The disciples of Qingyun Sect surged forward like a tide, encircling the two individuals.
Kong Rong let out a cold snort and struck at the nearest disciple.
Before Yin Jing could even react, they were already locked in combat.
It's over—
These three words were all that remained in Yin Jing's mind.
When Rong Hua arrived, Yin Jing was already gravely wounded, her goose-yellow robes soaked with snow.
As someone intended to kill Yin Jing and was about to deliver the final blow, a figure suddenly flashed forward. An extremely powerful sword strike forced that disciple back two steps.
Upon seeing Rong Hua, Yin Jing's eyes welled up with tears of grievance, and she weakly called out, "Ah Hua..."
Her legs faltered, and just as she was about to fall, her waist was supported by a pair of firm, strong arms. Rong Hua, holding Que Hua, embraced Yin Jing, his cold gaze fixed on the disciples facing him and his sword.
Jiang Ling frowned at the scene. His demeanor was as pure as the bright moon, his white robes exuding an ethereal aura. He declared loudly, "Rong Hua, do you know who is by your side?"
Although the surrounding disciples were no longer fighting, their gazes towards Rong Hua were undoubtedly filled with confusion and anger.
"Ah Hua..." Even cradled in Rong Hua's arms, Yin Jing could not stop her body from trembling. Her clear eyes were filled with fear; she was afraid Rong Hua would abandon her.
She looked at Jiang Ling's indifferent stare, as if he would sever her head at any moment. Terrified, tears threatened to fall. Like a child afraid of being abandoned, she clung tightly to Rong Hua's clothes.
"Don't be afraid." Rong Hua said nothing more, but those two words alone eased Yin Jing's fear.
Jiang Ling, of course, heard them. He was enraged, "You actually protect a demon! How can you face your master's nurturing with such actions! How can you face the disciples of Qingyun Sect!"
Evil sects and righteous sects were inherently opposed, separated by a chasm of blood feud. In the sect, hardly anyone did not resent demons.
They were brutal and cruel, regarding human lives as less than straw, devoid of humanity, conscience, and only knowing slaughter.
How many disciples in the sect had become orphans and beggars because of demons, only to later join the immortal sect.
Anyone who sided with demons was their enemy.
Everyone's gaze towards Rong Hua changed: disappointment, disgust, anger, and… killing intent.
Rong Hua showed no fear, his demeanor remaining cold. He stated indifferently, "She is innocent. She has not killed or injured anyone."
Jiang Ling said coldly, "Words without proof, who would believe you? Setting aside whether she harms people, do you know how many she injured and killed after letting that demonic creature escape tonight?"
Rong Hua first glanced at Yin Jing in his arms. Yin Jing immediately explained, "I didn't know he killed so many people. If I had known, I would never have saved him!"
Whether Rong Hua believed her or not was uncertain. His expression was rarely shown, unfathomable. His narrow, dark eyes were like a pool of thick ink. His tone was indifferent, "Since that is the case, then kill that demonic fiend yourself."
This was a clear indication that he intended to protect the demon in his arms. Jiang Ling's eyes grew even colder, "Stubborn and unrepentant."
As soon as the words fell, Jiang Ling no longer wished to waste any more time. He directly thrust his sword towards the woman in Rong Hua's embrace.
Regardless of Rong Hua's mediocre cultivation, his swordsmanship was first-class. However, no matter how good it was, it was no match for Jiang Ling, who had already reached the Nascent Soul stage.
Every movement of his was infused with surging spiritual energy, almost blinding.
Rong Hua was forced to retreat step by step, a bloody gash appearing on his left cheek. His thin lips tightened even further, but the arm around Yin Jing did not loosen at all.
The more Jiang Ling fought, the heavier his killing intent became.
Why? Why could this good-for-nothing gain his master's favor?!
He was clearly inferior in every way, yet he obtained everything he yearned for!
Would it be that only when this person died would his master look at him more, recognize his merits, and notice him?
With such thoughts, the spiritual energy emanating from Jiang Ling grew stronger, and his swordsmanship became faster, almost to the point of invisibility.
No one noticed a flash of red light in his eyes.
No longer restrained in targeting only Yin Jing, he attacked both of them together.
Yin Jing had initially thought they would show mercy out of consideration for Rong Hua being a disciple of an immortal master. She never expected them not only to show no mercy but to press their advantage, clearly intending to kill them both.
Jiang Ling's blood boiled, crying out to kill him! Kill him!
Unable to restrain himself any longer, all his spiritual energy converged onto his sword, causing the blade to tremble. He looked directly at Rong Hua's chest and, without the slightest hesitation, thrust his sword forward.
Time seemed to slow down. Just as everyone was blinded by the dazzling light.
Yin Jing, almost instinctively and without hesitation, shielded Rong Hua. The sword pierced Yin Jing's body and also plunged into his chest.
Everyone was stunned by the scene, and silence fell for a moment.
"Jiang Ling!"
A clear, indifferent voice, for the first time, carried such an enraged tone.
Soon, a white figure appeared. Her eyebrows were clear and elegant, her eyes covered with white cloth, and her appearance was strikingly beautiful.
She was rushing over.
Jiang Ling was jolted awake by that voice. He came to his senses, then looked down, his pupils constricting. He quickly withdrew his sword, and blood gushed out uncontrollably.
The woman, covered in blood, began to slide down as there was no longer a sword to support her. Just as she was about to fall, Rong Hua half-knelt on the ground and caught her.
Warm blood instantly filled his entire hand. That sword had pierced her body, creating a hole in her chest, and the bleeding could not be stopped.
Every breath she took was extremely difficult. Large amounts of blood flowed from her mouth. Her delicate, fair face was already unrecognizable.
Yet, she still had the presence of mind to smile, "Do I look very ugly now?"
She smiled like this, but her eyes were filled with tears.
Many disciples averted their gaze, not out of heartlessness, but because they felt complex emotions.
Rong Hua lowered his eyelashes, his expression still cold, his eyes eerily calm. His back remained straight, as if he were indifferent.
But his slightly trembling thin lips, his reddened eyes, and the blood on him, whether his or Yin Jing's, made him look disheveled.
This was not the outward grief displayed on the surface, but a sorrow from the inside out.
His hands trembled, revealing a rare helplessness.
He did not shed tears, but the despair emanating from him was suffocating.
At this moment, everyone seemed to feel the man's despair hidden beneath his calmness.
"You are not ugly." His voice was very low. He carefully tried to wipe the blood from Yin Jing's face, but for some reason, the blood seemed to increase, refusing to be wiped away.