon!”

Duan Zixuan roared in frustration.

When his voice reached the other side of the lake, He Ange and the others paused, seemingly discussing something.

Soon, countless long-range spells flew from the cave entrance.

Boom, boom, boom—!

Various spells rained down on the sword dragon behind Duan Zixuan.

Though the dragon was furious, its pursuit slowed.

Seeing this, more sect disciples managed to reach safety while Duan Zixuan drew the aggro.

“Heh, go play with the sword dragon yourself!”

Jue Wuqing sneered, suddenly changing course, leaving Duan Zixuan behind as he flew toward the cave entrance.

Duan Zixuan realized he was abandoned, feeling the helplessness of being cannon fodder.

In anger, Duan Zixuan gritted his teeth.

He had to fly faster, fighting for his life.

As Duan Zixuan neared the cave entrance,

He heard the white-robed youth’s voice from the cave—

“Senior Zixuan!”

“Let me lend you a hand!”

The youth spoke earnestly, full of enthusiasm.

For a moment, Duan Zixuan felt touched by the sight of everyone working together to support him.

But then, the white-robed youth at the cave entrance raised his hand, summoning his silver phoenix sword—

Clang!

The silver sword burst forth with a phoenix cry, whistling toward Duan Zixuan.

Immediately, a familiar fear gripped Duan Zixuan, making him shudder.

Damn it!

Is he trying to kill me?!

Duan Zixuan cursed He Ange inwardly, and as the silver sword light approached, he quickly dodged, narrowly escaping.

Clang—!

The silver sword passed by, and Duan Zixuan patted his chest in relief, taking deep breaths.

But he celebrated too soon.

As Duan Zixuan thought he was safe, the sword dragon behind him roared in rage—

Roar, roar, roar, roar!!!

Duan Zixuan turned in confusion, seeing the sword dragon with a silver sword lodged in its forehead.

The sword, embedded in the dragon’s head, agitated its nerves, causing it to thrash uncontrollably.

Then,

As the sword dragon stopped its pursuit and began gathering energy, Duan Zixuan’s expression turned to utter despair.

“Hey, hey, hey…”

“Is it charging up for a big attack?”

“No, not now—!!!”

Realizing the danger, Duan Zixuan flew desperately, but before he could get far, the terrifying fiery breath engulfed him.

The speed of the dragon’s breath was beyond mortal escape.

In an instant, the red-hot wave rolled across the lake, pushing Duan Zixuan toward the cave entrance.

Boom, boom, boom—

The dragon’s breath engulfed the area, obscuring the view inside the cave.

After a while, the smoke cleared.

The people at the cave entrance opened their eyes, seeing the black-clad youth from the Heavenly Sword Sect lying inside the cave, his body faintly glowing with gold light. But the light quickly shattered into particles, disappearing from Duan Zixuan.

Duan Zixuan opened his eyes, struggling to stand.

He reached for the jade pendant at his chest, finding it shattered.

“This… this was the golden silk heart jade my master gave me before I left… invaluable, capable of blocking a full strike from a Nascent Soul cultivator…”

He muttered, as if mourning a lost love, his voice trembling.

Beside him, Jue Wuqing and the others watched coldly, without sympathy. Some even smirked, pleased that a competitor had lost a life-saving treasure.

“He! An! Ge—!!!”

Duan Zixuan stood in a rage.

He drew his sword, seething with shame and anger, charging at the white-robed youth in the crowd.

He pinned He Ange against the wall, his eyes red with fury.

“He Ange! It’s all your fault!”

“If it weren’t for you, I wouldn’t have been targeted by that damn sword dragon! I wouldn’t have lost my precious golden silk heart jade!”

“You idiot! Why aren’t you dead yet?!”

Overwhelmed by the disparity, Duan Zixuan lost control of his emotions.

Seeing this, he swung his sword in anger, ready to kill He Ange.

But at the critical moment, the cherry-white girl, who had been silent with cold eyes, stepped forward. She twisted her waist, striking Duan Zixuan’s ribs with a palm. Three breaths later, a wave of energy sent Duan Zixuan flying, crashing into the wall.

For a moment, everyone stared in shock at the cherry-skirted girl who had been ignored.

They hadn’t expected a mere Foundation Establishment girl to send the peak Core Formation Heavenly Sword Sect Saint Son flying with a gentle palm?

Xia Ranyue ignored them.

She helped He Ange up, dusting off his clothes with care, her enchanting eyes filled with concern.

“Are you okay?”

“No worries, just a small conflict.”

He Ange chuckled, shaking his head.

He turned to the crowd, shrugging with innocence and helplessness:

“You all saw, it was the Saint Son who ordered me to act, so I did… Later, he asked for help, so I assisted him in attacking the sword dragon.”

“He Ange, you… you! Why are you standing there? Capture these traitors for me!”

The Heavenly Sword Sect Saint Son, ribs shattered, continued to shout.

As he spoke, the other sect cultivators turned to He Ange and his group, their expressions filled with hostility and intent, as if long planned.

But at that moment, Jue Wuqing stepped forward, blocking He Ange:

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“Brother Ange did nothing wrong. Junior Brother Zixuan, you’re being ungrateful and unreasonable.”

“Bastard… you’re not the one being chased…” Duan Zixuan, clutching his broken ribs, spat blood, speaking with difficulty.

“Shut up!”

Jue Wuqing’s face darkened.

“Duan Zixuan, if you say one more word, I’ll feed you to the sword dragon!”

Seeing Duan Zixuan still defiant, Jue Wuqing suddenly crouched, pressing his head, his hawk-like eyes fierce as he commanded.

Duan Zixuan was terrified, shrinking his neck, not daring to protest.

Jue Wuqing whispered coldly in Duan Zixuan’s ear:

“Now’s not the time to turn on He Ange. There’s another stage ahead. Once we’ve used him up, you can take your revenge.”

“Fine, fine…”

Though resentful, Duan Zixuan held back.

Jue Wuqing chuckled coldly.

He stood, turning to He Ange with a slight smile:

“Considering the sword dragon encounter, Brother Ange is quite brave.”

“In that case, why not volunteer for the next stage as well?”

…

Cherry Sea Secret Realm, Illusion Moon Valley.

After much hardship, a sect team finally arrived.

Entering Illusion Moon Valley, the cultivators eagerly rushed in to find the tokens. But as they reached the valley’s end, they met the gaze of the elegant snow-white fox perched on a cherry tree branch.

They looked up at the fox, seeing three red threads wrapped around her waist, chest, and ankle.

Each thread held a Dragon Dynasty token.

Seeing the first challengers, Xia Zhiyue raised an eyebrow, her nine snow-white tails instantly ready for battle. But when she didn’t spot the white-robed youth she longed for, her enchanting eyes dimmed visibly—

Disappointed, she drank.

“Kneel now, kowtow three times, and I’ll consider you forfeited.”

“I’ll count to three…”

“Alright, kneel.”

Thud—!

In Illusion Moon Valley, no one stood.

…