Chapter 15 Crisis

Xu Jingming, holding his spear, sprinted at full speed, his eyes fixed on the opposing group of five, especially the archer, Teng Ya.

"Although the archer's arrows can exceed the speed of sound, I can completely dodge them beyond twenty meters," Xu Jingming thought, confident in his footwork and reactions. In truth, the greatest threat from an archer was a sneak attack or coordinated firing with teammates.

A straightforward arrow shot posed a significantly reduced threat.

Unless it was Xia's number one archer, Zhou Yi, who could single-handedly and rapidly fire arrows, killing five members of the opposing team in a frontal assault.

But clearly, this Teng Ya... was far from Xia's number one archer.

"Senior Brother, as long as we close in, I'm confident I can assassinate the archer," Dai Xiaoqing said, wielding dual blades and wearing soft leather armor. Her speed was even faster than Xu Jingming's! However, her overall protection was weaker, so she needed Xu Jingming to charge ahead while she followed behind.

"I'll create the opportunity," Xu Jingming said, seeing that they were closing in.

Suddenly—

Zheng Bailong and Lei Wenqing, the two experts, remained in place, while the archer Teng Ya began to retreat with Cheng Zihao and his bodyguard, A Yong, increasing the distance.

"Whoosh." As he retreated, the archer Teng Ya fired an abrupt arrow without warning.

The arrow tore through the air, as fast as a phantom, intending to fly past Xu Jingming and strike Dai Xiaoqing.

Xu Jingming blocked with his spear, deflecting the arrow.

"This archer is maintaining his distance, trying to kite us," Dai Xiaoqing said through the team comms.

"Continue with the original plan," Xu Jingming said, sprinting at full speed.

"Xu Jingming, it's been a while since we last fought," Zheng Bailong said with a laugh, wielding a pair of large axes and wearing light armor. He usually wore heavy armor, but considering Xu Jingming and Dai Xiaoqing's speed, light armor was more suitable for this battle.

"Zheng Bailong!" Xu Jingming glared at him, his spear transforming into a blur as he charged forward.

Although the opponent was a martial arts master, Xu Jingming had no respect for him; he greatly disliked the man's character.

During the World Martial Arts Competition, he had used every means possible to win, employing dirty tactics! Another martial arts master, Chang Qingpeng, had been kicked in the groin by him during the semi-finals. Even with groin protection, he had fainted on the spot and later retired.

The Martial Arts Competition was indeed brutal, but conscientious martial arts masters generally avoided intentionally 'ruining someone's future' or 'causing permanent disability'. Yet, some were ruthless. Xu Jingming had been struck by a shield, smashing into his knee, breaking and twisting his leg, ruining his career.

Zheng Bailong, who was so ruthless to his fellow countryman Chang Qingpeng, had drawn a barrage of criticism. Zheng Bailong had publicly explained that he aimed for the abdomen, but during the fight, his foot accidentally struck the opponent's groin. It was purely an accident.

Without conclusive evidence, the matter was dropped.

But as an insider, Xu Jingming knew that this senior was 'dirty'.

"Boom."

Zheng Bailong took the initiative, swinging his axes like two massive doors crashing down.

Xu Jingming immediately felt immense pressure.

"Shoo, shoo, shoo."

In the distance, the archer Teng Ya suddenly fired a series of arrows, unleashing five arrows in rapid succession, each as swift as a phantom, aimed at Li Miaomiao near the ancient city wall.

"What?" Li Miaomiao panicked. Although she was nearly one hundred and fifty meters from the archer, and she practiced the most agile *Huanmao* Evolution Method (Phantom Cat Evolution Method), she had ample time to dodge.

But the five arrows, breaking the sound barrier, came one after another. Li Miaomiao dodged the first arrow, but felt the second arrow was very close.

She dodged repeatedly, barely avoiding all five arrows.

"Luckily, I've been diligently practicing footwork for the past month. I'm Li Miaomiao, the cat!" Just as Li Miaomiao was rejoicing, she realized a terrifying arrow was already upon her.

"There's a sixth arrow?" Li Miaomiao didn't have time to react, because this last, strangely appearing sixth arrow was only ten meters away when she noticed it. The thought barely flashed through her mind before the arrow pierced her thigh. The impact caused her to stagger backward and fall to the ground, a large bloody hole in her thigh.

"One hundred and fifty meters away, and he could hit someone practicing the *Huanmao* Evolution Method with a straight shot?" Li Miaomiao even had the mind to switch her comms to audience-only. "Truly, Teng Ya deserves to be one of Xia's top ten archers. Did everyone see what happened just now? What was with that sixth arrow? I clearly only saw five arrows, so how did a sixth arrow appear in front of me?"

On the other side.

The archer Teng Ya smiled smugly and said to an excited Cheng Zihao, "Boss, the first target has been dealt with. She's badly injured and can't escape. Boss, go collect the kill."

"Worthy of being an archer, amazing!" Cheng Zihao said excitedly. "Leave it to me."

"A Yong, let's go."

Cheng Zihao, with his bodyguard A Yong, quickly charged toward Li Miaomiao.

…

Xu Jingming also found himself in a predicament. Zheng Bailong's pair of axes pressed in like a surging undercurrent, making it difficult for Xu Jingming to escape.

Lei Wenqing, also wielding dual blades and practicing the *Yingbao* Evolution Method (Shadow Leopard Evolution Method), was no slower than Dai Xiaoqing. He and Dai Xiaoqing were also fighting, but he prioritized defense and entanglement.

The archer Teng Ya was also watching intently, ready to shoot at any moment.

"Miaomiao." Xu Jingming's eyes reddened as he saw Cheng Zihao leading his men straight toward Li Miaomiao, who had fallen in the distance.

"I can't worry about it."

Xu Jingming exploded with speed, surging forward in just two steps.

Zheng Bailong was momentarily a step behind. After all, he practiced the *Juxiong* Evolution Method (Giant Bear Evolution Method), and even with light armor, he couldn't keep up with Xu Jingming's speed.

"He dares to turn his back on me!" Zheng Bailong instantly put down his two large axes and, with hands like phantoms, grabbed two flying axes from his waist, throwing them towards Xu Jingming at close range.

"Pfft."

Xu Jingming had been prepared for this the moment he turned his back on Zheng Bailong, and he instantly changed direction as he charged forward.

One of the two flying axes thrown by Zheng Bailong grazed past Xu Jingming's side, while the other flew past his waist, tearing a gash, blood seeping from the gaps in his waist armor.

"Get lost." Xu Jingming, enduring the sharp pain in his waist, thrust his spear straight at Lei Wenqing.

"Not good." Lei Wenqing retreated in fright, not daring to face Xu Jingming and Dai Xiaoqing at the same time.

As he retreated, Xu Jingming continued to charge toward him.

Whoosh.

Dai Xiaoqing immediately rushed toward the archer Teng Ya.

"Clang, clang, clang." Xu Jingming's spear thrust repeatedly, and Lei Wenqing struggled to defend with his dual blades, unable to stop Dai Xiaoqing from leaving.

"Teng Ya, you take on Dai Xiaoqing one-on-one," Zheng Bailong commanded through the team comms. "Lei and I will join forces to severely injure Xu Jingming first, then come help you."

Zheng Bailong was very clear.

With Dai Xiaoqing's speed, and Lei Wenqing being delayed for a moment, no one could catch up to Dai Xiaoqing now.

"This isn't good."

Li Miaomiao sat on the ground, watching the battlefield situation. Xu Jingming was injured in the waist and had to face a combined assault from the two experts.

"Boss, I'll protect you." Xiao Zeng had already rushed to Li Miaomiao's side, while Sister Kong was farther away and still rushing over.

"You're the weakest one here," Li Miaomiao said helplessly. "Help me up."

"Okay." Xiao Zeng immediately obediently helped Li Miaomiao up.

Li Miaomiao gripped Xiao Zeng's shoulder with one hand, and held her sword with the other, standing on one leg, staring coldly at Cheng Zihao and his bodyguard who were charging toward her.

"Li Miaomiao, long time no see," Cheng Zihao said, rushing over with a smile.

Li Miaomiao's eyes were filled with coldness.

Jingming can't come in time; I can only rely on myself! Rely on the sword in my hand!